Friends of the Arboretum Lecture
"Creating Novel Petunias"
Robert J. Griesbach, USDA
- Monday, December 10, 2001 – 7:30 pm–9:00 pm
There has been an increase in the popularity of novelty petunias. The cultivated petunia is a complex hybrid of unknown origin involving only two species. An additional 16 species have been described which have not yet been used in breeding. These species have genes for drought tolerance, winter hardiness, insect resistance, disease resistance, unusual growth habits, etc. This talk will describe the genetic diversity found within this genus and its use in plant improvement.
Dr. Griesbach conducts a broad based research program in the genetics of floral plants at the USDA's Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit. His research focuses on determining the inheritance of horticulturally valuable traits, such as flower color. He creates enhanced germplasm from wild species that is disease, insect, and stress tolerant and he uses new technologies (i.e., embryo rescue, genetic engineering, molecular markers, etc.) to aid in the creation of novel germplasm.
- Cost
- Free for Friends of the JC Raulston Arboretum members, NC State University students (with ID), and Department of Horticultural Science faculty and staff, all others $5.00.
- Registration
- Advance registration is not available.
- Location
- Room 159, Kilgore Hall, NC State University.
- Directions
- Kilgore Hall is located on the southeast corner of Brooks Avenue and Hillsborough Street in Raleigh.
- Parking
- Free parking is available in the Brooks Avenue lot located on the northeast corner of Brooks Avenue and Hillsborough Street.
- Questions
- Please call (919) 515-3132 for more information about this lecture.