NTRODUCTION OF Prunus L. SPECIES. IN THE DRY STEPPE ZONE OF KHAKASSIA

The results of long-term trials of species of the genus Prunus L. (the currently included genus Padus Hill.) in the arboretum of the dry steppe zone of Khakassia are presented. The objects of research were five species of the genus with different origins: bird cherry ( Prunus padus L. - syn. Padus avium Mill.), Manchurian cherry ( P. maackii Rupr. - syn. P. maackii (Rupr.) Kom.), Hokkaido bird cherry ( P. ssiori F. Schmidt - syn. P. ssiori (F. Schmidt) C. K. Schneid.), Gray’s bird cherry ( P. grayana Maxim. - syn. P. grayana (Maxim.) C. K. Schneid.), Virginia bird cherry ( P. virginiana L. - syn. P. virginiana (L.) Mill.). The aim of the study is to trace the rhythm of growth, development and condition of new species of the genus Padus at introduction in changing climatic conditions of the dry steppe zone of Khakassia for introduction into landscaping. Using the methodology of phenological observations and statistical processing of the obtained data, the rhythm of growth and development of the studied species was established. The timing and duration of flowering, vegetation, fruit ripening and leaf fall periods were determined. A high degree of correlation between the passage of phenological phases and the influence of air temperature and the amount of precipitation was revealed. It was observed that plant height of 80 % of species in the nursery is lower than in natural conditions. Flowering of Padus species occurs in the second third decade of May with periods of 9 to 16 days. The longest flowering period is characterized by Manchurian cherry and the shortest by bird cherry. In the conditions of the arboretum 80 % of Padus species form root shoots, in 40 % - self-seeding was found. Seeds of the studied species have low ground germination - from 2.2 to 17.7 %, which makes seed multiplication of the considered plants difficult. Among the characterized species, two are long vegetative with a growing season of 178 and 186 days (Hokkaido bird cherry and Gray’s bird cherry, respectively). A scale with plant evaluation adapted to steppe conditions was used to determine the most promising Padus species for introduction. Four of the five species were quite promising. The highest number of points is characterized by bird cherry (105 points), 102 points each were scored by Virginia bird cherry and Gray’s bird cherry, 92 by Manchurian cherry. These species can be used in the landscaping of settlements to create alleys, in group and single plantings of parks, squares and adjacent territories.