Aim. The necessity to search for sources and donors of deficit features for east cherry tree breeding (sakura) and to classify the collection of this promising woody ornamental plant for domestic horticulture determined the conduction of our research. Methods. The availability of some representatives of sakura collection of NDP «Sofiyivka» for breeding was studied with conventional methods, namely, flower color, intensity and duration of flowering, fruit attractiveness, form of a tree crown, vigor and other traits, which determine plant attractiveness for gardens, parks and street plantations, were estimated. Results. Among sakura cultivars which present interest for breeding and are characterized by high ornamental nature along with their adaptability to the conditions of most of the regions in Ukraine, such well-known cultivars as ‘Ama-no-gawa’, ‘Kanzan’, ‘Kiku-shidare-zakura’ and ‘Royal Burgundy’ are to be mentioned. Despite the information concerning the feasibility of spontaneous and the success of artificial intercultivar and interspecific hybridization of Prunus serrulata with other cultivars and other Prunus s. l. genera, at present we have not received P. serrulata hybrids. Conclusions. To enhance the breeding productivity of flowering cherry tree, namely hybridization efficiency of P. serrulata with donors and sources of ornamental traits, it is advisable to involve new initial material on a wide genetic basis not only by economic-valuable features, but also considering the cases of S-genes genetic incompatibility.
Keywords: Amygdaloideae Arn., Prunus sensu lato, initial material for breeding, gametophytic self-incompatibility, oriental flowering cherries (sakura).
In Vitro Callus Induction from Adult Tissues of Japanese Flowering Cherry Trees and Two Cherry Rootstocks
