Biotechnological approaches for crop improvement in carnation

Abstract

Carnations are the world’s first genetically engineered commercial flowers. Being a vegetatively propagated crop it has limited availability of gene pool with low chances of flower breeding. This makes it an ideal target for gene transfer technologies that have the potential to hasten the production of new genotypes and broaden the available gene pool. Development of transgenics is the need in the modern era of plant breeding, as they possess the potential to incorporate those characters in crop varieties which are either difficult or impossible through conventional breeding approaches. It is the possible alternative way to varietal development and shortens the duration. Improved morphology, flower colour, resistance to diseases, pests, flower doubleness and fragrance are some of the desired novel traits in carnation where transgenic approaches need to intervene. Genetic modification by means of genetic engineering approaches made remarkable approaches in development of varieties.