Promising species of the genus Sedum (<i>Crassulaceae</i>) of the Orenburg branch of the Federal Horticulture Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery

Abstract

The article summarizes the results of observations of the promising samples of the genus Sedum of the genetic collection of ornamental crops of the Orenburg branch of the Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery. Investigation of the features of the development phases and evaluation of the prospects of introduction of 7 species and 1 variety (Sedum selskianum Regel & Maack, Sedum dasyphyllum L., Sedum spurium cv. Rubi Glou, Sedum gybridum L., Sedum rupestre L., Sedum acre L., Sedum album L., Sedum ewersii Ledeb.) were held in 2019-2021. The phenological phases of the development of collection samples were studied, the prospects of introduction in the conditions of the steppe zone of the Southern Urals were evaluated. The studied groundcover perennials are assigned to the group of long-term vegetating plants. The beginning of the growing season of the studied samples was observed in the second decade of April, the sum of positive temperatures during the study period ranged from 158.7 to 207.4 ˚C; the temperature index above 5 ˚C over the years of research ranged from 50.6 to 81.9 C. The deployment of young leaves and the beginning of spring regrowth was noted after 7-12 days at the sum of active temperatures from 56.4 to 153.4 ˚C. The duration of the flowering period varies among the studied samples, the longest flowering is characteristic of S. selskianum, S. srurium cv., S. album. The onset of fruit maturity in various species is observed from the second decade of June to the second decade of July, in S. ewersii – in the second decade of September. Groundcover species of the genus Sedum in the conditions of the steppe zone of the Southern Urals are distinguished by a long (from 49 ± 4 days in S. acre to 64 ± 3 days in S. ewersii) period from the beginning of spring regrowth to the onset of flowering. The period from the onset of flowering to fruit ripening ranges from 29 ± 4 days for S. selskianum to 62 ± 3 days for S. album. According to the results of the study, 3 promising samples were identified for widespread use in landscaping.