Abstract:

Cymbidium hybridum is a cultivar group derived from multi-generational hybrid breeding using germplasm resources of the Cymbidium genus (Orchidaceae), and it is extremely popular for the Lunar New Year season. At present, most domestic Cymbidium hybridum cultivars in China are mainly introduced from abroad, and the majority of them are old varieties. After multi-generational asexual propagation, these cultivars have suffered from severe characteristic degradation, which fails to meet the demands of consumers, making the renewal of cultivars an urgent need. To improve the breeding efficiency of Cymbidium hybridum, this paper systematically reviews the research progress in its hybrid breeding and polyploid breeding, and summarizes the application status of these two breeding methods. Specifically, for hybrid breeding, the core links—including pollen vitality determination, stigma receptivity determination, pollen storage, and parental selection—are emphasized; for polyploid breeding, the focus is placed on the ploidy basis and key technical points such as induction methods, induction materials, and inducing agents. Aiming at addressing the problems existing in current breeding practices—including long cycle and serious capsule abortion phenomenon in hybrid breeding, as well as low efficiency in polyploid breeding—this study proposes the following optimization suggestions: optimizing cultivation techniques to shorten the childhood period; applying molecular marker technology to assist parental selection, combining in vitro flowering technology to pre-evaluate the traits of hybrid progeny, thereby shortening the breeding cycle; strengthening research on the mechanism of capsule abortion occurrence and adopting different pollination methods to overcome hybrid breeding barriers; and enhancing exploration of various inducing agents, along with research and utilization of 2n gametes, to improve the efficiency of polyploid induction.

Key words: Cymbidium hybridum, hybrid breeding, polyploid breeding, parent selection, ploidy