State, population characteristics of Tulipa biebersteiniana Schult & Schult Fil. on the territory of the left bank of Transnistria and features of its reproduction in vivo and in vitro

Abstract

The ontogenetic states of T. biebersteiniana in the broad interpretation which grows in Transdnistria was refined. In the tract of Kalagur-Stroentsy four age states were defined, on limestone faults along the valley of the Dniester - five. A comparative study of the main demographic indicators of mesophilic and xerophilous ecological groups of T. biebersteiniana has been conducted. The morphometric indicators of the populations of both ecogroups have been identified and analyzed: total population density, ontogenetic spectrum, projective cover, and age and efficathy indices. The method of propagation of mesophilic and xerophilous ecogroups representatives has been clarified. Mesophilic plants propagated vegetatively, the forming bulbs have a sporophyte origin, and the mature mesophilic populations are renewed homophasically. Xerophilous plants reproduce mainly sexually; the reproduction of developing populations is mainly heterophasic. Both ecogroups were rejuvenated, so their resistance as the survival in phytocenosis was unified by the comparable reproduction and replacement indices. The surveyed mesophilic and xerophilous populations were classified as young, left-handed, normal, and incomplete. Populations of both ecogroups, being young, with high reproduction and replacement indices, were not affected by the tulip breaking virus, and were relatively resistant and adapted to their biotope. Prospects for their continued existence now are quite favorable in the absence of sudden and sharp effects on them of possible biotic and abiotic stressors. There is a low net reproduction in the plants of the mesophilic group in natural populations. The inducing of additional micro bulbs in the culture of in vitro based on indirect somatic embryogenesis is promising to increase T. biebersteiniana propagation rate.