Tree-shrub species promising for protective afforestation and planting in the Volgograd region

For the successful development of agriculture and increase the productivity of the arid zone of the Volgograd region, preservation of the soil from water erosion and deflation, protective forest and greenery plantations that are resistant to harsh forest conditions are necessary. The objects of study are various species of poplar P. nigra, P. bolleana, P. alba etc., rose hips R. rugosa, R. spinosissima, R. alba Maximus etc., elm U. campestris x U. pumila, which were evaluated according to the following parameters: degree of damage to plants by drought, total amount of water, winter hardiness, as well as their growth and development. The study showed that species P. nigra, R. rugosa, R. cinnamomea, and U. pumila have the highest approximation coefficients. U. laevis and P. deltodies are moderately resistant to high temperatures, and the species U. pumila, P. nigra, P. alba, and P. balsamifera are thermo- and pathogenic resistant. A study of the morphological features of various poplar species revealed the tallest species P. alba and P. nigra (20–22 m). The tallest shrub species are S. sorbiforia, R. alba, and R. canina.