EVALUATING THE ADAPTIVE CAPABILITIES OF POMEGRANATE CULTIVARS WITH THE AIM TO REPLENISH COLLECTIONS IN DRY SUBTROPICS

The purpose of the research is to study the introduced pomegranate cultivars selected by Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan according to the main adaptability parameters that ensure the economically feasible development of pomegranate farming in the microdistricts of Southern Dagestan. The studies were carried out on six introduced cultivars (‘Apsheronsky’, ‘Gulosha Rozovaya’, ‘Kazake Anor’, ‘Agdashsky’, ‘Krmyzy Kabukh’ and ‘Krmyzy Shirin’) in the period from 2013 to 2021. It was found that the degree of bark freezing in cultivars over the research years varies from 0.22 to 0.88 points, while wood freezing is indicated by minor damage that does not exceed 1 point (0.22–0.70 points). The studied pomegranate cultivars are resistant to freezing of crown branches and amount to (0.23–0.70 points). Cultivars of ‘Gulosha Rozovaya’ (0.25 points) and ‘Krmyzy Shirin’ (0.38 points) were identified as resistant to flower buds damage by low temperatures. The total degree of cultivars’ freezing under various unfavorable conditions in the winter period was determined on average for 9 years, where cultivars’ resistance also does not exceed 1 point. The best adaptability to unfavorable conditions of the year was shown by the cultivars ‘Gulosha Rozovaya’ (4.6 points) and ‘Krmyzy Shirin’ (4.4 points). A comparative assessment of the introduced pomegranate cultivars’ resistance to anthracnose (Sphaceloma punicae Bitank. et Jenk) in dry subtropical conditions was carried out. Cultivars with a high resistance degree to this type of harmful pathogenic fungus were identified: ‘Krmyzy Kabukh’ and ‘Kazake Anor’ – the lesion was in the range from 0 to 2.8 points. A comparative study of the lesion degree by zythia fruit rot (Zythia versoniana Sacc.) is shown, high damage was recorded in the cultivars ‘Apsheronsky’ (1.48 points) and ‘Agdashsky’ (1.28 points); medium-resistant cultivars were also identified: ‘Gulosha Rozovaya’ (0.88 points) and ‘Krmyzy Shirin’ (1.08 points). The lesion degree by the quince moth was studied, where the cultivars ‘Krmyzy Kabukh’ (0.57 points) and ‘Kazake Anor’ (0.65 points) were noted to be the most resistant to the pest. Cultivars with high resistance to pomegranate aphid (Aphis punicae Pass.) were identified: ‘Krmyzy Kabukh’ (0.36 points) and ‘Kazane Anor’ (0.72 points).