DISTRIBUTION OF Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. IN THE RIGHT-BANK FOREST-STEPPE OF UKRAINE AND ITS ADAPTIVE POTENTIAL

Abstract

The corresponding literature on the peculiarities of further intensive distribution of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. in Europe and directly in Ukraine have been studied. The botanical characteristics of this plant are given. On the basis of the conducted expeditionary researches, new locations of A. artemisiifolia in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine (RBFS) were revealed and the main stages of ontogenetic development were investigated. It was found out that before the winterset in these conditions, this invasive plant has time to produce viable seeds. Data on the ability of A. artemisiifolia to tolerate long periods of drought, accompanied by a sharp rise in temperature, have been confirmed. It is also noted that this herbaceous plant tolerates semi-shade conditions satisfactorily. High resistance of A. artemisiifolia to sharp fluctuations of air temperature in spring and autumn periods is revealed. The germination energy and seed germination of the studied species, collected in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, were established by conducting experimental researches. The dynamics of shoot growth during the growing season was observed on the research areas. High regenerative capacity to restore lost organs (shoots) was noted. A method of complex assessment of the adaptation potential of A. artemisiifolia is proposed, based on indicators of temperature fluctuations, drought resistance, light requirement, relation to soil fertility, vegetative reproduction, seed reproduction, regeneration of shoots, using complex coefficient of the adaptation potential (CCAAPR). Based on this coefficient, which was calculated according to the formula CCAAPR = FWR + DR + LR + RSF + VR + SR + RS, the adaptation potential of A. artemisiifolia in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine was determined to be high.