Budding Phase Research Articles

The Value of Hay Provided in Different Phases of Alfalfa Development

This article presents the results of research on the study of the chemical composition, digestibility, energy value of hay from alfalfa-rump grass mixture, harvested by the method of active aeration in different phases of alfalfa development, the productive properties of hay of different quality when fattening bulls in the dry steppe zone of the Nakhchivan. The amount of digestible energy decreased as the plants aged. Its highest concentration (12.8 MJ per 1 kg of dry matter) was observed during the budding phase. Then a decrease in this indicator was recorded by 0.8 MJ in the flowering phase and by 1.5 MJ during seed formation. The same pattern was noted for the content of metabolic energy in hay. Thus, the greatest amount was in hay harvested during the budding phase — 8.3 MJ per 1 kg. During the flowering phase, the amount of metabolic energy in 1 kg of hay decreased by 0.4 MJ, and seed formation by 1.2. Thus, the coefficient of digestibility of dry matter was higher than similar indicators during later harvesting by 4.01 and 7.05%, respectively. Crude protein in early harvested hay was digested better than in hay prepared in the phase of flowering and the beginning of alfalfa seed formation, by 11.83 and 18.03%, crude fiber — by 3.0-3.26%. A significant difference was also noted in digestion of raw fat. The digestibility of this substance decreased noticeably as plants aged. A decrease in the digestibility of nitrogen-free extractives was observed in hay during the seed formation phase. Calculations carried out on the basis of actual material obtained in the experiment show that when feeding hay harvested at the beginning of alfalfa budding, the yield of bull calves (increase in live weight) per 1 hectare of harvested area increases by 27.6% compared with harvesting in the flowering phase and 3.1 times in the seed formation phase.

ДЕЙСТВИЕ ОРГАНИЧЕСКИХ И МИНЕРАЛЬНЫХ УДОБРЕНИЙ И ИХ СОЧЕТАНИЕ ПРИ ВНЕСЕНИИ ПОД КАРТОФЕЛЬ НА ЧЕРНОЗЕМАХ ЗАКАМЬЯ РЕСПУБЛИКИ ТАТАРСТАН

. The purpose of the research is to evaluate the effect of organic and mineral fertilizers and their combination on the yield and quality indicators of potato tubers during irrigation on chernozem soils of the Republic of Tatarstan. The research was carried out in 2021-2022 in Kama zone on leached chernozem of medium loamy granulometric composition. The medium-early variety of Gala potatoes served as the material for research. The experiment was performed to study the effect of organic and mineral fertilizers and their combination by creating the following nutrition backgrounds: mineral fertilizers with a rate of application of N60P60K90 d.v. kg/ha (general background); organic fertilizer (manure 60 t/ha); general background + manure 60 t/ha; general background + organic fertilizer (siderate); general background + siderate + straw; general background + organic matter (manure 60 t/ha) + straw; organic fertilizer (manure 60 t/ha + siderate + straw); natural background (control). The weather conditions in both years of research were both satisfactorily favorable for the growth and development of potatoes. In the budding and tuber formation phase, artificial sprinkling was carried out at the rate of 300 m3 of water per 1 ha, thereby the potato agrocenosis was fully provided with productive moisture. On average, over two years, the highest yield was achieved in variant 7 (background + manure + straw), and it amounted to 38.8 t/ha, which is 20.6 t/ha more than in the control, in other experimental variants this difference ranged from 10.46-18.8 t/ha. The dry matter content in tubers during the application of various types of fertilizers was lower by 0.49...1.49% than in the control, starch – by 0.25...0.79%. On average, over 2 years, the highest protein and vitamin C content was in variant 6 – 2.95% and 21,24 mg%, respectively, which is higher than the control by 0.37% and 3.03 mg%.

(Invited) Plasma Designing of Hybrid 2D Graphene: A Green Approach for Future Energy Materials

The global research interest in two-dimensional (2D) materials and their derivatives has increased significantly, driven by the requirements of application-oriented materials for different sectors, including energy storage. Among the various classes of material groups, 2D layered materials have emerged as a critical research area due to their high aspect ratio, open edge boundaries, high surface-to-volume ratios, and mechanical and electrical properties. Graphene is a widely researched 2D class material with an atomically thin structure, excellent electronic properties, very high intrinsic mobility and exceptional thermal and electrical conductivity1. Even though the research on the electronic properties of graphene is explored very well and in a matured state, the studies on non-electronic properties are still in the budding phase. One of the significant obstacles to extending the studies of graphene to different fields is the cost-effective and environmentally friendly large-scale synthesis and processing of high-quality graphene. Thus, a cutting-edge approach for probing graphene structures at the atomic scale is required to produce high-quality graphene for next-generation applications. As an alternative progressive technique, plasma-enabled methods have emerged as safe and green approaches to tailor different graphene structures at the nanoscale. During graphene production, plasma assembles the nanostructures from gaseous into a solid form or converts solid precursor to graphitic form 2,3. Besides, plasma techniques open up the possibility of tailoring the properties by crafting heteroatoms to the graphene lattice, which is beneficial for energy storage applications4. Therefore, this paper introduces the advantages of plasma-enabled techniques in designing graphene-based materials with different morphologies and orientations and tailoring them at the nanoscale using heteroatoms. Such plasma-assisted techniques ensure the high structural quality of graphene and controllability in the hybrid morphologies, making them frontrunner energy storage applications. Plasma also offers the production of graphene directly on any substrate surface, gives a new direction to designing binder-free electrodes for energy-related applications, and could be used as a competitive alternative approach to the widely known wet chemical procedures to design advanced graphene electrode materials for next-generation energy storage devices.Reference Geim, A. K. Graphene: Status and prospects. Science (1979) 324, 1530–1534 (2009).Dias, A. et al. N-Graphene-Metal-Oxide(Sulfide) hybrid Nanostructures: Single-step plasma-enabled approach for energy storage applications. Chemical Engineering Journal 430, 133153 (2022).Jagodar, A. et al. Growth of graphene nanowalls in low-temperature plasma: Experimental insight in initial growth and importance of wall conditioning. Appl Surf Sci 643, 158716 (2024).Santhosh, N.M. et al. N-Graphene Nanowalls via Plasma Nitrogen Incorporation and Substitution: The Experimental Evidence. Nanomicro Lett 12, 53 (2020).

Влияние биологических регуляторов роста на содержание фотосинтетических пигментов Campanula alliariifolia

Abstract. The purpose is to study the effectiveness of the action of the natural signaling molecule salicylic acid (SA) and Bacillus subtilis (Bs) on the ratio of photosynthetic pigments (PhSP) in plant materials (leaves) of Campanula alliariifolia Willd. and its decorativeness. Methods. Using spectrophotometric techniques, an analysis was carried out of the dynamics of the content of pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids) under the influence of a strain of the bacterium Bacillus subtilis, isolated at the Bashkir Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture of the Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Ufa) from the arable soil layer of the Republic of Bashkortostan, and its combination with salicylic acid during the growing season. Scientific novelty. The influence of the B. subtilis strain separately and together with salicylic acid on the physiological parameters and decorative properties of Campanula alliariifolia in the conditions of the Bashkir Cis-Ural was studied. Results. The content and ratio of PhSP in dynamics (phases of budding, flowering and fruiting) were analyzed. It was revealed that inoculation of C. alliariifolia plants with Bacillus subtilis significantly increases the amount of carotenoids during the flowering phase. During the fruiting phase, the maximum content of PhSP was noted in the Bs + SA variant of the experiment. Two-factor analysis of variance showed that the significant influence of factor A (vegetation phase), factor B (different experimental options), and the degree of total influence of two factors (A × B) on the content of PhSP in samples of campanula leaves is statistically significant for the studied indicators. It was found that inoculation with the B. subtilis strain maximized indicators such as the abundance of flowering and the density of bellflower inflorescences, thereby improving the decorativeness of C. alliariifolia in the conditions of the Bashkir Cis-Ural.

Impact of mycorrhizal inoculants on soil microbiome during sunflower (Helianthus L.) cultivation

The article examines the results of a study on the impact of the biological preparation Mikovital, based on mycorrhizal fungi, on sunflower cultivation. The study revealed a positive effect of the preparation on the growth, development, and productivity of the plants. The application of Mikovital led to a statistically significant increase in sunflower yield from 2.31 t/ha (control) to 2.90 t/ha. Additionally, improvements were observed in the quality parameters of the seeds, including 1000-seed weight and oil content. The preparation influenced the increase in the area of active roots, which facilitated better water and nutrient absorption. During the budding phase, the area of active roots increased by 5.2 cm2, and during the flowering phase, it increased by 4.9 cm2. The increase in leaf area during the appearance of the 2nd trifoliate leaf by 0.5 dm2, in the budding phase by 1.5 dm2, and in the flowering phase by 2.1 dm2 contributed to improved photosynthetic activity and overall plant productivity. Moreover, the study noted an increase in the number of beneficial microorganisms in the soil, such as ammonifying bacteria and actinomycetes, as well as the emergence of new species of micromycetes, including Trichoderma and Glomus. This positively affected biodiversity, improved nutrient synthesis, and provided better nutrient supply to the plants. The enhanced microbial activity in the soil contributed to the overall health and resilience of the sunflower plants, ensuring their stability under stress conditions. Overall, the application of Mikovital proved to be effective in enhancing sunflower growth, development, and yield. It not only optimized the soil microbiome but also improved plant stability under adverse conditions, making it a valuable tool in sustainable agriculture. The study underscores the potential of biological preparations in reducing dependency on chemical inputs while maintaining high productivity and quality in sunflower cultivation.

Fore­casting profitability levels for different soybean (Glycine max L.) cultivation technology options

Objective of the research is to develop adequate models for forecasting the profitability of soybean seed cultivation under various technology options; to identify significant factors affecting financial performance to support effective management decisions. Methods. The use of regression analysis tools enabled the construction of stepwise models of profitability dependence on economic indicators with high coefficients of determination. Results. The dependence of economic efficiency indicators on soybean seed yield under various cultivation technology options has been determined. The research results indicate that the most effective cultivation technology was the one that combined the use of fertilizers at a dose of N15P45K60+N30 kg/ha of active ingredient, presowing seed treatment (mycorrhizal inoculant + fungicide), and foliar feeding with organo-mineral fertilizer during the budding phase, which led to the highest seed yield in the experiment, at 3.74 t/ha. Based on the conducted correlation-regression analysis and the developed mathematical models, the connection between profitability levels and the total cost of the harvest and the cost of soybean seeds was proven, both for seed treatment alone and for seed treatment combined with foliar feeding during the critical growth phases. Conclusions. The correlationregression analysis results showed that the total cost of the harvest and the cost of soybean seeds have the most significant impact on profitability. This is confirmed by the coefficients of determination, indicating that 98.2–99.8% of the total variability in profitability is due to the combined effect of the studied variables. Based on this, models were developed to describe the dependence of profitability levels on the total cost of the harvest and the cost of soybean seeds, both for seed treatment alone (mycorrhizal inoculant + fungicide) and with additional foliar feeding during critical growth and development phases.

Особенности компонентного состава эфирного масла перспективных сортов мяты перечной и пути повышения его выхода

Medicinal preparations (pharmaceutical products) based on essential oils are used in the treatment of many diseases. Pepper mint Mentha piperita is one of the most important essential oil crop. Menthol obtained from peppermint oil is included in the preparations Validol, Corvalol, Valokordin, Pectusin, and Menovazine. The demand of the Russian pharmaceutical industry for mint raw materials at the ex-pense of its own production is not fully satisfied. It can be increased by development new high-yielding varieties of mint and developing modern methods of their cultivation. For this purpose, new high-yielding varieties Aisberg and Aromatnaya, differing in essential oil content and component composition, were developed in the conditions of the North Caucasus branch of the All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. The variety Aisberg has a high content of oil (4.98%) and menthol in it, while the variety Aromatnaya has a low content of essential oil (1.95%) and a high content of menthone and minor components, which allows these oils to be used in different industries – pharmaceutical, perfumery, cosmetic, and food. The application of natural retardant Hardy on the studied moint varieties promoted the increase of essential oil content in raw material by 22–27% and the increase of biologically active components in essential oil: menthol in the variety Aisberg, menthone in the variety Aromatnaya. To ensure a high yield of mint oil per hectare, the complex application of EcoFus (an organomineral fertilizer) and Siliplant (a silicon-containing microfertilizer) is appropriate at the beginning of plant growth and Hardy (retardant) – in the phase of budding. This method increased the yield of the studied mint varieties by 12–13%, the content of essential oil by 26–29%, and oil yield per a hectare by 41–45%.

Metabolite profiling of butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) in the flowering development phase

The butter pea flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) has long been known as a medicinal plant because it contains various metabolite compounds, the content of metabolite compounds that are influenced by plant development. So it is necessary to conduct metabolomics profiling research to determine the metabolite compounds found in butterfly pea flowers in the flower bud, blooming, and wilting phases. Metabolite profiling from ethanol extract in the development phase of butterfly pea flowers in the bud, blooming, and wilting phases using GC-MS analysis identified 20 metabolite compounds each with butterfly pea flowers in the bud phase having the dominant compound Dihydroxyacetone, blooming flowers found the compound 3-O-Methyl-d-glucose, and n-Hexadecanoic acid compound withered flowers. Three dominant compounds were found in all development phases, namely 4H-Pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl; Dihydroxyacetone; Benzoic acid, ethyl ester; and Dehydroxyacetone. The unique metabolite compound 4H-Pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl is included in the flavonoid group, especially anthocyanin which has the potential to be an antioxidant, antibiotic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory so it can be used as a natural coloring agent for functional foods or drinks and herbal medicines.

Methods of increasing the seed productivity of the new variety of sage medicinal Fioletovy Aromat

Relevance. Salvia officinalis L. is an important essential oilseed crop with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Providing the pharmaceutical industry with raw materials of Salvia in full is possible due to the expansion of production areas and the availability of the maximum amount of highquality seed material of new promising varieties.Methods. In 2019-2022 in the conditions of the North Caucasus branch of VILAR on a new variety of Salvia Fioletovy aromat II year of vegetation by staging small-scale experiments were conducted to study the systematic application of organomineral fertilizer – EcoFus and growth regulators of different mechanism of action – Zircon, Epin-extra, retardant Hardy to increase seed productivity and seed quality. The area of the experimental plots was 12 m2. Treatment with EcoFus was carried out at the beginning of regrowth, and with bioregulators – during the budding phase. The consumption of the working solution is 300 l/ha. Control variants of medicinal crops were treated with water.Results. Application of EcoFus in the phase of regrowth contributed to the activation of the intensity of photosynthesis and increase in the accumulation of plastic substances, which allowed plants to enter the generative phase earlier, the budding phase came 2-3 days earlier than in the control. Subsequent treatment of budding plants with growth regulators led to earlier and more friendly flowering, the time of seed ripening was reduced by 3-4 days. The highest efficiency was observed in the variants of joint application of EcoFus with Zircon or Hardy, where the number of inflorescences on plants increased, seed setting and seed productivity increased by 37-42%, seed quality also improved – weight of 1000 seeds increased by 9-10% and germination by 6-7%.

Photosynthetic productivity of soybean (Glycine max L.) crops under various fertilization options and pre-sowing seed treatment

The objective of the research is to determine the impact of basic fertilization options, foliar feeding with organo-mineral fertilizer during critical periods of soy plant development, pre-sowing seed treatment with mycorrhizal biofertilizer, and mycorrhizal inoculant in combination with a fungicide on the dynamics of dry matter accumulation by the plants and the net productivity of photosynthesis in the soy crop. Methods. Field (for studying the interaction of the research object with biotic and abiotic factors); morphophysiological (for biological monitoring of productivity elements development during organogenesis stages); statistical (statistical analysis of research results). Results. The article presents research findings on the accumulation of dry matter by soy plants and the net productivity of photosynthesis in the crop across different growth and development stages. Equations have been calculated to establish the relationship between soy seed yield and the indicators of dry mass accumulation by the plants during the pod-filling phase. Conclusions. In modern agricultural practices aimed at achieving maximum seed yield, cultivation technology should include agronomic measures directed towards meeting the biological needs of the plant throughout the vegetation period and reducing the influence of adverse external factors. The highest levels of dry matter accumulation by plants in the study — 26.8–29.2 g/plant, were noted during the pod filling phase in variants with the application of N15P45K60+N30 fertilization, sowing seeds treated with mycorrhizal biopreparation and fungicide, and foliar feeding with organo-mineral fertilizers during the budding and flowering phases. The maximum indicators of net photosynthetic productivity of the crop in the study (8.52–11.29 g/m2×day compared to 5.46 g/m2×day in the absolute control) were observed during the interphase period of flowering and pod filling in variants with N45P45K60 fertilization. For the optimal seed yield of soybean variety Muza observed in the study, the optimal conditions were provided by a cultivation technology involving the application of N15P45K60+N30 fertilizers, pre-sowing seed treatment with mycorrhizal inoculant in combination with fungicide, as well as foliar feeding with organo-mineral fertilizers during the branching or budding phases, when the plants are forming flowers, pods, and seeds within the pods. Through the combination of these agronomic measures, plants accumulate dry matter during the pod filling phase at 25.9–27.4 g/plant, ensuring the net photosynthetic productivity of the crop during this developmental period at 5.60–6.10 g/m2×day, compared to 20.8 g/plant and 5.46 g/m2×day observed in the absolute control, respectively.

Effectiveness of PhosAgro NPK and Gumiton under cultivating potatoes in radioactive soil contamination conditions

Based on the results of three-year production tests, the effectiveness of the use of PhosAgro NPK complex fertilizer and a new organ-mineral complex based on Gumiton peat in potato cultivation technologies on radioactively contaminated sod-podzolic soils in the Novozybkovsky district of the Bryansk region was assessed. Soils differed in the level of fertility and in the density of137Cs pollution. It was shown that leaf treatment of 1 l/ha Gumiton plantings in the potato budding phase without fertilizer contributed to a 19 – 58% increase in tuber yield relative to control, depending on the year. The introduction of PhosAgro NPK fertilizer at a dose of 0.5 t/ha ensured an increase in potato yield by 22 – 42% relative to the control. The joint use of fertilizer and the drug increased the tuber harvest by 12 – 19%, compared to the PhosAgro NPK variant and by 37 – 68% relative to control. The multiplicity of the decrease in137Cs intake into tubers during the treatment of potato plantings with Gumiton was up to 6.4 times in relation to the control, with the combined use of the drug and fertilizer – up to 3.4 times in comparison with the PhosAgro NPK variant. The use of Gumiton and PhosAgro NPK guaranteed the production of potato tubers with137Cs content in accordance with SanPiN 2.3.2 standards. 2650-10. The use of the Gumiton organic-mineral complex and PhosAgro NPK complex fertilizer for production of regulatory clean potato products should be recommended on radioactively contaminated sod-podzolic soils of the Bryansk region.

Comparative estimation of grain productivity and green mass of leguminous crops in the southern forest-steppe of the Republic of Bashkortostan

Leguminous crops play an important role in providing the population with high-protein products and farm animals with feed. The correct selection and distribution of species and varieties of these crops in accordance with soil and climatic conditions have a significant impact on their productivity. The purpose of the current work was to estimate productivity of green mass, hay, grain, as well as the degree of development of traits that affect the productivity formation of peas, chickpeas, lentils, spring vetch, and fodder beans when grown in the southern forest-steppe of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The study was carried out in 2021–2023. Contrasting weather conditions made it possible to comprehensively estimate the material being studied. The objects of the study were the varieties of five types of leguminous crops ‘Pamyati Popova’ (peas), ‘Sokol’ (chickpeas), ‘Nevesta’ (lentils), ‘Uzunovskaya 8’ (spring vetch), ‘Kalor’ (fodder beans). The trials were carried out in accordance with the Methodology of State Variety Testing (2019). As a result of the research, there were identified leguminous crops that were the most adaptive in a number of parameters for cultivation in the Southern Urals of the Republic of Bashkortostan, namely peas, chickpeas, lentils with 65.7 ± 9.7–70.7 ± 9.4 days of a vegetation period; peas with a maximum growth rate before the budding phase; peas, chickpeas, spring vetch, fodder beans with the most developed root system; peas and spring vetch with the largest number (223.3±13.3 – 236.0±17.1 pieces, respectively) and weight (0.39±0.04 – 0.45±0.07 g, respectively) of nodules per 10 plants. The maximum productivity of green mass (7.41–7.47 t/ha) and hay (1.87–1.89 t/ha) was obtained from peas and spring vetch. The maximum productivity of seeds (1.48–1.51 t/ha) was from peas and chickpeas. Thus, there has been recommended to expand pea crops, including chickpeas and lentils in the crop rotation, and restoring spring vetch crops. To achieve consistently high yields of these leguminous crops, it is necessary to sow them in the early stages with seeds of higher reproductions, treated before sowing with appropriate disinfectants and microfertilizers.

Evaluation of raspberry drought tolerance

Physiological parameters of drought tolerance of fi ve raspberry varieties (‘Meteor’, ‘Gusar’, ‘Lavina’, ‘Patricija’, and ‘Ulyabka’) and seven selected raspberry forms (4-122-2, 6-125-3, 1-76-1, 6-125-4, 2-83-21, 1-76-25, 2-90-3) were investigated. Experiments were conducted in 2022–2023 at the Kokinsky experimental station of the Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery (Bryansk Oblast) and at the Center for Collective Use of Bryansk State Agrarian University. Drought tolerance was assessed based on the indices of total leaf water content, water defi cit, and water-retaining capacity in the phenophases of budding (May) and fruiting (July). The analysis showed that within one vegetation period, the total leaf water content and water-retaining capacity decreased from the phase of budding to that of fruiting, compared to water defi cit, which showed an inverse trend. The water-retaining capacity of the studied varieties was found to be higher in a drier season than in a moderatelyhumid year. A signifi cant variability among genotypes was observed in terms of water regime. During the fruiting phase, the total leaf water content decreased to an average level in all the studied genotypes (less than 70.0 %), except for the ‘Gusar’ and ‘Lavina’ varieties which demonstrated lower levels (less than 60.0 %). Forms outperforming in a number of leaf water regime parameters were identifi ed. Thus, the ‘Meteor’ variety, although showing high values of water content in the budding phenophase, was characterized by low water losses after 6-hour wilting (less than 30.0 %) and a leaf water defi cit (less than 10.0 %). Water defi cit in the ‘Ulyabka’ variety, as well as 6-125-4 and 2-90-3 selected forms, exceeded 10.0 % in the fruiting phenophase, corresponding to the average level of drought tolerance. The 2-83-21 form showed a reduced water-retaining capacity in the fruiting phenophase (water losses exceeded 30.0 %).

THE INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS GREEN MANURE VAPORS ON THE PROPERTIES OF GRAY FOREST SOI

THE INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS GREEN MANURE VAPORS ON THE PROPERTIES OF GRAY FOREST SOI

Climate change mitigation and seasonal infestation patterns of citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri: implications for managing huanglongbing (HLB) disease in tangerine citrus

The citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, is a recognized vector of the devastating Huanglongbing (HLB) disease in citrus plants, posing a significant threat to global citrus production. As climate change continues to influence agroecological conditions, comprehending the population dynamics of this vector is imperative for effective disease management. This study delved into the relationship between climate variations and D. citri infestation patterns in tangerine citrus orchards from January to December 2018. Leveraging a dataset of 12 monthly observation sets, we comprehensively analyzed the abundance of the citrus psyllid population. Our investigation unveiled a clear association between climate variability and the incidence of citrus psyllid infestations and HLB occurrences. Importantly, our findings revealed that D. citri infestations were confined to the budding phase. Contrary to expectations, rainfall and temperature did not correlate positively with the development of the D. citri population or the prevalence of HLB disease in tangerine citrus. These results suggest other factors significantly affect HLB spread, impacting disease management. Further research is needed to identify and understand these factors, providing valuable insights for mitigating climate change’s impact on citrus cultivation.

Modeling the effect of fertilizers on cotton yields and cotton fiber quality on saline soils in so uthern Kazakhstan

Yntymak st.,26, Kazakhstan Cotton in Kazakhstan is one of the strategically important crops and is cultivated in the extreme south of the republic in the Turkestan region, in the northernmost cotton-growing zone on the globe. The aridity of the climate, the shortage of irrigation water and the growing threat of the risk of increasing saline lands in cotton plantations, on the one hand, and the insufficient and unjustified use of minerals, on the other, are the main limiting factors in cotton production. On the industrial plantations of the peasant farm "Sabyr", v. Atakent, Maktaaral district, Turkestan region, field experiments were carried out on serozems of slightly and moderately salinity in 2022. In experiments on two salinity backgrounds, 9 identical treatments of fertilizers with different doses and ratios of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were studied. During the phases of budding, flowering and fruit formation of cotton, biometric studies and selection of plant samples were carried out to study photosynthetic and yield indicators depending on fertilizers on 2 salinity backgrounds. The effect and interaction of fertilizers and the amount of salts in the soil on the formation of leaves in various phases of cotton development isquite accurately described (R2 = 0,957-0,972) by regression equations. At the same time, the effect of single action of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers was negative, and that of phosphorus fertilizers was positive. During the growing season, double combinations of all the studied factors, with the exception of nitrogen and potassium, had a negative effect on the dynamics of accumulation of cotton plant biomass. The gross cotton yield is 86% determined by the complex total influence of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and the degree of soil salinity. At the same time, the unilateral effect of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers and soil salinity on cotton yield was negative, and that of phosphorus fertilizer was positive. There is a high correlation between potassium nutrition and fiber quality indicators (r = 0,38-0,62). Changes in fiber quality indicators generally had a strong relationship with the amount of salts in the topsoil (r = 0,51-0,61).

A Review of FDA-Approved Anti-HIV-1 Drugs, Anti-Gag Compounds, and Potential Strategies for HIV-1 Eradication.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an enormous global health threat stemming from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. Up to now, the tremendous advances in combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) have shifted HIV-1 infection from a fatal illness into a manageable chronic disorder. However, the presence of latent reservoirs, the multifaceted nature of HIV-1, drug resistance, severe off-target effects, poor adherence, and high cost restrict the efficacy of current cART targeting the distinct stages of the virus life cycle. Therefore, there is an unmet need for the discovery of new therapeutics that not only bypass the limitations of the current therapy but also protect the body's health at the same time. The main goal for complete HIV-1 eradication is purging latently infected cells from patients' bodies. A potential strategy called "lock-in and apoptosis" targets the budding phase of the life cycle of the virus and leads to susceptibility to apoptosis of HIV-1 infected cells for the elimination of HIV-1 reservoirs and, ultimately, for complete eradication. The current work intends to present the main advantages and disadvantages of United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved anti-HIV-1 drugs as well as plausible strategies for the design and development of more anti-HIV-1 compounds with better potency, favorable pharmacokinetic profiles, and improved safety issues.

Formation of biometric parameters of sowings of soybean variety ‘Sirelia’ on typical chernozems depending on the nutrition area

Purpose. To determine the effect of row width and seeding rate on the biometric parameters of sowings of the early-ripening soybean variety 'Sirelia'. Methods. The research was carried out in 2021–2023 in the stationary crop rotation of the Plant Breeding Department in the fields of the Agronomic Research Station of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (Pshenychne, Vasylkiv district, Kyiv region). Scheme of the experiment: factor A – sowing method: ordinary row with a row spacing of 19 cm; strip with a row spacing of 19 × 38 × 12 cm; wide-row with a row spacing of 38 cm; factor B – seeding rate: 450, 600 and 750 thousand seeds/ha. Recordings were carried out in the main phases of crop development: budding, flowering and grain filling. Results. The thickening of crops with an increase in the seeding rate from 450 to 750 thousand seeds/ha contributed to a significant increase in the height of soybean plants: by 3.5 cm for row spacings of 19 cm and by 5.9 cm for row spacing of 38 cm. Seeding rate of 450,000 seeds/ha led to a decrease in plant height by 4.1 cm, or 5.2%. Thus, from the given data it can be concluded that the height of soybean plants increased with an increase in the seeding rate. The influence of the sowing rate on the growth of plants at a row width of 38 cm was particularly significant. The absolute dry mass of plants in the budding phase was within the range of 2.87–4.00 g, in the flowering stage 4.81–6.93 g, and in the seed filling stage 11.6–21.5 g. During the last period, the mass of plants in the case of increasing the seeding rate from 450 to 750 thousand seeds/ha decreased by 8.9 g, for a row spacing of 19 cm, and for a row spacing 38 cm by 7.3 g. The highest mass of plants was for the row width of 38 cm and the sowing rate of 450,000 seeds/ha. Conclusions. The height of soybean plants increases with an increase in the seeding rate. This is explained by the fact that the thickening of crops causes shading and elongation of plants. Soybean plants were the highest (81.9 cm) at a row spacing of 38 cm and a seeding rate of 750,000 seeds/ha. The highest absolute dry weight of one soybean plant was formed at a seeding rate of 450,000 seeds/ha, and significantly decreases in case of its increase to 750 thousand seeds/ha for all methods of sowing. That is, the thickening of crops with an increase in the seeding rate from 450 to 750 thousand units/ha led to a significant decrease in the dry weight of plants, which is explained by the deterioration of the conditions for their growth and development, primarily due to high competition for life factors.

Perspective herbicides for post-sowing use in narrow-leafed lupin crops

Technical and economic efficiency of Pilot herbicide when applied on green leaf in narrow-leafed lupine crops was studied. The research was conducted in field and plot experiments according to the generally accepted methods in the southwestern part of the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia. The soil of the experimental field was gray forest light loamy in mechanical composition. The following application rates of the preparation were used: 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 l/ha in the phase of appearance of two true leaves in lupine. The following plants showed high sensitivity even at the minimum application rate: cleavers (Galium aparine L.), wild buckwheat (Fallopia convolvulus L.), lamb's-quarters (Chenopodium album L.), one of the types of hemp nettle (Galeopsis sp. L.), shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa pastoris L. Medik), field violet (Viola arvensis Murr.), chickweed (Stellaria media L.). Application of GalactAlt graminicide (application rate 1.0 l/ha) after treatment of narrow-leafed lupine crops with Pilot herbicide promoted almost complete destruction of annual grass weeds. Application of Pilot herbicide had a favorable effect on nitrogen content in both dry aboveground mass and root mass of lupine. Reduction of weediness of crops when using Pilot contributed to the increase in lupine yield. In the variant with the application of 1.5 l/ha of the herbicide, the average yield of narrow-leafed lupine seeds exceeded the control by 0.53 t/ha in three years of the trials. The highest increase in seed yield of narrow-leafed lupine (0.96 t/ha) was observed in the variant that involved the application of herbicide Pilot at a concentration of 1.5 l/ha in the phase of one or two true leaves in lupine and herbicide GalactAlt at a concentration of 1.0 l/ha in the phase of lupine budding. Chemical analyses showed an increase in crude protein content in narrow-leafed lupine seeds by 2.3–4.2% when the crops were treated with Pilot herbicide compared to the control variant, where the treatment was not carried out.

Formation of the photoassimilation apparatus of pea (Pisum sativum L.) crops under biostimulants in arid conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine

The Southern Steppe of Ukraine is characterised by a range of unfavourable agro-climatic conditions, which leads to inhibition of growth processes, disruption of physiological processes and loss of crop yields. The use of environmentally safe bioregulators stimulates growth processes, optimises nitrogen nutrition, increases the adaptability of legumes to adverse conditions and increases yields. The purpose of this study was to find out the specific features of the influence of biostimulants on the formation of the photoassimilation apparatus of pea of the Oplot variety in the Southern Steppe of Ukraine. A 3-year small-plot study was conducted to determine the leaf area index, total chlorophyll content, and net photosynthetic productivity in pea crops. The biostimulants were used for pre-sowing and foliar treatment of pea crops in the budding phase at concentrations described in the methodology. It was found that Stimpo (25 ml/t + 20 ml/ha) increased the leaf surface index in different stages of vegetation of pea variety Oplot by 1.12-1.54 times and Regoplant (250 ml/t + 50 ml/ha) increased the leaf surface index by 1.18-1.38 times compared to the control. A significant increase in the chlorophyll content in pea stipules was recorded after foliar treatment of crops with biostimulants and exceeded the value of control plants by 9.0-10.4% in the BBCH stages 61(65) – 75(79). Based on 3-year results, the positive impact of biostimulants on net photosynthetic productivity was proven. Thus, Stimpo and Regoplant increased the net photosynthetic productivity of pea crops by 35% and 22%, respectively, in the budding (BBCH 51-61) and flowering (BBCH 55-65) phases. The obtained scientific results contribute to the widespread use of the studied biostimulants in the technology of pea cultivation in the Southern Steppe zone of Ukraine to increase crop productivity and obtain a high-quality crop