Melnychuk R. Genetic diversity of the genus Calendula L. as a starting material for breeding

Object of study: regularities of manifestation of variability and relationship of trait complex in marigold samples. Objective: to determine breeding value of pot marigold samples genetic diversity, to establish the laws of variability and relationship of valuable economic and biological traits, to form on that base a trait collection and to create a marigolds cultivar. Research methods: general, field, laboratory and mathematical-statistical. Novelty: for the first time in Ukraine, there was established the national marigold collection including 145 samples. The patterns of 20 economic and biological traits manifestation in marigold are uncovered. The gene pool samples are characterized by containing of 15 substances in the group of flavonoids and their complex. There is discovered a medium positive correlation between the thickness of the pedicle and diameter of inflorescence, duration of vegetation period, degree of inflorescence doubleness. It has been discovered that the most of marigold samples is characterized by a strong positive reaction to improved growing conditions and high stability for the main productivity characteristics and flavonoids content, that will increase the efficiency of the breeding process. There are selected the marigold samples by the combination of the high flavonoids content with other economic characteristics that permits to use them more efficiently as source material for different directions of breeding. Results: there is carried out the introduction and created the national collection of marigolds in the amount of 145 samples which are characterized for 20 economic and biological traits, and their clustering is carried out. The 89 sources of valuable characteristics for breeding are highlighted, five of them are registered. The levels of plasticity and stability of the traits in marigolds gene pool samples are clarified. The trait collection of marigold gene pool samples is formed and registered. The high-yielding marigold variety Berezotitska soniachna is created and passed to state variety testing. Level of implementation: the trait collection and five samples of marigolds are registered in the NCPGRU and recommended as initial material for breeding and as the basis for development of DUS test for marigold cultivars. Scope of implementation: research institutions of NAAS, NAS and the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine, educational establishments, agricultural enterprises of Ukraine.