Параметри та динаміка популяцій Phyteuma vagneri A. Kern. (Campanulaceae) в різних умовах оселищ у Чорногорі (Українські Карпати)

Clonal plant species have been shown to adopt different strategies to persist in heterogeneous environments by changing relative investments in sexual reproduction and clonal propagation. As a result, clonal diversity and genetic variation may be different along environmental gradients. We examined the regional and local population structure of the clonal rhizomatous forest herb Paris quadrifolia in a complex of forest fragments in Voeren (Belgium). Relationships between population size (the number of shoots), shoot density (the number of shoots per m2) and local growth conditions were investigated for 47 populations. Clonal diversity and genetic variation within and among 19 populations were investigated using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. To assess the importance of sexual reproduction, seed set, seed weight and germination success were determined in 18 populations. As predicted, local growth conditions largely affected population distribution, size and density of P. quadrifolia. Populations occurring in moist and relatively productive sites contained significantly more shoots. Here, shoots were also much more sparsely distributed compared to populations occurring in dry and relatively unproductive sites, where shoots showed a strongly aggregated distribution pattern. Clonal diversity was relatively high, compared with other clonal species (G/N ratio=0.43 and Simpson's D=0.81). Clonal diversity significantly (P<0.01) decreased with increasing shoot density while molecular genetic variation was significantly (P<0.01) affected by population size and local environmental conditions. Lack of recruitment and out-competition of less-adapted genotypes may explain the decreased genetic variation in dry sites. Analysis of molecular variance revealed significant genetic variation among populations (PhiST=0.42, P<0.001), whereas pairwise genetic distances were not correlated to geographic distances, suggesting that gene flow among populations is limited. Finally, the number of generative shoots, the number of seeds per fruit and seed weight were significantly and positively related to population size and local growth conditions. We conclude that under stressful conditions populations of clonal forest plant species can slowly evolve into remnant populations characterized by low levels of genetic variation and limited sexual reproduction. Conservation of suitable habitat conditions is therefore a prerequisite for effective long-term conservation of clonal forest plant species.

This study aims to identify morpho-productive traits with predictive value for the efficient selection of Trifolium repens L. genotypes, a forage legume species of high agronomic and ecological importance. Due to its high protein content, adaptability, and nitrogen-fixing capacity, white clover is a key component of both permanent and sown pastures and represents an important target in breeding programs. The biological material consisted of 57 genotypes collected from Romania’s natural flora (forest-steppe area of Banat), tested in 2023 in the experimental fields of SCDA Lovrin. Following the selection process, 24 clones labeled T1–T24 were retained in 2024 for detailed biometric observations and measurements. The analysis of phenotypic variability and trait correlations aimed to identify useful indicators for selection within the breeding program. The results of phenotypic variability analysis revealed significant differences among Trifolium repens L. genotypes for most of the morpho-productive traits, confirming valuable selection potential. Traits such as clone diameter, number and height of generative shoots showed significant positive correlations with the number of inflorescences, recommending them as effective predictors of reproductive potential. A perfect correlation (r = 1.0) between the number of generative shoots and inflorescences highlights a direct relationship between generative vegetative structure and flowering capacity. Although less influential on yield, stable traits such as the number of leaves per shoot may still have value in indirect selection. The white clover genotypes T11, T12, T13, and T14 stood out through superior performance and are recommended for further testing, due to their high potential expressed through vigorous vegetative and generative development. The study provides a scientific basis for the use of morpho-productive traits as indirect, rapid, and effective tools in white clover breeding, with the potential to accelerate the selection cycle and support the development of productive cultivars well adapted to the agroecological conditions of Western Romania.

We investigated the response of an alpine lichen heath plant community to an increase in soil nutrient and water availability. A 5-yr experiment—including additions of calcium, phosphorus, nitrogen, and nitrogen + phosphorus as well as irrigation—was conducted in northwestern Caucasus, Russia, at 2800 m above sea level. Number of plants and generative shoots per species were counted annually. The plant-community composition started to change during the second year of treatments. Plant density and flowering of the community is co-limited by nitrogen and phosphorus. Irrigation and calcium additions caused minimal changes. The total number of forb plants per square meter was not influenced by treatments, whereas the total number of graminoid plants slightly increased in response to P treatment and strongly increased in response to N + P treatment. Forbs responded to N and N + P treatments by an increase in the number of generative shoots. Individual species differed in their response to treatments. Only clonal species responded to experimental treatments, except for one annual nonclonal species, which increased its abundance in response to irrigation. Biodiversity estimated by the Shannon-Wiener index decreased under N + P treatment. Species number was not affected by any of the treatments.

The purpose of the study is a comparative assessment of two morphotypes of the cultivated population of Alpine sweetvetch as a rationale for the selection of initial forms for breeding. The studies were carried out on a complex of morphological and economically valuable traits among introduced plants: in terms of growth vigor (plant height and number of shoots), yield structure, and the content of mangiferin in raw materials. In the cultivated population of Alpine sweetvetch in the FSBRI All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (VILAR), forms with green and colored stems were identified. The dynamics of the yield structure in the two studied morphotypes, regardless of the year of observation and the age of the plants, has similar indicators. Alpine sweetvetch plants with anthocyanin staining of the stems slightly exceed the unpainted form in height and number of generative shoots. Sweetvetch plants with green stems are characterized by a higher number of complex leaves on one generative shoot. In plants with anthocyanin staining of stems, the share of leaves in the total biomass is 46 %, the share of inflorescences is 10 %, and the share of stems is 44 %. In Alpine sweetvetch plants with green stems, leaves account for 51 % of the total biomass. The presence of anthocyanin staining does not affect the content of mangiferin in the sweetvetch’s organs. Forms with anthocyanin staining contain mangiferin: in leaves – 5.81 ± 0.16 %; in inflorescences – 1.49 ± 0.08; in stems – 0.23 ± 0.002 %. Forms without anthocyanin staining contain mangiferin: in leaves – 5.68 ± 0.13 %; in inflorescences – 1.52 ± 0.08; in stems – 0.19 ± 0.002 %. Alpine sweetvetch plants with green stems have 5 % more leaves than plants with anthocyanin staining. Therefore, this is a better yield structure and a greater potential yield of mangiferin.

Species of Cyperaceae are little studied on the population level globally. Also in Murmansk Region, species from this family were not included in long-term population studies of rare plant species whereas other representatives from 21 families were put in [Blinova, 2009]. Experimental works with sedges is often neglected because of taxonomic difficulties and a lack of methods for study populations of this group [Kitamura et al., 2016; Sosnovska, Danylyk, 2017]. Such difficulties became obvious while the IUCN-red data book testing. Of rare sedges studied in this paper Eriophorum gracile is included in the regional Red data book [Kozhin, 2014] and Carex livida is in the Appendix of this book in the group Need of monitoring. &#x0D; &#x0D; The Murmansk Region (6670 N), located in the north-eastern corner of Russian Fennoscandia, is a part of the Atlantic-Arctic zone of temperate belt with a rather mild climate. The region is very heterogeneous. Two latitudinal vegetation zones can be distinguished: tundra and taiga. So, many boreal plant species reach here their northern limit of distribution. Our field work has been conducted in the center part of the region in a recently found rich fen [Blinova, Petrovskij, 2014]. Both study species (Eriophorum gracile и Carex livida) have circumpolar distribution in wetlands of northern hemisphere [Hulten, Fries, 1986], and they are at the northern range in Murmansk Region [Kuzeneva, 1954; Chernov, 1954]. They are polycarpic perennials. An annual shoot has been selected as a counting unit (Fig. 1). In E. gracile only the number of generative shoots has been counted in the field. For non-destructive purposes, from herbarium data, the ratio between generative and vegetative shoots was defined as 1:1. The total population size for this species has been estimated from this ratio. In population of C. livida, the direct counting in the field has been done on 3-5 small plots (0.25*0.25 м2). Lately this value has been recalculated according to the area of population subset. Clusters and subsets have been distinguished in population structure according to suggested aggregation patterns of spatial structure in local plant populations [Blinova, 2018]. Marked population subsets have been monitored several times in the growing period in 2014-2016 years. In the field the boundaries and areas of rich fen and populations (including subsets) have been estimated with the help of GPS navigation device Garmin Dakota 20, in the lab all data are further processed using Garmin Software BaseCamp 4.2.5. Nomenclature for vascular plants is given according to S. K. Czerepanov [1995], for mosses after M. S. Ignatov O. M. Afonina [1992]. &#x0D; &#x0D; Our results show that extremely low (0.2% for Eriophorum gracile) and relatively low (3.1% для Carex livida) population cover is characteristic for a large long-term monitored fen. Spatial aggregation of E. gracile population is structured on very small area (40 м2) whereas C. livida is established on relatively representative area (633 м2). E. gracile develops small population subsets (8 m2 on average) at a distance to next about 70 m in different parts of rich fen. Each such subset contains 9-10 mature individuals on average. C. livida has larger subsets (211 m2 on average) at 30 m away from the neighbor. The size of each subset makes c. 2500 generative shoots. The spatial population pattern of E. gracile shows isolated subsets with single clusters, whereas of C. livida represents isolated subsets with merged clusters. High fluctuations of population size and its subsets are revealed in E. gracile from year to year. The number of generative shoots and air temperature in the growing season (June-September) of the current year establish negative relationship.&#x0D; &#x0D; This study in one of the northernmost populations of Eriophorum gracile confirms other data from different parts of its distribution area that populations of this species are very fragmented and show high fluctuations in the number of generative shoots [Barr 1996; Ksermann, Moser, 1999; Dickenmann, Keel, 2004; Decker et al., 2006; Chatters, Sanderson, 2014]. An analysis of spatial structure of populations has been pointed out that anemochory of E. gracile could be a bottleneck for the population fitness in rich fens conditions, whereas baro- and hydrochory of C. livida promotes further seed germination and survival. Additionally, current climate-changed impacts could cause an extirpation of E. gracile from floristic composition of rich fens, whereas such a threat is minimal for C. livida. Both species need regional protection of their populations. An introduction into culture is essential for further ontogenetic studies and trigger examination of clonal division of labor.

The article describes two new localities of Paeonia anomala L., a rare species listedin the Red Data Book of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Area - Yugra, that were discovered in Surgutsky District. Phytocenotic, topographic and ecologic growth conditions were studied, and quantitative data on abundance, density and age composition of the populations were collected. The first population is characterized by rather high density and abundance in comparison with other populations examined earlier;the number of generative shoots is also significantly larger. Other biometric parameters (average number of shoots per plant, average number of generative and vegetative shoots, height and number of leaves on generative and vegetative shoots) are similar to those of populations that developed in the optimal ecological conditions of the forest steppe.The second population is inferior to the first one in many respects (abundance, density, height and quantity of leavesof generative and vegetative shoots); most of the plants are in the vegetative state; and the average number of shoots per plant are also small. The obtained data expand our understanding of the size and structure of the populations of this rare and endangered species in the region.

The article deals with ontogeny and individual and group parameters of an infrequent mountain species Cirsium erisithales (Jacq.) Scop. in the Ukrainian Carpathians. Isolated populations of C. erisithales in a wide high altitudinal range of 1040–1730 m a.s.l. were studied. Four periods and 8 age stages are defined in the ontogeny of this species. Characteristics of different age states are established. The total life span of C. erisithales is long. Unfavourable conditions cause shortening of ontogeny due to reduction or skipping of some periods. Population recruitment is performed by seed reproduction. The species has high parameters of seed reproduction, particularly germination rate and potential seed productivity. Thin-tussock or barren loci are most favourable for the establishment and successful development of seedlings. It is one of the few species, which can inhabit the schist screes. Individual and group parameters of C. erisithales do not significantly depend on the altitude above sea level. It was established that C. erisithales mostly has a low density. It is the highest in the high-mountain population on Mt. Hoverla. The height of generative shoot, width and length of leaf are significantly higher in the population in the place of Babyna Yama. Number of leaves and inflorescences are similar in all of the studied populations. The height of generative shoot is most variable. Percentage of generative group varies within 20–45 %. It was determined that considerable anthropogenic impact (particularly mechanical disturbance of herbaceous vegetation) results in the shrinkage of the area of populations and significant decrease in individual and group parameters, namely height of shoot and width of leaf – by 2, length of leaf – almost by 3, number of leaves – by over 3, real to potential seed productivity ratio – almost by 4, real seed productivity – by 5, number of capitula – almost by 6, harvest of seeds – by 26 times. Factors, which adversely effect the replenishment of C. erisithales are: timber skidding, road laying, recreation, excessive sodding, large land- and rockslides, inflorescense consumption by animals etc.

The bulk of the preparations of medicinal plant raw materials of common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) are wild plants. Flores Tanaceti industrial collections are produced in the central regions of the European part of Russia. In the North Caucasus, T. vulgare grows scattered, so the data on the bioresource potential of the species require clarification. The aim of the study was to study the ecological and biological features of T. vulgare in the ecotopes of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR). The study of the area, morphological and phytochemical variability of T. vulgare was carried out on the territory of the KBR in 2018-2021 at the start of flowering plants.The study of the range, ontogenesis and ecological and biological features of T. vulgare was carried out on the territory of the KBR in 2018-2021 at the start of flowering plants. According to the results of the study, the range of T. vulgare covers three floristic subregions: Chegemo-Chereko-Sukansky, Leskeno-Lashkutinsky and Jurassic depressions. The highest occurrence and abundance of plants are typical for forest, forest-steppe, meadow, floodplainecotopes of the foothill zone of the KBR. In the studied phytocenoses, T. vulgare is a companion species with an average abundance of 0,3-2,5%. The zone of ecological optimum for the species is meadow-steppe and drymeadow moisture, fairly rich soils, moderate moisture variability, and weak pasture digression. Under conditions of low load, T. vulgare cenopopulations form normal full-membered, unimodal spectra with a maximum on mature generative specimens. Under stress conditions, the spectra become incomplete, discontinuous, unimodal, right-handed, with a maximum on old-aged generative plants. Among the studied morphological and economically valuable traits of T. vulgare, high variability was noted for the number of anthologies in the inflorescence, medium variability for the number of generative shoots and flower yield, low and very low variability for the height of the shoot, the content of phenolic substances, and the diameter of the anthorax. In mid-mountain cenopopulations compared with foothill a significant increase in the content of the sum of flavonoids and phenolcarboxylic acids in flowers, shoot height, a decrease in the number of baskets in the inflorescence, the number of generative shoots, and the yield of raw materials were found. The nature of the correlation between the accumulation of phenolic compounds in flowers and the studied morphological traits can be used to select T. vulgare ecotypes and include them in the breeding process.

Глобальні зміни клімату вже зараз суттєво змінили умови ведення лісового господарства в Українських Карпатах. Зокрема внаслідок масового всихання ялини багато підприємств змушені переорієнтовувати свої лісівничі заходи на вирощування товарної деревини інших порід. Виявлено два основних напрями кліматогенних змін у лісах регіону: зміна едафотопів лісових ділянок у напрямі покращення їхньої родючості з одночасним зменшенням вологості, зміна конкурентоздатності різних деревних видів, зміна породного складу лісів. Найбільші зміни відбуваються в ялинових лісах, де місце ялини, що всихає, природним шляхом займають ялиця і бук, однак під час створення лісових культур вибір головної породи може бути й іншим. Тому актуальним є виявлення закономірностей цих змін для правильного вибору головних порід за типами лісу і висотними рослинними смугами. Тенденції динаміки лісорослинних умов і породного складу лісів регіону були ідентифіковані за відомчими даними метеостанцій та лісовпорядкування. Встановлено, що кліматогенні зміни лісів Українських Карпат відбуваються у таких напрямах: а) дубово-букові ліси трансформуються в буково-дубові зі зміною гігротопу зі «свіжого» на «сухий»; б) буково-ялицеві ліси – в ялицево-букові зі зміною гігротопу з «вологого» на «свіжий»; в) грабово-букові ліси – в грабово-дубово-букові зі зміною гігротопу з «вологого» на «свіжий»; г) смереково-буково-ялицеві ліси – в смереково-ялицево-букові або ялицево-букові зі зміною гігротопу з «вологого» на «свіжий»; д) буково-ялицево-смерекові ліси – в смереково-ялицево-букові або ялицево-букові зі зміною гігротопу з «сирого» і «вологого» на «свіжий»; е) щільнодернинні луки та полонини інтенсивно заростають смерековими, ялівцевими та душекієвими угрупованнями. Констатується нагальна потреба в лісотипологічному картуванні лісогосподарських підприємств Карпатського регіону під час проведення їх повторного лісовпорядкування.

Purpose. To develop clonal micropropagation for representatives of the genus Rhododendron L. for different varietal characteristics and nutrient media.&#x0D; Methods. Rhododendron seeds of various cultivars were used for sterilization and in vitro culture: 'Summetglut', 'Cunningham's White', 'Grandiflorum', 'Libretto', 'Yakushymanskyi', 'Shamrock' and 'Balalaika'. Sterile shoots were planted on different types of nutrient media, such as Murashige and Skoog (MS), Hamborg and Evelegh (B5) and Anderson (An), modified with different compositions and concentrations of hormones BAP and zeatin.&#x0D; Results. Regardless of varietal characteristics, the largest number (12) and height (7 cm) of rhododendron shoots was formed on the Anderson medium. The smallest number and height of shoots were noted in cultivars 'Yakushymanskyi' and 'Balalaika' on all nutrient media. On the Anderson nutrient medium, variety 'Cunningham's White' formed 10 shoots and 'Grandiflorum' 12 shoots. These varieties also had the highest height of 7 cm. On the MS medium, these varieties formed 2 and 4 shoots of 2.5 and 3 cm high, respectively. The best shoot-forming ability was recorded on the Anderson nutrient medium, with 8 to 22 shoots. The largest number (20 and 22) of newly formed shoots was noted in variety 'Grandiflorum', 20 and 22 shoots, respectively. This number of shoots was somewhat lower in varieties 'Shamrock' (17 and 21), 'Cunningham's White' (18), 'Libretto' (15 and 17), 'Yakushymanskyi' (8 and 10) and 'Balalaika' (9).&#x0D; Conclusions. With the use of zeatin, the number of shoots in all studied cultivars was almost the same as with the BAP concentration of 1.0 mg/l. The lowest number and the lowest height of shoots were formed on the Hamborg and Eveleg nutrient medium, besides, the shoots of all varieties were in suppressed condition. This medium and its modifications do not provide a sufficient number of shoots and cannot be recommended for clonal micropropagation of rhododendrons. MS nutrient medium with the addition of BAP (1.0 mg/l) makes it possible to obtain cultivars from 0.8 to 7 cm in height and with the use of zeatin (0.5 mg/l) from 1.8 to 9 cm, respectively. Regardless of varietal characteristics and nutrient media, vitrification of shoots was observed with an increase in the concentration of zeatin to 1.0 mg/l.

Reproduction in a broad sense is the process by which female parents generate some or other germs (diasporas) able to form new individuals that are genetically similar to the female parents. The two main types of reproduction are found in forest grasses and subshrubs: seed (or by spores in spore-bearing plants) and vegetative. The establishment of features of plan reproduction of grass and subshrub layer is an important scientific issue in the context of the preservation and restoration of forest ecosystems, because plants of grass and subshrub layer have a significant impact on the initial stages of natural regeneration of plants of the first layer. Some features of reproduction of plants of different layers of forest ecosystems – from grass to woody – have been studied on the basis of our own observations and literature data. The observations were carried out on the territory of Desnyansko-Starogutsky National Nature Park and the adjacent territories. Forest ecosystems of the north-east of Ukraine have been in active use for a long time. Currently, these forests, in part, have obtained conservation status, and the volume of logging has been sharply reduced. Therefore, the majority of forests are characterized by the progressive succession, during which the proportion of plant silvan species increases and, consequently, the number of motile vegetative plant species increases in the lower layers of forest. The eight plant species of grass and subshrub layer, such as Aegopodium podagraria L., Asarum europaeum L., Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull, Carex pilosa Scop., Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench., Stellaria holostea L. Vaccinium myrtillus L., Vaccinium vitis-idaea L., have been selected as models. It is established that the capacity for vegetative propagation and clone formation is an important feature of reproduction of most forest grasses. The key parameters of generative reproduction of clone forming plants of grass and subshrub layer and their dependence on the ecological and coenotic factors have been shown as well. To establish the level of reproduction the following morphometric parameters were determined: weight of generative organs (g), number of generative shoots (pieces), reproductive effort (%), share of generative individuals in the population (%). In case of generative reproduction, an important biological characteristic is the so-called reproductive effort, which characterizes the contribution of organic matters and energy in the reproductive process. It is typically shown as the percentage of phytomass of the reproductive structures of the total phytomass. In general, generativity of the investigated plants of grass and subshrub layer was determined by the ecological and cenotic conditions, and therefore varied from association to association. Forest grasses and subshrubs, in turn, are an important factor for regeneration of all types of woody species in forest ecosystems. Depending on the composition and abundance of plants of grass and subshrub layer, the number of seedlings and little undergrowth of all woody species of trees is reduced in varying degrees, and the indicators of their growth are getting worse. The impact of the live ground cover on undergrowth of woody species is ultimately determined by the specificity of the ecological and coenotic situation in the areas of regeneration and the specific ecological and phytocoenotic properties of undergrowth of certain woody species. The main environmental problems of recreational zones from the perspective of possibilities of natural regeneration of woody species are the effect of mechanical actions on the soil. Grass and subshrub layer as a sensitive indicator of the increase in anthropogenic load is the first to undergo such transformation in recreational forests. Under its influence its species composition varies and is depleted, distribution of certain species as well as their phytomass and projective cover decrease. Many forest species disappear from the cover, and weeds begin to grow. Protection of forests as holistic ecosystems is an important issue, being developed during the XX century, and not having lost its significance even today. The main directions of its solution are connected with the development of the ecological network of Ukraine and the proper use of all forest resources.

In the Komi Republic, meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria(L.) Maxim.) (Rosaceae) grows throughout the forest zone, although less frequently in the north. Comparative studies of meadowsweet plants were conducted in two natural populations in the Syktyvdinsky District of the Komi Republic in 2020, 2022, and 2023. The first population was a grass-forb meadow in the Sokolovka tract, and the second was a grass-forb meadow on the left bank of the Sysola River. Meadowsweet flowers were collected for biochemical studies annually in the first half of July, during the period of mass budding and the beginning of flowering. Ten generative, moderately developed shoots were also selected to characterize the morphological traits of the wild plants. In 2022, the number of generative shoots was counted in triplicate in the studied natural populations, and the flower yield per 1 m² was determined. It was found that only one form of meadowsweet,F.ulmariavar.denudata, grows in the grass-forb meadows of the studied populations. Its leaves are green on both sides and glabrous underneath. The morphological characteristics of the generative shoot in both studied populations were characterized by similar indicators. The apical inflorescence on the main shoot is 8–23 cm long, can branch up to the third or fourth order and form from 264 to 1400 flowers. It was noted that per 1 m² of dense thickets ofF.ulmaria, the number of generative shoots can vary from 34 to 45. The flower yield of Filipendula ulmaria is 1,5–2,5 cm. The yield ofF.ulmariaper 1 m² was 132–190 g of raw material and 38–54 g of air-dried phytomass. It was established that the total flavonoid content in the air-dried flowers ofF.ulmaria, regardless of the weather conditions of the growing season, was high (4,3–7,8%) and was within the range of indicators for this group of biologically active substances (2,9–12,0%) in plants of natural populations ofF.ulmariain other regions of Russia. The search for and selection of the most productive populations ofF.ulmariain the middle taiga subzone of the Komi Republic is a reliable method for obtaining high-quality medicinal raw materials for the creation of new pharmaceuticals.

The effects of GCA samples according to the results of dialysis analysis are given. Genetic control systems of traits of each variety are reflected, in particular the relative contribution of dominant and recessive alleles. According to the analysis of the effects of general combinatorial ability, samples with high indicators were selected for most of the studied features: the number of vegetatively elongated shoots - Poltava 52; foliage - Anto; dry matter yield - Poltava 52; protein content in dry matter - Poltava 52; the number of generative shoots - Anto and Poltava 52; panicle length - Anto and Radio-mutant k-7; seed productivity - Anto. A high level of the coefficients of heredity of the studied signs in a broad sense (H2 = 0,93 – 0,99) have been established. The coefficients of heredity in the narrow sense (h2) in terms of genetic variability due to additive effects of genes were different. The highest rate was in seed productivity (0,91), the number of vegetatively elongated shoots (0,78), dry matter yield (0,70); the lowest - in the length of the panicle (0,35) and the height of the plant - (0,43). The protein content was average (0,58). Key words: unbearded hundred-spike, diallel crosses, general combination ability, heredity.

The aim of the research was to study the influence of sowing methods (cover crop, sowing method) of variegated alfalfa Victoria on its seed productivity in the Cis-Middle Urals. The research was conducted in 2019–2023 on sod-podzolic medium loamy soil of the Udmurt Republic. Meteorological conditions of the growing seasons during the research years were contrasting. The regrowth of alfalfa was noted on average in the 2nd-3rd decade of April, harvesting for seeds was carried out in the 1st-2nd decade of September, the vegetation period lasted 124–142 days. Over four years of using the grass stand, it was found that variable alfalfa forms seed productivity at a fairly high level: in the first year of use – 570-759 kg/ha, in subsequent years – 234–309 kg/ha. On average, the highest seed yield was obtained when sowing in wide rows (60 cm) in variants with cover crops of spring wheat (360 kg/ha) and vetch-oat mixture for green mass (359 kg/ha), with the formation of the following structural elements: the number of generative shoots - 238 and 279 pcs/m2, the number of brushes on a shoot – 16.0 and 15.5 pcs, pods on a brush – 6.9 and 7.9 pcs, seeds in a pod – 3.3 and 2.8 pcs, the weight of 1000 seeds is 1.94 and 1.96 g, respectively. The number of brushes on a shoot and the number of pods on a brush had an average positive effect on the yield level, correlation coefficients r=0.47 and r=0.53, respectively. Laboratory seed germination in the harvest was at the level of 77–90 %. Relatively the highest germination (90 %) was in wide-row sowings with row spacing of 60 and 30 cm in the variant with a vetch-oat mixture. When cultivating alfalfa for seed purposes, the most energy-efficient method is to use a vetch-oat mixture as a cover crop (energy efficiency coefficient – 5.65); coverless sowing is economically advantageous (profitability level – 556 %).

The research was carried out in the field at the Central experimental base of the Federal Williams Re¬search Center. The object of research was 12 samples of wild-growing meadow timothy grass. Samples were sown according to the scheme of a standard collection nursery. All studies and observations were carried out on the herbage of the 2nd and 3rd year of life. Statistical processing of results of researches of meadow timothy indicates a low level of variation in the main morphological and physiological characte¬ristics. Only by the number of vegetative shoots have the coefficient of variation reach 35.8%. Samples 416 and 419 were distinguished by precocity, samples 406 and 419 by the height of plants during flower¬ing, sample 412 by the number of generative shoots, and sample 412 by the yield of air-dry mass. Sam¬ples 409 and 414 were distinguished by the length of the sultan, and the weight of seeds — 414 and 415. Nine reliable correlations were found at the significance level 05 and 01. However, all of them are related to the yield of the number of generative and vegetative shoots. Using the binomial equation, the experi¬mentally obtained variability of dry mass yield from the number of generative and vegetative shoots by 93.1% is described. The optimal productivity of meadow timothy grass stand for generative shoots in the area of 550–600 shoots, and vegetative ones — in the area of 320–350 shoots per square meter. Analysis of remoteness and kinship between samples showed the presence of 2 clusters (genetically different quality groups), which can be used for combinational ability selection and fixing of selection-valuable features and properties.