IN VITRO REPRODUCTION OF DIOSCOREA CAUCASICA LYPSKY (DIOSCOREACEAE) TO MAINTAIN NATURAL POPULATIONS

Dioscorea caucasica Lypsky is a rare protected plant with medicinal properties, a narrowly localized endemic with a declining population. The purpose of the work is to develop methods of seed sterilization, cultivation of microshoots in vitro, micropropagation and adaptation to obtain planting material. Plants adapted to nonsterile conditions are planned to be planted in natural populations to maintain their population. It is possible to obtain valuable medicinal products for human health improvement using biotechnology methods. The results of growing D. caucasica in sterile culture are presented. Data on the seed’s morphology are given. Methods of seeds disinfection for introduction into sterile culture were tested. The optimal treatment was with chlorine-containing household products "Belizna" and "Domestos" in 100 % concentration, with an exposure time of 1 min. Microplants from in vitro seeds were obtained on an artificial Murashige and Skoog medium. The germination terms of seeds were extended, depending on sowing terms and seeds quality, and range from 3 weeks to 4 months or more. The most developed specimens are already at the age of 5 months after germination, 4 to 8 cuttings are produced. At the age of 8 months or more, after the formation of 3–5 buds on the tuber and secondary tubers in the shoot nodes, further reproduction is possible. By cutting and dividing tubers, a reproduction coefficient of 10 microshoots was obtained (one explant yields 10 microshoots in one reproduction cycle). The regenerant plants were adapted to non-sterile conditions. The survival rate was 100 %. A basic number of regenerating plants has been obtained to form the necessary amount of planting material for planting in natural populations