Early Spring Period Research Articles

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.

Economic Analysis of Honey Bee Colonies Fed with Different Pollen Diets before Wintering

Nutrition is a requirement for the survival of every living organism. Under normal conditions, honeybees meet their nutritional needs from natural floral sources. In cases where there are insufficient floral resources, additional feeding is required for the colonies. In this study, economic analysis of supplementary feeding models formed by giving different protein diets and carbohydrate (sugar-water mixture) needed until early spring to colonies prepared with equal strength in the autumn period was performed. The feeding experiment was carried out on 6 groups with 8 colonies in each group and a total of 48 colonies. Experimental groups were as follows: Papaver somniforum pollen, Cistus creticus pollen, mixed pollen, bee cake, syrup, and control. In this study, after determining the production costs per hive for the experimental groups, it was analyzed whether the bee frame values per hive cover the production costs. It could be concluded that feeding with P. somniforum pollen is slightly more advantageous than other feeding groups when the results of the pre-winter, winter and early spring periods are evaluated together. The ratio of bee frame value per hive to cover the production cost was calculated as 40.65% before winter, 102.98% in winter and 98.66% in early spring for the feeding with P. somniforum pollen. In terms of relative profitability, the protein diet with the closest performance to P. somniforum pollen is C. creticus pollen. In other feeding groups, the relative profitability was found to be lower.

Interannual variability of the initiation of the phytoplankton growing period in two French coastal ecosystems

Abstract. Decadal time series of chlorophyll a concentrations sampled at high and low frequencies are explored to study climate-induced impacts on the processes inducing interannual variations in the initiation of the phytoplankton growing period (IPGP) in early spring. We specifically detail the IPGP in two contrasting coastal temperate ecosystems under the influence of rivers highly rich in nutrients: the Bay of Brest and the Bay of Vilaine. In both coastal ecosystems, we observed a large interannual variation in the IPGP influenced by sea temperature, river inputs, light availability (modulated by solar radiation and water turbidity), and turbulent mixing generated by tidal currents, wind stress, and river runoff. We show that the IPGP is delayed by around 30 d in 2019 in comparison with 2010. In situ observations and a one-dimensional vertical model coupling hydrodynamics, biogeochemistry, and sediment dynamics show that the IPGP generally does not depend on one specific environmental factor but on the interaction between several environmental factors. In these two bays, we demonstrate that the IPGP is mainly caused by sea surface temperature and available light conditions, mostly controlled by the turbidity of the system before first blooms. While both bays are hydrodynamically contrasted, the processes that modulate the IPGP are similar. In both bays, the IPGP can be delayed by cold spells and flood events at the end of winter, provided that these extreme events last several days.

Meteorological data, biometry and sensory evaluation of late season peach and nectarine varieties

Peaches are some of the most preferred fruit worldwide. With the vast palette of varieties, they provide an excellent healthy dietary choice. Unfortunately, the peach tree is very dependent on the weather variations during its vegetation in the early spring period. Thus, it is important to link the simple meteorological data to the physical properties of the fruit (width, length, and thickness). Consumers are most likely drawn by-products that have outstanding physical properties. The present study provided information about the sensory attributes of three late-season peach varieties evaluated in five categories with a total of twenty-five attributes. The fruit attributes were evaluated by a 15-point ascending scale. The object of analysis were the “Flat Queen”, “Evmolpiya”, and “Morsiani 90” varieties. The panellists detected differences between varieties in each of the categories (aroma, texture, taste, internal and external appearance), and a relationship to the physical properties was made. The results emphasized the new data in terms of late-ripening peach variety properties.

Changes in Vitellogenin (Vg) and Stress Protein (HSP 70) in Honey Bee (Apis mellifera anatoliaca) Groups under Different Diets Linked with Physico-Chemical, Antioxidant and Fatty and Amino Acid Profiles.

Honey bee colonies are often subjected to diseases, nutrition quality, temperature and other stresses depending on environmental and climatic conditions. As a result of malnutrition, the level of Vg protein decreases, leading to overwintering losses. The Vg values must be high for a successful wintering, especially before wintering. If good nutrition is not reached, the long winter period may cause an increase in colony losses. Supplementary feeding is essential for colony sustainability when floral resources are insufficient, as in recent years with the emerging climate changes. Furthermore, quality food sources or nutrients are significant for maintaining honey bee health and longevity. This study examined the changes in HSP 70 and Vg proteins in 6 groups of 48 colonies fed with five different nutrients. The fatty acids that are present in the highest amount in Cistus creticus (Pink rock-rose), Papaver somniferum (Opium poppy) and mixed pollen samples were linoleic, palmitic and cis-9-oleic acids. The highest values in proline, lysine and glutamic acid were determined in C. creticus pollen. Regarding the P. somniferum pollen, the highest values were observed in lysine, proline, glutamic and aspartic acids. The highest values in lysine, proline, leucine and aspartic acid were noticed in mixed pollen. The effect of different feeding on Vg protein in nurse and forager bee samples was higher in the mixed pollen group in the fall period. In nurse bees, the mixed pollen group was followed by Cistus creticus pollen > Papaver somniferum pollen > sugar syrup > commercial bee cake > control group, respectively (p < 0.05). In forager bees, the order was mixed pollen, P. somniferum pollen, C. creticus pollen, commercial bee cake, sugar syrup and control. In the early spring period, the Vg levels were high in the mixed pollen group in the nurse bees and the commercial bee cake group in the forager bees. In the fall period, the HSP 70 value of the forager and nurse bees was the lowest in the C. creticus group (p < 0.05). In early spring, the active period of flora, a statistical difference was found between the treatment groups.

Alien versus alien: spatiotemporal overlaps among introduced ungulates in a Mediterranean island ecosystem

Assessing the spatiotemporal behaviour of alien species is pivotal to designing effective management plans. Interspecific niche partitioning among ungulates is reported as a strategy to avoid direct interactions. The Mediterranean mouflon and wild boar are two ungulates introduced to Elba island for hunting and aesthetic purposes. We used intensive camera trapping to test whether species occupancy and temporal activity rhythms would vary in response to the presence or absence of the co-occurring species through multi-species occupancy modelling. Our findings report a lack of spatial and temporal segregation between the two species for the late spring–summer and late summer–autumn seasons. In contrast, results for the winter–early spring period suggest that spatial partitioning between wild boar and mouflon is present in areas with high artificial cover (e.g., paved roads). Animals may indeed exploit roads to move more rapidly in search of food; however, their occurrence in these areas seems to be influenced by the presence of the other species.

Effects of Shade Nets on Microclimatic Conditions, Growth, Fruit Yield, and Quality of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.): A Case Study in Carnarvon, Western Australia

Carnarvon has a hot, semi-arid climate with high temperatures and solar radiation during spring–summer, which damages crops and limits the production season for the local vegetable industry. Protective cultivation is one of the promising approaches to mitigate these adverse weather conditions and avoid the resulting damage to vegetable crops. This study, which is part of the protected cropping research program for vegetable crops in Western Australia, was conducted to understand how the shade nets of a protective net house modify the microenvironment affecting the growth, physiology, and fruit yield of eggplants, a model vegetable crop. The eggplant crop was grown under four light regimes, i.e., three shade factors (11%, 21%, 30%) and the open field. There were three replicated blocks under each light regime and four eggplant varieties that were randomized within the replicated blocks. Other experimental conditions, e.g., fertilising, irrigation, pest, and disease management and other cultural practices were identical across light regimes. The results showed that shade nets created different microenvironments inside the net house, with a large variation in the light intensity, affecting photosynthetic-related traits. Eggplants grew taller and bushier and gave higher fruit yield under shade compared to the open field. Overall, our data suggest that the 21% shade net appeared to be the most suitable for growing eggplants during the autumn to early spring period in Carnarvon. The future perspective of protected cropping technology for vegetable crop production in Carnarvon is also discussed.

Spring reproductive and vegetative phenology of olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars at different air temperatures along a latitudinal-altitudinal gradient in Argentina

Detailed spring phenology studies are scarce in olive trees growing in non-Mediterranean climates despite crop expansion into new regions in the last few decades. Additionally, the vegetative phenology of olive trees has been little examined under any climate conditions. Thus, the aims of this study were to: (i) evaluate the timing of spring reproductive and vegetative phenological stages and their overlap for several olive cultivars growing under different air temperatures along a latitudinal gradient (29°–33° S) that included a range of altitudes (450–1,250 m asl) in western Argentina; and (ii) assess the potential relationships between the length (i.e., days) of some phenological phases and air temperature. All observations were performed during two growing seasons (2018–2019, 2019–2020). The temperature difference across the latitudinal-altitudinal gradient during the winter and early spring periods was between 4.2 and 6.0 °C. The separation of the first leaves (BBCH 11) most often occurred after inflorescence bud opening (BBCH 53) at warmer low latitude locations, but before BBCH 53 at cooler high latitude sites. A difference of 26 days in full flowering was found between extreme locations when considering both seasons. The variability of the reproductive stage dates was explained mostly by environmentally-related factors including location (71.7–95.2%) and season (0–18.1%) rather than by cultivar (2.8–6.6%). Nevertheless, cultivar responses did appear to depend on the climate conditions at different locations and growing seasons. The length of the inflorescence emergence phase (BBCH 53–60) decreased by 4.3 days/ °C as the mean air temperature during the phase increased. In contrast, the flowering phase length (BBCH 60–69) decreased with increasing mean air temperature during the phase up to 23 ºC, but increased above that temperature. These results should be useful for better timing of management practices and the development of phenological models that include non-Mediterranean environments.

Canola as a potential forage.

The nutritive quality of four cultivars of canola forage (Brassica napus L.), Orient, Midas, Global, and Hybrid (Cobra × Regent), which were harvested in the early-spring period, were compared with green-winter barley (GWB) in terms of their yields, chemical composition, in vitro gas production variables, in situ crude protein (CP) degradation, and predicted dry matter intake (PDMI). Data were statistically analyzed using a completely randomized design with four replications and three samples per replication. The study was based on a randomized complete block design, and data were analyzed using SAS, general linear model procedure for normal distribution. The canola dry matter (DM) yield was highest in Orient cultivar and lowest in Midas (P < 0.05). Organic matter (OM), CP, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and lignin(sa) concentration of the four cultivars ranged from 862 to 865, 218 to 247, 295 to 340, and 35 to 53 g/kg DM, respectively. The estimated OM disappearance (OMD), effective degradability of CP, effective rumen degradable protein (ERDP), digestible undegradable protein, and metabolizable protein (MP) of the forages were from 636 to 671 g/kg, 878 to 910, 172 to 193, 1.9 to 3.4, and 112 to 126 g/kg DM, respectively. Compared to Global and Hybrid cultivars, Orient and Midas contained higher CP, OMD, ERDP, MP concentration, and PDMI, but lower NDF, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and lignin(sa) concentrations (P < 0.05). The level of glucosinolates in the forages ranged from 0.38 to 1.51 µmol/g DM, which is below the detrimental level for ruminants. Compared to winter canola cultivars, GWB had higher DM yield (P < 0.003), NDF, lignin(sa), PDMI (P < 0.01), and digestible undegradable protein (P < 0.04), but had lower OMD (P < 0.03), ERDP (P = 0.01), and MP (P < 0.009). Based on the obtained results, the variation in the nutritive quality among the canola cultivars is relatively small, and the Orient cultivar, which is most comparable to GWB, was judged to be nutritionally the best among the cultivars.

春秋初期의 南域 ― 南陽盆地에서 江漢平原까지 출토된 有銘 청동기의 분석을 중심으로 ―

A comprehensive review of the early Spring and Autumn Period records, the sites of the Bronzewares, and the inscriptions in the Bronzewares revealed that the southern part of the early Spring and Autumn Period was a mixture of new and old orders.BR The old order secured a base based on the family, expanded a new area based on the secured base, and distributed it to their blood relatives, especially their sons, to expand their vines one by one. At the same time, one country attempted to secure safety by marrying another country as a supplement to maintain blood-related order. However, the traditional clan order of maintaining and expanding their own businesses, handing them over to their descendants, and forming and maintaining them could no longer guarantee safety.BR The country in charge of the new order in the southern part of the early Spring and Autumn Period was chu(楚). They destroyed their conquered nations unlike before, when they subdued their opponents if they won the war and forced them to participate in the association they led. And they either took the monarchs of the country they fought and won into their territory, or they took them to a relatively new area that they conquered. They sent a new ruler to the conquered country, who they called Gong(公). And in the early days of the conquest, they let the aristocrats of the conquered countries take part in the rule of the conquered countries. However, after a certain period of time, the ruling class of the conquered area was transferred to other parts of the country. They actively took advantage of the others they conquered and began to embrace them as their system. And this gradually led to the birth of a new political system called bureaucracy.

Armut ağaçlarında Cacopsylla pyri (L.) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) mücadelesinde sarı yapışkan tuzakların kullanımı

This study investigates the applicability of a mass trapping method using yellow sticky traps for controlling the pear psyllid Cacopsylla pyri (L.) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), which is harmful to pear trees. Studies involving Ankara pear-variety saplings were carried out in the Ankara province in three different pear orchards in two different locations in 2012. In the first stage of the study, experiments were conducted using visual yellow sticky traps to determine trap activity in the pear orchard. Afterward, mass trapping studies were carried out with the number of traps determined to be most effective in two different orchards. At the end of the study, it was observed that the yellow sticky traps had demonstrated a very high ability to attract C. pyri adults, but were insufficient to suppress the pest as time progressed. As a result, it was concluded that the use of yellow sticky traps alone in the control of C. pyri would not be sufficient. However, it has been concluded that the traps can be used as a monitor in the early spring period when overwintered C. pyri adults are present and the beneficial population is inactive.

Is There Spatial and Temporal Variability in the Response of Plant Canopy and Trunk Growth to Climate Change in a Typical River Basin of Arid Areas

The response of plants to climate change has become a topical issue. However, there is no consensus on the synergistic processes of the canopy and trunk growth within different vegetation types, or on the consistency of the response of the canopy and trunk to climate change. This paper is based on Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), tree-ring width index (TRW) and climate data from the Irtysh River basin, a sensitive area for climate change in Central Asia. Spatial statistical methods and correlation analysis were used to analyze the spatial and temporal trends of plants and climate, and to reveal the differences in the canopy and trunk response mechanisms to climate within different vegetation types. The results show a warming and humidifying trend between 1982 and 2015 in the study area, and NDVI and TRW increases in different vegetation type zones. On an interannual scale, temperature is the main driver of the canopy growth in alpine areas and precipitation is the main limiting factor for the canopy growth in lower altitude valley and desert areas. The degree of response of the trunk to climatic factors decreases with increasing altitude, and TRW is significantly correlated with mean annual temperature, precipitation and SPEI in desert areas. On a monthly scale, the earlier and longer growing season due to the accumulation of temperature and precipitation in the early spring and late autumn periods contributes to two highly significant trends of increase in the canopy from March to May and August to October. Climatic conditions during the growing season are the main limiting factor for the growth of the trunk, but there is considerable variation in the driving of the trunk in different vegetation type zones. The canopy growth is mainly influenced by climatic factors in the current month, while there is a 1–2-month lag effect in the response of the trunk to climatic factors. In addition, the synergy between the canopy and the trunk is gradually weakened with increasing altitude (correlation coefficient is 0.371 in alpine areas, 0.413 in valley areas and 0.583 in desert areas). These findings help to enrich the understanding of the response mechanisms to climate change in different vegetation type zones and provide a scientific basis for the development of climate change response measures in Central Asia.

The effect of mineral fertilizers on the economic efficiency of winter wheat production in the direct sowing technology in the Stavropol territory

Direct sowing of crops reduces the cost of soil cultivation for farmers, but significantly increases the cost of fertilizers, pesticides and new agricultural equipment. The problem of the economic feasibility of introducing increased doses of mineral fertilizers when sowing winter wheat and carrying out nitrogen fertilization in the no-till technology is of great relevance, but has been little studied. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the economic efficiency of winter wheat grain production in the direct sowing (no-till) technology with different methods and doses of mineral fertilizers in conditions of unstable moisture in the Stavropol Territory. The study was carried out in the trial on the fields of the North-Caucasus Federal Research Agricultural Center in 2017–2019. The variants for using fertilizers when sowing winter wheat were as follows: without fertilizers; with N6 Р26; with N12Р52; with N24Р104; with N52Р52; with N52Р52K52; with N52; with N104Р52K52. In the early spring period, on the background of fertilizers used when sowing the crop, there was carried out additional fertilizing with ammonium nitrate at a dose of N52. There was found that all doses of mineral fertilizers used when sowing winter wheat, reduced the unit cost of production on 1.8–19.8%, raised profits on 24.8–177.1% and improved profitability on 2.5–43.1%. The best economic indicators were established when using N52 and N104Р52К52, at which there was obtained the minimum cost price of 1 ton of grain (6216–6494 rubles), the highest profitability (77.1–85.0%) and profit (27 830–33 454 rubles/ha). Early spring additional fertilizing (N52) of winter wheat on the background of fertilizers used when sowing the crop after peas turned out to be an ineffective agrochemical method. As a result, the cost price of a production unit increased on 0.5–23.4%, and the level of production profitability reduced on 0.8–35.0%. In no-till technology, the use of higher doses of nitrogen fertilizers during winter wheat sowing provided not only a significant increase of grain productivity and quality, but also maximum economic benefits.

ADAPTIVE POTENTIAL OF FENUGREEK SPECIES AT DIFFERENT SOWING TIMES

Among the unexplored technological elements of growing fenugreek in the conditions of Ukraine is the creation of conveyor cultivation of the culture. Therefore, the problem of the influence of sowing dates on the growth and development of plants, the parameters of the harvest and the qualitative composition of marketable products is acute. The purpose of this study was to substantiate the optimal sowing dates of fenugreek species to increase the yield of dried products in the conditions of Polissia on sod-podzolic soils. The leading methods employed to investigate this issue were the field method – to find the interaction of the object of research with biotic and abiotic factors, statistical method – to evaluate the research results to find the parameters of fenugreek’s adaptive capacity. During 2012-2014, for different sowing periods, the average yield of dry mass in blue fenugreek varied from 0.5 to 1.3 t/ha, and in hay fenugreek – from 0.6 to 1.5 t/ha. The early spring period and the late spring period of the 1st sowing period were characterized by the highest overall adaptive capacity. The highest value of the specific adaptive capacity was established during the late spring 2nd sowing period. The relative stability index ranged from 2.6 to 11.4. Blue fenugreek during the late spring 1st and 2nd sowing periods responds well to improved growing conditions (bi &gt;1), and fenugreek hay during the late spring 2nd and summer sowing periods. Early spring and late spring 1st sowing period samples are characterized by high breeding value. An increase in the sum of effective temperatures by 1°C contributed to the fluctuation of green mass yield from 4.82 to 128 kg/ha, and dry mass yield from 0.401 to 6.63 kg/ha. At the same time, an increase in precipitation by 1 mm affected the fluctuation of the yield of green mass from 15.0 to 146 kg/ha, and of dry mass from 0.145 to 25.9 kg/ha. Commercial production of fenugreek species was formed within the range of the sum of air temperatures (&gt;10°C) 383.9-487.1°C, the amount of precipitation 70.7-144.3 mm, and the growing season ranged from 35 to 55 days. The highest productivity of fenugreek species was found during sowing from the second decade of April to the first decade of May. The materials of this paper are of practical value for expanding the species diversity of vegetables and increasing the supply of the population with valuable food products and during the application of new and improved elements of technologies for growing valuable rare crops to achieve the maximum effect of fulfilling the genetic potential of plants

Modern technologies for conducting beekeeping in the Republic of Belarus on the background of varroatous invasion

In the Republic of Belarus, as well as around the world, there is a continuous search for ways and methods of efficient struggle against the varroatous invasion of bees, however, no significant decisions are found in this struggle. In the context of this problem, scientific studies were conducted on development of modern technology of beekeeping on the background of spread varroatous invasion. Technological methods are proposed in the fight against varroatous invasion of bees, proving efficiency of the joint use of zoothechnical, biological and mechanical methods of combating the Varroa tick. It has been shown that purposeful rearing and selection of the drone brood reliably reduces the tick contamination of bee families by 5.7-17.4%. It has been substantiated that the use of intraulic pollen collector significantly reduces the number of ticks in the bees families, especially in the early spring period, when the ticks are mainly located on bees and are especially vulnerable to mechanical impact. The use of the feeding frame allows to purposefully obtain, conveniently and easily select the drone brood, and along with the drone brood, remove the Varroa tick form the bee nest. The use of the developed technology will allowed to reduce the number of tick, obtain additional products in the form of a homogenate of trutone larvae. Such system will increase the preservation of bee families, productivity of honey harvest and, as a result, increase the profitability of beekeeping production, as well as the effectiveness of pollination of entomophilic agricultural crops and their yield.

Epidemije šarlaha u vrtićima u Beogradu

Introduction/Aim: Scarlet fever is mostly a childhood disease and in about 90% of cases it occurs in children younger than 10 years. Outbreaks of scarlet fever always occur in children's collectives (kindergartens, schools and institutions for children). The aim of this paper is to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of scarlet fever epidemics in kindergartens in Belgrade during the five-year period (2016-2020). Methods: Data about new cases of scarlet fever were collected for the observed period from the City Institute for Public Health Belgrade. The data sources used are: epidemiological questionnaire, medical documentation and laboratory results. The presence of b-hemolytic streptococcus group A in diseased children was proven by bacteriological analysis of throat and nose swabs. General and specific incidence rates were used in the data analysis. Results: During the observed five-year period, 30 epidemics of scarlet fever were registered, in which a total of 114 children from 23 Belgrade kindergartens became ill. In 2017, there were 12 epidemics with a total of 49 cases, which represents the largest total number of cases in one year. In the period from 2016 to 2020, the highest number of patients among all patients with scarlet fever was among children aged 4 years (33.3%), and the lowest among children aged 2 years (1.7%). There were slightly more sick boys (57.9%) than girls (42.1%). The highest average five-year incidence rates for scarlet fever were recorded at the age 1-4 (383.7 per 100,000) and 5-9 years (262.8 per 100,000), and the lowest were in persons aged 15 and over. About ⅓ of sick children were registered in the municipality of New Belgrade, and about ⅓ of sick children were registered in the period of early spring (March-April). Conclusion: Respect and timely application of anti-epidemic measures contribute to the successful cessation of further spread of infection (disease reporting, isolation, treatment of sick children, as well as stricter hygiene measures and ongoing disinfection).

Фенологическая характеристика интродуцированных растений близкородственных видов рододендронов подрода Rhodorastrum (Maxim.) Drude (серия Daurica Pojark) в Ботаническом саду ИГУ

An analysis of the seasonal development of rhododendrons of the Daurian series during introduction in the Irkutsk Botanical Garden was completed and their initial prospects for use in landscaping settlements in Baikal Siberia were assessed. For this purpose, regular phenological observations were carried out for the plants of these species since 2013. A comparative characteristic of the phenological development of four rhododendron species of the Daurian series was given. According to our observations, the processes of adaptation of introduced plants in Irkutsk conditions are primarily depending on the temperature conditions of autumn-winter-spring with a relatively favorable growing season. The most destructive factors for rhododendrons are high insolation at considerable minimum temperatures in winter, late autumn and early spring periods, also an absence of stable snow cover in late autumn and early spring, and sharp daily variations of air temperature. The hydrological regime is also not very favorable. The root layer of the soil is often subjected to severe dehydration at low air humidity during the growing season. This is very dangerous for rhododendrons with their shallow root system. The seasonal development of rhododendrons is greatly influenced by their winter hardiness, drought tolerance, thermal and hydrological regimes of the growing season, the duration of the frost-free period, and a certain value of the daily temperature amplitudes in spring and fall. The results of the analysis of long-term phenological observations of the development of introduced plants led to the following conclusion. Among the rhododendrons of Daurian series in the introduction in Irkutsk, Rhododendron ledebourii Pojark., Rhododendron dauricum L. and Rhododendron sichotense Pojark. have shown themselves promising without limitations. They are characterized by fast growth, abundant flowering, early entry into the generative phase. Also, an early and short period of growth processes and timely entry into a state of rest are characteristic of them. All this contributes to the successful maturation and hardening of shoots, due to which their winter hardiness is estimated at 1 point, less often at 2 points. Rhododendrons ledebourii and Rhododendron sichotense are the most decorative due to the regularity of flowering, the abundance of flowering and the size of the flower. Rhododendron mucronulatum Turcz. is recommended for use in landscaping settlements with milder climatic conditions or in settlements within its natural range.

Formation of a collection of magnolia (Magnoliaceae Juss.) in the Stavropol Botanical Garden

The purpose of the work is to study the ways of forming the collection fund of magnoliaceae in the Stavropol Botanical Garden named after V.V. Skripchinsky (SBG), to assess the current state of the collection and prospects for development. The relevance and practical significance of studying representatives of magnolias comes from the increased needs to expand the assortment of highly ornamental woody plants for landscaping settlements of the Stavropol Territory. The object of the study was the plants of the SBG collection. For reviewing the history of the introduction of magnolias the archival data and reporting documentation were used. Phenological indicators were recorded according to the generally accepted methodology for the botanical gardens of the USSR. The height of the plants was measured with a SUUNTO PM-5 altimeter. The work was carried out in 2020-2022. The SBG has been interested in magnolias since the first years of the garden’s creation (since 1959). As of 2021, there were 8 species and hybrid taxa from two genera of the Magnoliaceae family in the SBG collection, represented by 17 specimens. The life form is characteristic of the studied taxa: large shrubs (Magnolia kobus, M. liliifl ora, M. × soulangeana), low-stemmed (M. kobus, M. kobus var. borealis, M. × loebneri) and tall trees (M. acuminata), sometimes multi-stemmed (Liriodendron tulipifera). The article describes the characteristics of the magnolias available in the collection: their age, size, main phenological phases. The quality of flowering magnolias is influenced by a decrease in temperatures in the early spring period: prolonged cooling causes freezing of generative buds or “rusting” of petals. As a result of long-term study by the staff of M.A. Koltsova, A.F. Koltsov, E.V. Pyatko, the species M. acuminata, M. kobus, M. kobus var. borealis, M. liliiflora are recommended for further use in landscaping in the Stavropol region. In 2021, work continued on the formation of a collection of magnolias: two-year seedlings of 9 varieties and 2 species of deciduous magnolias were obtained for further introduction study.

Productivity of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) as influenced by fertilizer rates in rainfed fields of south Kazakhstan

Today, the need for grain is increasing every day due to the growing human population on the planet. At the same time, global climate change has a negative impact on grain production. In the conditions of the south of Kazakhstan, the main limiting factor of agricultural crops is soil moisture, since during the growing season there is an insufficient amount of atmospheric precipitation, and the moisture reserve in the soil due to autumn-winter precipitation does not satisfy the water demand of crops. It was found that the highest yield of winter wheat grain (37.7 c/ha) on average over two years of research was formed on the variant with simultaneous application of phosphorus fertilizers at the rate of P45 kg/ha with direct sowing and feeding with nitrogen fertilizer at the rate of N70 kg/ha in early spring periods in the tillering phase of winter wheat, that is, the grain yield increased 2.9 times in comparison with the background without fertilizers. By optimizing the phosphate regime of winter wheat with the introduction of nitrogen fertilizers during the period of their greatest need in the tillering phase, it will balance the regime of their nutrition.Therefore, an experiment was conducted during 2019-2020 year at LLC «South-west Research Institute of Livestock and Crop Production» (South Kazakhstan) to determine the norms and terms of the introduction of mineral, micronutrient fertilizers and plant growth stimulants of wheat and the peculiarities of the soil and climatic conditions of the south of Kazakhstan. Winter wheat (cv. Glassy 24) in the conditions of rainfed agriculture in the south of Kazakhstan. During the period of the laying of productive organs in the phase of booting, stalking and formation of winter wheat grain, the reserves of productive moisture were good and fully satisfied the need of winter wheat for moisture in the indicated growing periods of plants, as a result, a consistently high yield of winter wheat grain was formed for rainfed conditions in the south of Kazakhstan.

Climate references of the 2020 seasons in the Southern coast of the Crimea

An agrometeorological review of the 2020 climate seasons on the Southern coast of the Crimea was performed based on observations from the Nikitsky garden agrometeorological station. A distinctive feature of the growing season from previous years was revealed - an abnormally high temperature regime and aridity of the early spring period, a hot dry-arid second half of summer, a long, unusually warm and arid autumn. Significant precipitation was falling only in January 2021 after the end of the growing period. Its distinctive feature was also that extremely dry vegetation conditions were observed for the second year in a row after a severe long summer-autumn drought in 2019. For the period from 1930 to 2020 similar difficult and unfavorable weather conditions on the Southern coast of the Crimean were observed for two consecutive years only in 1993-1994. A very long and severe air-soil drought had a depressing effect on all cultivated and wild plants, causing injury from severe hydrothermal stress even in native drought-resistant species, especially those growing on the slopes of the southern exposure with high steepness. At the beginning of the growing season in spring, the development of plants was ahead of the average long-term period from 1-2 weeks to one month. The predominance of cool weather in April-May and early June slowed down their development, but since the second half of June, the growth has intensified. In the future, under the influence of the hot and dry weather of July-August, the maturation of some plant species and cultivars accelerated by 2-3 weeks. Due to the abnormally warm weather in autumn, the end of the plants growing season in the Southern coast of the Crimea was delayed for 2-4 weeks. Heat availability in 2020 was significantly higher than the long-term average and higher than last year.