Determination of the united quality latent index of adaptability (UQLIA) and contribution of some environmental parameters to it for Deschampsia antarctica populations, Galindez island (Maritime Antarctic) season 2017/2018

Abstract

The purpose of our work has been to determine the indicator of complex adaptability — the United Quality Latent Index of Adaptability (UQLIA) for the experimental populations of Deschampsia antarctica É. Desv. and study the contribution to it of some environmental factors such as the near soil surface temperature and organogens content. Materials and methods. The determination of UQLIA was based on a pairwise comparison of the differences between investigated parameters of populations by mathematical regression techniques. The soil surface temperature was measured by loggers installed near plants in each locus during April 2017 – April 2018. Results and conclusions. Temperature fluctuations were described during December 2017 – February 2018 for twelve experimental populations of D. antarctica and one control fragment of moss turf subformation from Galindez Island. Significant variations in average daily near surface temperature were observed during the study period between populations, especially in December and January. The UQLIA of D. antarctica for this season was calculated on the basis of the projective cover, biometric indices of generative plants and the content of protective and reserve proteins in seeds for the eleven populations. The values of the United Soil Surface Temperature Influence Index (UTII) for the season summer months and the United Organogens Content in Soil Influence Index (UOCSII) have been calculated for the individual parameters of D. antarctica plants adaptability. The reliable contribution of UTII to ULIA has been shown for December and January, at the moment of the greatest variation of soil surface temperature. UOCSII provided a reliable contribution to the ULIA only in the amount of UTII. Keywords: Deschampsia antarctica, United Quality Latent Index of Adaptability (UQLIA), contribution of soil surface temperature and organogens content to complex adaptability.