Agrotechnical Conditions Research Articles

Computational identification of promising genetic markers associated with molecular mechanisms of reduced rice resistance to Rhizoctonia solani under excess nitrogen fertilization using gene network reconstruction and analysis methods

Although nitrogen fertilizers increase rice yield, their excess can impair plant resistance to diseases, particularly sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani. This pathogen can destroy up to 50 % of the crop, but the mechanisms underlying reduced resistance under excess nitrogen remain poorly understood. This study aims to identify potential marker genes to enhance rice resistance to R. solani under excess nitrogen conditions. A comprehensive bioinformatics approach was applied, including differential gene expression analysis, gene network reconstruction, biological process overrepresentation analysis, phylostratigraphic analysis, and non-coding RNA co-expression analysis. The Smart crop cognitive system, ANDSystem, the ncPlantDB database, and other bioinformatics resources were used. Analysis of the molecular genetic interaction network revealed three potential mechanisms explaining reduced resistance of rice to R. solani under excess nitrogen: the OsGSK2-mediated pathway, the OsMYB44-OsWRKY6-OsPR1 pathway, and the SOG1-Rad51-PR1/PR2 pathway. Potential markers for breeding were identified: 7 genes controlling rice responses to various stresses and 11 genes modulating the immune system. Special attention was given to key participants in regulatory pathways under excess nitrogen conditions. Non-coding RNA analysis revealed 30 miRNAs targeting genes of the reconstructed gene network. For two miRNAs (Osa-miR396 and Osa-miR7695), about 7,400 unique long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) with various co-expression indices were found. The top 50 lncRNAs with the highest co-expression index for each miRNA were highlighted, opening new perspectives for studying regulatory mechanisms of rice resistance to pathogens. The results provide a theoretical basis for experimental work on creating new rice varieties with increased pathogen resistance under excessive nitrogen nutrition. This study opens prospects for developing innovative strategies in rice breeding aimed at optimizing the balance between yield and disease resistance in modern agrotechnical conditions.

Biologically active substances and safety of apples of different varieties of the Ural selection

Fresh apple fruits contain various components, including mono-, di- and polysaccharides, organic acids, triterpenoids, phytosterols, polyphenols, protein, vitamins, and macro- and microelements humans need. The purpose of the research was to study the biologically active substances and safety of apples of five varieties of winter and autumn ripening: Pervouralskaya, Krasa Sverdlovskaya, Blagovaya Vesti, Sverdlovchanin, Ekrannoe - to identify the most valuable fruits from the standpoint of modern nutritionology. The apple trees grew in equal climatic and agrotechnical (drip irrigation and fertigation) conditions IP GK(F) H Filippova A.A. (Chelyabinsk region, Kaslinsky district, Grigoryevka village). It was found that the content of insoluble dietary fiber in apples of the studied varieties did not have sharp fluctuations; the variability of the indicator was 14.3%. On the contrary, the amounts of vitamin C, pectin, polyphenols, and flavonoids had significant variability - up to 275, 100, 61, and 50%, respectively, depending on the variety. Safety indicators (content of Hg, Pb, patulin, HCH, DDT) in apples did not exceed the standards of TR CU 021/20H. The nitrate content in fruits was typical for the products of intensive apple orchards. At the same time, Pb levels varied from 0.036 to 0.103 mg/kg, nitrates - from 23.4 to 35.4 mg/kg. Increased amounts of studied biologically active substances and low levels of contaminants make it possible to classify apples of the Pervouralskaya and Krasa Sverdlovsk varieties as the best fruits of this apple orchard.

The elemental profile of ciders made from different varieties of apples

Macro- and microelements are vital components of the nutrient profile of apples and apple juice. Although the mineral composition of apple juices has been well studied, there is a lack of research into the elemental profile of ciders. We aimed to determine the concentrations of macro- and microelements in various samples of ciders. 
 We studied 25 experimental ciders from apple juice of direct extraction (fresh must) and 4 commercial ciders purchased from a retailer in Krasnodar. Mass concentrations of metal cations were determined by high-performance capillary electrophoresis, atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization, and atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma.
 The concentrations of macroelements in the ciders from fresh must depending on the variety varied significantly in the following ranges (mg/L): 696–1920 for potassium; 6.7–26.8 for sodium; 4.3–35.5 for calcium; and 10.2–36.8 for magnesium. The commercial ciders had significantly lower concentrations of macroelements. The content of iron ranged from 0.86 to 2.26 mg/L. Among microelements, copper cations were detected in the range from 31.0 to 375 μg/L. The concentrations of toxic elements did not exceed the maximum permissible values in any of the samples, including the commercial ones. Finally, ranges of variation were established in the concentrations of macro- and microelements depending on the varietal characteristics of apples.
 The pomological varieties of apples used in the study were grown under the same agrotechnical conditions. Therefore, the differences revealed in the elemental profile of the ciders were assumingly due to the genetic characteristics of the respective variety.

Improvement of agrotechnical conditions of growing paulownia in the Forest Steppe of Ukraine

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to improve the agrotechnical conditions for growing paulownia and its artificially bred variety Clone in vitro 112 in the Forest Steppe zone of Ukraine.
 Methods. Field, laboratory, visual, measuring and weighing, mathematical and statistical.
 Results. The article presents the results of research on the improvement of agrotechnical growing conditions and establishment of indicators of growth and development of paulownia plants in the Central Forest Steppe of Ukraine. The methods of planting, the optimal width between the rows, and the options for caring for the plantation of plants have been substantiated. It was established that in the first year of vegetation, the root system of paulownia plants is intensively formed. In order to obtain high-quality wood, after the first year of vegetation, it is necessary to make a technical cut at a height of 2–3 cm from the surface of the ground and remove young newly formed shoots (tillers). The highest trunk height of Clone in vitro 112 was formed in the first and second year of vegetation and reached 5–6 m. The optimal planting density is 625 plants per hectare. Conclusions. It was established that paulownia seedlings in vitro should undergo adaptation to the temperature conditions of the growing area for two to three weeks before planting in open ground.

Application of Unconventional Tillage Systems to Maize Cultivation and Measures for Rational Use of Agricultural Lands

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the main agricultural crops grown worldwide under very diverse climate and soil conditions. For maize cultivation in a conventional tillage system, autumn plowing is a mandatory condition. Minimum soil tillage or no tillage has been applied in recent years, both in research and in production, for reasons relating to soil conservation and fuel economy. This paper presents the results of the research executed under pedoclimatic conditions at the Agricultural Research and Development Station Turda (ARDS Turda, Romania; chernozem soil) regarding the behavior of the maize hybrid Turda 332 cultivated in four tillage systems and two levels of fertilization during the period of 2016–2022. The following soil tillage systems were applied: a conventional tillage system (CT) and unconventional tillage systems in three variants—a minimum tillage system with a chisel (MTC), a minimum tillage system with a disk (MTD), and a no-tillage system (NT). They were applied with two levels of fertilization: basic fertilization (350 kg ha−1 NPK 16:16:16, applied at sowing) and optimized fertilization (350 kg ha−1 NPK 16:16:16 applied at sowing + 150 kg ha−1 calcium ammonium nitrate with additional fertilization in the phenophase of the maize with 6–7 leaves). The results highlight the fact that under the conditions of chernozem soils with a high clay content (41% clay content), maize does not lend itself to cultivation in MTD and NT, requiring deeper mobilization, with the yield data confirming this fact. This is because under the agrotechnical conditions for sowing carried out in MTD and NT, the seeder used (Maschio Gaspardo MT 6R) does not allow for the high-quality sowing of maize, especially under dry soil conditions. Instead, the MTC system could be an alternative to the conventional tillage system, with the yield difference being below 100 kg ha−1.

Variations in chemical composition of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) as a result of different environmental conditions.

Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) is a pseudo cereal that is gaining interest in the world. The chemical profile of common buckwheat determines its high nutritional and health-promoting value. The accumulation of these valuable ingredients depends on many factors, such as: variety, location of cultivation and related weather and agrotechnical conditions. Due to the growing interest in common buckwheat as a natural plant material for food production, it is important to know the factors affecting the quantitative and qualitative composition of its grains. The aim of the research was to determine the effect of the genotype (G), environment (E) and G × E interaction on the content of nutrients (protein, starch, ash, lipids) and bioactive components [dietary fiber (DF), total phenolic content (TPC)] in the common buckwheat grains. The study covered four cultivars grown in three locations for three consecutive vegetation seasons (2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019). Based on the obtained results, a significant influence of the environment and G × E interaction on the content of the studied parameters was found. The greatest impact on the diversity of the content of nutrients had environmental conditions, which in the case of protein and ash determined these features in more than 80%, and in the case of starch, 70%. With regard to bioactive compounds, the greatest influence of the environment was observed for the amount of TPC (78%), lignin (51%) and the DF complex (56%). The obtained results are useful for breeders working on expanding the pool of common buckwheat genotypes, stable in changing environmental conditions. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Moisture Regime of Leached Chernozem, the Yield and Quality of Sugar Beet Root Crops under Different Weather and Agrotechnical Conditions in the Сentral Сhernozem Region

The efficiency of moisture use and the yield of sugar beet increased with the use of fertilizers, combined tillage and an increase in the moisture coefficient (according to Ivanov) for 2 months before cleaning. A more favorable soil moisture regime and a lower density of addition in sugar beet crops were formed in conditions of high moisture during combined tillage. The best technological qualities of the root fruits are determined with average moisture and combined processing. The share of the influence of weather conditions on crop yield was 51, fertilizers – 30, tillage – 3%. The highest yield of sugar beet (48.3–48.5 t/ha), energy efficiency (4.6) and profitability of production (95%) were established with multi-depth dump and combined tillage in crop rotation, fertilization and high soil moisture.

Sweet pepper (<i>Capsicum annuumL.</i>) breeding on yield and fruits qualityaccording to the cultivar model for unheated soil greenhouses

Relevance. An important proviso for the commercially effective cultivation of vegetable crops in different types of greenhouses is high yield, which significantly depends on modern cultivars with different characteristics and properties. When creating a new cultivar, it is necessary to present its model in accordance with the expected ecological and agrotechnical conditions of planting, the purpose of use, the level of manifestation of morphological and biochemical characteristics, which together will ensure a high yield. The goal of research – to create early ripening, high-yielding cultivars of sweet pepper with high taste assessment of fresh fruits and content of biologically valuable substances.Materials and methods. The studies were conducted in 2015-2018 and 2020-2021 in the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy. The objects were 46 breeding lines of sweet pepper. An evaluation of fruits and plants morphological characteristics, yield traits, fruits biochemical composition, and tasting were carried out.Results. Valuable lines for breeding were selected with a gross yield of 5.60–6.71 kg/m2, with large fruits (150–220 g), thick pericarp (>7 mm),with a high content of biologically valuable substances and fruit quality 4.3–4.7 points. Lines with a complex of economically valuable traits including high tasting score, were transferred to the State Inspection for Testing and Protection of Plant Varieties and recommended for commercial use in the Republic of Belarus under the names Altyn, Chervonets, Karat, Goretsky Krasny, Garlachyk Zhovty and Chyrvony Magnat.

Influence of some agrotechnical conditions of hemp cultivation on seed and fiber yield

Relevance. In connection with the widespread introduction of monoecious hemp varieties into the production, it became necessary to study issues related to the effect of seeding rates on productivity and product quality. In particular, it was necessary to study the effect of seeding rates on the yield and quality of seeds, the characteristics of plant growth and development. In addition, it was important for production to establish the effect of the seeding rate on the yield of seeds, stems and fiber, on the technological qualities of the fiber and the sowing qualities of seeds.Methods. A comparative study was carried out in 2000–2015 on the experimental plots of the Chuvash Research Institute of Agriculture. The sown area of each experimental plot was 20 m2, accounting — 18 m2, the repetition of the experiment was four times. Observations of the growth and development of plants were carried out according to the methodology adopted at the Institute of Bast Crops.Results. It has been established that the density of the stem stand increases with an increase in the seeding rate for all sowing methods, both on an unfertilized and fertilized background. On a fertilized background with the same seeding rate and sowing method, the density of plants is higher than on an unfertilized background. The number of seeds, seed weight and fiber weight per plant in the experimental variants studied by us decreased with an increase in the seed sowing rate. A similar pattern was obtained for the weight of 1000 seeds. The largest weight of seeds and fiber from one plant was obtained with a single-row sowing method with a seeding rate of 10 kg per ha, and the smallest — with a continuous sowing method with a seeding rate of 100 kg per ha. The highest seed yield on both fertilized and unfertilized backgrounds was obtained with a wide-row sowing method and a seeding rate of 10–15 kg/ha. The highest fiber yield on both backgrounds was obtained with a continuous sowing method with a seeding rate of 80–100 kg/ha.

Экономическая эффективность использования материальных ресурсов в растениеводстве

Abstract. The disparity of prices between the means of production and crop production leads to a decrease in the efficiency of resource use and the overall profitability of production. In order to stabilize the work of agricultural enterprises in such conditions, in addition to the necessary state support, it is important to find internal reserves in crop production. The purpose is to study the state and possibilities of improving the efficiency of resource use in crop production. The objectives of the study were the analysis of data reflecting the options for saving resources when cultivating field crops in the conditions of the Kurgan region. The methods of monographic, mathematical, and statistical analysis of data from literary sources, annual reports of agricultural enterprises of the Kurgan region, and research results of the Kurgan Research Institute were used. Scientific novelty. The work consists in the application of a dynamic method for calculating the economic efficiency of previously tested technologies in various time-varying economic conditions, which makes it possible to more reasonably build long-term plans. It is established that the factors of increasing the efficiency of the use of natural and material resources can be the diversification of acreage by increasing the share of winter, leguminous and oilseed crops and increasing the accuracy of the use of resources using digital methods. The results of the study showed that the diversification of acreage makes it possible to distribute field work more efficiently, save resources and receive higher incomes, and stabilize the financial condition of agricultural enterprises. Parallel driving systems and equipment monitoring allow you to save fuel, fertilizers, seeds, plant protection products. The operation of the equipment with the help of navigation equipment in the dark ensures the execution of technological operations within the regulatory deadlines and thereby allows to increase crop yields by 5–10 %. The additional income from the parallel driving system is on average 2155 rubles/ha. Designing technologies based on electronic maps and field history books allows you to differentiate resources by fields in accordance with soil, agrochemical and agrotechnical conditions.

Results of experimental studies of the plow for coupling with drawbar category 3 tractors

BACKGROUND: For the cultivation of agricultural crops, the technology of basic dump tillage is widely used. More than 40% of energy resources are spent on it, due to the traction resistance of the working bodies of general-purpose plows. The technological process of plowing with such bodies has not changed much historically. Pruning of the soil layer is carried out with a ploughshare, crumbling and turning are carried out with a blade, the stability of the movement of the body is provided by a landside plate. At the same time, the resistance of a landside plate accounts for up to 20% of the total component of the traction resistance of the plow body. To reduce the traction resistance, the plow body without a landside plate has been developed in the Saratov State Agrarian University.
 AIMS: Determination of towing and operational characteristics of the PBS-5M ploughshare for coupling with drawbar category 3 tractors and operation on heavy loamy soils.
 METHODS: The experiments were carried out on the field, cultivated with a disk harrow after winter barley harvesting, in Novokubansky district of Krasnodar Region. The 030 cm soil layer had moisture ranged from 16.4 to 19.7% and hardness ranged from 1.86 to 2.74 MPa. The mass of plant and crop residues on the site averaged 185 g/m2, and the average height of weed plants was 10.8 cm.
 RESULTS: The towing and operational characteristics of the plowing unit, consisting of a serial T-150K drawbar category 3 tractor and an experimental PBS-5M plow, have been determined. The experiments were carried out for two variants of the plow. The first variant has the five-body configuration of the plow with the working grip width of 2.83 m and the plowing depth of 22 cm. The second variant has the four-body configuration of the plow with the working grip width of 2.27 m and the plowing depth of 30 cm. The driving mode of the first variant of the T-150K+PBS-5M unit varied in the operating velocity range from 7.27 to 9.2 km/h, the driving mode of the second variant of the unit was with the operating velocity up to 5.72 km/h. The energy intensity of the five-body plow was determined, corresponding to the traction and power characteristics of a drawbar category 3 tractor with a small power reserve of 2.87%. The PBS-5M four-body plow requires the power, almost equal to the operational power of the T-150K tractor engine.
 CONCLUSIONS: As a result of experimental studies of the T-150K+PBS-5M plowing unit when processing the field, cultivated with a disk harrow after winter barley harvesting, it was found that the plow can be coupled with tractors of drawbar category 3. The reasonable mode of operation of the plow with the five-body configuration is provided at the velocity of 78 km/h and the plowing depth of 2122 cm. The output during the main operation time of the unit was 2.12.3 ha/h, the fuel consumption was 12.912.7 kg/ha. The specific energy consumption of the unit was 47.546.78 kWh/ha, and the specific energy consumption of the plow was 31.2631.4 kWh/ha. The engine load with the track skidding of 6.99.7% was 7886%. With increasing unit velocity and increasing plowing depth, the values of the specific energy consumption of the unit and the plow raise as well. In field studies, it was found that it is necessary to use the tractor of higher drawbar category in order to couple the plow for the velocity up to 10 km/h and the plowing depth up to 30 cm in these agrotechnical conditions.

Experimental bases of crop productivity depending on agrotechnical conditions

As a result of the research, experimental data were obtained on the yield of cultivated crops depending on the type of crop rotation, fertilizer and treatment systems, and their mutual effect on improving ALSZ on the soils of the Vladimir high plain. The main types of fertilizer systems and their effect on the yield of grasses in crop rotation are described. Experimental data have been used to study the effect of various fertilizer systems on productivity, density, botanical composition, and yield of perennial grasses. It is proved that the yield parameters directly depend on the specific tillage system. The effect of fertilizer doses on the yield and productivity of perennial grasses for 2 years of use was revealed.

FORMATION OF YIELD AND QUALITY OF SUGAR BEET SEEDS DEPENDING ON THE USE OF ABSORBENT

Implementation of intensive sugar beet cultivation technologies is impossible without high-quality seeds. The quality of sugar beet seeds is determined by a complex of genetic factors controlled by breeders, as well as by environmental and agronomic conditions of their cultivation and methods of post-harvest and pre-sowing seed preparation using modern technologies. That is why the study of the effect of the use of absorbent granules for growing sugar beet seeds on the formation of their yield is particularly relevant. The aim of the study was to find out the effect of the use of absorbent granules when applied to the soil before planting on the growth and development of seedlings, as well as the yield and quality of sugar beet seeds. It was found that the introduction of MaxiMarin absorbent granules into the soil before planting sugar beet uterine roots contributed to better moisture supply to the plants. In all phases of growth and development of seeds, the soil moisture content with the absorbent was significantly higher than in the control - without its application. Absolute soil moisture in the phase of rosette formation was 4.8%, in the phase of stemming and formation of ground vegetative mass - 9.9%, in the flowering phase - 4.5%, and in the phase of seed maturation - 5.4% higher compared to the control. Similar results were obtained over the years of research. Soil moisture in all phases of growth and development of seedlings was significantly higher when the absorbent was applied to the soil before planting root crops compared to the control. Optimal moisture supply contributed to better use of mineral nutrients. For example, when the absorbent was applied before planting the seeds, the content of mobile forms of phosphorus and potassium in the soil at the end of the growing season was lower, respectively, by 13 and 20 mg/1 kg of soil. The application of the absorbent influenced the biometric parameters of the seed heads. On average, over three years, the seedlings were 58.2 cm taller with the MaxiMarin absorbent, there were 1.2 times more first-order shoots on which seeds of sowing fractions were formed, and the density of fruit placement on the seedlings was higher - for every 10 cm of shoots, 9.0 more fruits were formed. The increase in biometric parameters after the introduction of absorbent granules into the soil and, especially, the number of first-order shoots on which seeds of sowing fractions are formed and the density of fruit placement on the shoots provided an increase in seed yield in combination with soil, climatic and agrotechnical conditions provided a significant increase in seed yield - by 0.15 t/ha compared to the control. Seed germination was 4% (NIR0.05 = 1.4%) higher compared to the control. The analysis of the seed fractional composition showed that when the absorbent was applied to the soil, fewer small seeds of the 2.5-3.5 mm diameter fraction were formed, which, according to the national standard for harvested seeds, do not belong to conditioned seeds and are wasted during post-harvest cleaning, and more - seeds with a diameter of more than 5.5 mm, which, as a rule, have higher germination and in the process of pre-sowing preparation at seed plants after grinding are converted into the sowing fraction of seeds with a diameter of 4.5-5.5 mm. Thus, according to preliminary data, it can be concluded that the introduction of an absorbent into the soil before planting seeds contributes to the creation of a better water regime - providing seeds with moisture throughout the entire period of their vegetation, more complete use of mineral nutrients, which ultimately leads to an increase in yield and seed quality.

Calculating the depth of cultivation of the area where vegetable seeds are planted depending on their type

In the article, the working body of the tiller, which is processed before planting on horizontal ground, was determined according to the agrotechnical conditions with the following working parameters: the diameter of the milling drum, the number of blades, the angle of installation on the drum, the length of the milling blade and the number of revolutions of the milling drum. Depending on the size and types of vegetable seeds, the depth of processing varies. In order to ensure the depth of processing of vegetable seeds depending on the type, the range of the angle of installation of the milling cutter was determined.

СРАВНИТЕЛЬНАЯ ОЦЕНКА ЗАСУХОУСТОЙЧИВОСТИ ЛИЛЕЙНИКОВ В УСЛОВИЯХ ЛЕСОСТЕПНОЙ ЗОНЫ БАШКИРСКОГО ПРЕДУРАЛЬЯ

The paper presents the results of studies of the peculiarities of the water regime and drought resistance of 6 species of the genus Hemerocallis L. introduced into the South-Ural Botanical Garden-Institute of Ufa Federal Research Center of Russian Academy of Sciences. The objects of study were H. citrina Baroni, H. dumortieri E. Morren, H. fulva (L.) L., H. lilioasphodelus L., H. middendorffii Trautv. et C. A. Mey., H. minor Mill. The experiments were carried out during the growing seasons of 2020-2021 on the basis of the laboratory for the introduction and selection of flowering plants. In the course of the experiments, the seasonal dynamics of such indicators of the water regime as total water content, water retention capacity and water deficiency in leaves of Hemerocallis were determined. The analysis of the parameters of the water regime is based on the method of artificial wilting and the method of saturation of plant samples. The data obtained were processed using standard statistical methods using Microsoft Excel 2003. As a result of the research, based on the average values of water holding capacity, total water content and water deficit, we developed a scale for changing the parameters of the water regime of leaves for a comparative assessment of the drought resistance of Hemerocallis, which makes it possible to differentiate daylily taxa into groups with varying degrees of drought tolerance (high, medium and low). Thus, H. citrina and H. fulva were assigned to the group with a high degree of drought tolerance; H. dumortieri, H. lilioasphodelus, H. middendorffii, H. minor were assigned to the group with an average degree of drought tolerance. Under the same soilclimatic and agrotechnical conditions, the range of indicators of the total water content of Hemerocallis was 68.8-83.6%, water-holding capacity - 19.8-65.1, water deficit - 2.2-13.62%. In general, all the studied species of daylily are promising for cultivation in the forest-steppe zone of the Bashkir Pre-Ural.

Evaluation of Selected Heavy Metals Contaminants in the Fruits and Leaves of Organic, Conventional and Wild Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.)

Chemical pollutants contaminate the air, soil and then plants, which are the main source of xenobiotics for humans. Many consumers perceive that organically grown foods are of better quality, healthier and more nutritious than conventionally grown foods. The aim of the study was to analyse raspberry fruits and leaves from organic, conventional and wild crops in Poland for two years, independently of climatic and agrotechnical conditions. The metal contents (Al, B, Cu, Mn and Zn) were determined using the validated Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) (As, Cd, Pb, Cr, Co, Mo, V, Sr, Sb, Ti and Tl). The raspberry fruits from organic farming contained more (p ≤ 0.05) Cd, Zn, Mn and V compared to those from conventional cultivation. Fruits of wild-growing raspberry had more Cd, Zn, Co and Mn compared to other crops. Wild-growing raspberry leaves had more Cd, Pb, Zn, Mn and Tl than the other leaves. The raspberry leaves from organic cultivation had more Cr, Cd and Pb compared to leaves from conventional cultivation. The leaves and fruits of wild-growing raspberry are characterized by a significantly higher content of heavy metals.

Investment and Innovation Development of Agriculture in Ukraine

The tasks facing agro-industrial production in Ukraine are to stimulate the processes of accumulation and effective use of investment resources according to the priorities of economic growth, and prospects for the development of innovation activities. The prerequisite for this is macroeconomic stability, which contributes to the accumulation of internal and external factors and resources by increasing investor confidence in economic regulatory policy and reducing the level of risk of investment activity. The issues covered in the study will primarily concern such important factors in ensuring the development of agroindustrial enterprises as innovation and investment. These concepts are widely reflected in the research of many economists, but the management of innovation projects and investment activities to ensure the economic security of agribusiness entities is not sufficiently developed. This determines the relevance of the article. The purpose of the study is to determine the nature and features of agricultural innovations, to examine the conditions and factors of innovative development of agriculture, to assess the challenges and prospects of using the latest advanced technologies in agriculture and their financial support. The following methods were used in the investigation: dialectical, systematic approach, monographic, economicstatistical, tabular, graphical, comparative analysis, abstract-logical and analytical forecasting. The features of the introduction of innovative technologies in the agrarian sector of the economy are analysed and it is revealed that agro-innovations are closely related to agrotechnical conditions of production, are linked to living organisms, are seasonal and, accordingly, have a high level of risk. The analysis of material costs for the production of cereals and the dynamics of their prices was carried out. Using the example of one of the farms of the Vinnytsia Oblast, it is calculated how precision farming technologies and energy-saving technologies can reduce the cost of grain production. The main trends in investment support for agriculture, the relationship between capital investment and GDP are identified, and their role in the implementation of agricultural innovations is clarified. The prospects of investment support of innovative activity of Ukrainian agriculture in the war period are determined. The measures to address the issues related to the introduction of innovations in agriculture are proposed. They will help to improve the production process, increase the efficiency of using internal ones and maximise the attraction of external investment in the implementation of innovative ideas.

Studying the Physiological Reactions of C4 Grasses in Order to Select Them for Cultivation on Marginal Lands

One of the problems of sustainable agricultural land management (SALM) is the competition between food production and biomass production. For this reason, marginal lands with unfavorable agrotechnical conditions have been proposed for non-food crops in recent years. To this end, a better understanding of the impact of environmental factors on crop development and yield is needed. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of soil water availability on selected morphological, physiological and growth characteristics of four C4 grass species (Miscanthus × giganteus, Miscanthus sacchariflorus, Miscanthus sinensis and Spartina pectinate) growing under different water and fertilizer conditions. A pot experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions with four grass species, three different water rates (100, 85 and 70%) and three fertilizer rates (270, 180 and 90 kg NPK ha−1). The study showed that water stress, regardless of plant species, increased the chlorophyll content index without affecting the photosynthetic efficiency of the plants. Water stress significantly decreased plant fresh and dry mass, shoot number and length, and shoot/leaf ratio. The response to water deficit depended on the plant species. Miscanthus sinensis was the most sensitive to water deficit and Spartina pectinate the most tolerant (reduction in dry mass of 41.5% and 18%, respectively). Water stress (85% and 70%) reduced the number and the length of shoots without affecting the average diameter of shoots of the tested grasses, resulting in a significant reduction in biomass production of plants grown under optimal conditions with mineral NPK fertilization (180 kg NPK ha−1). Miscanthus sacchariflorus showed the highest dry matter under the worst growing conditions (70% and 90 NPK) and therefore could be recommended for cultivation on marginal lands with unfavorable agrotechnical conditions. It should be emphasized that the high yield of this species was not due to the photosynthetic efficiency, but better growth stem parameters (length and number). It appears that, for long-term agricultural land management, it is preferable to determine fertilizer rates for each crop species based on soil water availability. It should also be emphasized that increasing the yield of potential lignocellulosic crops for energy purposes while reducing environmental impact appears to be one of the viable answers to the difficulties of conventional energy production.

Baseline Maps of Autumn Wheat Yield using Geographic Information Systems for The Samtskhe-Javakheti Region

In food production, not only the level of production but also its quality indicators are of great importance. The quality of wheat grains depends on the variety, climatic conditions and cultivation technology. Agro-climatic conditions affect not only wheat yield but also grain quality. In studying the timing of sowing of the wheat crop, we tried to determine the effect of sowing timing and climatic conditions on wheat yield and quality. The vegetation period of wheat was characterized by different natural-climatic conditions, which were manifested by the drought of autumn and the sharp variability of high temperatures in spring. The study used wheat varieties common in the region: Tbilisi 15, Red Doli bread of Akhaltsikhe and Sauli 9. On the content of chemicals in grains, we conducted an experimental study. Phenological observations were made during the vegetation period: emergence, recording, pruning, plant resistance to dormancy, disease resistance. As a result of the analysis of the research, we found: • Based on the data obtained from the studies, we can say that the optimal sowing date of wheat in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region is 1-15 October. • Previously, the optimal sowing dates were considered September 15-October 15. The data we obtained convinced us that wheat sown in September had significantly lower yields than wheat sown in early October (8%, 11%, and 20%). Delayed sowing after October 15 reduces crop yields by 65-75%. • It is important for farmers to reduce the optimal sowing time, which means that sowing should be carried out in a short time, 10-15 days. • Taking into account the optimal dates of wheat sowing in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region will allow us to dramatically increase the yield. In addition, the results of the experiment showed that the quality and yield of grain depend on the dates of sowing, as well as the biological characteristics of the variety, soil-climatic and agrotechnical conditions.

Territorial Prospects for Growing Lentils

We assessed the prospects of lentil cultivation in the Russian Federation and the most favorable regions for this. The following tasks were set: we assessed the importance of lentils in the country’s economy, identified promising regions for growing lentils, taking into account agronomic and economic conditions. When analyzing suitable regions for lentil cultivation, not only the agrotechnical conditions of cultivation were taken into account, but also economic factors, for example, the proximity and volume of sales markets, including exports. The selection of promising regions for growing lentils was made on the basis of its agrobiological properties, existing cultivation volumes and agro-climatic conditions of the regions of the Russian Federation. The impact of global climate change and the dynamics of lentil cultivation volumes in recent years were taken into account. Canada, as one of the world leaders in growing lentils, is located at the same latitude with the regions of the Saratov and Volgograd regions. In Russia, the Saratov and Volgograd regions are in good soil and climatic conditions for growing lentils. The high gross harvest was the result of an increase in the acreage under lentils, the value of which in 2019 amounted to 274 thousand hectares, which is 3 thousand hectares more than last year. The production of lentils is going on with a noticeable increase, which is due to the significant orientation of the cultivation of this crop for export. According to the AB-center, in 2015, export deliveries of lentils amounted to 7.4 thousand tons; in 2016-17.2; in 2017-64.6 thousand tons, 2018-77.9 thousand tons; 2019 – 79.8 thousand tons. In the course of research, it was found out that lentils play an important role in the national economy of the country. It is determined that the regions of the Saratov and Volgograd regions are the most promising for expanding lentil production both in terms of agro-climatic conditions and economic potential.