Crocus varieties comparative evaluation in the Western Siberia forest-steppe zone

The aim of research is a comparative study of seasonal rhythm of development and ornamental and economic qualities of 12 crocus varieties in the forest-steppe zone of Western Siberia. Introduction experiment on crocus varieties: Blue Pearl, Fuscotinctus, Roseus, Ruby Giant, Yalta, Jeanned, Arc, Flower Record, Remembrance, Vanguard, Miss Vain, Sabery Beauty, Golden Yellow, - from five garden groups was conducted: C. chrysanthus (Herb.) Herb., C. tommasinianus Herb., C. flavus Weston, C. vernus (L.) Hill, and C. biflorus Mill in the forest-steppe zone of Western Siberia (Novosibirsk) during the growing seasons of 2019-2021. Comparative results of seasonal rhythm of development, morphological traits, vegetative propagation and ornamental qualities were obtained. Crocus flowering occurred in Novosibirsk on April 18-25 with the sum of positive temperatures of 31-48 °C. The vegetation duration of the introduced varieties in the forest-steppe of Priob'ye Region was 45-55 days. Varieties with high reproductive capacity (multiplication factor k = 2.6-3.0 and more (k > 3.0), such as Fuscotinctus, Yalta, Remembrance, Roseus, Vanguard under exsitu conditions in Novosibirsk were identified. Assessment of varieties by ornamental qualities showed that in the forest-steppe zone they had from 24 to 46 points. The highest score for ornamental qualities were observed in Flower Record, Jeanned, Arc, Remembrance, Roseus, and Vanguard varieties. Variety specificity in crocuses in the manifestation of ornamental qualities was revealed. The analysis showed that crocuses are resistant for practical use in early spring landscaping and landscape design.