BAY LAUREL (LAURUS NOBILIS L.): BIOLOGY, DISTRIBUTION, BREEDING

Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) is an evergreen tertiary relic of the Lauraceae family, which is of great economic importance as a spicy-aromatic, medicinal and ornamental crop. The natural range of the species covers the Mediterranean, but due to its high ecological plasticity, it has been successfully introduced into subtropical regions of the world. The areas where laurel grows are located between 30 and 45 degrees north latitude and are characterized by mild, humid winters and hot, dry summers. It is a dioecious, cross-pollinated plant that grows as trees or shrubs and often forms thickets. The paper summarizes current data on the biology, distribution, agrotechnics of cultivation, biochemical composition, economic importance and prospects for using L. nobilis. The results of a comprehensive study of the biological characteristics of the species, including morphological and physiological features, are also presented. Special attention is paid to the influence of ecological and geographical factors on yield, quality of raw materials and accumulation of biologically active substances (essential oils, phenolic compounds) in leaves. Comparative data on yields in various agro-climatic zones and the economic efficiency of cultivation are presented. Regional differences in agricultural practices are analyzed, including reproduction methods (seed or vegetative), and placement schemes. Modern breeding trends and achievements in key growing regions are considered, which are aimed at improving the quality of raw materials (essential oil and cineol content), resistance to diseases, pests, abiotic stresses (drought, frost) and suitability for mechanized harvesting. The use of laurel plants in decorative gardening and in pot culture is reflected. The urgency of the development of laurel crop in Russia was emphasized, favorable conditions for growing laurel on the Black Sea coast and in the Crimea were recorded in order to meet domestic demand, in light of the growing demand for natural spices, essential oils and ornamental plants for landscape design and indoor landscaping.