High-quality Grain Research Articles

Unraveling Compositional Study, Chemometric Analysis, and Cell-Based Antioxidant Potential of Selective High Nutraceutical Value Amaranth Cultivars Using a GC-MS and NMR-Based Metabolomics Approach.

Amaranthus (family Amaranthaceae) is a potentially nutritious pseudocereal also known as a functional food owing to its high nutritional quality grains especially rich in essential amino acids. Emerging study, however, unambiguously indicates that apart from essential nutrients like protein, other phytochemicals present in amaranth seeds provide excellent health benefits. Squalene is one such phytonutrient found in Amaranthus seeds, which is also its largest vegetal source. In this research work, GC-MS and NMR spectroscopy-based metabolomics have been utilized for the compositional analysis of Amaranthus seeds coupled with a multivariate data set. Investigation of nonpolar and polar seed extracts of six different cultivars of amaranth identified 47 primary and secondary metabolites. One-way ANOVA showed significant quantitative metabolic variations in different cultivars of amaranth. Multivariate principal component analysis of both the GC-MS and NMR analyzed data broadly classified in two groups showed significant variations in the polar (lysine, arginine, GABA, and myoinositol) and nonpolar (squalene, tryptophan, and alkylated phenols, which are potential nutraceutical agents) metabolites. The squalene content estimated using HPLC varied significantly (1.61 to 4.72 mg g-1 seed dry weight) among six different cultivars. Positive correlations were found among the cellular antioxidant activity and squalene content. Cultivar AM-3 having the maximum squalene content showed the highest antioxidant activity evaluated on the cellular level over human embryonic kidney cells, clearly revealing potent intercellular reactive oxygen species scavenging capacity and strong membrane lipid peroxidation inhibition potential. Oxidative stress markers such as MDA, SOD, GSH, and CAT levels in cells further corroborated the research work. The study also indicated high concentrations of lysine (80.49 mg g-1 dry seeds) in AM-2, squalene (0.47% by weight) in AM-3, and 2,4-di-tert-butyl phenol (18.64% peak area) and myoinositol (79.07 mg g-1 dry seeds) in AM-5. This novel comparative metabolomic study successfully profiles the nutrient composition of amaranth cultivars and provides the opportunity for the development of nutraceuticals and natural antioxidants from this functional food.

Winter wheat productivity under different systems of typical black soil cultivation and under climatic changes in the conditions of the Left-Bank Forest Steppe

The article highlights the influence of different tillage systems and climate changes on the formation of winter wheat productivity, yield and quality indicators in the conditions of the Left-Bank Forest-Steppe. Taking into account the crop importance in Ukraine's food security and its place in world exports, the importance of effective methods development to improve technological performance due to the decrease in the share of high quality grain suitable for milling and baking purposes is emphasized. In particular with the climate changes it is necessary to use of moisture-saving technologies and the introduction of crop rotations with a scientifically based choice of crops with plastic properties to unstable soil and climatic conditions. In the course of the research it was determined how winter wheat productivity is affected by tillage methods – plowing, disking and no-till technology on the example of typical black soil. The analysis of weather conditions was carried out, which revealed that uneven distribution of precipitation with long periods without rain or with high rain intensity during all stages of crop ontogeny are the factors limiting yields and reducing grain quality. At the same time the importance of mineral fertilizers in regulating grain yields and quality under rapid climate changes was also determined. Increased average monthly indicators, characterizing the weather conditions during the studied periods, created risks for the full growth and development of cultivated plants, that was described in detail in the article. According to the research results it was found that the highest yield indexes of winter wheat were obtained during of N120P60K90 application, that in 2021, under traditional plowing, provided 5.2 t/ha of high quality grain with a protein content of 16.4 % and gluten content of 30.45 %. Also in terms of crop yield level and quality indicators the variant of soil protection technology no-till differed little, which produced 4.88 t/ha of grain with a protein content of 15.6 % and 28.7 % of gluten in a favorable 2021. Key words: climate changes, short-term crop rotation, tillage, no-till technology, winter wheat, crop yield, grain quality.

Evaluation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Quinoa Seed Production in Greece

Population growth has led to an increase in food production, resulting in an increase in agricultural products in terms of quantity and quality. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) cultivation is prevalent in most areas of the world due to its high-quality grain and its potential to produce high yields under tough growing conditions. This study aimed to investigate all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by quinoa seed production in Greece and their relationship with farm-related factors, from fertilizer production to energy consumption for all cultivation techniques. The amount of all GHG emissions was estimated using Cool Farm Tool software. In order to collect data, a questionnaire including questions regarding cultivation details, soil characteristics, inputs, fuel, and water use was distributed and completed by forty quinoa producers from Central Greece. Accordingly, the estimated carbon footprint values per hectare and per kilogram of quinoa seed were 1,159.65 and 0.48 kg CO2-eq, respectively. The present research also found that the highest CO2-eq emissions per kilogram of quinoa seed were found to be associated with the production of fertilizers, with a value of 0.20 kg CO2-eq corresponding to 40.88% of the total emissions per kilogram of produced seed. Consequently, attention must be given for the mitigation of the environmental impact of quinoa seed production. It is particularly important to manage chemical fertilizers and agricultural machinery properly in order to ensure the sustainable cultivation of quinoa.

Pyramiding Breeding of Low-Glutelin-Content Indica Rice with Good Quality and Resistance.

Low-glutelin-content rice, a type of functional rice with glutelin levels below 4%, is an essential dietary supplement for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Developing low-glutelin-content rice varieties is crucial to catering to the growing CKD population. In this study, we aimed to create a new low-glutelin indica rice variety with excellent agronomic traits. To achieve this, we employed a combination of molecular-marker-assisted selection and traditional breeding techniques. The cultivars W3660, Wushansimiao (WSSM), and Nantaixiangzhan (NTXZ) were crossbred, incorporating the Lgc-1, Pi-2, Xa23, and fgr alleles into a single line. The result of this breeding effort was "Yishenxiangsimiao", a new indica rice variety that inherits the desirable characteristics of its parent lines. Yishenxiangsimiao (YSXSM) possesses not only a low glutelin content but also dual resistance to blast and bacterial blight (BB). It exhibits high-quality grains with a fragrant aroma. This new low-glutelin indica cultivar not only ensures a stable food supply for CKD patients but also serves as a healthy dietary option for the general public. We also performed RNA-seq of these rice varieties to investigate their internal gene expression differences. The YSXSM exhibited a higher biotic-resistance gene expression in comparison to NTXZ. In summary, we successfully developed a novel low-glutelin indica rice variety, "Yishenxiangsimiao", with superior agronomic traits. This rice variety addresses the dietary needs of CKD patients and offers a nutritious choice for all consumers.

Influence of varietal characteristics of winter wheat and weather conditions on lodging resistance and productivity

Growing technologies and variety selection are crucial for increasing yields and improving the quality of winter wheat grain. The area under winter wheat is the largest in Ukraine, which is associated with the production of high-quality grain. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of weather conditions and variety characteristics on winter wheat plant height, internode length, lodging resistance, productivity factor and yield during the years under study. In the course of the study, the following generally accepted methods were used: systematic approach, system analysis approach, analytical synthesis approach, field approach and statistical approach. The article presents data on the results of research with 20 varieties of soft winter wheat in the conditions of the Training and Practical Centre of Mykolaiv National Agrarian University from 2017 to 2023. Agricultural technology for growing winter wheat varieties is widespread in the steppes of southern Ukraine. The influence of weather conditions and varietal characteristics on lodging resistance and productivity of winter wheat was investigated. The results showed that the optimum plant height of winter wheat varieties ranged from 82.1 to 84.5 cm, and the highest yield was 6.32 t/ha in Staleva and 6.68 t/ha in Duma Odeska. A significant effect of varietal traits on stem length, second and last internode, number of stems formed per 1 m2 , grain weight in the ear and lodging resistance of winter bread wheat was established. Plants of the tested winter soft wheat varieties Staleva, Dyvo, Katarina, Felix, Ozerna, PONTICUS, Faust, Glaucus have a very high (9.0 points) resistance to lodging regardless of the weather conditions of the year. Ukrainian varieties Duma Odeska (6.68 t/ha) and Staleva (6.32 t/ha) achieved higher productivity. The obtained scientific results of the research contribute to the widespread use of the studied winter wheat varieties of this reasonably climatic zone and contribute to further improvement of grain production

Bacterial MgSe complex nanoparticle synthesis and electrical characterization of fabricated Ag/MgSe/p-Si hetero-structure under dark and illumination

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa OG1 strain was used in the bacterial synthesis of MgSe compound nanoparticles. The obtained samples were subsequently shaped into nanocrystalline MgSe films, and their optical, structural, morphological, and electrical properties were assessed on glass and p-Si substrates. Structural and morphological characterizations showed that the fabricated thin film samples have a polycrystalline structure with high quality and uniform grain sizes. The MgSe films produced on glass substrates exhibit a direct spectral band gap of 2.53 eV, according to optical measurements. The Ag/MgSe/p-Si layered diode structure was fabricated using the produced MgSe nanoparticles and then characterized by electrical properties. Electrical measurements were carried out under these two conditions to assess the effects of dark and illumination conditions on the band dynamics of the heterostructure devices. Under illumination, the barrier height decreased while the interface density states distribution increased. These measurements showed that using bacterial-assisted grown MgSe nanocrystalline films, the developed Ag/MgSe/p-Si device structure exhibited a remarkable photoresponse and stable rectifying property. Green synthesis methods for the production of these nanocrystalline materials have the potential to offer low-cost alternatives for photosensitive applications.

Reviving grain quality in wheat through non-destructive phenotyping techniques like hyperspectral imaging.

A long-term goal of breeders and researchers is to develop crop varieties that can resist environmental stressors and produce high yields. However, prioritising yield often compromises improvement of other key traits, including grain quality, which is tedious and time-consuming to measure because of the frequent involvement of destructive phenotyping methods. Recently, non-destructive methods such as hyperspectral imaging (HSI) have gained attention in the food industry for studying wheat grain quality. HSI can quantify variations in individual grains, helping to differentiate high-quality grains from those of low quality. In this review, we discuss the reduction of wheat genetic diversity underlying grain quality traits due to modern breeding, key traits for grain quality, traditional methods for studying grain quality and the application of HSI to study grain quality traits in wheat and its scope in breeding. Our critical review of literature on wheat domestication, grain quality traits and innovative technology introduces approaches that could help improve grain quality in wheat.

Методические особенности анализа и прогнозирования целевых индикаторов зернового хозяйства региона

The relevance of the study lies in the fact that it is focused at finding scientific approaches to solving the strate-gic problem of minimizing the volatility and instability of the grain economy in the region on the example of the Republic of Bashkortostan. In turn, insufficient methodological support for the regulation of such a target indica-tor of the grain economy as grain crop yield directly hinders the achievement of sustainable development of the regional agrarian economy, which is the basis of social well-being of rural areas. The aim of the study is to as-sess the sustainability of grain sector development in conditions of uncertainty, as well as to scientifically sub-stantiate certain measures of state regulation, the implementation of which in the strategic perspective is de-signed to guarantee the effective functioning of grain producers and prevent the decline in the level of regional food security. The article reveals the key trends in the development of grain farming in the Republic of Bashkor-tostan, which, according to the authors, is the basis for ensuring food security in the region. It is summarized that Bashkortostan has all the necessary prerequisites, reserves and has great potential for the intensive devel-opment of grain farming and increasing the level of efficiency in the production of high-quality grain.

Efficiency of growth regulators in corn crops of the Northern Steppe of Ukraine

The continuous increase in prices for mineral fertilisers for corn limits the use of fertilisers, which leads to the search for unconventional sources of food elements, and in particular, the use of biological natural and synthetic growth stimulators that are not harmful to the environment and allow wider use of the entire genetic potential of corn. The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of various plant growth regulators on the intensity of photosynthesis, development, growth and productivity of corn of various ripeness groups in the steppe of Ukraine. The field scientific study was conducted according to generally accepted methods of research, followed by the use of mathematical processing of experimental data using variance analysis. An increase in the chlorophyll content was identified when Avangard Grow Amino and Avangard Grow Humate preparations were applied compared to Vympel 2 and Alpha Nano Grow by 11.3-23.7%. The increase in grain from the use of growth stimulators on corn was in the early-maturing hybrid DN Pivikha – 0.13-0.37 t/ha (2.7-7.7%), mediumearly DN Khortytsia – 0.85-1.08 t/ha (16.6-18.5%), medium-maturing DN Julia – 0.20- 0.22 t/ha (3.20-3.4%), medium-late DN Olena – 0.05-0.53 t/ha (0.65-7.6%). Among the preparations used, Avangard Grow Amino and Avangard Grow Humate should be highlighted, which provided a tendency to increase the crude protein content to 6.42- 8.4%, or by 0.12-0.48 percentage points more compared to the control (3.53-4.71%), and the crude fat content to 3.73-5.52%, or by 0.20-0.81 percentage points. The use of growth stimulators in the conditions of the Northern Steppe of Ukraine on corn, especially Avangard Grow Amino and Avangard Grow Humate on early-maturing and medium-early corn hybrids, allows increasing the gross yield of high-quality grain by 7.6-18.4%

Assessment of the adaptability of spring film oats in terms of yield and grain quality in the conditions of the Kirov region

Studies were carried out in order to assess the varieties and lines of spring covered oats by the ability to form stable high quality grain yields in the conditions of the Kirov region; to identify promising highly adaptive, plastic genotypes that most fully realize their yield potential in changing environmental conditions. The results of the study of 11 varieties and promising lines of spring covered oats in the nursery of competitive variety testing in the Kirov region in the period from 2020 to 2022 are presented. The Krechet varieties were used as standards generally accepted in the Volga-Vyatka region (during the research period), which are included in the State Register. The most optimal conditions for the growth and development of oats were in 2022 and 2020 when the duration of the period from seedlings to heading averaged 52 and 46 days, and the average yield in varieties was 6.21 and 6.18 t/ha, respectively. Promising lines 91h18 (6.14 t/hа) and 41h18 (5.78 t/hа), which is 0.95 and 0.59 t/ha higher than the Krechet standard. Were characterized by the highest yield while line 91h18 had a high level of plasticity (bi =1.13) and stability (Si2=0.00) based on «yield» parameter. A fairly high plasticity (bi= 1.12) and stability (Si2= 0.01) in terms of yield and grain quality indicators (for protein - bi= 1.12, Si2= 0.20, fat - bi= 1.11, Si2 = 0.00) is characterized by an intensive ‘Medved’ type variety. High indices of plasticity (bi = 1.42) and stability (Si2 = 0.00) on the basis of the parameter «grain protein content» were noted at line 162h15. The highest grain fat content was characterized for lines 178h13 (5.3 %), 4h14 (5.4 %), and 41h18 (5.6 %). Almost all the studied varieties have a high stability (Si2=0,00…0,21) of the sign. When increasing the plasticity and stability of varieties in terms of yield, a decrease in these grain quality indicators was observed, as well as a close negative relationship of the grain protein content with yield (r = -0.83). A high degree of positive dependence of the duration of the germination-heading period with HTC (r = 0.97) and yield (r = 0.79) has been established.

Broadband and ultrafast photodetector based on PtSe2 synthesized on hBN using molecular beam epitaxy

Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials are potential candidates for high-performance optoelectrical devices owing to the bandgap modulation, high on/off ratio, and ultra-stability. However, the challenge of synthesizing large-area, uniform, and high-quality 2D van der Waals materials should be addressed to manufacture large-scale and uniform optoelectrical devices using these materials. Although several previous studies investigated synthesis methods using chemical vapor deposition and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), there are certain limitations such as the non-uniformity, lots of grain boundaries, and low carrier mobility. Here, by studying a method for synthesizing PtSe2 on hBN buffer layer using MBE, we fabricated a PtSe2-based broadband photodetector. The high-quality PtSe2 synthesized on hBN was evaluated using Raman spectroscopy and scanning transmission electron spectroscopy. These revealed that the synthesized PtSe2 had a high quality and small grain boundary compared with PtSe2 synthesized on SiO2. Owing to the reduction in the carrier scattering and carrier recombination because of the high-quality and small grain boundaries, the photodetector using PtSe2 synthesized on hBN displayed optoelectrical properties that were significantly better than those of PtSe2 synthesized on SiO2. Therefore, using hBN as a buffer layer for PtSe2 growth, a remarkable performance of complex optoelectrical devices could be achieved.

MILLETS AND HEALTH NUTRIATION

Millets are grains that have long been used for their nutritional and therapeutic properties. Millets are mostly farmed in Asia and utilised as a food source. Millets are little grains that grow in warm conditions and are mem-bers of the grass family. Millets are resilient grains that can withstand a wide range of weather conditions. They supply nutrients necessary for the physiological functioning of the human body. Millets are classified into two types: Major Millets and Minor Millets, based on grain size. Millets contain protein, fat, carbs, and fibre, among other things. Millets are more nutritious than other high-quality grains. Millets were also high in phosphorus and iron. Millets have therapeutic properties due to the presence of tannins, polyphenols, phytosterols, and anthocy-anins, among other things. Millets are used to cure and prevent metabolic illnesses, and they also have antioxi-dant properties.

The Influence of Cropping Systems on Photosynthesis, Yield, and Grain Quality of Selected Winter Triticale Cultivars

Soil serves as the fundamental foundation for agricultural production; however, inappropriate utilization of soil in conventional cropping systems (CONV) coupled with agricultural practices focused on maximizing profit through the attainment of high-quality grain yield contributes to its degradation. An alternative to the CONV is the integrated cropping system (INTEG), which is based on sustainable plant cultivation by reducing the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. An interesting two-factor field experiment with winter triticale (×Triticosecale Wittm.) was conducted in 2019–2022 in south-eastern Poland. The experimental factors in this study included three winter triticale cultivars, namely Avokado, Medalion, Rotondo, and SU Liborius, and two cropping systems, CONV and INTEG. It was found that the use of the CONV brought out higher grain yield with higher protein and lower fat content. The cultivation of triticale grain under the CONV resulted in a higher thousand-grain weight (TGW), improved grain uniformity, and higher test weight values compared to INTEG. Additionally, the use of the CONV system resulted in improved values of physiological parameters (chlorophyll content and fluorescence and gas exchange), and that was caused by improved photosynthetic efficiency of triticale plants as a result of increased doses of mineral fertilizers, despite being cultivated in the INTEG; cv. SU Liborius achieved better values of yield parameters among the tested triticale cultivars grown in the CONV. Therefore, the selection of a suitable, efficient cultivar allows its growth under lower fertilization conditions and produces high grain yields of good quality. This knowledge can be valuable to farmers, as it would facilitate the selection of a triticale cultivar with the appropriate genetic profile for cultivation under specific agronomic conditions. Eventually, it would allow for the propagation of sustainable agricultural practices and contribute to enhancing soil biodiversity while maintaining the cost-effectiveness of agricultural production.

Spatiotemporal divergence and convergence test of green total factor productivity of grain in China: based on the dual perspective of carbon emissions and surface source pollution.

The topic of grain production and quality has always been a fundamental issue for the country's livelihood. With the purpose of contributing to high-quality grain development and ensuring national food security, this paper explores the spatial and temporal evolution, regional differences and convergence of grain green total factor productivity (GTFP) in the main grain-producing regions of China from the dual perspectives of carbon emissions and surface pollution with the help of EBM-GML model, kernel density function estimation and convergence methods. The results show that (1) Grain GTFP has generally shown a positive growth trend, although there exists obvious spatial differences. (2) In terms of decomposition indices, technological progress is the source of the increase in grain GTFP. (3) There are σ convergence, absolute β convergence and conditional β convergence in the main producing region as well as in the Yellow River basin and the Yangtze River basin; there are only absolute β convergence and conditional β convergence in the Songhua River basin. Grain GTFP has a single high-efficiency convergence point, and the grain GTFP is enhancing year by year in each province, and the inter-provincial gap is shrinking.

Features of the winter common wheat variety ‘Zodiak’ when cultivating it according to various forecrops and sowing time

The current study was carried out in the southern part of the Rostov region in the agrotechnical crop rotation of the laboratory for grain cultivation technology. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of such factors as a forecrop and sowing time on productivity and grain quality of the winter common wheat variety ‘Zodiak’. During the study, there was found that the variety ‘Zodiak’ produced up to 9.70 t/ha. There was established that the high adaptability of the variety ‘Zodiak’ made it possible to obtain high yields at different sowing dates, however, there was a tendency to form maximum productivity when sowing at the optimal time for the area (20 and 30 of September). There was found that the large productivity of the crop sown in black fallow was ensured by the number of productive stems (up to 596 pcs/m2) and productivity per head (number of kernels per head up to 31.3 pcs., grain weight per head up to 1.42 g). For all forecrops in the variant with a late sowing time, there was a decrease in number of kernels per head (by 6.2–22.9 %) and mass of grain per head (by 1.7–11.7 %) compared with earlier sowing dates. Biochemical analysis has shown that when sown in black fallow and after peas, the yielded grain had the maximum protein per-centage on average up to 14.1 % and 13.3 %, respectively. There has been established that the variety ‘Zodiak’ could form high-quality grain even when it was sown after sunflower (with 12.3–12.6 % of protein and 22.5–23.5 % of gluten). The best economic indicators in the cultivation of the variety ‘Zodiak’ were obtained when it was sown in black fallow, with up to 191 % of profitability, up to 77993 rubles/ha of conditional net income.

The Cultivation of Winter Wheat in the Ganja-Gazakh Economic Region

To obtain a high yield of wheat, the described cultivation technology should be observed. Consideration should be given to the biological characteristics of winter wheat, varieties, soil preparation for sowing, sowing dates, sowing rates, irrigation, fertilization, disease and pest control, and, finally, timely harvest without losses in accordance with relevant conditions. Since winter wheat is demanding on mineral fertilizers, one of the most important factors was the determination of the norms of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash fertilizers. Taking into account the fact that the chemical composition of winter wheat grain is not constant, but varies depending on the type and variety, climatic conditions, soil fertility, cultivation technology, a technology has been developed for growing 4 different varieties of winter wheat. For the Ganja-Kazakh economic region to obtain high-quality grain, which makes it possible to obtain an average yield of 50-60 centners per 1 ha.

Grain yield and quality of new winter wheat varieties in the Orel region

Relevance. Winter wheat is one of the main food crops. The introduction of new high-yield varieties and intensive 'high-yield technology' aims to produce high-quality grain of grade 3 or higher, which has high baking qualities.Methods. The production experiment was conducted out in 2019-2021 in Oryol district of Oryol region. The experimental field was surveyed using the OneSoil precision farming platform. The chlorophyll index was measured using a Yara N-tester. The counts and observations were made according to the Methodology for State Crop Testing (1985). Samples of winter wheat were taken in accordance with GOST 12036-85. Gluten content was determined according to GOST R 54478-2011, weight of 1000 seeds – according to GOST 10842-89, mass fraction of protein – according to GOST 10846-91. Grain moisture content – according to GOST 13586.5-93. Statistical processing was performed according to B.A. Dospekhov (1985) using Microsoft Office Exel computer program.Results. It was found that measuring the chlorophyll index during the growing season allows you to monitor the nitrate nitrogen content in the plant and timely nitrogen fertiliser application at scientifically justified rates. The new winter wheat varieties Stork and Leonida, when cultivated using 'intensive high yield technology', have been shown to provide high quality grain yields of more than 10 t/ha. In terms of gluten content, the grains of both varieties belong to the third class and in terms of protein content to the second class, which indicates their high baking qualities.

Varieties and resource-saving elements of winter wheat growing technology as a west of grain production

Topicality. Ukraine is a world known producer of high-quality grain. Actually, the potential for grain production of all grain crops, especially, winter wheat is quite powerful, especially in the southern region of Ukraine. At the same time, grain yield levels largely depend on influence of many factors: the moisture supply of plants during the growing years, the agricultural background of nutrition, the selection of varietal composition, the tillage method and measures, the plant protection, the weed infestation, and other factors. There are no trifles in plant cultivation, because strict compliance with all the necessary technological requirements will allow you to obtain constant productivity and ensure a gross harvest of grain every year. This is significantly important both for the state's own needs and for exports. Currently, it is not possible to successfully cultivate crops in all fields and agricultural lands due to military operations in Ukraine. The Ukrainian manufacturers should implement previously developed elements of technology and improve new less-known and resource-saving measures. The last aspect also becomes significant in term of the weakening the economic capacity of farms, the increase in the price of material resources and a certain decrease in soil fertility. Under such conditions, the most effective measure is to review of the list of agricultural crops and select the most unpretentious to environmental conditions crops for cultivation, and among them, it is necessary to select crops highly adapted to biotic and abiotic factors of the environment, and varieties that are able to show their genetically programmed biological and eco-nomically valuable characteristics. Purpose. We attempt to achieve a significant increase in both grain yield and its quality by means of selection and involvement of new varieties in the production, and improvement of certain elements of growing technology. Materials and Methods. Setting up and conducting field experiments was carried out in accordance with the generally accepted methodology of the research case. The experimental part of the work was carried out during 2007–2021 at the research field of the NNPC of the National Academy of Sciences. Results. It was determined that winter wheat responds to predecessors, increases grain productivity against the background of fertilization. With regard to the selection of the varietal composition of soft winter wheat bred by Ukrainian breeding institutions in the last decades, it was established that most varieties are adapted to cultivation in the conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine, and are able to form a stable level of harvest, which does not clearly fluctuate over the years. Conclusions. We substantiated that winter wheat should be planted after more favorable predecessors, a moderate dose of mineral fertilizers should be applied, and the most productive varieties should be selected, which have the best characteristics in the conditions of the growing zone. Keywords: winter wheat, selection of adapted varieties, grain harvest, weather and climate conditions, elements of cultivation technology

Study of mechanical characteristics and strengthening mechanism of AA5154 during cryogenic rolling

Cryogenic rolling (CR) and room-temperature rolling (RTR) process of AA5154 were studied for their effects on the strengthening mechanisms underlying the alloy's mechanical properties. The results indicate that following Cryogenic processing, the AA 5154 dislocation density increases while the particle size of the sub-grains as well as second-phase particles greatly decreases. The AA 5154 benefits greatly from CR processing, as compared to RTR processing, in terms of yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation. This can be explained by the combined impacts of a higher quality grain structure and a strengthening of the material due to dislocations.

The biological and environmental features of reproduction and distribution of dominant harmful organisms in modern conditions

The article presents research on the features of reproduction of dominant pests of species of organisms in agrobiocenoses growing cereals, leguminous crops, sunflowers and flowers. The article describes the latest ways to control a complex of soil harmful insect species in short-rotation field crop, as well as aerogenic harmful organisms in the integrated use of plant protection products of nutrition systems. In addition, we have identified individual levels of biologically oriented mechanisms of self-regulation of harmful organisms with measures to stabilize the functioning of agrocenoses, which are supplied with natural adaptive reactions in trophic chains.
 In the region of observations, the complex of pests is controlled by spiders, nematodes, mites, pathogens, predators and parasites. A variety of causative agents of bacterial, fungal, viral and protozoal diseases of phytophagous insects deserve special attention.
 Parasites and predators appear everywhere with trophic chains in 16 rows of the insect class. In recent years, predatory species of ground beetles from a number of Hymenoptera insects that feed on aphids on corn crops with unreasonable intensive use of nitrogen fertilizers have acquired significant importance.
 The use of compositions of insecticide + UAN, 32 % for seed treatment of grain crops, allows to save mineral nutrition and get an increase in grain yield up to 27 %. This helps to optimize the state of cenoses and obtain high-quality grain while reducing the cost. Measures have been developed to realize the productivity potential of field crops and flowers through low-cost plant protection measures and to determine the mechanisms for controlling the number of phytophages and the development of dominant types of diseases according to the characteristics of their biology and ecology