2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Interspecific breeding of Hydrangea paniculata, H. macrophylla and H. serrata was carried out and progenies were obtained. Genetic confirmation of interspecific crosses was conducted using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Markers differentiating parent genotypes were identified and then used to detect F1 progenies. Six ISSR primers (UBC 834, 836, 840, 841, 859, 873) were selected for identifying of 25 F1 hybrids progenies. The result showed that paternal-specific bands were found in 25 progenies and all of them were true hybrids. The interspecific cross between H. paniculata ‘Unique’ and H. macrophylla ‘Mariesii’ was the most successful and most of true hybrids were from this cross. ISSR markers were efficient in detecting genetic variability. In conclusion, ISSR markers efficiently identified the interspecific hybrids, which indicated that ISSR can be used for early identification of Hydrangea hybrids.