Some promising sources of expansion of the introduction potential of Prunus pumila L.

Abstract

Prunus pumila L is an introduction species that is well cultivated in the steppe regions of Russia and is used as a rootstock for plums and apricots and less often as an independent fruit crop. The cultivation efficiency is reduced due to instability to rotting in regions with higher snow cover. The species naturally spread in North America, where it is represented by several varieties that differ in morphological characters. Representatives of var. susquehanae Willd. spread on acidic substrates and sometimes occur in wetlands and probably can increase the adaptive potential of the introduction population. According to the characteristic feature of this species is the dense short pubescence of young twigs, 2 genotypes were identified in the introduction population, probably representing descendants of var. susquehanae. These genotypes are valuable for further introduction studies in regions with problems in the cultivation of the species due to plant rotting.