Vital state of Onobrychis majorovii Grossh. in the protected area of the Sarykum massif

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the dynamics of morphometric parameters of Onobrychis majorovii individuals in the cenopopulation of the Sarykum sand massif in order to determine the vitality structure of the studied cenopopulation and to identify the possibilities of its natural self-maintenance. Materials and Methods. The research was conducted on middle-aged generative individuals of Onobrychis majorovii under field conditions using test plots in areas with the highest concentration of individuals. Some studies and observations were carried out on living plants, while basic measurements and counts of field material were performed in laboratory conditions, followed by data systematization using statistical methods. The vitality characteristics of the Sarykum cenopopulation were determined using Zlobin’s method by dividing the individuals into three size classes and identifying the predominant one. Results. The study presents data obtained during the field seasons of 2017, 2021, and 2025, as well as a comparative analysis with the results of previously conducted studies. The collected data demonstrated a wide range of fluctuations in the size and count parameters across the study years. Based on the morphometric analysis of Onobrychis majorovii individuals, the evaluation of the vitality of the studied cenopopulation revealed a level ranging from low to high, with minor degrees of flourishing. Conclusion. The low level of vitality indicates that the morphometric characteristics of the individuals depend on the environmental conditions in which they are found: high summer temperatures and dry winds. The comparatively low vitality of Onobrychis majorovii individuals in the Sarykum area may also signal the anthropogenic pressures observed in this territory, the forms of which are discussed in this study.