Botanic Garden Collections Research Articles

Understanding Rhododendron intraspecific compatibility in botanic garden collections for species conservation

Context Controlled pollination is an important technique for maintaining intraspecific diversity in integrated plant conservation practices, particularly in genera such as Rhododendron, where open pollination usually produces hybrids with unknown paternal lineages. Aims This study investigated the capacity for viable seed set from self- and intraspecific cross-pollination for Rhododendron taxa in different categories of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, to guide conservation management of threatened species in botanic garden collections. Methods The following five taxa of subsection Maddenia were studied: R. dalhousiae var. dalhousiae (Least Concern), R. dalhousiae var. rhabdotum (Vulnerable), R. lindleyi (Least Concern), R. nuttallii (Near Threatened), and R. excellens (Vulnerable). Controlled pollination was performed on selected garden accessions, and seed germination was tested at an alternating temperature regime of 15/25°C, 8 h photoperiod, and ~6 μmol m−2 s−1 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). Key results Intraspecific compatibilities varied among different taxa and between self- and outcross treatments. X-ray images for Rhododendron seeds showed low capacity to predict seed germination. Neither X-ray scan nor fungicide (Ridomil) treatment showed any adverse impact on seed germination, which has positive implications for seed-banking and subsequent raising of Rhododendron seedlings. Conclusions Controlled intraspecific pollination can be used to maintain diversity of ex situ accessions for selected Rhododendron species. However, the zero or low compatibility demonstrated in some species, such as R. excellens, suggests that these species may require a different approach. Implications Intraspecific pollination should be evaluated for each Rhododendron species before a propagation program is initiated in ex situ conservation.

THE PERSPECTIVITIES OF MICRICLONAL PROPAGATION OF ACER PLATANOIDES L. CRIMSON KING (ACEARCEAE JUSS.)

Clonal micropropagation – massive asexual propagation of plants from cell and tissue culture; the resulting plants are genetically identical to the original copy. The conservation of plants by tissue culture methods is of great interest and will probably become even more common in the future. The advantages of this method are numerous, but we find it most important that the initiation of cultivation requires only a single plant, a seed or a single explant (apex, meristem, bud, piece of leaf, stem etc.), thus, the available plant specimens (which can be only a few) will not be affected by harvesting them from their habitat. The state program “Developing of the scientific basis for the sustainable reproduction of valuable specimens of the botanical garden collection in in vitro culture” is being conducted in the laboratory of biotechnology of the Tashkent Botanical Garden of the Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, directed at microclonal propagation of many valuable species presented in a single copy, as well as species in demand in urban greening programs. Acer platanoides L. Crimson King variety (Acearceae Juss.) is a deciduous, slow-growing tree, reaching 15 m with age. The crown shape is wide-round and even. The leaves are large, 5-7 lobed, deep purple, and do not change color throughout the growing season. The trunk is smooth, dark in color, with clearly defined longitudinal grooves. Because of its graceful shape, the Crimson King variety is extremely popular. It is actively planted in city yards, parks, and roadsides. Suitable for landscaping. Within this state program the protocol of microclonal propagation of A. platanoides Crimson King variety has been developed to propagate this species for Botanical Garden collection as well as for greening programs. Solutions of sodium hypochloride (4-6%), hydrogen peroxide (2-15%), silver nitrate (0.01%), Tween20, ethanol (70%), and some other sterilizing agents were tested for developing a protocol for sterilization of maple explants. “Belizna” solution, “Domestos” sterilizing soap, fungicides difenoconazole, mancoseb and metalaxyl, fludioxonil, propiconazole, antibiotics streptomycin, amoxicillin, gentamicin, and etc. were also implemented for explants sterilization. As a result of the studies, it was determined that the most optimal source of explants are branches with apical (10% regeneration) and lateral (100% regeneration) buds of the annual shoot of A. platanoides Crimson King variety. Plant growth environment is important in the success of in vitro propagation. Thus, explants obtained from trees growing in the arid areas of massive Kuylyuk in Tashkent, were characterized by low viability and a high degree of infection with fungal diseases in comparison with explants obtained from trees growing in Hastimom Square in Tashkent, where trees are watered daily. We found two ways of in vitro propagation of A. platanoides L. variety Crimson King: 1. With the use of microcuttings. 2. Indirect organogenesis with induction of callus. The best way for A. platanoides L. variety Crimson King became indirect organogenesis trough induction of the callus in the WPM - Wood Propagation Media, hormone free or with 6- benzilaminopurine in the media. The duration of the developing of a plant usually takes 6-9 months.

Green Legacy: Plant Introduction and Dendrological Collections in Yerevan Botanical Garden: From the Past to the Future

Botanical living collections within botanical gardens are a crucial global asset for plant diversity. Special attention should be directed towards dendrological collections due to their significant contribution to biodiversity conservation, support for scientific inquiry, enhancement of educational initiatives, and engagement of the public. Introducing plants, particularly woody species, poses a significant challenge in botanical science, one that is addressed through botanical gardens and arboretums. The establishment and development of dendrological collections in botanical gardens provide a means to comprehensively represent diverse plant species from various biogeographical regions and continents. The current paper presents, for the first time, the establishment, development, status, and future perspective of dendrological collections at the Yerevan Botanical Garden, particularly in relation to the introduction of woody plants in Armenia.

Rare and endangered plant species of the Kuban State University Botanical Garden

The paper presents the results of research on rare and endangered plant species growing on the territory of the Educational Botanical Garden of the Kuban State University. A systematic list of 88 plant species from 62 genera and 40 families listed in the regional Red Book has been compiled. A taxonomic analysis was carried out showing the predominant families, as well as the distribution of the studied flora into monotypic, oligotypic and polytypic families. The analysis of life forms according to the I. G. Serebryakov system showed that perennial grasses predominate, the smallest number of species refers to annual grasses. Ecological analysis was carried out on two groups of ecomorphs: in relation to light and moisture. Among the heliomorphs, heliophytes predominate. Xerophytes predominate among hygromorphs. According to the data of the zoological analysis, it was revealed that out of 88 species of the collection of rare and endangered plants of the Kuban State University Botanical Garden, 34 species are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. The zoological characteristics of the studied flora of the KubGU Botanical Garden are given. In order to identify changes in the state of flora, as well as clarity of replenishment of the collection of the Educational Botanical Garden of the Kuban State University, a comparative characteristic of changes in the categories of plant species growing on the territory of the Educational Botanical Garden in the period from 1994 to 2017 was carried out.

P. consortial associations of insects (Insecta) and springtails (Collembola) with Trollius asiaticus L. (Ranunculaceae)

Consortial associations of insects and springtails with the Asian globe ower, Trollius asiaticus L. (Ranunculaceae), were investigated in nature and in the Bioresource Scienti c Collection of the Central Siberian Botanical Garden of the Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Science (USU № 440534) from 2017 till 2021. 106 invertebrate species have been revealed, which have been classi ed into the following groups: (1) anthophiles, (2) herbivores (phyllophages and carpophages), (3) de tritophages, and (4) entomophages. The consort diversity is highest in the period of owering with predominance of the anthophiles, including pollinators and nectarophages. Seeds are damaged by the larvae of the y genus Chiastocheta (Anthomyiidae) and numerous heteropterans. The injury by phyllophages is insigni cant.

Hazelnut (Corylus domestica Kos. et Opal.) breeding results for anthropoadaptability

Aim. Hazelnut (Corylus domestica Kos. et Opal.) fruits are valuable raw materials for the confectionery industry, the production of biologically active additives to food products and feed, as well as for obtaining from hazelnut oil the liposomal nanoemulsions and nanodispersions, which are part of medicinal preparations. The domestic hazelnut production level is insufficient and unable to satisfy either the needs of the processing industry or the demand of the population of Ukraine for fresh nuts. This motivated the search for ways to improve the assortment of this nut-bearing crop, foremost the creation of new cultivars in possession of anthropoadaptive features complexes. Methods. Study of the alien and originating in the NDP "Sofiyivka" of the NAS of Ukraine Corylus spp. specimens. During hybridization, the sleeve cages made of dense FPP-15 (Petrianov filter linen) fabric were used to isolate branches with female flowers. Pollination was done without removing the cages, injecting pollen into the cage with insufflator MO-03. The parental pairs' selection for crossing, and growing, evaluation, and selection of hybrid seedlings was done using standard methods. Results. It turned out that the segregation spectra for economic and useful traits of the anthropoadaptive complex in the progeny of seedlings from controlled intraspecific crosses did not significantly differ from the seedlings obtained as a result of free cross-pollination of hazelnut cultivars of the NDP "Sofiyivka" collection. Instead, the involvement of specimens of C. chinensis and C. avellana 'Fuscorubra' in the hybridization contributed to obtaining a number of new hazelnut cultivars. At the same time, in contrast to literature data, hybrids from pollination of hazelnut cultivars with C. chinensis pollen were better than in reciprocal combinations. So new highly productive cultivar 'Sofiivskyi 15' was selected from the seedling population of ('Garibaldi'×C. chinensis). Conclusions. This discrepancy between the results of our crosses and the literature data can be explained by the fact that our C. chinensis specimens were introduced not from the initial natural area (China South-Central), but from the collection of Berlin Botanical Garden (Botanischer Garten Berlin-Dahlem) where they could spontaneously be pollinated with some other Corylus spp. The advantages of our new hazelnut cultivars: 'Sofiyivsky 1'; "Sofiyivsky 2"; and 'Sofiyivsky 15', which have been included in the State register of plant varieties suitable for dissemination in Ukraine since 2019, testify to the effectiveness of hazelnut breeding for anthropoadaptability.

Carpological features of Iris hybrida Hort. (Rodion.) in the conditions of the M. M. Hryshko National Botanical Garden in Kyiv, Ukraine

The results of a morphological study of fruit and seed characteristics of Iris hybrida hort. are presented. The morphometric measurements of fruits and seeds are described including length and width. Such morphological features as the shape of fruits and seeds, hilum shape, the position and size of the seed embryo, endosperm features, the surface of the fruits and seeds are analyzed. Eleven tall bearded iris varieties of domestic and foreign selection were chosen from the collection fund of the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden. The varieties selected are: ‘Alians’, ‘Amethyst Flame’, ‘Earth Song’, ‘Local Color’, ‘Mescalero Chief’, ‘Scintilation’, ‘Vanity’, ‘Violet Harmony’, ‘Zlatokudraya’, ‘Ayu-Dag’, and ‘Pryvit Z Ukrayiny’. These varieties are distinguished by their decorative qualities, are widely distributed and are promising candidates for further selection work. Among the researched varieties, fruit bodies of obovate, wide-oval, elongated-elliptic and rounded shapes were distinguished. Seeds of compressedprismatic, rounded, wedge-shaped, inverted ovoid and flattened-semicircular shapes were recorded. The surface of the seeds observed was spongy-wrinkled, hard, sometimes with narrow rims along the edge of the faces. The shape of the hilum showed slight variations. The described carpological features of the I. hybrida varieties align with literature data on the general morphology of the fruits and seeds of other types of irises. The varieties of I. hybrida studied were from the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden collection fund, and when grown in the conditions of the forest-steppe, we’re able to form full viable seeds with free pollination, which indicates their high adaptability. According to the histogenetic classification, the fruits of the studied varieties belong to the Lilium type (with a lignified endocarp). The structure of the seed coat, consisting of the exo-, meso- and endotesta, differences in the size, shape of the seeds and the hilum were also noted. The morphological descriptions of the fruits and seeds of the investigated varieties provide additional data about the genus Iris L.

Quantifying Endangerment Value: a Promising Tool to Support Curation Decisions

Botanic garden collections are increasingly seeking to quantify and improve the value of their collections for science, horticulture, conservation and other uses. Quantifying the value of a collection depends on the mission of the institution. Many botanic gardens are prioritising the conservation of rare and threatened species towards preventing plant extinctions. In doing so, botanic gardens must make decisions about which plants should remain, be replaced or be added to their collections, and how to allocate staff and resources to care for individual plants, while considering funding and space limits. So, how can curators make the biggest impact towards conserving plant species? We present a promising method to quantitatively assess which plant species might be higher or lower conservation priority to an ex situ collection, using what we term ‘endangerment value’ – the value of collections for preventing plant extinction. We apply this method to four genera of high importance at The Morton Arboretum and showcase advantages of this approach as well as pitfalls. We found this method useful for priority setting, but note that the inclusion and exclusion of different data and how they are weighted impacts the ranking of priority species – an important lesson for any prioritisation method. We hope this method will inspire and help other botanic gardens to evaluate their current and future endangerment value and set priorities for maintaining and growing ex situ collections globally.

Genetic assessment improves conservation efforts for the critically endangered oceanic island endemic Hibiscus liliiflorus.

Hibiscus liliiflorus, endemic to the Indian Ocean island of Rodrigues, is one of the rarest plant species in the world; only 2 wild individuals remain. Previously, when 4 wild individuals remained, the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) in Rodrigues propagated cuttings of them in their nursery, then planted seedlings produced in the nursery into 3 outplanted populations on the island. Our goals were to: 1) assess whether all 4 original wild genotypes are represented in the MWF nursery; 2) determine whether ex situ living collections at international botanical gardens maintain unique genotypes of H. liliiflorus; 3) assess whether nursery individuals have crossed or self-fertilized to produce seed and quantify their relative contributions to outplanted populations; and 4) provide recommendations for future conservation actions. We used a 2b-RADseq approach to produce 2,711 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 98 samples. Genotype identity analysis, principal component analysis, and model-based clustering in STRUCTURE found 4 genotypes extant in Rodrigues but no unique genotypes in ex situ botanic garden collections. Only 3 genotypes are represented in the MWF nursery; the one remaining genotype is represented by an extant wild individual. Parentage analysis showed that seeds produced in the MWF nursery resulted from both self-fertilization and crossing between genotypes, a result supported by internal relatedness and hybrid index calculations. Each outplanted population is dominated by a subset of parental genotypes, and we propose actions to balance the parental contributions to outplanted populations. Our study highlights how genetic assessments of ex situ conservation projects help conserve critically endangered species.

Inventory and Risk Analysis of Naturalized Exotic Species from the Cibodas Botanical Garden Collection Recorded in the Remnant Forest of Cibodas

B Botanic Gardens cultivates exotic species for the purpose of ornamental plants. Moreover, these exotic species have the probability to escape the garden area and naturalized in adjacent forests. Cibodas Botanical Garden (CBG) is adjacent to four remnant forests: Jalan akar, Bengkel, Lumut, and Wornojiwo forests. There are several reports of naturalized CBG collections in Wornojiwo, thus this study does the inventory of naturalized exotic CBG collections in Cibodas remnant forests and perform Tropical Weed Risk Assessment Protocol (TWRAP) of these species. We found 26 CBG exotic species naturalized in remnant forests and more naturalized exotic species in Lumut and Jalan Akar forests than Wornojiwo and Bengkel forests. We presumed the topographic condition in Bengkel forest inhibit the spread of exotic species, meanwhile Jalan akar forest was located in the center area of CBG therefore holds the greatest number of naturalized exotic species. We found the domination of Chimonobambusa qudrangularis in Wornojiwo forest inhibiting other exotic species growth. The largest figure of the naturalized species belong to the family of Asteraceae, followed by Solanaceae, Marantaceae, Fabaceae, and Acanthaceae. The TWRAP assessment score results of the 81% naturalized species were above 10. Therefore TWRAP can be used as an early screening for botanic gardens exotic species naturalization probability. CBG commits to support the post-2020 biodiversity CBD target, with this inventory CBG can monitor the spread of CBG exotic plant collections that threaten native plant diversity and prevent future spreading of other exotic species.

Features of in vitro cultivation of rare species of the family Iridaceae Juss.

This article provides information about improving of the clonal micropropagation technology and in vitro reproduction peculiarities of some species of family Iridaceae Juss. In vitro collection of Volgograd regional botanical garden (VRBG) contains 6 species of genus Iris. As a result of the research, optimization of cultivation conditions at different stages of clonal micropropagation of species genus Iris L. cultures was carried out.
 The optimal mode of sterilization seeds of species of the genus Iris has been selected - a 5% solution of Lysofornin® 3000 at an exposure of 10 minutes. The features of the development of Iris notha and Iris pseudonotha seedlings on nutrient media with a high content of cytokinins and auxins have been studied. The greatest regenerative activity in Iris pseudonotha and Iris notha was observed on the nutrient media У MS 2 iP 1.0 mg/l + 0.5 mg/l IBA and MS + 13 mg/l BAP + 7.0 mg/l IAA, the reproduction coefficient was 7.5 and 4.7, respectively. The optimal nutrient medium for Iris pumila for long-term cultivation in vitro is the Knudson nutrient medium; regenerate plants have a slow uniform growth, while the number of abnormal and non-viable plants is minimal, which allows Iris pumila to be preserved in the collection in vitro for a long time.

Historical varieties in the rose collection of the Central Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus

The article contains the information about 29 historical varieties of roses cultivated in the Central Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for more than 50–70 years. They belong to 5 garden groups, including the oldest roses – repairable ones. The plants were described and the morphometric indicators and features of flowering plants in the garden were established. Winter hardiness of varieties in local conditions was estimated. It is noted that such varieties should be preserved in collections, because they not only reflect the history of rose breeding, but also are a valuable gene pool for breeding work.

Statistical indicators of seed reproduction of apple <i>(MALUS MİL L.)</i> species introduced on apsheron

We have studied effective methods of seed reproduction of some species of apple trees in the condition of Apsheron. The newly introduced and available in the collection of the Central Botanical Garden of ANAS 23 species of wild apples were taken as research material. Experiments were carried out with both stratified and non-stratified seeds. The germination rate of the studied species was different. As a result, it turned out that in order to obtain good germination of seeds of apple varieties introduced in Absheron, they should be sown either early autumn, or for various reasons (climate, lack of time, etc.), it is better to stratify the seeds and to shorten the germination time it is advisable to sow in spring. Statistical analysis was carried out on the basis of the obtained results. In the course of statistical processing, the statistical programs PAST, SPSS 16. were used. Cluster analysis of samples was carried out using the Ward method based on the Evklid index of genetic distance. According to morphometric and mass parameters, the seeds of the studied species were divided into 3 main groups with 5 values of the genetic distance. The values of statistical indicators were also determined for other studied characteristics of seeds in apple species. The parametrs include minimum and maximum values, mean, standard error, standard deviation, coefficient of variation. And the studied characters are the width, length, and weight of the seeds. This indicates that among the three traits studied between species, the mass trait has greater variability, in other words, higher genetic diversity. That is, the trait of the seed mass of the studied species makes it possible to distinguish more species. It is known that by crossing genetically distant species, a hybrid with new traits can be obtained, i.e. with a high effect of heterosis. From this point of view, high-quality species are selected from the species included in the clusters, and by crossing them with species from other clusters, a hybrid with a high heterosis effect can be obtained. With this method of selection, it is possible to gradually obtain new varieties of high quality.

Результаты интродукции сорта Сhrysanthemum L. в условиях Мангистау

The article presents the results of an introductory study of Korean chrysanthemum varieties in the collection of the Mangyshlak Experimental Botanical Garden. As a result of phenological observations of 26 varieties of chrysanthemum in 2018–2020, it was revealed that chrysanthemum varieties are long-growing. The duration of phenological phases is more dependent on the biological characteristics of the variety and on the meteorological factors of the year of study. During the three-year period of observations on the flowering dates in the arid conditions of Mangistau, 4 groups of chrysanthemum varieties were identified: early, middle, mediumlate, and late varieties. The total flowering duration of chrysanthemum varieties was on average from 20 to 45 days. Flowering of early varieties lasts about 25–28 days, medium and medium-late — from 35 to 45, late — about 25 days. Also, this study provides an assessment of the decorative and biological properties of chrysanthemum varieties. Through the comprehensive assessment, the most promising varieties of chrysanthemum were identified, which make it possible to create decorative floral compositions of various types in the conditions of the arid zone of Mangistau, and thereby replenish the assortment of decorative perennial plants with new varieties.

Ранжирование сортов лилейника гибридного коллекции ЦСБС СО РАН и перспективы рационального использования

Abstract. Hemerocallis hybrida hort. is a decorative perennial short–rooted polycarpic of the red-leaf family (Hemerocallidaceae R. Br.), genus (Hemerocallis L.). Daylily (krasodnev) is widely known as a summer-flowering, sustainable crop, which is still insufficiently used in the green construction of the Novosibirsk region. This is due to the lack of recommended assortment from different garden groups adapted to the sharply continental climate of Western Siberia. The aim of the study was to evaluate the varieties of hybrid daylily from the collection of the Central Siberian Botanical Garden according to the complex of decorative and economic features for rational use in the floriculture of Siberia. Methods. In accordance with the methodology of V. N. Bylov et al. the introduced varieties were evaluated for decorative features (plant height, inflorescences, bush habitus, flower color and size, number of flowers in the inflorescence, aroma) and economic and biological properties (timing and duration of flowering; number of vegetative and generative shoots, resistance to weather factors, diseases and pests). Results. As a result of morphobiological analysis of 90 varieties of hybrid daylily, varieties from different garden groups were identified that have a score of 63–99 points for decorative qualities (Angel of Light, Christopher Columbus, Pandora, s Box, White Cream, Strawbary Candy, Primel Seream, Red of Roses, Lady Hesketh, etc.). According to the economic and biological properties of the variety estimated at 27–48 points. As a result of a comprehensive 150-point assessment, 52 varieties were identified as very promising (more than 120 points), 30 varieties are promising (106–120 points), 8 unpromising varieties (less than 105 points), these are Lemon Bells, Goi, Revolute, Awaited Hourse, Highland Lord, Close Childe, Apricot, Solid Scarlet. Scientific novelty. For the first time, a ranking of 90 varieties of hybrid daylily introduced into the conditions of the forest-steppe zone was carried out and a sorting was recommended for different types of plantings (mono- and mixed groups, mixborders, rabatki, borders, tapeworms, containers).

Economic and biological classification of subtropic fruit crops collection in Khorol botanical garden

The analysis of the scientific sources on the definition of economic and biological features of fruit cultures is carried out. The different opinions of scientists on the division of the fruit plants on certain grounds into groups have been revealed. Scientists count from two to eight groups. It is believed that one of these groups is the production grouping. The basis of production grouping is the peculiarities of the type of fruit. According to this classification, the fruit crops are divided into the grain, stone, nut, berry. Separately the subtropical and tropical plants are distinguished. In the group of the subtropical crops, a subgroup of citrus plants is distinguished. However, among the subtropical crops there are grain, stone, berry and nut plants. Therefore, the question arises as to the need to improve the classification, taking into the account the biological and economic component of the plants. On the basis of the collection of the subtropical fruit plants of Khorol Botanical Garden the development of economic and biological classification of the southern species was carried out. The collection consists of the woody, shrubby and perennial herbaceous plants of 25 species belonging to 22 genera of 15 families. From the given literature proposals to the economic and biological classification of the subtropical fruit crops, we consider that it is reasonable to classify the fruit plants according to the improved scheme. The scheme foresees the combination of all fruit the fruit plants into four groups: berry, seed, stone and nut. In the collection of Khorol Botanical Garden we have our own observations. We offer the following definition of the fruit type and the plant group. The group of berries includes plants with the fruit types: the berry, the stone fruit, the olive fruit, the achene in the cotyledon, the pomegranate, the orange. In the collection of Khorol Botanical Garden, 12 species belong to this group, namely: Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal — a type of berry fruit; Laurus nobilis L. — drupe; Elaeagnus multiflora Thunb. — olive grove; Elaeagnus umbellate Thunb. — olive grove; Maclura tricuspidata (Carrière) Bureau — achenes in the offspring; Ficuscarica L. — achenes in the cotyledon; Passiflora incarnata L. — berry; Punica granatum L. — granatina; Feijoa sellowiana O. Berg — berry; Actinidia chinensis Planch. — berry; Diospyros virginiana L. — berry; Citrus trifoliata L. — orange. The seeds include plants with apple fruit types. In the collection of the institution this group includes 6 species such as Cydonia oblonga Mill.; Chaenomeles × californica Clarke ex Weber; Cormus domestica L.; Mespilus germanica L.; Crataegus azarolus L.; Crataegus opaca Hooker & Arn. The stone collections of Khorol Botanical Garden include 4 species, including 2 species with the type of stone fruit: Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb and Prunus armeniaca L., and 2 species with the pirenarium fruit type: Ziziphus jujuba Mill. and Olea europaea L. The group of nuts includes plants of 3 plant species, of which Hovenia dulcis Thunb. and Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, the type of fruit is a box, and in Pistacia vera L. — a stone. Fruit plants include cultivated and wild polycarp plants. The fruits of these plants are consumed fresh or processed. Also, these plants are used as rootstocks. The economic and biological distribution of the subtropical fruit crops of the certain groups is not difficult, except of Hovenia dulcis, because not the fruits are consumed, but the stalk. In Laurus nobilis and Camellia sinensis leaves are used, not fruits. However, it is noteworthy the fact that the fruits of Laurus nobilis are also used as a food product. They are harvested in October–November and used as spices for oil.

Elephants, rainbows, flowers and bees: Interdisciplinary research driven by botanic garden collections

Societal Impact StatementFrom its beginning in 1846, Cambridge University Botanic Garden was conceived of as a plant science research and teaching facility. It has supported major advances in biology, including understanding of evolution and genetics. It promotes outreach to the public and students, explaining to all the importance of plants for life on Earth. It is part of a global network of botanic gardens and similar institutions dedicated to plant conservation and knowledge exchange. Perhaps most importantly, it celebrates the life‐enhancing beauty of plants in all their diversity.SummaryCambridge University Botanic Garden was established on its current site in 1846 by Charles Darwin's mentor, John Stevens Henslow. Many of Henslow's plantings and herbarium specimens still exist. William Bateson, who was one of the rediscoverers of Mendel's laws of inheritance and who coined the term ‘genetics’, worked at the Garden at the dawn of the last century. The attractive landscape is visited by 330,000 members of the public annually, and as originally intended by Henslow, it is an important resource for botanical teaching and research by the University and its collaborators. The Garden's collection comprises about 8000 plant species, 14,000 accessions, nine national collections and a diverse 2000 tree arboretum. Detailed analyses have revealed that, while most of the accessions are also held by other botanic gardens worldwide, several hundred are unique to Cambridge. As well as studies on fundamental principles of biology, the Garden's collection underpins research on global food security and applications in diverse fields such as engineering. As an example of research exploiting the Garden's range of floral forms, analyses of the visual factors determining the interaction between flowers and pollinating insects are described. Bee foraging behaviour may be altered by experimentally manipulating the structural and developmental bases of petal iridescence. The phylogenetic distribution of petal iridescence is consistent with the trait having evolved independently several times in the angiosperms.

Tulipa sylvestris L. в коллекции Центрального сибирского ботанического сада СО РАН

The article presents the results of a long-term introduction of Tulipa sylvestris L. in the SB RAS Central Botanical Garden collection. Plants of the species T. sylvestris bloom abundantly and have a reproductive factor of 1–2 for the daughter bulbs. It was found that the short phase of flowering is characterized by smooth temperature changes, the most dramatic for a long period. We also established a direct dependence of the duration of the flowering period on the amount of precipitation during this period, the correlation coefficient was 0,7. Under the conditions of the CSBG, the species introduced T. sylvestris increased the parameters of the morphometric characters and decreased the indicators of an important decorative feature – the length of the petal. The number of days with of temperatures above zero and the number of sunny days have a significant impact on the quantity and parameters of vegetative organs. The amount of precipitation has a positive effect on the length of the anther, thus increasing the length of the stamen. The length of the filament and the height of the goblet also depend on the number of sunny days. The result can be considered an assessment of the success of the introduction, which for individuals of the species T. sylvestris was six points out of seven. The evaluation of resistance to introduction showed that plants of this species can be considered highly resistant in cultivation.

On streamlining the Ukrainian names of plant. Information 13. Taxonomic diversity and names for subtropic fruit plants of the Khorol Botanical Garden collection

Purpose. To analyse the taxonomic composition of subtropical plants of the Khorol Botanical Garden collection. Results. Taxonomic composition of the collection, consisting of 25 species: Actinidia chinensis Planch., Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal, Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, Chaenomeles ×californica Clarke ex Weber, Citrus trifoliata L., Cormus domestica L., Crataegus azarolus L., Crataegus opaca Hooker & Arn., Cydonia oblonga Mill., Diospyros virginiana L., Elaeagnus multiflora Thunb., Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb., Feijoa sellowiana O.Berg, Ficus carica L., Hovenia dulcis Thunb., Laurus nobilis L., Maclura tricuspidata (Carrière). Bureau, Olea europaea L., Passiflora incarnata L., Prunus armeniaca L., Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb, Punica granatum L., and Ziziphus jujuba Mill., which according to the current classification belong to 22 genera, 15 families, 8 orders of flowering plants was found out. Each species represents a certain fruit crop: apricot, azarole, pawpaw, quince, akigoumi, American persimmon, pomegranate, goumi, service tree, Chinese date, kiwi, che, laurel, olive, mayhaw, almond, medlar, Oriental raisin tree, fig, passion fruit, trifoliate orange, pineapple guava, pistachio, tea, and Japanese quince. Conclusions. The taxonomic composition of the collection of subtropical plants in the Khorol Botanical Garden was specified and the Ukrainian names of 17 taxa of the species level, 12 of the generic, 4 of the family and 5 of the ordinal levels were streamlined. The Ukrainian names of botanical taxa need to be brought into line with the modern phylogenetic system, correcting inconsistencies inherited from Soviet times. The naming of genera of subtropical cultures in the Ukrainian language occurs most often through the transliteration of the corresponding Latin names or the formation of new names with direct word order in two-word names using long-learned names of related genera. The names of subtropical crops in the agrobiological terminological system may coincide with the names of botanical genera or are borrowed trivial names of plants in different languages from the regions from which they were introduced. Two-word names of crops and species names differ in word order, respectively, direct and reverse.

Shoot senescence in herbaceous perennials of the temperate zone: Identifying drivers of senescence pace and shape

Abstract Perennial herbaceous species form their above‐ground parts every year anew and discard them before the advent of winter. The senescence of above‐ground structures is thus an inevitable part of their life cycle. This is also a key process that determines photosynthetic gain late in the season and the economy of soil‐borne nutrients. Here we address patterns and drivers of the shoot senescence of perennial herbaceous plants. We present a comparative study of 231 temperate species, ranging from spring ephemeroids to species senescing in late autumn, in a common botanical garden collection. We assessed senescence by measuring size decline in the autumn part of the season. There were two main directions of variation in senescence trajectories: the pace–date axis, separating early and fast senescing species from late and slowly senescing species, and the shape‐asynchrony axis, separating species with accelerating and synchronised senescence from constant senescence asynchronous among individual shoots. While accelerating senescence late in the season can be due to passive effects of the environment (e.g. frost), accelerating senescence early in the season is likely to be an indication of an active process driven by the enzymatic activity of the plant. The pace and shape of shoot senescence were associated with both leaf‐ and shoot‐level traits. Species having leaves with high dry matter content senesced linearly and with higher asynchrony. Species with a larger specific leaf area senesced earlier and faster, while tall plants and plants with monocyclic shoots senesced later and in a more synchronous and accelerating manner. Species from different habitats varied in their senescence patterns. Forest species postpone their senescence relative to open‐habitat species, presumably to boost their photosynthetic balance. We did not confirm the hypothesis that plants from nutrient‐poor habitats senesce earlier to retain soil‐borne nutrients before the winter. Synthesis. Shoot senescence in herbaceous plants is a neglected phenomenon in its own right, which bears only superficial similarity to autumn leaf shedding in trees. Individual species differ strongly in the pace, shape and synchrony of their senescence trajectories, with a potential bearing on the carbon and nutrient dynamics of their habitats.