UC Riverside citrus breeding program's recent release of the new "TDE" hybrids Shasta Gold (TDE-2), Tahoe Gold (TDE-3), and Yosemite Gold (TDE-4) are all from the following cross. [(Temple Tangor X 4n "Dancy" Mandarin) X Encore Mandarin]. Does anyone know what the "4n" in the formula stands for? - Millet

Tthe 4n means tetraploid or having 4 sets of chromosomes.

(Temple Tangor X 4n "Dancy" Mandarin) X Encore Mandarin

if I interpret this right, Temple Tangor was hybridized with a tetraploid Dancy Mandarin. The result of that hybrid was then hybridized with Encore Mandarin to prduce the TDE series.

I never realized tat Dancy is a tetraploid, because the fruits are tiny compared to other mandarins or perhaps there are two types, the regular one with tiny fruits, or the tetraploid one which I expect to have at least twice the size of the regular one. Just speculating.

Now I don't know from the equation which is the female or male participants. The results would sometimes be dramatic if you reverse the parent gametes in terms of donor to the hybrids.

Heres a good link that explains it in more detail.

http://www.hortnet.co.nz/publications/science/m/mooney/seedless.htm

Gardener Dragon, thank you. I read (and reread) the link you provided, which resulted in seven additional areas for further study. Thank again. - Millet

If listed correctly, the female parent always comes first, then the male.

Dancy makes small fruits under some conditions, and up to humongous fruits under other conditions. I'd expect California-grown ones to be small. But in Florida or other hot-humid-nights climates, and on a vigorous rootstock, it can be quite large indeed. Still, I had never heard that normal 'Dancy' is tetraploid; I wonder if this is one that they've purposely doubled with colchicine or by other means???

Thanks for the info Dr. Manners!