Biomorphological traits of ornamental apple tree cultivars in the collection of the Ornamental Plant Laboratory of the Main Botanical Garden of the RAS

The objective of the study is to evaluate the collection fund of ornamental apple trees in the Main Botanical Garden of the RAS in order to identify the most significant traits that will be used in the selection of new accessions for inclusion in the primary introduction trial, as well as for further breeding work. The object of the study is a sample of smallfruited ornamental varieties and forms of representatives of the genus Malus Mill. from the collection fund of the Laboratory of Ornamental Plants of the Main Botanical Garden of the RAS, including 53 names. The collection fund was created based on the classical method of generic complexes. The variety study was conducted based on the methodology of testing for uniformity, distinctiveness, and stability. The following ornamental traits were used in the study: crown shape, leaf blade color, change in leaf blade color during the growing season, flower color, their size, shape; fruit color, size and shape, and fruiting abundance. The taxonomy of the studied plants is given according to POW0. As part of the study, an assessment was made of the entire collection fund of ornamental apple trees in the Main Botanical Garden of the RAS in order to identify the most significant traits that will be used in the selection of new specimens for inclusion in the primary introduction test, as well as for further breeding work. A scheme for describing the most significant ornamental traits using numerical and alphabetic notations was developed, simplifying the search for new specimens for both introduction and subsequent breeding. An analysis of domestically bred varieties was conducted. Seventeen biomorphotypes were identified, with insignificant diversity noted for a number of traits. Donor varieties were proposed for inclusion in the breeding process.