Progress 10/01/09 to 10/01/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The Project Director, Dr. Richard Henny has retired from the University of Florida in 2014. We are submitting this Final Report to close the project in REEport.

Publications

Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Ornamental tropical foliage plant producers in Florida and throughout the world. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? This work was used to train one graduate student. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? This information has been disseminated through journal articles and EDIS publications once the journal aricles are published. We also share information via talks, tours and visits with clientel. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Continue to work closely with industry representatives to keep our work relevant.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We are evaluating several new cultivars of heartleaf Philodendron, Philodendron micans, and and Epipremnum aureum for growth and uniformity. If successful in our tests they will move one step closer to release. Leaf explants of F. lyratal were cultured on MS medium supplemented with thidiazuron (TDZ) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) for establishing a reliable method of plant regeneration. Leaf explants are inoculated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA 105 harboring a binary vector DEAT that contains the VvMybA1gene and neomycin phosphotransferase (npt II) gene and subsequently cultured on the established regeneration medium supplemented with 100 mg l-1 kanamycin. Infected leaf explants were transferred onto solid regeneration medium supplemented with 200 mg l-1 of carbenicillin and cefotaxime, respectively, as well as 100 mg l-1 kanamycin. To produce adventitious shoots, explants with kanamycin-resistant callus were transferred onto the same medium. Kanamycin-resistant green and purple shoots were transferred onto MS basal medium supplemented with NAA and 100 mg l-1 kanamycin, as well as 200 mg l-1 cefotaxime and carbenicillin, respectively in baby-food jars for rooting and further plantlet growth. Plantlets with well-developed roots were transferred to a soilless substrate containing 40% sphagnum peat, 25% pine bark, 25% coconut coir, and 10% styrofoam by volume and grown in a shaded greenhouse. We are evaluating resulting plants at this time. A study a newly introduced tropical ornamental plant cultivars, Adenium obesum ‘Red’ and ‘Ice Pink’ were grown under full sun (with a measured maximum photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of 1,850 μmol m-2 s-1), 30% shade (1,255 μmol m-2 s-1) or 50% shade (943μmol m-2 s-1) in 1.25 L pots top-dressed with controlled-release fertilizer Nutricote® Plus (18N?2.6P?6.6K) at rates to provide 0.4, 0.9 or 1.4 g of N per pot. A 30% shade level produced plants with the highest flower numbers and quality ratings. Plants grown at 50% shade had the greatest size but flower number and quality ratings were low. In full sun, plants were smaller than shaded plants.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Chen, J., N. Xia, J. Zhao, J. Chen, and R.J. Henny. 2013. Chromosome numbers and ploidy levels of Chinese Curcuma species. HortScience 48:525-530.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Zhao, J. Z.T. Li, J. Chen, R.J. Henny, D.J. Gray, and J. Chen. 2013. Purpled leaved Ficus lyrata produced by overexpression of a grapevine VvMybA1 gene. Plant Cell Reports 32:1783-1793.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Zhao, J., Z. Li, R.J. Henny, D.J. Gray, J. Xie, and J. Chen. 2013. Efficient somatic embryogenesis and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Epipremnum aureum Jade. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 114:237-247.

Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The research described in this project should lead to new foliage plant cultivars that will have an immediate impact on the Florida nursery industry. OBJECTIVES: Objectives will be accomplished by conducting research in the following areas: 1. Define hybridization protocols for new and for under-utilized foliage plant genera and species that have potential to create major economic impact. 2. Develop and adapt mutation induction systems for ornamental foliage plant genera and species that cannot be readily hybridized. 3. Use somatic embryogenesis regeneration systems and tissue culture techniques to accelerate production of new phenotypes. 4. Conduct production growth testing and interiorscaping evaluations for selected hybrids, mutants, and new plant introductions for release as new varieties. APPROACH: PROCEDURES: New genera are observed for natural flowering cycles as well as treated with growth regulators (i.e. gibberellic acid) or environmental manipulation (i.e. day length, cold treatments, etc) to stimulate flowering. Factors affecting pollination such at temperature, relative humidity or diurnal cycles are also critical in some genera. For mutation induction techniques through irradiation and chemical means to stimulate production of sports in various genera that are not easily hybridized. Genera studied include Philodendron and Epipremnum. Desirable mutations are isolated, propagated and observed for vigor and stability. This process may take up to two years or more. For both propagation and mutation induction purposes, we have developed somatic embryogenesis systems for several foliage plant genera including Epipremnum and Dieffenbachia and plan to continue this research. We will document the causes and frequencies of somaclonal variant occurrence using these and other foliage plant genera. Controlled growth tests for all potential new cultivars, either hybrid or mutation in origin, are conducted when enough stock plant material exits to provide uniform propagules. Plants are grown using appropriate growing environments, potting mixes and several fertilizer programs to duplicate commercial conditions and find the optimum plant response. Experiments and data collection may last from 3 months to 1 year depending on the particular crop. When plants reach salable size they are tested inside interior growth rooms provided with artificial light for at least 3 months at which time they are evaluated for interior performance. Only selections that receive excellent evaluations are considered for release to enhance and support the Florida tropical foliage plant industry. In greenhouse studies we already are characterizing several mutations induced from irradiation of whole plants of Philodendron and Epipremnum. We plan to incorporate selected phenotypic mutants into our somatic embryogenesis regeneration systems for mass propagation and then screen subsequent populations for additional variants. It should be possible to recover a higher frequency of mutants in this manner since somatic embryos develop from single a cell which helps to eliminate chimeras. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
PROGRESS: 2011/10 TO 2012/09 OUTPUTS: Continuing studies with somatic embryogenesis have shown that Epipremnum Marble Queen can be propagated using this technique. In addition to a rapid propagation method, the differing types of variegated propagules produced can be useful in studying genetics of variegation. Preliminary results suggest that mechanisms underlying leaf variegation of Marble Queen differ from the closely related Golden Pothos. We have also established a method of regenerating Spathiphyllum Supreme through direct somatic embryogenesis. Somatic embryos occurred in leaf and petiole explants cultured in the dark. The results also indicated that regenerated plants have a stable ploidy level. Thus, this established regeneration method can be used for highly effective and uniform propagation of Spathiphyllum Supreme. In tissue culture studies with Dracaena x masseffiana we have been able to regenerate plants from immature flower buds. These eventual progeny are being screened for phenotypic variation. We have been successful in regenerating Philodendron bipinnatifidum (selloum) from somatic embryos using leaf tissue. This is the first such report. Offspring are being screened for presence of phenotypic mutations or changes in ploidy. Preliminary testing indicates that Zamioculcas (zz plant) may be induced to predictable flowering following application of gibberellic acid. Preliminary cultural studies with Adenium have shown growth and flowering differences due to light levels and nutrition levels. Experiments are also in progress to test Adenium response to growth regulators for promotion of rooting. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. IMPACT: 2011/10 TO 2012/09 The economic impact of this foliage breeding research, its applications and subsequent production on a worldwide basis was within the range of 20 million dollars during the past year.

Publications

• 1. Jietang Zhao, Jin Cui, Juanxu Liu, Feixiong Liao, Richard J. Henny and Jianjun Chen. 2012. Direct Somatic Embryogenesis from Leaf and Petiole Explants of Spathiphyllum Supreme and Analysis of Regenerants using Flow Cytometry. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 110:239,249.
• 2. Aisu Gu, Wenfang Liu, Chao Ma, and Jin Cui, Richard J. Henny and Jianjun Chen. 2012. Regeneration of Anthurium andraeanum from Leaf Explants and Evaluation of Microcutting Rooting and Growth under Different Light Qualities. HortScience 47(1):88,92. 2012.

Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Continuing studies with somatic embryogenesis have shown that Pothos Marble Queen can be propagated using this technique. In addition to a rapid propagation method, the differing types of variegated propagules produced can be useful in studying genetics of variegation. Preliminary results suggest that mechanisms underlying leaf variegation of Marble Queen differ from the closely related Golden Pothos. We have also established a method of regenerating Spathiphyllum Supreme through direct somatic embryogenesis. Somatic embryos occurred in leaf and petiole explants cultured in the dark. The results also indicated that regenerated plants have a stable ploidy level. Thus, this established regeneration method can be used for highly effective and uniform propagation of Spathiphyllum Supreme. In tissue culture studies with Dracaena x masseffiana we have been able to regenerate plants from immature flower buds. These eventual progeny will be screened for phenotypic variation. We have been successful in regenerating Philodendron bipinnatifidum (selloum) from somatic embryos using leaf tissue. This is the first such report. Offspring are being screened for presence of phenotypic mutations or changes in ploidy. Two Pothos and one Philodendron advanced MREC hybrid selections have been sent to commercial facilities for production testing. In a first successful step toward hybridization, preliminary testing indicates that Zamioculcas (zz plant) may be induced to predictable flowering following application of gibberellic acid. Preliminary cultural studies with Adenium have shown growth and flowering differences due to light levels and nutrition levels. Experiments are also in progress to test Adenium response to growth regulators for promotion of branching and for dwarfing. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The MREC foliage breeding program is the only such breeding program in the world. The economic impact of this research, its applications and subsewquent production on a world wide basis was within the range of 20 million dollars during the plast year.

Publications

• Henny, Richard J. and J. Chen. 2011. Leprechaun Aglaonema. HortScience 46(6):950-951.
• Cui, J., J. Liu, J. Chen, and R.J. Henny. 2011. Regeneration of Chlorophytum amaniense Fire Flash via indirect shoot organogenesis. HortScience 46:466-469.
• Henny R.J. and J. Chen. 2011. Using Gibberellic Acid and Ethephon to Induce Flowers on Tropical Foliage Plants. EDIS: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep447.
• Henny, R.J. and J. Chen. 2011. New Florida Foliage Plant Cultivar Leprechaun Aglaonema. EDIS: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep446 .
• R.J. Henny, J. Chen and T.A. Mellich. 2011. New Florida Foliage Plant Cultivar:Pothos Pearls and Jade. EDIS: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep441.

Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: We are continuing to treat selected plants via irradiation to induce mutations. These studies involve plants in the genera Philodendron, Gynura, Epipremnum, and Zamioculcas. Currently we are propagating large numbers of Philodendron oxycardium scandens in vitro that were treated with colchicine. We should have polyploid individuals identified within the next 6 months. Growth regulator treatments are an important part of foliage breeding. Such results allow us to investigate potential differences in species' response. We are now treating selected lines of Epipremnum, Philodendron and Zamiocalcus with gibberellic acid to induce flowering for breeding. During 2010 our research in foliage breeding involved developing and evaluating tropical ornamental foliage plants, both hybrids and mutations, with novel ornamental characteristics or improved resistance to environmental or disease stress. Genera include Aglaonema, Dieffenbachia, Philodendron, Gynura, Spathiphyllum, and Epipremnum. We are now working in cooperation with other biotechnology colleagues at MREC to apply genetic transformation techniques for grape to Epipremnum and Spathiphyllum. We will use our somatic embryogenesis techniques to regenerate cultures transformed by Agrobacterium in their lab. Initial successes should make it possible for us to generate outside grant support. This will be a major research focus during 2011-2014. Develop reliable plant improvement schemes for pothos and heartleaf philodendron. We plan to couple traditional breeding with continued irradiation treatments and propagation using our somatic embryogenesis systems. We are now initiating tissue cultures of mutated Philodendron micans that will be used to generate large numbers of plantlets from a single mutated bud. This should allow us to regenerate large numbers of new mutations that would not be attained using traditional propagation techniques. Specific evaluation and testing procedures will include: 1. Select and observe for stability - new cultivar vs. standard 2. Propagation Tests - eyes vs. tips - winter vs. summer - include tissue culture studies if applicable 3. Production time from rooting to finished material - rooting in winter vs. summer - growth rates vs. season 4. Post harvest testing (3 months minimum) - under indoor conditions with artificial light - check for stability of variegation and/or change in plant form Reduction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) using tropical ornamental foliage plants. We are working with Dr. Norman (MREC plant pathologist) in cooperation with Dynamac Corporation, a contract researcher for NASA to determine how Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) can be removed from the atmosphere using foliage plants. Genera included are Chlorophytum, Syngonium and Spathiphyllum. In initial stages, we are exploring methods to compare the effect of the foliage plants versus the effects of soil-borne microbes on reducing VOC's concentrations. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The MREC Foliage Plant Breeding Program is the only breeding effort in the world dedicated to foliage crops and is of significant importance to our Florida nursery industry and to consumers. A conservative estimate of the economic impact of this research, its applications and subsequent products on a worldwide basis is at least $10 million dollars during the last year.

Publications

• Liu, J., M. Deng, R.J. Henny, J. Chen and J. Xie. 2010. Regeneration of Dracaena surculosa through indirect shoot organogenesis. HortScience 45:1250-1254
• Deng, M., J. Chen, R.J. Henny, and Q. Li. 2010. Genetic relationships of Codiaeum variegatum cultivars analyzed by amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. HortScience 45:868-874.
• Henny, R.J., J. Chen, and T.A. Mellich. 2010. Philodendron scandens subsp. Oxycardium Frilly Philly. HortScience 45:830-831.