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South Africa has the highest
recorded plant species density in the world. A large number of
these species have only marginal commercial and social potential
due to size constraints. To realise the full potential of this
genetic heritage normally requires expensive long-term breeding
programmes. Chromosome doubling (induction of autopolyploids) is
the only technique that can negate these size constraints within a
three-year research period. This technique usually results in an
increase in cell volume and consequently an increase in the size
of plant parts.
The project will conduct the
largest systematic chromosome doubling (polyploidisation) of South
Africa’s indigenous flora. At least five hundred species will be
evaluated for their potential in both the commercial and
resource-poor farming sectors. An undertaking of this scale
requires the knowledge and expertise of a multidisciplinary
consortium comprising of six Universities, the Agricultural
Research Council, as well as commercial partners, all of whom have
been assembled to conduct this project.
Many of the induced
autopolyploids are expected to have at least one of the following
characteristics, which would result in the improvement, or
development of new economically important plants:
- larger tuber, rhizome or root size;
- increased fruit size;
- enhanced flower size and/or colour intensity,
- improved drought tolerance, increased
bio-mass; improved photosynthetic capacity; larger and/or
thicker leaves;
- dwarfism;
- increased secondary metabolite production
e.g. medicinal compounds.
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