Steppe Conditions Research Articles

ОЦІНКА АДАПТИВНОЇ ЗДАТНОСТІ ТА ЕКОЛОГІЧНОЇ СТАБІЛЬНОСТІ СКОРОСТИГЛИХ ГІБРИДІВ КУКУРУДЗИ (ZEA MAYS L.) В КОНТРАСТНИХ УМОВАХ ВИПРОБУВАННЯ

<p><strong>Objective.</strong> Assessment of adaptive ability and environmental stability of new early-season maize hybrids created on the basis of inbred lines of hybrid germplasm and alternative germplasms was performed. <strong>Methods.</strong> Field, mathematical, and statistical. <strong>Results.</strong> The results revealed parameters of an adaptive capacity and environmental stability of 11 new inbred maize lines when testing their testcrosses obtained based on 3 testers. The DK285, DK265 and DK412 constant lines, the testcrosses of which had the highest average grain yield (5.49; 5.38; 5.25 t/ha respectively) were distinguished during the research period and they were characterized by high total adaptive capacity (1.48; 1,14; 0.75 respectively) with an intensive and plastic type of response to the variability of growing conditions. It was determined that Cross 267C sister hybrid was distinguished among the tester genotypes by the high values of the effects of the overall adaptive capacity (1.19) and the highest average yield of testcrosses (5.11 t/ha).</p><p><strong>Conclusions</strong>. We observed strong fluctuations in the average yield of grain from 1.96 to 8.13 t/ha during the study period. The level of manifestation of breeding characteristics and parameters of the ecological stability of genotypes depended on weather conditions which changed drastically during the study period and often negatively affected the assessment of genotypes. The high gradient variability of the test environments revealed a significant dependence of the stability-indicating parameters on the productivity of testcrosses. The correlation analysis showed the dependence of the hybrids productivity on the level of implementation of biometric indices of the plant under steppe conditions.</p>

ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ ГОРОХА ПРИ ПРИМЕНЕНИИ СТИМУЛЯТОРОВ РОСТА ФЕРТИГРЕЙН В УСЛОВИЯХ ЛЕСОСТЕПИ СРЕДНЕГО ПОВОЛЖЬЯ

The purpose of research is the development of peas productivity increasing ways in the conditions of Middle Volga forest steppe. Results of researches during 2013-2015 with an assessment of photosynthetic activity indexes, structure of harvest, productivity and fodder advantages of peas by different methods of crops preseeding processing and are given by biogrowth factors Noktin and Fertigrain. The largest square of leaves 45.0-47.4 thousand sq.m/ha is formed in a phase of blossoming peas on options at an inoculation of seeds by Rizotorfin and Rizotorfin + Fertigrain Start with after-treatment of crops with biostimulator Fertigrain Foliar in a phase of 4-6 leaves. Photosynthetic potential of crops for vegetation was made without processing of seeds and crops on vegetation of 1.275 million sq.m/ha in a days, when processing seeds preparations Fertigrain Start it raises to 1.305 million sq.m/ha in a days. Net productivity of a photosynthesis reaches maximum in options with processing of seeds Noktin + Fertigrain Start and Rizotorfin + Fertigrain Start and processing of crops on vegetation with an index 4.00-4.09 g/m2 days. The conducted researches showed that all options of processings of seeds and crops increase the efficiency of peas. The greatest productivity of peas 2.04 t/ha and 2.12 t/ha is reached on the crops processed with preparation Fertigrain Foliar in budding phase against processing of seeds preparations Rizotorfin + Fertigrain Start and Noktin + Fertigrain Start. These options differ also in the best fodder advantages with collecting nonvolatile solid 1.82-1.90 t/ha, the feed protein units 2.32-2.41 thousand/ha and an exit of an exchange energy 23.35 - 24.27 GDzh/ha. Results of the conducted researches Noktin and Fertigrain allow todraw the conclusion for application effectiveness of preseeding inoculation of seeds and processing of crops vegetation by preparations.

Habitation Layers and Pedogenic Processes in Forest-Steppe Riverine Valleys West of the Don: The Case of Ilyinka

A Mesolithic site with an intrusive early medieval burial at Ilyinka in the Don basin is described. The Mesolithic assemblage suggests a revision of the Donets culture, whereas the burial reveals contacts between the nomadic peoples, pointing to affi nities with Alans rather than Bulgars. Based on soil analysis, environment and climate are reconstructed with reference to chronology and cultural attribution. The soil is gray sabulous pseudofi brous unsaturated humus with traces of modern and possibly ancient anthropogenic disruption. A succession of various pedogenic regimes caused by climatic and biotic changes is revealed. The early stage is marked by predominantly steppe conditions alternating with arboreal phases, whereas at the late stage the only landscape was steppe. An interchange of cultures occurred mainly during the steppe phases. The total duration of steppe regimes was at least 6 thousand years (alternating pedogenic phases make a more accurate estimate impossible). Despite the instability of the pedological record on the sandy subatratum, automorphous soils can be helpful for environmental and cultural reconstructions.

Особливості формування елементів структури продуктивності кукурудзи залежно від наявності в їх материнському компоненті генетичних маркерів

Особливості формування елементів структури продуктивності кукурудзи залежно від наявності в їх материнському компоненті генетичних маркерів

New data on Late Pleistocene–Holocene small mammal communities from the Ural–Sakmara interfluve, Southern Urals

The paper deals with new fossil material, about 9400 cheek teeth, from 24 elementary samples received from loose deposits of 2 karst cavities – Chernorechka and Chernorechka-2, and 2 rock shelters – Verbluzhka-1 and Verbluzhka-2 located in the Ural–Sakmara interfluve (at about 51°N). One small lagomorph taxon (Lagomorpha) and 30 rodent taxons (Rodentia) were determined from which 4 taxon doesn't inhabit investigated territory nowadays: Eolagurus luteus, Pygeretmus pumilio and Pygeretmus sp., for Eliomys quercinus marked the most southern-east point in the area history. Nine stages of the community's development were marked out. The domination of Lagurus lagurus, Eolagurus luteus and Microtus gregalis from the most ancient community concerned it to typical Late Pleistocene steppe type of communities described from the adjacent South Trans-Urals territories. The Holocene time interval is marked by the domination of Ellobius talpinus and Microtus ex gr. arvalis as well as yellow steppe lemming in the community core (four stages). Then in the core composition appeared Sicista sp. and Cricetus cricetus (four stages) and small mammal communities obtained the mesophilous look. The increasing of xerophilous elements in the last centuries and dozen years reflected regional peculiarities of modern steppe conditions in the south extremity of the Ural mountains.

TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS OF DEVELOPMENT OF MEADOW-STEPPE AND FOR EST VEGETATION ON BANKS IN THE MIDDLE COURSE OF THE OKA RIVER

The synchronous data on daily, seasonal and annual course of air and soil temperature for various types of vegetation on left and right banks of the Oka River (on its middle course) are collected for the first time. It is shown, that contrast range of hydrothermal conditions in a place of growth of meadow-steppe vegetation sharply differs from characteristic conditions of the surrounding forest landscapes. It is found that the temperature background of Doly tract in Prioksko-Terrasny Reserve is more similar to steppe conditions, which is why the steppe associations have found comfortable conditions here and are developed successfully.

КУЛЬТУРНЫЙ СЛОЙ И ПОЧВЕННО-ГЕНЕТИЧЕСКИЕ ПРОЦЕССЫ В РЕЧНЫХ ДОЛИНАХ РАВОБЕРЕЖНОЙ ДОНСКОЙ ЛЕСОСТЕПИ (ПО МАТЕРИАЛАМ СТОЯНКИ ИЛЬИНКА)

A Mesolithic site with an intrusive early medieval burial at Ilyinka in the Don basin is described. The Mesolithic assemblage suggests a revision of the Donets culture, whereas the burial reveals contacts between the nomadic peoples, pointing to affi nities with Alans rather than Bulgars. Based on soil analysis, environment and climate are reconstructed with reference to chronology and cultural attribution. The soil is gray sabulous pseudofi brous unsaturated humus with traces of modern and possibly ancient anthropogenic disruption. A succession of various pedogenic regimes caused by climatic and biotic changes is revealed. The early stage is marked by predominantly steppe conditions alternating with arboreal phases, whereas at the late stage the only landscape was steppe. An interchange of cultures occurred mainly during the steppe phases. The total duration of steppe regimes was at least 6 thousand years (alternating pedogenic phases make a more accurate estimate impossible). Despite the instability of the pedological record on the sandy subatratum, automorphous soils can be helpful for environmental and cultural reconstructions.

Differentiating ability of environments as a methods of selection initial material in spring barley breeding

Under Ukrainian Steppe conditions differentiating effect of the environment and environment parameters have been determined by the seven varieties of spring barley investigation.The aim and tasks of the study. To determine the effects of the differentiating ability of the environment, especially the parameters of environment data as a background study for the selection by the 1000 grains weight parameter basis.Materials and methods. The dates obtained from the investigation of spring barley varieties Prairie, Donetsky 14, Partner, Galaktik, Getman, Phenix under conditions of 2012-2014 have been analyzed. Elements of productivity and this structure were carried out on the area of1 m2 in three replications 25 plants each. Parameters of adaptive capacity, stability of genotypes and environment as the background for the selection have been calculated by the method of A. Kilchevsky, L.V. Khotyleva by IFR program "OSGE" «Elite Systems gr.». The interaction of genotype and environment, the accuracy of the individual factors influence on yield were determined by analysis of variance.Results and discussion. In 2012-2014 seven varieties of spring barley were tested. As a standard variety Prairie has been used. Variety of Donetsk Experiment Station of NAAS (Donetsky 14, Partner), Plant Breeding end Genetics Institute of NAAS (Prairie, Getman, Galaxic, Adapt). Plant Production Institute nd. a V. Ya. Yuriev of NAAS (Phenix) were included.Partner had high and the positive effects of the environment in 2012? variety Donetsky 14 had a low positive in 2012 and 2013, Getman and Adapt had same. Higher differentiating ability of the environment observed in 2012 – 9,22. Linearity coefficient indicates linear interaction of environment and parameter 1000 grains weight in 2012. The relative ability of differentiating environment was high (20.7) in 2012 and the lowest (2.9) in 2014. The effects of compensation (1.51) in 2013 pointed to analyzed effect of the environment as the background for the selection.Conclusions. Using the differentiating ability of the environment makes it possible to analyze their effects on grade and characterize them as backgrounds for the breeding of varieties as initial material on the basis of 1000 grains weight. Thus, in the course of research it has been allocated 2012 and 2013 as analyzed background and 2014 as a stabilized background.

Dynamics of mine rocks and artificial soils physical and chemical characteristics under the impact of long-term reclamation

The physicochemical characteristics of mine rocks and artificial soils of forest recultivation plot № 1 of «Pavlogradska» main were studied. The absorbed moisture, maximal absorbed moisture, volume weight, unit weight, porosity of soils, content of water-soluble elements, pH of soils’ solutions, salinity and wilting point of plants were described. The dynamics of mine rocks and artificial soils physicochemical characteristics, which have an influence on forests suitability and silvicultural effect, gradually changing due to long-term reclamation, were ascertained. Variants of artificial soils, created on the experimental forest recultivation plot, have qualitative differences from natural etalon soils, disturbed destructive soils and differences between themselves. During the creation of various soil constructioins at the technical stage of recultivation it is often not taken into account the possible distant consequences that arise in connection with the dynamic features of the climate, topography, lithology, hydrology and other indicators of technogenic landscapes. Due to the functioning of these soil constructions on the biological stage of recultivation there are significant changes in physical properties and processes, occurring in the remediation root layer, therefore the monitoring of pedogenesis and evolution of these structures becomes relevant. Tehnozems, formed during reclamation process, are significantly different from zonal soils in the level of fertility (trophicity), physical, water-physical, agrochemical and other important ecosystem indicators. Spatial variability of artificial soils properties leads to a diversity of ecological conditions of mikrobocenosis, phytocenosis and zoocenosis functioning on the recultivation plots. The most important properties for evaluation of the prospects of ways and methods of mine dumps forest reclamation are the following physico-chemical parameters of mine rock and artificial soils as the actual acidity, content of water-soluble salts and humus, fraction composition of the clay fraction, mechanical (granulometric) composition, water-physical properties within a recultivation layer. The aim of the research is investigation of the dynamics of physico-chemical properties and forests suitability of bulk substrates on the forest recultivation plot № 1 of «Pavlogradska» main, with area of 3.2 hectares, where different constructions of forest plantations are being tested since 1976 on the different versions of artificial soils. The novelty of the work is that the findings substantiate the environmental assessment of artificial soils properties dynamics under influence of the long-term biological remediation. Over a long period of reclamation an acidity of main rock remains exceeding because of high sulphates content (up to 3,1 %). Salinity of substrates, contacting with main rock, decreased by 14–22 % in comparison with an initial salinity due to water-soluble salts migration and reclamation influence of experimental forest cultures. Bulk soil constructions on mine dumps of the forest recultivation plot in the steppe conditions can be attributed to humus-accumulative tehnozems with gradually increasing silvicultural effect.

Effectiveness of potato cultivation under irrigation in the Ural steppe zone

Basic elements of agrotechnical complexes for potato cultivation, which provide regulation of the light, nutrition, and water regimes, as well as the phytosanitary condition of potato crops, have been developed with the view of plants’ adaptability to the irrigation conditions of the Ural steppe to obtain different levels of planned yields. The nature of water consumption by potatoes in ontogenesis typical for the regional conditions is determined. According to the results of the multifactor analysis conducted, the impact of the study factors on change in potato yields is determined.

Lateglacial/Holocene environmental changes in the Mediterranean Alps inferred from lacustrine sediments

This study investigates sediment cores from the Mediterranean alpine lakes located in upvalley cirques upper than 1700 metres a.s.l. using sedimentological, palynological and geomorphological studies, in order to document environmental changes following the last phase of glacier retreat. These results are considered in the framework of the deglaciation characterized from 16 sediment cores from high-altitude lakes and mires including 104 14C ages and geomorphological studies of the Mediterranean Alps. Considering each sediment core proxy as an independent observation, i.e., comparisons between 14C ages and palynostratigraphy, between 14C ages and lithostratigraphy, between palynostratigraphy and lithostratigraphy, these data are aimed at contributing to a better understanding of the timing of postglacial environmental changes. The 14C ages combined with pollen biostratigraphy indicate that the deglaciation of cirque catchments is dated between 14,500 and 13,000 cal. BP, i.e., during the Lateglacial Interstadial (Greenland Interstadial-1e). The sixteen lacustrine and mire sediment records are systematically characterized by three units from bottom to top: organic-poor blue clay, beige to light-brown silty clay and organic rich dark brown gyttja lithotype. During the Younger Dryas, lakes located below 2300 m a.s.l. were ice-free and their pollen record indicates steppe conditions. The sedimentary facies also informs on the timing of glacial-dominated processes. The onset of organic-rich gyttja is dated at 11,000 cal. BP suggesting the last influence of cirque glaciers in these lakes at the beginning of the Holocene. The timing of the onset of this organic rich unit differs in sites (±2000 years) probably due to an altitudinal and exposure gradient of the glacial cirques. The presence of gyttja from 11,000 cal. BP to Present indicates biogenic infilling lake for all the Holocene. Even though the literature have indicated rock glacier advances occurred during the Holocene (Subboreal and LIA) in the south of the Alps, no significant sedimentological patterns related to glacier fluctuations are recorded in Lake Vens. The glacier fluctuations in the Mediterranean Alps are concomitant with those dated in the non-Mediterranean Alps, thus suggesting a main common climate forcing. However, the increase in terrigenous sediment inputs since 1800 cal. BP is mainly due to human activities.

Investigation of the characteristics of smooth bromegrass (Bromopsis inermis Leys) biological traits for cultivation under extreme environmental conditions

The characteristics of smooth bromegrass biological and economic traits are examined in connection with its use under the extreme conditions of the forest steppe of West Siberia, North Buryatia, and North Kazakhstan steppe. It is shown that the species Bromopsis inermis Leys at the octoploid level can be one of the tolerant perennial gramineous fodder crops for cultivation under unfavorable conditions, particularly in the case of insufficient heat.

Response of rice strains to different sowing time under the conditions of Ukraine’s steppe

With the advent of new varieties became necessary research complex influence of fertilizer and time of sowing on the yield of rice in the rice crop rotations. Therefore, our research has focused on that issue.The purpose and objectives of research. The aim of our study was to determine the features of the cultivation of rice varieties, depending on the doses of fertilizers and time of sowing.Methodology and source material, years of research. Investigations were carried out at the experimental field of the Institute of NAAS rice in 2011-2012. The experiments were laid by the method Dospehovim BAResults and discussion. Presented are the results of research in the seeding times and fertilizers the rice yields in rice crop rotation under the conditions of the southern steppe of Ukraine. It is discovered that the best rice yield was recorded with N120+30P30 fertilizer in the first sowing times, which constituted 6.48 tonnes/ha for the Debut strain, 8.04 tonnes/ha for the Ontario strain and 8.24 tonnes/ha for the Admiral strain. The Debut strain proved to be the most sensitive to the sowing times in terms of germinating capacity which has fallen down by 5.1-13.1% compared to the first sowing time. The germinating capacity of the Ontario strain showed steady response to the sowing times.

Yield and adaptive potential of modern varieties of soft winter wheat in the Northern Steppe conditions

Results obtained during the study of special features of cultivation and productivity of soft winter wheat varieties that differ by origin in the Steppe zone in Ukraine are presented. Relevance of the executed work was determined by ambiguous assessment and selection of available soft winter wheat variety assortment that is used in Steppe zone farms. Findings allow to find out and expose to a greater extent unused reserves for increasing the croppage level. It was found in the process of the study that now according to comprehensive assessment the best varieties of a soft winter wheat for corn growers in the steppe zone are Smuhlianka, Epokha odes`ka, Kiriia, Zolotokolosa, Blahodarka odes`ka, Bohdana, Lyst 25, Rozkishna.

Мікроморфологічна будова коршівського викопного ґрунтового комплексу опорного розрізу Галич 2D

The general lithologic and micromorphological descriptions of korshiv fossil soil complex of Halych 2D key section were conducted. The features of formation of differentiated genetic profile based on the analysis of main features of microstructure of korshiv soil complex were revealed. Interpretation of natural conditions of the formation of korshiv fossil soil complex during the Pleistocene was performed. The reasons which suggest the forest and forest steppe conditions of the formation of korshiv soils of the first and second phases were analyzed. Key words: micromorphological structure, shlif, soil horizon, fossil soil, loess.

PALEOECOLOGICAL habitat conditions OF THE NEOLITHIC AND BRONZE AGE TRIBES IN THE SANDS OF THE VOLGA-URAL INTERFLUVE

Paleoecological conditions were reconstructed according to ancient soils, sediments, palynology and paleozoology. The nature of middle and late Neolithic Age roughly corresponded of modern semi-desert conditions, Eneolithic Age - more humid conditions of dry steppes. The development of landscapes and society in Ryn-Sands throughout the Holocene was broken-deflationary, repeatedly interrupted by periods of crises of aridization of the climate with active Eolian processes.

Ecology-energy efficiency of tehnology growing agricultural crops in South steppe conditions

During 2011–2013 years in a stationary field experiment on southern chornozem of Askaniya State Agricultural Experimental Station (Institute of irrigated agriculture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine (the Kahovka regions of Kherson Oblast) a comparative analysis of changes in the energy capacity of the soil in relation to anthropogenic energy costs of different technologies growing crops was made. Calculations on four fields, each of which is treated by the three different technologies or soil processing: a) traditional (with turning of layer of the soil on crops of peas and sorghum and processing without soil layer turn in versions with mustard and wheat’s), b) minimum processing of the soil (surface tillage or «mini-till») and no-till (or so-called «direct sowing») were carried out. A research was conducted in four field crop rotation: winter (spring-sown) wheat, sorghum, mustard. There was a positive energy balance for all technologies growing crops (when it was saved up by the energy soil more than it is lost) on fields № 1 and № 3, and negative on fields № 2 and № 4. In the case of a positive balance, the amount of stored energy in the soil under different technologies varies 6,5–18,9 GJ/ha. By negative balance energy losses are ground 21,7–37,2 GJ/ha. The use of no-till technology reduces soil energy capacity in comparison by traditional soil processing on 3,36 GJ, which is associated with a significant reduction in crop yields and reduction of organic matter coming from plant remains it was established. The coefficient of energy efficiency technologies (ratio of energy capacity crop to the total harvest human energy is spent in agricultural landscapes in growing each crops) for all years of observation has a positive value (field № 1 and № 3), and negative (field № 2 and № 4). In the first case, its value is 0,13–0,51, the second –0,69–0,44. The highest rate was observed in the traditional technology growing crops, the lowest – for no-tiil technology. The total change in the energy capacity of the soil under the different agricultural technologies for all years of observations shows that the least environmental and energy efficiency in all cultures showed no-till. Based on the above data, it can be argued that the properties of no-till technology which declared (reducing losses from soil erosion, improve physical and chemical properties of the soil, etc.) do not provide any benefits to which the energy balance of the soil, and, moreover, adversely affecting its energy potential. Direct seeding also has a lower environmental and energy efficiency compared to conventional and minimum tillage technology. All this is due to a decrease in productivity, leading to a decrease in soil joining the main source of energy soil – plant residues. Between ecology-energy and energy valuation of technologies growing crops on all versions of research there is a direct correlation – the higher the energy efficiency of technologies growing crops the better its ecology-energy indicators, due to the size of the annual energy investments, which are proportional values of vegetable remains. In turn vegetable remains depend on crop yields and energy density of anthropogenic origin.

Relieving Mongols of Their Pastoral Identity: Disaster Management on the Eighteenth-Century Qing China Steppe

This article explores the contradictory effects of state disaster relief on the Inner Mongolian steppe borderland of China's last dynasty, the Qing (1644–1911). As a Manchu-dominated polity most noted for its unprecedented unification of vast Inner Asian territories with China proper, the Qing had to manage complex environmental dependencies between humans, climate, vegetation, water resources, and animals across diverse borderlands. In Inner Mongolia these dependencies, ordered under what I term imperial pastoralism, were based on sustaining connections between Mongol herders and their livestock, which were continuously disrupted by harsh steppe conditions. Imperial state adaptation to these largely uncontrollable conditions constrained central administrators to provide “agrarian” (grain and silver), rather than “pastoral” (livestock) forms of disaster relief. This assistance helped alienate Mongols from their herds and, consequently, from the pastoral identity on which the Qing northern borderland order was based. This process predates the emergence of more direct and conventional pressures from nineteenth-century ethnic Chinese agrarian steppe migration.

Dynamics of soil seed bank of weeds depending on cultivating technologies of agricultural crops

This article presents data on a comparative study of weeds’ soil seed bank during cultivation of agricultural crops by traditional and No-Till technologies in a crop rotation without fallow in the conditions of forest steppe of Western Siberia. It was found out that, in the case of direct seeding and with the use of herbicides, the reduction of weeds’ soil seed bank in the upper layer of the soil takes place in contrast to the traditional technology.

Адаптивные особенности строения нор млекопитающих в условиях антропогенного ландшафта Среднего Подонья

The paper presents and proves the extended meaning of the term hole, its structural components (elements of holes), the classification of holes on complexity of their structure, functional purpose. Issues of formation and evolution of earth lifestyle under changing conditions of forest steppe are addressed. Connection of the amount of spatial structure of holes of varying complexity and function of the unit with the changed landscape, terrain, character and proximity to forage fields, peculiarities of anthropogenic factors of disturbance, etc.