REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GENUS SORBUS L. IN THE VNIISPK ARBORE-TUM COLLECTION AND PROSPECTS FOR THEIR USE

Abstract

Sorbus are ornamental and fruit plants with unpretentiousness to growing conditions, high resistance to environmental influences and valuable nutritional qualities of fruits. But their popularity among consumers in central Russia is low. The purpose of these studies is to analyze the gene pool and study the economically valuable traits of plants of the genus Sorbus from the bioresource collection of the VNIISPK arboretum for use in breeding and landscaping. For three years (2019 - 2021) 8 species, 1 subspecies and 1 form were studied. The bioresource collection of the VNIISPK arboretum is dominated by European Sorbus species (5 species and 1 form). The main directions for replenishing the gene pool are species from East Asia and China, as well as varieties of European selection. S. aria and S. aucuparia are recommended for landscaping, as they are the most durable, resistant to adverse environmental influences and have decorative qualities. S. aucuparia f. pendula is recommended for squares and house adjoining spaces, as it has a decorative crown shape and small size. As genetic sources for breeding for obtaining varieties with a complex of economically valuable traits, it is recommended to use: S. aria, S. aucuparia, S. alnifolia and S. aucuparia f. pendula.