Possibility of using multifactor experiments in study of plants’ ecological and physiological characteristics

Successful cultivation of plants and even more introduction to culture of new species is possible if the soil and climatic conditions of the region correspond to their ecological characteristics. Currently, such an assessment is based on long-term meteorological-phenological observations followed by their regression analysis, but this does not guarantee obtaining sufficient information. The increasing role of environmental indicators in the characterization of the genotype, taking into account climate change, requires their translation from quantitative to qualitative description. The latter became possible in connection with the development of phytotronics and computer technology, which provide for the formulation and conduct of multifactor planned experiments based on a systematic approach. For these purposes, the most objective indicator of the reaction of intact plants to environmental conditions is their CO 2 exchange, which quickly transfers information about the state of the object at a given time and is available for continuous measurements. The results of the studies are presented in the form of regression equations connecting the "response" of the plant - the intensity of net photosynthesis - with the variables in the experiment by environmental factors - light and temperature. Indicators of environmental factors that provide optimal values ​​of the process of photosynthesis can be considered as a quantitative ecological characteristic of the ecotype (variety) at a particular phase of its development. The obtained knowledge can be used in selection work, introduction of plants, predicting the effect of climate change on the boundaries of distribution areas of species, in the geographical and on-farm location