Interspecific hybridization of miniature roses and inheritance of some traits in progeny

The low germination rate and poor seed set contribute to the low rose breeding success. The study aimed to assess the hybridization performance of miniature roses and the qualitative and quantitative traits of the progeny. In the study twelve different commercial miniature pot rose varieties, an old garden rose species (Halfeti Rose, Rosa odorata Louis XIV), and two different commercial cut rose cultivars of Rosa×hybrida species (First Red, Myrna) were used as plant material. 36 different hybrid combinations were created and 850 hybridizations were performed. The average number of seeds per fruit was 9.48 and the average seed germination rate was 15.81%. Morphological characterization, including the number of flowers, flower diameter, plant height, flower and leaf color, and scent, was performed on 236 F1 genotypes. Although miniature rose × cut rose had a pre-pollination barriers, no pre-pollination barrier was observed in miniature rose × Halfeti rose combinations, and F1 genotypes obtained from this combination showed some superior characteristics such as plant height, number of flowers and characteristic scent compared to other combinations. In addition, the progenies exhibited dwarf characteristics in terms of plant height and flower size, which were influenced by the maternal parent. Fragrant genotypes were obtained, and a significant diversity in color was observed.