Research of the tall bearded iris varieties (<i>Iris x hybrida hort.</i>) in the Stavropol Botanical Garden

Abstract

Relevance. Introduction and variety study of flower and ornamental crops is one of the main tasks of botanical gardens, which aims to expand the promising assortment for domestic floriculture.Results. In the period from 2018 to 2020 varieties of hybrid iris (Iris x hybrida hort.) from the garden group “tall bearded” were studied in the Stavropol Botanical Garden. The presented 13 varieties belong to foreign selection. Basically, the varieties are characterized by medium or early flowering periods with an average duration of 11-15 days. In the course of the study, biometric characteristics, the economic and biological properties of the varieties were analyzed. The varieties with the longest duration and productivity of flowering were identified. The ability to bear fruit, which is important for further breeding work, was noted in three varieties: Autumn Circus, Pallida Variegata, Immortality. The main disease that harms the studied culture is heterosporiosis. The most resistant to diseases are the varieties Afternoon In Rio, Bye Bye Blues, Pallida Variegata (up to 10% damage). The detected pests (flea beetle, aphid, mole cricket, etc.) generally cause minor damage to the studied plants. In the assessment of decorativeness, 11 parameters were analyzed using a 100-point scale and taking into account the conversion factor. The color, size, shape of the flower, aroma, inflorescence, duration and abundance of flowering, resistance to adverse weather conditions, decorative vegetative part of plants, originality, condition of plants were taken into account. As a result of the variety study, 9 highly decorative varieties were identified: Bye Bye Blues, Stardock, Autumn Circus, Lotus Land, Power Point, Good Day Oregon, Lorilee, Conjuration, Afternoon In Rio.