Abstract
This study’s objective was to evaluate the adaptive potential of the leaves of Veronica (V. austriaca, V. incana, and V. prostrata) in the arid conditions of the Kryvyi Rih Botanical Garden NAS of Ukraine (KBG) located in the Right-Bank Steppe Cisdnieper. Leaves have been obtained from the collection of ornamental plants of KBG, where these plants are introduced for ten years. The seasonal dynamics of leaf development have been studied during the growing season of 2018, when the most arid climatic conditions were observed.The leaves of the investigated species were found to be dorsoventral, amphistomatic, with an anomocytic stomatal apparatus and bifacial mesophyll. Changes in the anatomical structures of the leaf blade towards xeromorphism were determined. In particular, in all studied specimens thickening of the cuticle, adaxial and abaxial epidermises (except V. prostrata, where the upper epidermis decreased by 35 %) mesophyll occurred. The number of stomata on the abaxial epidermis in all species decreased (the most notably in V. prostrata). Such increase of xeromorphism in V. austriaca, V. incana, and V. prostrata is an adaptive reaction of plants to the effects of extreme arid weather and climatic conditions of the Kryvorizhzhya, which testifies to the plasticity of investigated species and their high adaptation potential to the climatic conditions of the Right-Bank Steppe Cisdnieper.
Highlights
In the conditions of increasing technogenic pressure in Ukraine and global climate warming, it is necessary to search for new drought- and pollution-resistant species for purposes of ornamental planting
The number of stomata on the abaxial epidermis in all species decreased. Such increase of xeromorphism in V. austriaca, V. incana, and V. prostrata is an adaptive reaction of plants to the effects of extreme arid weather and climatic conditions of the Kryvorizhzhya, which testifies to the plasticity of investigated species and their high adaptation potential to the climatic conditions of the Right-Bank Steppe Cisdnieper
The most significant changes in the anatomical structure of the leaf were observed in V. prostrata
Summary
In the conditions of increasing technogenic pressure in Ukraine and global climate warming, it is necessary to search for new drought- and pollution-resistant species for purposes of ornamental planting. According to the long-term introductory observations of the Veronica L. representatives in the collection of the Kryvyi Rih Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine (KBG), five species (V. armenica Boiss., V. austriaca L., V. incana L., V. prostrata L., and V. spicata L.) were identified as promising to replenish the cultural flora of the Right-Bank Steppe Cisdnieper. These species occur in different conditions in the wild nature. In the Kryvyi Rih plantings, these species are not used due to insufficient information regarding their ecological preferences and biological characteristics (Chypylyak et al, 2014)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
