A study of properties of woody-shrub introduсents (Irkutsk)

Abstract

Background. For Irkutsk landscaping, mainly ornamental plants of the local flora are used, less often highly decorative introduced species – Acer ginnala, Berberis amurensis, Populus alba and etc. The introduction is considered successful if the plants do not lose their decorative properties, adapt to local conditions, go through all stages of ontogenesis, and form fruits and seeds. The purpose of the research is to determine the quality of seeds of woody-shrub introducents in the conditions of Irkutsk. Materials and methods. The object of the study was 40 woody-shrub introduced species, including a number of representatives of the aboriginal flora. The quality of the seeds was determined by the weight of 1000 seeds and their germination. Results. Wood-shrub introduced species, depending on the depth of the seed dormancy, were divided into three groups. The first group includes plants in which there is no dormancy or short dormancy, the seeds of these species do not need stratification. The second group includes plants whose seeds are in a state of rather long intermediate physiological dormancy and require cold stratification. The third group includes plants whose seeds may not germinate for several years, as a rule, the seeds of these plants are in a state of deep physiological or morphophysiological dormancy. Multistage stratification is recommended for their germination. Conclusions. The mass of 1000 seeds ranges from hundredths of a gram to two or more hundredths. Seeds of Acer ginnala, Dasiphora fruticosa, Euonymus nanus, Thuja occidentalis, Ulmus laevis have a waterproof, dense shell and germinate faster after scarification. Cold stratification is recommended for seeds of Berberis sp., Lonicera tatarica, Malus pallasiana, Phеllodendron amurense, Physocarpus opulifolius, Prunus virginiana, Swida alba, Tilia cordata, Viburnum burejaeticum, V. lantana. For seeds of Acer negundo, Cotoneaster lucidus, Euonymus sp., Sorbus sibirica with a long-term rest period, multi-stage stratification is recommended.

Keywords

• seeds
• mass
• germination
• scarification
• stratification