Salvia coccinea (diploid) and Salvia splendens (tetraploid) and their associated cultivars are widely available, commercially profitable, and environmentally supportive flowering annuals. In recent years, exciting cultivars have been successfully introduced. This investigation explores further development of S. coccinea ‘Summer Jewel Lavender’, S. coccinea ‘Hummingbird Forest Fire’, and S. splendens ‘Mojave Red and White Bicolor’ through treatments by oryzalin for the potential development of novel cultivars. Surflan™ or oryzalin (4-(dipropylamino)-3,5-dinitrobenzenesulfonamide) and the nonionic surfactant SilEnergy™ were applied as a foliar spray for one, two, three, and six days to induce changes in chromosome numbers. Data collected included morphological observations, measurements of foliage and flowers, flower numbers, and ploidy analysis via a CytoFLEX™ flow cytometer. Ploidy changes were achieved in seedlings across all the treatment groups. Novel traits were identified, ranging from smaller overall growth habits and foliage, larger and increased numbers of flowers, and new floral pigmentation while maintaining vigor and potential for container production. Optimization of treatments will be discussed. The findings of this research have practical implications for plant breeders, landscape designers and architects, horticulturists, and environmental researchers as the market continues to demand drought-tolerant, low-growing, long-flowering, and pollinator-attracting plants.
