AUTOTETRAPLOID MEIWA KUMQUAT

The origin of the autotetraploid form of 'Meiwa' kumquat, Fortunella c rassifolia Swing. is recorded. Some of the more prominent morphologica l changes in the phenotype that occurred as a result of autotetraploid y are described. Autotetraploid 'Meiwa' was developed for use as a tet raploid parent in crosses with diploid cultivars of Citrus to produce seedling triploid selections with superior traits. The morphological c hanges in the phenotype that occurred when the diploid Fortunella 'Mei wa' was converted to the tetraploid condition were analogous to the co rresponding changes that occurred when diploid Citrus cultivars were c onverted to the tetraploid condition.