Morpho-physiological characteristics of plants and biochemical parameters of rowan berries, common rowan, and domestic rowan grown in the conditions of the Northern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Abstract

The relevance of this subject lies in the comparative evaluation of different species of rowan to increase their significance and use in the system of ornamental and fruit horticulture, in the technologies of processing plant raw materials, and in the production of products for healthy nutrition. The purpose of the study is to examine the morpho-physiological characteristics of plants and the biochemical parameters of the fruits of different species (varieties, forms) of the genus Sorbus. Based on the results of practical research, original data on the morphology and economic characteristics of representatives (varieties and forms) of Sorbus intermedia Pers., Sorbus aucuparia L., Sorbus domestica L. are presented. Biological properties of the plants and biochemical parameters of the fruits are highlighted. It is established that all studied representatives of the genus Sorbus have high winter hardiness (1.5 points according to S.Ya. Sokolova), in addition, Scandinavian rowan plants have high drought resistance (4.5 points according to S.S. Pyatnitsky) compared to common rowan plants. Phenological observations of plants of different rowan species allowed for the conditions of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine to determine the time of onset of ontogenesis phases: development of vegetative buds, appearance of leaves, shoot growth, budding, and flowering, formation and development of ovaries, ripening and fruiting, changes in leaf colour, and leaf fall. Subphases that more accurately characterise the time of onset, peak, and end of a certain phase of development have also been identified, which is a scientific achievement for strategies in the system of ornamental and fruit horticulture. The growth intensity of varieties and forms of representatives of the Sorbus genus in height was studied, and the general condition of plants for viability is evaluated. Preparatory work on the preparation of rootstocks, the selection of scions, and grafting allowed the formation of model plants in the collection nursery and additional assessment of their growth strength, the onset and passage of individual phases of development, assessment of drought and winter hardiness, age of fruiting, and more. Biometrics and descriptions of stem, branches, vegetative and generative buds, leaves, inflorescences, and fruits are also conducted. The taste characteristics of the fruits are described in the materials of the paper. Biochemical analysis of the fruits allowed establishing their suitability for processing and the production of products for healthy nutrition