Studies on the drought tolerance of species of the genus CELTIS L. for forest reclamation plantations
The limiting factors of the functioning of forest melioration plantations in the Lower Volga region are moisture deficiency during the growing season, high and low temperatures, and also limit the area of sustainable plant culture. The search for new tree species for forest melioration plantations in the Lower Volga region remains highly relevant, especially in relation to dry conditions ( 42 C, minimum air humidity within 1625, reduction of moisture in 2 mm soil layer to 150 mm). From the family of skeletons (Celtidaceae Link), the generic complex skeleton (Celtis L.) is of interest. The purpose of the research is to identify droughtresistant species of the genus Celtis L. using a set of ecological and physiological parameters for use in forest melioration plantings in the Lower Volga region. The objects of research were 7 species of the clan complex Celtis L. (C. bungeana Blume., C. occidentalis L., C. caucasica Willd., C. pumila Pursh, C. reticulata Torr., C. crassifolia Lam., C. australis L .), of various geographical origin, which grow in the collections of the Federal Science Center of Agroecology RAS (Volgograd, Kamyshin). It was revealed that a low water deficit (up to 20) is observed in the species Celtis L. (C. occidentalis L., C. reticulata Torr., C. crassifolia Lam., C. australis L. and C. bungeana Blume.). The studied species of Celtis L. were divided into the first (relative yield of electrolytes 1.411.69) and the second (2.082.41) groups according to the degree of drought tolerance. In Celtis L. species, they adapt with age at the morphophysiological level, which contributes to the expansion of the tolerance limits of the species to unfavorable environmental conditions. For forest reclamation plantations on forest soils of the region (all subtypes of chestnut soils) are recommended Celtis occidentalis, C. crassifolia, C. reticulata, C. australis, C. bungeana (droughtresistant species of the first group). Our studies on the drought tolerance of species of the genus Celtis L. indicate the prospects for selecting plants for forest melioration plantings using the following experimental criteria: water content, water holding capacity, water deficit, relative electrolyte yield.