NEW PELARGONIUM CULTIVARS AND PROMISING HYBRIDS COLLECTED IN THE FRC SSC OF RAS

The collection of the genus Pelargonium Pelargonium L“Herit is being preserved, studied and replenished in the Botanical Garden "Friendship Tree" (FRS SSC of RAS). This paper discusses the results of breeding studies with pelargonium over the past three years. Taking into account the existing limiting factors for the natural and climatic zone in humid subtropics (critical temperature fluctuations at various stages of plant development, highly infected pathogenic background, water deficiency, etc.), models of large-flowered and curly pelargonium cultivars have been finalized. The possibilities of creating new modern genotypes for this crop using methods of intervarietal and interspecific hybridization have been shown. The aim of this study is to create cultivars that combine in their genotype high decorative qualities, flowering productivity with immunity to major pathogens and increased resistance to abiotic environmental stressors. Generally accepted methods of vegetative propagation were used in the work. A series of crosses (32 combinations) has been carried out. Large-flowered pelargoniums (‘Jubiley’, ‘Morwenna’, Ar. ‘Darling’, ‘Jolenta’, Ar. ‘Adriana’), curly (A. ‘Moon Maiden’, A. ‘Orange’, A. ‘Ralf’), species (P. crispum, R. gemstone, P. betulinum, P. cordifolium) and hybrid forms (G.cr. 17-57, As.p.-15-03) were used as parent forms. Productive combinations with a high yield of decorative and relatively stable forms have been outlined, of which 14 promising hybrids with a complex of positive qualities have been identified. The following crossing combinations have been recorded: A. ‘Ralf’ × As.p.-15-03, A. ‘Ralf’ × A. ‘Tip-Tor’, A. ‘Ralf’ × a mixture of pollen; their hybrid offspring is characterized by a variety of forms. Some patterns of inheritance by hybrid offspring of individual breeding-significant traits (the main colour of the flower and the type of colouring) from parental forms have been determined. Patents have been obtained for large-flowered pelargonium cultivars: ‘Aquarel’, ‘Amalia’, ‘Darina’, ‘Nympha’, ‘Malinovka’, ‘Rozovyye oblaka’, ‘Tango’, as well as for curly pelargonium cultivars: ‘Zvezdochka’, ‘Rozovaya Dymka’, ‘Amethyst’. The perspective forms of Kyu.20-03, Kya-16-10, Kya-18-01, Kad-17-11, Gr-16-05, Gr-17-09, Gr-17-04, Gcuc-16-12 have been recorded.