Ornamental Plants Section of Aegean Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) started its research studies in 1964. The studies are divided into three groups, namely plant genetic resources, research, propagation and training-extension.
A. PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES
Located at the intersection of three different gene centres with great variations in such factors as climate, geological structure and soil-water resources, Turkey is of great importance in terms of plant diversity as one of a few countries in the world serving as the gene centre of various crop varieties. Although the plant diversity in our country is mostly constituted by plants which are bulbous, tuberous and rhizomes, there are also numerous other crops that can be used as cut flowers, dried flowers, groundcover, potted or outdoor plants. However, our natural flora is destroyed more and more every day due to various reasons such as besides unconscious collection of flower bulbs for export, forest fires, road building works and population growth. As a result, various plant varieties are becoming extinct or faced with the danger of extinction. However, it is inevitable in our country with these ecological conditions to preserve these natural resources for the improvement of ornamental plants.
AARI Ornamental Plants Section has been carried on the determination of the genetic assets of varieties that could be used as ornamental plants, collection and conservation of these varieties for long years. In this framework, survey and collection activities are conducted and vegetative material, seed and herbarium samples are collected and preserved for the purposes of ex situ preservation. Vegetative materials are preserved for long periods in the maintenance at the stool beds, while seeds are preserved in AARI National Gene Bank Herbarium.
B. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Research activities of the Ornamental Plants Section were initiated in 1964 with “Research on Bulbous and Tuberous Ornamental plants with Economic Importance in the Aegean and Mediterranean Regions” within the scope of plant genetic resources. Later, with the prominence of cut flower growing in the Aegean Region, research studies were conducted on various adaptation and breeding techniques in rose and gladiolus. After 1980, the approach of utilizing the natural flora in studies on landscaping and commercial ornamental plants came to the fore with the emergence of new perspectives on environmental problems in the world. In this scope, in relation to ornamental plants, research studies have been conducted on the cultivation of bulbous plants and determination of breeding techniques, the utilization of herbaceous plants as cut and dried flowers and the identification of propagation, breeding and germination techniques of varieties that could be used as outdoor ornamental plants.
C: PROPAGATION
Propagation studies via plant tissue culture and vegetative bulb propagation activities are carried out to provide clonal plants to the producers.
1. RESULTED PROJECTS BETWEEN 1998 AND 2015
• The Propagation of Nerium oleander L. cv. Variegata with Cuttings and Effects of Paclobutrazol on Growth and Flowering (1998)
• Biosystematic Researches on Some Carnation (Dianthus L.) Species from Aegean and Western Mediterranean Regions (1998)
• Researches on the Utilization of Some Silene and Centaurea Varieties as Dried Flowers in the Natural Flora of Turkey (2000)
• Collection and Evaluation of Some Gramineae Turfgrass in the Natural Flora of Turkey (2002)
• Ornamental Plants Genetic Resources Research Project (2007-2012-…)
• Cultivation and Utilization as Ornamental Plants of the Aegean Region’s Natural Fritillaria Varieties (2009)
• Researches on Propagation Methods and Floricultural Assesments of Some Crocus Taxa Spreading at Western Anatolia (2011)
• Collection, Conservation, Characterization and Utilization of some Cyclamen Species Spreading at Turkey (2015)
2. ONGOING PROJECTS
a. Ornamental Plants Genetic Resources Research Project
Dr. Gulden HASPOLAT Expert: Umran SENEL
The project aims to collect and preserve species that could be utilized as ornamental plants and to identify the genetic presence of these varieties. Within the scope of the project, survey and collection activities are conducted and vegetative material, seed and herbarium samples are collected and preserved for the purposes of ex situ preservation.
b. Developing New Varieties on Ornamental Plants
Developing New Chrysanthemum Variaties via Mutation Breeding Methods
Dr. Gulden HASPOLAT Expert: Umran SENEL
Mutation breeding is the one of the methods which most used for ornamental plant breeding. Through this method the most commonly seen features among new varieties of ornamental plants are; the changes at color, texture and shape of flowers and leaves, endurence of plants, plant growth and the differance flowering time. As a result of mutations some changes at flowers or leaves can be attractive. The objective of this project is to decrease the external dependency of material suply in ornamental plant sector developing new varieties or candidate varieties that can be used as cut flower, outdoor and pot plants. Cuttings and seeds of chrysanthemum plants which have commercial importance in Aegean Region, are irradiated by gamma rays and mutant plants will be obtained. In this project we are going to use mutation breeding techniques at chrysanthemum cuttings for getting mutant plants. On the other hand in vitro plants are going to use creating mutations. The new varieties or candidate varieties will be propagated by tissue culture techniques.
c. Conservation of Natural Flower Bulbs Project
Dr. Gulden HASPOLAT Expert: Umran SENEL
Turkey is one of the world's most important countries in terms of plant diversity and endemic plants. Floristic studies have shown that Turkey houses about 12000 plant taxa and the endemism rate is 30 %. Turkey is one of the pioneering countries started to maintain the genetic resources and natural flower bulbs of Turkey have a great importance regarding Turkey exportation. This project conducted with the aim of preserve and sustainable usage of natural flower bulbs by reducing destruction of nature, providing alternative livelihood to the local people, increasing employment, protecting biodiversity and contributing to national economy. Some of the natural flower bulbs will propagate, grow and send to the producers.
C. TRAINING and EXTENSION
Short-term in-service training programs and personnel training are delivered to the technical personnel of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Since 1986, a close collaboration and training program has been implemented with the Provincial Directorates of Agriculture of Aegean and Southern Marmara provinces within the scope of the Agricultural Extension and Applied Research Project (TYUAP).
In recent years, information exchange meetings with the extension bodies organized within the Agricultural Research, Extension and Training Coordination (TAYEK) and Information interchange project (BAV) have also contributed to the field of ornamental plants. Representatives of chambers of agriculture and selected leading producers are also invited to both in-service training programs and TYUAP/TAYEK/BAV programs. The participants of these meetings are provided with information on new technologies and areas of need in terms of ornamental plants. Tissue culture training and practices are organised for private sector. Moreover, farmers’ leaflets have also been prepared on various issues of concern for producers. In addition to all of these, publications have been prepared on the basis of finalized research studies and relevant information provided to different target groups such as experts of subject and researchers.
D. FUTURE OBJECTIVES
Activities will be towards projects for the collection, characterization and cultivation of endemic or new plant varieties which have ornamental potential and specifically of economic importance already existing in our flora, the identification of breeding techniques and the introduction of new varieties to ornamental plants via breeding. Developing new varieties or candidate varieties that can be used as cut flower, outdoor and pot plants are aimed to decrease the external dependency of material suply in ornamental plant sector.
Furthermore, in-service training programs and information exchange with the extension bodies will be continued on various planes. For the purpose of informing different target groups in terms of publications, the preparation farmers’ leaflets, technical books and research articles is our priority.
