THEORETICAL ASPECTS OF CHEMICAL MUTAGENS AND PHENOTYPIC GROWTH ACTIVATORS DEVELOPED BY I.A. RAPOPORTOM (A REVIEW)*

Abstract

Under the conditions of climatic fluctuations, which often lead to various stresses during the growing season, the need to increase the genetic diversity of agricultural plants by various methods is becoming increasingly important. One of the methods is experimental mutagenesis, which has proved to be promising for agricultural practice both in Russia and abroad. Based on literature sources, a brief history of the discovery of mutagenesis induced by ionizing radiation and chemicals is presented. Information about the development of a fundamentally new theory of chemical mutagenesis by I.A. Rapoport and of methods of its application is reviewed. The discovery of phenotypic activators of plant growth and development makes it possible under current conditions to increase plant resistance to the effects of abiotic and biotic environmental factors and to reduce significantly pesticide load on agrocenoses. These claims are confirmed by studies and practical tests of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). Some facts related to the struggle of outstanding geneticists, physicists and biologists in the post-Stalin period against the anti-scientific trends implemented by Lysenko, which were destructive for agriculture, are presented.