Forest-steppe Zone Research Articles

Ecological Aspects of the Productivity of Nigella Varieties under the Conditions of the Middle Volga Region.

The article presents a comprehensive assessment of the varieties of Nigella sativa and Nigella damanscena under the agro-climatic conditions of the forest-steppe zone of the Middle Volga region. The experimental work was carried out in 2019–2021 on the experimental field of FSBRI the Penza Research Institute of Agriculture. Climatic conditions during the years of study of Nigella were characterized as dry. The hydrothermal coefficient ranged from 0.67 in 2019 to 0.92 units in 2021. The duration of the growing season of nigella averaged 98–113 days. The number of capsules per plant and the seed weight per plant had the greatest influence on the formation of the seed yield of nigella, the share of influence of which was 27.6 and 29.2%. The productivity indicators of one plant were in the range of 1.36–2.32 g, and the variability of this trait was 33.4%. The highest weight of seeds from one plant 2.23 and 2.32 g was noted in the Iskra and Chernyi Barkhat varieties. The 1000 seed weight varied from 2.58 (Diva) to 3.53 g (Iskra). The highest yield in the conditions of the Penza oblast was noted in the varieties Vitol’dina, Yalita, and Znakharka, the yield of which was 1.22‒1.25 t/ha. The average oil content in Nigella seeds was 38.89%. According to the fat content, the varieties Yalita and Vitol’dina stood out; their oil content was 41.82 and 40.95%. The varieties Yalita, Znakharka, and Krymchanka were characterized by the greatest stability over the years, and the value of the variety stability indicator (VSI) for them was 1.41–1.45. In the composition of the oil, the largest share was linoleic and oleic acids, the content of which reached 47.98–64.27 and 16.91–29.52%. In addition, the fatty acid composition of nigella contained two more saturated fatty acids: lauric and capric. Their content was 0.18–0.46 and 0.04–2.30%, respectively.

Ecological aspects of the nesting life of the black-necked grebe (<i>Podiceps nigricollis</i> C.L. Brehm) in the forest-steppe zone of the Trans-Urals

The black-necked grebe (Podiceps nigricollis C.L. Brehm) is a nesting, migratory bird species, the number of which in the Southern Urals reaches 12 thousand individuals. From an ecological point of view, the named bird species belongs to aquatic birds and prefers aquatic and semiaquatic habitats. Being a waterfowl, the black-necked grebe has a complex of diving adaptations and is characterized as a specialized waterfowl. The literature analysis has proved that the knowledge of the ecological aspects of the nesting life of the black-necked grebe is insufficient. The nesting period of the annual life cycle was studied on the Kurlady and Smolino lakes located in the forest-steppe zone of the Trans-Urals. The average date of birds arrival at the nesting area according to 19882013 data is 19 April. The choice of breeding site leads to the fact that black-necked grebes form colonies in stagnant water bodies or with a slow flow of water. The water is fresh or brackish, with a certain pattern of overgrowth of vegetation and depth in the area where the nests are located. The presence of nests of black-headed gulls (Larus ridibundus L.) plays a special role in choosing a place to build a nest. Black-necked grebes and black-headed gulls form polyspecific colonial settlements. The laying of the first egg is carried out by the black-necked grebe in an unfinished nest, floating on the water and having a flat shape. At the stage of the appearance of the first egg in the nest, the elimination of eggs occurs, which can reach 44,1% (the biological center of the colony, 1989). On the periphery of the colonial settlement, the percentage of dead clutches is significantly higher, which can be caused by unfavorable biotic and abiotic relationships. Nests of black-necked grebes are completed from the moment the first egg is laid until the laying is completed. At a statistically significant level, the diameter of the nest and tray, the height of the nest, and the depth of the tray increase. The nest with completed masonry has a truncated-conical shape with a cup-shaped tray. According to long-term observations, the average value of the completed clutch is 3,8 eggs per nest. The reproduction in the composition of a polyspecific colony is accompanied by the establishment of biocoenotic relationships. The manifestation of topical, phoric and factory relationships, which can lead to individual and group elimination, has been established.

Курган 5 некрополя «Ивановские I курганы» на Южном Урале: хронология комплексов

The paper studies burial complexes of the kurgan 5 of the burial ground “Ivanovskie I kurgany” (“The Ivanovskiy 1st Kurgans”) located in the Southern Urals. The burial ground is located in the Trans-Ural regions of Bashkiria and is a part of the early nomads’ famous monuments in the Southern Urals. The kurgan necropolises located in steppe and forest-steppe zones of the Trans-Urals differ from those described in certain features of the funeral rite and clothing complexes. Researchers have repeatedly paid attention to the specifics of the monuments range in this region. A combination of various funeral rite features, diversity of funerary structures both in burial ground as a whole and in individual kurgans is the particular characteristic of the kurgan mounds of the 5th–4th centuries BC in the Trans-Ural regions. The trait is considered a sign of a transitional period. The necropolis “Ivanovskie I kurgany” can be included in the scope of such transitional period monuments. In total, 11 kurgans were recorded in the burial ground. Some of them were built in the Bronze Age (2nd millennium BC), but most were constructed by early nomads in the late Sauromatic and early Sarmatian stage. Kurgan 5, which can be attributed to the category of large ones, contained burial 4 at the heart of its structure. A wooden structure was erected over the central burial but it completely burned down when performing ritual actions in ancient times. Three more burials were identified on the kurgan periphery: a rich and varied inventory was found in the burials, moulded and pottery ceramic vessels, weapons elements (bronze arrowheads, iron dagger, iron spearhead), elements of horse equipment. Bronze mirrors, beads, and jewelry were found in women’s burials. The inventory has analogies both in the South Ural complexes and in the burials of the Middle Don. A certain part of the items dates back to a large period of 5th – 3rd centuries BC, however, a separate category of items that allow to specify the dating of the kurgan within the second half of the 4th – the turn of the 4th – 3rd centuries BC. In this regard, the burials from kurgan 5 can be interpreted as supporting complexes of the early nomads of the Southern Urals of the Early Prokhorov period. Association of the studied data with the nomads groups, carriers of cultural traditions of the Filippovska’s circle monuments, is an important aspect of the published materials.

The nidicolic group of gamase mites on the territory of Eastern Transbaikalia and their biocoenotic relationships

This paper summarizes the results of studies on the fauna of gamas mites of the nidicolic group. On the Eastern Transbaikal Territory, 68 species have been identified as part of the nidicolic group. They belong to nine families, most of them have been found in rodent nests. The largest number of species belongs to the families Parasitidae, Laelaptidae, Rhodacaridae. Many species have been found in the soil, where they form micropopulations. Of the 68 species 19 have not been found in the soil: six species of Euryparasitus, three species from the genera Poecilochirus, Ameroseius, Macrocheles, one species Parasitus (Coleogamasus) tichomirovi, Veigaia beklemischevi, Pachylaelaps siculus, Hypoaspis krameri. In the biocoenosis of the vegetable storage, H. timofejevi have had the highest rates, its reproduction and development have taken place here. We have detected all stages of development. The main parts of the population have been represented as follows: females 48%, males 11,8%, larvae 1,2%, protonymphs 7%, deutonymphs 32%. Females in each hamazid population numerically have predominated over males. Drawings of the preimaginal stages of development as well as its topical and phoric connections have been described. The nidicoles of the forest-steppe zone of Transbaikalia have demonstrated a tendency to synanthropization. The tendency has been noted in 21 species of nidicoles from six families: eight from the family Parasitidae, five from the family Laeleptidae, three from the family Macrochelidae, two species from the family Ameroseidae, Aceosejidae and one species from the family Rhodacaridae. Interspecific relationships have been established for H. timofejevi, E. emarginatus.

Phytosozological study of natural monuments to determine the ecological status of specially protected natural areas

The article gives a phytosozological assessment of natural monuments of regional importance in the Penza region, based on a number of phytosozological criteria that characterize the vegetation cover and their ecological state. The assessment is based on such criteria as the degree of study of the vegetation cover of the territory, the demonstration (reference) value, the area occupied, the anthropotolerance of the vegetation cover, the coenotic diversity of the territory, the total number of species diversity of vascular plants, the number of species listed in the Federal and regional Red Books, the degree transformation and recovery potential. The assessment used is of interest as a test express system that allows you to quickly assess the dynamics of the main qualitative and quantitative indicators of natural complexes. On the territory of the Penza region, located mostly on the western slope of the Volga Upland, and geobotanically located within the forest-steppe zone, in order to preserve biological and landscape diversity, 90 natural monuments of regional significance were identified on an area of 627.4 km2, which is 1.44% from the territory of the region. The highest concentration of natural monuments is noted in the north-east of the region, the most elevated and wooded part of the region. The largest area of more than 40 thousand hectares was noted in the Vyshe-Moksha botanical-geographical region. The largest number of monuments, of which 70% are botanical, are noted in the Prisursky botanical-geographical region with an average rating score of 62.2. The maximum score was noted at the natural monument Ardymsky Shikhan. The largest number of hydrological monuments of nature are located in the Zasursky and Prisursky botanical and geographical regions, which is associated with the location of the Sura River basin in these regions. The largest number of zoological monuments is located on the territory of the Vyshe-Moksha botanical-geographical region. The results obtained are necessary to determine the dynamics and directions of the processes of conservation and restoration of the composition of the flora and fauna of unique communities of regional natural monuments, as well as to increase the level of representativeness and ecological status, which in the future will allow monitoring changes in ecosystems.

ASSESSMENT OF HUMIDIFICATION OF THE TERRITORY OF VINNITSA REGION BY THE RATIO OF PRECIPITATION AND EVAPORABILITY

The article contains information on the results of the analysis of the distribution of atmospheric precipitation and humidification in the Vinnytsia region. Vinnytsia region is located in the forest-steppe zone, but belongs to an area with unstable humidification with a high probability of dry years. Both in wet and dry years, the amount of precipitation increases from east to west towards the Carpathians.
 To show the patterns of precipitation distribution, published sources and reference books on climate with normative indicators for precipitation for 45 points of the Vinnitsa region were analyzed. The humidification coefficient was calculated in relation to annual precipitation to evaporability.
 Analysis of the geographical distribution of precipitation and humidification showed their dependence on relief, orohydrography and exposure of slopes. At altitudes less than 100 m (in the Dniester river valley), the amount of precipitation is 480-490 mm per year and the humidification coefficient is 0.60-0.62, and on windward slopes they increase to 517-520 mm and 0.62-0.64, respectively. On vistas of 100-150 m, the amount of precipitation increases to 504-520 mm and humidification to 0.63-0.65. For heights of 150-200 m, the average precipitation for the year is 500-510 mm and the humidification coefficient is 0.64. Most observation points are located at absolute altitudes from 200 to 300 m. At altitudes of 200-250 m, the amount of precipitation and humidification increases to 490-520-540-560 mm per year and 0.62-0.67-0.70-0.76. At altitudes of 250-275 m, precipitation amounts to 485-505-530-550 mm per year and humidification coefficients 0.63-0.66-0.73-0.75. The largest values ​ ​ of average annual precipitation and humidification coefficients are observed at altitudes of 275-300 and more than 300 m (510-540-550-560-570 mm and 0.65-0.72-0.76-0.77).
 The northern territory of the region is located in the zone of optimal humidification of typical forest-steppes. Most of the territory is located in the zone of insufficient humidification (less than 0.7-0.65). A coefficient of insufficient humidification typical of the steppe zone (0.65-0.60) is determined for 16 points in areas south of the latitude of the cities of Gaisin and. Mooded Kurilovtsy. In a warm season, there are 3-5 periods without rains lasting 10-11 days. In 25% of cases, the duration of idle periods increases to 11-20 days, in 5% - to 21-30 days and 1-3% cases to 30-50 days or more.
 Thus, the largest amount of precipitation (525-560 mm on average per year) falls in the north and northeast within the Dnieper Upland. In the South Bug Valley, annual rainfall decreases from northwest to southeast to 520-490 mm. On the Podolsk Upland and Vinnytsia Transnistria, the amount of precipitation varies from 500-550 mm per year on watersheds to 490-480 mm in river valleys. In most of the territory south of the latitude of Vinnitsa, humidification is insufficient, and south of the latitude of Gaisin, the humidification coefficient is the same as in the steppe zone (0.64-0.60).
 Keywords: Vinnytsia region, climate, humidification coefficient, precipitation, distribution.

KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SOILS IN THE CIVILIZATIONS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD

The article examines the development of knowledge about soils in the era of ancient civilizations, including Sumerian, Egyptian, Harappan, ancient Chinese and Ancient Greek and Roman empires, as well as Trypillia culture, which spread in VI-III millennium BC in the forest-steppe zone, between the Carpathians and the Dnieper and belonged to the civilization of Old Europe.
 Soil science as a science was formed in the late nineteenth century, but its history began several millennia before. It is closely connected with the development of agriculture and the whole civilization. According to the English historian G.T. Bokl, the soil (its fertility) had the greatest influence on the origin and development of civilizations of the Ancient world.
 In the valleys of the Nile, Tigris, Euphrates, Indus in VI-VII millennium BC there was already a controlled irrigation of land, which was the main function of the first state formations that emerged there. The Egyptians learned to build a complex irrigation system of pools and canals. Of the cereals, barley was grown the most, and of the industrial crops, flax; kept the land cadastre, paid taxes according to the area and quality of land.
 The valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates suffered much more from flooding and salinization, which affected on all agriculture in the region. In the states of the Mesopotamia (Sumer, Assyria, Babylon) irrigation systems were actively developed, two crops were harvested per year. In the countries of the Mesopotamia there was also a cadastre and they knew the difference in the quality of the soils.
 Widespread introduction of farming in ancient Ukraine began with the spread of Trypillia culture. The people of Trypillia cultivated the soil with a hoes and used a wooden plow. The main cereals were covered wheat and naked barley. Trypillia had plenty of land with fertile soils, a set of cultivated plants suitable for growing locally and thousands of years of experience in farming. Soils were fertilized with manure; crop rotation was applied.
 The ancient Greeks were the first to speak about the profile structure of the soil and saw in the soil a body that changes over time. They called fertility an important property of the soil, often linking it to weather and cultivation conditions.
 Unlike the Greeks, who developed a philosophical direction, thinking about the origin, change and organization of soil cover, the Romans were interested in more practical issues (methods of cultivation, fertilization of soils). The statesmen of that time considered agriculture to be the source of power, thanks to which the state achieved world domination and the highest power, and even wealthy people cultivated the soil.
 The main achievements of the ancient Greeks and Romans in the doctrine of soils were: development of their classification; identification of the best soils for field crops, grapes, olives; development of agricultural measures that allow to preserve and increase soil productivity; formulation of the law of declining soil fertility; creation of the first classification of fertilizers, recipes for composting, evidence of the effectiveness of green manures; collection and systematization of data on soil properties; maintaining a strict cadastre, the assessment of land by their area, fertility and yield; legal issues of soil use.
 Key words: soil, agriculture, irrigation, cadastre, civilization, Ancient world.

Characteristics of introduced varieties of pea (Pisum sativum L.) in the zone of the Southern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Aim. To assess new introduced varieties of pea (Pisum sativum L.) of different ecological and geographical origin in conditions of the Southern part of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine according to a set of productivity and adaptability indicators. Methods. During 2018–2020 in the conditions of Ustymivka Experimental Station of Plant Production of the Plant Production Institute named after V. Ya. Yuriev NAAS of Ukraine (Poltava region, 49°18′21″N, 33°13′56″E) 30 new pea samples originating from Belarus, Azerbaijan, Canada, Poland and the Netherlands were studied. In the ripening phase of pods and seeds (BBCH 86–90) in field and laboratory conditions yields, productivity, 1000 beans weight, early-ripening, plant height and height of attachment of the lower pods above the soil level, number of nodes to the first pod and their total number per plant, number of pods and seeds per plant, number of seeds per pod, pod parameters were studied. Results. As a result of studying new samples of pea, the range of variation of their yield from 200.5 to 300.0 g/m2 was established, while the varieties ‘Aleks’, ‘Atlant’, ‘Minskiy ovoschnoy’ (Belarus), ‘Fidan’ (Azerbaijan), ‘Dacota’ (Canada), ‘Angela’ (Netherlands) were more productive, in which the mass of grain from the plant exceeded 10.0 g. The productivity of the plant was high due to both the increased number of seeds and the weight of 1000 grains. Almost all the studied samples were mediumripe (71–80 days) and are optimal for the Southern Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine. The most early maturing (64–69 days) were the Belarusian varieties ‘Yan’, ‘Gontso’, ‘Goryinets’, ‘Alfa’, ‘Pryivabnyi’, ‘Malyish’ and the Dutch ‘Angela’ variety. The lowest varieties were Belarusian varieties – ‘Goryinets’, ‘Vlad’, ‘Alfa’, ‘Atlant’ and others (31.0–60.0 cm), which can be used as sources on this basis. Special attention should be paid to varieties that combine several valuable features: ‘Aleks’, ‘Atlant’, ‘Minskiy ovoschnoy’, ‘Korelicheskiy ovoschnoy’, ‘Slodyich’, ‘Malyish’, ‘Kosmay’, ‘Kelvidon’ (Belarus), ‘Fidan’ (Azerbaijan), ‘Jof’ (Poland), ‘CDC Limerick’ (Canada), ‘Orix’ (Spain). Conclusions. The above varieties can be recommended as sources of valuable traits for practical use in breeding, and they are suitable for cultivation in the Southern Forest-Steppe, subject to inclusion in the State Register of plant varieties suitable for distribution in Ukraine.

PRINCIPLES, PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF ECONOMIC APPROACH TO OPTIMIZATION OF NATURE MANAGEMENT AND NATURE PROTECTION OF PODILLIA REGION

The approaches to the formation of econet relations in Ukraine in the context of the Pan-European strategy for the preservation of biotic and landscape diversity are considered. The basic contradictions in the system of econet relations are highlighted. The essence of the eco-network approach is highlighted on the basis of the materials of the national and regional econet. The polystructurality of econet is noted, their environmental, nature-supporting, and recreational subsystems are analyzed. The identification of the basic elements of the econet should take place against the background of landscape zoning schemes of the territory, so that the natural systems of each landscape region are represented by at least one key territory. Created systems of computer-cartographic models of the Podillya econet and its components; algorithms for multivariate analysis of the NRO and the design of environmental systems of the Podillia region, in which the spatial boundaries of 41 key territories are justified, which will represent the biotic and landscape diversity of 33 landscape areas, areas of connecting territories and their buffer zones. 24 key areas represent landscapes of the zone of deciduous forests; 15 - landscapes of the forest-steppe zone and 2 key territories are confined to the zone of mixed forests. The peculiarities of the eco-network include its complexity and polystructurality with basic nature conservation, nature support and recreational subsystems with a differentiated regime of nature management of the main elements.
 In accordance with the principle of landscape polystructurality, within the territory, it is possible to distinguish landscape territorial structures (LTS) of various types, depending on the structure-forming relations, taken as the basis of this integration. From an environmental point of view, the biocentric-network landscape structure forms the relationship between the areas of natural vegetation (biocenter) and their anthropogenized environment. At the same time, the territorial confinement of biocenters, their compliance with the optimal sizes, functional features, the nature and directions of interrelationships to ensure sustainable functioning were analyzed.
 A complex combination of different-ranked network elements forms spatial polyfunctional storage systems for biotic and landscape diversity. Within the framework of these systems, several types of eco-transforming nodes (EFN) are distinguished: (EFNnl) at the national level, (EFNrl) at the regional level, (EFNll) at the local level. The created schematic map of the biocentric network LTS demonstrates that its elements do not completely cover the territory of the landscape, but form the natural frame of the territory, significantly reduces the probability of population degradation, and reduces the dependence on sharp edaphic changes in individual biocenters. This framework is the basis of the environmental protection and nature-supporting system of the region.
 Key words: eco-network approach, Podillia region, regional eco-network, biocentric-network structure, environmental system.

Результаты экологического испытания сортов ярового ячменя в южной лесостепи Южного Урала

Abstract. The aim of the research was to adjust the direction of barley breeding towards the creation of semi-intensive and intensive varieties, for farms with different levels of agricultural culture, according to economically valuable characteristics adapted to the conditions of the Chelyabinsk region. An assessment of the ecological testing of spring barley varieties in the southern forest-steppe zone of the Southern Urals during sowing according to the fallow and grain predecessor for 2018 – 2020 of the parameters of ecological adaptability in yield was carried out. Methods. The studies were conducted from 2018 to 2020. In the conditions of the southern forest-steppe of the Chelyabinsk region, GP “Troitskoe”. A detailed analysis of the adaptability parameters is given: the coefficients of the environmental conditions index (Ij), the coefficients of adaptation, genetic flexibility, plasticity (bi) and stability (2d) are calculated. The selection of varieties for all studied parameters was obtained. Results. The results of this environmental test showed that of the whole set, the varieties have high ecological plasticity for this period: Omsk 95, Orda, Nutans 236C158, Nutans 272F677, Nutans 193C93 with an adaptability coefficient greater than 1. Nutans 236C158, Orda, Nutans 272F677, Nutans193C93 showed the maximum adaptability for 3 years when sowing according to the grain predecessor, they had a consistently high yield and an adaptation coefficient greater than 1 under any weather conditions. An increase in the genetic flexibility of varieties was found when sowing in pairs from 1.61 to 3.09. For the zone of risky farming, the most plastic varieties with a high yield potential in any weather conditions were distinguished: Orda, Nutans 236C158, Nutans 272F677, Omsk 95, Nutans 193C93 and Nutans 207C74. Pallidum 297C151, Chelyabinsk 99, Chelyabinsk 96 and Nutans 103G177 varieties reacted sharply to changes in vegetation conditions. Scientific novelty Groups of the studied varieties have been identified according to the parameters of ecological plasticity and stability, simplifying selection for further breeding process. Varieties Omsk 99 and Vakula can be used for breeding for drought resistance.

Decom- position of cellulose in the root zone of spring wheat cultivated with the use of BioVays, TurMax and nitrogen fertilizer

The effect of BioVays Sprint and TurMax seed treatment on cellulosolytic activity of leached chernozem under spring wheat in the forest-steppe zone of the Priob'ye region was studied. The experiment was conducted in 2020-2021 in the rhizosphere layer of soil under the Novosibirskaya 31 wheat, which was placed as the second crop after the fallow on the grain forecrop on two backgrounds of nitrogen nutrition - N0 and N60. Cellulosolytic activity of soil was determined by the standard method - by the weight loss of cellulosic cloth introduced into the soil. It was shown that this indicator is influenced by the conditions of the growing season. In 2021, soil cellulosolytic activity in the wheat rhizosphere was higher than in 2020, both in the background without fertilizer application, by 36.6%, and with their application, by 119.54%. Tissue decay increased 1.3-1.4-fold if seeds treated with BioVays Sprint were sown, and 1.3-fold if TurMax was used. On the fertilized background in 2020, the application of TurMax increased the cellulosolytic activity of the soil by 1.6 times, BioVays by 1.3 times. In 2021, seed treatment with BioVays increased the indicator by 2.8 times and with TurMax by 2.2 times. The results obtained do not allow to identify an obvious advantage of one of the two preparations studied, but on their basis, it can be concluded that treatment of seeds with both TurMax and BioVays Sprint is able to increase the cellulolytic activity of the soil, especially against the background of nitrogen fertilizer application.

The influence of environmental factors on dairy productivity features manifestation of cows of the Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breed in dif-ferent zones of their breeding

It is known that different levels of milk productivity characterize cows of the same breed in different farms or climatic breeding areas. Therefore, our work aimed to investigate the influence of environmental factors on dairy productivity features manifestation of cows of the Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breed in different zones of their breeding. The research was conducted at PLC Agricultural Enterprise “On Volovikov's name” in Rivne region (Polissya zone, n = 1840), SE State Farm “Olexandrivske” Vinnytsia region (Forest-Steppe zone, n = 714), and SE “Research farm “Askaniyske” (Steppe zone, n = 926) on firstborn and adult cows (III lactation) of the Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breed. The sample includes cows that have completed at least the third lactation on time studies. Features of milk productivity (yields, fat content in milk, and quantity of milk fat) were investigated by retrospective analysis of zootechnical accounting data for the last ten years. The influence of environmental factors (breeding area, the season of birth, and the season of the first calving of animals) on the formation of dairy productivity features were studied. The cows bred in the steppe zone had the highest fat milk yield for the first and the third lactation. According to these indicators, they probably (P < 0.001) outnumbered animals from the Forest-Steppe zone by 377 and 45.2 and 268 and 40.6, and from the Polissya zone – by 1042 and 66.6 and 1035 and 63.0 kg. Intergroup differentiation based on milk productivity as well depending on the season of birth and the season of their first calving between cows from different breeding zones was observed. Firstborn, who was born and calved in the autumn in the SE “Oleksandrivske” and PLC Agricultural Enterprise “On Volovikov's name” had the highest milk yields, and in SE “Research farm “Askaniyske” from cows born in summer with first calving in winter. In the third lactation in all breeding areas, cows born in autumn with the first calving in the steppe zone in the spring, in the forest-steppe zone, and Polissya – In the autumn were the most productive. The area of cows' breeding played the most significant role in their productivity, and the first calving season had the slightest impact. In this case, it should be noted that environmental factors studied in the research significantly affected the milk productivity features of firstborns, not adult cows.

A new record of Tremellodendropsis tuberosa (Grev.) D.A. Crawford, from India

Tremellodendropsis tuberosa (Basidiomycota) is described and illustrated from the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The study area which is at the foot hills of Himalayas is rich in diversity. This is the first report of Agaricobiota (Fungi: Basidiomycota) from India. This is a rare and interesting fungi found in the forest-steppe zone, on dead stems of the trees.

FEATURES OF REPRODUCTION AND PROSPECTS FOR THE USE OF INTRODUCED PLANTS OF THE GENUS ACTINIDIA LINDL. IN THE LANDSCAPE GARDENING OF THE RIGHT-BANK FOREST-STEPPE ZONE OF UKRAINE

The state of plantings of species and varieties of actinidia (Actinidia Lindl.) growing on the territory of the Uman National Horticultural University and their suitability for vertical gardening have been investigated and analyzed. It was found that in the green spaces of the university, a significant part was occupied by ornamental trees and shrubs, and plants of promising introduced species and varieties of the genus Actinidia Lindl. were used in landscaping much less common. It has been found out that it is possible to carry out landscaping of the walls of buildings in a short time in a lesser area, as well as isolate individual sections with hedges with the design of landscape gardening structures with the use of plants of new and promising introduced varieties of actinidia and landscape design instruments. The influence of the actinidia plants used in terms of varietal composition on the microclimate of the territory of the Uman NUS was assessed and recommendations were made on the working-out of theoretical proposals for landscaping and agrotechnological methods of growing maternal plants for interior in landscape gardening. It was cleared that the introduced species and varieties of the genus Actinidia Lindl. still remain rare in landscape architecture and forestry due to insufficient knowledge of the biological characteristics of plant growth and development in new cultivation conditions, agrotechnological measures for their own root propagation and cultivation of planting material. It is found that one of the effective methods of propagation of the studied varieties of actinidia in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe Zone of Ukraine is green stem cuttings — by semi-lignified cuttings with leaves. Green stem cuttings of the studied actinidia varieties have a low regenerative ability and are classified as medium-rooted. It has been established that the most important factors inducing the regenerative ability of cuttings and the quality of planting material are the dates of cuttings, the type of cutting and its metamerism, the agrotechnological conditions of rooting, as well as the preparation of cuttings for rooting and methods of treatment with biologically active substances of auxin nature. It has been find out that not all the varieties of actinidia are characterized by high regenerative capacity when rooted by stem cuttings under conditions of finely dispersed moisturizing.

Influence of Climate Changes on Hydrothermal Regime of Dark Gray Podzolized Soil of Western Forest Steppe

Thermal properties of soil are important conditions that determine the nature and intensity of soil processes, but the features of the formation of thermal and water regimes of dark gray podzolized soil of the Ukrainian Forest Steppe are insufficiently studied. The purpose of the presented materials is to highlight the dynamics of the annual course of temperature and humidity of the air and dark gray podzolized soil to determine the peculiarities of the formation of its hydrothermal regime in modern agro-climatic conditions of the Forest Steppe zone. The study of soil temperature was carried out during 2008-2019 in the Rivne region using generally accepted standards and methods (DSTU ISO 11464-2007, DSTU ISO 11465-2001, DSTU B B.2.1-17:2009, DSTU B B.2.1-25:2009). Surface air temperature observations throughout the study period indicate an increase in average annual temperature, and five-year averages of the sum of effective air temperatures above 10°C show tends to increase. The study of the relationship between the temperature of the surface air layer and dark gray soil in the Rivne region confirmed that the correlation of these indicators is linear. Analyzing the dynamics of temperature indicators, it should be noted a significant increase in maximum soil temperatures, due to which there is an increase in average annual temperatures. Detailing of soil warming indicators according to the data of ten years showed that during 2008-2017 the soils warmed up much more than in the average during the whole period of meteorological observations. According to the accepted classification, the studied soils belong to the seasonally freezing type, moderately warm subtype and genus with medium heat supply. The results obtained during the study allow to justify changes in the hydrothermal conditions of dark gray podzolized soil and determine the needs for corrective measures in crop production to maintain sustainable yields and ensure enhanced fertility reproduction

Efficiency of Microfertilizer Oracle Multicomplex in Corn Cultivation Technology

In recent years, the use of all types of fertilizers has sharply decreased, which negatively affected the state of the agroecosystem, its stability and constancy, therefore, it is extremely important to replenish nutrients, including microelements, to maintain the stability of yields. The increasing attention of scientists and industrialists deserves the question of the use of micronutrient fertilizers in the plant nutrition system, as an important element of the technology of growing crops. It is especially important to study the various forms, types and timing of their introduction. The article presents the research results for 2019-2021 according to the effect of microfertilizer Oracle multicomplex (1.5 l/ha) applied foliarly during the development phases of plants of the mid-early hybrid Orzhitsa 237 MB (VVSN 13-15, VVSN 16-18, VVSN 59) against the background of mineral nutrition – N150P90K90. It has been established that on gray forest surface-gley soils of the Western Forest-Steppe zone, a high grain yield of the mid-early corn hybrid (FAO 200-299) of the Orzhitsa 237 MV ripeness group was provided both by favorable weather conditions and by the influence of the Oracle multicomplex. Foliar application of the Oracle multicomplex microfertilizer in the phase BBCH 13-15 (3-5 leaves) increased the yield increase versus control (without micronutrient fertilization) by 0.82 t/ha, by meeting the needs of plants of this period in available forms of phosphorus, nitrogen, zinc, when panicle axes were laid on the tops of the shoots, and lateral apical meristems (future cobs) formed in the leaf axils. The highest yield by 1.19 t/ha was obtained with foliar application of micronutrient fertilizer in the phase of 6-8 leaves (VVSN 16-18). In this phase, panicle flowers, pollen grains in the stamens, the number of ears and grains in a row were laid, therefore, the content of S, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn in the fertilizer positively influenced the formation of the reproductive organs of maize plants. Under the influence of micronutrient fertility introduced into the phase of full panic appearance (VVSN 59), blooming and pollution of maize effectively taken place, which ensured an increase in grain yield – 1.27 t/ha. The difference in this indicator between the VVSN 16-18 and VVSN 59 phases was unreliable (0.09 t/ha). Balanced nutrition of plants with macroelements (N150P90K90 with a gradual introduction of nitrogen) and micro – Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe, Co, S, Mo contributed to the formation of a 55-59 g higher weight of 1000 grains. The total yield of the coarse and medium grain fractions was 91.5-92.1%, the fine one decreased by 30.6%

Geographical distribution and habitats of Moneses uniflora (Ericaceae) in Ukraine

Geographical distribution, ecological conditions and the current state of populations of a regionally rare species of the Ukrainian flora, Moneses uniflora (Ericaceae), were studied. In Ukraine, this species is at the southern limit of its range in Eastern Europe. Locations in the Ukrainian Carpathians and the Polissya Lowland are a part of a large Euro-Asiatic geographical population. A separate exclave of its range is located in the Crimean Mountains. The habitats of M. uniflora in Ukraine are associated with green moss coniferous forests. The species grows in spruce forests in the Ukrainian Carpathians, in pine forests dominated by Pinus sylvestris in the Polissya Lowland, and in pine forests dominated by Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana in the Crimean Mountains. Local populations of M. uniflora in Ukraine are characterized by low numbers (up to one hundred shoots with a predominance of vegetative shoots) and small areas (1–2 m2). Anthropogenic pressure on the habitats of M. uniflora resulted in range decline and determined its current southern limit that coincides with the border between the Forest (Polissya) and the Forest-Steppe zones. In the past, during the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, M. uniflora occurred in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Uncontrolled deforestation and amber mining have led to intense habitat destruction and decline of species populations. Each local population of this species in Ukraine needs to be protected. Moneses uniflora is to be included to the next edition of the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

АНАЛИЗ ПОГОДНЫХ УСЛОВИЙ В СВЯЗИ С ВОЗДЕЛЫВАНИЕМ ОЗИМОЙ ПШЕНИЦЫ В ЛЕСОСТЕПНОЙ ЗОНЕ ЗАУРАЛЬЯ

The research was carried out in order to analyze weather conditions and their impact on the formation of the yield of winter soft wheat in the forest-steppe zone of Kurgan region. The work was carried out in 1985-2020. In the years of testing, winter wheat in terms of yield exceeded spring wheat in the state variety plots of Kurgan region by an average of 4.1 c/ha, in the experiments of Kurgan Research Institute of Agriculture by 2.8 c/ha (26.4 ... 26.8 c/ha). The advantage of winter wheat over spring wheat was noted at 12-14 years, and that of spring wheat over winter wheat at 4–6 years. In other years, the differences were not significant. In Kurgan Research Institute of Agriculture, the lowest yields were noted in 1989 and 2003. (5.7 and 11.6 c/ha, respectively), record (63.1 c/ha) - in wet 1986. According to the influence of the hydrothermal regime, the studied years are divided into high-yielding (31.5...45.0 c/ha) , medium (17.7…26.0 c/ha) and low-yielding (0.5…15.7 c/ha). The reasons for the decrease in yields are individual - these are periods with droughts, low temperatures, etc. In years with mass loss of crops (5 years), the influence of a complex of negative factors was noted. A positive effect on the yield (r05=0.51) had a late resumption of vegetation in the spring. During the formation of the crop (20 c/ha), a positive role was noted for winter and spring precipitation (r=0.7 and 0.6, respectively), the temperature regime in winter (r=0.7) and summer (r=-0.5). In 2002 and 2007 with good overwintering, which was facilitated by sufficient snow cover, productivity was noted at the level of 23.0 and 26.0 c/ha, respectively. Lack of moisture in May 2011, 2019 compensated for the precipitation of the subsequent period. High productivity (more than 30 q/ha) for 15 years was noted with moisture supply in autumn above the norm by 10.2%, in winter - by 16.4%, in spring - by 9%, in summer - by 15.9% , in general for the year - by 6%

Fatty acid composition of hemp seed oil during its cultivation in the forest-steppe zone of the Middle Volga region

Hemp is predominantly a source of raw material for fiber production. However, hemp oil is also of particular interest, as it is characterized by rare nutritional and medicinal properties. One of the methods that improve the hemp oil quality is the application of microelement fertilizers, which are characterized by low cost, high efficiency and environmental safety. Therefore, the purpose of the research is to study the effect of the period of foliar treatment of technical hemp with microelement fertilizers on the oil content and its fatty acid composition. The oil accumulation is most affected by K - Humate - Na with trace elements and Agree`s "Magnesium", where its content on average over two years was 33.0 %. The greatest effect on oil accumulation was after double foliar top dressing, while the oil content of the seeds reached 32.7%. In hemp oil, 18 fatty acids have been identified, and their proportion in quantitative terms has also been established. The share of hard-to-digest saturated fatty acids accounts for 9.446%. The total content of polyunsaturated fatty acids was 70.503% with a predominance of linoleic (55.65%) and ?-linolenic (14.853%) acids. Of the monounsaturated ones, oleic acid is the most represented (15.033%). In hemp oil, the most favorable ratio of ?-6 and ?-3 unsaturated fatty acids is 3.7: 1, which corresponds to the recommendations of the Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences for the diet of a healthy person.

High-quality variety of soft spring wheat Omskaya 44 for the conditions of Western Siberia and Omsk region

In 2015-2018 in the conditions of the Omsk region, a comprehensive assessment of the promising breeding material of soft spring wheat was carried out. A mid-ripening variety of soft spring wheat Omskaya 44 with a complex of adaptivevaluable properties and traits for cultivation in the forest-steppe zone of the Omsk region has been prepared for the state variety testing. Variety Omskaya 44 created by the method of intraspecific hybridization and directional individual selection from the hybrid population Lutescens 248/97-11 x Omskaya 38 (k-65566, Russia) was sent for the State Variety Testing carried out in 9, 10 and 11 regions of the Russian Federation in 2019. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the results of various types of tests of a new variety of soft spring wheat Omskaya 44 in the conditions of the Omsk region. The variety is high-yielding, of mid-season type, the growing season is 88 days, the average yield over the years of research in competitive variety testing is 4.47 t/ha, which exceeds the standard variety Duet by 1.51 t/ha (LSD05 = 0.33 t/ha), the maximum yield is 5.69 t/ha. The results of the production test showed that when sowing fallow, in 2018-2021 the yield was 4.65 t/ha on the average, for the standard variety Duet - 3.02 t/ha (LSD05 = 0.29 t/ha), after cereals − 3.43 t/ha, for the standard variety − 2.67 t/ha (LSD05 = 0.27 t/ha). The new variety Omskaya 44 significantly exceeded the Duet standard and the best variety in the forest-steppe zone Omskaya 38 in terms of yield. The parameters of ecological plasticity of the new variety have been studied: linearity regression coefficient bi = 1.13, stability factor sd2 = 0.25. The basic components of commercial value of the new variety Omskaya 44 are high and stable yield, resistance to leaf diseases and the formation of high-quality grain at the level of strong wheat. In 2021 the variety Omskaya 44 was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements approved for use in the forest-steppe zone of the Omsk region.