FYZIOLOGICKÝ STAV VÝSADEB TŘEŠNÍ PŘI ZMĚNĚ VODNÍHO REŽIMU V LESOSTEPI UKRAJINY

The article presents the results of a study on the response of a valuable cherry genetic fund from the plantations of the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine to the atypical weather conditions of 2023–2024 caused by climate change. Totally 8 genetic samples were selected in previous stages of primary variety testing (2014–2022) according to yield, fruit size, market and taste quality of fruits, and ecological tolerance of trees to the conditions of the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. They are now being examined in the plantations of the Institute of Horticulture of NAAS of Ukraine within the final stage of primary variety testing, with the aim of expanding the cherry assortment in the Forest-Steppe. Comprehensive laboratory evaluation of hydrophysical parameters and peculiarities of the functioning of the leaf pigment system made it possible to assess the adaptability of the valuable cherry genetic fund to intensive abiotic stress. The cultivars ‘Annushka’, ‘Etyka’, and ‘Talisman’ were characterized by better functional condition under significant waterlogging compared to the commercially important cultivar ‘Nizhnisť’ – one of the best Ukrainian-bred varieties. Greater drought tolerance was shown by the cultivars ‘Annushka’, ‘Donchanka’, ‘Etyka’ and hybrid form Hibrid1. Ecological plasticity to the set of abiotic factors was distinguished in the promising cultivar ‘Annushka’.