Breeding and commercialisation of new Leucadendron varieties

With the progressive withdrawal of public funding of plant breeding programs in Australia and overseas it has become necessary for industries to develop their own programs and funding mechanisms. In response to this, industry members from Western Australia and Victoria have combined together to contribute funds and other resources, together with the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation and the University of Western Australia, in support of the Leucadendron Breeding project. In addition, the company of a group of growers has undertaken, on behalf of Industry, and donors, to manage the commercialization of the new varieties, involving distribution and management of intellectual property generated by the project. More than 500 different interspecific cross combinations from 140 genotypes of 27 Leucadendron species were hand pollinated aiming at producing new cultivars suitable for Australian growing conditions. More than 2,000 flower heads were collected and about 20,000 seeds were extracted. Over 5000 seedlings representing most cross combinations have been planted. A breeding protocol including selection of parents, pollen collection, assessment and storage, isolation of female flowers, pollination and seed collection and germination has been developed. More than 200 potential new varieties have been selected and are being trialed on multi-sites. Eight fast-track selections have been released to the contributing growers and will be available to public by 2005. Because of the cost of operating and maintaining a self-funded breeding program for such a small industry it is hoped to enlist the cooperation of international participants in the industry.