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Bulletin of Botanical Research ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (6): 928-938.doi: 10.7525/j.issn.1673-5102.2025.06.010

• Original Paper • Previous Articles    

Trait Evaluation and Hybrid Compatibility of Seven Rhododendron Species

Jie LI1, Jingli ZHANG1, Timei SUN1, Tian BAI1, Yingmin LÜ2, Fenyong LI3, Yawen WU1()   

  1. 1.College of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture,Yunnan Agricultural University,Kunming 650500
    2.School of Landscape Architecture,Beijing Forestry University,Beijing 100091
    3.Dali Cangshan Botanical Garden Biotechnology Co. ,Ltd. ,Dali 671003
  • Received:2024-12-31 Online:2025-11-20 Published:2025-11-27
  • Contact: Yawen WU E-mail:yawenwu@ynau.edu.cn

Abstract:

To establish a high quality variety screening system for Rhododendron, seven Rhododendron species from the azalea germplasm bank of Yunnan Agricultural University were taken as materials, and their ornamental values were evaluated by Analytic Hierarchy Process, and the drought resistance was evaluated through the determination of physiological indexes under drought stress, and cross-compatibility of high-quality species was evaluated by the cross-breeding and fertility tests. The results showed that R. × pulchrum ranked first for its compact plant shape, high flower and leaf fullness, and garden application potential. R. simsii had the highest ornamental score for its flowers, but a small number of flowers in each inflorescence, small leaves, and defoliation in winter, ranking the second. R. delavayi had the highest overall ornamental score, but relatively low potential for garden application, ranking the third. The drought resistance was ranked as R. × pulchrum > R. simsii > R. dauricum > R. vialii > R. delavayi > R. molle > R. decorum. The optimal group among seven hybrid groups was R. delavayi × R. simsii, because the fruit setting rate was 27.3%, and seed germination rate was 100.0%. However, no hybrid offspring was obtained from the hybrid combination of R. × pulchrum either as the male or female parent. In conclusion, the ornamental value and drought resistance of R. × pulchrum was the best, and the ornamental value and drought resistance of R. simsii and R. delavayi were the second, and the hybrids were compatible.

Key words: Rhododendron, ornamental evaluation, analytic hierarchy process, drought stress, physiological index, cross compatibility

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