Some features of the development of the generative sphere of Juniperus deltoides in Mountain Crimea

Abstract

To study the biomorphological features of cone berries and seeds of Juniperus deltoides, 17 sample plots were planted. By means of one-way analysis of variance, the degree of influence of abiotic and anthropogenic factors on seed productivity and seed quality was revealed. It has been established that the development of the generative sphere of J. deltoides is largely influenced by the anthropogenic load of the growing area and the amount of precipitation in the period from March to August. The size of the cone berries of J. deltoides Crimean population is smaller than in the main part of the species range. The vast majority of cone berries contain 3 seeds. Seed parameters vary insignificantly in the range from 4.4 mm to 6.0 mm (in height); from 2.3 mm to 3.2 mm (in width) and from 2.3 mm to 2.9 mm (in thickness). The weight of seeds varies quite widely from 15.9 g to 26.9 g. It has been established that almost half (47.53 %) of all J. deltoides individuals are characterized by low seed productivity. The proportion of full-grained seeds was determined, which is 1.32-26.92 %. The correlation coefficients between the indicators of the generative sphere range from 0.45 to 0.80.