Kolesnichenko O. Biological and environmental bases of development, adaptation and resistance of edible chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) in different conditions of culture

The theoretical and experimental material that deals with the problems of adaptation and resistance of edible chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) to abiotic and biotic stress factors in steppes of Ukrainian forest-steppes from the standpoint of ecosystem analysis are presented for the first time in this thesis. The influence of climatic conditions on the seasonal dynamics, rhythm of development, phenology, reproductive activity and features of the generative sphere of edible chestnut plants formation. The environmental tolerance of edible chestnut plants to dry growing conditions and high temperatures were established based on current physiological and biochemical processes and changes in the spatial organization of vegetative organs tissue differentiation. The phenomenon of xerophytes signs formation on edible chestnut shoots in a shortage of moisture and high air temperatures was described for the first time. The degree of tolerance of edible chestnut to low temperatures was investigated. Presence of carbohydrate-polyphenol and protein types of low temperature tolerance of edible chestnut was established. It was determined that the prevalence of edible chestnut preparing for the winter depends on the conditions of water supply and mineral nutrition during the growing season. The level of edible chestnut salt resistance due to the modeling callus cultures was assessed. The estimation of environmental sustainability of edible chestnut to abiotic environmental stress based on changes of prooxidant-antioxidant balance was held for the first time. It was identified the species composition of pests and diseases of edible chestnut and determined their impact on growth and development of edible chestnut in Ukrainian forest-steppes. The latest technology of edible chestnut plants obtaining by in vitro culture, which allows growing and propagate healed planting material was theoretically grounded and developed for the first time.