Bryansk Region Research Articles

Analysis of forest fire dangers of the Bryansk region in the zones of radioactive contamination and beyond

The purpose of the study is to analyze the forest fire dangers of the Bryansk region forests, taking into account their radioactive contamination and potential risks for forestry workers involved in forest fires extinguishing. Significant areas of radioactive contamination of forests with a predominance of sites belonging to the classes of high and very high natural fire danger, restrictions on economic activity and a long fire-hazardous period contribute to the occurrence of radioactive forest fires. The analysis of the combined data on forest fires and radioactive contamination of forest areas showed that most forest fires occur outside the zones of radioactive contamination and are not radioactive. The largest number of fires occurs at the beginning of the fire season. Radioactive forest fires in most cases arise from the burning of dry grassy vegetation, as a result of the transition from lands of other categories and through the fault of the population. The average effective dose of additional radiation per a workday can be estimated at 1.96 μSv, and the maximum at ~ 15.4 μSv. Most fires are extinguished in the early stages and do not have time to cover large areas. It indicates the effective work of the forest fire service

Dynamics of 137Cs concentrations in cow milk in the districts of Bryansk region

The publication continues the series of research addressed to the dynamics of 137Cs concentrations in agricultural products after the Chernobyl accident. The purpose of the present paper was to analyze the data describing the changes of 137Cs concentrations in cow milk. The information on countermeasures in animal breeding is presented, the system of radiological monitoring of milk contamination is described. It is shown that the dynamics of 137Cs concentrations in milk was seriously affected by the implementation of agrotechnical and veterinary measures. Effective half-lives of 137Cs concentrations in milk in the first period after the accident (1987-1992) ranged from 1 to 2.0 years. In the subsequent period (1991-2015), the reduction of milk contamination slowed down and the half-lives ranged from 5 to 25 years depending on the scope of remediation works and 137Cs aging in the soil.

Influence of weather conditions on the duration of the growing season and economically valuable traits and properties of soybean varieties of domestic and foreign selection

The influence of meteorological conditions of the region on the duration of the vegetation period and production process of domestic and foreign soybean breeding was determined. The research was conducted in the period 2021–2023 in the Bryansk region. 18 soybean varieties included in the Register of breeding achievements admitted to use were taken as an object of research. According to the duration of the vegetation period varieties are divided into three groups of ripeness: fast-ripening – Vita, Lira, Leader 10, Amadea, Lisbon, Vera, early-maturing – Protina, Volma, Kora, Zusha, Mezenka, Osmon, Sultana, medium-maturing – Sculptor, Pripyat, Puma, Sirelia, Ros. It was revealed that, on average, plant height increased with the increasing vegetation period: fast-ripening – 75.8 cm, early-maturing – 77.3, medium-maturing – 83.0 cm. It was revealed that, on average, with an increase in the growing season, the height of plants increased: precocious – 75.8 cm, early-maturing – 77.3 cm, middle-maturing – 83.0 cm. 4 genotypes (22 %) with low attachment of the lower beans were identified: Vera, Kora, Pripyat, Sirelia, 11 varieties (61 %) with medium attachment of the lower beans: Vita, Lira, Leader 10, Amadea, Lisbon, Volma, Zusha, Osmon, Sultana, Sculptor, Puma, 3 varieties (17 %) with a high attachment: Protina, Mezenka, Ros. The weight of 1000 seeds was calculated – varieties with larger filled seeds: Sultana (176), Ros (177), Lisbon (162), Vita (158), Vera (158), Sirelia (158). Varieties with the highest seed yield were identified: Ros (25.3 c/ha), Zusha (22.8), Sculptor (22.2), Pripyat (22.2), Lisbon (22.1 c/ha). Crude protein was determined by the Kjeldahl method, crude fat by the Soxhlet. The high content of crude protein was formed by the varieties of domestic breeding: Puma (36.66%), Mezenka (35.95%), Osmon (35.75%), Vera (35.34%); foreign varieties: Sirelia (39.05%), Sultana (38.27%), Pripyat (36.17%). The crude fat content in the seeds varied both by year and by variety. The maximum fat value was noted in the genotypes: Ros (23.78%), Mezenka (23.72%), Sculptor (23.18%), Zusha (22.45 %), Sultana (22.36%).

On the issue of implementation of biomonitoring of the state of phytocenoses of the Green Book in the habitats of specially protected natural areas of the Bryansk Region

On the issue of implementation of biomonitoring of the state of phytocenoses of the Green Book in the habitats of specially protected natural areas of the Bryansk Region

ACTIVITIES OF NATIONALIST FORMATIONS OF HUNGARY AND THE UKRAINE IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HITLER’S ‟NEW ORDER” IN BRYANSK REGION (1941–1943)

The adoption of Hitler’s side by the 3rd Reich satellite states’ citizens as well as representatives of a number of peoples of the USSR for active participation against the Red Army and Soviet partisans, is one of the little-studied topics of the World War II East Front history; as well as the role of those persons in war crimes against Soviet civilians. Bryansk Region was one of the occupied territories of the USSR, where such collaboration took place on a large scale. Here, together with Hitler’s Wehrmacht, such nationals as the French, Italians, Finns, Spaniards, Romanians, Greeks, Croats, the Ukraine Rusyns acted, as well as a number of Russian renegade formations. In this article, on the basis of archival documents from Bryansk archives, including recently declassified documents from the archives of the political police department of Bryansk Region, as well as on the basis of recollections of participants in fighting, casual witnesses and on the basis of testimonies of surviving victims, the participation of Hitler’s most brutal collaborators – units of the Hungarian and Ukraine units – in the destruction of the Soviet civilians, is studied. The main attention is paid to the elucidation of criminal motives and purposes of Hitler’s collaborators; to what concrete crimes against humanity they committed; and also what were the true scales of their role in the establishment and attempts to maintain Hitler’s ‘new order’ in the occupied territory of Bryansk Region.

Применение маркетинга территорий в выравнивании регионального развития

The article considers the issues of uneven development of the Russian regions. As one of the instruments for equalizing regional development, it is proposed to introduce measures in the field of territorial marketing as a means of attracting public attention to a specific territory to accelerate its further development. The stages of regional marketing formation are identified and disclosed. The paper indicates marketing measures and the expected effect from them among the areas of influence necessary for the comprehensive development of the territory. Using the example of the Bryansk region, actions in the field of territorial marketing are proposed with an indication of the expected effect.

Efficiency of pre-sowing treatment of white lupine seeds with complex compositions based on Tebu 60 fungicide

The results of laboratory and field tests of effectiveness of the Tebu 60 protectant, ME (microemulsion) in its pure form and in tank mixtures with Humat+7 and Fitaktiv Vita against anthracnose seed infection and other diseases of lupine are presented. The research was conducted in 2020–2022 in the Bryansk region. The object of the study were the seeds, seedlings and crops of the Michurinsky white lupine variety. In laboratory conditions, biological evaluation of the effectiveness of the Tebu 60 protectant in pure form (rate of consumption – 0.5 l/t) and tank mixtures Tebu 60 + Humate+7 (0.5 + 0.5 l/t) and Tebu 60 + Fitaktiv Vita (0.5 + 0.05 l/t) against anthracnose seed infection was carried out by the number of affected seedlings grown in paper-polyethylene rolls in comparison with the control (without treatment). The tank mixture Tebu 60 + Fitaktiv Vita (100%) showed high biological efficacy against anthracnose. Moreover, this mixture significantly (LSD05 = 0.66) had the least effect on reducing the hypocotyl length of the seedlings (8.8%). The field experiment was laid down in a fourfold repetition. The plot area was 34 m2. The seeding rate was 1.0 million germinated seeds/ha. The soil of the site was gray forest soil, humus content – 2.6%. The forecrop was spring cereal crops. Seed dressing with Tebu 60 (0.5 l/t) and tank mixtures Tebu 60 + Humate+7 (0.5 + 0.5 l/t) and Tebu 60 + Fitaktiv Vita (0.5 + 0.05 l/t) were conducted one month before the sowing. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated in comparison with the control. On average, the highest biological efficacy against anthracnose seed infection was shown by the tank mixture Tebu 60 + Fitaktiv Vita (98.1%). By the shiny pod phase, the number of affected beans was 20.5% compared to 78.4% in the control. The biological efficacy against fusarium disease and rhizoctonia was 65.9 and 74.4%, respectively. The prevalence of gray rot and white rot on beans was reduced 8 and 11 times, respectively. Seed germination increased significantly (LSD05 = 0.74) by 16.2%, safety of productive plants to harvesting – by 56.5%. Reliable increase in the seed yield was 2.52 t/ha, cost recovery – 64.88 rubles.

Improvement of potato cultivation technology elements in production conditions

The results of improving potato cultivation technology by increasing the efficiency of plant protection system in the conditions of production experience are presented. The study was conducted in 2021–2023 on the lands of the OOO "Druzhba-2" (Bryansk region, Zhiryatinsky district). Two potato varieties of the first reproduction, Red Scarlett (Netherlands) and Gala (Germany), were the object of the study. The experiment scheme included two variants: 1) traditional potato protection system adopted in the farm (control); 2) improved protection system. Both protection systems are aimed at the prevention of pests (Colorado potato beetle, snap beetle larvae), weeds (cleavers, black nightshade, purple deadnettle, lamb's quarters, wild camomile, annual bluegrass, wind bent grass) and diseases (early blight, late blight, silver scurf, rhizoctoniose, various types of rots, pythium). Soils of the sites are sod-podzolic. The forecrop is winter rapeseed. The total area of the production experiment was 120 ha (60 ha under each variety). Potatoes were grown under intensive technology with conventional tillage system on a 75 × 28 cm pattern. Planting rate is 50 thousand tubers per 1 ha. The technology is designed to obtain tuber yields of 40–60 t/ha. Experimentally it has been established that the application of the improved technology with the use of a new plant protection system for the farm contributes to an increase in plant stand density and their safety at the time of harvesting by 2.5–3.0%, increase in the number of tubers from one plant by 7.5–10.0%, average weight of one tuber – by 7–11%, weight of tubers from one plant – by 14.5–23.0%, yield – by 17–26%, marketability – by 12.5–14.5%, marketable yield – by 32–45%, conditional net income – by 16.2–24.5%.

Preferred techniques for forest mushrooms cooking by residents of contaminated areas of the Bryansk region in the remote period after the Chernobyl accident

The article presents results of the analysis of questionnaire survey data on preferences in the choice of cooking methods of different types of forest mushrooms by residents of the most contaminated south-western districts of the Bryansk region in the remote period after the Chernobyl accident. In the period from 2019 to 2022, the employees of Federal Budgetary Institution of Science «Saint-Petersburg Research Institute of Radiation Hygiene after Professor P.V. Ramzaev» conducted a face-to-face questionnaire survey of the adult population. In addition to general questions about the respondent, the questionnaires included questions about the species composition of the mushroom basket, the volume and proportion of consumption of each type of mushroom by the respondent and his family members (both in the current and last year), as well as methods of culinary processing of the mushrooms consumed. Based on the analysis of individual survey data, a group of 1 311 respondents, whose diet included various types of mushrooms, was selected. Analysis of the survey results showes that respondents prefer to process a large proportion of freshly picked forest mushrooms (59%) for long-term storage (pickling, freezing, drying, salting, etc.); 41% of mushrooms are consumed immediately. The most popular pretreatments of freshly picked mushrooms are washing and boiling (34 and 26%, respectively). When freezing, pickling and pickling up to 97% of respondents carry out pre-treatment (rinsing, soaking and / or boiling) of freshly picked mushrooms. Less popular methods of the mushroom preparation (from 2 to 4%) are pickling, drying and frying of fresh mushrooms with their subsequent preservation. Thus, the majority of respondents actively use various types of culinary processing with the use of preliminary stages of technological processing in the form of rinsing, soaking and (or) boiling. The use of the above methods of pre-cooking of freshly harvested mushrooms leads to a decrease in the 137Cs content in the consumed product.

Results of modern radiation-hygienic surveys of settlements of Bryansk Oblast of the Russian Federation bordering the Republic of Belarus. Part 3: Radionuclide content in agricultural food products

The third article in a series of publications devoted to the results of studying the current radiation situation in the territories of the Bryansk region bordering the Republic of Belarus presents results of studies of the content of radionuclides (137Cs and 90Sr) in samples of agricultural food products produced in the personal subsidiary plots of the population. The regularities of changing 137Cs and 90Sr content in samples of cow’s milk and potatoes depending on the level of radioactive contamination of the territory were studied; the present values of the quantities characterizing the distribution of the ratio of the activity concentration of radionuclides in agricultural food products to the density of radioactive contamination of the soil of the territory were deter -mined. The ratios of average values of 137Cs activity concentration in milk from stalled and grazing periods for cattle were analyzed. The results of the study show that some dairy product samples (less than 1%) do not meet the radiological safety criterion. Exceedances of the hygienic standards were not found in the studied samples of potatoes, vegetables, and meat of farm animals.

Sorption of a Mixture of Heavy Metal Ions by Clay Rocks of the Bryansk Oblast

Sorption of a Mixture of Heavy Metal Ions by Clay Rocks of the Bryansk Oblast

Organic carbon as a factor of iodine differentiation of the soil cover in the Bryansk and Oryol regions by iodine availability

The distribution of stable iodine and humus in the upper horizon (0–20 cm) of various types of soils of the Bryansk and Oryol regions used as pastures has been studied. Soil sampling was carried out with a hand stick drill in layers in the depth interval: 0–5 cm, 5-10 cm and 10–20 cm. Iodine content was determined by kinetic rhodanide-nitrite method. Corg content was determined by the bichromate method of Tyurin. The work includes data from both long-term studies of the iodine content in the soil cover of the Bryansk region (2008–2020) and new data from expeditionary studies in the Oryol region (2022). It is shown that the soils of the Bryansk pastures are depleted of iodine and organic carbon (OC) in comparison with the Oryol region, which corresponds to the change of soil cover composition from west to east. The humus content in soils was determined and statistically significant correlation between iodine and C org. content in pasture soils were obtained (from r = 0.28 in Chernozems to r = 0.49 in Haplic Albeluvisols; in addition, for the whole sample (n = 48) the correlation coefficient ranged from 0.31 in the 0–5 cm layer to 0.43 in the 10–20 cm layer). The dependence of iodine accumulation on the OC content in different types of soils (Chernozems, Grey-Luvic Phaeozems, Umbric Albeluvisols, Haplic Albeluvisols) and their hydromorphism has been established. The identified differences in soil iodine fixation should be considered as they may influence iodine intake levels in pasture animal milk and local rations.

Behavior of <sup>137</sup>Cs in the soil-plant system in the floodplain landscapes of the Sozh River basin

Studies were carried out in the most affected by the Chernobyl accident part of the Bryansk region, in the ecosystems of floodplains of the Iput, Besed and Unecha rivers, in zones with different 137Cs pollution density. The purpose of the work is to study the peculiarities of the vertical distribution of 137Cs in the soil–plant system of the floodplain landscape long after the Chernobyl accident. As a result of studies, it was revealed that the vertical distribution of 137Cs, in the 0–20 cm layer, is determined by the position on the relief and the genesis of the soils of floodplain subsystems. The distribution character can be uniform, decreasing with depth, or with accumulation in certain layers. In the floodplain ecosystem, the concentration of 137Cs in the 0–20 cm layer increases from the river channel to the terrace above floodplain subsystems. Currently, the use of the territory of the west of the Bryansk region with a 137Cs pollution density above 555 kBq/m2 in feed production is strictly limited. The coefficient of 137Cs transition from soil to plants decreases from the central part to the near-channel one and to terrace above floodplain.

Analysis of benzimidazole anthelmintic resistance in parasitic nematodes <i>Haemonchus contortus</i> using nested isothermal amplification (PCR)

The purpose of the research is to monitor farms located in the European part of the Russian Federation to identify resistance to effects of benzimidazole anthelmintics in populations of nematodes Haemonchus contortus dwelling in the gastrointestinal tract of small cattle.Materials and methods. The studies were conducted in slaughterhouses located in the Moscow Region in 2023–2024. At the first stage, taxonomic identification of parasitic nematodes and larvae (L3) was made, and Strongylata species was determined from sheep. The study material was the abomasum with duodenum fragments and a distal rectum fragment with feces. For molecular studies, we used mature nematodes and H. contortus L3 larvae isolated from the abomasum and feces of small cattle brought to slaughterhouses in the Moscow Region from 8 regions of the European part of the Russian Federation: Moscow, Astrakhan, Oryol, Lipetsk, Tula, Bryansk regions, Stavropol and Dagestan. The studies were conducted at the premises of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, the VNIIP – FSC VIEV. Statistical processing of the obtained data was made, and mean infection rates of parasitic nematodes (infection intensity and prevalence) were determined. Fifty-six DNA samples of nematodes H. contortus were examined using nested isothermal amplification (PCR) to identify gene alleles that determine resistance to benzimidazole drugs.Results and discussion. Molecular genetic studies of H. contortus DNA sampled from sheep brought from different Regions only detected homozygous individuals (100%) resistant to benzimidazole in the parasitic nematode population from the Oryol Region. Other regions identified only homozygous and heterozygous individuals susceptible to benzimidazole.

Effectiveness of PhosAgro NPK and Gumiton under cultivating potatoes in radioactive soil contamination conditions

Based on the results of three-year production tests, the effectiveness of the use of PhosAgro NPK complex fertilizer and a new organ-mineral complex based on Gumiton peat in potato cultivation technologies on radioactively contaminated sod-podzolic soils in the Novozybkovsky district of the Bryansk region was assessed. Soils differed in the level of fertility and in the density of137Cs pollution. It was shown that leaf treatment of 1 l/ha Gumiton plantings in the potato budding phase without fertilizer contributed to a 19 – 58% increase in tuber yield relative to control, depending on the year. The introduction of PhosAgro NPK fertilizer at a dose of 0.5 t/ha ensured an increase in potato yield by 22 – 42% relative to the control. The joint use of fertilizer and the drug increased the tuber harvest by 12 – 19%, compared to the PhosAgro NPK variant and by 37 – 68% relative to control. The multiplicity of the decrease in137Cs intake into tubers during the treatment of potato plantings with Gumiton was up to 6.4 times in relation to the control, with the combined use of the drug and fertilizer – up to 3.4 times in comparison with the PhosAgro NPK variant. The use of Gumiton and PhosAgro NPK guaranteed the production of potato tubers with137Cs content in accordance with SanPiN 2.3.2 standards. 2650-10. The use of the Gumiton organic-mineral complex and PhosAgro NPK complex fertilizer for production of regulatory clean potato products should be recommended on radioactively contaminated sod-podzolic soils of the Bryansk region.

Evaluation of raspberry drought tolerance

Physiological parameters of drought tolerance of fi ve raspberry varieties (‘Meteor’, ‘Gusar’, ‘Lavina’, ‘Patricija’, and ‘Ulyabka’) and seven selected raspberry forms (4-122-2, 6-125-3, 1-76-1, 6-125-4, 2-83-21, 1-76-25, 2-90-3) were investigated. Experiments were conducted in 2022–2023 at the Kokinsky experimental station of the Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery (Bryansk Oblast) and at the Center for Collective Use of Bryansk State Agrarian University. Drought tolerance was assessed based on the indices of total leaf water content, water defi cit, and water-retaining capacity in the phenophases of budding (May) and fruiting (July). The analysis showed that within one vegetation period, the total leaf water content and water-retaining capacity decreased from the phase of budding to that of fruiting, compared to water defi cit, which showed an inverse trend. The water-retaining capacity of the studied varieties was found to be higher in a drier season than in a moderatelyhumid year. A signifi cant variability among genotypes was observed in terms of water regime. During the fruiting phase, the total leaf water content decreased to an average level in all the studied genotypes (less than 70.0 %), except for the ‘Gusar’ and ‘Lavina’ varieties which demonstrated lower levels (less than 60.0 %). Forms outperforming in a number of leaf water regime parameters were identifi ed. Thus, the ‘Meteor’ variety, although showing high values of water content in the budding phenophase, was characterized by low water losses after 6-hour wilting (less than 30.0 %) and a leaf water defi cit (less than 10.0 %). Water defi cit in the ‘Ulyabka’ variety, as well as 6-125-4 and 2-90-3 selected forms, exceeded 10.0 % in the fruiting phenophase, corresponding to the average level of drought tolerance. The 2-83-21 form showed a reduced water-retaining capacity in the fruiting phenophase (water losses exceeded 30.0 %).

Issues of the functioning of soviet industrial cooperation in the restoration of the Bryansk region (1943–1945)

Issues of the functioning of soviet industrial cooperation in the restoration of the Bryansk region (1943–1945)

A perspective fungicide for protection of narrow-leaved lupin from diseases during the growth season

The article presents the laboratory and field tests results for the effectiveness of the fungicide Protazox SC (suspension concentrate) against anthracnose and other lupin diseases. The tests have been done in Bryansk region in 2020–2022. The study objects were seedlings and vegetative plants of the narrow-leaved lupin Vityaz variety. The effectiveness of protective and curative properties of the fungicide Protazox SC (azoxistrobine + protioconazole + dipheconazole, 200 + 125 + 60 g/l) was tested for 0.5; 1.0 and 1.5 l/ha consumption rates under laboratory conditions. The biological effectiveness was evaluated according to the number of infected seedlings grown in paper-and-plastic rolls compared to the control variant (fungicide free). The maximal rate of the fungicide – 1.5 l/ha – had the highest biological effectiveness of protective and curative properties (98.7 and 97.4 %); this corresponds to the effectiveness of the reference fungicide Kolosal Pro with the using rate of 0.4 l/ha. In a field test the fungicide Protazox at using rate of 1.5 l/ha was applied for lupin crops at the growing stages of “1-2 pairs of true leaves” and “bud formation” of lupin. The fungicide effectiveness was evaluated compared to the control without treatment. Biological effectiveness of the tested fungicide against anthracnose made 95.8 %, it was 4.5 % higher than of the reference fungicide Kolosal Pro. To the stage of “shiny pod” the number of anthracnose infected pods treated with the fungicide Protazox decreased to 1.5 % compared to 26.5 % in the control variant. Fusarium infection of plants decreased from 24.6 % in the control to 12.0 % in the variant with the fungicide. The spread of gray and white rot on beans decreased by 5.0 and 6.7 times, respectively. The viability of productive plants by the harvesting period increased by 41.3 %. Thanks to the application of the fungicide Protazox SC (1.5 l/ha) the significant narrow-leaved lupin seed yield rise of 0.91 t/ha was obtained (LSD05 = 0.04); the cost recovery was 2.56 rubles.

Experience of using the portable gamma spectrometer MKS AT6101D for in situ measurements of the density of <sup>137</sup>Cs soil contamination in the Bryansk region of Russia

We have tested applicability of the commercially available portable spectrometer-dosimeter MKS AT6101D (the manufacturer: ATOMTEX, Belarus) to measure the density of 137Cs soil contamination (inventory of 137Cs in soil) in situ. The study was performed in 2015–2020 at the territories of the Bryansk region of Russia contaminated due to the Chernobyl accident. The in situ measurements were performed in the 17 ground plots (7 grasslands and 10 kitchengargens) for which the 137Cs inventory and the mean migration depth of the radionuclide in soil was available from laboratory (ex situ) measurements of soil samples. It was found that the in situ data obtained with the method that was provided by the manufacturer of the instrument required additional correction on the vertical distribution of 137Cs in the soil. The correction procedure was developed; in 2020–2021, it has been successfully tested in 114 kitchengarden plots located at the settlements in the zones of radioactive contamination in the Bryansk region.

Current status of reference location in the basic model for assessment of external radiation doses to the population living in radioactively contaminated areas after the Chernobyl accident

An open plot of virgin land is the reference location in the basic model used to date to estimate the effective dose of external exposure to the population living in a radioactively contaminated area. As our field observations in the Bryansk region of Russia have shown, at present it is very difficult to find truly reference plots of virgin land due to the fact that many virgin meadows were plowed or reclaimed for more than 30 years after the Chernobyl accident. Without special instrumental survey, such disturbed meadow areas can easily be confused with areas of virgin soil. Therefore, the situation with the use of open areas of virgin soil as the reference location has changed dramatically since the first years after the Chernobyl accident. It requires a change in the approach to choosing such a location for the model and/or some revision of the structure of the model itself. Firstly, we propose and justify the use of a permanently cultivated kitchengarden plot as the reference location. The second way to resolve the current difficult situation with the presence of a sufficient number of the virgin soil sites could be excluding the very concept of “reference location” from the model. In this case, when calculating the effective dose of external radiation, it is proposed to directly use the values of the gamma radiation dose rate in the air normalized to the 137Cs contamination density of soil. The values of the normalized dose rate should be experimentally determined in the required time period for each of the locations taken into account in the model.