Nonchernozem Zone Of Russia Research Articles

Biological features of Oenothera tetragona Roth. in the conditions of culture in the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia

Biological features of Oenothera tetragona Roth. in the conditions of culture in the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia

Apple tree Alternaria (malus domestica Borkh.) and ways to reduce its harmfulness in the non-chernozem zone of Russia

The research was conducted on the territory of the educational and experimental farm of the K.A. Timiryazev Russian State Agrarian University of Agriculture in Moscow in 2020-2023. The examination of apple-tree plantings, ornamental plantings, and weed vegetation was carried out for three years with determination of pathogens of the main diseases by microscopy method. The Alternaria fungi species membership were identified by morphological features of conidia and sporulation habitus, and the specific pathogen species was confirmed by PCR analysis. Two unspecified species of Alternaria tenuissima and Alternaria infectoria fungi were found to infect apple trees and other species of the surveyed plants with Alternaria blight. The fungus species Alternaria tenuissima was predominantly recorded on apple trees. Out of 186 examined apple cultivars, the development of Alternaria blight was found in 85.5% of the cultivars with different ripening periods. The apple cultivars most resistant to Alternaria blight were identified. The apple cultivars, in which the damage of fruits by Alternaria blight was recorded, were identified. Infestation of apple seeds by fungi of Alternaria genus obtained from fruits affected by this pathogen was determined. The possibility of high Alternaria blight infestation degree in apple tree seedlings was detected. A high degree of Alternaria tenuissima and Alternaria infectoria fungi development was recorded in a number of orchard-protecting and ornamental plants, as well as in weeds, and their possible role as reservoirs and transmitters of infection to fruit crops was established. The efficacy of fungicides: Luna Tranquiliti, KS; Skor, KE; Medea, ME; Zato, VDG; Horus, VDG; Coside Super, VDG in suppressing Alternaria blight development on apple cultivars of different ripening dates has been compared.

Effect of low positive temperature on the antioxidant system formation in de-etiolated and etiolated Amaranthus tricolor L. seedlings grown from seeds treated with growth regulators

In the Non-chernozem zone of Russia, the recurrent spring cold up to 1-2 C can cause damage and death of thermophilic amaranth seedlings. Pre-sowing treatment of seeds with growth regulators is an inexpensive and effective method to reduce the negative effect of hypothermia on seed germination. The aim of the research was to study the effect of low-temperature stress on etiolated and de-etiolated seedlings of amaranth cv. Valentina ( A. tricolor L.) grown from seeds treated with growth stimulants. Seeds were pretreated with aqueous solutions of Albit (1 g/L), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) - 5 mM and succinic acid (ScA) - 500 mg/L. Seeds were germinated in peat pots at 23 2 C (T23) for 7 days. On the 7th day, peat pots with seedlings grown in the light and in the dark were moved to thermostat at 2.0 0.5 C (T2) for 8 hours. Determination of the amount of amaranthine, chlorophylls and carotenoids were carried out according to generally accepted methods. Pretreatment of seeds with the growth regulators Albit, H2O2, and ScA increased hypocotyl length, root length, and biomass of light and etiolated seedlings. Low positive temperatures increased the content of amaranthine and carotenoids but reduced the content of chlorophylls. It was shown that all used growth regulators - H2O2, Albit and ScA trigger or at least maintain the system of antioxidant protection in light and etiolated seedlings of amaranth cv. Valentina under low positive temperatures.

Expansion of pipeless drainage functions for draining poorly permeable soils

Due to climate change, in the next 30-50 years, an increase in precipitation during the growing season is predicted in the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia. However, even now, traditional methods of draining poorly permeable soils in a number of cases have proved to be ineffective due to the insufficiency of operational and capital measures to accelerate the removal of surface water and the weak hydraulic connection between the arable layer and drains. The experience of operation of drainage systems in the Nonchernozem zone of Russia has shown that at large distances between channels, the removal of surface runoff is difficult. A rational solution is to reduce the distances between the conductive channels. In this case, instead of open collectors, we propose to use cavityless collectors for drainage, which do not interfere with the movement of heavy agricultural machinery. A complete analysis of the functioning of cavityless collectors has been carried out. In the part of hydrology, accounting for the increase in precipitation is discussed and a method is given for calculating the maximum average daily module of drainage flow for the early spring and summer-autumn periods. A geotechnical calculation of the settlement during the passage of a heavy general-purpose tractor of the 5th traction class K-744R1 (Kirovets) was performed. It is shown that under the design conditions, the settlements will be about 1 cm. An example of a hydraulic calculation of the reservoir with the calculation of the initial and maximum depth of the filtration flow in it is given. Hydraulic calculation is carried out according to a proven method, the theoretical foundations of which were developed by the authors in previously published articles. An important feature is that all possible filtration modes are taken into account in the hydraulic calculation: laminar, transitional and turbulent.

The Effect of Cultivation Technologies and Mineral Fertilizers Application on Production and Quality of Winter Wheat Varieties in the Non-Chernozem Zone of Russia

Winter wheat is considered as the most important food crop in Russia, providing daily protein and food calories. The current study was conducted at the Federal Research Center Nemchinovka, in the Central Non-Black Earth region of Russia, over a period of 2 years (2021 to 2022) and aimed at evaluating the reaction of winter wheat varieties according to cultivation technologies at a different level of intensity i. e. basic, intensive and high intensive. The cultivation technologies included fertilizers, pesticides and growth regulators at different combinations and concentrations. Treatments included fertilizers, pesticides (fungicides, herbicides, insecticides) and growth regulators in different combinations and concentrations. Three varieties of winter wheat have been studied: Nemchinovskaya 85, Moskovskaya 40 and Moskovskaya 27. Yield performances and grain quality (measured through protein and gluten content) were determined according to the tested cultivation technologies. The results showed that the cultivation technology affected grain wheat productivity and quality on all varieties studied, since the highest yields were obtained using high intensive cultivation technology for all varieties studied, Nemchinovskaya 85 increased a yield of 1.14-3.10t/ha, Moskovskaya 27: 0.64-3.62t/ha and Moskovskaya 40: 0.71-3.21t/ha. The tested cultivation technologies demonstrated that high intensive cultivation technology increased wheat quality. The highest protein content (17,1 %) was recorded in Nemchinovskaya 85 variety. The present results give real opportunities for a large-scale application of the tested cultivation technologies in different agricultural lands of Russia.

Экологические последствия современных изменений климата, негативно влияющие на устойчивость хвойных растений к вредителям и афиллофоровым грибам

The resistance of woody plants to pests and stem rot is reduced in the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia. The spread of areas where coniferous forests are compromised and of windbreak areas is a signal of an increase in the negative impact of abiotic factors and phytopathogens. The primary role in the decomposition of the woody substrate belongs to aphyllophoric fungi. The zero stage of xylolisis occurs within one growing season or a part of it and does not affect the characteristics of wood. The first stage takes 1-2 years and leads to the formation of a ring of wood-staining fungi. At the second stage, the results of oxidation of wood milieu by aphyllophoric fungi become noticeable, and wood becomes reddened. This stage lasts from 2 to 3 years. The third stage, the period of an active growth of mycelium, which lasts from 4 to 6 years, is associated with the formation of brown rot spots. At the fourth stage, mycelium metabolizes up to 70% of the substrate until rot softens. This process takes from 4 to 8 years. The final stages of wood destruction last long, from 10 to 60 years, and result in an almost complete loss of wood structure. The succession of fungi and mesofauna is associated with an alternation of saproxylic organisms in the course of changes in the qualitative characteristics of their substrate. During our study of model trees, a relationship was found between wood perforation and fruiting bodies development. With account of the specific physiological characteristics of aphyllophoric fungi, one may conclude that the development of fruiting bodies begins upon a high level of substate degradation sufficient for the formation of a secondary vegetative mycelium.

Influence of subterraneous plant organs on yields and winter hardness of winter triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm.)

Purpose of this work was to identify the influence of the underground part of the plant on winter hardness and crop yields of collection of winter hexaploid triticale with different eco-geographical origin in the terms of Nonchernozem zone in Russia. The set of 43 hybrids of triticale with different eco-geographical origin was divided into 5 groups according to its origin: Dagestan, North Caucasus, Central Black Earth zone and Ukraine, Nonchernozem zone of Russia, Belarus and Eastern Europe. For every hybrid in a group, the number of plants with lower tillering node, availability and degree of epicotyl development and secondary root system calculated and the correlation analysis of these traits with grain yields performed. The grain yields considered as an integral indicator of the genotype adaptability for specific environment conditions. As a result, the triticale genotypes with stable development of a large number of plants with lower tillering node selected Mikola, Antey, Valentin, AD4, Timbo, AD 44 and Flamingo. The influence of environment conditions where the triticale hybrid created on selection of high yields genotype and increased number of plants with lower tillering node revealed. Greatest conjugacy between crop yields and availability of double tillering nodes is typical for hybrids from Central part of country and Belarus. It turned out that hybrids from southern regions have a positive relation of crop yields and the length of epicotyl. The hybrids from Central part of Russia, Belarus and Europe do not have this correlation. A weak positive relation in triticale hybrids found between development of secondary root system and grain yield.

ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ АЛЬТЕРНАТИВА ВОЗДЕЛЫВАНИЯ КАРТОФЕЛЯ В МОСКОВСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ

Due to the need to replace worn-out mechanization tools with more modern high-performance brands, the search for alternative technologies for growing potatoes is rather relevant. Tha author made a comparative analysis of the production efficiency of the ridge-band and ridge technologies of potato cultivation for CJSC Lenin State Farm in the Moscow Region. The area of potato cultivation of the “Pirol” variety was 400 hectares. With the ridge-band technology, the main and pre-sowing tillage was carried out by the MTZ 1025 and K744R1 tractors, while ZA1500 was used for fertilization. The PLN-5-35 plow and a KSS-9 cultivator were used as tillage tools. When shifting to the ridge technology of potato cultivation, alternative means of mechanization can be considered. Tractors MTZ 1025 and K744R1 are proposed to be replaced by John Deere 8295R. During autumn tillage, plowing was replaced by deep loosening, carried out by the Digger N Fert + COMPACT deep loosener with the simultaneous application of complex fertilizers. The GL 430 was chosen as the sowing machine instead of the energy-saturated Grimme VL20 KLZ machine. Potato harvesting is proposed to be carried out with a Ventor 4150 self-propelled harvester, which is less productive than the DR-1500, but more fuel efficient; moreover, it cuts the tops while harvesting. The proposed measures made it possible to reduce the production cost of one centner by 10.8% or by 33.5 rubles per 100 kg, increase profit by 16.0% and production profitability by 9.8%, thus reaching 43.7%. The practice of using new machines exemplified by this enterprise can be useful for other potato farms operating in the Non-Chernozem Zone of Russia.

Creation of new soft winter wheat varieties for cultivation in the conditions of the central region of the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia

Winter wheat is the most valuable agricultural crop, which occupies one of the first places in the balance of grain crops of the Central region of the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia. Year after year, there is an increasing need to expand the production of grain products, which can be provided by varieties that give high and stable yields over the years. Creation of environmentally plastic varieties is a promising and popular direction of breeding work in recent years. The evaluation of samples in the breeding process for ecological plasticity and yield stability allows to identify varieties most adapted to growing conditions, as well as having high potential productivity. To identify the most valuable samples for the complex of economically useful traits a breeding evaluation of soft winter wheat promising lines obtained using source material of various ecological and geographical origin was carried out in the FSEI HE RSAU-MAA named after K.A. Timiryazev. As a result of the study, the most valuable sample 50h (Azotfixifuyushchaya x Moscovskaya 40) was selected in a competitive variety testing, which significantly exceeded the yield standard, and was also characterized by high grain quality and resistance to powdery mildew. This promising sample, which has high indicators for a complex of economically valuable traits, is planned to be transferred to the State variety testing. Variety samples were identified that showed high resistance to snow mold 32h (Sharada × Nemchinovskaya 24) and 52h (Nemchinovskaya 24× Zimorodok), which we recommend to use in further breeding for resistance to this disease.

Examination results of fiber flax samples in the central region of the Non-chernozem zone of Russia

Examination results of fiber flax samples in the central region of the Non-chernozem zone of Russia

Действие длительного применения минеральных удобрений на агрохимические свойства дерново-подзолистой почвы сенокоса

The effect of long-term use of mineral fertilizers on the accumulation of heavy metals in soils of various compositions is an urgent problem in the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia. The main objective of the research conducted at the Federal Williams Research Center of Forage Production and Agroecology was to determine the effect of long-term use of mineral fertilizers on agrochemical soil parameters and accumulation of heavy metals. Systematic application of mineral fertilizers on the sod-podzolic loamy soil of hayfield for 74 years has not had a negative impact on its agrochemical indicators. On the contrary, the organic matter content increased by 30-40% according to the experimental variants. The acidity of the soil decreased from a pH of 4.3 to 4.5–5.3. The effect of mineral fertilizers on the content of mobile forms of copper, zinc, cadmium, lead in the soil and their accumulation in plants is shown. Analysis of the soil by layers showed that 15–20% more humus, mobile macroelements, microelements – copper, zinc are concentrated in the 0–10 cm layer. The content of toxic elements – cadmium and lead – was characterized by their uniform distribution over the 0–20 cm horizon. An annual balance calculation of the use of microelements supplied with mineral fertilizers to plants is presented. The obtained results showed that the forage grasses during the growing season fully used the copper, zinc, cadmium, lead introduced with mineral fertilizers and additionally consumed from the soil: copper – 68, zinc – 268, cadmium – 0.2, lead – 3 g/ha.

Агроэкономическая эффективность технологий освоения закустаренных залежных земель

The idle lands of the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia are quickly overgrown with tree and shrubby vegetation (TSV). Their active development under modern conditions needs a comprehensive justification of the available technological options for removal and processing of TSV. To evaluate their agro-economic efficiency, a comprehensive study was carried out at Sofia LLC in the Tosnensky District of the Leningrad Region. Its methodological basis was model-field and production experiments, laid out in weakly and medium-cultivated sod-podzolic gleyey soils of heavy loamy granulometric composition. They studied the agroeconomic efficiency of application of traditional ameliorants (milled raw dolomite and poultry manure supplemented with potassium fertilizer) and TSV processing products (wood chips, wood chaff, biochar and ash). The study determined the negative impact of products of TSV processing embedded in the soil on crops; the lack of a direct correlation between agroecological and economic efficiency of development technologies; an irreplaceable positive role of a complex of chemical ameliorants. The level of profitability of its use varied in experiments from 7–15 % for cultures and varieties undemanding of fertility to 48–56 % for demanding ones. On its basis, radical improvement of the soil properties was ensured, which made it possible to increase the productivity of the crop rotation link against the background of the embedded wood chips from 13.3 to 19 tons of forage units (FU) per hectare, of wood chaff – from 10.5 to 19.2 t FU/ha, biochar – from 16.1 to 21.4 t FU/ha, ash – from 15.6 to 21.2 t FU/ha while improving product quality.
 The profitability parameters of technologies for the development of the shrubby idle land based on the data on the cost of yield increase (21–52 %) are 8.8–9.1 times lower than for the additionally produced and sold dairy products (191–459 %). Due to our production and direct sale of high-quality dairy products, the average annual net income from the development of 1 hectare of lightly and heavily shrubby idle land increases from 21 to 205.7 thousand roubles and from 9.7 to 80.5 thousand roubles respectively. With the re-processing of TSV to Eurowood, these indicators increase by 159.2 thousand roubles/ha per year.
 Due to the relatively high cost of biochar production, the «biochar + complex of ameliorants» option, the best in terms of agronomic and environmental efficiency, is significantly (1.7 times) inferior to agronomically less efficient technologies in short-term studies in terms of profitability (132 % versus 230 %). Less efficient technologies include embedding of crushed TSV in the soil with modern milling machines. The full payback period of biochar technology when calculating income for feed is 3.1 years, for milk and dairy products – 1.3 years.

ЗАКОНОМЕРНОСТИ ИЗМЕНЕНИЯ ЭЛЕМЕНТОВ ВОДНОГО БАЛАНСА ЗОНЫ АЭРАЦИИ ПРИ ПОЛИВЕ СТОЛОВОЙ МОРКОВИ

The subject of research is the study of the regularity of changes in the elements of the water balance of the aeration zone and the root layer, to preserve the fertility of sod-podzolic soils of the Central Russian province of the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia and to obtain optimally high yields of table carrots.

СВЯЗЬ МЕЖДУ ЭЛЕМЕНТАМИ ВОДНОГО БАЛАНСА ЗОНЫ АЭРАЦИИ ПОЧВ И РАСЧЕТНОГО СЛОЯ ПОЧВЫ ПРИ ПОЛИВЕ ВИКО-ОВСЯНОЙ СМЕСИ

The subject of research is the study of the regularity of changes in the components of the water balance of the aeration zone and the calculated layer, aimed at preserving the fertility of soddy-podzolic soils of the Central Russian province of the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia, and obtaining optimally high yields of table carrots. The object of research, the components of the water balance of the aeration zone and the calculated layer, are soddy-podzolic soils and soil moisture of watershed areas associated with the cultivation of table carrots. Experimental studies included field, lysimetric and laboratory experiments carried out in years with different meteorological conditions. In field and lysimetric experiments, as well as in the processing and analysis of experimental materials, the theory of groundwater movement, the water balance method, physical and mathematical modeling, and the theory of mathematical statistics were used. The studies carried out in lysimeters and on the experimental site in 2010-2012 were the basis for obtaining the patterns of changes in the components of the water balance of the aeration zone and the calculated layer during irrigation of the vetch-oat mixture on soddy-podzolic soils. When conducting scientific research on the water balance of the aeration zone and the calculated layer during the irrigation of the vetch-oat mixture on soddy-podzolic soils, the methodology developed at the Department of Agricultural Melioration, Forestry and Land Management of the Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Agricultural Academy named after K. A. Timiryazev. The relationship between the irrigation norms of the vetch-oat mixture and the moisture content of the calculated layer of soddy-podzolic soil was obtained. The correlation coefficient of the considered values is 0.982+0.067. The relationship between the water consumption of vetch-oat mixture and the moisture content of soddy-podzolic soil of watersheds has been obtained. The correlation coefficient of the considered values is 0.984+0.055.

Influence of mineral fertilizers on economic indicators of cultivated varieties of spring triticale in the conditions of the republic of Mari El

In modern socio-economic conditions, the production of high-quality grain remains the main task of agricultural production. The main way to solve it is to increase productivity by introducing new varieties and crops with high potential and improving the cultivation technology with minimal costs. Agrarians of the North-East of the Non-Chernozem Zone of Russia, having in their land, use poorly fertile sod-podzolic soils of varying degrees of cultivation. To increase the productivity of grain crops, they use adapted resource-saving technologies, in which the level of mineral fertilizer is determined by the magnitude of the dose of the nutrient established experimentally. The high productivity of the variety, along with the quality of the grain, is the most important indicator of the ultimate goal of every breeder. To assess the economic efficiency of the cultivation of spring triticale, studies were carried out on nine varieties: Saur, Dobroe, Zaozerye, KNIISH 9, KNIISH 11, KNIISH 22, Savva, Timur, Rovnya. The results of our studies convincingly indicate that in the conditions of the republic, even against an unfertilized background, cultivated varieties of spring triticale, provide grain yield from 2.5 to 3.8 t/ha. Some of the most important economic indicators characterizing production efficiency are such indicators as the cost of production and the degree of efficiency of grain production, expressed by the level of profitability. The main application of mineral fertilizers (N60P60K60, (P60K60) and the introduction of nitrogen fertilization in tillering at a dose of N30increases the cost of 1 kg of grain by 5-8%, thereby reducing the profitability of production when cultivating varieties. The cultivation of varieties Rovnya, Zaur, Zaozerye, KNIISH 22, KNIISH 11, Timur was economically profitable, but less profitable than varieties KNIISH 9, Dobroe and Savva. The cost of production of a kilogram of grain was on the option without mineral nutrition from 5.1; 7.0; 5.9; 5.1; 4.8; and 6.4 rubles, respectively. On fertilized options, the cost decreased to a minimum of 4.1 rubles in the Timur variety with the main application of N60P60K60with nitrogen fertilization N30during tillering. The maximum increase in the cost price was shown by the varieties Timur, Zaozerye: 4.8 and 4.9 rubles against the background of the main application of N60P60K60. On average for 2020 according to the results of economic analysis, the lowest cost price and the highest level of profitability indicator are observed when cultivating varieties KNIISH 9, Dobroe and Savva at all levels of mineral nutrition.

Кормопроизводство Нечерноземной зоны: состояние и перспективы развития

The Non-Chernozem zone of Russia in terms of soil and climatic conditions and plant resources is the main region of specialization of commodity production of dairy and meat products of animal husbandry. The intensity and economic efficiency of the industry are closely related to the volume of production and quality of feed. The article analyzes the current state, substantiates the main parameters of feed production and measures for the development of promising feed production systems that ensure food security in the region. Soil and climate resources, scientific and practical experience allows us to produce basic types of food in the Non-Chernozem zone in full from the need. For the production of dairy and meat products of cattle, it will be necessary to produce about 77 million tons of feed units, including 40 million tons of bulk and 37 million tons of concentrated. To produce this amount of feed, it will be necessary to increase the sown area of forage crops to 11 million hectares, and increase their productivity to 2.5 t/ha of feed units. The most important factor in increasing the production of bulky feed is natural forage lands, cultural hayfields and pastures, which allow the use of feed at the lowest cost of material and technical resources and produce environmentally safe products.

Moisture consumption by plum seedlings under drip irrigation in the Central Nonchernozem zone of Russia

The aim of the study was to establish influence of different soil moisture content and climatic factors on water consumption of plum seedlings grown in a fruit nursery in the Nonchernozem zone. According to the results of studies conducted on plum seedlings under drip irrigation in the Moscow region for two years, evapotranspiration with different precipitation availability and temperature was determined. Variability of total water consumption depending on meteorological factors and irrigation regime was considered. Studies have confirmed the increase in the value of evapotranspiration with increasing pre-irrigation threshold of humidity with low-volume drip irrigation. The maximum values of water consumption by year of research, as expected, were recorded in the most wetted variant of the experiment, where moisture content of soil root zone did not fall below 80 % of the field moisture capacity. The statistical analysis carried out did not confirm the effect of varietal characteristics on evapotranspiration, which may be associated with the use of related rootstocks and the use of seedlings with the comparable force of growth in laying the experience. Structure of evapotranspiration of plum seedlings was determined according to experimental data of two research years. Precipitation and irrigation were the most part of total water consumption.

DEVELOPMENT OF SCLEROTINIA IN NARROWLEAF (Lupinus angusti-folius L.) AND WHITE (Lupinus albus L.) LUPIN SINGLE AND MIXED CROPS UNDER DIFFERENT WEATHER CONDITIONS IN BRYANSK REGION

White rot caused by ascomycetous fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.)de Bary. is a widely spread disease of many cultivated and wild plants. In the Non Chernozem zone of Russia the epiphytotic development of white rot in white and narrowleaf lupin crops began in 2008 and is related to climate change towards warming. The article presents the first report on dependence between weather conditions in the Non Chernozem zone and white rot infection of white and narrowleaf lupines in single and mixed crops. High significant correlation coefficients have been obtained between air moisture and pods’ white rot infection of the narrowleaf lupin in June (r = 0.95, р = 0.001), and of the white lupin in June and July (r = 0.90, р = 0.006; r = 0.81, р = 0.026, respectively). High significant negative correlation coefficients between narrowleaf and white lupin yields in single and mixed crops and Sclerotinia infection of pods have been revealed (r = -0.92, р = 0.003 and r = -1.00, р = 0.002, respectively; r = -0.97, р = 0.000 and r = -0.88, р = 0.122, respectively). The lupin species differed in susceptibility to the pathogen. This work aimed to evaluate the white rot development and harmfulness in white and narrowleaf lupin crops depending on weather of the vegetation season and crop type under the conditions of Bryansk region. The narrowleaf lupin var. Belozernyi 110 and the white lupin var. Dega were cultivated in single crops and in mixed crops with spring wheat var. Iren in 2008-2012, 2014, and 2016 in the North-East of Bryansk region (an experimental field of All-Russian Lupin Scientific Research Institute). Climatic data were received from the meteorological station on the territory of the institute. Lupin plants were infected with white rot mycelium by the wet chamber method. Plants infection was evaluated during the vegetation period (stem and bud formation, flowering and pods’ formation stages). The yield of each plot was weighted after the total threshing (a combine-harvester Sampo-500, Sampo Rosenlew, Finland). Intensive pathogen development on the tested lupin species in single and mixed crops was in rainy and warm June-August, at 66.2-80.3 % air moisture. Under rainy, warm and windy conditions white rot spread among plants in lupin crops both by ascospores and by mycelium particles. The first lesion focuses appeared on stems in low field sites and in dense crops. Depressive disease development occurred at air moisture from 54.1 to 60.3 %. White lupin plants were more susceptible to the disease, probably due to the morphological peculiarities of this species. Under favorable conditions for the disease, the incidence of pod infection averaged 15.3-34.8 % in white lupin single crops and 8.4-34.7 % in narrowleaf lupin single crops. Herewith seed yield losses made 14.3-39.2 % and 3.0-34.7 %, respectively. Under dry conditions of 2010, the white lupin infection incidence was 0.3 % in mixed crops with no infection of the narrowleaf lupin observed. The infection of the narrowleaf and white lupins in their single crops made 0.1 and 1.3 %, respectively. The white rot was more harmful for lupin crops upon a combination of sufficient or excessive moisture and optimal temperature in the second part of vegetation. During this period, the pods were formed on the main and lateral stems, and the plant foliation was maximum too. The latter creates favorable conditions for the pathogen inside the crops. Pod infection in lupines decreased significantly in mixed lupin-and-cereal crops, 1.4-1.6-fold for the white lupin, and 1.3-2.3-fold for the narrowleaf lupin. Obviously, the lupin-and-cereal mixed crops create the conditions which are less favorable for the pathogen development and spread, therefore decrease infection of lupin plants and pods.

Viable and Nonviable Rural Settlements in the Non-Chernozem Zone of Russia: Plans and Reality

For the first time in the geographical literature, an attempt is made to review the results of the rural settlement pattern reconstruction policy carried out in the 1960s–1970s. This policy involved the division of rural settlements (RSs) into viable and nonviable. It included the resettlement of people from small villages to large settlements. The article presents data on the plans and results of resettlement of residents of nonviable villages to central farmsteads of collective (kolkhozes) and state (sovkhozes) farms of Kalinin (currently, Tver) oblast. The official list of viable RSs approved in 1977 is analyzed. The structure of this list, distribution of viable settlements in the oblast, and population dynamics of each RS from 1976 to 2010 are considered. It is shown that viable RSs have been selected illogically: many small settlements were included in the list while many large ones were not. Most of the large viable RSs are concentrated in the central part of the oblast. This is its most developed part, the “Tver triangle” (“apexes” coincide with cities Rzhev, Vyshnii Volochek, and Kimry). Analysis of the population dynamics of viable RSs made it possible to identify several variants of population change from 1976 to 2010: from a significant increase to a decrease in the resident population. In general, the dynamics were negative. The population of more than half of the RSs decreased. Most of the viable RSs were successfully developing and gradually increasing their population as long as there were large kolkhozes. Currently, such RSs account for a significant part of the rural development centers. However, the majority of settlements once classified as nonviable still exist. It is concluded that the policy of resettlement and transformation of rural settlement pattern has failed. It is shown that there is an inadequate understanding of the results of this policy in Russian society and the scientific community. The article is intended as a reminder of the uselessness of volitional decisions aimed at radical changes in settlement pattern.

Early varieties of tomatoes for open ground areas of risk farming

Relevance. The non-chernozem zone of Russia and the more northern regions of the country are far from the most favorable zones for the cultivation of tomatoes in open ground. The most promising for the northern zones of Russia are earlyripening, cold-resistant varieties and hybrids of tomato. The most promising in terms of productivity, resistance to short-term frosts and late blight damage are standard and semi-standard forms of tomato. Stamp forms (var. validum Brezh.) are of significant interest, both for breeding, genetic studies of tomato culture, and for production. Results. In the laboratory of selection and seed production of solanaceous crops of the FSBSI FSVC (VNIISSOK) in recent years, a whole series of standard early ripe tomato varieties for open ground has been created (Chelnok, Revansh, Pervotsvet, Argo, Evgeniya, Malinka, Otradny). The involvement of the selected standard forms in the crosses made it possible to create a number of promising lines and varieties of the semi-standard form (Perst, Pervotsvet, Blagodatny, Dolgonosik, Voskhod VNIISSOK), which significantly increases the genetic diversity of the standard forms. These varieties with a solids content of up to 7.5%, with a long shelf life. In the non-chernozem zone and the more northern regions of the country, the VNIISSOK selection varieties easily tolerate a short-term decrease in day and night temperatures to 0…-1°C, and in the southern regions drought.