Do rose seeds behave like apple seeds?

Technique Flower Initiation
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1

In my reading so far it appears to me that apple seeds behave very much like rose seeds as far as germination goes.

If my “hunch” is correct, we may be able to learn a lot from the extensive research that has been done on this “food crop” compared to the amount of research that has been done on an “ornamental”.

Title: REMOVAL OF EMBRYONIC DORMANCY IN APPLE (MALUS X DOMESTICA BORKH) BY 6-BENZYLAMINOPURINE

Authors: ZHANG YX, LESPINASSE Y

Authors affiliation: ZHANG YX, INRA,AMELIORAT ESPECES FRUITIERES & ORNEMENTALES STN, F-49000 ANGERS, FRANCE

Published in: SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE, volumn 46, pages 215-223, (1991).

Abstract: “Embryos excised from non-stratified cultivar ‘Golden Delicious’ apple seeds germinated soon after soaking in a solution of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) at 12.5-25 mg l-1 for 6-24 h or at 50-100 mg l-1 for 1-24 h. The low BAP concentrations (12.5-25 mg l-1) resulted in more normal development of the plants than the high concentrations (50-100 mg l-1). Compared with BAP, gibberellic acid (GA3) did not consistently stimulate the germination of dormant embryos. The possibility of removing embryonic dormancy of apple seeds by a BAP treatment could be very useful in plant breeding by shortening the breeding cycle.”

I checked Citation Index to see if anyone had commented on this paper. The only citation was by the above authors in another paper.

2

Title: Effect of chemical mutagens on cytoembryological processes and the possibility of obtaining apple polyploid forms.

Author: Shidakov, R. S.

Author affiliation: Kabardino-Balkar Zonal Hortic. Exp. Stn., Nalchik, USSR.

Published in: Genetika (Moscow), volumn 21, pages 1841-1848, (1985).

Abstract: “The effects of N-nitroso-N-methylurea (I) on meiosis and embryogenesis were investigated in 2 diploid and 2 triploid varieties of apple. Treatment of flower buds depressed germinability and altered morphol. of pollen from diploid varieties. In triploids, however, germinability increased. Cytol. anal. of meiotic figures suggested that lagging chromosomes in I-treated triploid tissue may have given rise to gametes possessing a chromosome no. closer to the haploid, with consequent increases in gamete viability and fertility. I had an inhibitory effect on embryogenesis and slowed development of the endosperm in both diploids and triploids. Use of pollen from I-treated flowers led to a lowering of self-incompatibility in self-sterile diploids. The effects of I on meiosis suggests the possibility of obtaining unreduced gametes, and hence meiotic polyploids.”

3

Apples belong to Rosae correct?

4

I received the following e-mail:

“I’m not sure what the connection of this second article is to the first. The first has to do with seeds, the second does not–and the authors are not the same. Clarify?”



Answer - they were just examples of the types of research that have been done on apple systems that may be applicable to roses.

5

The following is taken from an article which was published in the 1960 Canadian Rose Annual pages 69-70. Of interest are the several crosses of roses with other members of the Rosaceae family. Although the crosses at that time were sterile, it is possible that with modern techniques such as chromosone doubling fertile plants could be made.

Title: Hybridizing Limitations

Author: Roy E. Shepherd, Medina, Ohio

"It is somewhat difficult to realize that the Rose family (Rosaceae) contains approximately 100 widely distributed and diversified genera of trees, shrubs and herbs. It includes among others, and in addition to roses,

such well known and dissimilar subjects as the Spirea, Blackberry, Raspberry, Plum, Peach, Apple and Strawberry. Modern botanists have attempted to place a few of these in other families or to establish entirely new ones, but their endeavors have not been universally accepted.

Plant breeders have also made numerous attempts to cross different genera of the family in the hope that distinct and valuable plants may result, but nothing of great importance has been produced."…

“In all seriousness though there is a distinct possibility that science may eventually find means of effecting crosses that have failed previously, and inter-genera crosses within the Rosaceae group may become a reality. They should at least be interesting.” …

“Dr. J. H. Nicolas, formerly Research Director for Jackson and Perkins, was more successful as he raised three seedlings of a cross between an apple and a rose. They were similar to the latter in general appearance but showed evidence of apple influence in the bark, foliage, and in the peculiarly colored double apple-like blossoms. The latter, incidentally, were somewhat similar to those produced by Bechtels Crab but not as well formed or as large. The plants were barely remontant and after blooming they were inactive until fall when a second spurt took place. Further experience with Rose x Apple and Rose x Hawthorn crosses gave similar results and all proved to be sterile. They were therefore valueless for use as parents in further breeding along this line.”

6

So Rose X Hawthorn is possible ? I was wondering why in one of my rose seedlings pot there is something looking like a Crateagus… The neighbour has an Hawthorn close to the seed rose… (but a seed could fall in the pot, so not sure !)

Anyway, I found (in a Bonsai pot!) a little rosacee fruit germinating. It caught my eye immediatly: 5 seedlings were emerging from the fruit: 3 cotoneaster like (like the fruit), and two different, more like Crateagus ones…so probably cotoneaster X crateagus…

All those plants are alive, I wait for their flowering…

7

Is there by chance, an apple cultivar with a gene for delphinidin? I remember hearing a peach variety has it. Perhaps this is another route for home gardener to attempt to put that gene in the genus rosa, thus creating a possability for rose breeders a chance to produce a blue rose? This could be something intresting for somebody willing to try, although I imagine it will take a life time with a very strong possability of no success…

8

I assume that one would have to resort to chromosome doubling to get a fertile 50-50 cross; but I wonder whether a hign chromosome R. Canina type mother with a low chromosome apple as father would retain its fertility.

9

Nota : if there is really an hybrid obtain in my garden, it is with Kordes’rugosa hybrid “Robusta”…from which I generally have only a few seeds…

10

Title: Dormancy Release, Germination, and Electrolyte Leakage from Apple Embryos during Stratification in the Presence of Sucrose

Author: A. P. Daskalyuk

Author affiliation: Institute of Plant Physiology, Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Lesnaya ul. 22, Kishinev, 2002 Moldova.

Published in: Russian Journal of Plant Physiology, volumn 49, pages 700-705, (2002).

Abstract: "The dynamics of dormancy release during the stratification of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) seeds was quantitatively described by three characteristics of seeds germination: the percentage of seeds that germinated by the tenth day, mean germination time, and the sum of seeds germinated in each of ten days (Timson’s parameter), which allowed the assessment of the viability, the rate of dormancy release, and seed heterogeneity.

We showed that apple seeds were characterized by a combined (physical and physiological) type of dormancy, with the seed coat and the embryo envelope being involved in the maintenance of physical dormancy.

The addition of sucrose to the stratification medium accelerated the release of seed dormancy and improved all

characteristics that determine seed germinability. Electrolyte leakage from embryos hardly changed during

stratification, which agrees with the fact that all seeds remained viable throughout the entire period of dormancy.

We assume that the release of seed dormancy is not a single-stage process."

11

The following link will give you a Agricola search using the 2 keywords “apple” and “seed”.

Not all of the references have the abstract. To see the abstract (if there is one) you have to click “full record”.

http://agricola.nal.usda.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?SAB1=apple&BOOL1=all+of+these&FLD1=Keyword+Anywhere+(GKEY)&GRP1=AND+with+next+set&SAB2=seed&BOOL2=any+of+these&FLD2=Keyword+Anywhere+(GKEY)&GRP2=AND+with+next+set&SAB3=&BOOL3=as+a+phrase&FLD3=Title+(TKEY)&GRP3=AND+with+next+set&SAB4=&BOOL4=as+a+phrase&FLD4=Author+Name+(NKEY)&PID=25450&SEQ=20040103105720&CNT=100&HIST=1

Link: agricola.nal.usda.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?SAB1=apple&BOOL1=all+of+these&FLD1=Keyword+Anywhere+%28GKEY%29&GRP1=AND+with+next+set&SAB2=seed&BOOL2=any+of+these&FLD2=Keyword+Anywhere+%28GKEY%29&GRP2=AND+with+next+set&SAB3=&BOOL3=as+a+phrase&FLD3=Titl

12

I am sorry that the above Agrocola search no longer works. I tested it in the preview mode before testing and it worked then, but it apparently has a time out check. Also the link was cut off. The time out appears if you cut and paste the complete address.

You can enter the front door at:

http://agricola.nal.usda.gov/

Use the Article Citation Database. Use the MORE SEARCH OPTIONS and set both apple and seed as KEYWORD ANYWHERE. Use the AND option between them.

Link: agricola.nal.usda.gov/

13

Title: Breeding and characteristics of symmetric intergeneric hybrids between apple and pear.

Authors: Banno, K.; Hirano, Y.; Ishikawa, H.; Kakegawa, M.

Authors affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Nagano, Japan.

Published in: Acta Horticulturae, volumn 622, pages 265-276, (2003).

Abstract: “Cross-pollinated embryos of ‘Fuji’ apple X ‘Oharabeni’ pear were cultured in the half-strength of MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L BA, 0.1 mg/L IBA, and 70 g/L coconut water in order to introduce new characteristics from pear to apple such as resistance to apple blotch and apple scab. Leaf and shoot morphol. of hybrids generally resembled ‘Oharabeni’. The graft-compatibility of these hybrids on five kinds of apple and pear rootstocks was the highest on ‘Old Home’ pear. All of the five hybrids tested showed resistance to apple blotch, apple scab, pear scab, and pear rust. Analyses of S-gene, SSRs, isoenzyme, RAPD marker and chromosome no. suggested that all of the progenies were sym. intergeneric hybrids receiving both genome equally. Two linkage maps of ‘Fuji’ and ‘Oharabeni’ were constructed sep. from the segregation data of these genotypes and DNA markers in the 17 progenies using a MAPL 98 mapping software. The linkage map of ‘Fuji’ consisted of 17 linkage groups spanning 899.1 cM, in which each locus of isoenzyme, S-gene and SSRs was mapped. The linkage map of ‘Oharabeni’ consisted of 23 linkage groups spanning 1328.8 cM, in which each locus of isoenzyme, S-gene, SSRs and the phenotype of red leaf was mapped. These results offer a new breeding strategy for multiple-disease resistance and a novel strategy for the simultaneous genetic mapping and its integration in apple and pear using their intergeneric hybrids.”

14

Title: Effect of exogenous plant growth regulators on in vitro seed growth, embryo development, and haploid production in a cross between H. vulgare (L.) and H. bulbosum (L.).

Authors: Chen, Fuqiang; Hayes, Patrick.

Authors affiliation: Dep. Crop Soil Sci., Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR, USA.

Published in: Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, volumn 26, pages 179-184, (1991).

Abstract: "Exogenous plant growth regulators are known to increase the efficiency of interspecific and intergeneric crosses. In vitro floret culture provides a defined system for assessing the importance of various plant growth regulators on the determinants of haploid prodn. efficiency (seed set, embryos per seeds, and plants per embryos) in Hordeum vulgare X Hordeum bulbosum crosses. The individual and combined effects of three plant growth regulators (2,4-D, GA3 and kinetin) on in vitro seed growth, embryo development and haploid prodn. efficiency were tested in floret culture of the cross H. vulgare, cultivar Klages

15

The following is from an article that appeared in the 1960 Canadian Rose Annual pages 69-70. Since it has been possible to cross apples with roses and to have the seeds germinate, it would appear that knowledge of apple seed germination would have a high probability of transfer to rose seed germination.

Although the crosses at that time resulted in sterile plants, it is possible that with modern techniques such as chromosone doubling fertile plants could be made.

Title: Hybridizing Limitations

by Roy E. Shepherd, Medina, Ohio

“The writer has succeeded in budding a rose on to an apple branch and in crossing a rose with a member of the blackberry family, but the bud remained dormant and the seeds did not germinate. Dr. J. H. Nicolas, formerly Research Director for Jackson and Perkins, was more successful as he raised three seedlings of a cross between an apple and a rose. They were similar to the latter in general appearance but showed evidence of apple influence in the bark, foliage, and in the peculiarly colored double apple-like blossoms. The latter, incidentally, were somewhat similar to those produced by Bechtels Crab but not as well formed or as large. The plants were barely remontant and after blooming they were inactive until fall when a second spurt took place. Further experience with Rose x Apple and Rose x Hawthorn crosses gave similar results and all proved to be sterile. They were therefore valueless for use as parents in further breeding along this line.”