BIOMORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF ARTOBOTRYS HEXAPETALUS SEEDS

Determining the prospects of introduced plants’ seed reproduction, including new ornamental and medicinal species, is Botanical Gardens’ important task. The paper discusses the results of Artabotrys hexapetalus diasporas study formed in the greenhouse of the Botanical Garden of Samara University. The paper provides information for 10 years on the morphology, the 1 000 seeds weight, their completeness and germination. The length of the seeds varied in the range of 13.6–21.8 mm, width 9.0–13.9 mm, thickness 5.6–9.4 mm. The 1 000 seeds’ weight varied from 700.73 g to 1 044.84 g, the average 1 000 seeds’ weight was 908.72 g. The quality of diasporas was determined using digital microfocus radiography in the scientific research laboratory of Innovative Methods for studying and preserving biological diversity at Samara University. The proportion of completed seeds varied from 89 to 100 % over the years. The following defects were identified: empty and incomplete seeds. There were no signs of pest infestation or damage to the seeds. The first germinated seeds appeared on the 48th day of study, the duration of seed germination from planting to the last germinated seed was 172 days. Only fresh seeds that have been stored for less than 1 year have sprung up. Germination was 50 % for fresh seeds and 20 % for seeds from the last year of reproduction. Thus, fresh seed material of its own reproduction can be used for reproduction and distribution by Index Seminum.