Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Interspecific hybridization in Allium crops: status and prospectus

  • Review
  • Published:
Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Alliums are essential crops in daily diet for their flavor and medicinal value, which are highly cross pollinated crops, prone to inbreeding, or continuous selfing, and biennial crop cycles import complexity in the alliums improvement. However, interspecific hybridization aided for the introgression of genes responsible for resistance to pests, diseases and abiotic factors, which can minimize or eliminate the use of plant protection agents. Furthermore, the transfer of novel metabolites and odor molecules into edible Allium species thus could be beneficial to human health. It increases the genetic diversity by gaining new gene reservoirs, and useful in the genetic improvement of alliums. In this scenario, the wild relatives of alliums could be used to introduce resistant genes, as the genus Allium has an untapped gene pool. However, understanding species compatibility is a need for commencing a hybridization program and an important aspect in introgression breeding. We reviewed the attempts at interspecific hybridization among alliums for cross compatibility and desirable trait introgression in this review. As a result, it gives an insight to the breeder to use specific species to increase their genetic base.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amagai M, Hashimoto T, Green KJ, Shimizu N, Nishikawa T (1995) Antigen-specific immunoadsorption of pathogenic autoantibodies in pemphigus foliaceus. J Invest Dermat 104(6):895–901.

  • Bark OH, Havey MJ, Corgan JN (1994) Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of progeny from an Allium fistulosum × A. cepa hybrid. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 119(5):1046–1049.

  • Brewster JL (1994) The genetics and Plant breeding of Allium crops. In: Brewster JL (ed) Onions and other vegetable alliums. CAB International, UK, pp 41–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Buiteveld J, Suo Y, van Lookeren Campagne MM, Creemers-Molenaar J (1998) Production and characterization of somatic hybrid plants between leek (Alliumampeloprasum L.) and onion (Allium cepa L.). Theor Appl Genet 96:765–775

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chase MW, Christenhusz MJM, Fay MF, Byng JW, Judd WS, Soltis DE, Mabberley DJ, Sennikov AN, Soltis PS, Stevens PF (2016) An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants. J Linn Soc Bot 181:1–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chuda A, Adamus A (2012) Hybridization and molecular characterization of F1 (Allium cepa L × Allium roylei Stearn) plants. Acta Biol Cracov Ser Bot 54(2):25–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Chuda A, Grzebelus E, Adamus A (2012) Experiments of backcrossing of interspecific F1 (Allium cepa L. × Allium roylei Stearn) hybrids with Allium cepa L. Acta Hort 969:113–116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chuda A, Grzebelus E, Adamus A (2015) Morphological cytological and embryological characterization of F1 (A cepa L × Allium roylei Stearn) hybrids. Acta Biol Cracov Ser Bot 54(2):25–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Currah L, Ockendon DJ (1988) A hybrid index for Allium cepa × Allium fistulosum crosses. Proc. 4th Eucarpia Allium Symposium, 6–9 September 1988, IHR, Wellesbourne, U.K.

  • Doležel J, Nowak FJ, Lužny J (1980) Embryo development and in vitro culture of Allium cepa and its interspecific hybrids. Z Pflanzenzüchtg 85:177–184

    Google Scholar 

  • Emsweller SL, Jones HA (1935) An interspecific hybrid in Allium. Hilgardia 9:265–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fritsch RM, Friesen N (2002) Evolution, domestication and taxonomy. In: Rabinowitch HD, Currah L (eds) Allium crop science: recent advances. CABI Publishing, UK, pp 5–30

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Galvan GA, Wietsma WA, Putrasemedja S, Permadi AH, Kik C (1997) Screening for resistance to anthracnose (Colletotrichumgloesporioides Penz) in Allium cepa and its relatives. Euphytica 95(2):173–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez LG, Ford-Lloyd BV (1987) Facilitation of wide crossing through embryo rescue and pollen storage in interspecific hybridization of cultured Allium species. Plant Breed 98:318–322

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Govaerts R, Kington S, Friesen N, Fritsch R, Snijman DA, Marcucci R, Silverstone-Sopkin PA, Brullo S (2005–2019) World checklist of Amaryllidaceae Available from: https://apps.kew.org/wcsp/ accessed on 25th April 2019

  • Hanelt P, Schulze-Motel J, Fritsch R, Kruse J, Maass H, Ohle H, Pistrick K (1992) Infragenetic grouping of Allium–the Gatersleben approach. In: Hanelt P, Hammer K, Knupffer H (eds) The genus Allium – taxonomic problems and genetic resources. Gatersleben, Germany, pp 107–123

    Google Scholar 

  • Havey MJ (1991) Molecular characterization of the interspecific origin of viviparous onion. J Hered 82(6):501–503

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Havey MJ (1999) Seed yield, floral morphology, and lack of malefertilerestoration of male sterile onion (Allium cepa) population possessing the cytoplasm of Allium galanthum. J Am Soc Hort Sci 124:626–629

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones HA, Mann LK (1963) Onions and their allies - botany, cultivation, and utilization. Interscience Publishers, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones RN (1983) Cytogenetic evolution in the genus Allium. In: Swaminathan MS, Gupta PK, Sinha V (eds) Cytogenetic of crop plants. MacMillan, India, pp 516–554

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamenetsky R, Rabinowitch HD (2001) Floral development in bolting garlic. Sex Plant Reprod 13:235–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katarzhin MS, Katarzhin IM (1978) Experimental on the sexual reproduction of garlic. Japan J Breed 45(2):310 ((in Japanese))

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller RJ, Schubert I, Fuchs J, Meister A (1996) Interspecific crosses of onion with distant Allium species and characterization of the presumed hybrids by means of flow cytometry, karyotype analysis and genomic in situ hybridization. Theor Appl Genet 92:417–424

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khedim T, Aïnouche A, Amirouche N et al (2020) Tracking the evolutionary history of the Allium ampeloprasum L. complex (section Allium) provides evidence of the contribution of North African diploids to the formation of allopolyploid horticultural groups. Genet Resour Crop Evol 67:1885–1904

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khrustaleva LI, Kik C (1998) Cytogenetical studies in the bridge cross Allium cepa × (A. fistulosum × A. roylei). Theor Appl Genet 96:8–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khrustaleva LI, Kik C (2000) Introgression of Allium fistulosum into A. cepa mediated by A. roylei. Theor Appl Genet 100:17–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kiełkowska A, Adamus A (2006) Growth of pollen tubes from foreign species in carrot (Daucus carota L.) pistils. In: Adamski T, Surma M (eds) Haploids and doubled haploids in genetics and plant breeding. Prodruk, Poland, pp 193–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Kik C (2002) Exploitation of wild relatives for the breeding of cultivated Allium species. In: Rabinowitch HD, Currah L (eds) Allium crop science: recent advances. CABI Publishing, UK, pp 81–100

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kofoet A, Kik C, Wietsma WA, de Vries JN (1990) Inheritance of resistance to downey mildew (Pernospora destructor (Berk.) Casp.) from Allium roylei Stearn in the back-cross Allium cepa L. × (A. roylei × A. cepa). Plant Breed 105:144–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kofoet A, Zinkernagel V (1990) Resistance to downy mildew (Peronospora destructor (Berk) Casp) in Allium species. J Plant Dis Prot 97(1):13–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohli B, Gohil RN (2009) Need to conserve Allium roylei Stearn: a potential gene reservoir. Genet Resour Crop Evol 56:891–893

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kononkov PF (1953) The question of obtaining garlic seed (in Russian) Sad iOgorod 8:38–40

  • Konvička O, Levan A (1972) Chromosome studies in Allium sativum. Hereditas 72(1):129–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jayaswall K, Sharma H, Bhandawat A, Sagar R, Jayaswal D, Kumar A, Chaturvedi P, Mahajan V, Kumar S, Singh M (2021) Chloroplast derived SSRs reveals genetic relationships in domesticated alliums and wild relatives. Gen Res Crop Evol 26:1–10.

  • Levan A (1941) The cytology of the species hybrid Allium cepa × fistulosum and its polyploidy derivatives. Hereditas 27:253–272

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li QQ, Zhou SD, He XJ, Yu Y, Zhang YC, Wei XQ (2010) Phylogeny and biogeography of Allium (Amaryllidaceae: Allieae) based on nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and chloroplast rps16 sequences, focusing on the inclusion of species endemic to China. Ann Bot 106(5):709–733

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Maeda T (1937) Chiasma studies in Allium fistulosum, Allium cepa and their F1, F2 and backcross hybrids. Jap J Genet 13:146–159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mangum PD, Peffley EB (2005) Central cell nuclear-cytoplasmic incongruity: a mechanism for segregation distortion in advanced backcross and selfed generations of [(Allium cepa L. × A. fistulosum L.) × A. cepa] interspecific hybrid derivatives. Cytogenet Genome Res 109:400–407

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Manjunathagowda DC, Anjanappa M (2020) Identification and development of male sterile and their maintainer lines in short-day onion (Allium cepa L.) genotypes. Genet Resour Crop Evol 67:357–365

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Manjunathagowda DC, Selvakumar R (2021) Marker-assisted selection of Ms locus responsible for male fertility restoration in onion (Allium cepa L.). Genet Resour Crop Evol 68:2793–2797

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Manjunathagowda DC, Muthukumar P, Gopal J, Prakash M, Bommesh JC, Nagesh GC, Megharaj KC, Manjesh GN, Anjanappa M (2021) Male sterility in onion (Allium cepa L.): origin: origin, evolutionary status, and their prospectus. Genet Resour Crop Evol 68:421–439

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manjunathagowda DC, Anjanappa M, Lingaiah HB, Basavaraj N (2018) Genetic enhancement of flowering in garlic (Allium sativum L.). Inter J Agri Sci. 10(5):5307–5308

    Google Scholar 

  • McCollum GD (1971) Sterility of some interspecific Allium hybrids. J Am Soc Hort Sci 96:359–362

  • McCollum GD (1980) Development of the amphidiploids of A. galanthum × A. cepa. J Hered 71:445–447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCollum GD (1982) Experimental hybrids between Allium fistulosum and A. roylei. Bot Gaz 143:238–242.

  • Nguyen NH, Driscoll HE, Specht CD (2008) A molecular phylogeny of the wild onions (Allium; Alliaceae) with a focus on the western North American center of diversity. Mol Phylogenetics Evol 47:1157–1172

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nomura Y, Makara K (1993) Production of interspecific hybrids between Rakkyo (Allium chinense) and some other allium species by embryo rescue. Japanese J Breed 43(1):13–21.

  • Nomura A, Shigemoto R, Nakamura Y, Okamoto N, Mizuno N, Nakanishi S (1994) Developmentally regulated postsynaptic localization of a metabotropic glutamate receptor in rat rod bipolar cells. Cell 77(3):361–369.

  • Ohsumi CA, Kojima K, Hinata K, Etoh T, Hayashi T (1993) Interspecific hybrid between Allium cepa and Allium sativum. Theor Appl Genet 85:969–975

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pandey A, Malav PK, Rai MK et al (2021) Neodomesticates’ of the Himalayan Allium spices (Allium species) in Uttarakhand, India and studies on eco-geography and morphology. Genet Resour Crop Evol 68:2167–2179

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pandey A, Pandey R, Negi KS, Radhamani J (2008) Realizing value of genetic resources of Allium in India. Genetic Resour Crop Evol 55(7):985–994

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pandey UB, Kumar A, Pandey R, Venkateswaran K (2005) Bulbous crops- cultivated alliums. In: Dhillon BS, Tyagi RK, Saxena S, Randhawa GJ (eds) Plant genetic resources of vegetable crops. Narosa Publishing House Pvt Ltd., New Delhi, India, pp 108–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Peffley EB, Corgan JN, Horak HG, Tanksley SD (1985) Electrophoretic analysis of Allium alien addition lines. Theor Appl Genet 71:176–184

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peffley E, Hou A (2000) Bulb-type onion introgressants posessing Allium fistulosum L. genes recovered from interspecific hybrid backcrosses between A. cepa L. and A. fistulosum L. Theor Appl Genet 100:528–534.

  • Peterka H, Budahn H, Schrader O (1997) Interspecific hybrids between onion (Allium cepa L.) with S-cytoplasm and leek (Allium ampeloprasumL.). TheorAppl Genet 94:383–389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peterka H, Budahn H, Schrader O, Havey MJ (2002) Transfer of male-sterility-inducing cytoplasm from onion to leek (Allium ampeloprasum). Theor Appl Genet 105:173–181

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scholten OE, Van Heusden AW, Khrustaleva LI, Burgermeijer K, Mank RA, Antonise RGC, Harrewijn JL, Van Haecke W, Oost EH, Peters RJ, Kik C (2007) The long and winding road leading to the successful introgression of downy mildew resistance into onion. Euphytica 156:345–353

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shigyo M, Imamura K, Iino M, Yamashita K, Tashiro Y (1998) Identification of alien chromosomes in a series of Allium fistulosum– A. cepamonosomic addition lines by means of genomic in situ hybridization. Genes Genet Syst 73:311–315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shigyo M, Kik C (2008) Onion. Prohens J, Nuez F [eds], Vegetables II: Fabaceae, Liliaceae, Solanaceae and Umbeliferae. Springer, New York, pp 121–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Shigyo M, Yamane N, Martin WJ, Yamauchi N, Havey MJ (2005) Assignment of onion RFLP-linkage map to chromosomes by using alien monosomic additions. J Jpn Soc Hort Sci 74(1):426

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh BP, Rana RS (1994) Collection and conservation of Allium genetic resources: an Indian perspective. Acta Hort 358:181–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh P, Mahajan V, TP AS, Banerjee K, Jadhav MR, Kumar P, Gopal J (2020) Comparative evaluation of different Allium accessions for allicin and other allyl thiosulphinates. Ind Crop Prod 147:112215.

  • Singh PR, Mahajan V, Verma A (2021) Identification and characterization of white onion (Allium cepa L.) genotypes for high total soluble solid content through molecular markers. Genet Resour Crop Evol 68:957–967

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Song P, Kang W, Peffley EB (1997) Chromosome doubling of Allium fistulosum × A. cepa interspecific F1 hybrids through colchicine treatment of regenerating callus. Euphytica 93:257–262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sugimoto H, Tsuneyoshi T, Tsukamoto M, Uragami Y, Etoh T (1991) Embryo cultured hybrids between garlic and leek. Allium Improv News 1:67–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulloa M, Corgan JN, Dunford M (1995) Evidence for nuclear-cytoplasmic incompatibility between Allium fistulosum and A. cepa. TheorAppl Genet 90:746–754

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Umehara M, Sueyoshi T, Shimomura K, Iwai M, Shigyo M, Hirashima K, Nakahara T (2006) Interspecific hybrids between Allium fistulosum L. and Allium schoenoprasum L. reveal carotene-rich phenotype. Euphytica 148:295–301

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Umehara M, Sueyoshi T, Shimomura K, Hirashima K, Shimoda M, Nakahara T (2007) Production and characterization of interspecific hybrids between Allium fistulosum L. and Allium schoenoprasum L. Bulletin of the Fukuoka Agricultural Research Center (Japan).

  • Van Der Meer Q, Van Benekom J (1978) Improving the onion crop (Allium cepa L.) by transfer of characters from A. fistulosum L. Biul. Warzywniczy 22:87–91.

  • Van Der Meer QP, De Vries JN (1990) An interspecific cross between Allium roylei Stearn and Allium cepa L and its backcross to A. cepa. Euphytica 47:29–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Der Valk P, De Vries SE, Everink JT, Verstappen F, De Vries JN (1991) Pre- and post-fertilization barriers to backcrossing the interspecific hybrid between Allium fistulosum L. and A. cepa L. with A. cepa. Euphytica 53:201–209

  • Van Heusden AW, Shigyo M, Tashiro Y, Vrielink-Van Ginkel R, Kik C (2000a) AFLP linkage group assignment to the chromosomes of Allium cepa L. via monosomic addition lines. Theor Appl Gen 100:480–486

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Heusden AW, van Ooijen JW, Vrielink-van Ginkel M, Verbeek WHJ, Wietsma WA, Kik C (2000b) A genetic map of an interspecific cross in allium based on amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Theor Appl Genet 100:118–126

  • Wheeler EJ, Mashayekhi S, McNeal DW, Columbus JT, Pires JC (2013) Molecular systematics of Allium subgenus Amerallium (Amaryllidaceae) in North America. Am J Bot 100:701–711

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yamashita K, Arita H, Tashiro Y (1999) Cytoplasm of a wild species, Allium galanthum Kar. etKir., is useful for developing the male sterile line of A. fistulosum L. J Jpn Soc Hort Sci 68:788–797

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yamashita K, Hisatsune Y, Sakamoto T, Ishizuka K, Tashiro Y (2002) Chromosome and cytoplasm analyses of somatic hybrids between onion (Allium cepa L.) and garlic (A.sativum L.). Euphytica 125:163–167

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamashita Ki, Takatori Y, Tashiro Y (2005a) Chromosomal location of a pollen fertility-restoring gene, Rf, for CMS in Japanese bunching onion (Allium fistulosum L.) possessing the cytoplasm of A. galanthum Kar. et Kir. revealed by genomic in situ hybridization. Theor Appl Genet 111:15–22.

  • Yamashita KI, Wako T, Ohara T, Tsukazaki H, Kojima A (2005b) Improvement of rust resistance in bunching onion (Allium fistulosum L.) by recurrent selection. J Japanese Soc Hort Sci 74(6):444–450.

  • Yanagino T, Sugawara E, Watanabe M (2003) Production and characterization of an interspecific hybrid between leek and garlic. Theor Appl Genet 107:1–5

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zenkteller M (1990) In vitro fertilization and wide hybridization in higher plants. Plant Sci 9:267–279

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We convey our thanks to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Rajgurunagar, Pune, Maharashtra, India.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Rajgurunagar, Pune, Maharashtra, 410505, India

    Ashwini Prashant Benke, Vijay Mahajan & Dalasanuru Chandregowda Manjunathagowda

  2. Savitri Bai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, 411007, India

    Digambar Nabhu Mokat

Authors
  1. Ashwini Prashant Benke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Vijay Mahajan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Dalasanuru Chandregowda Manjunathagowda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Digambar Nabhu Mokat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Ashwini Prashant Benke or Dalasanuru Chandregowda Manjunathagowda.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

We the authors declare no conflict of interest with the manuscript.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Benke, A.P., Mahajan, V., Manjunathagowda, D.C. et al. Interspecific hybridization in Allium crops: status and prospectus. Genet Resour Crop Evol 69, 1–9 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-021-01283-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-021-01283-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation