Evaluation of Inbred and Hybrid Populations of Streptocarpus × hybridus

Abstract

Abstract Early generation inbreeding in one selection each of seed-propagated Streptocarpus x hybridus Voss ‘Concorde’ and ‘Mixed Nymph’ was characterized by reduced flower and leaf size, short peduncles, and increased frequencies of deformed flowers. Multivariate cluster analysis revealed exceptional genotypes that resembled the parent cultivar within the generally inferior inbred populations. Although inbreeding depression was apparent, the inbred populations did not increase significantly in homogeneity as determined by coefficients of variation. Reciprocal hybrids between selections of ‘Concorde’ and ‘Mixed Nymph’ and their first inbred populations, although apparently vigorous, were not statistically superior to parental lines. Reciprocal differences were observed for corolla width and length, and peduncle length between hybrids derived from selections of first generation inbreds of each cultivar. Development of superior seed-propagated Cape Primrose cultivars may be achieved through further inbreeding, selection, and hybridization.