Improved Tree-Ring Archives in the Forest–Steppe Zone of Southern Western Siberia

Data on the influence of environmental factors on the milk productivity formation of cows in different climatic zones of Ukraine are presented. It was established that animals bred in the steppe zone had the highest milk yield, milk fat content, and milk fat output, and animals from the Polissia zone had the lowest values. Among the cows from different breeding zones, intergroup differentiation was also observed by milk productivity depending on the year and season of their birth. In the forest steppe zone, the highest productivity was noted for the first-calf heifers born in 2011, in the Polissia and steppe zones — for the animals born in 2015, and for the third lactation in all breeding zones, the cows born in 2015 were the most productive. A curvilinear intergroup differentiation based on the characteristics of milk productivity was also noted between animals with different seasons of birth. The highest milk yields at “Oleksandrivske” State Enterprise and “Named after Volovikov” Joint Stock Company LLC were obtained from the first-calf heifers born in the autumn period, and at Research Farm “Askaniiske” Research State Enterprise — from animals born in summer. During the third lactation, the cows born in autumn were the most productive in all breeding zones and whose first calving occurred in the steppe zone in the spring period, in the forest steppe and Polissia zones — in autumn. The year of birth and the breeding zone had the most significant effect on fertility and fat content in milk, and it was stronger in first-calf heifers, and the season of birth of animals had the least effect on signs of milk productivity.

Soil microbial activity under different vegetation zones could indicate changes in soil quality. The aim of this study is to investigate the dynamics of three soil enzymes activity (sucrase, urease, and alkaline phosphatase) and microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen (SMBC, SMBN) contents among three vegetation zones (Forest, Forest-Steppe, and Steppe Zone). Results showed that different vegetation zones have significant effects on soil microbial activity. SMBC and SMBN contents in Forest, Forest-Steppe, and Steppe were 519.71, 306.18, and 130.41 mg kg−1 at 0–5 cm and 292.27, 146.51, and 60.78 mg kg−1 at 5–20 cm, respectively. All of the three soil enzyme activities in Forest Zone were significantly higher than in Forest-Steppe and Steppe Zone. At 0–5 cm soil layer, the urease, and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activities in Forest Zone (1.74 and 4.21 mg g−1 24 h−1) and Forest-Steppe Zone (1.46 and 3.70 mg g−1 24 h−1) were significantly higher than those in Steppe Zone (0.94 and 2.20 mg g−1 24 h−1). The sucrose enzyme activity in Forest Zone (25.47 mg g−1 24 h−1) was significantly higher than those in Forest-Steppe Zone (16.44 mg g−1 24 h−1) and Steppe Zone (12.43 mg g−1 24 h−1). Correlation analysis showed that the SMBC, SMBN, and soil enzyme activities were positively significantly correlated with soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and phosphorus contents. Soil quality in Forest Zone was higher than in Forest-Steppe Zone and Steppe Zone due to higher soil microbial activity. These results will assist evaluation of the soil enzyme activities and microbial biomass in the Loess Plateau.

The State Register of Plant Varieties Suitable for Distribution in Ukraine as of April 2024 contains 1.104 hybrids of annual sunflower: of which 730 hy­ brids or 66.1% are of foreign selection and 374 hybrids or 33.9% are of domestic selection. 83 hybrids belong to the high-oleic group. The qualification examina­ tion of annual sunflower hybrids for suitability for distribution in Ukraine (PSP) was carried out at the 184 research stations of the Ukrainian Institute of Plant Variety Examination within the soil and climatic zones of the Steppe and Forest-Steppe of Ukraine during 2022–2023 for seven new high-oleic annual sunflower hybrids ‘LG50648’, ‘F2687 Tsl’, ‘F4413VO’, ‘MAS 908HOCP’, ‘N4H413 KL’, ‘N4L460 CL’, ‘SULIANO’. The research was conducted in accor­ dance with the «Methodology for conducting a qua­lification examination of plant varieties for suitabi­lity for distribution in Ukraine (General Part)» and «Methodology for conducting an examination of plant varieties of the technical and fodder group for suitability for distribution in Ukraine». Their comprehensive evaluation was carried out according to the main economic and valuable indicators: yield, oil content, oleic acid content, protein content. It was found that the average yield of hybrids grown in the Forest-Steppe zone over two years of research was within 2.77–3.71 t/ha and exceeded the yield of hybrids grown in the Steppe zone, which was 2.10–2.90 t/ha. The highest average yield, both in the Forest-Steppe and the Steppe, was characterized by the hybrids ‘SULIANO’ and ‘LG50648’, respec­tively — 3.39 and 2.91 t/ha and 2.84 and 2.76 t/ha аnd the hybrid ‘N4H413 KL’, the yield of which, both in the Forest-Steppe and the Steppe was 2.90 t/ha. The highest oil content in seeds when grown in the Forest-Steppe zone was characterized by the seeds of the hybrids ‘LG50648’ — 53.3% and ‘F2687 Tsl’ — 51,3%, and in the Steppe zone — LG50648’ — 51.0%, ‘F4413VO’ — 49.8%. The highest values of oil yield per hectare were characterized by the hybrids ‘MAS 908HOCP’ — 1.64 t/ha and SULIANO’ — 1.49 t/ha in the Forest-Steppe zone, and in the Steppe zone — ‘N4H413 KL’ — 1.27 t/ha and ‘LG50648’ — 1.24 t/ha. The oleic acid content in the oil varied from 72.1 to 86.5%. In the Steppe zone, the highest values were obtained in the hybrid ‘LG50648’ — 86.5%, and the lowest — in ‘F4413VO’ — 80.0%. In the Forest-Steppe zone, the oleic acid content in the oil of the studied hybrids was somewhat lower. The maximum value was characterized by the hybrid ‘SULIANO’ — 86.2%, and the lowest — by ‘N4L460 CL’ — 72.1%. According to the results of the qualification examination for suitability for distribution, it was established that all seven studied sunflower hybrids are characterized by high indicators of productivity and seed quality and are recommended for cultivation in the Steppe and Forest-Steppe zones of Ukraine

Purpose. To determine the biochemical indicators of seed quality of winter rape varieties grown under different conditions. Methods. During the research, the following methods were used: laboratory, calculation and statistical, to prepare conclusions – analysis and synthesis. Results. According to the results of laboratory studies, biochemical indicators of the quality of seeds of winter rape varieties, grown in different conditions, were established, namely: the content of oil, “crude protein” and glucosinolates. Meteorological conditions during the vegetation period of plants of the corresponding soil and climate zone have a significant influence on the quality indicators of seeds. Based on the results of the research, it was established that in 2022, compared to 2020, the biochemical indicators of winter rapeseed were higher. The increase in yield by 1.6 t/ha in the Steppe zone, 1.1 t/ha – Forest-Steppe, 1.4 t/ha – Polissia ensured an increase in oil content by 2.4% – Steppe, 6.6% – Forest-Steppe, 6.7% – Polissia and oil collection per hectare by 0.74 t/ha – Steppe and Polissia, 0.62 t/ha – Forest-Steppe. For the content of “crude protein”, a decrease in the index was observed, namely: by 3.1% in the Steppe zone, 5.8% in the Forest-Steppe and 5.0% in the Polissia in 2022 compared to 2020. Meteorological conditions of the research years in the corresponding soil and climatic zones had an influence on the content of glucosinolates. For the Steppe and Forest-Steppe zones, the indicators were identical and amounted to 0.7%, 0.8% (Polissia), while in 2021, for the Steppe and Polissia zones, the content of glucosinolates in rapeseed was 0.8% and 0.9% more, compared to the indicators obtained in other years of research. Conclusions. It was established that, on average, for 2020–2022, the total oil content in seeds of rape was 46.2% – Steppe, 47.5% – Forest-Steppe, 47.8% – Polissia; “crude protein” content – 19.6% – Steppe, 18.4% – Forest-Steppe, 17.9% – Polissia; the content of glucosinolates was 0.7% in the Steppe and Forest-steppe zones, 0.8% in the Polissia; oil collection in the Steppe zone 1.31 t/ha, Forest-Steppe – 1.16 t/ha, Polissia – 1.33 t/ha; protein collection per hectare is 0.54 t/ha in Steppe, 0.44 t/ha in Forest-Steppe and 0.48% in Polissia. Growing conditions over the years of research in the corresponding zone affect the formation of biochemical indicators of winter rapeseed.

Different biomass production and soil water patterns between natural and artificial vegetation along an environmental gradient on the Loess Plateau

Goal. To compare the seasonal dynamics of cereal aphid abundance in the Steppe and Forest-Steppe zones during 2023 and to determine the factors that influenced it. Methods. To assess the state of the cereal aphid population on cereal crops, we used the results of personally conducted entomological phytosanitary monitoring of crops (according to generally accepted methods) in the farms of the Steppe and Forest-Steppe zones; information from current reports from the places where field experiments were conducted directly by the forecasting laboratory, as well as other laboratories of the IPP of NAAS, which is also confirmed by the materials of decadal reports of regional plant protection stations and signalization and forecasting points of the State Inspection of Plant Protection, confirmed by information on the phytosanitary status of regional state research stations. Cereal aphid adults and larvae were counted in populations of populations (in the crop phase, the end of the tube emergence is earing). Results. The state of cereal aphid populations on crops of cereal spiked crops in 2023 was studied, both in general in Ukraine and separately in the Steppe and Forest-Steppe zones. The dynamics of their number in farms of different natural and climatic zones was investigated, and an analysis of its peculiarities in the conditions of the year was carried out. Conclusions. In 2023, the harmfulness of cereal aphids on cereal crops remained at the level of long-term averages. The expansion of their harmful zone and an increase in their number was noted during the earing period (milk ripeness). On winter cereal crops, phytophages prevailed in the Steppe zone. In the Forest-Steppe zone, the phytophage was more damaging to winter cereals than to spring cereals. The results of entomological monitoring in Mykolaiv region (State Enterprise «Experimental Farming «Zori nad Bugom») showed that during the accounting period the bulk of aphids were concentrated on winter wheat crops, and winter barley was damaged in small numbers. On the contrary, the surveys conducted in Kyiv region (State Enterprise «Experimental Farming «Salyvonkivske») showed that in the second half of June — the first decade of July, the number of aphids on spring barley crops was approximately twice as high as on spring wheat. As a result of the study, it was practically confirmed that the optimal temperature regime for the development of cereal aphids is 16—20°C, and the relative humidity is 60—80%.

Carici supinae–Betuletea pendulae — новый класс лесной растительности в степной зоне Западно-Сибирской равнины и Зауралья

We evaluated the stability of perennial legume and cereal grass species in artificial plant communities on permanent anti-erosion watercourses in the agroecosystems of the Belgorod region with active development of linear soil erosion. In the conditions of steppe and forest-steppe zones of the Belgorod region on permanently grassed watercourses in 2017-2019. varieties of perennial leguminous and cereal grasses: ‘Krasnoyaruzhskaya 1’ and ‘Krasnoyaruzhskaya 2’ (Medicago varia), ‘Kazatsky’ (Trifolium pratense), ‘Olshanka’ and ‘Ivica’ (Festuca arundinacea), ‘Streletsky’ and ‘Stepnyak’ (Lolium perenne)) obtained using local genetic material were studied. All varieties showed their resistance in agro-ecosystems with active development of linear erosion in the forest-steppe and steppe zones. Projective cover on watercourses in the steppe zone in all variants of experience was on average 83,4 %, in the forest-steppe zone - 86,3 %. In the third year of the tests on permanently irrigated watercourses in the steppe zone, the share of cereal and legume grass species was quite high and varied from 88 % in the variant M. varia + Onobrychis arenaria to 92 % in the variants M. varia + Bromopsis inermis and O. arenaria. In the forest-steppe zone, the share of cereal and legume grass species varied from 86 % in the variant L. perenne to 94 % in the variant L. perenne + B. inermis.

The demand for crop products is relatively constant in the short term, and in the long term, it increases relatively evenly. Consequently, the supply of products must be steadily steady or steadily increasing. Changes in hydrothermal conditions for cultivating crops lead to fluctuations in yield. The study was carried out based on statistical data from 2012 – 2021. The article examines the main trends in the development of pea (Pisum sativum L.) production in the steppe and forest-steppe zones of the Kemerovo region. The sown areas of peas and the crop yield are determined, and the characteristics of the gross grain harvest in the study zones are given. The trend line analysis showed an annual increase in the sown area; its value increased significantly from 2017 to 2021 in both the steppe and forest steppe. During the same period, a tendency was established towards a significant increase in pea yields due to improved farming standards. According to our data, the trend in the yield series is not the same. The coefficients of variation in the steppe zone are 38.51% and, in the forest-steppe zone - 34.73%, indicating a higher agrotechnical level in the forest-steppe zone than in the steppe zone. High coefficients in the studied areas are observed due to solid deviations in yield in individual years. In the steppe zone, the yield ranged from 6.9 to 23.9; in the forest-steppe, it went from 7.3 c/ha to 21.7. It was revealed that the size of the pea harvest strongly depends on weather conditions. The most productive years are 2020 and 2021. The trend equations for the steppe and forest-steppe describe the tendency towards an increase in the gross grain harvest. The conclusion is formulated that to solve the main problems in pea production, which depend on the farming culture and fluctuations in cultivation conditions, it is necessary to look for ways to increase the sustainability of the production of this crop.

Purpose. To determine the patterns of influence of gro­wing factors on the economically valuable characteristics of new soybean varieties. Methods. Field, biochemical methods, analysis of variance. Results. The rates of the influence of the growing zone, the conditions of the growing season of the year and the soybean variety on the yield, weight of 1000 seeds, the content of crude protein and oil, and protein and oil collection were determined. The greatest influence on the yield of the studied varieties had a growing zone – 55%. On average the maximum yield was obtained in Forest-steppe zone 2.48–3.58 t/ha, the lowest – in Steppe zone (1.33–1.89 t/ha) for 2017–2018. In the same period the weight of 1000 seeds on average was 125.1–169.9 g in the Steppe zone, in Forest-Steppe zone it was 130.2–207.8 g and 143.9–188.0 g in Fo­rrest zone. According to the results of analysis of variance, it was determined that the growing zone has the greatest influence on weight of 1000 seeds – 31%, variety – 21% and conditions of the growing season of the year – 13%. The main characteristics of soybean quality are the content of crude protein and oil in seeds. The highest level of crude protein was observed in soybean variety in Forest-Steppe zone – 37.5–44.0%. In Forrest zone, the crude protein content was 34.4–41.7%, in the Steppe zone 35.4–40.1%. The maximum level of this characteristic was observed in variety ‘NS Diyana’ – 44.0% in Forest-Steppe zone, in Forrest zone – in the variety ‘Alexa’ 41.7%, in Steppe zone – in variety ‘NS Diyana’ 40.1%. Thus, the growing zone (31%) and variety (25%) had the greatest influence on the content of crude protein; the interaction of factors (variety and growing zone) affected 17%. The average oil content for 2017‑2018 ranges from 19.8 to 24.2%. High oil content was noted in ‘Adsoy’ variety in Forrest and Forest-Steppe zones, 24.2 and 22.6%, respectively, and ‘Azimut’ – 23.8% in Steppe zone. The results of the analysis of variance showed that the growing zone to a greater extent affected the oil content in soybean seeds by 25%, variety – 21%, and the interaction of factors of the variety and gro­wing zone by 21%. Conclusions. According to the results of multifactor analysis of variance, it was determined that the growing zone had the greatest influence on the studied parameters. It was found that the rate of the influence of gro­wing zone of soybean varieties is 25–55%, depending on the studied characteristic. It was determined that the influence of the variety was 4–25%, the conditions of the growing season affected by 1–26%.

Purpose. To determine the growing factors impact the economically valuable characteristics of new soft winter wheat varieties. Methods. Field, biochemical methods, ANOVA. Results. The influence of the growing zone, the growing season conditions and the genotype of the soft winter wheat varieties on yield, protein and gluten content were determined. The conditions of the growing zone have the greatest influence on studied varieties yield – 73%. On average, for 2020–2021, the maximum yield was obtained in the Forest-Steppe zone – 6.23–8.39 t/ha. In the Forest zone, the yield of studied soft winter wheat varieties was 5.31–7.02 t/ha. For the Steppe zone, the yield was within 5.16–6.63 t/ha. It was determined that varieties which showed low yield in the Forrest zone were characterized by higher yield in the Steppe zone. It was found that the growing zone (49%) and growing season (42%) conditions have the greatest effect on the protein content in grain of studied varieties. It was determined that variety ‘MANDARIN’ was characterized by the highest protein content in all growing zones (14.5–16.4%). In the Steppe and Forest-Steppe zones, high protein content was identified in grain of wheat varieties ‘Tata Mata’ (13.6–14.3%), ‘Eneida’ (13.6–14.3%) and ‘Novator’ (14.2 and 13.2%), in the Forest zone – in grain of varieties ‘Vahoma’ and ‘Eneida’ – 13.4% each. It was found that the growing zone conditions impacted gluten content in grain of studied wheat varieties by 64%, the influence of the growing season conditions was 28%. The effect of variety genotype on protein and gluten content was 5 and 4%, respectively. The grain of soft winter wheat varieties ‘MANDARIN’ and ‘Eneida’ contained the largest amount of gluten in all growing zones (27.7–31.8% and 27.3–30.3%). For the Steppe and Forest-Steppe zones, a high gluten content was found in grains of varieties ‘Illusion’ (28.4 and 30.8%) and ‘Tata Mata’ (27.8 and 29.8%). Conclusions. It was found that growing zone conditions of soft winter wheat varieties (73%) and the interaction of factors zone × year (21%) impacted the yield significantly. The growing zone conditions (49 and 64%), growing season conditions (21 and 28%) and genotype of variety (5 and 4%, respectively) had a significant influence on protein and gluten content. Therefore, a significant influence of growing zone conditions on the productivity indicators of soft winter wheat determines the need to select varieties in order to obtain a high yield, taking into account the soil and climatic zone

The article summarizes the results of surveys on the development of the spring wheat disease. The composition of the pathogenic complex in the Orenburg region was analyzed. The paper cites an assessment of the stability of varieties of different origin in the forest steppe and steppe zones of Orenburg Urals. The most common and harmful diseases of spring wheat were: brown leaf rust (Puccinia triticina), stem rust (Puccinia graminis), oidium (Erysiphe graminis, Blumeria graminis Speer.), helminthiasis and fusariose root rot (Bipolaris sorokiniana and Fusarium spp.). Among the samples of local breeding Orenburgskaya 13 variety was the strongly susceptible to the disease of wheat. Logachevka and Uchitel variety were mildly susceptible. Varyag variety was characterized by susceptibility to leaf rust, oidium and dust-brand. According to the complex resistance to diseases of the local races of wheat, we can allocate the following varieties: in the forest-steppe zone: Kinelskaya 59, Kinelskaya 60, Saratovskaya 55, Tulaykovskaya 5, steppe Tulaykovskaya, YuV 4 and in the steppe zone - Belyanka, Saratovskaya 70, Tulaykovskaya 10 and steppe Tulaykovskaya. The inclusion of these varieties in the hybridization will provide a more disease-resistant hybrids and new varieties of spring wheat.

The research was conducted in LLC JV "Imeni Volovikova", Rivne region (Polissya zone, n=1840), SE DG "Oleksandrivske", Vinnytsia region (Forest-Steppe zone, n=714) and SE "Experimental farm "Askaniyske" (Steppe zone, n=926) on firstborn and full-grown cows (III lactation) of the Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breed. In the controlled cows, by retrospective analysis of zootechnical accounting data for the last 10 years, the signs of milk production were studied depending on phenotypic traits (live weight of newborns, 6-, 12- and 18-month-old animals), age and live weight at first calving, duration of the first service period).
 It has been established that animals of the Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breed in different farms are characterised by rather high live weight during the period of their rearing. The highest values of this trait in newborn and 18-month-old heifers were observed in the Forest-Steppe zone, and in 6- and 12-month-old heifers - in the Polissya zone. The best average daily growth from birth to 6 months of age was observed in heifers from the Polissya zone, and in all subsequent age periods and from birth to 18 months - in animals from the Forest-Steppe zone. The highest values of the relative speed and tension of live weight growth of heifers were noted in the period from birth to 6 months, and these indicators decreased with age. Intergroup differentiation in terms of reproductive capacity was observed in the first-born heifers of the controlled farms. Animals from the Steppe zone had the highest live weight at first calving and the shortest duration of the first service period, while animals from the Forest-Steppe zone were the fastest maturing. Cows from the Steppe zone were also the best in terms of milk yield.
 The formation of milk production of first-born cows was significantly influenced by their live weight during the growing period. In the Forest-Steppe zone, the most productive were the first-born cows with a live weight of 40-42 kg at birth, 181-190 kg at 6 months of age, 321-335 kg at 12 months of age and 421-435 kg at 18 months of age; in the Polissya zone - 43 kg and more, 181-190 kg, 321-335 kg and 421-435 kg, respectively; in the Steppe zone - 43 kg and more, 191-200 kg, 336 kg and more and 421-435 kg. Multidirectional relationships were observed between the live weight of first-born heifers at different ages during their rearing and signs of milk production. In animals from the Forest-Steppe zone, they were insignificant and in almost all cases unreliable, while in first-born cows from the Polissya and Steppe zones these relationships were somewhat more significant and in most cases reliable.

Responses of soil enzyme activity and soil organic carbon stability over time after cropland abandonment in different vegetation zones of the Loess Plateau of China

Data on the signs of milk productivity of cows of the Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breed depending on their lineal affiliation are given. The research was conducted in SE DG "Oleksandrivske" Vinnytsia region (Forest-Steppe zone, n=714), the LLC JV "Imeni Volovikova" Rivne region (Polissya zone, n=1,840) and the SE "Experimental farm "Askaniyske" (Steppe zone, n=926 ) on firstborn and full-grown (III lactation) animals. It was found that cows of the Chif line 1427381 (6384 kg) were the most productive in the first lactation in the Forest Steppe zone, in the third - Eleveishn line 1491007 (7325), in the Polissya zone – Starbak line 352790 for both lactations (6126 and 6521 kg, respectively), and in the Steppe zone – Annas Adema 30587 lines (6570 kg and 7482 kg). The highest content of fat in the milk of the SE DG "Oleksandrivske" was found in the first-borns of the Valiant line 1650414 (3.65%) and in full-aged cows of the Starbak line 352790 (3.59%), in the LLC JV "Imeni Volovikova" – Eleveyshn 1491007 (3.67 %) and Valiant 1650414 (3.68%), in SE "Experimental farm "Askaniyske" – Chif 1427381 (4.19%) and Bell 1667366 (4.19%). It is worth noting that the lowest milk yield for the first lactation in the above-mentioned farms was observed, respectively, in cows of lines Haneve 1629391 (5465 kg), Valiant 1650414 (4545 kg) and Bell 1667366 (6055 kg), for the third lactation - in individuals of lines Valiant 1650414 (6633 kg), Eleveishn 1491007 (6058 kg) and Bella 1667366 (6464 kg). In the Forest Steppe zone, the first-borns of the Eleveyshn 1491007 and Starbak 352790 lines were the least fat-milk – 3.59%, and full-aged cows of the Chif 1427381 and Valiant 1650414 lines – 3.56%, in the Polissya zone – the Chif 1427381 and Starbak 352 lines – 3.62% 790 – 3, 62%, and in the Steppe zone – the Annas Adem 30587 line for both lactations – 3.95 and 3.89%, respectively. Variance analysis confirmed the conditionality of the phenotypic variability of the quantitative traits of milk production depending on the lineal belonging of cows established by the comparison of group averages. At the same time, the line had a more significant effect on hope than on fat. Depending on the farm and lactation, the strength of the influence on the milk fat content was in the range of 4.1–21.1%, and in the range of .4–12.4%. Therefore, the linear belonging of cows to some extent can serve as a criterion for predicting their milk productivity.