Features of fruit and seed of Buddleja davidii Franche in conditions of Right-Bank of Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Objective – to clarify the features of fruiting Buddleja davidii Franche, morphological features of the structure of fruits and seeds, to identify effective methods for their seed reproduction.

Material and methods. The study was conducted in 2014 and 2015 in conditions of the Right-Bank of Forest- Steppe of Ukraine, stationary studies – in the National Dendrological Park Sofiyivka of the NAS of Ukraine. Seeding qualities of seeds are determined. We conducted phenological observations. We determined the degree of maturation of seeds, depending on the sum of temperatures and the germination of seeds at different temperatures. The stages of ontogeny were studied.

Results. Seeds of B. davidii representatives under study under favorable conditions in Right-Bank of Forest-Steppe of Ukraine ripen in the ІІ–ІІІ decade of November. Plants reach reproductive capacity in two years, after sowing seeds, then the first fruiting is observed. From one inflorescence 60–70 capsules are formed on 20–30 in the bundle. Boxes are bivalvous, ventral, pointed at the apex. At maturation in one box about 50 seeds are formed. The sowing period is ІІІ decade of March. Seeds germinate without stratification.

Conclusions. Plants of B. davidii in Right-Bank of Forest- Steppe of Ukraine form viable seeds only at a favorable temperature during the ripening of the seeds. The best time for seed harvesting is ІІ–ІІІ decade of November. It is established that for seeds a superficial seeding is mandatory. In the presowing treatment seeds do not need. The best seed germination is observed at temperature +20–25 °C.