IMPROVEMENT OF THE PROCESSES OF MICROCLONAL REPRODUCTION OF BLACKBERRY RUBUS CAESIUS L. VAR. THORNFREE

Abstract

Aim. The initial stages’ improvement of microclonal propagation of Blackberry Rubus caesius L. var. Thornfree, particularly the introduction to in vitro culture for subsequent effective cultivation. Materials and methods. Methods of introduction of initial explants of blackberry to in vitro culture and methods of microclonal reproduction were used. Two schemes of sterilization of plant material of Blackberry with the use of fungicidal drugs Hinozol and Horus were tested to identify the most optimal for this type of plants. The effect of agar concentration in the medium, the consistency of the nutrient medium on the processes of survivability, bud proliferation and induction of multiple shoots of Blackberry was studied, and semi-liquid medium was used for the first time. The medium was prepared semi-liquid (4 g/l of agar) and solid (8 g/l of agar). Results. The optimal sterilization scheme of plant material for the introduction of Blackberry to in vitro culture was determined and the most effective fungicidal drug – Horus was selected. It was found that the use of semi-liquid Murashige and Skoog nutrient medium for the initial stages of microclonal propagation of Blackberry to in vitro culture allows: to increase the survival of explants by 30%compared to solid medium; to accelerate the proliferation of axillary buds for 1–2 days; to increase the intensity of the additional shoots formation of Blackberry in vitro in 6–7 times. Conclusion. During the initial stages of microclonal propagation of Blackberry Rubus caesius L. var. Thornfree, it is advisable to use semi-liquid nutrient medium to improve the survival of explants, faster proliferation of buds and the formation of new multiple shoots in vitro.