Acceleration of propagation of source material for Sorbus Sensu Lato Breeding

Abstract

Aim. The permanent growth of interest in rowan and other currently underestimated Sorbus sensu lato crops has prompted the search to improve the accelerated propagation technique of its most valuable genotypes for breeding. Methods. The experiments involved 3–7-year-old Sorbus sensu lato plants from the National Dendrological Park "Sofiyivka" of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine collection. Statistical analysis of the experimental data was performed according to Ronald Fisher. Results. It was found that the germination rate of the studied sorboid plants depended on the method of seed preparation. In contrast, the grafting efficiency depended more on the grafting method than on the graft genotype. The use of our modified MS media allowed us to obtain clone formation coefficients (6.6–7.9) sufficient for effective micropropagation and to induce morphogenesis with 59.9–88.8 % of rooted microclones, as well as to achieve stable results of adaptation of the studied Sorbus sensu lato to non-sterile ex vitro conditions both in peat disks (69.1–90.3 %) and in containers with soil substrates (70.4–93.0 %). Conclusions. The results of comparing the methods of accelerated propagation of source material for breeding sorboid crops obtained in long-term experiments showed the advantages of micropropagation and the prospects for introducing the micropropagation link into breeding practice and nursery of the most valuable for horticulture Sorbus sensu lato.