OBTAINING MERISTEMIC PLANTS IN BREEDING OF DAURIAN RHODODENDRON ON A VIRUS-FREE BASIS

This work is devoted to the development of methods for obtaining meristemic plants of rhododendron Daursky on a virus-free basis. The purpose of the study was to master and improve the technology of obtaining meristem plants for the propagation of rhododendron seed material. To achieve this goal, modern biotechnological approaches were used, including extraction of apical meristems, their subsequent in vitro cultivation and regulation of growth and development processes. The result of the research was the production of Daurian rhododendron plants, characterized by a high level of health and resistance to diseases. The developed technology is important for increasing the efficiency of breeding work and improving the quality of planting material in nurseries and horticultural farms. Daurian rhododendron (Rhododendron dauricum) is widely used in ornamental gardening due to its high winter hardiness and aesthetic qualities. However, traditional methods of reproduction often lead to the accumulation of viral diseases that reduce the quality of the planting material.