Morphometric and biochemical features of different Bunias orientalis L. genotypes in the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine

Purpose. Determine a number of morphometric and biochemical parameters of various genotypes of Bunias orientalis L. in the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine (NBG). Methods. Plant samples of B. orientalis (6 genotypes created in the NBG) were examined during the flowering stage. Determination of dry matter, ash, calcium was carried out according to Hrytsaienko et al. (2003), phosphorus according to Pochinok (1976), sugars, ascorbic acid and lipids were determined according to Krishchenko (1983), b-carotene according to Pleshkov (1985). The energy value of plants was determined using an IKA C-200 calorimeter. The obtained results were analysed statistically. Results. The height of plants varied from 140.9 (Genotype 1) to 157.5 (Genotype 5) cm, stem diameter from 11.67 (Genotype 1) to 16.1 (Genotype 6) mm, the number of internodes from 18.7 (Genotype 1) to 25.7 (Genotype 6), the number of leaves on a stem from 14.11 (Genotype 1) to 21.8 (Genotype 5), leaf lamina length from 14.2 (Genotype 1) to 23.45 (Genotype 6) cm, leaf lamina width from 6.34 (Genotype 1) to 14.5 (Genotype 4) cm, inflorescence length from 27.4 (Genotype 1) to 45.4 (Genotype 3) cm, inflorescence width from 2.32 (Genotype 1) to 4.92 (Genotype 3) cm, and the number of stems from 2.55 (Genotype 2) to 5.33 (Genotype 1). The study of the content of structural and functional compounds and nutrients at the flowering stage showed that the dry matter content was in the range of 13.58–16.00%, sugars 5.07–8.86%, titratable acidity 3.28–4.25%, lipids 3.33–6.61%, ascorbic acid 382.83–693.82 mg%, b-carotene 0.94–3.48 mg%, ash 6.79–9.2%, calcium 1.00–2.44%, phosphorus 1.61–2.67% and energy value 3337.0–3498.0 cal/g. Conclusions. It was revealed that samples of various genotypes of B. orientalis are a valuable source of nutrients at the flowering stage. The biochemical composition of plants depended on the genotype and stage of growth. Results of the morphometric study showed variability of investigated parameters. The obtained data can be used to predict and evaluate the results of introduction and breeding studies with B. orientalis genotypes as promising crops in Ukraine.