Chornobrov O. Biotechnological aspects of propagation of Willow family plants (Salicaceae Mirb.) in vitro.

The biotechnological bases of in vitro propagation of Willow family plants (Salicaceae Mirb.), bioenergy plantation establishment and utilization of biomass as a renewable energy source were considered. An effective biotechnology of micropropagation of common osier (Salix viminalis L.) and black poplar х balsam poplar hybrid (Populus nigra L. х Populus balsamifera L.) plants was developed, which included activation of explants meristem growth, direct and indirect morphogenesis and allowed getting a large number of plant regenerants during short time period. It was found rational to culture explants on 0,5 MS medium with the addition of sucrose - 15 g·l-1 for S. viminalis and 30 g·l-1 for P. nigra х P. balsamifera that allowed getting regenerants with the multiplication factor 25.5 and 10.0 after 28-30 days. For the first time in Ukraine a new method of direct adaptation of S. viminalis і P. nigra х P. balsamifera regenerants to field conditions was developed with the survival rate 96.7 % and 93.3%, that was greater on 13.4 % and 10.0 % compared with a stepped method. The technology of bioenergy plantations establishment with use of S. viminalis regenerants was optimized which allowed for the first year of cultivation getting up to 43.1 t·ha-1 of aboveground biomass for the processing to pellets.