Screening of Bulgarian Raspberry Cultivars and Elites for Osmotic Tolerance in Vitro

ABSTRACT

Abiotic stresses such as drought, high or low temperatures limit in great extend plant distribution and productivity. This is particularly true for perennial crops, including small fruits. Classical breeding for drought, heat and freezing tolerance is a very complex and time-consuming process. Biotechnology approaches could significantly contribute in speeding up the procedures and to make them less dependent on the environment conditions.

Using PEG as selective agent under in vitro conditions we were able to distinguish Bulgarski rubin and Elite 1 as osmotic tolerant. Shopska alena, Samodiva, Lyulin and Elite 3 were with reduced growth and membrane integrity of the tissues. Further studies are in progress to compare the reaction to osmotic stress in vitro with the response to drought under field conditions. This will help us to improve and speed up the raspberry breeding program.