PRODUCTION AND ORNAMENTAL PLANT PROPERTIES OF ENDEMIC RHAPONTICOIDES WAGENITZIANA (BANCHEVA & KIT TAN) M. V. AGAB. & GREUTER

Abstract

This study focused on Rhaponticoides wagenitziana, including an assessment of its plant and seed properties, adaptation to cultivated conditions, aesthetic and functional properties as an ornamental plant, and seed viability rates. The study was conducted in Yalova/Turkey between 2019 and 2021. Dry storage (3, 5, and 8 months at 4 degrees C), cold-wet stratification (2 and 3 months at 4 degrees C), gibberellic acid (GA(3)) treatments (200, 400, 600, 1000, 1500, and 2000 mg/L), and various combinations of these treatments on seed germination were also investigated. During the vegetation period, this green-leaved species displayed purple flowers for about two months in the summer and demonstrated no difficulties in adapting to cultivated conditions, where it retained its aesthetic and functional properties. Thus, it was concluded that this species could be utilised as an ornamental plant in herbal designs. Among seed treatments, 600 and 1000 mg/L GA(3), following storage at 4 degrees C for three months, yielded the best germination rates: 48.25% and 52.75%, respectively. Given this species' problematic germination, the results on breaking dormancy were quite successful compared to those reported in previous studies. Furthermore, after storage at 4 degrees C for three months, treatments of 1000 and 1500 mg/L GA(3), or 200 and 600 mg/L GA(3) with cold-wet stratification, accelerated germination speed, reducing it from 18 days in the T-50 control group to 5.8 and 6 days, respectively. A collection yard was developed using the plants grown in the study, and the species was placed under ex-situ conservation.