Genetic analysis of horticulturally important morphological and physiological characters in diploid roses

The inheritance of double versus single flowers, pink flower colour, the presence versus absence or prickles and recurrent flowering was investigated in segregating populations of diploid Rosa multiflora hybrids. The presence of pink flower colour, double flowers, and prickles are inherited as single dominant genes or pairs of dominant complementary genes in these populations. Recurrent flowering, however, is inherited as a single recessive gene which cn Is in accordance to earlier studies with different rose genotypes and wild rose species. It is concluded that diploid rose populations could serve as valuable sources of information about the inheritance of horticulturally important characters in polyploid roses. In combination with molecular marker techniques they will support rose breeding in the near future allowing a more efficient introgression of new traits into the genetic background of modern rose varieties.