Origin

The poinsettia variety called Victoria is a product of the Genetic Improvement Program of INIFAP. In 2011, a simple manual cross was made between the parents called SINO2P8 and MORFR following the technique of ^{Canul-Ku et al. (2015}). In 2012, the F1 progeny resulting from this cross was evaluated. The seeds were sown in 50-cavity polystyrene trays with Sunshine Mix^® No. 3 commercial substrate. When the plants got four true leaves, they were changed to 8” pots, using as substrate the mixture of ocochal (pine needles), atocle (silty-type soil that accumulates in lakes, meadows and riverbanks) and coconut powder in – Pelemix^® block in a proportion 60:20:20 v/v/v. In the bract pigmentation stage, the most promising individuals were selected based on previously established criteria (^{Canul-Ku et al., 2018}).

The population increase was carried out in 2013 through vegetative propagation via cuttings, in order to maintain the varietal genetic identity (clones). From 2014 to 2017, four recurrent selection cycles were carried out with a cooperating producer in Tetela del Monte, municipality of Cuernavaca, Morelos at the coordinates 18°58’ north latitude, 99°15’ west longitude and 2 000 m altitude. This site was selected for being one of the areas with the highest poinsettia production, thanks to the climate, water quality and experience of producers in the management of the crop for more than 50 years.

In each cycle, the phenotype of the plants was analyzed and those with the best aesthetic attributes in leaf, bract, architecture and compact size were selected. In 2018, using the wedge technique, they were grafted onto a commercial variety that served as a rootstock. The purpose of the graft was to transmit some important horticultural characteristics according to the established plant ideotype, specifically in its compaction and the formation of the archetype (^{García et al., 2019}). The cuttings from the grafted plants were planted in 3” pots and when they formed roots, they were changed to larger pots and grown with the technology of the cooperating producer. These plants in the phenological stage of bract pigmentation and with the third cyathium open served for the varietal description applying the Guidelines for the execution of the examination of the distinction, homogeneity and stability of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (^{UPOV, 2008}).

Characteristics

The Victoria poinsettia variety is of intermediate size with medium branching and width. The distinctive characteristics of the variety are the oval shape of the large leaf and absence of lobes. The shape of the base of the leaf is rounded. The color of the midrib of the adaxial side of the leaf blade is green and has no curvature. The intensity of the green color in the middle third of the stem is strong. The bract is elliptical in shape, red in color, of intermediate size and does not present torsion, but roughness between the veins. The width of the cyme and the size of the gland are medium. The glands of the cyathium are non-deformed and yellow in color. The leaf and bract are of a single color (UPOV, 2008) (Figure 1). It is considered an intermediate cycle variety according to the response with the change of season that occurs approximately on September 21.

Figure 1 Variety of poinsettia ‘Victoria’ in stage of bract pigmentation and final presentation for sale to the market. 

The phenotypic evaluation of the generated material was carried out by comparing it with two commercial varieties as a control: Carrousel^® and Luv Pink^®. In six continuous distribution characteristics, Victoria was statistically similar to the commercial ones. In bract width, it showed no statistical differences with Carrousel^®, but surpassed Luv Pink^®. Plant height is one of the most important characters in poinsettia, the market demands low-size plants and Victoria met this standard since it was lower than Luv Pink^® and similar to Carrousel^®. In the criterion leaf width, Victoria was statistically equal to Luv Pink^®, but lower than Carrousel^®. Another aspect that gives aesthetic value to poinsettia is the width of the bract canopy, Victoria surpassed the two commercial varieties (Table 1). The response of Victoria indicates that it meets the basic characteristics demanded by the market and is a candidate to diversify the offer of Mexican plants in the Christmas season.

The Victoria variety was generated for cultivation in the different poinsettia-producing areas in Mexico, so it does not have problems of adaptation or pigmentation of bracts and therefore there will be no economic losses. The management of the variety with the technology of cooperating producers has given excellent results, with good commercial quality of plant, free of pests and diseases through preventive applications of agrochemicals.

The National Seed Inspection and Certification Service (SNICS-SADER) granted the breeder’s title of the Victoria variety with registration number 2597. In the INIFAP Experimental Field of Zacatepec, Morelos, it is available as a mother plant since its propagation is through cuttings and its use for commercial exploitation is possible through the signing of a specific concertation agreement.

Conclusions

The Victoria poinsettia variety has medium size, branching and width. It is distinguished by the oval shape of the leaf of large size and without lobes. The shape of the base of the leaf is rounded. The bract is elliptical in shape and of intermediate size. The width of the cyme and the size of the gland are medium. It is considered an intermediate cycle variety. Its phenotypic response is similar to that of commercial varieties currently grown. It represents a viable commercial alternative for poinsettia producers and propagators in Mexico.