|Leitao, Jose Manuel -|
Submitted to: Wild Crop Relatives: Genomic and Breeding Resources
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: August 9, 2010
Publication Date: March 1, 2011
Citation: Bell, R.L., Leitao, J. 2011. In: Kole, C., Cydonia, editors. Wild Crop Relatives: Genomic and Breeding Resources. Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlag. p. 1-16. Technical Abstract: The genus Cydonia is commonly known as quince and the fruit are pomes, as the species is closely related to apples, pears, and Japanese quince. Quince (Cydonia oblonga L.) is cultivated for fruit production and is also used as a rootstock for European pear (Pyrus communis L.). The genus Cydonia is monospecific. It is comprised of a single species, Cydonia oblonga, and thus, almost all genomic and breeding resources are to be found in existing wild populations and cultivars forms. The exceptions are artificial intergeneric hybrids with apple (Malus pumila Mill.) and Japanese pear [Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm. F.) Nakai]. Inflorescences of apple × quince F2 progeny tend to have one blossom like Cydonia, but some have two to three blossoms. The hybrids tend to combine the traits of the two parental genera. Diploid, triploid and tetraploid F2 progeny have been produced. They are thought to be valuable in breeding for increasing cold-hardiness resistance, presumably, in a crop with more quince-like fruit. Pear x quince hybrids may have use as rootstocks for pear.