Plant genetic diversity of north-east districts of Ukraine (according to the results of the expedition in 2018)

Abstract

Aim. To locate and collect samples of the local gene pool of wild and cultivated plants adapted to the conditions of the north-eastern region of Ukraine for further selection from them of sources of valuable economic and biological traits, including them in breeding and research programs and preservation in the collections of the National Plant Genebank of Ukraine. Results and Discussion. An expeditionary survey of the north-eastern regions of Ukrainian Polesie and Forest-Steppe was carried out. 523 gene pool samples of the cultivated plants and wild related species adapted to the conditions of this region and belonging to 153 botanical taxa were collected. 179 herbarium sheets of 43 plant species are collected. Natural reserves and objects of natural reserve fund for collecting seeds of rare and regionally rare species as well as vegetation of mounds, ravines, slopes, undisturbed steppe areas were examined. Promising objects were identified for monitoring the status of cenopopulations of forage and medicinal plants valuable and rare genotypes, their careful study, preservation and reproduction: buffer zone around the “Mikhailivska Tsilyna” in the Lebedyns’ky district, Sumska region; the system of beams surrounded by forest with untypical meadow and steppe vegetation in the Krolevetsky district of the Sumska region. Geographical coordinates were determined for the arrangement of reserves of for in situ conservation, and a herbarium was collected of regionally rare, rare, state-protected and having international status species as well as plant species that have limited resources. The collected material will ensure the expansion of the genetic base of existing and creation of new collections of genetic resources of field, medicinal and other crops through accessions that are characterized by adaptability to abiotic stress and resistance to biotic factors, yield, product quality. Conclusions. 523 packages of seed and units of planting material of gene pool accessions were collected during the expedition and transferred to scientific institutions for the study. The results of the expedition showed the promise of continuing expeditionary surveys and collecting of the gene pool samples in Ukraine. To do this, it is necessary to equip the NGRGRU with a specialized vehicle and provide a special article for financing expeditions.