Using the genetic diversity of the Malus genus to solve the priority areas of breeding

Abstract

The breeding use of the most valuable species and interspecies forms of fruit plants remains currently the most important biological resource for creating the varieties with increased adaptability to the complex of abioand biotic stressors of the environment, improved biochemical composition of fruits and with other important features for breeding. The results of a long-term study (2005-2019) of interspecific hybrid forms of apple-tree-representatives of the Malus genus, growing in the North Caucasus Region of Russia are presented. The aim of the study is to identify the most rapid and productive interspecific hybrid forms of apple-tree with polygenic and oligogenic types of scab resistance (Venturia inaequalis (Cook) G. Winter). Modern breeding programs and methods were used. We have identified the early-fruiting interspecies apple forms created with the participation of the summer Melba variety, the species of M. purpurea. It is allocated the elite and selected apple forms resistant to scab with a high average yield (29.03-40.03 t/ha), high indicators of total yield (377.27-520.33 t/he) from hybrid families with the participation of species: M. atrosanguinea 804/240-57, M. floribunda 821, M. purpurea and the large-fruited form No. 62 (created with the participation of Golden Delicious 4x, Wolf River, M. atrosanguinea 804/240-57) with fruits of 202.3 g an average weight.