The effect of interspecific and intraspecific hybridization on seed germination of Pitaya (Hylocereus spp.)

Abstract

Objective: In this study, the effect of interspecific and intraspecific hybridization on seed germination of pitaya was investigated. Material and Methods: Self-infertile 'Bloody Mary' (Hylocereus polyrhizus) was used as the maternal parent and 'Cosmic Charlie' (Hylocereus undatus), 'Red Jaina' (Hylocereus polyrhizus) and 'White Jaina' (Hylocereus undatus) were used as pollinators in this study. Flowers were pollinated at three different times (10: 00 pm, 00: 00 am, and 06.00 am). After pollination, seeds from each pollination combination were sown. The germination rate, average germination time, germination energy and germination index of the sown seeds were determined depending on pollination time and pollinator cultivars. Results: The research findings indicated that the germination rate was 100% in all seed sowing combinations, depending on different pollinator cultivars ('Cosmic Charlie' and 'White Jaina' are in different species from the maternal parent) and pollination times. The results revealed that interspecific hybridization did not have a negative effect on seed germination. On the other hand, germination time, germination energy and index differed as per pollinator type and pollination hours. Conclusion: According to the findings, it was concluded that interspecific hybridization in pitaya does not have problem in seed germination and results might offer an infrastructure for future breeding programme in pitaya.