GERANIUM L. AND PELARGONIUM L'HÉRIT.: HISTORY, CURRENT STATE AND ASSESSMENT OF BIOCHEMICAL POTENTIAL

Currently, there is a steady increasing interest in essential oils and medicinal plants as valuable sources of biologically active compounds in the world. In Russia, this area of research is becoming particularly important in the framework of import substitution policy and the development of the agricultural sector. Historical analysis has shown that during the Soviet period, essential oil crop production was concentrated mainly in the southern republics, but after the crisis of the 1990s and 2000s, the industry requires restoration and modernization. In this regard, the expansion of the range of cultivated essential oil crops through the introduction of new promising species and cultivars is becoming an important scientific and practical task. The review summarizes current data on representatives of the Geraniaceae Juss family (Genera Geranium L. and Pelargonium L'Herit.). The research covers the historical aspects of cultivation and the current state of the industry, with special attention to the biochemical composition of plants, the components of essential oils, phytoncidal activity and practical application. The potential of using extracts and essential oil in the pharmaceutical industry (a source of substances for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and sedative drugs), the cosmetics industry (antioxidant and aromatic components), the food industry (natural flavors and bioconservation products), and aromatherapy practice is analyzed. Special attention is paid to breeding and introduction research in Russia. The results of work with the Pelargonium genus collection at the Federal Research Centre the Subtropical Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Sochi) are analyzed, where a systematic assessment of cultivars and introduction tests were carried out and a number of promising species and cultivars adapted to the conditions of the Russian subtropics were identified. Based on the data obtained, promising directions for further research of the collection are formulated.