Introduction, cultivar study and cultivar assessment of large-cupped and small-cupped narcissus in the conditions of the middle Volga Region

Abstract

The article summarized the results of six-year (2016-2021) comprehensive introduction study of 21 cultivars of the Narcissus x hybridus hort. collection of Cheboksary Branch of the MBG RAS in order to determine the most promising for cultivation in the soil and climatic conditions of the Middle Volga region. During the research, we were guided by the methodological recommendations of the Floriculture Department of the Main Botanical Garden named after N.V. Tsitsin RAS. According to the unified international classification of cultivated varieties of narcissus, the studied cultivars belong to two groups – large-cupped (17 cultivars) and small-cupped (4 cultivars). Records and observations have established that the majority of collection cultivars (16) bloom in the middle term (28.IV10.V), 3 cultivars in the late (11-21.V). The ‘Binkie’ cultivar is classified as mid-early (26.IV-4.V), the ‘Blaris’ cultivar is classified as mid-late (5-14.V). It was revealed that the cultivars – ‘Binkie’, ‘Home Fires’ and ‘Hyperion’ have a short flowering period – 8-12, 7-13 days. The longest flowering periods (more than 2 weeks) were noted of cultivars – ‘Pink Fancy’ (1517 days), ‘Daydream’ (15-19), ‘Agathon’ (15-20). The data of decorative and economic and biological indicators of collection cultivars are determined. The decorative qualities of the introduced cultivars were evaluated on a 100-point scale, while taking into account the color, size and shape of the flower, the length and strength of the peduncle, productivity and duration of flowering, aroma, originality, condition of plants. As a result of the conducted research, 9 cultivars with high decorative qualities and total scores of more than 90 points were identified – ‘Amor’ (94 points), ‘Ice Follies’ (94), ‘Snow Princess’ (94), ‘Mercato’ (93), ‘Passionale’ (93), ‘Hyperion’ (92), ‘Daydream’ (91), ‘Florissant’ (91), ‘White Plume’ (91). The economic and biological characteristics of Narcissus x hybridus hort. cultivars were evaluated on a 50-point scale, taking into account their reproductive ability, resistance to diseases and pests, unfavourable climatic factors. With the exception of two cultivars ‘Home Fires’ (35 points) and ‘Curly’ (37), all other samples scored a total of more than 40 points, which indicates their high economic and biological characteristics. According to the sum of the assessments for decorative and economic and biological signs, promising cultivars with complex scores of more than 135 points were established: large-cupped – ‘Binkie’, ‘Florissant’, ‘Ice Follies’, ‘Mercato’, ‘Passionale’, ‘Tinker’, ‘White Plume’; small-cupped – ‘Amor’, ‘Snow Princess’. These cultivars are distinguished by large, beautifully shaped flowers with original coloring, pleasant aroma, resistant to lodging peduncles, equalized plantings, simultaneous and prolonged flowering, resistance to diseases and pests, adverse environmental factors, high flowering productivity and reproductive ability and are recommended for use in landscaping in the Middle Volga region.