PHENOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF SALVIA CREMENECENSIS BESS. AND S. NUTANS L. IN PODILLIA

Abstract

The article presents the results of long-term phenological studies of two closely related species of the genus Salvia–Salvia cremenecensis Bess. and S. nutans L.–growing within Podillia. The relevance of the study is determined by the insufficient knowledge of the seasonal developmental rhythms of these species, in particular the endemic and rare S. cremenecensis, as well as by the need to assess the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors on the course of their phenological phases under different growth conditions. The aim of the study was to determine the characteristics of seasonal rhythms, the timing of onset, duration, and dynamics of the main phenological phases of Salvia cremenecensis and S. nutans under cultivation and in natural biotopes of Podillia. The research was conducted at two localities: the Kremenets Botanical Garden (2012–2016) and the Mukshanskyi Botanical Reserve of local significance (2018–2022). Phenological observations were carried out using generally accepted methods, with recording of the dates of onset and completion of the main phenophases: vegetation, shoot growth, budding, flowering, fruiting, and seed maturation. The results showed that under the conditions of the Kremenets Botanical Garden, the average duration of the complete set of phenological phases in S. cremenecensis was about 224 days, whereas in S. nutans it was 213 days. Under natural conditions of the Mukshanskyi Reserve, these values were slightly lower, amounting to 212 and 210 days, respectively. It was revealed that the timing of onset and the duration of individual phenological phases vary significantly depending on the climatic conditions of the year, slope exposure, amount of precipitation, temperature regime, as well as the level of anthropogenic pressure. The obtained results were synthesized into a consolidated phenospectrum that clearly demonstrates differences in the seasonal developmental rhythms of the studied species depending on growth conditions. The research results have scientific and practical significance for deepening knowledge of the phenology of rare and endemic plant species of Podillia and can be used in phytosozological studies, in planning conservation and introduction measures, as well as in forecasting species responses to climate change.