STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF GROWTH REGULATORS ON HELLEBORUS CAUCASICUS A. BR. MORPHOGENESIS IN VITRO

Helleborus caucasicus A. Br. is a rare species of the natural flora of the Western Caucasus, which is included in the Red Book of the Krasnodar Territory. A biotechnological method (cell and tissue culture) was used to preserve and reproduce the Caucasian hellebore. The purpose of our research was to study the effect of sterilizing agents on the viability of seeds and the effect of growth regulators on the morphogenic processes in Helleborus caucasicus A. Br. As a result of our research, we have worked out the stage of introducing H. caucasicus explants (seeds) into culture in vitro. The optimal composition of sterilizing agents and their exposures (ethyl alcohol 96 % – 1 min and whiteness 10 % – 10 min) was determined, at which the yield of sterile explants was 100 %. It was found that the addition of various types and concentrations of cytokinins and auxins to the nutrient medium stimulated the rate and percentage of seed germination. However, the regeneration rate varied from 37.3 ±5.4 % (in the control) to 86.8 ±9.4 %. High regeneration was also noted on media containing 6-Bap-1.0 mg/l, BMI-0.1 mg/l, GC3-0.5 mg/l (63.1 ±6.9 %). At the same time, the most effective medium for obtaining a high percentage of regeneration (86.8 ±9.4 %) and the least short germination period (105 days) was the one with an increased content of growth regulators 6-Bap-3mg/l, BMI-0.5 mg/l, GC3 -1.5mg/l. The protocol developed in this study can be used for long-term preservation and reproduction of a rare species of H. caucasicus in vitro, followed by the reintroduction of plants into natural habitats.