POSSIBILITIES OF USING BASHKIR-BREEDED PEONY CULIVARS IN THE STEPPE TRANS-URAL

The results of the introduction analysis of four of peony cultivars (‘Appassionata’, ‘Bashkirsky’, ‘Ogny Ufy’, ‘Seryozha’) from the South Ural Botanical Garden Institute of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the steppe zone of the Bashkir Trans-Urals (Khaibullinsky district, the Republic of Bashkortostan), which is characterized as the most arid area in the region, are presented. As a result of phenological observations, it was revealed that according to the flowering time, most of the studied cultivars belong to summer, medium-flowering. Depending on the varietal characteristics and weather conditions of the year, the prefloral period ranged from 28 to 43 days. The duration of the flowering period ranged from 9 (‘Seryozha’, 2022) to 17 days (‘Appassionata’, 2023). The largest visual area of the perceived colour surface was characterized by the cultivars Ogny Ufy’ and ‘Appassionata’ (91–92 points). It is shown that Appassionata and Serezha cvs have a high adaptive potential: they actively reproduce vegetatively and are characterized by high drought and heat resistance. When assessing the resistance of the studied domestic cultivars to late spring and early autumn frosts, as well as to winter frosts in the Trans-Ural steppe, it was revealed that the cultivars ‘Appassionata’, ‘Seryozha’ and ‘Ogny Ufy’ are characterized by wide ecological plasticity and are highly resistant to local climatic conditions. New Russian peony cultivars are characterized by significant resistance to the combination of unfavorable environmental conditions typical for the South Ural region. Along with this, they demonstrate high indicators of decorative qualities and economic importance. Their immunity to the effects of pests, as well as moderate resistance to various diseases, was recorded as well. The above characteristics of the new cultivars allow us to recommend them for use in landscape design in both urban and rural areas in the steppe zone of the Southern Urals and in regions with arid sharply continental climate, which will contribute to the preservation and dissemination of national breeding achievements. In addition, peony cultivars can be successfully used for cutting, which will create unique floral arrangements.