Example of a Successful, Long-Term, Breeding Program on Digitalis lanata Ehrh.

Iteipmai's wooly foxglove (Digitalis lanata) breeding program was initiated in 1985 and was actively continued until 2004. This long term breeding program, ordered by an industrial company, led to substantial improvements of digoxin content and agronomy. Until 1999, iteipmai created a series of seven synthetic varieties. From 1999, a semi-hybrid program was initiated in order to boost progresses and lift the limitations of the previous breeding scheme. Total digoxin content showing strong heritability and additivity, the creation of synthetic varieties was a very efficient way to make fast progress on this trait. The semi-hybrid program, prematurely ended in 2004, was a promising way to gain further improvements.