LIGHT ABSORPTION CAPACITY OF FLOWERS AS A FUNCTIONAL TRAIT OF INVASIVENESS OF CAPSELLA BURSA-PASTORIS (L.) MEDIK.

Abstract

Among the functional features that determine the intensive spread of invasive plants, significant seed productivity is noted. This property of alien species ensures seed germination over a long period. The flowering phase is important for reproductive efficiency. The success of this stage in the early stages of development is due to the tolerance of plants to extreme environmental factors. Adaptation to adverse conditions occurs with the participation of specialized metabolites that are localized in surface plant tissues. This peculiarity of the localization of these compounds determines the light-absorbing properties of plants. For the first time, the light absorption capacity of flowers of common bursa-pastoris Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik., one of the most common invasive species, has been established using spectral characteristics. A characteristic feature of the reflective characteristics of flowers is the increase in the intensity of the maximum of UV-absorbing flavonoids compared to carotenoids and chlorophylls. The colorimetric stimulus of flowers was determined using colorimetric measurements. Identification of flavonoids was carried out by sorption interaction of plant extract and aluminum oxide with the establishment of reflectance and colorimetric characteristics of the immobilized preparation. Increased accumulation of UV-absorbing flavonoids in flowers increases photoprotective ability, which should be considered as an enhancement of the adaptive capacity of the reproductive organs of the invasive species. The results obtained have the potential to be used for the diagnosis of invasive plants at the flowering stage. Another direction of possible use of methodological approaches is the further development of non-destructive instrumental methods for identifying the official medicinal raw materials of shepherd's purse.