SELECTION RESEARCH OF FLOWER CROPS IN FRC SSC OF RAS: HISTORY AND MODERNITY

In 1971, under the leadership of Candidate of Agricultural Sciences V.A. Glazyrin, Research Institute of Mountain Horticulture and Floriculture (now Federal Research Centre the Subtropical Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FRC SSC of RAS)) created the Department of Flower Crops Selection. Remontant carnation was the first crop that began to be investigated by the Department and whose first practical results were obtained. Further, the selection process included: tulip (1972), hippeastrum (1975), narcissus (1977), freesia and gerbera (1984). Purposeful selection studies on flower crops made it possible to systematically include other flower crops in the selection process (crown anemone – in 2001, hemerocallis – in 2002, pelargonium – in 2004, chrysanthemum – in 2008). Just for 42 years of systematic work carried out from 1981 to 2023, the State Register of Selection Achievements included 189 flower cultivars of the Centre's selection. Research in this area was not only applied, but also theoretical. The fundamental aspects of creating forms according to the given characteristics were developed. The selection program in different years included 18 crops (carnation, tulip, hippeastrum, narcissus, freesia, gerbera, hyacinth, anemone, hemerocallis, large-flowered pelargonium, zonal pelargonium, crisped-leaf pelargonium, chrysanthemum, peony, primrose, xyphium, crocus, iris). Currently, hybrid forms of freesia, pelargonium, anemone, chrysanthemum, hemerocallis, gerbera, hippeastrum, xyphium, crocuses and irises are maintained and studied in the Centre’s bioresource collections. Research continues, new crops are being attracted, new cultivars are being created.