Study of the biodiversity of wild plants of the genus Rosa L. in Kazakhstan and their molecular-genetic identification

The reduction of biological diversity is one of the most important problems of the present time. Wild plants are not only a source of genetic resources but are also important for the economy. Species of the genus Rosa L are among the most significant wild-growing fruit plants in Kazakhstan. The genus rosehip (Rosa L.) belongs to the perennial plants of the Rosaceae family. More than 20 wild rosehip species grow in Kazakhstan. In modern plant growing, wild rose is used as a medicinal, food, and ornamental plant. Determination of the species composition, and its morphological and genetic characteristics is the basis for the rational use of plant resources. The aim of our research was to study the biodiversity of plants of the genus Rosa L. based on the morphological characteristics of plants and their molecular genotyping. In this study, we identified 6 plant species of the following genus: Rosa kokanica (REGEL) REGEL ex JUZ., Rosa spinosissima L., Rosa majalis Herrm. (Rosa cinnamomea L.), Rosa acicularis L., Rosa laxa Retz, Rosa canina L. by morphological characteristics and performed identification using the rbcL chloroplast marker. The data obtained can be used for a comparative study of the biodiversity of rosehip plants.