Biometric characteristics of cones and features of seed formation in artificial stands of Scots pine on the Crimean yailas
The study of the biometric characteristics of cones and the features of seed formation was carried out in artificial plantations of Pinus sylvestris L. growing on the Crimean yailas. Quantitative accounting and statistical evaluation of the effectiveness of the development of female reproductive structures was carried out using model trees. 30-40 cones were collected from each model tree from the middle part of the crown in late winter and early spring. In laboratory conditions, length, diameter, cone shape factor, and seed quality indicators were studied. As a result of the research, it was found that in artificial plantations of P. sylvestris on the Crimean yailas, the length of cones varies within 5.3-6.7 cm, diameter - 2.4-3.7 cm. The number of seeds in a cone varies significantly. The averages are fairly close. The weight of the seeds varies from year to year and due to the peculiarities of growing conditions. The viability of seeds of individual P. sylvestris trees is characterized by significant differences in the level of germination energy.