Breeding research of genus Juglans representatives on the territory of EBDFC "Veseli Bokovenki"

Aim. To summarize the results on the breeding of the genus Juglans representatives within the territory of the Experimental and Breeding Dendrological Forest Center "Veseli Bokovenki" and to outline the prospects for future research. Results and Discussion. The current state, research results and prospects of using collections of breeding forms of the genus Juglans representatives at the Experimental Breeding Dendrological Forest Center (EBDFC) "Veseli Bokovenki" are analyzed. The 2016 survey showed that 7 out of 10 experimental objects derived from the genus Juglans representatives over a 120-year period have been preserved and are in a satisfactory condition within the territory of the Center. They are all in the context of the gene pool value. The Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) breeding history within the territory of EBDFC "Veseli Bokovenki" started with the creation of the Big and Small Kutsivsky gardens by M.L.Davydov in 1900. Planned scientific research into the Persian walnut breeding started here in the 1930s. In different periods of time, under the guidance of A.P.Yermolenko, F.L.Shchepotiev and P.P.Badalov, selection of drought-resistant and winter-hardy forms, interspecies hybridization and studies of reproduction and physiology of the genus Juglans representatives were carried out. Apomictic fruits of the Japanese walnut (Juglans ailantifolia Carriere), heartnut (J. ailantifolia Carr. ssp. cordiformis Rehd), Manchurian walnut (Juglans mandshurica Maxim) and white walnut (Juglans cinerea L.) were obtained. The breeding results were summarized in chapters of the books "Nut Cultivation" and "Nuts". Recently, studies have focused on reproductive biology of breeding forms. The dichogamy type and laterality degree of the 80 best forms presented on the mother-graft plantation have been determined. The vast majority of the studied Persian walnut breeding forms are protandrous. Forms giving good yields in the harsh steppe conditions have been identified. Conclusions. All objects need preserving and wider using as a basis for breeding research. The priority objectives of further studies are phenotypic and genotypic diversity, reproductive biology and adaptability of the best forms of the Persian walnut and interspecies hybrids of the genus Juglans, inheritance of economically valuable traits, identification of more valuable forms and their involvement in subsequent breeding. The best cultivars need to be popularized, propagated vegetatively and introduced into nut industry, forestry, forest melioration and gardening.