EVALUATION OF PHENOTYPIC EXPRESSIVITY OF SIDERITIS SCARDICA VAR. OSSA, A NEW GENOTYPE ACCLIMATED AND BRED IN ROMANIA

BRGV Buzau owns a valuable collection of genotypes belonging to the Sideritis species, including the varieties: scardica, syriaca, hyssopifolia. S. scardica var. Ossa, coming from the mountain bearing the same name, has medicinal, gastronomic, pharmaceutical and ornamental value. Since 2002 it has been studied by researchers from Buzau and since 2019 it has been intensively introduced into cultivation at BRGV Buzau. The research has shown that var. Ossa has an increased ecological plasticity to the soil and climate conditions in Romania. Special attention was paid to the biological isolation of the genotypes, knowing that it is an entomophilous plant preferred by insects, especially bees that can easily pollute the studied genetic resource. Following the evaluation of the BRGV collection, the G2 genotype was retained, which is the subject of this article. G2 shows distinct phenotypic expressivity, genetic stability and, very importantly, a strong, specific aroma. During the research, biometric determinations and phonological observations were carried out, with average values of 708g leaf mass and 278 g flower stems, 32 cm bush height, 71 cm diameter.