EVALUATION OF SEED QUALITY IN PALISOTA BARTERI HOOK

One of the tasks while studying the introduced plants is to investigate their reproductive ability in new conditions and the prospects for seed reproduction. As part of the program for the study of diaspores formed by introducers in the greenhouse of the Botanical Garden of Samara University, the quality of Palisota barteri seeds was investigated. The paper presents information on the morphology, humidity and weight of 1 000 seeds, as well as their maturity and germination for 12 years. The length of seeds varied from 2.65 to 4.60 mm, the average length of seeds was 3.42 mm. The weight of 1 000 seeds varied in the range from 10.94 to 14.01 g, the average weight of 1 000 seeds was 12.51 g. The moisture content in seeds stored for more than 1 year varied in the range from 4.71 to 7.32 %. Freshly harvested seeds had a moisture content of 24.03 %. The first signs of seed germination were noted on the 21st day. Seeds didn’t germinate rapidly; seeds older than 3 years did not sprout. The quality of formed diaspores was determined by digital microfocus radiography. The share of mature seeds in different years varied from 90.00 to 98.33 %. Among the main defects, it should be noted the desquamation of seed cover and immature seeds. For a number of seeds, a latent seed injury was revealed. There were no signs of pest infestation or seed damage. In the greenhouse conditions of the Botanical Garden of Samara University, P. barteri passes the generative stage and stably forms full seeds. Based on the studies carried out, we recommend using only fresh seeds for seed exchange and for planting (with a harvest period of less than 1 year).