Utilization of molecular markers for ornamental plants

We have tried to apply the molecular techniques on the phylogenetic relationships, genetic diversity, cultivar identification and hybrid detection of several ornamental plants including azaleas and orchids. In azaleas, RAPD profiling was a useful tool for cultivar identification and hybrid selection. A natural hybridization or introgression event between two wild species was clarified by PCR-RFLP of cpDNA. This PCR-RFLP of cpDNA also revealed the origins of old cultivars. To clarify the phylogenetic relationships in genus Rhododendron, we examined all 8 subgenera and 12 sections of Rhododendron along with 3 genera Ledum, Menziesia and Elliottia for the sequence analysis of matK and trnK introns. The results showed interesting cladistics that will be informative for the next breeding program. In slipper orchids, intergeneric hybrids could be identified by RAPD analysis. Some RAPD bands were subgenus-specific or species-specific. The specificity of the bands was confirmed by Southern hybridization analysis and used for SCAR markers. These SCAR markers will be useful for rapid detection of the hybrid seedlings in orchid breeding.