The feasibility of using sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a phytoindicator of anthropogenic load of the environment

The phytoindication properties of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a possible bioindicator of anthropogenic load of the territory are analyzed in the article by means of a technique of estimation of size of fluctuating asymmetry of a leaf plate of plants. The influence of the spatial location of sunflower crops and the influence of genotype on the deve­lopment of morphometric traits of plants were studied. The study was conducted in late July 2019–2020, when the vegetative organs of sunflower reached their maximum development. The material was selected for research at nine points (nine fields) located in the Zapo­rizhzhia region, at different distances and in different directions from the industrial zone of Zaporizhzhia (Zavodsky district). To study the influence of genotype on the morphological characteristics of sunflower, a study of eight hybrids that grew under the same conditions in the demonstration area in Vasylivka district of Zaporizhzhia region was conducted. The integrated index of fluctuating asymmetry of sunflower was in the range of 0.062–0.114, with the largest indicator of fluctuating asymmetry was observed in the area closest to the industrial zone of Zaporizhzhia – north of Zaporizhzhia. The lowest rate was observed in the area – 5 – east of Zaporizhzhia. The integrated index of fluctuating asymmetry of sunflower hybrids grown in the same soil and climatic conditions in the demonstration area ranged from 0.070 to 0.093. Based on research conducted in 2019–2020, we concluded that the species sunflo­wer (Helianthus annuus L.), despite its distribution, is not suitable for use as a bioindication plant in the study of the level of man-made load in the area. We obtained significant diffe­rences in the development of morphometric parameters of sunflower leaves (Helianthus annuus L.) grown in areas far from the industrial zone of Zaporizhzhia. Hybrids, which differed in morpho-economic characteristics, were grown in the same soil and climatic conditions and with the same agricultural techniques, on the demonstration site, also showed significant fluctuations in the integral index of fluctuating asymmetry.