Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

The article describes results of the study of the biological and physiological peculiarities of the invasive species Асer negundo L. in the conditions of the North-West Caucasus foothills compared to the autochtone species Acer campestre L. The performed biometric measurements allowed identifying the growth duration and morphology of the invasive and domestic species’ lamina. The longest period of the shoots growth and the largest accretion is observed at А. negundo. High variation coefficient of the lamina sizes characteristics is identified in both species. According to the phenological observations results, А. negundo is assigned to the group of plants with early vegetation commencement and completion. Values range of water deficiency, transpiration rate, water retention capacity (water loss) in А. negundo and A. campestre has its limits. Invasive species demonstrates the lowest water deficiency value, lower water losses; it is more economic in terms of the flow rate for the transpiration, frost-resistant, which is indicative of the development of the water regime adjustment mechanisms in А. negundo in the region’s natural climatic conditions, and of the environmental plasticity of the species. 
Keywords: Acer Negundo L, Biological Peculiarities, Foothills of the North-West Caucasus, Invasive Species, Lamina Biometrics, Phenogroups, Physiological Peculiarities, Water Regime Indicators