Growth, development, morphology and biochemical characteristics of Solidago canadensis L. plants when introduced in the middle taiga subzone of the Komi Republic

The paper presents the results of a long-term study of four samples of Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.) of different geographic origin introduced in the middle taiga subzone of the Komi Republic. Under cultural conditions, the species is highly resistant and longevity (up to 18 years). It has been established that with the introduction in the North, reproduction of the Canadian goldenrod is possible by vegetative means, as well as from seeds of foreign origin. The mass transition of plants grown by seedlings to the generative period occurs in the third year of life. According to the flowering rhythm (July 31 – September 25), the species is classified as a mid-summer-mid-autumn plant. Fruiting of plants is interrupted by frost, full-fledged seeds are not formed. The morphological features of the generative shoot have been studied. The plant height in culture reaches 143–155 cm. The number of leaves on the stem is 63–101. The floral part of the shoot (inflorescence) 30–39 cm long is formed from the axils of 41–49 leaves and consists of 21–41 paracladia 8–13 cm long. The number of baskets on one shoot in different specimens of Canadian goldenrod varies from 2700 to 4200. The content of nitrogen mass fraction (1,8–3,0%) in the aboveground raw phytomass of Canadian goldenrod has been studied for the first time and the quantitative and qualitative composition of amino acids in plant proteins has been determined. The total content of amino acids in the plant raw material of Canadian goldenrod has varied from 7,9 to 15,1% over the years. In the aboveground phytomass of plants, 17 amino acids have been found and determined, including 7 irreplaceable ones. The share of essential amino acids has averaged 37% of the total. The highest rates of equity participation have been noted for the following amino acids: proline, glutamic, aspartic, lysine, leucine, valine, alanine, arginine and glycine – 13,2; 11,0; 10,8; 8,4; 8,0; 5,9; 5,8; 5,7 and 5,2%, respectively. In the conditions of the North, biochemical studies of this species have been carried out for the first time. The content of flavonols in the aboveground raw phytomass of Canadian goldenrod have been 4,5–5,7% and met the requirements for medicinal raw materials (more than 3%). The yield of essential oil and its component composition have been determined. The EO content in the aboveground phytomass of plants has varied from 0,85 to 1,7% in terms of absolutely dry raw material. In the composition of EM, 39 components have been reliably identified, nine of which have been attributed to the main ones. The dominant compounds are: α-pinene (up to 43,9%), myrcene (up to 18,2%), limonene (up to 13,2%), Δ-3-carene (up to 12,0%); from sesquiterpenoids: germacrene D (up to 54,3%), bornyl acetate (up to 5,8%), geranyl acetate (up to 2,4%), cadinadiene (up to 2,0%), sesqui-fellandrene (up to 1,4%).