Biology and ecology of <i>Forestiera neo-mexicana</i> A. Gray and prospects for use in the Lower Volga region

Abstract

The issues of expanding the assortment of tree and shrub forest plantations in afforestation of arid regions are studied. Forestiera neo-mexicana A. Gray is an introduced and under-recognized exotic tropical plant in the agroforestry of the Volgograd region. The study site was the collection plots of the Volgograd breeding and seed production complex in the Kirovsky district forestry of Volgograd where Forestiera neo-mexicana grows. Bioecological assessment of the use of Forestiera neo-mexicana A. Gray shrub in landscaping and protective afforestation of the Lower Volga region was carried out. Using the methodology of phenological observations developed by the staff of the Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences (MBG RAS), the total seed weight, morphometric indices of fruits and the dynamics of the physiological state of the shrub were determined. The bio-ecological properties were evaluated according to five traits: drought resistance (six-point scale of Pyatnitsky S.S.), winter hardiness (seven-point scale of the MBG RAS), evaluation of flowering and fruiting intensity by the method of V.G. Kapper (five-point scale), vitality (three-point scale). According to phenological observations, Forestiera neo-mexicana A. Gray passes all phenological phases in climatic conditions of the Volgograd region. In bioecological evaluation of the Forrestiera properties for five traits, the plant has a high score for flowering and fruiting intensity (5 points), vitality (5 points). The plant is winter hardy (1 point) and drought tolerant (1 point). Forestiera neo-mexicana A. Gray can be cultivated on the areas unsuitable for general land use, on pasture lands and can be used in protective forestry.