FLORISTIC ZONING OF COMMON BLUEBERRIES GROWING IN THE NATURAL CONDITIONS OF THE AMUR REGION

The Amur Region is rich and unique in its natural resources. The vegetation is diverse and original; frost-resistant and heat-loving species, broad-leaved, mixed and coniferous plantations are combined. Along with the main products that forestry receives, non-timber products also play an important role. Among the large number of non-timber natural resources growing in the Amur Region, blueberries are of great scientific and practical interest. The mass placement of berry-growers is observed in the central and northern forest zones of the Amur Region. The maximum fruiting volume of common blueberry (2.1 t/ha) was obtained on the territory of the Shymanovsky forestry, the studied fruits averaged 0.5×0.9 cm. The chemical composition of blueberries is represented by a variety of compounds. The highest indicators in terms of the content of mineral substances (potassium – 68 mg/100 g, magnesium – 9 mg/100 g) are distinguished by a berry growing in the Tynda District. Blueberries are an excellent natural antioxidant and therefore are able to have a general health-improving, restorative and tonic effect on the body. The berry, the beneficial properties of which help to improve health, should be in the diet of every person. In the berries collected in the study areas, toxic elements such as arsenic, mercury and cadmium were practically not found. The content of lead in the fruits of the Svobodnensk District is 25 % below the MPC. Blueberries are an environmentally friendly product collected on the territory of the Amur Region. Common blueberry can serve as a basis for the development of non-timber forest products, their harvesting and processing in the conditions of the Amur Region.