Shallot (allium cepa L. aggregatum group) breeding

Haim D. Rabinowitch*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Shallot is loosely used to describe some cultivated species and interspecific hybrids within the genus Allium whose storage organ consists of clustered bulb divisions attached at their true stems. The present review, however, focuses on the diploid member of the bulb onion taxon (Allium cepa L.). Some physiological and phenotypic differences, led taxonomists to assign shallot to the Aggregatum group together with other intermediate forms of vegetatively-propagated bulbous Alliums. No ancestral forms of the biennial cross-pollinated shallot are known. The bulbs, leaves and young scapes are consumed as an onion substitute in warm climates and serve as an important culinary condiment in Europe, South America, the USA and elsewhere. Global climate changes, diminished resources, and salinization of soil and water raise serious challenges to shallot growth, development, florogenesis, quality and storage, and increase vulnerability to pests and diseases. Additionally, the slow but continuous shift towards the use of true seeds poses concrete hazards of a fast erosion of the genetically precious, irreplaceable clonally propagated cultivars. To secure the supply, and care for the environment, society and economics we need to extend our knowledge on, and increase breeding efforts for tolerance to, biotic and abiotic stress, long keeping and hybrid seed propagation. The current review provides information on shallot origin, taxonomy, economics, distribution, genetics, current propagation and breeding methods. Pros and cons of clonal vs. true-shallot-seed propagation are discussed. Comparisons to bulb onion clearly show that the knowledge acquired, and modern tools developed for bulb onion can be associated with conventional shallot breeding methods for its betterment and benefit growers and consumers alike.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in Plant Breeding Strategies
Subtitle of host publicationVegetable Crops: Volume 8: Bulbs, Roots and Tubers
PublisherSpringer International Publishing
Pages99-154
Number of pages56
ISBN (Electronic)9783030669652
ISBN (Print)9783030669645
DOIs
StatePublished - 24 Aug 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021.

Keywords

  • Allium cepa breeding
  • Genetics
  • Shallot
  • True shallot seed
  • Vegetative propagation

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