CONTROL OF SEED VIABILITY OF RIVINA HUMILIS L.

The article presents data on germination, completion, moisture content, morphology and weight of 1000 seeds collected from adult plants of Rivina humilis L. growing in the greenhouse of the Botanical Garden of Samara University. The fruits of this ornamental houseplant were collected in different years of reproduction (from 2013 to 2021). The seeds cleaned from the pericarp were stored in paper bags at room temperature. Express-assessment of seed quality was carried out using the method of digital microfocus radiography. Seed fulfillment ranged from 97 to 100%. No signs of pest infestation or seed damage were found. Seed sizes were measured using the JMicroVision program. The seed diameter changed from 2.76 to 2.93 mm over 9 years, which is consistent with the data of other researchers. The weight of 1000 seeds is characterized by the following range of values: from 3.71 to 4.26 g. The weight of 1000 seeds obtained in the greenhouse of the Samara Botanical Garden is comparable to the weight of 1000 seeds obtained from natural habitats. The seed moisture content was 5.77–8.19% for seeds stored for more than a year and 11.98% for freshly harvested seeds. Seeds remained viable after 9 years of storage, laboratory germination was the higher, the fresher the seeds were. The first seedlings in the seeds of Rivina humilis L. appeared on the 3rd day from the start of the experiment. The highest seed germination rate index was in the 2020 and 2021 samples. Seeds obtained in the greenhouse conditions of the Botanical Garden of Samara University are viable and can be used for seed exchange with other botanical institutions.