PHYTOSANITARY STATUS OF GERANIUMS COLLECTION AT VYTAUTAS MAGNUS UNIVERSITY BOTANICAL GARDEN

Abstract

Vytautas Magnus University Botanical Garden has a rather rich collection of geraniums. These are mainly perennial, decorative herbaceous plants, which are characterized by the fact that they are relatively undemanding, they can grow both in sunny places and in the shade. In addition, geraniums tolerate drought quite easily and suppress weeds well. However, the most important feature of decorative plants is their resistance to diseases and pests. Even the most decorative plant will lose its value if it is constantly damaged by diseases or pests. The geraniums grown in the Botanical Garden are monitored throughout the growing season and their phytosanitary status is assessed. It was found that powdery mildew was the most common disease in the collection of geraniums and geranium sawfly was the most common pest. The aim of the conducted research was to define the phytosanitary status of the geranium collection, to assess the resistance or susceptibility of cultivated geranium species and varieties to the most important pests and diseases.