Interspecific hybridization with African marigold (Tagetes erecta) can improve flower-related performance in French marigold (T. patula)

The present research was intended for interspecific hybridization between two male sterile African marigold lines and six self-lines of French marigolds. The results show that as indicated by the full seed number per capitulum, the pollen amount of French marigold pollen influenced the authentic compatibilities reckoned for the 10 cross combinations configured to some amount. Based on the field performance of these interspecific hybrids, it is known that the parental French marigold’s single-petaled and silvery flower type may well be improved to a heavy-petaled type while the flower colour remains the same or changes to a lighter version with the same hue. Furthermore, the progeny of certain crossings exceeded the male parents in terms of growth, leaf, and flower-related features, particularly plant height, crown breadth, flower number per plant, and ligulate flower quantity. The most remarkable finding was that, compared to the parental French marigold, most of the hybrid combinations' progeny could blossom 0-11 days earlier. Finally, we identified two excellent hybrid combinations that may be used as a reference for future breeding and commercialization of new marigold varieties.