Foreign Varieties Research Articles

First Report of Strawberry Wilt Caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl. in Jordan.

Strawberries (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) are grown in Jordan year round due to the diversity of climatic conditions and the possibility of growing local or foreign varieties. More than six thousand greenhouses are planted with strawberries in the highlands and the Jordan Valley. About 12 thousand tons of strawberry are produced annually and 2000 tons are exported to European and Arab countries. In April and May 2019, symptoms of wiltand whole plant collapse were observed on approximately 30% of commercial strawberry cv. Deli gent crop in the Jordan Valley (Dayr Alla long.35.6188766, lat. 32.227465). Plants were either dead or showing symptoms including vascular wilt, external and internal discoloration of the stems, and dead shoots. Forty symptomatic plants were collected from 10 greenhouses, and stem fragments were surface sterilized and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Six fungal isolates showed morphological characteristic of Fusarium oxysporum. Colonies on PDA were purple-violet, floccose, with abundant aerial mycelium; colony margins were irregular. Macroconidia were falcate, apical cells had a blunt or papillate shape, basal cells were foot shaped, three- to five-septate, hyaline, smooth, thin-walled, and 37 - 42 × 3 - 6.0 μm in diameter. Aerial microconidia were abundant, hyaline, ellipsoidal, zero to one-septate: 5 - 11 × 2 - 4.0 μm. Chlamydospores were globose to subglobose, intercalary or terminal, with an average diameter of 12 μm (Figure 1: A, B and C) (Nelson et al, 1983; Leslie and Summerell, 2006). Four representative isolates (FoSB2021JO-02, FoSB2021JO-06, FoSB2021JO-08 and FoSB2021JO-09) were DNA extracted, amplified with the translation elongation factor 1-α (EF1α) gene (EF1/EF2) primers (Geiser et al., 2004), and sequenced at Macrogen Inc, South Korea. Forward and reverse sequences were received, assembled and consensus sequence were produced using the BioEdit sequence alignment editor. Consensus sequences of the four isolates were used to conduct BLASTn queries of NCBI website (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) and were 100%, 99.9%, 99.6%, 99.9% identical to F. oxysporum accessions MN417194.1, MK968948.1,MK968948.1, and MK968952.1, respectively. A phylogenetic tree with 1000 bootstraps was created using MEGA 7 software (Kumar et al. 2016) (Figure 2). Similarly, the four isolates were 99.5%, 100%, 100%, and 100% identical F. oxysporum reference accessions AF008507, FJ985275, FJ985275, and FJ985278 in the Fusarium MLST database, respectively. Consensus sequences of the four isolates were submitted to GenBank and accession numbers were assigned (OK040155 - OK040158). For pathogenicity tests on strawberries, a spore suspension of 1 × 105 conidia/ml was prepared separately for six isolates. Roots of identical 2-month-old healthy strawberry seedlings (15 plants of cv. Deli-gent) were cut and dipped in the spore suspensions for 30 min. They were then planted in 25 x 20 cm deep plastic pots filled with a sterile mixture of peat - moss, perlite, and vermiculite (60:20:20v/v). Control strawberry plants were soaked in water prior to planting. All plants were placed in a greenhouse at 25°C ±2 along with 15 uninoculated control plants. After 30 days, inoculated plants displayed similar symptoms to those observed in the green house, whereas control plants were symptomless. Roots from symptomatic plants were cultured on PDA and F. oxysporum was recovered and identified morphologically as F. oxysporum. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Fusarium wilt of strawberry in Jordan. The pathogen can cause significant economic losses to strawberries in Jordan and worldwide. Therefore, it is extremely important for disease control in nurseries to determine the infection source and possible factors that increase the incidence of infection to control the disease.

Source material for potato breeding for productivity in the forest-steppe conditions of Novosibirsk Priobye

. The authors studied the potato collection in 2019-2021 as part of a comprehensive research plan for the implementation of the subprogram “Development of potato breeding and seed production” based on SibNIIRS - a branch of the ICG SB RAS (Siberian Research Institute of Plant Growing and Breeding - a component of the Federal Research Center of the Institute of Cytology and genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). The study aims to determine adaptive and high-yield potato varieties and their suitability for breeding. The authors presented the results of a survey of 13 potato varieties distinguished by productivity. The foreign variety Gala was taken as a standard since it is in the top ten cultivated areas in the Russian Federation.In 2019, the standard variety Gala had the highest yield among the tested varieties - 1653 g/bed. In 2020, all the studied varieties exceeded the standard; the authors note the maximum productivity in the following types: Terra (1067 g/bush), Kumach (1076 g/bush), and Prizer (1081 g/bush). In the last year of the study, two varieties significantly exceeded the standard variety: Terra (1280 g/bushel) and Sadon (1377 g/bushel). On average, over three years, the highest productivity was noted in the variety Alaska (1229 g / bush). Over the years of the study, 46% of the studied types distinguished themselves by their high productive ability and had an adaptability coefficient of more than 1. The authors note the highest value of the adaptability index in the variety Alaska (1.07). High marketability of tubers (over 97%) was observed in 11 out of 13 tested types. Low fertility and lack of natural berry formation in widely productive potato varieties make it difficult to use them in breeding for high productivity. In the foreststeppe conditions of the Novosibirsk Priob’ye region, the following types are suitable for breeding for increased productivity as pollinators: Salsa, Signal, and Gala having fertility from 50 to 90%. The authors also noted high natural berry production (7–9 points) in four varieties: Sadon, Prizer, Signal, and Gala. These varieties are recommended for the breeding process as mother plants.

Yield and grain quality parameters in domestic and foreign varieties of soft winter wheat

Topicality. One of the main indicators that determine the commercial value of wheat grain, its baking and technological properties is the mass fraction of protein. The results of scientific research and agricultural production practices show that over the past 80–90 years in the southern regions of Ukraine, the protein content of winter wheat grain has decreased from 17–18 % to 10–12 %, and in unfavourable weather conditions, the amount of protein in grain can even decrease to 8.0–9.5 %. Improving the wheat grain quality is one of the challenges facing Ukraine today. Ukraine has a high position in the global grain market: its share in wheat exports averages 5 %. Purpose. To estimate the yield and biochemical parameters of grain quality of soft winter wheat at the current stage. Methods. Field trials were conducted according to the B. A. Dospekhov’s methodology of field experience. Agricultural technology of winter wheat cultivation is generally accepted for the Steppe zone of Ukraine. Accounting the yield was carried out according to the methodology of state variety testing the agricultural crops. The protein content in the grain was determined by infrared spectrometry and the Kjeldahl method. The level of protein sedimentation was determined by the SDS 30 method. Results. When comparing the obtained data on yield in the collection, it was found that modern domestic and foreign varieties (I, II, III group) in the optimal conditions of growing season had an average yield of 103–107 % higher than varieties of early stages of breeding. The soft winter wheat varieties developed by the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute – National Center for Seeds and Cultivar Investigation are the leaders in terms of yield. Foreign varieties are not sufficiently adapted to local weather conditions, which significantly affects the realisation of yield potential. As a result of the negative correlation between yield and grain quality, with each stage of breeding, including in modern varieties, grain protein content decreases by 0.5–1.5 % along with yield growth. In terms of sedimentation level, the varieties of the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute – National Center for Seeds and Cultivar Investigation prevail over the varieties of the early stages of breeding. The group of varieties of Ukrainian breeding has a great diversity in terms of sedimentation level. Foreign varieties have rather low sedimentation rates. The realisation of the genetic potential of grain yield and quality of the studied varieties depended on weather conditions and doses of mineral fertilisers. Conclusions. Given the negative correlation between yield and grain quality, the significant success of breeding in increasing the yield of Ukrainian and foreign varieties was accompanied by decreasing protein content at each stage of breeding by 0.5–1.5 %. Compared to the varieties of the early stages of breeding, the SDS-30 sedimentation index was the highest only in the varieties of Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute – National Center for Seeds and Cultivar Investigation, while domestic varieties of other research institutions were slightly inferior to the varieties of the early stages of breeding. The group of foreign varieties had the lowest sedimentation index. In addition to the genetic factor, such factors as weather conditions and rates of mineral nutrition have a great influence on the formation of grain yield and quality. Key words: wheat yield, wheat adaptability, grain protein content, sedimentation, fertilizers, biochemical parameters

The influence of freeze drying on the quality indicators of potato tubers

In Russia, there is an active development of the Arctic, the Northern regions, the supply of which with food is difficult. The production and supply of freeze-dried vegetables and potatoes is an important task, given that the need for potatoes in terms of nutritional standards is higher than all other vegetables combined, and cargo deliveries are by weight, reducing the weight of the supplied potatoes by four times, taking into account the increase in shelf life by dozens of times and resistance of the freeze-dried product to frost, this is an extremely important area of research. The purpose of the research is to study the quality indicators before and after freeze-drying of potato tubers of domestic and foreign varieties, including varieties with pigmented pulp and skin. The measurements were carried out in the laboratory of the A.G. Lorch” using standard techniques. According to the results of biochemical analysis, the total content of alcohol-soluble flavonoids in terms of quercetin in tubers was 0.08-1.13 mg/g in wet weight, in freeze-dried samples - 0.22-1.46 mg/g in dry weight. The content of low molecular weight antioxidants in fresh potato pulp varied from 0.12 to 1.92 mg/g wet weight, the total content of phenolic compounds in sublimated samples varied from 0.55 to 4.63 mg/g dry weight in gallic acid equivalents. A significant advantage of this drying is the ability to restore freeze-dried potatoes in 60 minutes. The conducted studies confirm that the content of antioxidants in different varieties of potatoes is different and remains after freeze-drying, which makes it possible to select potato varieties for creating healthy food products. Freeze drying of vegetables is an energy-intensive operation. However, according to domestic and foreign manufacturers of freeze-dried products on an industrial scale, the high quality of finished products, the absence of costs for creating a special temperature and humidity storage regime, and a low specific gravity offset the costs of drying.

Масличность рапса : ботаническая природа , биохимические особенности и пищевой потенциал

The annual rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), a member of the Brassicaceae family, has long been used as a source of technical oil. The development of low-erucic varieties (canola, less than 5% erucic acid) by Canadian breeders in the 1970s made rapeseed a valuable and promising oilseed crop. In the Russian Federation, rapeseed oil, extracted from the seeds of the mature pods of the plant, currently ranks third after sunflower and soybean oil in terms of production volume, surpassing them in a number of biochemical parameters: optimal ratio of ω‑6: ω‑3 fatty acids (1:3–2:1), high content of oleic acid (up to 79.57%), tocopherols (45–75 mg%), carotenoids (0.30–0.57 mg%) and sterols (0.5–1.0%). The high nutritional potential of rapeseed is explained by the availabilityof winter and spring forms, domestic and foreign varieties and hybrids, successful breeding for increased oil content and resistance to diseases, good yields in many natural zones of Russia, profitability of 100–150%, sometimes up to 400% and more, despite the need for strict adherence to cultivation technology, etc. In the fatty oil industry, oil yield refers to the content of crude fat and accompanying fat-like substances that pass from the seeds into the ether extract along with the fat. The cells of oil rapeseeds contain structures, that accumulate free lipids stored by the plant for use by the growing seedling: oleosomes and possibly fat inclusions in the cytoplasm, and plastoglobules in the plastids. The formation of neutral fats is a universal mechanism for “switching off” excess primary synthesis products from plant metabolism. The qualitative fatty acid composition of seed oils of different plant species (in contrast to oils extracted from the nonseed parts of the fleshy oil fruits) is quite similar; the amount of fatty acids and the fat-soluble components extracted with them (antioxidants, vitamins, etc.) is variable. Knowledge of the botanical nature and biochemical characteristics of the oil content of rapeseed will make it possible to obtain maximum nutritional benefits through breeding, agronomic and technological methods.

Biochemical composition of soybean foreign varieties and samples (under typical gray soil conditions of Uzbekistan)

Soybean stands out as a highly prized agricultural crop due to its exceptional nutritional attributes. The proteins found in soybean possess a distinctive profile, featuring essential non-exchangeable amino acids that closely resemble those present in animal proteins. This composition renders soybean proteins a valuable and comprehensive source of vital nutrients. This article offers insights into the biochemical characteristics of imported soybean varieties and samples grown under typical gray soil conditions in Uzbekistan. Specifically, it examines various parameters to assess the quality and composition of these leguminous crops. The study presents data on crucial components such as protein and oil content, both of which constitute the primary constituents of these crops. Additionally, the research delves into the moisture content of the seeds, which contributes to understanding their overall quality. Furthermore, the article provides information about the origin of the soybean varieties under investigation, shedding light on their respective countries of origin. By analyzing these biochemical indicators and considering the seeds’ moisture content and source, the study contributes to a comprehensive evaluation of the suitability, adaptability, and potential economic value of these foreign soybean varieties within the specific agroecological context of typical gray soils in Uzbekistan.

Влияние сублимационной сушки на качественные показатели клубней картофеля

Freeze-dried vegetable production is intensively developing due to its advantages - a four-time decrease in the weight of supplied freeze-dried potatoes, increased shelf life by dozens of times, and the resistance of freeze-dried products to temperature fluctuations. To study the quality indicators of potato tubers before freeze-drying and after it using standard techniques, the authors analyzed domestic and foreign varieties including those with pigmented flesh and peel. Freeze-drying of potato tubers was carried out in the vacuum-sublimation machine USS‑5 in two stages: rapid freezing of 2 to 3 cm thick sample plates to -30°C during 4 h and heating to +50°C during 2.5 h. Raw potato tubers and freeze-dried samples were tested for antioxidant, phenolic and flavonoid content using standard methods. The results of biochemical analysis showed the total content of alcoholsoluble flavonoids in fresh potato pulp in recalculation on quercetin 0.08 to 1.13 mg/g raw weight, in freeze-dried samples - 0.22 to 1.46 mg/g dry weight; total content of low-molecular antioxidants in fresh pulp from 0.12 to 1.92 mg/g raw weight, phenolic compounds in freeze-dried samples from 0.55 to 4.63 mg/g dry weight in gallic acid equivalents. The study also focused on the determination of the moisture absorption level of freeze-dried potato tuber slices. Moisture saturation of freeze-dried potato slices when immersed in room temperature water occurred within 60 min. Freeze drying had no effect on the antioxidant content of the potato tubers. Therefore, this method can be used to produce healthy foods.

Productive Capabilities of Promising Varieties of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The present research paper aims at comparing the similarity and remoteness of influence of the features of eight common wheat varieties and their grouping on the base of important structural indicators through the use of a mathematical approach and a cluster analysis; studying of a relationships between the examined indicators in order to make more objective evaluation using the possibilities of the factor analysis; reducing the number of correlating indicators into new factors. Two-year data were used, obtained from the examination of eight common wheat varieties. The subject of the present research were seven seven foreign varieties of wheat - Ingenio, Bologna, Dalara, Moyson, Falado, Gabrio, Pibrak, and the eighth variety - Factor - was a local Bulgarian selection. The introduction of common wheat varieties is related to the study of their productivity and ecological plasticity. For this purpose there were reported and analised yield structural elements: plant height, wheat-ear length, number of ears, number of grains per ear, weight of grains per ear, grain yield from hectare. The cluster analysis showed that the influence of wheat variety on the qualitative indicators led to their grouping into two new clusters. There was established a strong positive correlation between the number of grains per ear and the hectoliter mass (r = 0.811) as well as between the number of ears and the weight of grains per ear (r = 0.771). The correlation coefficient between the number and weight of grains - (r = 0.649). The factor analysis established the influence of three main factors influencing the group formation of wheat varieties. The first factor was related basically to plant height, ear length, number of grains per ear and hectoliter mass. The second component was basically related to the number of ears and weight of grains. The third factor was related to the mass of 1000 grains.

Ретроспективный анализ эффективности интродукции сортов ягодных культур в условиях Магаданской области

In the current political and economic conditions, the search for reserves to increase food production is a strategic task. For the northern regions, the problem of providing high-quality fruit and berry products is of social importance, so research on the introduction and selection of berry crops is of particular relevance. In order to determine the directions for the development of berry growing and the effectiveness of the introduction of varieties of berry crops in the conditions of the region, a retrospective analysis of variety trials of introduced domestic varieties of berry crops isolated by a complex of adaptive-significant traits was carried out to create new varieties that combine high productivity with fruit quality and resistance to stress in agroecological conditions. Magadan region. Variety tests were carried out by Magadan Research Institute of Agriculture in 2010-2016. The study involved introduced promising seedlings of domestic varieties of berry crops provided by the Pavlovsk Experimental Station of VIR named after V.I. N.I. Vavilova: 5 varieties of blue honeysuckle (Amphora, Nymph, Lebedushka, Pavlovskaya, Bullfinch); 6 varieties of black currant (Veloi, Delicacy, Gulliver, Green Haze, Vigorous, Dawn); 3 varieties of red currant (Jonger Van Tets, Dutch pink, Rolan) and 3 varieties of garden ash (Scarlet large, Pomegranate, Nevezhinskaya). In the process of work, phenology (the timing of the onset of the phenological phases of vegetation), winter hardiness, general condition, plant resistance to major pests and diseases were noted. It was established that under the conditions of the new territory, all varieties of introduced berry crops of blue honeysuckle, black and red currants, garden ash were characterized by reduced adaptive abilities, instability to abiotic stress factors of the territory, therefore, the development of foreign varieties of berry crops in the future is futile. The lack of heat and a short growing season had a significant negative impact on the architectonics of introducers, and excess solar radiation was not a decisive factor.

The characteristics of hill-drop and potting techniques for growing different bean varieties in the protected ground

The research has been conducted in the experimental greenhouses of Scientific Center of Vegetable and Industrial Crops, RA in 2020-2021. Bean varieties were grown without heating during the spring vegetation period. It has been empirically established that per all growing and development indices the best results have been recorded in the local bean varieties of Zepyur (control), Gohar, Ghapan variety-population and in the foreign variety White Ruler cultivated through potting and hill-drop technique. Throughout research activities it has been disclosed that in unheated greenhouse conditions (in the spring vegetation period) the application of pot planting method has been more feasible and effective than hill-drop planting (direct-seeded plants) technique, since the former technique promotes long-lasting fruiting of plants, development of a powerful root system, foliage improvement and, ultimately, a higher yield capacity (the yield surplus was 0.9-1.2 kg/m2).

Comparative study of foreign varieties of oil flax (Linum usitatisimum.l) in the eastern steppe zone of MongoliaIA

The purpose of this study is to determine the growth and seed yield formation ability of flax (Linum usitatisimum. L) varieties in the eastern steppe crop production zone of Mongolia. In this study, we analyzed the yield formations and biological properties of oil flax varieties from various geographical and ecological regions. We found that early maturing oil flax varieties such as Flanders and Norine-67 have a seed yield of 2.02-2.22 t/ha and 37.0-38.2% seed oil content. Additionally, the Flanders and Norine-67 seed yield was higher by 0.97-1.17 t/ha than both the control and other varieties. The late maturing variety Blatall has a seed yield of 1.36 t/ha and 40.7% seed oil content; the seed yield was higher than both the control and other varieties by 0.01-0.54 t/ha. The early maturation oil flax varieties are able to grow more seed in the soil and can obtain a high yield (1.05-2.22 t/ha). Газар тариалангийн Дорнод бүсийн нөхцөлд тосны маалинга (Linum Usitatisimum. L)-ын гадаадын сортуудыг харьцуулан судалсан дүн Судалгааны зорилго нь Монгол орны газар тариалангийн Дорнод тал хээрийн бүсийн нөхцөлд тосны маалинга (Linum usitatisimum. L)-ын сортуудын дасан зохицон ургаж, үрийн ургац өгөх чадварыг тогтоох явдал юм. Судалгаанд тосны маалингын экологи газар зүйн янз бүрийн бүсээс гаралтай сортуудыг хамруулж, аж ахуй биологийн шинж тэмдгээр нь үнэлж, ургац, түүний бүтцийн үзүүлэлтүүдэд математик, статистик шинжилгээ хийв. Судалгааны дүнгээс үзэхэд тосны маалингын эрт болцтой Flanders, Norine-67 сортууд 20.2-22.2 ц/га үрийн ургацтай, үрэн дэх тосны агуулалт 37.0-38.2% байгаа нь стандарт болон бусад сортуудаас 9.7-11.7 ц/га-аар илүү байна. Орой болцтой Blatall сорт 13.6 ц/га ургацтай, 40.2%-ийн тослогтой байгаа нь стандарт болон бусад сортуудаас 0.4-5.4 ц/га-аар илүү давж байна. Монгол орны газар тариалангийн бүс нутгуудын хөрс цаг уурын нөхцөлд тосны маалингын эрт болцтой сортуудыг үрэнд зориулан тариалж, өндөр ургац (10.5-22.2 ц/га) авах боломжтой байна. Түлхүүр үг: сорт, хонхорцгийн тоо, үрэн дэх тосны агуулалт, тосны гарц, 1000 үрийн жин

Ukraine’s Market of Certified Seed: Current State and Prospects for the Future

The production of high-quality seeds and planting material is the basis for increasing the efficiency and sustainability of crop production. The main aim of this article is to develop proposals to ensure that supply meets the demand in the seed and planting material market Ukraine. The future prospects are also discussed. The paper uses statistical and comparative analysis. The patterns of foreign trade in seeds and planting material to and from Ukraine are analyzed. The high level of import dependence of Ukraine leads to excessive exposure to instability in the world seed market. The development of seed production in Ukraine is discussed and analyzed along with the ways for improving commercial circulation of seeds and planting materials. The export volumes of grains and oilseeds in 2020 were the highest of those over the last three decades and amounted to USD 18.7 million, which is almost twice more than in 2019. Corn seeds dominate in exports (72%). The volume of imports of seeds of grains and oilseeds exceeded exports by 22 times in value and, in 2020, amounted to USD 409.4 million. In the total volume of imports, imports of sunflower seeds accounted for 53%. The upward trend of seed imports has been maintained since 2010. It was the result of increased demand for imported seeds by large- and medium-sized agricultural producers. In 2020, COVID-19 gave impetus to the development of domestic seed production and foreign breeding companies within the country. Prospective ways to accelerate the development of the organization of the Ukrainian seed and planting material market are outlined. Ukraine has prospects for increasing the export of seeds of grains and oilseeds by expanding its production by foreign companies operating in Ukraine. Solving problems of competitiveness seed production in Ukraine will make it possible to strengthen the role of domestic breeding in the seed market, as well as to use the best foreign varieties through their commercial circulation.

Use and Reception of Varieties of Spanish in Videogames

With more than 585 million speakers, Spanish promises to be a profitable target language for videogame sales. However, as Spanish has such a wide geographical distribution, the question of varieties deserves some attention. Companies and websites alike have recently started to differentiate between European Spanish and Latin American Spanish. This paper presents a three-phase study to delve into the matter. Based on a catalogue of 3003 videogames available on Steam in Spanish and published between 2006 and 2016, a survey among 172 developers is carried out to confirm the companies’ preferred varieties. Then, the analysis of a small corpus extracted from the catalogue shows whether in‑game text actually represents the chosen variety of Spanish. Finally, a survey among 569 gamers provides some insight into their tolerance for foreign varieties. This paper aims to describe the current situation and provide a starting point for further reflection on some of the questions posed by the results of this study. Lay summary Videogame localisation is the process of adapting a videogame from one market to another. This includes the translation of the script and sometimes the adaptation of images and other aspects. Because Spanish is one of the most spoken languages in the world, localising a game into Spanish can often be profitable, but different countries speak different forms of Spanish. Each form of Spanish is called a variety. This article is divided in three parts. First, we have created a catalogue from the games published in a video game website (Steam) in Spanish between 2006 and 2016. Then we have asked the developers of the games to confirm which variety of Spanish they wanted to use. Second, we have analysed some of these games to check if the variety of Spanish used in the games is the variety the developers wanted. Finally, we have asked 569 gamers if they care about the variety of Spanish used in videogames. The objective of this article is to describe the current situation. This way we will start to understand whether the chosen variety of Spanish is represented in games, and whether the variety of Spanish is important for gamers. The final objective of the research is to help the developers to choose the best option for their game.

Strong varieties are the basis to produce high-quality processing products of bread wheat grain

There have been studied new strong varieties of spring bread wheat of different maturity groups (‘Tarskaya 12’, ‘Omskaya 44’ and ‘Omskaya 42’) in comparison with the standards (‘Pamyati Azieva’, ‘Duet’ and ‘Element 22’) and foreign varieties in the conditions of the south of Western Siberia. The purpose of the study was to identify the advantage of the studied wheat varieties recommended for cultivation in the Omsk region to produce grain with high baking properties. The study was carried out based on the selection crop rotation of the laboratory for spring bread wheat breeding in the nursery of Competitive Variety Testing, as well as the department of seed production when sown on fallow (intense background) in the zone of the southern forest-steppe of the Omsk region of the FSBSI “Omsk ARC”. There has been conducted a bakery quality estimation and qualification of samples according to the methodologies and classification standards recommended by the State Commission for Variety Testing of Agricultural Plants. There was identified an advantage of the medium-early variety ‘Tarskaya 12’ according to the formation of gluten amount in grain (+3.2...4.2 %), dough dilution (–34...50 u.f.), dough resilience (+24...43 mm) and flour strength (+113...188 u); middle maturing variety ‘Omskaya 44’ on the formation of dough resilience, flour strength in comparison with the standards. The middle-late variety ‘Omskaya 42’ was distinguished by high baking characteristics in comparison with the standard ‘Element 22’. A comparative analysis of the technological properties of new varieties and foreign breeding has revealed the advantage of the studied domestic varieties in formation of protein in grain and flour strength.

The Dispersal of Bananas (Musa spp.) to the Americas in the Sixteenth Century

The Dispersal of Bananas (Musaspp.) to the Americas in the Sixteenth Century. So far, studies on the spread of banana cultivation in the Americas during the first century of American colonization have given rise to several hypotheses that are not very well supported. In this paper we use different methodologies—ethnobotany, history, and linguistics—to explain how this process occurred and to resolve the doubts that have arisen about the presence of bananas in the Americas before the arrival of the Spanish and Portuguese. To do so, we used philological databases comprising 7,850 documents, produced between 1492 and 1600. This work shows how the speed of the spread of banana cultivation and the presence of foreign varieties in the Americas can be perfectly explained in the light of the historical and ethnobotanical analysis of the accounts written by the inhabitants of the continents in the 16th century.Expansión del plátano (Musa spp.) en América durante el siglo XVI. Hasta el momento, los estudios realizados sobre la dispersión del cultivo del plátano en las Américas durante el primer siglo de colonización americana han dado lugar a varias hipótesis poco contrastadas. En el presente trabajo utilizamos diferentes metodologías, etnobotánica, histórica y lingüística, para explicar cómo sucedió este proceso y resolver las dudas aparecidas sobre la presencia de plátanos en las Américas antes de la llegada de españoles y portugueses. Para ello empleamos bases de datos filológicas integradas por 7.850 documentos, realizados entre 1492 y 1600. Este trabajo muestra cómo la velocidad de propagación del cultivo del plátano y la presencia de variedades extrañas en el ámbito americano pueden explicarse perfectamente a la luz del análisis histórico y etnobotánico de los relatos escritos por los habitantes del continente en el siglo XVI.

The Influence of Water Hardness on the Agronomic Traits of Foreign Fibre Flax Varieties in the Republic of Croatia

The amount and quality of fibres depend on a whole range of factors, the most important being variety, agroecological conditions, agrotechnics and the degree of fibre flax plant maturity, the purpose for which flax is grown, retting and processing. The retting of fibre flax is the most complex stage in the processing of flax into fibre. The aim of this study was to gain knowledge about the acclimatization ability of foreign varieties that can potentially be adapted to climatic in Republic Croatia. Therefore, this paper presents the results of achieved agronomic traits (dry stem yield, dry stem after retting, total fibre yield, long fibre yield, share of total fibre and share of long fibre) of five foreign varieties of fibre flax. The selected varieties were retted in very soft, medium hard and hard water. Variety trials with fibre flax were set up over three years (2012–2014) at two locations (Zagreb) on anthropogenized eutric cambisol and (Križevci) on pseudogley on level terrain. The trials were carried out according to the RCBD in four replications. According to the results of the three-year research into the agronomic traits of fibre flax, significant differences were identified among the varieties studied. The varieties Agatha, Viola and Electra recorded the highest values of studied traits. Statistically significant differences were only recorded among different water hardness for long fibre yield in 2012 and share of total fibre in 2013 in Zagreb. The highest yields and share of fibres were recorded when the fibre flax was retted in very soft water.

Improving the efficiency of potato growing in Russia

In modern conditions, for the stable and cost-effective development of large-scale potato production, it is necessary to provide agricultural enterprises and peasant (farm) farms with high-quality seed material of new promising varieties of Russian breeding. However, according to the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Rosselkhoznadzor”, the share of certified seed potatoes of foreign varieties continues to increase from 26.8% in 2004 to 86.7% in 2021, while the share of domestic varieties decreases from 66.2% to 13.3%, respectively. In order to overcome the dependence of commodity producers on the import of foreign seed material, to meet the increased requirements for the consumer and culinary qualities of potato tubers and the structure of the intended use of the crop, priority areas for improving breeding and seed production in the near future have been identified. The results of purposeful selection of new potato varieties differing in the parameters of the main economically useful features that determine their intended use in accordance with the requests of the domestic potato market are presented. A system of measures to improve the efficiency of potato growing is proposed, which provides for the development of breeding and seed production based on the use of the potential of domestic varieties and increasing the production of high-quality seed material of higher reproductions. This will speed up the transition of agricultural enterprises and peasant (farm) farms to use only certified seeds for planting at least the 2nd reproduction.

Agrotechnological methods of plant feeders applying for spring wheat agrocenoses – North-Eastern Kazakhstan varieties

To improve plant resistance to pests, we analysed the impact of various agronomic practices on the number and species diversity of pests in the crops of spring wheat varieties of foreign and Kazakhstan breeding in North- Eastern Kazakhstan. The intensive development of agriculture, resulting in the new technological flow processes of wheat growing, the sowing of foreign varieties not previously cultivated under local conditions, and climate change contribute to the formation of new food chains in agrocenoses. These new food chains require the monitoring of plant-feeding species with the help of ecological approaches and techniques. Efficient protection of crops with plant feeders requires constant updating on the phytosanitary in agrocenoses. Information on phytosanitary monitoring previously carried out in the region is not available, so it became necessary to collect data and analyse the number and species composition of wheat pests, considering new foreign varieties and cultivation technology practices. The research was carried out in 2021 in typical agricultural organisations of the North-Eastern regions of Kazakhstan with different preceding crops. The vegetation period was characterised by high atmospheric temperatures and a lack of moisture in the soil in spring and summer, contributing to decreasing of plant turgor and damage resistance. Early sowing of the ‘Triso’ wheat variety was affected by high temperatures and lack of soil moisture in the initial stage of development, which delayed its growth and made it more susceptible to pest damage. The other varieties were sown in optimal dates recommended by regional scientific institutions.

Evaluation of introduced blackcurrant varieties for production and breeding

Thus far, the world’s blackcurrant range comprises about 1,200 varieties and is constantly being improved. The most successful breeding programs for black currant have been implemented in Poland, England, Belarus, Ukraine, Sweden, Lithuania, Finland, Romania, China and Russia. However, the climatic conditions of several regions of the Russian Federation make it difficult to fully realize the biological potential of foreign varieties and they often do not correspond to the characteristics declared by the breeder. The study is aimed at making comprehensive assessment of the introducers to establish their selection potential and the possibility of industrial cultivation. The study was conducted in 2018-2021 in the black currant collection site of the Kokino station of Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery (Bryansk region). 20 varieties of black currant of foreign breeding from different ecological and geographical groups were explored. A new local variety Kudesnik with average maturation time was taken for comparison. It was included in the State Register for Selection Achievements in 2022. An assessment of introduced black currant varieties by morphological character of plants revealed the features of their growth in the south-western conditions of the central Non-Black Earth region. Varieties that do not meet the requirements of modern intensive mechanized technologies have been established. In terms of plant height, the varieties Mriya, Nympha, Kupalinka, Cheryshneva, Amethyst, Sofiyivska and Triton do not meet the parameters appropriate for mechanical harvesting. It will be difficult to use berry harvesting equipment with the varieties Sofievskaya, Amethyst and Klussonovskaya due to the wide base of their bushes (>0.3 m). The varieties Sofievskaya and Klussonovskaya, with the highest yield (10 t/ha) do not meet the requirements of modern production in terms of bush mien and berries tearaway force. The best introducers (Sofievskaya, Klussonovskaya, Nympha, Mriya, Cheryshneva, Triton, Belorusochka, Kupalinka) with a yield of 8.3-10.0 tonnes/ha can be recommended for home gardening. A number of foreign varieties as genetic sources in breeding for berry strength (Cheryshneva, Ben Hope, Black Magic, Tiben); fruit size (Nympha); number of fruits in the claster (Triton, Cheryshneva); taste qualities (Mriya); high content of soluble solids (Ben Tirran, Sofievskaya, Mriya) and other characteristics of interest have been identified.

Foreign market entry, upstream market power, and endogenous mode of downstream competition

AbstractIn a differentiated duopoly model of trade and FDI featuring both horizontal and vertical product differentiation, we examine whether globalization and trade policy measures can generate welfare gains by leading firms to change their mode of competition. We show that when a high‐quality foreign variety is manufactured under large frictions due to upstream monopoly power, a foreign firm can become a Bertrand competitor against a Cournot local rival in equilibrium, especially when the relative product quality of the foreign variety is sufficiently high and trade costs are sufficiently low (implying higher input price distortions due to double marginalization). Our results suggest that such strategic asymmetry is welfare improving and that the availability of FDI as an alternative to trade can make welfare‐enhancing strategic asymmetry even more likely, especially when both input trade costs and fixed investment costs are sufficiently low and trade costs in final goods are sufficiently large.