COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF PYRUS USSURIENSIS AND PYRUS ROSSICA IN THE ARBORETUM OF KHAKASSIA

The paper gives the comparative characteristics of two types of pears: Pyrus rossica and Pyrus ussuri-ensis grown in the arboretum of Khakassia. The purpose of the work is to compare pear species for the purposes of planting greenery in populated areas located in the steppe zone of Khakassia. The rhythm of growth and development was compared, biometric indicators of plant height, crown and trunk diameter, seed and fruit sizes, leaf blade area were analyzed, the quality of produced seeds was checked, and dec-orativeness and prospects of plants were assessed. It has been established that the trees are 40 years old, the proportion of dead shoots reaches 20–25 %. The duration of the growing season of the studied species completely coincides with that of native plants. The studied pear species in the arboretum go through a full development cycle, forming high quality seeds (ground germination of Pyrus rossica – 80.9 %, Pyrus ussuriensis – 88.6 %). In the first year of life, the seedlings reach 23–25 cm in height, finish the growth of shoots on time (3rd decade of June), leaf fall occurs in the first decade of October. In terms of prospects, both studied species are quite promising (1 point). The decorativeness of the pear was deter-mined by 10 indicators. It has been established that pear species have the same average degree of deco-rativeness (28 points) and can be equally used for the improvement of settlements. They can be used in alley park and roadside plantings. Ussuri pear is more suitable for park groups and as a tapeworm, Rus-sian pear (more powerful) – for roadside plantings. Both species need periodic watering, especially in the spring and in June.