Integral assessment of the gene pool of bearded iris in the Black Earth Region of Russia

We present the results of a two-year study of the collection of bearded iris varieties conducted in the Tambov Oblast at the experimental facilities of the Floriculture Laboratory of the I.V. Michurin Federal Scientific Center (Russia). Both foreign and domestic varieties were studied. The bearded iris collection includes varieties with different flowering times, both early (Belyanchik, Galateya, Gvardeisky, Ryzhik, Mary Frances, etc.) and late (Dyuimovochka, Lancelot, Ambassador, Super Station, etc.). The analysis of phenological observations revealed that the average duration of preservation of decorative qualities in the varieties ranges from 7 to 11 days. The most important ornamental characteristics of flower crops are the color and size of the perianth. Perianth color is represented by a wide range of colors, from white to a dark inky shade. The perianth diameter of bearded iris, depending on the variety, ranged from 9.0 to 14.5 cm. The height of the peduncle was 60–90 cm. Graf Tolstoy and Gypsy Caravan were distinguished as varieties with high ornamental characteristics: the largest perianth diameter (14.5 cm) and peduncle height (up to 90 cm). Under the conditions of the Black Earth Region of Russia, the main diseases are heterosporiosis ( Heterosporium ) and rust ( Puccinia iridis ); the main pest is rose chafer ( Cetonia aurata ). The conducted two-year study of bearded iris varieties identified Cascade Springs to be a genetic source of field resistance to fungal diseases and Stepping Out to be a genetic source of resistance of the peduncle to lodging.