Abstract

Alstroemerias are native to South America with Chile and Brazil as the main biodiversity centers. This species is an important commercial cut flower and breeding for new cultivars has focused on aesthetic characteristics, vase life longevity and productivity, but little is known about its scent. This study was aimed at assessing an F-1 population generated from the self pollination of the scented Brazilian species A. caryophyllaea. The evaluations were performed during two flowering seasons and considered morphology (flower, stem and leaf), phenology, productivity and sensorial attributes. The new lines obtained showed segregation in some characters of economic importance including flower color, stem length and flower size. The lines also varied in flowering period and productivity. Moreover, the sensorial attributes of some of these lines were well appreciated. Although some of the characters observed were below the standards suggested by the market for Alstroemeria cut flowers (i.e., stem length), these lines showed a distinctive, and appreciated floral scent, and these might therefore be suitable as a new commercial product. Moreover, these lines can be considered as a promising starting point for further breeding through other methodologies.