The management of the growth of microplants of wood fruit crops

The successes of the clonal micropropagation method are obvious, but there is an unresolved problem of effective growth of adapted microplants. Earlier we repeatedly noted that microplants of such crops as sour cherry, sweet cherry, plum and garden ashberry through 1-1.5 months after adaptation stop growing, fall into a state of rest, which lasts for 3-7 months. The purpose of the research was to study the growth characteristics of adapted microplants in simulating the seasonal rhythm of development under artificial conditions. We suggested the reception of preliminary preparation of adapted microplants for transplantation for growth. Microplants in a state of rest, were treated with low positive temperatures 2-6°C for 2.5 months in artificial conditions. Such influence allowed to provide plants the active and effective development after creation optimal conditions for vegetation. After 2-3 days, the plants had a synchronous onset of development, which allowed growth of 15-30 cm in length for 2-3 weeks in the initial plant height of 5-7 cm. After this, a cyclic scheme was developed for alternating vegetation and rest periods to control environmental factors. During the calendar year, we realized 3 growth cycles (2.5 months of rest +1.5 months of vegetation) and almost completely reduced the loss of the material. This scheme allowed to increase the microplants of the studied crops to a height of 60-110 cm in the greenhouse in one year, which ensured their survival in the field. © 2021 International Society for Horticultural Science. All rights reserved.