Hybrid forms of mandarin (Citrus reticulata blanco var. Unchiu tan.) from interspecific crosses and their characteristics

Abstract

Representatives of the genus Citrus L., which includes C. limon, C. sinensis, C. reticulata, C. paradisi, C. maxima, C. medica, C. aurantifolia and other species are the most important fruit crops in countries with subtropical and tropical climates. Cross-pollination, variability of sexual offspring fixed by apomixis, preserved during vegetative propagation contributed to the appearance of intergeneric and interspecific hybrids combining characters and properties of different species. The aim of this work was to carry out interspecific crosses to create biodiversity of Citrus reticulata Blanco var. unchiu Tan. and create new forms with breeding valuable traits. Six interspecific combinations of crossings with the involvement of different varieties were carried out, and a large variety of seedlings was obtained. In sexual offspring from interspecific crosses, a high degree of phenotypic variability is observed on the leaf blade, in shape, size, color of the fruit, thickness and separability of the peel, the presence and absence of seeds, as well as organoleptic properties. All these characteristics represent important criteria for the variety. According to the totality of morphological characters, 24 promising forms were selected. The combination of C. reticulata × C. maxima crossing is the most productive, which allowed us to identify the largest number of forms with breeding valuable traits. Forms Yub - P Nmik; Yub – P Nmik - 1; MV - P Azah; MV - P Azah - 1; MV - P Azah - 2; Kr - P Azah; Cr - P Azah – 1 are promising and are important for the creation of new large-fruited varieties of mandarin. From combination of crossbreeding with C. sinensis such forms as KV - ApV, KV-ApV-2, MV-ApV-1were identified, characterized by large-fruited, fruits with high organoleptic properties. Hybrids bred with C. medica, C. aurantifolia, C. limon meyer are important for creating citrus biodiversity with valuable traits.