Chilling Sensitivity of Episcia Cultivars and Hybrid Progenies under Low-temperature Stress
Journal
HortScience
Journal Volume
61
Journal Issue
4
Start Page
821-825
ISSN
0018-5345
Date Issued
2026-04
Author(s)
Li, Bai-Xuan
Abstract
We evaluated genotypic variation and inheritance of chilling tolerance in Episcia and examined the influence of prechilling temperature on chilling tolerance. Six cultivars and four hybrid progenies were subjected to chilling stress. Genetic variation in chilling tolerance was observed among the six cultivars exposed to 15/13º C (day/night) for 10 days after growth at 26 to 30º C, with ‘Tiger Stripe’ exhibiting high tolerance and ‘Bloomlover’s Purple Passion’ showing high sensitivity. Progenies derived from ‘Tiger Stripe’ 3 ‘Frosted Emerald’ exhibited a significantly smaller injured leaf area, higher ornamental ratings, and greater chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, including a maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) (variable fluorescence/maximum fluorescence) and effective quantum yield of PSII (UPSII), during prolonged chilling at 15/13º C for 28 days. In contrast, progenies involving ‘Bloomlover’s Purple Passion’ showed extensive leaf injury, reduced plant quality, and markedly lower chlorophyll fluorescence values, indicating high chilling susceptibility. Cultivars grown under moderate temperatures (16–26ºC) and then exposed to 15/13ºC (day/night) for 21 days showed reduced visible chilling injury (CI); however, subsequent exposure to 4ºC resulted in rapid and severe CI across all cultivars.
Subjects
breeding
chilling injury
chlorophyll fluorescence
leaf area
Publisher
American Society for Horticultural Science
Type
journal article