Transgenic Approaches for Accelerating Breeding of Ornamental Crops

Ornamental crops are primarily celebrated for their aesthetic features and allure. The development of new or improved varieties is important for enhancing their aesthetic appeal and substantially increasing their value. Several constraints impede the application of traditional breeding methods in the development of new ornamental varieties. Transgenesis presents a significant opportunity for crafting novel ornamental crop varieties, effectively overcoming the limitations posed by conventional breeding techniques. Transgenesis also provides access to gene pool across the species and organisms to allow the gene transfer from microbes, insects or unrelated plants to ornamental crops to obtain the desirable phenotype. Transgenic technology has been extensively applied to acquire stress-resistant ornamental varieties capable of withstanding adverse climate conditions. Moreover, it has effectively showcased its utility in introducing novel traits such as flower colour, anatomy, fragrance, and plant architecture. Although transgenic technology has been in use for ornamental crops for quite some time, its commercial success has been limited, despite a few notable examples like blue-coloured roses and carnations. Additionally, there is a scarcity of documented instances showcasing its application in modifying other commercially valuable ornamental traits. The development of genomic resources in ornamental plants is anticipated to expedite the integration of transgenesis in this field. This chapter delves into the significance of ornamental plants in the market, the constraints of traditional breeding methods, and successful instances of employing transgenic technology in the development of ornamental crop varieties.