Physiological characteristics of fruit and berry plants ex situ under arid conditions of Mangystau, Kazakhstan

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Laboratory of Natural Flora and Dendrology, Mangyshlak Experimental Botanical Garden, Aktau 130000, Kazakhstan

10.22124/cjes.2026.9487

Abstract

The article presents the results of a comprehensive physiological study on the fruit and berry plants introduced ex situ under the arid conditions of Mangystau, Kazakhstan. The research focused on species belonging to the genera Crataegus, Hippophae, Lonicera, Ribes, and Rosa grown at the Mangyshlak Experimental Botanical Garden. During the 2024–2025 growing seasons. Key indicators of plant water regime (transpiration rate, leaf water content, and water retention capacity) and photosynthetic performance (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids) were analysed in relation to temperature and hydrothermal conditions. The results revealed that, compared to 2024, most species in 2025 exhibited a 30–35% decrease in transpiration rate, accompanied by a 1.4–2.3-fold increase in leaf water content and elevated chlorophyll a and b concentrations. These shifts indicate a transition from an intensive to a water-saving water-use strategy under more favourable hydrothermal conditions. Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant negative relationship between leaf water content and air temperature, while a positive association with photosynthetic pigments. At the same time, carotenoids served as key indicators of photoprotective responses to thermal stress. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering distinguished three major physiological adaptation strategies: hydration-stable, stress-adaptive, and plastic. Integrated physiological stability indices (PSI and WBI) identified Hippophae rhamnoides and Rosa canina as the most physiologically resilient species, whereas Lonicera species showed pronounced physiological plasticity. The findings provide a scientific basis for selecting drought- and heat-tolerant fruit and berry plants for introduction, landscaping, and phytomelioration in the arid regions of Mangystau and Western Kazakhstan.

Keywords

References

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Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume 24, Issue 1
January 2026
Pages 1-16

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