Selection And Cultivation Of Desk Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum(Chrysanthemum×morifolium Ramat.) is one of the traditional flower species in China.As a characteristic Chinese chrysanthemum cultivation form,Desk Chrysanthemum is the representative of China's conventional art style of chrysanthemum.However,few of corporations produce Desk Chrysanthemum with Chinese cultivars.The research aimed at finding and breeding suitable Chinese varieties for the production of Desk Chrysanthemum.Based on the result of market questionnaire,combined with the evaluation standard for cut chrysanthemum,the evaluation standard by hundred-mark system for Desk Chrysanthemum was established.The preliminary investigation of Chinese chrysanthemum resources was carried out to secure primary cultivars.The author graded those varieties from four index inculding growing traits, flower appearances,plant types and culture meanings.68 upper ranking cultivars were selected for further field experiments.Field experiments were conducted in 2007 and 2008 in a plantation in Changping District of Beijing.68 Chinese chrysanthemum cultivars(besides 9 Jpanese cultivars for the use of comparison) were cultivated for natural flowering production of Desk Chrysanthemum.The suitable Chinese chrysanthemum cultivars for mass production of Desk Chrysanthemum were investigated using evaluation standard by hundred-mark system for Desk Chrysanthemum,which includes flower color, flower shape,sturdiness etc.as evaluate index.18 varieties were screened out for mass production of Desk Chrysanthemum.In addition,12 Chinese chrysanthemum cultivars were planted for out-season cultivation of Desk Chrysanthemum and 2 varieties were screened out.The research also dealt with two irradiation-induced Chinese chrysanthemum varieties.Radiation dose was from 15Gy to 35Gy.The results showed that both of the two cultivars developed flower color mutation.The experiment showed the feasibility of breeding cultivars for Desk Chrysanthemum in the future.