Population structure of Scilla sibirica Haw. in the conditions of the northern forest-steppe 

Yuliya A. Ryzhova, Assistant of the sub-department of general biology and biochemistry, Penza State University (40 Krasnaya street, Penza, Russia), jyliyar@mail.ru

Background. Scilla sibirica – bulbous geophyte, ephemeroid. On the territory of the Penza region, the northern border of the species’ range passes. Materials and methods. The author’s research was carried out from 2018 to 2022 during the period of mass flowering of S. sibirica in two habitats of the species: in the southwest of Penza region and in Penza in the I.I. Sprygin Botanical Garden of Penza State University (PSU). In order to identify the features of ontogenesis, the dynamics of the number of individuals and to assess the general state of the population S. sibirica in Penza region, the data obtained were compared with similar indicators from literary sources (since 2006). Results and discussion. In the study points, S. sibirica has similar dimensions and structure of underground organs, differences are noted in the sizes of aboveground vegetative organs. A comparative analysis of the biometric characteristics of S. sibirica of Penza region with data from more southern regions of Russia and Ukraine showed that the most similar in size and structure are the plants of the forest from Voronezh region. During the 16 years of observations, there were changes in the ratio of the number of individuals of different age conditions in the cenopopulation (CP), and the age spectrum also changed. Conclusions. The conditions of Penza region are optimal for the existence of this species. The CP density is stable, the number is relatively high, individuals of pregenerative states predominate. 

Scilla sibirica, ontogenesis, population structure, Penza region, forest-steppe

Ryzhova Yu.A. Population structure of Scilla sibirica Haw. in the conditions of the northern forest-steppe. Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy. Povolzhskiy region.
Estestvennye nauki = University proceedings. Volga region. Natural sciences. 2023;(3):70–79. (In Russ.). doi: 10.21685/2307-9150-2023-3-6