Green Mass Production Research Articles

Effect of Vermicompost and Seaweed Extract on Growth and Yield on Local Small Pod Garden Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Variety

The investigation was carried out during the rabi season of 2022-23, from 20 November 2022 to 4 March 2023, at the Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology's research station in Kalyanpur, Kanpur, India. The cultivar was a dwarf pod pea type, which is one of the cheapest seeds available in the North Indian Plain. The influence of organic fertilizer vermicompost and Sea weed extract on several aspects of crop physiological growth, development, and economical production was studied.
 The experiment was conducted in Simple Block Design on the total area of 100m2 area divided in 20 sub plots of 5m2 area with total 6.25kg of vermicompost and seaweed extract spray at the post flowering stage at 100ml in required quantity of water.
 Considerable positive effect recorded after the application of the above two organic supplements on parameters like Number of pods, number of seeds per pod , length of plant, number of primary branches, Length of pods, number of root nodules in roots as this was very important for the nitrogen fixation of atmosphere, number of flowers , green mass production. All the major parameters recorded had shown considerable increment at the particular life stages of the crop.

Selection of grain sorghum varieties for the north Caucasian region of Russia

It is possible to solve the problem of productivity and improve the gross harvest of agricultural products by introducing new varieties and hybrids adapted to the conditions of cultivation into production. The diversity of the varietal composition of sorghum crops necessitates a careful approach in the selection of varieties. This is especially important for the North Caucasus region, which is characterized by contrasting natural and climatic conditions. The purpose of the current study was to analyze the existing varietal range of grain, sweet, grass sorghum, to identify varieties recommended for cultivation in the North Caucasus region. The work on the development of sorghum crops was carried out at the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “ARC “Donskoy” in accordance with the Methodology of the State Commission for Variety Testing of Agricultural Crops. There has been found that since 2013 20 grain sorghum varieties and hybrids of Russian originators (7 sugar sorghum varieties, 6 Sudan grass varieties, 7 sorghum-Sudan hybrids) have been approved for cultivation in the North Caucasus region of the Russian Federation. Since 2013 2 grain sorghum varieties, 2 sweet and Sudan grass varieties, 1 sorghum-Sudan hybrid have been developed and introduced into the Register at ARC “Donskoy”. There have been developed grain sorghum varieties ‘Zernogradskoye 88’, ‘Esaul’ which are distinguished by high grain productivity of 5.0–6.2 t/ha and have been recommended for use for feed and food purposes. Sweet sorghum varieties ‘Feniks’ and ‘Yuzhnoe’ have been characterized by a large productivity of green mass for silage (37–45 t/ha) and good feed qualities, which allows them to be used for silage production. Sudan grass varieties ‘Alisa’ and ‘Gratsiya’ have made it possible to obtain 2 cuttings of high-quality green fodder (39–44 t/ha) and hay (12.0–13.2 t/ha). The sorghum-Sudan hybrid ‘Dobrynya F1’ has 55–61 t/ha of green mass for two cuttings and could be recommended for use for green fodder, hay, silage.

Productivity of new sainfoin varieties and promising lines in the conditions of the south of Russia

The current paper has presented the study results of promising lines of sainfoin in the competitive variety testing. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the fodder, seed productivity and quality of the fodder mass of promising sainfoin lines for the introduction of the best of them into production and use in breeding. The study was carried out in the fields of the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy”. The objects of study were nine sainfoin varieties and promising lines. The standard was a sainfoin variety ‘Veles’. According to the study results, green mass productivity of the lines ‘Sin 2/2010’, ‘Sin 4/2010’ and ‘Sin 8/95’ was 30.1 t/ha, 30.1 t/ha and 30.3 t/ha, or on 7.9 % and 8.6 % higher than that of the standard variety ‘Veles’ (27.9 t/ha). On average, for 2 cycles, the seed productivity of the studied lines varied from 0.93 t/ha to 1.02 t/ha and was significantly higher than that of the standard variety (0.85 t/ha). On average, during two cycles, the lines ‘Sin 3/2010’ and ‘Sin 3/2004’ produced the largest seed yield (1.02 t/ha). The lines ‘Sin 13/93’ and ‘Sin 4/2010’, respectively, exceeded dry matter yield of the standard variety ‘Veles’ on 9.8% and 10.0%, and feed units per 1 ha on 14.6% and 14.8%. The lines ‘Sin 3/2010’, ‘Sin 3/2004’ and ‘Sin 13/93’ are going to be propagated in isolated plots for further study under production conditions

Efficiency of winter barley cultivation methods for herbage for bulk feed conservation

The article presents the results of the economic and bioenergetic assessment of winter barley cultivation methods for harvesting bulky fodder. In a short-term experiment the effect of five levels of mineral nutrition on two methods of tillage in the crop rotation link soybean – winter barley, on fused leached chernozems of the southern foothill zone of Adygea has been studied. Differentdepth methods of tillage have been used for 20–22 cm (plowing) and 12–16 cm (surface tillage). As a background on the variants, the main fertilizer ammophos and ammonium nitrate have been used as top dressings (N30; N45; N60). It has been revealed that the use of surface treatment reduces the yield of winter barley green mass by 21-41%. The average yield varied from 8.8 for surface tillage to 12.8 t/ha for plowing. The highest level of productivity is 19.2 for plowing and 12.0 t/ha for surface treatment. It has been revealed that the green mass of the studied varieties of winter barley in 1 kg of natural feed contains, on average, from 0.42 to 0.605 EFU (energy feed units). Analysis of the nutritional value of the obtained green mass has shown: in 1 kg of dry matter of feed for plowing: crude protein 10.1%, exchange energy 11.72 MJ, feed units (Ke) 1.12; for surface treatment – 8.8%, 11.72 MJ, 1.13 (Ke). The highest yield has been formed according to the cultivation method, with the introduction of 60 kg of a.i. N by background (N24 P104) – by plowing. The most profitable plowing option is: Background + N60 (Romans variety), with a yield of 19.2 t / ha, the profit from the sale is 10603.8 thousand rubles, the profitability level is 58.3%. Bioenergetic assessment of cultivation methods has shown that for each unit of energy invested in the production of winter barley green mass, on the best options, from 2.75 to 2.92 units of energy have been obtained.

Green mass productivity and quality of new sweet sorghum varieties in the ARC “Donskoy”

Introduction. In order to realize productive potential of any crop, a variety is of great importance. There is a number of requirements imposed on modern varieties, including not only productivity and quality, but alsocompliance with environmental and climatic conditions, resistance to unfavorable conditions, adaptability to mechanized harvesting. The purpose of the current work was to identify effective methods for developing sweet sorghum varieties, to estimate the sweet sorghum varieties developed by the Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”” according to productivity and quality of green mass for silage. Methods. The paper presents the study results on the development and research of new sweet sorghum varieties in the Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”” (Rostov region) through the years 2019–2021. The soil was an ordinary carbonate chernozem, with 3.6 % of humus in the arable layer. The objects of the study were sweet sorghum varieties. The ways to conduct trials, soil tillage and cultivation, as well as zootechnical analysis of green mass were determined according to generally accepted methods. Results. When developing a new variety, a number of characteristicsneeds to be taken into account according to which breeding is carried out from year to year, namely suitability for mechanized harvesting, stem succulence, tillering, stem diameter, length of a vegetation period, sugar content in stem sap, productivity and its main elements, etc. There are such methods for developing sweet sorghum varieties in the Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”” as hybridization, incubation and selection of constant forms. As a result of the breeding work, there has been developed a number of varieties. In the State List there are 5 varieties of the Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy””. Green mass productivity of the new varieties Yuzhnoe and Feniks was 36 and 42 t/ha, respectively. The sugar-protein ratio of the variety Feniks was normal (1.1 : 1). Silage is recommended to be combined with protein cultures. The yield of exchangeable energy in green mass for silage (for cattle) obtained from new sweet sorghum varieties was 13.5–14.1 MJ/ha.

THE PRODUCTIVITY ASSESSMENT OF THE VEGETATION OF THE SALINE GRASSLANDS IN ROMANIA

The vegetation of the saline soils (Solonceacuri, Soloneturi and Solodii) in Romania is represented by permanent grasslands and occupies approximately 300,000 hectares from the Black Sea coast to some low plains with groundwater on the surface. Habitat 1310, Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand represented by the Salicornion prostratae alliance, has a pastoral value (PV) of 3.9 and green mass production (GMP) of barely 0.36 t/ha and Habitat 1410, Mediterranean salt meadows ( Juncetalia maritimi) with 5.5 PV and 0.45 t/ha GMP, both are assessed as degraded form forage quality point of view. Habitat 1530, Pannonic salt-steppes and salt marshes comprises 5 alliances (Cypero-Spergularion, Puccinellion limosae, Junciongerardii, Beckmanione ruciformis and Festucion pseudovinae) with 30.9 PV and 3.85 t/ha GMP, which allows an optimal loading of 0.37 LU/ha in 160 days, 10 times higher than at H 1310 and H 1410. Respecting the optimal grazing capacity is necessary to preserve the biodiversity of these grasslands.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE ASSESSMENT OF GRASSLANDS PRODUCTIVITY BETWEEN JIU - DEZNĂȚUI - CRAIOVA AND DANUBE

The evaluation of grasslands productivity with indices of pastoral value, production of green mass and milk from areas less studied, completes the data for the following syntheses of this kind, necessary for the preparation of pastoral development projects. The results at the vegetal association level highlighted the higher value of the phytocenoses Lolietum perennis and Poaetum pratensis from the Agrostidion albae alliance and lower for Brometum arvense from the Festucion valesiacae alliance. In general, the grasslands in the study area with an average production of 10 t/ha green mass, almost 57 pastoral value index, 5,180 liters of cow's milk at a load of 0.8 LU/ha in 160 days of grazing are rated as good in relation to the country average.

EVALUATION OF COW MILK PRODUCTION DURING THE GRAZING PERIOD OF NATURA 2000 GRASSLAND HABITATS

In livestock development strategy, a country's permanent grasslands playan important role. After the pastoral value, green mass production and animal load of the Natura 2000 grassland habitats were broadly established, it was possible to assess milk production per hectare as the final productivityoutcome. Normal vegetation habitats 1530*, 2340*, 6150, 6210, 6240*, 62CO* and 6520 averaged 5.58 t/ha green matter (GM) with a loading of 0.57 cattle units (LU) per hectare in 150 days of grazing, a pastoral value (PV) of 38.1 and finally 3,250 liters of milk/hectare. Through the degradation of the grassy carpet, a part of Habitats 6150, 6240 and 6520 achieves approx. three times less namely 1.65 t/ha GM in 140 days of grazing with 0.18 LU/ha and 14.6 PV providing 1,160 l/ha cow's milk. The most valuable habitat is 6520, Mountain grasslands that produce almost 6,000 l/ha of cow's milk at 65 PV and 11.75 t/ha GMandtheleast productive is Habitat 2340* Pontic continental dunesthat produce 870 l/ha of cow'smilk. These data are used to draw up the arrangements and development strategy of the pastoral heritage.

Productivity, biochemical composition and nutritional value of trigonella foenum-graecum green mass depending on seeding rates

The article gives a description of a new culture for the southeast of Western Siberia, which can become one of the valuable sources of obtaining high-quality feed. The nutritional and energy value, biochemical composition in terms of the content of organic substances and mineral elements (calcium and phosphorus) of the dry mass are considered. The yield of green mass, the elements of its structure are shown. The research results indicate that Trigonella foenum-graecum grown in the conditions of the southeast of Western Siberia has a high nutritional and energy value of green mass. Reliable differences in the yield of green mass were revealed on average depending on the seeding rates. The maximum crop yield was obtained when sowing at a rate of 2 million/ha. The seeding rate of 3 million/ha ensured the maximum nutritional value of the dry matter.

Semente de milho crioula promove incremento nos aspectos produtivos e nutricionais da forragem hidropônica

ABSTRACT The aimed of this study to assess the productivity and nutritional characteristics of hydroponic corn forage derived from bico de ouro creole seeds and AL-Bandeirante. Two treatments (T), each representing a corn seed variety, were randomly allocated to beds filled with a wood sawdust substrate: T1 (n=5) - bico de ouro creole seed variety, and T2 (n=5) - AL-Bandeirante hybrid seed variety. On the 13th day, forage was collected to assess seedling biometry, green and dry mass production, and bromatological analyses. The data were subjected to statistical analysis, with a 5% significance level. The creole seed variety yielded higher seedling height (17.53 cm), root length (10.19 cm), stem (5.37 cm), leaf (12.17 cm), and greater production of green mass (7.22 kg/m²) and dry matter (2.05kg/m²) (P<0.05). The AL-Bandeirante corn forage had higher dry matter content (39.18%), mineral matter (2.33%), non-fiber carbohydrate (31.88%), and estimated total digestible nutrients (68.14%) (P<0.05), while the creole corn forage had higher organic matter content (99.45%), ethereal extract (19.53%), neutral detergent fiber (45.56%), and cellulose (15.46%) (P<0.05). Crude protein, acid detergent fiber, and lignin were similar between the treatments (P>0.05). Despite the AL-Bandeirante variety yielding a higher concentration of certain nutrients, its forage productivity was significantly low. Therefore, under the conditions of this study, the use of the creole seed variety is recommended.

Seed productivity and adaptability potential of varieties and promising lines of sainfoin in the south of the Rostov region

Esparcet is not inferior to alfalfa in terms of fodder mass productivity, its nutritional value, content of protein and other nutrients. The main tasks in creating varieties of sainfoin are the selection of new, with high productivity of green mass and seeds, ecologically adapted, with a sufficiently high plasticity to a wide variation in the environmental conditions of its cultivation zones, varieties. The purpose of the research is to assess the plasticity, stability, stress resistance, genetic flexibility and homeostaticity of varieties and promising lines of sainfoin on the basis of “seed yield”. The studies were carried out in 2017-2021. Plot area 20 m2, fourfold repetition, seeding rate 500 pcs. germinating seeds per 1 m2. Seed harvesting was carried out by direct combining. Over the years of research, the seed yield was higher for the Atamansky 20 variety (0.86 t/ha) and the promising lines Sin 3/2004 (0.88 t/ha), Sin 5/2010 (0.91 t/ha) and Sin 3 /2010 (0.94 t/ha). It was established that varieties Veles (bi = 0.15), Atamansky (bi = 0.29) and Zernogradsky 2 (bi = 0.32) react poorly to changing conditions. The values of the stability coefficient of the studied varieties and lines varied from 0.0009 to 0.0076. The sainfoin varieties Sudar (σd2 = 0.0009), Atamansky (σd2 = 0.0010), Veles (σd2 = 0.0015) have the highest stability. The varieties of sainfoin Atamansky, Sudar, Atamansky 20 and Veles were distinguished by wide homeostaticity. they have high plasticity, stability and stress resistance.

Productivity, feed quality and bioenergetic estimation of cultivation of the sainfoin varieties and promising lines

The current paper has presented the estimation results of productivity, feed quality and bioenergetic efficiency of cultivation of the sainfoin varieties and promising lines. The study was carried out at the FSBSI «ARC «Donskoy» in 2019–2022. The objects of the study were 5 sainfoin varieties included in the State List and approved for use in different regions of Russia, one variety, which is currently on the State Variety Testing, and three promising lines. The standard variety was ‘Zernogradsky 2’. For 4 years the sainfoin varieties, included in the List, exceeded the standard variety on 8.3–17.4 % of green mass yield, on 5.4–10.8 % of dry matter, on 6.8–13.9 % of seeds. The variety ‘Atamansky 20’ and promising lines exceeded the standard on 17.8–23.4 %, 23.0–29.7 % and 16.7–31.0 %, respec tively. The sainfoin varieties and lines significantly exceeded the standard variety in their nutritional value. These indicators were the highest in the line ‘Sin 3/2004’ and amounted to 5.610 thousand/ha f.u., 1.59 t/ha of crude and 990 kg/ha of digestible protein. The varieties ‘Atamansky’, ‘Veles’, ‘Sudar’ and ‘Shuravi’ accumulated energy on 8.5–16.5 % more than the standard variety with green mass productivity, net energy income exceeded that of the standard variety on 9.1–17.7 %. The promising lines produced on 21.2–23.6 % more energy with vegetative mass harvesting than the standard variety. The coefficients of energy efficiency of the varieties and promising lines were 3.4–3.6. With seed yields, sainfoin varieties and promising lines accumulated energy on 6.5–31.1 % more than the standard variety. At the same time, net energy income was higher on 16.3–83.5 %, and the CEE was 1.7–2.2.

Study of the nutritional and productive value of perennial legume-grass mixtures on reclaimed lands of the Upper Volga region

Relevance. The article is devoted to the relevant problem of assessing the productive and nutritional value of complex grass mixtures of various families, as well as assessing the economic and agro-energy efficiency of cultivating legume-grass mixtures for fodder.Methods. Experiments were laid at the VNIIMZ experimental agro-reclamation site in 2019–2021. The objects of research were herbal mixtures: 1) oriental goat's rue + cereals (60:40%); 2) variable alfalfa + red clover + meadow timothy (30:35:35%); 3) variable alfalfa + red clover + meadow fescue (30:35:30%); 4) clover-timothy mixture (45:55%). Control — clover-timothy mixture (60:40%), traditional for the production of green mass. The area of the experiment is 6.1 ha, the placement of the options is randomized, in three tiers, the repetition is three times. The use of grass stands is two-cut, agricultural technology is generally accepted. The studies were carried out in accordance with the methodological recommendations adopted in fodder production and agriculture. Statistical processing was carried out by the method of dispersion analysis using computer programs.Results. High yields of grass mixtures based on goat's rue with cereals were obtained — green mass up to 49.9 t/ha, dry matter — up to 14.1 t/ha, while the timothy mixture used as a control — only 23.8 and 6 .78 t/ha, respectively. At the same time, it was found that the collection of fodder protein units, digestible protein and energy productivity were the highest in legume-grass mixed crops based on goat's rue with cereals (13.97 t/ ha, 1.50 t/ha and 167.7 GJ/ha) and grass mixtures based on clover, alfalfa and timothy grass (9.17 t/ha, 1.03 t/ha and 115.2 GJ/ha), while clover-timothy grass mixture provided only 5.49 t/ha, 0.57 t/ha and 58.3 GJ/ ha, respectively (significance of differences p < 0.05). Grass mixtures from goat's rue, alfalfa and red clover with intensive varieties of cereal grasses provide the maximum amount of nutrients per unit area, improve the quality of fodder.

Results of estimating adaptability of sainfoin varieties in the south of the Rostov region

The purpose of the study was to estimate such adaptability parameters, as a linear regression coefficient, stress resistance, genetic flexibility and stability coefficient, according to the traits “green mass productivity” and “dry matter productivity”. The objects of the study were 6 sainfoin varieties developed by the ARC “Donskoy”. The variety ‘Zernogradsky 2’ was taken as the standard one. Sowing was carried out in the spring with the SSFC-7 seeder in its pure form, without a cover crop. A seeding rate was 5 million germinated seeds per 1 ha. The area of the plot was 20 m2, with fourfold repetition. The estimation according to the indicators of ecological adaptability was performed according to the S. A. Eberchart and W. A. Russel (1966) as presented by V. A. Zykina et al. (2011), calculation of stress resistance and genetic flexibility was established according to A.A. Goncharenko (2005). The results of the analysis of variance have shown a significant influence of factor B (conditions) both on the variability of productivity of green mass (79.12 %) and dry matter (75.38 %). All the studied sainfoin varieties according to the years and sowing significantly exceeded the indicators of the standard variety. The most productive of them, the new variety ‘Atamansky 20’, formed on average 30.9 t/ha of green mass and 8.3 t/ha of dry mass, with fluctuations over the years, respectively, 24.8–44.9 t/ha and 6.4 –12.1 t/ha. The sainfoin varieties differ in the response of green and dry mass productivity to changing environmental conditions. The varieties ‘Zernogradsky 2’, ‘Atamansky’ and ‘Atamansky 20’ demand to improve conditions when cultivated for green feed and hay (bi > 1), while the varieties ‘Veles’, ‘Sudar’ and ‘Shuravi’ respond less well to improved environmental conditions and are more adaptable (bi < 1). The varieties ‘Veles’, ‘Sudar’ and ‘Shuravi’ are highly resistant to stress, while the varieties Zernogradsky 2’, ‘Atamansky’ and ‘Atamansky 20’ have a narrower range of adaptive capabilities of stress resistance. A higher correspondence between a genotype and environmental factors and high genetic flexibility were found in the variety ‘Atamansky 20’.

The new maize hybrids for silage

Maize is considered an unsurpassed silage crop, so breeding in this direction is of great relevance. The study was carried out at the FSBSI «Agricultural Research Center «Donskoy» in 2019–2021. The purpose was to study productivity and nutritional value of the new silage hybrid combinations, to identify dependencies to optimize the breeding process. In order to develop new hybrids, there was applied the method of interline hybridization using heterosis in the first generation. The objects of research were 24 hybrids of the early-maturing, middle-early and middle-maturing groups. In each group, there have been identified the new hybrid combinations that are found promising for cultivation for silage and green fodder. In the early-maturing group, a new hybrid ‘Krucha M × KV 215’ formed the largest productivity of green mass (28.2 t/ha) and dry matter (9.41 t/ha). The hybrid had 6.56 t of feed units per 1 ha, 0.48 t of digestible protein and 90.0 GJ/ha of exchange energy. In the middle-early group, a new hybrid ‘Krucha M x KV399 MV’ produced 29.4 t/ha of green mass, 10.35 t/ha of dry matter, 7.49 t of fodder units per 1 ha, 0.57 t of digestible protein, 96.14 GJ/ha of exchange energy. In the middle-maturing group, the best hybrid was a new hybrid ‘KV 399 × 9837V’, which had the highest rates among all the hybrids studied. The hybrid produced 7.88 t of fodder units per 1 ha, 0.64 t of digestible protein and 98.64 GJ/ha of exchange energy. There have been identified the signs that should be used in the development and selection of maize hybrids for silage, such as plant height, cob attachment height, number of leaves per plant, length of a vegetation period.

New highly lodging resistant winter rye variety ‘Evrika’

The development of highly productive short-stemmed winter rye varieties that do not lodge under intensive cultivation technologies is one of the main breeding tasks. The current paper has presented the study results of a new winter rye variety ‘Evrika’ according to the main economically valuable traits in the North-West region of the Russian Federation. The variety was developed by the Leningrad Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture «Belogorka» based on complex hybridization of the varieties ‘Bylina’ and ‘Volkhov’ from the North-West region with varieties of Russian and foreign selection, among which the varieties ‘Alfa’, ‘Antares’, ‘Saratovskaya 5’ and ‘Otello’ made the most significant contribution. The breeding feature of the new variety is the use of donors of such types of a short stem trait as dominant-monogenic and recessive-polygenic. The study was carried out for three years (2019–2021) in the nurseries of Competitive Variety Testing on the fields of the institute in the Gatchinsky district of the Leningrad region. The purpose of the study was to identify the biological and economically valuable traits of a new winter rye variety ‘Evrika’. According to the study results, the variety ‘Evrika’ belongs to the group of semi-short-stem varieties with a mean plant height of 125.5 cm. The variety showed good winter tolerance (8–9 points) and high resistance to lodging (8–9 points). The mean grain productivity of the new variety through the years of research was 5.0 t/ha, with the maximum of 7.4 t/ha, which exceeded the productivity of the standard variety ‘Volkhov’ on 0.9 t/ha (19.5 %) and 2.1 t/ha (39.6 %), respectively. The mean green mass productivity was 25.8 t/ha, exceeding the standard’s productivity on 3.5 t/ha (15.7 %). The index of 1000-grain weight of a new variety during the period varied from 34.5 to 39.0 g, depending on the climatic conditions of the year. According to the study results, the variety ‘Evrika’ was highly appreciated, having successfully passed the State Variety Testing. In 2021 the variety was included in the State List of Breeding Achievements in the North-West Region of the Russian Federation.

Effect of Fertilization and Agricultural Amendments on the quality of a Prairy Established on a Volcanic Soil, Andosol

This research was established at El Prado-IASA1 farm, Agricultural Engineering Career, on a soil of volcanic origin of the Andisol order, in order to evaluate the quality of the forage due to the effect of chemical fertilization and four amendments: lime (E1), gypsum (E2), magnesium silicate (E3) and phosphate rock (E4), mixed amendment (EM) and two level of NPK fertilization. These treatments were applied in an established meadow with: kikuyo (Pennisetum clandestinum), blue grass (Dactylis glomerata), perennial rye grass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens). The amendments and fertilization were incorporated after the first cut, in an amount equivalent to 1500 of lime, 500 of gypsum, 300 of magnesium silicate and 300 of phosphate rock kg ha-1 year-1, plus fertilization F1: N100-P50-K50 and F2: N300-P100-K100, fractionated for 10 cuts per year. The variables evaluated were: green mass production, dry matter, macro and micronutrient soil content. The forage assessment was based on the physiological growth of rye grass as a dominant prairie species. The results positively affected the quality and production of forage in t ha-1, due to the effect of lime, phosphate rock, and NPK fertilization. There was a high fixation of NH4, K, and P, due to the effect of amorphous minerals, high Fe content, and water deficit. Hence it is recommended to keep close to the soil's field capacity level.

Sustainable growth strategy promoting green innovation processes, mass production, and climate change adaptation: A win-win situation

Sustainable growth strategy promoting green innovation processes, mass production, and climate change adaptation: A win-win situation

A characteristic of the species composition of pathogenic fungi of the genus Fusarium in corn biocenoses of the Voronezh region.

Corn is one of the main crops of modern world agriculture. It ranks f irst in terms of gross grain harvests and second in terms of acreage, ceding only to the main grain crop of the globe, wheat. The problem of increasing the production of grain and green mass of corn remains one of the urgent tasks of agricultural production. High potential yields very often remain untapped due to diseases, direct losses from which are estimated at 20–50 %. The purpose of this work was to study the species composition of micromycetes on corn collected in different phases of vegetation in May-July 2020 in the Voronezh region, to identify phytopathogenic genus Fusarium fungi, to study pathogenic and phytotoxic strains of the fungi to replenish the collection of the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of a Phytopathology. Preservation of infectious material of fungi from the genus Fusarium is of no small importance for phytopathological, immunological, breeding, genetic and toxicological studies. As a result of the mycological studies carried out, a lot of fungi isolates from the genera Fusarium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Periconia, Pythium, Trichothecium, etc., isolated from the affected roots, stems and ears of corn in the Voronezh region in 2020 were identif ied. Fungi isolates from seven taxonomic groups: Fusarium fujikuroi Nirenberg (F. moniliforme, F. verticillioides), Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl., Fusarium culmorum (Wm.G. Sm.) Sacc., Fusarium graminearum Schwabe, Fusarium heterosporum Nees & T. Nees (F. lolii ), Fusarium roseum Link (F. sambucinum), Fusarium sporotrichioides Sherb. were tested for pathogenicity and phytotoxicity on seedlings of plant-testers. It has been shown that pathogenic and phytotoxic activity in fungi varies signif icantly between Fusarium species and within the same species. The greatest danger to corn is represented by the species F. sporotrichioides, F. graminearum, F. culmorum, F. fujikuroi, F. oxysporum, F. heterosporum, which have a high intensity of phytotoxic activity associated with the fact that they contribute to the synthesis and accumulation of dangerous toxins in plant tissues. As a result of the conducted studies, 55 strains of fungi from the genus Fusarium belonging to seven species were selected. The isolates, stable in morphological and cultural characteristics and studied for pathogenicity and toxicity, were placed for long-term storage in the Russian State Collection of Plant Pathogenic Microorganisms and Cultivars for Identif ication of Phytopathogenic Microbial Strains at the All-Russian Scientif ic Research Institute of a Phytopathology.

К вопросу сохранения биоразнообразия пастбищных агроценозов сухих степей Нижнего Поволжья

Nowadays, more than 85% of pastures are depleted, they have low productivity and poor biodiversity. Therefore, the priority is the issue of stabilizing the productivity of pasture agrocenoses, increasing their longevity and species diversity. The purpose of the research is to develop effective methods for stabilizing and increasing the productivity of agrocenoses in natural conditions and on artificially created lysimeters of the hydrological complex of the Federal Scientific Center of Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Reducing the load of small and large cattle on the pasture leads to the stabilization of the process of restoration of the vegetation cover of natural agrocenoses, but it is necessary to study all the mechanisms of soil degradation and develop a balanced and adapted range of pasture ecosystems. As a result of the research, a promising composition of polycomponent agrocenoses was selected, which is represented by herbs of the Stavropol selection, most of them are represented by the Poaceae family, in combination with Kochia prostrata (L.) Schrad., Artemisia arenaria D.C., and Eurotia ceratoides L. on lysimeters with a chernozem soil substrate, there are the best conditions for the growth and development of agrocenoses. The average productivity of green mass in terms of hay was 2.5 t/ha during the growing season. Over 70% of the phytomass is formed by grasses. On the light-chestnut sandy loam substrate on the pastures “spring – summer” and “summer – autumn” the lowest productivity of phytomass was noted – 2.2 t/ha. The results obtained will be used in the further study of the dynamics of soil degradation and the development of effective phytomeliorative measures leading to the conservation of the biodiversity of pasture agocenoses and their restoration in a changing climate.