A whole-plant screening test to identify genotypes with superior freezing tolerance.
Freezing tolerance is a determinant factor of persistence of perennials grown in northern climate. Selection for winterhardiness in field nurseries is difficult because of the unpredictability of occurrence of test winters allowing the identification of hardy genotypes. Here we describe a whole-plant assay entirely performed indoor in growth chambers and walk-in freezers to identify genotypes with superior tolerance to freezing within populations of open pollinated species. Three successive freezing stresses are applied to progressively eliminate 90 % of the population and to retain only the 10 % best performing genotypes. This approach can be used to generate recurrently selected populations more tolerant to freezing in different species.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Soils and Crops Research and Development Centre, 2560 Hochelaga Boulevard, Québec, QC, Canada, G1V 2J3, Annick.bertrand@agr.gc.ca.
Annick
A
Bertrand
Yves
Y
Castonguay
Josée
J
Bourassa
D000064:Acclimatization; D004780:Environment, Controlled; D005615:Freezing; D005838:Genotype; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D063245:Plant Development; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics*; D054817:Pollination; D012621:Seasons; D012639:Seeds / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological