Introduction and breeding of the genus Berberis L. as a method of enriching the range of ornamental shrubs for landscaping

The article presents materials on the introduction and breeding of barberry Thunberg varieties (Berberis thunbergii DC.) in the soil and climatic conditions of the Stavropol Territory. The novelty of the research lies in the mobilization of the source material of ornamental barberry varieties that had not previously been studied in the area, with their subsequent use in breeding work.

The purpose of the study is to select the most stable ornamental forms of barberry and breed new, zoned varieties to expand the range of ornamental shrubs used in landscaping. As a result of the introduction study, eight cultivars of Вerberis thunbergii have been identified, adapted to local conditions and possessing valuable economic and biological characteristics. Based on them, the author created two new varieties — Ruslan and Stepka, which have high decorative qualities, adaptive capabilities, frost resistance and increased heat and drought resistance. The method of vegetative propagation of introduced and new varieties by green cuttings using an auxin-type growth regulator (4-(indol-3-yl) butyric acid) was studied. Most varieties showed good rooting results and high-quality cuttings in the experiment (80–95%). The varieties of their own breeding Ruslan and Stepka had a high percentage of rooting both with the use of a root growth stimulator and in the control (97–99%). All varieties are classified as promising (above 85 points) and, in addition to their high decorative value, they are characterized by a good shoot-forming ability, they bloom and bear fruit annually, and they easily reproduce vegetatively. The new Ruslan and Stepka varieties are suitable for widespread use in urban landscaping in the Stavropol Territory and other regions of the Russian Federation.

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