Bloom Time for Genetically Engineered Orchids

摘要

One of the two largest families of flowering plants, the Orchidaeeae has an estimated 800 genera and 25,000 species that live in a variety of ecological habitats on all continents except Antarctica. They are most numerous in tropical and subtropical regions. Orchids exhibit highly varied morphological forms even within the same genus. This diversity in form coupled with their marvellous blooms has made many orchid species and hybrids extremely popular in the global floricultural trade. Singapore is a major exporting country for cut orchids. The launch of free-trade agreements between the city state and other countries will undoubtedly push demand for greater variety and increased production. However, according to statistics from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore, the country's 2006 orchid production only reached around 10 million stalks, the lowest figure in ten years. To satisfy consumer demand for new and improved orchid varieties, the orchid industry now mainly employs classical breeding methods of sexual hybridisation and selection to create new orchid hybrids. However, this traditional method has the disadvantage that orchids take at least three to six years from seed germination to flower, and the protracted selection period remains a major hurdle in the rapid production of new orchid varieties. In addition, conventional orchid hybridisation techniques do not allow easy manipulation of specific floral traits and other desirable characteristics such as vase life and flowering time to meet consumer demand.