Forest-steppe Part Research Articles

Water-Extractable Organic Matter of Soils with Different Degrees of Erosion-Induced Degradation and Sedimentation in a Small Catchment in the Central Forest-Steppe Part of the Central Russian Upland: Tilled Soils

Water-Extractable Organic Matter of Soils with Different Degrees of Erosion-Induced Degradation and Sedimentation in a Small Catchment in the Central Forest-Steppe Part of the Central Russian Upland: Tilled Soils

Ceramic Dishes Were from the Don Settlements of Gorodets Culture

The author characterizes the ceramic complex of the Gorodets culture settlements, widespread in the second half of the 1st millennium BC in the forest-steppe part of the Don basin. It consists of molded earthenware for kitchen purposes; there are practically no tableware. The pottery had both a smoothed and relief-shaped outer surface (“matting”, “mesh”, “grooved”). The main mineral impurity added to the molding mass during their manufacture was grus (crushed mineral rocks). Sand and chamotte (crushed ceramics) were often used. The dominant type of dishes were pots, the appearance of which is given by 24 reconstructed specimens. Three main and several single varieties of shape of these vessels have been identified. Less numerous are jars and cups, of which three were found in their “whole” form. A significant part of the vessels were undecorated, but most ones were decorated with finger tucks, notches, punctures. The spread of well-profiled pots in the Gorodets environment, which replaced jar forms, is explained by economic interaction with the Scythian culture, whose area covered the southern part of the region.

The effect of the biopreparation Avatar-2 Zahyst application on seed potato productivity and viral diseases infestation in condition of southwestern Forest Steppe part of Ukraine

Goal. To establish the effect of a multicomponent preparation of biologic origin on seed potato productivity and viral diseases infestation in condition of southwestern Forest Steppe of Ukraine.
 Methods. Field method — the trial plots were set in selection-seed production rotation of Bukovinian state agricultural research station of Carpathian region Institute of agriculture NAAS. Laboratory-field method — determining crop capacity and tubers structure in a yield. Visual method — plants infestation assessment. Comparative-calculated method — to determine the potato stands productivity and viral diseases infestation degree.
 Results. Avatar-2 Zahyst is a system-contact preparation of virulicidal, fungicidal, and antibacterial action. It is recommended for use on grain, technical, vegetable-, and fruit crops. The preparation is used for pre-sowing seed treatment, as well as for vegetating plants treatment. When determining the seed potato productivity depending on the biopreparation Avatar-2 Zahyst implementation, no significant difference in tubers yield was established; on the variety Slauta it stayed within 34.5—36.3 t/ hа, and on the variety Kimmeria 36.7—37.4 t/ hа. No any significant difference was established also in quantity and tubers mass per one bush, as well as in one tuber average mass, and tubers fractional composition in a harvest. When determining plants infestation with viral diseases, it was established, that the biopreparation Avatar 2 Zahyst application has influenced the decrease of seed potato stands infestation. The variety Slauta damage on the variant with seed poisoning and three-times spraying during vegetation made 2.5%, which is by 2—3% lower than on the control variant. The infestation of plants where only seed poisoning was implemented made 3—4%, when of those where three-times preparation application was carried out during vegetation — 2.0—4.0%, which is by 0.5—2.5 and 1.5—2.5% lower than the control variant, respectively. The same tendency was observed during the variety Kimmeria investigation.
 Conclusions. The use of the biological product Avatar-2 Zahyst does not give a significant difference in the yield of tubers. The introduction of the biological product Avatar 2 Zahyst influenced the reduction of the incidence of viral diseases in potato seed plantations.

New floristic finds in the Forest-Steppe part of Zhytomyr Region. Report II

Results of floristic investigation in the territory of the Forest-Steppe zone of Zhytomyr Region (Oblast) conducted in 2022 are reported. As a result of the work, it was revealed 11 new plant species for Zhytomyr Region (Alyssum desertorum, Bothriochloa ischaemum, Bromus commutatus, Eremogone procera, Euphorbia stepposa, Festuca rupicola, Fumaria parviflora, Ranunculus rionii, Symphytum caucasicum, Taraxacum serotinum, and Verbascum chaixii subsp. orientale). Also, 11 plant species new for the Forest-Steppe zone of Zhytomyr Region were found, and new localities of 14 rather rare plant species are reported. Their locations are briefly described, and, for the majority of species, phytogeographical comments are provided. Among native species, five are regionally rare in Zhytomyr Region (Anemone sylvestris, Carex humilis, Linum perenne, Phlomoides tuberosa, and Salvia nutans). In addition, highly active plants have been revealed among new alien species, such as Symphytum caucasicum; they require further monitoring. It has been suggested that an important role in migrations of steppe plant species in the region played valley of the Rostavytsia River, a tributary of the Ros’ River, and the system of ancient valleys which forms a common hydrographic network with them.

MATERIALS OF THE GOLDEN HORDE PERIOD FROM THE MULTILAYERED SETTLEMENT OF KITSIVKA 1

The materials from the excavations of the multilayered settlement Kitsivka 1 provide additional insight into the characteristics of the Golden Horde Age population living in the forest-steppe part of the Siverski Donets River basin. Over time, the cultural and historical communities inhabiting this territory were changed. However, people always chose to settle in the settlement zones which traditionally used the natural resources of the micro-region and its logistical features. A vivid example of this is the crossing of the Siverski Donets known in the «Book of the Great Map» as the Kaganski Perevoz. It connected the territories with different landscapes: the right-bank forest-steppe and the left-bank steppe, thus being on the border of two systems of economic management and, as a result, cultural development. At certain historical stages, this point required military control, as evidenced by the remains of fortifications built in the early Middle Ages. During the Golden Horde period, the ethno-political situation seems to have changed dramatically, and the nature of the ties between the populations of the forest-steppe right bank and the steppe left bank of the Siverski Donets acquires the quality of a cultural and economic contactor.
 The material and spiritual culture of the Golden Horde period is represented at the Kitsivka 1 settlement by ceramic and cast-iron utensils, iron and non-ferrous metal products (elements of weapons, armour, clothing, tools), etc. Of great importance for understanding the nature of the worldview and origin of the settlers of this period is the discovered inhumation burial which belongs to the male privates, with traces of a fire ritual of the IV period (Golden Horde time) according to the classification of Dr. Fedorov-Davydov.
 The settlement of Kitsivka I is the first site in the Kharkiv region containing the materials on everyday life and funerary rites with osteological remains of the deceased, and this provides great potential for further cultural and historical reconstructions of the Golden Horde period in the modern Kharkiv region. It is necessary to further expand the studied areas of cultural layers, which will allow, among other things, to obtain a more accurate chronological framework for the life of the Golden Horde population, which today can be roughly defined as the second half of the 13th—14th centuries.

Impact of No-Tillage on Soil Invertebrate Communities in the Southern Forest Steppe of West Siberia: Preliminary Research

The aim of our study is to assess changes in soil macroinvertebrate biodiversity when conventional tillage (CT) is replaced by no-tillage (NT) in agroecosystems of the southern part of the West Siberian forest steppe. The research was conducted in the Novosibirsk region at the end of May 2017, May 2018, and in June 2018. The agricultural plots with CT and NT were located close to each other on identical soils, at a distance of about 200 m from the nearest forest shelterbelts. NT technology has been applied on the experimental plot since 2007. Sampling of invertebrates was conducted in two ways, namely soil sampling and pitfall trapping. The majority of basic physicochemical properties of soil were the same or similar between the CT and NT plots. However, depending on the type of tillage, different soil invertebrate communities had already developed in the control (CT) and experimental (NT) plots during this time. The community of the CT plot includes a large number of flying predatory Carabidae species typical of early successional stages (such as Bembidion properans and B. quadrimaculatum, Poecilus spp.) and phytophages, i.e., larvae of Elateridae. The NT plot has significantly higher density and species richness of earthworms (Eisenia nordenskioldi and synanthropic E. fetida in the NT plot versus one individual of E. nordenskioldi in the CT plot). The NT plot has a significantly richer and more abundant assemblage of spiders (especially in spring) and a poor assemblage of insect predators (except for the superdominant ground beetle Poecilus cupreus and the subdominant P. versicolor in summer 2018). Large numbers of larvae of some carabids (e.g., Amara consularis) were found in the NT soil, suggesting that they complete a full life cycle in this habitat.

Изучение пойменных лугов, как кормовой базы для сельскохозяйственных животных

The reduction in the number of livestock in the private sector and small-scale farms has led to a lack of haymaking and insufficient pasture load, which gradually leads to the degradation and disappearance of floodplain meadows due to the formation of trees and shrubs (Salicaceae) on them. We have studied the vegetation of the floodplain meadows of the Tobol River (the forest-steppe part of the current). In the course of the research, 19 plant associations were identified, which occupy habitats in a clear dependence on the meso- and macrorelief and growing conditions. The leading families with the highest species diversity include 8: Poaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae or Compositae, Plantaginaceae, Cyperaceae, Rubiaceae, Rosaceae, Poligonaceae. With high fodder qualities, such plant associations as meadow-foxtail, campfire and sedge-grass are noted. The assessment of the condition of the meadows made it possible to give some recommendations for their maintenance and improvement. Keywords: FLOODPLAIN MEADOWS, FODDER, FABACEAE, POACEAE, PLANT ASSOCIATIONS

The effect of silicon-containing preparations on yield and grain quality of maize (Zea mays L.) on a leached Chernozem (black soil)

Interest in silicon-containing preparations is related to the possibility of their use as an environmentally friendly alternative to pesticides, as well as for increasing the natural resistance of plants to biotic and abiotic stresses. Studies to identify the most promising silicon-containing preparation (Kelik Potassium-Silicon - 1.5 l/ha; Nano Kremniy - 150 g/ha; Microvit-6 Silicon, - 0.5 l/ha) and application periods (5 leaves; 7–8 leaves; 5 leaves + 7–8 leaves), were conducted in 2018–2020 under unstable moisture conditions of forest-steppe part of the Volga region (Penza Region, Russia). Foliar treatment with silica promoted an increase in cob grain content by 14.8–27.1%. The foliar treatment with silicon-containing preparations increased the weight of the grains per cob by 14.5 to 36.6%, Microvit-6 Silicon being more promising. Leaf treatment with silicon-containing preparations increased corn yield by 26.4 to 50.1%. The advantage in grain yield was for the variants with the application of Microvit-6 Silicon in the phase of five leaves of maize and Nano Kremniy binary. A certain regularity in the influence of foliar treatment with silicon-containing preparations on the biochemical composition of maize grain was not revealed, only the tendency of increasing the content of crude protein, crude fat and reducing the mineralization of the grain when using them was established.

New floristic finds in the Forest-Steppe part of Zhytomyr Region

Results of the conducted botanical surveys in the Forest-Steppe part of Zhytomyr Region are provided. Nine alien taxa (mainly xenophytes) new for the flora of the Right Bank Forest-Steppe have been identified: Allium altissimum, Amaranthus deflexus, Aphanes arvensis, Artemisia umbrosa, Crataegus sanguinea, Epilobium pseudorubescens, Erigeron strigosus, Polygonum calcatum, and Silene coronaria. Localities of these species are described and botanical-geographical comments are provided for most of taxa. There are also 64 taxa newly reported for the Forest-Steppe part of Zhytomyr Region, of which 31 are native plants, 32 – alien plants, and 1 species of unidentified origin. Twelve taxa are rare and protected at different levels. Invasive plants in need of monitoring are identified among newly reported species. According to the new data, flora of the Forest-Steppe part of Zhytomyr Region includes more than 1320 taxa of vascular plants. An important result was the discovery at the border of Zhytomyr Polissya and the Right Bank Forest-Steppe of localities of five expanding species of the genus Rubus with predominantly Central European ranges: R. bertramii, R. gracilis, R. hirtus, R. montanus, and R. plicatus. Expansion of these species of blackberries in the eastern direction within the territory of Northern Ukraine is associated with natural migration and is probably caused by the gradual climate warming.

Mesolithic Sites in the Upper Tobol

The article introduces prehistoric artifacts from the sites of Karasor-5, Karasor-6, and Karasor-7 obtained in 1998. The archaeological site of Karasor is located in the Upper Tobol region, near the town of Lisakovsk. Stone tools, pottery fragments, a ceramic item, and a bronze arrow head were collected from a sand blowout, which had destroyed the cultural layer. The paper gives a detailed description of the pottery. The stone tools were examined using the technical and typological analysis, which featured the primary splitting, the morphological parameters and size of plates, the ratio of blanks, plates, flakes, and finished tools, the secondary processing methods, and the typological composition of the tools. The nature of the raw materials was counted as an independent indicator. The pottery fragments, the bronze arrow head, and the ceramic item belonged to the Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age. The stone industry of the Karasor archeological cluster proved to be a Mesolithic monument of the Turgai Trough. The technical and typological analysis revealed a close similarity with the Mesolithic sites of the Southern and Middle Trans-Urals, as well as the forest-steppe part of the Tobol-Irtysh interfluve. The stone artifacts were dated from the Mesolithic to the Early Iron Age.

Синтаксономический обзор мезофитных широколиственных лесов союза Aceri campestris–Quercion roboris Bulokhov et Solomeshch in Bulokhov et Semenishchenkov 2015 Юго-Запада России

Mesophilous broad-leaved forests predominating in south-western part of Russia were included in alliance Aceri campestris–Quercion roboris Bulokhov et Solomeshch in Bulokhov et Semenishchenkov 2015, association Fraxino excelsioris–Quercetum roboris Bulokhov et Solomeshch 2003 and three geographic subassociations. The subassociation F. e.–Q. r. typicum Bulokhov et Solomeshch 2003 in Bulokhov et Semenishchenkov 2015 unites communities occurring mainly in the broad-leaved forests zone of the Central Russian Upland. The subassociation F. e.–Q. r. stellarietosum nemori Semenishchenkov et al. 2015 occurs in the northern part of the association range in the zone of broad-leaved forests and close to the southeastern border of the hemiboreal subzone. Mesophilous broad-leaved forests occurring in the forest-steppe zone of the Central Russian Upland were included in the subass. F. e.–Q. r. crataegetosum curvisepalae Semenishchenkov in Bulokhov et Semenishchenkov 2015. The geographical distribution of the syntaxa is related to the climate continentality gradient — from the subass F. e.–Q. r. crataegetosum curvisepalae (the largest continentality indices) to the subass. F. e.–Q. r. stellarietosum nemori (the smallest continentality indices). The associations Aceri campestris–Tilietum cordatae Zaugolnova et Braslavskaya 2003 (nom. inv.) from the Kaluga and Tula Regions (Zaugolnova, Braslavskaya, 2003) and Aceri campestris–Quercetum roboris (nom. inv.) (var. Acer tataricum) described from the Voronezh Region (Starodubtseva, Khanina, 2009) were included in the association Fraxino excelsioris–Quercetum roboris after comparative syntxonomical analysis. On the basis of a comparative analysis, diagnostic combinations of subassociations were compiled, consisting of species with constancy above 20 % and values of the statistical φ-coefficient for selections above 20: F. e.–Q. r. stellarietosum nemori — Carex sylvatica (5059.9), Equisetum hyemale (2842.3), Galeobdolon luteum (10087.4), Matteucia struthiopteris (4257.7), Ranunculus cassubicus (5857.9), Stellaria nemorum (3349.6); F. e.–Q. r. crataegetosum curvisepalae — Acer tataricum (5362.0), Crataegus rhipidophylla (5964.0), Poa nemoralis (2736.9), Pyrus pyraster (3840.8), Scilla siberica (4558.4), Viola odorata (3440.5). Analysis of the differentiaal table of mesophilous broad-leaved and spruce-broad-leaved forests syntaxa made it possible to conclude that associations previously (Onyshchenko, 2009) assigned in Ukraine to alliance Scillo sibericae–Quercion roboris have a high floristic similarity with the syntaxa of Aceri campestris–Quercion roboris from the South-West of Russia, especially in the forest-steppe part of its range. Selections of three subassociations of the association Mercurialo perennis–Quercetum roboris from Ukraine floristically close to the syntaxa of alliance Querco roboris–Tilion cordatae from the South-West of Russia. In the dendrogram of cluster analysis, the compared syntaxa are grouped into two blocks corresponding to the rank of alliances: Aceri campestris–Quercion roboris and Querco roboris–Tilion cordatae. Based on the review, the authors believe that the «Hierarchical floristic classification system…» (Mucina et al., 2016) may be amended in terms of recognizing the syntaxonomical independence of the alliance Aceri campestris–Quercion roboris and its geographical interpretation. Derivative communities disturbed by humans in the place of mesophylous broad-leaved forests are classified as anthropogenic variants and non-rank «communities» named after the dominant species: Betula pendula, Populus tremula, Tilia cordata. Forests with a poor floristic composition, in which the diagnostic species of association and subassociation drop out of the coenoflora are classified as inops variants. They are characterized by a noticeable decrease in the average floristic saturation in comparison with typical communities. Derivative forests with a predominance of Betula pendula have a higher species richness in comparison with aspen or linden forests, as well as typical phytocoenoses of the association.

ГЕОДЕЗІЯ, КАРТОГРАФІЯ І АЕРОФОТОЗНІМАННЯ

The development of exogenous processes on the Earth's surface is a large-scale problem. Due to the development of exogenous processes there are changes in the composition and structure of the earth's crust and its surface. The destruction of streets, houses and public buildings, roads and railways leads to enormous losses. To predict the development of soil degradation, erosion processes on agricultural lands, which lose annual production areas, leads to the formation of a ravine-beam system and reduces the productive amount of land owned by citizens – is a solution. The use of GIS technologies, remote sensing of the Earth and modern programming can partially solve the problem, as it is a rapid identification of areas that have undergone the process of soil degradation and possible prediction of the development of negative phenomena. The use of geodetic software, GIS, information layers of the Public cadastral map can help in the fastest finding of territories, development of the forecast of the further destructive action, development of the corresponding protective methods and their introduction. The areas with manifestations of exogenous processes - soil degradation in agricultural enterprises, where every year the area of highly fertile chernozems is lost, which leads to large losses and landslides in the forest-steppe and steppe settlements of Kharkiv region have been subject of our study. We investigated destructive processes by geodetic measurements in the territories of their manifestations, observations were carried out for 8 years. The development of exogenous processes on the Earth's surface was revealed, which was manifested in landslides in the settlements of the forest-steppe zone and degradation of agricultural lands in the steppe and forest-steppe part of Kharkiv region. The cause of the destruction of the earth's surface were factors independent of human activity. We built 3-D models of development of exogenous processes manifested in soil erosion and growth of the ravine-beam system and determined the degree of erosion after surveying and processing the results of geodetic measurements in the software Digitals. For 8 years, we made changes to the software, surveying the area and building a monitoring line. Also in the settlements on the territory of the two zones, we observed the development of landslides on the streets of the village. Milova and s. Nova Vasylivka, where there is an intensive development of exogenous processes. The use of GIS technologies and remote sensing of the Earth to monitor the development of exogenous processes simplifies the solution.

Predatory insects in collapsing foci of bark beetles in Sumy region

Introduction
 The outbreaks of the bark beetles Ips acuminatus (Gyllenhal, 1827) and Ips sexdentatus (Boerner, 1767) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) have begun to collapse, while the prevalence of Tomicus piniperda (Linnaeus, 1758) and Tomicus minor (Hartig, 1834) is beginning to increase. Given that most predatory beetles attack different species of bark beetles, it is still important to study the occurrence of such predators in forest stands and to rear these entomophages for forest protection. Since predators consume bark beetles at different stages during rearing, it is also advisable to recognize the features of bark beetles spread in collapsing foci to determine the optimal places and time for their collection.
 The aim of the research was to evaluate the occurrence of bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) and their predators in collapsing foci depending on certain stand characteristics.
 Materials and Methods
 The study was carried out in collapsing foci of bark beetles in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands in Sumy region. Sample trees of the 5th and 6th categories of health condition were analysed at 30 sample plots in three state forest enterprises of Polissya part of Sumy region and in seven state forest enterprises of the Forest-Steppe part of Sumy region (9 and 21 forestries respectively). Insects were counted on 25 ? 25 cm pallets from mid-May to mid-August 2021. Predatory insects were collected from each pallet to individual Eppendorf tubes, labeled, and later identified in the laboratory.
 Results and Conclusions
 The six predator Coleoptera species were found in the declining stage of outbreak cycle of bark beetles Ips acuminatus (Gyllenhal, 1827) and Ips sexdentatus (Boerner, 1767), namely Aulonium ruficorne (Olivier, 1790) (Colydiidae), Platysoma elongatum (Leach, 1817) (Histeridae), Rhizophagus depressus (Fabricius, 1792) (Monotomidae), Corticeus pini (Panzer, 1799) (Tenebrionidae), Thanasimus formicarius (Linnaeus 1758), and Thanasimus femoralis (Zetterstedt, 1828) (Cleridae). Platysoma elongatum and Aulonium ruficorne had the highest frequency of occurrence in the second decade of May, Thanasimus formicarius in the 3rd decade of May, Corticeus pini in the 1st decade of June, Rhizophagus depressus, Platysoma elongatum, and Aulonium ruficorne in the 3rd decade of June. The fragments of the stem with bark beetles for predators’ rearing have to be collected from the trees of the 5th category of health condition. It is necessary to collect Thanasimus formicarius for rearing in the 3rd decade of May and in the 1st decade of August, and Rhizophagus depressus, Platysoma elongatum, and Aulonium ruficorne – in the 3rd decade of June.

A Rare Belt Plaque in Zoomorphic Style from the Inner Tien Shan

The article publishes a very rare for Saka culture of the Tien Shan region belt plaque, made with the Scythian-Siberian animal motif. It was accidentally found at an altitude of 2300 m. in the northern part of the Inner Tien Shan, and, most likely, it was lost there in antique time. The plaque has a butterfly-shaped shape, and a relief paired heads of a snow leopard was depicted on its outer surface in a realistic manner. On its reverse side there are two small loops indicating the construction of the combat belt on which it was fixed. Apart from the main belt there were additional leather straps which also were used as laces in the front. Belts of a similar construction with plaques of similar shape were previously found only in an elite burial of the Issyk kurgan in Tien Shan region. Nevertheless, outside this region, this belt plaque has close analogies in the synchronous cultures of the Scythian type in the Forest-steppe Altay, Tuva, Ordos and Northern China, as well as in the forest-steppe part of the Urals region. Based on stylistics and analogies, this belt plaque can be dated back to the turn of the 5th and 4th centuries BC. But in these regions, with the exception of the Urals, all similar plaques have one central loop on the back side. This indicates an independent line of development of these belt garment items on the territory of Saka culture of the Tien Shan region, although the origins of this line, undoubtedly, were initially outside its distribution area.

Identification of spring barley genetic sources of increased and stable 1000 kernel weight performance (Hordeum vulgare L.)

The trials were conducted in 2018–2020 at the V.M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat of NAAS. The aim of the research was to identify new spring barley genetic sources with combination of increased and stable 1000 kernel weight performance for creation initial breeding material under ecological conditions of the central part of Ukrainian Forest-steppe. There were studied 96 spring barley collection accessions originated in different ecological conditions. To identify peculiarities among genotypes within different subspecies (two-rowed and sixrowed), groups of varieties (covered and naked), as well as among two-rowed covered accessions of different ecological origin the genotypes under study were divided into six groups. Within four groups of accessions there were selected genotypes combining the maximum 1000 kernel weight performance and high homeostatic (Hom) and selection value (Sc) indexes. The other two groups of accessions were characterized with the fact that genotypes with high1000 kernel weight through three years did not have high Hom and Sc indexes due to higher variability. The analysis of variance of the AMMI model revealed almost the equal contribution to the total variance for growing season conditions (34.02%), genotype (34.67%) and their interaction (31.32%). The identified features indicate both the significant genetic diversity presented in this panel of spring barley accessions and the significant influence of weather conditions on the formation of 1000 kernel weight, as well as the different reaction of genotypes on the conditions of individual years of the research. When using statistical parameters and visualizations of the GGE biplot, new spring barley genetic sources with the optimal combination of increased and stable the trait performance were identified. In particular, to improve 1000 kernel weight the accessions Sviatovit (UKR), Dar Nosivshchyny (UKR), Smaragd (UKR), Sunshine (DEU), Lilly (DEU), and Vladlen (KGZ) are recommended to use as parental components for two-rowed covered barley varieties, the accession NSGJ-1 (SRB) is for naked barley varieties, and Yerong (AUS) is for six-rowed barley varieties.

Breeding and genetic peculiarities of spring barley 1000 kernel weight under conditions of the central part of the Ukrainian Forest-Steppe

Purpose. To reveal the breeding and genetic peculiarities for spring barley 1000 kernel weight and to identify genetic sources for breeding under conditions of the central part of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Investigations were carried out at the V. M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat of the NAAS of Ukraine. Spring barley F1 of two comp­lete (6 ´ 6) diallel crossing schemes was investigated. The first scheme included modern both domestic and foreign spring barley malting varieties (‘MIP Tytul’, ‘Avhur’, ‘Datcha’, ‘Quench’, ‘Gladys’, ‘Beatrix’), the second – classic covered awned (‘MIP Myroslav’, ‘Sebastian’), awnless (‘Kozyr’, ‘Vitrazh’) and naked (‘Condor’, ‘CDC Rattan’) varieties. Results. Various types of inheritance of 1000 kernel weight were revealed, with the exception of negative dominance. The proportion of combinations with corresponding values ​​of the degree of phenotypic dominance varied depending on the genotypes involved in the crossing and the years of testing. In both crossing schemes, both in 2019 and in 2020, positive overdominance was found in most combinations. The grea­test number of combinations with the manifestation of hete­rosis under different growing conditions was noted when varieties ‘Gladys’ and ‘MIP Myroslav’ were used in crossing. According to the parameters of genetic variation, it was revealed that the trait was determined mainly by the additive-dominant system. The dominance was aimed at increasing the 1000 kernel weight. Only in the second crossing scheme in 2019 the value of the directional dominance indicator was unreliable. In the loci, incomplete dominance in 2019 and over-dominance in 2020 were revealed. Reliably high effects of the general combining ability in both years were noted for varieties ‘Datcha’, ‘Gladys’, ‘MIP Myroslav’, ‘Kozyr’ and ‘Vitrazh’. Conclusions. The revealed breeding and genetic peculiarities indicate that for the overwhelming majority of created hybrid combinations will be required the final selection in later generations, when the dominant alleles are homozygous. Spring barley awned varieties ‘Gladys’, ‘MIP Myroslav’ and ‘Datcha’, as well as awnless varieties ‘Kozyr’ and ‘Vitrage’ can be used as effective genetic sources for increa­sing the 1000 kernel weight

The study of the productivity potential of grape varieties according to the indicators of functional activity of leaves

Photosynthetic activity in the leaf of ten grape varieties was studied in the conditions of the northern part of Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. From 2019 to 2020 meteorological data were recorded by the ‟Meteotrekˮ meteorological station. The influence of weather conditions of the spring-summer period at the beginning of the vegetation phases, which in 2019 took place on average 12 days earlier than in 2020, was noted. Analysis of changes in the induction of chlorophyll fluorescence (ICF) in leaves revealed the more efficient use of quantum energy of absorbed light by F0 in the leaves of most varieties was noted in the phase “the beginning of berry ripening”. During the three periods of the study, the varieties Aromatnyj, Zagadka, Ilichevskij rannij, and Kardishah showed a lower content of chlorophyll molecules, which do not have a functional connection with the reaction centers (RC). According to the Fp index the highest intensity of photosynthesis on average for all varieties was observed in the phase “the beginning of ovary growth”, the lowest – “the inflorescence is visible”. The potential productivity of grape plants determined by the ICF coefficient for all varieties was at a very high level and had a weak or moderate correlation with weather conditions during the growing season. The hydrothermal coefficient and Σ act t ≥10 °С had a weak effect on the efficiency of the light phase of photosynthesis (Ki) and a noticeable one (correlation coefficient r = 0.50 – 0.69) on the efficiency of dark photochemical processes (Rfd) in the leaves of most grape varieties.

Ash dieback and contributing factors of forest weakening in provenance tests in the Sumy region

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the health condition of Fraxinus excelsior L. in provenance tests, with special focus on ash dieback (ADB), but taking into account also other causes of its decline. The research was carried out in the provenance tests of F. excelsior in the forest-steppe part of the Sumy region. ADB symptoms were revealed in all provenance tests. For 2012–2019 the health condition index, ADB incidence and severity increased for all provenances except the Steppe. Collar rot was present in all ash provenances. Fungi species were isolated from the stem parts of ash at all provenances. Hymenoscyphus fraxineus induced longest necrotic lesions following wound inoculation of stems of 7–10-years-old plants of European ash in the forest while inoculation with both Cytospora sp. and Diplodia sp. resulted in smaller necroses. The conclusion from other regions about the coincidence the damage of European ash by ADB and collar rots as well as the coincidence the damage of European ash by collar rot and tree colonization by Hylesinus crenatus (Fabricius, 1787) is supported.

Assessment of yield and stability in spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes of different ecological origin under conditions of the central part of Ukrainian Forest-steppe

The study was conducted at the V.M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat of NAAS in 2018–2020. The 96 spring barley accessions originating from 15 countries were evaluated in yield performance and its stability. The mean yield in the trial through the years varied from 265 g/m2 in 2018 to 447 g/m2 in 2020. The difference between the minimum and maximum yield of samples within individual years was 388 g/m2 in 2018, 522 g/m2 in 2019, 440 g/m2 in 2020. Thus, it was found that the studied genotypes differed significantly in the level of yield, both within a year and through years of the research. This is confirmed by the high percentage of the genotype in the total variance — 36.73%. The 15 accessions which in mean yield for three years exceeded the standard Vzirets have been identified. The genotypes Almonte (CAN), Smaragd (UKR), Skald (POL), and Vienna (AUT) had the optimal level of yield in contrasting weather conditions of different years. These accessions are the most valuable genetic sources for breeding usage under conditions of the central part of Ukrainian Forest-Steppe. The accessions Suveren (POL), Krok (UKR), Kormoran (POL), Severyanin (RUS), Avers (UKR), Tiver (UKR), Dar Nosivshchyny (UKR), Skarb (POL), AC Alma (CAN), Despina DEU), Glacier AL.38 (GBR) were characterized by different responses to contrasting weather conditions of different years. Therefore, when involving them in hybridization as parental components, a combined approach will be appropriate which based both on the ecological-geographical principle as well as taking into account the yield performance, depending on the conditions of different years. In order to comprehensively assess the genotype by environment interaction and to select genotypes with the optimal combination of yield and stability, it is advisable to combine statistical (graphical) models that differ in the principles of evaluation of genotypes

Features of modern winter wheat varieties in terms of winter hardiness components under conditions of Ukrainian Forest-Steppe

In recent years, there has been a significant change in climatic conditions affecting the cultivation and yield of winter wheat. Therefore, the creation of wheat varieties with high adaptive potential is one of the main tasks of modern breeding. A significant component of the overall adaptive potential of winter wheat is winter hardiness, which is determined by a set of characters enabling plants to overwinter. To a large extent, winter hardiness is determined by gene systems that control vernalization requirement duration, photoperiod reaction, and frost resistance. The research is aimed at determining the features of modern winter wheat varieties developed at the V. M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine in terms of winter hardiness components and adaptive potential in the environment of the Central part of the Ukrainian Forest-Steppe. Winter bread wheat varieties Estafeta myronivska, Hratsiia myronivska, MIP Assol, and Balada myronivska were studied. They also were crossed on incomplete diallele scheme with three near-isogenic lines derived from Erythrospermum 604 with different alleles of Vrd genes 1) Vrd1Vrd1vrd2vrd2, 2) vrd1vrd1Vrd2Vrd2, and 3) vrd1vrd1vrd2vrd2. It was established that vernalization requirement duration in the varieties Estafeta myronivska and Balada myronivska was short whereas in the varieties Hratsiia myronivska and MIP Assol it was medium. All the varieties studied have medium photoperiod sensitivity. The results of the hybridological analysis indicate the absence of the Vrd1 and Vrd2 genes in the varieties. Frost tolerance of these varieties is at the same level and higher than in the highly tolerant to the low temperatures variety Myronivska 808. Thus, the results indicate the possibility of recombining different levels of expression of these traits in genotypes by breeding efforts. This has great practical importance in farming, because in recent years the areas of crops harvested late (corn, sunflower, etc.) in the production conditions has significantly increased. It causes a shift in sowing dates of winter wheat to a later period. In this case, varieties Estafeta myronivska, Hratsiia myronivska, MIP Assol, and Balada myronivska are able to undergo sufficient hardening, to satisfy the vernalization requirement, and to form a high level of winter hardiness. Their relatively medium photoperiod sensitivity allows vegetation to be restored a little earlier in the spring and winter reserves of moisture to be used more effectively.