Argentina has been slow to exploit its native flora even though many genera have contributed to the development of important varieties of cut flowers (Alstroemeria), pot plants (Begonia, Fuchsia, Calceolaria) and bedding plants (Glandularia, Petunia, Calibrachoa, Portulaca). However, indigenous genetic resources are now being used to obtain homebred varieties.

by G. Facciuto, J. C. Hagiwara and S. Soto

In an attempt to exploit Argentina’s floral diversity, consisting of 248 families, 1,927 genera and 9,690 species, which also include 1,906 endemic species, the Floriculture Institute of INTA Castelar (IF) initiated research activities in 1999. This also involved the exploration and collection of native plants with ornamental value, germplasm characterization and breeding. In the beginning the main objective of the collection trips was to obtain more ornamental pot flower varieties from native plants. Glandularia, Nierembergia, Calibrachoa, Mecardonia, Scoparia and Passiflora have been the major herbaceous genera collected, while in terms of woody plants, Tabebuia, Jacaranda and Tecoma have been the genera most collected. Classic breeding tools were used such as selection, interspecific hybridization and poliploidization. Mutagenic treatments using x-ray treatment were also initiated successfully to obtain genetic variation. Selected clones from the breeding programs were evaluated in three Argentinean provinces (Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Mendoza). Open days have also been organized where producers, landscapers and other industry professionals visit experimental fields and greenhouses.

In addition, IF is just beginning a new project with the aim of obtaining cut flower varieties from native plants. The search for new genera was initiated in the north-west of Argentina. Sixty samples were collected. Asteraceae was one of the major families collected with 28 accessions and seven genera: Porophyllum, Viguiera, Bidens, Achyrocline, Perezia, Stevia and Eupatorium. These species have great potential due to their stem length and inflorescence longevity. Other genera collected with cut flower potential were Lantana, Gentianella, Polygala and Gomphrena. Passiflora breeding was also initiated with the objective of obtaining new forms. Interspecific hybridization was conducted successfully and many hybrids were produced. These hybrids are being evaluated to find those that present two or three flowers opening at the same time.

The Argentinean floriculture and ornamental crops sector has a production area of 2,755 ha, of which, 54% is dedicated to ornamental plants and 46% is dedicated to cut flower production. There are an estimated 1,300 growers in the country, mostly supplying the local market (see FCI March 2008, pg 46). The authors are researchers at IF ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).


IF Open Day: An opportunity between farmers and researchers to exchange opinions about clones and the objectives of breeding programs. It is important to mention that farmers currently depend entirely on foreign varieties and have to pay royalties, including varieties derived from native plants.


Woody pot plants: The primary goal was to obtain compact plants that blossom after a short period of cultivation. Sorpresa Rosa INTA (Tabebuia heptaphylla) is a variety that blossoms 6-8 months after grafting. It has the potential to develop up to 40 flowers per inflorescence and at least four inflorescences per plant. It is interesting to note that in its natural environment T. heptaphylla is a tree between 4 and 30 m tall that usually has a 4-8 year juvenile period. When this variety was obtained interspecific hybridization was carried out to generate flower colour variation. New colours were obtained by crossing yellow and pink flowered Tabebuia species.
Victoria INTA-JICA (Tecoma hybrid) is a cutting propagated variety of Tecoma, obtained from interspecific crossing between T. stans and T. garrocha. It was the first potted woody plant inscribed by IF. It’s a compact-shaped plant that doesn’t require the application of growth regulators. It has large orange-red flowers that attract hummingbirds. It requires pinching to promote branching and it’s insensitive to the photoperiod when flowering. It can be cultivated in 12-15 cm pots and the crop time varies from 12-16 weeks.


Bedding and flowering plants: The breeding aim in this group was to obtain genotypes adapted to local climatic conditions and new forms for the market. The Nierembergia genus includes creeping perennial herbaceous species such as N. calycina, N. aristata, and N. veitichii and erect herbaceous species like N. browalloides, N. linariaefolia (two cultivars Luna INTA-JICA and Estrella INTA-JICA are already registered), N. scoparia and N. ericoides. At the moment ten species are characterized by their rooting capacity, seed germination and flower showiness in greenhouse conditions. Novel ornamental hybrids such as N. scoparia x N. ericoides progenies were trialled successfully last summer in field conditions. Two species were used in crossings for creeping hybrids: N. aristata, which has white flowers with a long flowering period and N. veitichii, which has large, blue flowers. Both species have good adaptability under greenhouse conditions and have the capacity to be vegetatively propagated through aerial stolons.
Calibrachoa hybrid: first position in preference survey. The aim of the Calibrachoa breeding programme was to obtain compact plants with no pruning or growth regulator needs that were also suitable for Argentinean weather conditions. Interspecific hybrids were obtained. The most compact plants of each cross combination were selected and crossed with commercial varieties. This work allowed for the improvement of the native species’ plant architecture and the acquisition of clones more suitable to Argentinean weather conditions. In fact, all the cultivars and selected clones of Nierembergia and Calibrachoa are now being cultivated by local farmers and good performance has been obtained in parks and gardens.