Ontogenetic structure of Coenopopulations of Centaurea jacea L.

Abstract

The study of the structure of coenopopulations (CP) is one of the directions in phytocoenology. Analysis of the morphological characteristics of individuals, ontogenetic structure, vitality, effective density allows predicting the dynamics of population development, which is importante for the rational use of both plant resources and territories occupied by different populations. We chose Centaurea jacea L. (meadow cornflower) as the object of our study. It is a perennial short-rhizome herb of the family Asteraceae Dumort., Hemicryptophyte, xeromesophyte, and a frequent component of meadow communities. Using the ecological scales of D.N. Tsyganov, a phytoindication assessment of the habitat conditions of Centaurea jacea L. is given. The values of the realized ecological valence fit into all ranges of the scaes given by D N Tsyganov for this species. This indicates a fairly wide range of tolerance of C. jacea. Coenopopulations of C. jacea are normal. Ontogenetic spectra are single-vertex: in CP 1-centered, in CP 2, 5-right-sided, in CP 3-left-sided. In CP 4 of C. jacea, the spectrum of ontogenetic states is bimodal. According to the “delta-omega” classification by L A Zhivotovsky CPs 1 and 2 of C. jacea, according to the values of efficiency and age indices, are characterized as mature, CPs 3 and 4 are transitional, and CP 5 is aging. The ontogenetic structure and type of spectrum depend on the growth rate of individuals, seed productivity, ecological conditions (soil turf, economic activity and mode of use).