Parents analysis for 21 Rhododendron imported cultivars
The end ancestor of 21 Rhododendron imported cultivars were analyzed and then the hybrids groups were divided through the collection of their pedigree data.And the ancestor and direct parents of the hybrid groups were analysed.The results showed that 21 Rhododendron imported cultivars were from 23 end ancestors including 1 cultivars,6 foreign species,1 domestic species and 15 unknown types.Based on the types of end ancestor,21 Rhododendron imported cultivars belonged to three kinds of hybrid groups including Caucasicum Hybrids Group,Griffithianum Hybrids Group and Catawba Hybrids Group.The analysis results showed that Griffithianum Hybrids Group had more diversity than the other two hybrids groups,while the cultivars between Caucasicum Hybrids Group and Catawba Hybrids Group had the closer relationship based on the parents analysis.As a result,the parent resources utilization of the 21 Rhododendron imported cultivars was relatively low and the resource limit needs to be improved.It was an effective way to broaden their genetic basis through exploring Yunnan special species and using them as parents to cross with the Rhododendron imported cultivars.