Decorative properties of the genus Gleditsia in the zone of light chestnut soils

Abstract

Long - term finding of representatives of the genus Gleditsia L. in the collections of the Federal Research Center of Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Cadastre. № 34:34:000000:122, 34:34:060061:10; Cadastre No. 34:36:0000:14:0178) showed that plants are undemanding to the soil, are drought-resistant and winter-hardy. In the green spaces of settlements and the green zone of suburban territories of the Volgograd region are extremely rare. The aim is to evaluate the decorative value of representatives of the genus Gleditsia in the zone of light chestnut soils in the Volgograd region. The assessment of the overall decorative nature of species and forms was carried out on a 5-point scale according to a set of features. A comparative analysis of the decorativeness of G. texana, G. triacanthos, G. caspica, G. triacanthos f. inermis was carried out and variability was established (31.4-34.4 points). It allows you to select the most decorative species and samples in the Volgograd region. The results of a comprehensive assessment made it possible to attribute G. triacanthos f. inermis to highly decorative plants that do not have thorns, therefore they are recommended to be used in the green construction of populated areas (street plantings, park alleys and openwork groups). Gleditsia triacanthos, as the most winter-hardy species is recommended for afforestation, can be widely used in the formation of green zones of suburban landscapes in rain-fed conditions Weak winter hardiness in G. caspica is a genetically determined trait and affects. G. caspica is promising for single plantings and in large groups. G. texana and G. triacanthos tolerates pruning well and can be recommended for creating trimmed hedges. To form multicomponent group plantings with the participation of Gleditsia representatives, trees with an openwork crown (Robinia pseudoacacia) and shrubs (Sorbaria sorbifolia, Sorbus aucuparia, Laburnum anagyroides, Caragana arborescens, Spiraea japonica, etc.) should be introduced.