Far east gene pool of Chrysanthemum species: ex situ conservation

In the south of the Russian Far East there are eight wild Chrysanthemum species considered the endangered ones and Tertial relicts. We studied their biological peculiarities, which are essential for a successful introduction and ex situ cultivation. The phenology of plant growth and development, resistance to pathogenic mycobiota, winter hardiness, reproductive characteristics and propagation were estimated. The results of introduction showed the rare species Chrysanthemum chanetii, C. coreanum, C. mongolicum, C. naktongense, C. zawadskii are highly viable and stable under ex situ cultivation. Because of ecological specificity, C. maximowiczii was less tolerant to water supply and pH of soil if compared to the rest species examined, and specific conditions are required under cultivation to make the introduction effective. The adaptability revealed in wild Chrysanthemum specifies substantiates their gene pool preservation for further use as a source of valuable traits in breeding programs which are now in progress.