Identification of weeds from the cabbage family (Brassicaceae) found in the agrocenoses of the Russian Federation

   Members of the Brassicaceae family are of great significance as weeds and invasive plants; they are one of the leading families of the alien fraction in the segetal floras of various regions of Russia. Among the cruciferous weeds growing over Russia, there are many species that are wild relatives to cultivated plants. Some cultivated species grow outside of their cultivation areas as ruderal and segetal plants. Among the cruciferous plants growing in Russia, 28 species out of 19 genera are regulated as harmful organisms in 33 different countries. Most of the species from this list are widespread weeds in Russia.

To establish the presence of Brassicaceae species in Russian agrocenoses, we analyzed published sources, herbarium materials stored in the Russian leading herbaria, and materials collected by the authors during field explorations in 2017–2022 in 19 subject entities of the Russian Federation.  Identification of cruciferous plants is often a rather difficult task, so the goal of this work was to develop a convenient identification key that would make in possible to identify weeds of this family found in Russian agrocenoses.  Most of the available keys are designed for fruit-bearing specimens of cruciferous plants. For phytosanitary purposes, it is important to identify plants prior to their fruiting period. Therefore, we additionally used the characters of flowering plants (including their vegetative organs) enabling us to identify cruciferous plants at the flowering stage. Based on such features, a table was made, which included all weedy species of Brassicaceae found in agrocenoses within Russia (83 species in total). On the basis of this table, an identification key was produced for the identification of genera and some species of weedy cruciferous plants. Afterwards, fractional species-specific keys were made for the genera containing species controllable in importing countries.

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