Phenological Development Stages Research Articles

Phenological growth stages of Magnolia ×soulangeana according to the extended BBCH scale

AbstractMagnolia × soulangeana, one of the most famous ornamental trees of Magnoliaceae, is widely cultivated around the world. However, its phenological characteristics at life‐cycle scale have never been detailedly reported so far. In this article, the extended BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt, und Chemische Industrie) scale was applied to divide the growth and development cycle of M. × soulangeana in both juvenile phase and adult phase, and describe the characteristics of phenological development stage, so as to provide theoretical guidance for its cultivation measures implementation. Based on the BBCH phenological scale, the processes of germination (0), leaf development (1), main stem elongation (3) and dormancy (9) were observed in the juvenile phase. Likewise, the morphological changes of organs in adult phase were abundant, and eight principal growth stages were described: vegetative bud development (0), leaf development (1), shoot development (3), reproductive development (5), flowering (6), fruit development (7), maturity of fruit (8) and dormancy (9). Our newly developed scale provides a unified standard for describing and identifying the phenological period of M. × soulangeana. In addition, it is of great significance to understand the phenological characteristics of M. × soulangeana for its breeding and cultivation management.

The Influence of Variety and Climatic Year on the Phenology of Blueberry Grown in the Banat Area, Romania

This paper’s aim was to investigate the influence of variety and the climatic year on vegetation phenophases in blueberries grown in southwest Romania, the Banat region. This study was carried out during the growing season of 2020–2022 in a blueberry plantation, for ‘Duke’, ‘Hannah’s Choice’ and ‘Elliott’ varieties. In the study, phenological traits were recorded using the BBCH phenological scale and the observation of phenotypic data was recorded as in Julian days. Thus, it is found that the duration of each phenophase characterized each variety. The calendar periods for the onset of vegetation and the duration of spring phenological development stages in varieties have differed from year to year and depended on weather conditions. In the case of the phenological stage, depending on variety, the maximum amplitude was recorded for BBCH 87 stage (75% blue fruits) of 51 days, and the minimum amplitude, of 25 days, for BBCH 51 stage (bud swell) and BBCH 59 (late pink bud). The coefficient of variation, depending on climatic year, for generative phenophases, had values between 6.5% (BBCH 67-petal fall) and 21.1% (BBCH 51-bud swell). It was found that the variety and the climatic year influence the development of vegetation phenophases. The results indicate that blueberry cultivars have demonstrated a high degree of phenotypic plasticity to respond to gradual changes in environmental conditions and are important for the evaluation of cultivar cultivation prospects in the studied area.

The Influence of End-of-Day Blue Light on the Growth, Photosynthetic, and Metabolic Parameters of Lettuce at Different Development Stages.

This study evaluates the effect of end-of-day blue (EOD B) light on the physiological response of lettuce (Lactuca sativa, Lobjoits Green Cos) at different phenological development stages. Plants were grown in a controlled environment growth chamber (day/night temperature 21 ± 2 °C; relative air humidity 60 ± 5%) under the light of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) consisting of 5% blue (B; 450 nm), 85% red (R; 660 nm), and 10% green (G; 530 nm) photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) at 200 µmol m−2 s−1 for 16 h d−1 (BRG, control) for 8, 15, and 25 days (BBCH 12, BBCH 14, and BBCH 18, respectively). For the EOD B treatments, lettuce plants were additionally illuminated with 100% of B light at 30 and 60 µmol m−2 s−1 PPFD for 4 h d−1 (B30 and B60, respectively). The results show that EOD B light caused the elevated shoot elongation of lettuce plants regardless of their growth stages. However, leaf width increased only in more developed lettuce plants (BBCH 18). EOD B light negatively affected the development of new leaves and fresh weight, except for seedlings (BBCH 12). Most photosynthetic and spectral leaf indices also decreased when lettuce was treated with EOD B light, especially under the PPFD level of 60 µmol m−2 s−1. Moreover, the changes in metabolic parameters such as DPPH free radical activity, free proline content, and H+-ATPase activity in lettuce showed a plant response to unfavorable conditions to EOD B light.

Early Estimation of Tomato Yield by Decision Tree Ensembles

Crop yield forecasting allows farmers to make decisions in advance to improve farm management and logistics during and after harvest. In this sense, crop yield potential maps are an asset for farmers making decisions about farm management and planning. Although scientific efforts have been made to determine crop yields from in situ information and through remote sensing, most studies are limited to evaluating data from a single date just before harvest. This has a direct negative impact on the quality and predictability of these estimates, especially for logistics. This study proposes a methodology for the early prediction of tomato yield using decision tree ensembles, vegetation spectral indices, and shape factors from images captured by multispectral sensors on board an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) during different phenological stages of crop development. With the predictive model developed and based on the collection of training characteristics for 6 weeks before harvest, the tomato yield was estimated for a 0.4 ha plot, obtaining an error rate of 9.28%.

Evaluating Strip and No-Till Maintenance of Perennial Groundcovers for Annual Grain Production

Perennial groundcover (PGC) merges scalable soil and water conservation with high-yielding row crops, enhancing ecosystem services of annual grain crop production. However, ineffective groundcover suppression increases competition between the groundcover and row crop, reducing row crop grain yield. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of three Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) groundcover suppression methods each at narrow and wide widths on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and development in evenly spaced PGC, compared to alternating PGC swards and a no-PGC conventional tillage control. Suppression methods for evenly spaced PGC included two different strip tillage implements, completing either shallow or deep soil fracture, for mechanical suppression and a banded sprayer for no-tillage chemical suppression. We measured weekly for maize plant height, phenological stage of development, reflected red:far-red (R:FR) ratio, early vegetative and final plant density, grain and stover yield, yield components of kernel rows ear−1, kernels row−1, kernels ear−1, ear length, kernel weight, grass frequency, and weed community. In 2020, maize grain yield in the alternating PGC swards (11.38 Mg ha−1) was similar to the control (12.78 Mg ha−1) and greater than in the evenly spaced groundcover (9.62 Mg ha−1). Maize grain yield was similar for systems in 2021 (7.41 Mg ha−1), due to drought and high coefficient of variation. Weed community was similar for systems in both years. A maize competition response was observed for both suppression widths across methods. Groundcover dormancy may be needed in conjunction with effective chemical and/or mechanical groundcover suppression to support maize production in PGC.

Evaluating Chemical Suppression Treatments to Alter the Red: Far-Red Ratio in Perennial Groundcovers for Maize Production

Perennial groundcover (PGC) has great potential to deliver ecosystem service benefits and control weeds in annual row crop systems. Inadequately suppressed PGC, however, acts as an early-season weed, causing a shade avoidance response (SAR) in maize (Zea mays L.) before the critical period for weed control (CPWC) even with resource abundance. The SAR results from a low red to far-red light shift, impairing early season plant growth and decreasing yield. A field study was conducted in Ames, IA, USA to assess application timing of groundcover suppression chemicals on maize growth and development. Two suppression chemical treatments (paraquat or paraquat + glufosinate) were each applied to “Midnight” Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) PGC once on the day of maize planting (DOP) or consecutive maize stages from VE to V6 in a randomized complete block design with unsuppressed groundcover control. Response variables included maize plant height, maize phenological development stage, reflected red:far-red (R:FR) ratio above the PGC canopy, early vegetative and final maize plant density, maize yield and components, and weed communities. Suppression increased reflected R:FR ratio from the groundcover immediately after application. Where suppression was applied at later stages, low R:FR ratio during early vegetative growth stages triggered a maize SAR and maize plant etiolation. Final maize plant height and yield were greater in PGC suppressed at earlier maize stages, although no suppression treatment provided adequate suppression duration. Paraquat + glufosinate more effectively suppressed groundcover overall and limited groundcover competition, producing 8% greater maize grain yield than paraquat alone in year 1, and 13% greater stover and 8% greater total aboveground biomass (TAB) in year 2. Weather conditions influenced chemical suppression efficacy in year 2, emphasizing the importance of identifying reliable chemical suppression to support grain yield from the day of maize planting.

Radiation use efficiency and biomass production of maize under optimal growth conditions in Northeast China.

Accurate crop growth and radiation use efficiency (RUE) measurements under optimal growth conditions are required to predict grain yield near the genetic growth potential and estimate climate change effects on crop production. Research was conducted to quantify RUE of maize during the whole growth period, vegetative period (VP, phenological development stage DVS < 1.0), and reproductive period (RP, DVS ≥ 1.0) under the optimal growth condition in Northeast China. Maize was grown in three population density treatments (9.0, 7.5, and 6.0 plants m-2, referred to HD, MD, and LD respectively) over three growing seasons (2017-2019). The maximum Leaf Area Index (LAI) was observed after the anthesis period (DVS = 1.2), ranged from to 4.9 to 6.9, and then gradually decreases. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) intercepted by the canopy of maize was approximate 10% during the early stage of the vegetative period (DVS < 0.3). Then greatest differences occurred during the late vegetative period (DVS = 0.3 to 0.8). When DVS > 1.0, there is no significant difference between the three population density conditions. Estimates of RUE were obtained based on the intercepted PAR (IPAR) and absorbed PAR (APAR). RUE value was 3.97 g MJ-1 APAR or 3.73 g MJ-1 IPAR in the whole growth period, and did not vary among density treatments. Moreover, maximum RUE occurred during VP (4.11 g MJ-1 APAR) and declined during RP (3.95 g MJ-1 APAR). Therefore, we recommend that maize models that rely on RUE for aboveground biomass accumulation should be using a value of 3.97 g MJ-1 APAR for predicting optimum maize grain yield in Northeast China, especially for the potential yield.

The isolation and expression analysis of cinnamate 4-hydroxylase and chalcone synthase genes of Scrophularia striata under different abiotic elicitors

The phenylpropanoid pathway serves as a rich source of metabolites in plants, and it is considered as a starting point for the production of many other important compounds such as the flavonoids, flavonols, coumarins, and lignans. Scrophularia striata is a member of the Lamiaceae family with some biological activities similar to flavonoid compounds such as antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H) and Chalcone synthase (CHS) are key enzymes of the phenylpropanoid pathway, leading to the biosynthesis of several secondary metabolites. In this study, two S. striata CHS and C4H were isolated and then analyzed. The investigation of the expression of these genes was performed under the effects of three salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and gibberellic acid (GA) at concentrations of 100 and 300 ppm with a completely randomized design at the transcript level using Real Time PCR method. These have different expression patterns at developmental stages. Moreover, these genes present different sensitivities to hormonal treatment. Considering the total results, it was found that the amount of expression of these genes during the reproductive phase is higher than that of the vegetative phase. Additionally, the treatment of 300 ppm SA in the reproductive phase is the most effective treatment on increasing the corresponding phenylpropanoid compounds. A correlation analysis was performed between the phenylpropanoid compounds content and both CHS and C4H expression values at different phenological development stages. The results indicate that the expression variations of both CHS and C4H are significantly related to the changes in total phenolic content. We believe that the isolation of CHS and C4H can be helpful in better understanding phenylpropanoid metabolis.

A Perspective Emphasizing Circadian Rhythm Entrainment to Ensure Sustainable Crop Production in Controlled Environment Agriculture: Dynamic Use of LED Cues

World-wide, sustainable crop production is increasingly dependent on the protection of crops from adverse local climate conditions by using controlled environment agriculture (CEA) facilities. Today's greenhouses and plant factories are becoming very technologically advanced. Important breakthroughs in our understanding of the deployment of affordable artificial lighting systems that can supplement and even replace solar radiation is the subject of this perspective article. The key to improving sustainable CEA is to synchronize those environmental cues that best entrain the natural circadian rhythm of the crop. Patterns of circadian rhythms reflect the balance of daily metabolic cycles and phenological stages of development that integrate and anticipate environmental changes for all complex organisms. Within the last decade, our understanding of the use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as spectrally tunable tools for stimulating plant responses has expanded rapidly. This perspective proposes that extending the photoperiod in CEA is an economically sustainable goal to for year-round productivity of tomato, using dynamic LED shifts that entrain the circadian rhythm. When the photoperiod is extended too far, tomato experiences injury. To avoid yield reduction, we look to nature for clues, and how circadian rhythms evolved in general to long-photoperiods during the summer in high-latitudes. It follows that circadian rhythm traits are good targets for breeders to select new tomato cultivars suitable for CEA. Circadian rhythm entrainment, using dynamic LED cues, can be tailored to any latitude-of-origin crop, and thus expands the strategies ensuring sustainable food security including healthy diets locally in any region of the world.

Assimilating leaf area index data into a sugarcane process-based crop model for improving yield estimation

The ability to estimate sugarcane yield is an important factor to improving the planning capacity of public and private sectors, and so food and energy security. One way of achieving this is by employing process-based crop models (PBM), which can be coupled to data assimilation (DA) algorithms to correct predictions along the crop season. While the application of PBMs often need careful parameterization or genotype-specific parameters, few studies focus on understanding the impacts of crop parametrization with different crop genotypes with DA. Moreover, dimensioning the number and timing of observations is key to effectively improve predictions with DA. This study assess the performance of a new sugarcane PBM (DSSAT/SAMUCA) coupled to three DA methods, and when the genotype-specific parameters are available or not. Data from 22 field experiments is utilized to compare the performance of using the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF), ensemble smoother (ES) and weighted mean (WM) for assimilating leaf area index (LAI) to improve yields estimates. We also quantify the impact of using one genotype-specific calibration (cv. RB867515) on yield predictions of four non-calibrated genotypes (cv. NCo376, SP832847, R570, RB72454). Simulations of DA methods had better performance than employing the PBM without DA, so called open-loop (OP). The ES method resulted in the best performance (R² = 0.498 and RMSE = 20.268 Mg ha−1) followed by EnKF and WM. Utilizing a genotype-specific calibration showed substantially smaller RMSE for the three DA methods (EnKF = 16.76, ES = 16.70 and WM = 15.36 Mg ha−1) compared to non-calibrated (EnKF = 21.44–26.23, ES = 21.50–26.27 and WM = 23.38–28.37 Mg ha−1). Nevertheless, we also verified a higher improvement of model performance when applying EnKF and ES method to experiments where the cultivar does not match the genotype-specific calibration employed. While the WM had the opposite results, with the calibrated cultivar showing a higher improvement of model performance. As the number of LAI data assimilation increases, the DA methods tend to outperform the OP, but observations at late crop phenological stage of development showed a higher positive influence on SFY predictions.

Multi-site, multi-crop measurements in the soil–vegetation–atmosphere continuum: a comprehensive dataset from two climatically contrasting regions in southwestern Germany for the period 2009–2018

Abstract. We present a comprehensive, high-quality dataset characterizing soil–vegetation and land surface processes from continuous measurements conducted in two climatically contrasting study regions in southwestern Germany: the warmer and drier Kraichgau region with a mean temperature of 9.7 ∘C and annual precipitation of 890 mm and the cooler and wetter Swabian Alb with mean temperature 7.5 ∘C and annual precipitation of 1042 mm. In each region, measurements were conducted over a time period of nine cropping seasons from 2009 to 2018. The backbone of the investigation was formed by six eddy-covariance (EC) stations which measured fluxes of water, energy and carbon dioxide between the land surface and the atmosphere at half-hourly resolution. This resulted in a dataset containing measurements from a total of 54 site years containing observations with a multitude of crops, as well as considerable variation in local growing-season climates. The presented multi-site, multi-year dataset is composed of crop-related data on phenological development stages, canopy height, leaf area index, vegetative and generative biomass, and their respective carbon and nitrogen content. Time series of soil temperature and soil water content were monitored with 30 min resolution at various points in the soil profile, including ground heat fluxes. Moreover, more than 1200 soil samples were taken to study changes of carbon and nitrogen contents. The dataset is available at https://doi.org/10.20387/bonares-a0qc-46jc (Weber et al., 2021). One field in each region is still fully set up as continuous observatories for state variables and fluxes in intensively managed agricultural fields.

Этапы фенологического развития некоторых видов Magnolia L. на Апшероне

The article analyzes the stages of phenological development of 3 species of the genus Magnolia L. In the research work, the biology of leafing, budding, flowering, fruit-bearing of some species belonging to the genus Magnolia in Absheron conditions was studied on a scientific basis. The vegetation period of the species we studied was studied and climatic factors that positively or negatively affected this period were studied. The studied species were divided into groups according to the onset of flowering and the duration of this period. Thus, the entry and duration of Magnolia L. species in the Absheron region depends on the meteorological and climatic factors of the region where they are introduced, especially the air temperature and relative humidity.

Features of development of species of the genus Veronica L. in the conditions of steppe zone of Ukraine

Abstract The paper deals with peculiar features of development of the species Veronica L. in the conditions of the steppe zone of Ukraine (central part of the country). Under the action of climatic changes occurring for the last 20 years, the species began to grow 6–14 days earlier and increased the vegetation period by 15–25 days. Under the effect of extreme growing conditions (hot weather and drought) decrease in the area of the leaf blade by almost 2 times was recorded in V. prostrata and V. incana. Length and width of the leaf in V. prostrata and V. incana decreased by 20–30%, but in V. austriaca ssp. teucrium a decrease was observed for the leaf width only while its length increased by 17%. Analysis of correlation of climatic factors (air temperature, precipitation amount) to the morphometric parameters of the leaf during seasonal development showed greater dependence of their value on the air temperature, which was confirmed by the inverse correlation coefficients (r = -0.55–-0.66). In the unfavorable growing conditions, the features of formation of the underground part of species are manifested in the inhibited development of underground shoots (by 80–85%) and stimulation of branching and increase in the length of thin sucking roots (1.5 times). Studied species of the genus Veronica in the climatic conditions of the steppe zone of Ukraine go through all stages of phenological development and are marked by rather wide range of phenotypic changes in the vegetative sphere.

FAO AquaCrop model for determining optimum wheat sowing date in Tarai region of Uttarakhand

The ideal sowing period is critical for maximizing the crop's yield potential under specific agroclimatic conditions (Nain, 2016; Patra et al., 2017). It influences the phenological stages of the crop's development and, as a result, the efficient conversion of biomass into economic yield. During rabi 2013-14, a field research was done at GBPUA&amp;T's Borlaug Crop Research Centre to determine the best sowing dates for wheat crops employing Aquacrop model. Aquacrop model has been calibrated against vegetative and economic yield forthree sowing dates, viz., 3rd December, 18th December and 3rd January (Pareek et al., 2017). After calibrating the Aquacrop model, a set of conservative variables was obtained (Pareek et al., 2017). Afterward, the calibrated Aquacrop model was used to validate wheat yield and biomass for three years in a row, namely 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13. The model subsequently used to simulate yield under different sowing dates. For all of the tested years, the simulation findings of the Aquacrop model reflected the observed crop yields and biomass of wheat. The model was used to simulate the optimum sowing week based on varying sowing dates and produced grain yield for a period of 10 years (Malik et al., 2013). The average and assured yield of wheat was worked out based on probability analysis (60, 75 and 90%). The optimum sowing time for Tarai region of Uttarakhand was suggested as first week of November followed by second week of November (Nain, 2016). In no case wheat should be sown during third week of November and beyond due to poor assured yield and average yield (Nain, 2016). The finding of the studies will help to increase productivity and production of wheat crop in Tarai region of Uttarakhand.&#x0D;

Состояние Bergenia crassifolia (L.) Fritsch при интродукции в ботаническом саду Сыктывкарского университета

The seasonal dynamics of Bergenia crassifolia when introduced in the botanical garden of Syktyvkar State University was analyzed. It was found that the height of the plants (52,4 ± 4,8 cm) and the size of the leaves (length 15,0 ± 0,4 cm, width 11,2 ± 0,3 cm) correspond to the indicators of individuals from natural populations. This species successfully implements its adaptive potentials in the culture of the botanical garden in the middle taiga subzone. It went successfully through all stages of phenological development before the ripening of fruits and seeds.

Nutritional Quality of Opuntia ssp. at Different Phenological Stages: Implications for Forage Purposes

The study aimed to evaluat the chemical composition of forage cactus cladodes of the genus Opuntia spp. at different stages of phenological development. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, with a 4×3 factorial scheme, with four species of cactus (Opuntia stricta Haw, Opuntia undulata Griffiths, Opuntia atropes Rose and Opuntia larreri FAC Weber) and three stages of cladode development (young, intermediate, and mature). The chemical composition of Opuntia cladodes varied according to species and phenological stage. Dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentrations increased, and crude protein (CP) decreased with cladode maturation. The species O. atropes had the lowest levels of organic matter (OM), CP, total carbohydrates, and non-fibrous carbohydrates, as well as the highest values of mineral matter, NDF and ADF. Calcium and phosphorus contents increased with cladodium maturation. The concentrations of boron, copper and manganese were higher in the young and intermediate stages. The cladodes of O. stricta, O. undulata and O. larreri showed better nutritional quality for feeding domestic ruminants. Young and intermediate cladodes are more proteinaceous and less fibrous. These results can be useful in selecting the forage cactus species and in optimizing the use of cladodes for feeding different categories of ruminants in semiarid regions.

Phenological Stages of Development of Cornus L. S. Str. Species (Cornaceae) According to BBCH Scale

Under conditions of pronounced dynamic climate change, the scope of phenological data is constantly expanding and increasingly extends beyond local regions. For the international integration of phenological research, a standardized description of the stages of plant development and their identical coding is used – the BBCH scale (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und CHemische Industrie). Phenophases of seasonal development, according to BBCH, are already unified for many different in origin, nature of ecology, and economic use of plants of common and little-known species and crops, including fruit. According to the BBCH scale, we described the seasonal stages of development of 23 cultivars of Cornus mas L. selection gene pool of the M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, genotypes of C. officinalis Siebold &amp; Zucc., nine genotypes of C. sessilis Torr. ex Durand, as well as three genotypes of the artificial hybrid from crossing C. officinalis × C. mas. Phenological monitoring was carried out in NBG (Ukraine) two or three times a week for three seasons (2018–2020) from the beginning of vegetation (bud development) to November and the beginning of winter dormancy. In the studied species of the subgenus Cornus, as in some other stone fruit plants, there are eight of the ten main stages of seasonal development. In all studied species and cultivars of dogwood at the beginning of the growing season generative buds in their development significantly ahead of vegetative and plants begin seasonal development from the development of inflorescences and flowering (principal growth stage 5 and principal growth stage 6, respectively). Different species and varieties differ in the calendar dates of onset and duration of certain major stages of development. The obtained data are important for further studies of adaptive capabilities of Cornus species and cultivars in different climatic conditions, for practical use of genetic resources of studied Cornus species and cultivars, as well as for the introduction of little-known Cornus species and their use in agricultural production, pharmacology, ornamental and landscape gardens.

Mycorrhiza-Induced Alterations in Metabolome of Medicago lupulina Leaves during Symbiosis Development.

The present study is aimed at disclosing metabolic profile alterations in the leaves of the Medicago lupulina MlS-1 line that result from high-efficiency arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbiosis formed with Rhizophagus irregularis under condition of a low phosphorus level in the substrate. A highly effective AM symbiosis was established in the period from the stooling to the shoot branching initiation stage (the efficiency in stem height exceeded 200%). Mycorrhization led to a more intensive accumulation of phosphates (glycerophosphoglycerol and inorganic phosphate) in M. lupulina leaves. Metabolic spectra were detected with GS-MS analysis. The application of complex mathematical analyses made it possible to identify the clustering of various groups of 320 metabolites and thus demonstrate the central importance of the carbohydrate and carboxylate-amino acid clusters. The results obtained indicate a delay in the metabolic development of mycorrhized plants. Thus, AM not only accelerates the transition between plant developmental stages but delays biochemical “maturation” mainly in the form of a lag of sugar accumulation in comparison with non-mycorrhized plants. Several methods of statistical modeling proved that, at least with respect to determining the metabolic status of host-plant leaves, stages of phenological development have priority over calendar age.

Introduction study of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino in the conditions of the Western Caucasus

Relevance. Due to the fact that gynostemma is an endemic plant, providing the pharmaceutical industry with domestic raw materials is not possible, this problem can be solved only through the introduction of this species into the culture.Material and methods. Studies on the introduction of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino in the experimental fields of medicinal crop rotation of the North Caucasus branch of FGBNU VILAR, located in the zone of Western Ciscaucasia, were carried out to study the biomorphological and environmental features of growth and development of the plant, the most optimal conditions for growing and determination of economically valuable indicators. Propagation was carried out through seedlings from seeds received under the contract from South Korea, which were planted in the open ground in early May in areas with direct sunlight and under the canopy of trees (shade). Gynostemma pentaphyllum is a climbing liana with a creeping stem, so it was grown as a trellised crop.Results. It has been established that gynostemma under Krasnodar Territory conditions passes all stages of phenological development, starting from the first year of vegetation, grows and bears fruit every year. The duration of the growing season from 229 to 238 days was determined. Harvesting was carried out in the phase of budding – beginning of flowering. The most optimal condition for growing this crop is shading compared to the option of direct sunlight, where there was a significant increase in growth and development of gynostemma, which contributed to a significant increase in yield. On the rhizome of gynostemma II and III years of vegetation new additional shoots are formed, the number of which is significantly higher in the variant with shading. The conducted introduction studies indicate the possibility of cultivation of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino in the zone of the Western Caucasus.

Features of recording of meteorological conditions in the data warehouse of qualification examination of plant varieties

Purpose. To develop a multidimensional model of the data storage for the qualification examination of plant varieties for fixing meteorological conditions in conjunction with the phenological stages of development of varieties that undergo DUS and SVD expertise.&#x0D; Methods. To conduct research with the establishment of the main structural ele­ments of a multidimensional data warehouse, methods of induction, deduction, analysis and synthesis were used. In the design process of the storage facility, W. H. Inmon’s concept was applied, adapted for the agricultural and agricultural business.&#x0D; Results. The stages of qualification examination of plant varieties were analyzed and methodolo­gical approaches to the creation of a multidimensional data warehouse model were considered. The features of the use of data storages for storing the results of qualification exa­mination of plant varieties for distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS) and suitability of a variety for dissemination in Ukraine (SVD) were highlighted. Particular attention was paid to the implementation of the interconnection between the results of the qualification examination of plant varie­ties with the data of meteorological observations at various phenological stages of plant growth and development, according to the records in the electronic field journal. The logical data model of the data warehouse was designed and implemented in the MS SQL Server environment.&#x0D; Conclusions. Sources of data entry into data warehouses were determined and a multidimensional data warehouse model was implemented according to the “snowflake” scheme. The diagram of the data warehouse was presented, which provided a link between the meteorological conditions of the field experiments and the initial data of the qualification examination, and had four tables of measurements. For each dimension table and fact table, an attribute composition of the data was defined. The data warehouse was practically used to analyze the influence of weather conditions on the indicators of DUS and SVD examinations.