GENEROSE: genetic evaluation of European rose resources for conservation and horticultural use

Under the adage "conservation by utilization is the best way forward for a long-term sustainable protection of the remaining resources", the GENEROSE project focuses on 3 major objectives: (1) sustainable conservation of wild resources by attributing them an extra value in landscaping or for disease resistance breeding; (2) development of efficient screening techniques for fungal disease resistance and (3) strategies to overcome crossing barriers between wild species and cultivated roses. The project integrates biotechnology (DNA markers for biodiversity evaluation and resistance mapping, flow cytometry for pollen sorting) with original breeding work (use of wild species) and direct potential end-use evaluation by rose breeders and growers. Apart from the ornamental value of possible new wild features, disease resistant cultivars will promote rose production with a lower environmental impact