Effect of colchicine on meristematic tissues of diploid apple varieties in in vitro culture

Abstract

For apple tree selection, it is of great importance to transfer diploid varieties and hybrids with already known valuable properties to the polyploid level. Tetraploid apple varieties are of interest for breeding as donors of non-reduced gametes in the production of triploids. The purpose of these studies was to study the effect of colchicine on the viability of explants in in vitro culture and their further growth and development. The objects of the study were diploid apple varieties. Polyploidization was carried out by cultivation on an agarized nutrient medium containing colchicine in concentrations of 0.01% and 0.02% and by drip method. The study showed that prolonged exposure to colchicine causes the death of explants. The genotypic reaction of the varieties to the processing methods, the concentration of amitotic, and the duration of its exposure were noted. Explants of the Imrus variety turned out to be more sensitive to the action of colchicine.