Determination of potential drought and frost resistance on the basis of studies with vegetative parts of plants of the genus Cercis L.

Abstract

The role of green spaces in the urban system is important for creating a comfortable environment for the urban population. Most native species in urban environments have low resistance to pathogens and pests, due to the constant exposure to stressful abiotic and anthropogenic factors. Therefore, the issue of expanding the range of ornamental plants resistant to high temperatures, low moisture levels and the ability to withstand low winter temperatures is becoming relevant. The aim of the study was to determine the relative drought and frost resistance of plants of the genus Cercis L. by laboratory methods. In particular, determining the potential for drought tolerance by determining the level of vegetation, water yield per unit time, the level of water deficit of leaf blades and heat resistance, as well as determining frost resistance by laboratory freezing of annual shoots of experimental plants. These studies show that frost resistance and drought tolerance are closely related. Plants that had less drought tolerance eventually had a higher score of frost damage to shoot tissue. In our opinion, this is due to the fact that these species are more moisture-loving and their tissues are saturated with more moisture. It was found that drought tolerance varies not only between species, but also between cultivars of Cercis L. Thus, C. canadensis ‘Vanilla Twist’ had a higher level of frost resistance than C. canadensis ‘Ruby Falls’, but lower than Cercis canadensis L.