Features of in vitro multiplication of stone fruit crops

Abstract

The main goal of these studies is to improve certain aspects of the technology of microclonal propagation of stone fruit crops. The tasks included the influence analysis of bud explants location on the donor plant on the regenerants formation, as well as peculiarities establishing of hormonal and trophic control over the explants ontogenesis at the stage of multiplication of microclonal seedlings. Unlike pome fruits, stone crops have vegetative buds located in the upper part and generative buds located in a lateral position. Most fruit buds are characterized by a simple structure, that is only flowers and fruits develop from them. This leads to the branches exposition where the flower buds used to be. The growth of branches is provided by the upper bud. This specific growth of vegetative buds requires a special approach in the nutrition of stone fruit crops. Ukraine is actively engaged in the cultivation of both indigenous and introduced types of stone crops, such as cherries, sweet cherries, cherry plums, apricots, plums, peaches, apricots and almonds, as well as their hybrids. The main purpose of growing these crops is to obtain stone fruits, where the seeds are in a hard shell, and the pulp is juicy and suitable for consumption. Local varieties of stone crops belonging to the Rosaceae family, Amygdaloideae or Prunoideae subfamily have been adapted to the conditions of our region and require an effective propagation procedure for rapid spread. Their origin is mainly associated with the East Asian center of cultivated plants, especially with China. These plants have a high resistance to heat and moisture, which is a characteristic feature of their origin. Microclonal reproduction is one of the reliable methods of obtaining high-quality planting material, which is free from diseases and provides fast reproduction rates. The metabolic features of these plants arose as a result of their evolutionary development in natural conditions. The determinants system, in particular trophic ones, is preserved even in in vitro conditions. Stone fruit crops require soils with a high nutrients content, such as calcium and other light loamy components, with a drained structure and a neutral acidity level (pH>6.0–6.5). The most drought-resistant among them are apricot and cherry, although other crops can also grow successfully in relatively dry conditions. Such specific environmental requirements necessitate the need for appropriate feeding systems, such as Murashige and Skoog or Quarin Lepouvre environments. Key words: stone fruit crops, multiplication, nutriculture medias, microshoots, microclonal propagation.