Fruit setting as a result of hybridization of Syringa representatives in the conditions of the Orel region

Lilac breeding is an important part of the work to expand the genetic diversity of plants, replenish collection funds and enrich the world’s dendroflora with new promising cultivars and forms. Studies were carried out to explore the possibility of hybridization between genotypes of lilac having different taxonomic and genetic origin on the basis of the bioresource collection of the Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding arboretum (Orel region). Crosses were carried out between the representatives of sections Syringa, Pubescentes, Villosae in 2021–2022. 43 combinations of crossing were tested (intrasectional – 22, intersectional – 21). The original male forms were 5 species (S. ? chinensis, S. emodi, S. ? henryi, S. josikaea, S. vulgaris), 1 variety (S. ? persica var. laciniata) and 8 varieties (S. ? hyacinthiflora ?Buffon?, S. meyeri ?Palibin?, S. ? prestoniae ?Donald Wyman?, S. ? prestoniae ?Lucetta?, S. vulgaris ?Condorset?, S. vulgaris ?Krasnaya Moskva?, S. vulgaris ?Monge?, S. vulgaris ?Primrose?). The number of formed hybrid fruits (pcs.) and fruit setting (%) were determined. Based on the studies, the most effective parent forms and combinations of crosses were identified. It was found that combinations of crosses were characterized by good setting of hybrid fruits, where the pollinators were S. josikaea, S. vulgaris ?Primrose?, S. ? prestoniae ?Donald Wyman?; the female form was S. josikaea. During hybridization within sections, the setting of hybrid fruits was observed in combination of Villosae ? Villosae (21.8 %), Syringa ? Syringa (7.3 %); between different sections – in combination of Villosae ? Pubescentes (1.3 %). Intersectional combinations of crosses Syringa ? Villosae, Pubescentes ? Villosae, Villosae ? Syringa proved to be ineffective.