Sumy National Agrarian University Research Articles

Experimental efficiency studies use of unmanned aircraft in cultivation of agricultural cultures

Modern agricultural production is aimed at obtaining the maximum yield when growing crop products. Genetics creates varieties and hybrids that maximize their biological potential in accordance with growing conditions. However, the urgent task is to provide technology, namely the needs of plants in the appropriate phases of growth and development in the shortest possible time. Current developments, including those for agricultural production, have flooded the market for digital technologies and mechanization tools. Effective agroengineering requires a modern base of complex applied research on the effectiveness of using the latest developments in modern production conditions. It should be noted that each development will show different efficiency, namely different quality indicators in different production conditions. The effectiveness of field research using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) XAG XPlanet for four fans was carried out in the Sumy region on the research fields of the Sumy National Agrarian University. The uniqueness of the research was that a method was developed with the involvement of specialists in agroengineering and agronomic fields and specialists in the field of physics to determine the degree of coverage of a sheet with a working solution precisely when it is "crushed" by the UAV blades; the technique of digitalization of markers was used by determining the color of the working solution, taking into account the change in its brightness depending on the time interval from application to research; clipping dark highlights when scanning markers. The studies were carried out at different flight heights: 3, 4 and 5 m above the plant level and taking into account different flight speeds: 6, 8 and 10 m s-1. The corresponding data were due to different plant heights, relief and configuration of the field, the location of the wires of electrical networks. The developed methodology and the conducted field studies made it possible to prepare real recommendations for modern agricultural producers in the direction of the efficiency of using UAV for introducing working solutions and choosing effective operating modes.

Soil aggregation with various cover crops in Ginkgo biloba L. plantations

Ginkgo biloba is an exotic plant for Ukraine that is nowadays becoming popular for parks and landscape gardening. Raw materials (leaves) of these plants are used as medicinal, and in the context of organic production has pharmaceutical significance. At Sumy National Agrarian University fields Ginkgo biloba is grown by seedling method, young seedlings are transplanted into the open ground, in an area where the plants are grown without chemical synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Row spacing between Ginkgo plants is 3 m and in case of high temperature and dry growing season the survival rate is reduced. The use of cover crops in the rows of Ginkgo biloba can help the plant cope with temperature stress, regulate the structural and nutrient status of the soil. We conducted one experiment with some common cover crops for Forest-steppe of Ukraine such as a phacelia, white clover, red clover, ryegrass, sainfoin, white mustard during growing seasons 2019‒2020. Sites planted in the spring between the rows of Ginkgo. At the end of August, soil samples to a depth of 0‒10, 10‒20, 20‒30 cm were collected to determine the structural and aggregate composition. These samples after reaching the air-dry state were sieved (dry method) and determined the percentage of soil particles with different diameters and structural coefficient soil. The percentage of agronomically valuable structure depended on the mechanical tillage on the site without and with cover crops, weather conditions. In the site without cover crops with mechanical tillage for weed control, the highest percentage of aggregates with a diameter of 10‒0.25 mm and coefficient of structure in layers of 0‒10 and 20‒30 cm was obtained. White mustard and white clover cover crops have shown the best result in good soil aggregation in the 0‒10 cm layer. In the layer of 10‒20 cm, the coefficient of structure was the highest in sites with white clover, respectively agronomically valuable structure was 69.6 %, slightly less with mustard 68.3 % and sainfoin 68.8 %. In a layer of 20‒30 cm sainfoin and clover among other cover crops showed the best result, the coefficient of structure was 2.7. Lastly, further research is needed to choose the best cover crop for Ginkgo biloba young plantations which help the plants to pass strongly through to environmental stressful condition. Additional researches are needed for cover crops selection and their mixtures, terms of sowings, times of cutting should be studied.

ПРОДУКТИВНІСТЬ СОЧЕВИЦІ ЗАЛЕЖНО ВІД ІНОКУЛЯЦІЇ НАСІННЯ ТА МІНЕРАЛЬНОГО ЖИВЛЕННЯ В УМОВАХ ПІВНІЧНО-СХІДНОГО ЛІСОСТЕПУ УКРАЇНИ

The article presents the study results of the effect of bacterial preparations Rhizohumin (based on nitrogen-fixing bacteria Rhizobium leguminosarum strain 31) and Polymyxobacterin (based on phosphorus-mobilizing bacteria Bacillus polymyxa KB) on different backgrounds of mineral nutrition (P60K60, N60P60K60) when growing lentil in the north-eastern forest-steppe of Ukraine. The research was conducted on the basis of the training and research production center of Sumy National Agrarian University according to generally accepted methods during 2016-2018. Lentil is one of the most valuable legumes. In terms of nutrition and nutritional qualities, this culture has no equal. The development of new and improvement of existing models of lentil cultivation technology, in particular the pre-sowing inoculation of seeds with bacterial preparations to increase productivity is an important topical issue that requires appropriate scientific justification. Inoculation of lentil seeds with bacterial preparations causes additional involvement in the nitrogen cycle of the atmosphere. This event is one of the most important in modern technologies for growing legumes as an element of greening and energy conservation. Due to the fixation of nitrogen by nodule bacteria of the genus Rhizobium, lentils play an important role in increasing soil fertility. Therefore, seed inoculation is an effective and necessary measure that affects plant development throughout ontogenesis. The study of the peculiarities of growth and development of lentils during ontogenesis makes it possible to reveal the important features of the formation process of high productivity, to determine the scientific basis for the creation of highly productive agrocenoses of legumes. The level of yield of legumes is determined by such elements of productivity as: the number of beans per plant, the weight of grains per plant and the weight of 1000 grains. In this regard, there is a need to take into account these indicators, which, by substantiating the cultivation techniques will help to increase yields. It is established that the combination of seed inoculation with the application of mineral fertilizers intensified the processes of growth and development of plants, caused an increase in the number of beans and grain weight per plant, as well as the mass of 1000 grains, as a result - yield increased by 0.42-0.58 t / ha . The maximum level of yield was provided by a combination of pre-sowing inoculation of seeds with Rhizohumin with fertilizer application in a dose N60P60K60.

Influence of green manure (oilseed radish) and tillage practices on nutrients dynamics of chernozem calcic during arable crops growth

The article presents and briefly discusses the results of an investigation of the effectiveness of green manure made from oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus L.) following sugar beet and potatoes. In a field experiment, conducted in 2005‒2010 years in Sumy National Agrarian University, we examined four mechanical methods: ploughing to a depth of 28‒30 cm (conventional tillage), sweep ploughing to a depth of 28‒30 cm, disking to a depth of 14‒16 cm and 4‒6 cm. The soil is determined as chernozem calcic (typical) medium loam (low humic, slight acid). The research area belongs to the Left Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Green manure was sown after harvesting spring barley and incorporated in late October.
 The use of green manure signifacantly improves the nutrients regimes of calcic chernozem during sugar beets and potatoes cultivation: the content of hydrolyzed nitrogen in the soil layer of 0‒30 cm increased by 9.8‒13.8 mg/kg, mobile phosphorus ‒ by 8,0‒13,8 mg/kg and exchangeable potassium by 7,8‒13,0 mg/kg related to other fertilized variants. Sweep ploughing to a depth of 28‒30 cm resulted in increasing of hydrolyzed nitrogen content by 106.7 and 113.8 mg/kg, mobile phosphorus ‒ 124.6 and 129.6 mg/kg and exchangeable potassium ‒ 121,7 and 123.6 mg/kg.
 The phytomass of green manure had the highest effect on the rising of nitrogen content ‒ 49‒52 %, and the least effect was recieved for phosphorus ‒ 24‒25 %. Incorporation of green manure by classic tillage and sweep ploughing had a greater effect on N and P content ‒ by 33‒66 % and 19‒61 % respectively. The best yields of of sugar beets ‒ 35.4 t/ha and potatoes ‒ 30.3 t/ha have been provided by using of green manure and sweep ploughing that is respectively plus 1.4 and 1.8 t/ha related to variants with conventional ploughing. It means also plus 4,7 і 3,7 t/ha related to variants with disking to a depth of 14‒16 cm; 5,9 і 5,1 t/ha in comparison with disking to a depth of 4‒6 cm.
 The highest intensity of nitrogen and potassium balance growing sugar beets and potatoes was provided by green manure - 114.9 and 136.0 % and 135.7 and 101.7 %, respectively. Use of oilseed radish and sweep ploughing to a depth of 28‒30 cm result in the positive nutrients balance that is closer to the equilibrium balance.

Overcoming Barriers in Intercultural Communication: A Case Study on Agricultural Idioms in English, Ukrainian and Chinese

The paper deals with the case study, focused on exploring certain problems in intercultural communication of Ukrainian and Chinese students in the academic environment of Sumy National Agrarian University. The participants of the ethnographic-linguistic stage of the experiment learned, interpreted and compared the phraseological funds of the Chinese, Ukrainian and English languages, displaying the conceptual sphere “Agriculture”, in order to find out similarities and divarications in the outlook of people, engaged in agricultural production, as well as the perception of agricultural sphere in these cultural-ethnic communities. The qualitative stage of the experiment was conducted to discover the stereotypes about the representatives of other nations, which the informants had. It was revealed that learning idioms and participation in the experiment helped students overcome the stereotypes and improve the intercultural interaction amid academic groups. It was concluded that the students, who learned the target language idioms, belonging to the conceptual sphere “Agriculture”, gained knowledge of the geographical and economic conditions, moral values and traditions of the target language native speakers, became aware of the analogies in their own background. Thus, the participants realised that they could eliminate obstacles that impeded intercultural communication by mastering culturally marked target language material concerning the sphere of their future professional activity.

Models of sunflower productivity formation and their efficiency in the conditions of the north-eastern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Sunflower crops for the production of marketable products are in all regions of Ukraine, in particular in the zone of the northern Forest-Steppe and Polissya. This zone differs significantly by soil conditions from the regions of traditional crop distribution. This condition requires theoretical generalization and experimental research to develop a model of sunflower varieties with a high level of adaptability to new growing conditions 
 In general, the assessment of the level of adaptability of genotypes to the conditions of the zone using basic cultivation technologies is provided by demonstration landfills. The most complete range of domestic and foreign sunflower hybrids focused on the area of North-Eastern Forest-Steppe and Polissya is presented at the demonstration site of the Institute of Agriculture of the Northeast NAAS. The research was conducted within the program to develop the model of the variety for the conditions of the North-Eastern Forest-Steppe and Polissya of Ukraine, (state registration number - 0116U001506). The study was performed in 2016‒2020 at the Institute of Agriculture of the Northeast NAAS of Ukraine and Sumy National Agrarian University. Hybrids (28‒56) of different originators were tested annually.
 The general dynamics of sown areas, yield and gross production of sunflower in Sumy region in 2016‒2020 is analyzed. It was established that higher crop yields compared to the average in the country, led to the increase in the annual growth in areas under sunflower from 2‒5 % in 2010 to 11‒16 % in 2019 and 2020.
 Currently, the share of sunflower crop in the structure of arable land in the region is 25.4% compared to the average of 19.7% in Ukraine Maintaining such dynamics in the near future may be the main limiting factor for productivity growth. If such dynamics will be maintained in the near future, it may become the main limiting factor for productivity growth. 
 According to the results of the analysis of weather conditions in 2016 2020, indicators of vegetative and generative development of plants of different genotypes at the demonstration site, the 2-level algorithm for realizing the generative potential of hybrids was proposed. It was determined by the length of their growing season and their place in the groups with different models of yield formation It was found that in years close to the average long-term difference in one day of the growing season was proportional to the yield ‒ 34 kg, in drier and hotter years the value increases to 50 kg/ha. 
 The ability of hybrids to provide the estimated average yield (for 3 years or more) was defined as the basic level of their adaptability to the conditions of the zone. The minimum values of indicators with a high level of correlation with the parameters of plant productivity are determined. According to the results of the analysis of values of indicators, their stability in different weather conditions the difference in algorithms of formation of productivity is established. The parameters of groups of hybrids of the model of productivity formation which provided higher than the basic level of adaptability to the conditions of the zone were analyzed.
 It was established that the model with a satisfactory level of adaptability is realized due to a slight excess of the values of the basic indicators of the parameters that determine the development of the leaf apparatus of plants and the structure of their productivity. Models with a higher level of adaptability are characterized by a significant excess of baseline values for several or most indicators.

Biochemical tuber composition of promising potato hybrids

The consumption of potato as a food product in Ukraine is currently the main type of use. The Potato Research Institute of Sumy National Agrarian University implements a breeding program for the creation of new nematode-resistant intensive varieties with increased energy value. During 2016-2018, the biochemical composition of tubers of 21 hybrids, including 6 early-maturing, 12 middle-early, 3 middle-maturing, was studied using an infrared analyzer. Increased starch content (84%-80% per dry weight) was observed in 10%, high (73%-72%)-in 14% of the hybrids. Protein content in the tubers was at the level of 6.4% per dry weight, early-maturing hybrids turned out to be the most valuable ones (8.9-8.6%). The high content of vitamin C (89-86 mg%) was accumulated by the middle-early and middle-maturing hybrids, vitamin K (0.26-0.19 mg%)-by the early-maturing hybrids. 28% of hybrids with the maximum (2.2 mg%) potassium content were selected. The amount of nitrate in tubers of 48% of the hybrids did not exceed the maximum permissible concentration. The hybrids with increased and high starch content had a high caloric value ranging from 58 to 55 calorie/100 g. The selection of high-calorie hybrids will enable us to increase the competitiveness of future potato varieties of Sumy NAU breeding in the modern food market.

Microstructural analysis of sausage quality

Microstructural analysis of sausage quality

DISTRIBUTION OF DICTIOCAULOSIS OF CATTLE IN COMMODITY FARMS OF SUMY REGION

The article presents data on the establishment of the spread of dictyocaulosis of cattle in farms of different production facilities of Sumy region. According to researchers, a prominent place among the pulmonary helminthiasis of domestic and wild ruminants belongs to dictyocaulosis. Currently, nematodes are an unresolved problem in cattle farms. The work was performed during 2019 on the basis of the laboratory of the Department of Epizootology and Parasitology of Sumy National Agrarian University, as well as in the conditions of livestock farms of Sumy region, which specialize in the production of marketable milk. Feces were collected from animals systematically throughout the year in different seasons, followed by their study by standardized methods of Berman and Orlov. The intensity of the invasion was determined by counting the number of larvae in 1 g of feces at low magnification. Determination of the intensity of contamination of environmental objects by dictyocaul larvae was performed using the method of M.O Romanenko.
 In the course of research and analysis of statistical reporting, it was found that dictyocaulosis is one of the three most common invasive diseases diagnosed in cattle in Sumy region. It has been proven that the frequency of diagnosing cases of respiratory pathology of various etiologies has increased in livestock farms that are unfavorable for dictyocaulosis. A clear seasonal dynamics of dictyocaulosis in livestock of different age categories was established: in calves under one year of age, the maximum lesion of Dictyocaulus viviparus was registered in June, with an invasion extent of 69.21%. In calves under two years of age, dictyocaulosis was registered in spring and autumn (the extent of invasion in April was 62.1%, in late September-early October - 51.4%). In a study of cattle older than two years, the highest extent of dictyocaulous invasion was found in spring and autumn, respectively, 59.7% and 35.1%. The peak of the outbreak was recorded in late autumn, in contrast to the animals of younger age categories. The highest intensity of infestation is found in calves under one year of age in summer, in older age groups - in autumn. When determining the contamination of environmental objects with larvae of Dictyocaulus viviparus, the highest rates were observed on the vegetation of pastures, near water sources with insufficient levels of insolation. Contamination by larvae of Dictyocaulus viviparus of the surface layers of soil and water sources on pastures was lower and amounted to 52.5 and 32.5 %, respectively.

Distribution of fish apophalosis in the river basins of Sumy region

The causative agent of apophalosis (rosicotremosis) is the larva of Apofalus donicus. It is localized in the skin, scales, perch fins, rust, walleye, and some carp fishes that live in rivers flowing into the Black Sea, in the Tisza River, and in the Azov Sea estuaries. Mature trematode parasites in the small intestine the dogs, cats, foxes, some fish-eating birds (common buzzards, quarks, white storks) and humans. The purpose of the research was to conduct research to determine the incidence of fish for trematodoses and to develop measures to ensure the regimes of fish disinfection when they are detected. The research was conducted on the basis of the department of veterinary medicine, microbiology, zooghygiene and safety and quality of animal products of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Sumy National Agrarian University. During the period 2018–2019, fish were caught from the rivers of the Dnieper Basin: Sula, Psla and Vorskla. The main species of fish studied are: carp – Cyprinus carpio (L.), perch – Perca fluviatilis (L.); common ruff (Gymnocephalus cernua), walleye (Sander iucioperca). A total of 321 fish were examined. Parasitological examination of the fish was carried out by the method of complete parasitological dissection, which makes it possible to conduct quantitative and qualitative accounting of all helminths affected by the fish. The autopsy of the fish was performed according to the conventional method. The incision was made from the anal fin up and forward to the gill lid just above the base of the pectoral fin. As a result of the fish studies, the larvae of trematodes were identified, which by structure were classified as Apofalus donicus. The larvae were alive, localized under the skin and moved. The overall invasion intensity for all species of fish studied was 3.64%. In the next phase of the study we conducted experiments to determine the resistance of the larvae to different modes of freezing, salinization and heat treatment. effective for decontamination of fish meat with the presence of metacercariae are: boiling at 80 °C, 15 minutes, at 100 °C, 10 minutes; freezing -18 °С, 7 days; salting of 12 % tuzluk 1 month; frying – from 15 minutes; action of microwaves 480 W, 8 minutes, 760 W, 4 minutes. The prevalence of apophalosis among fish of the Dnieper River basin (Sula, Psel, Vorskla) in Sumy region was established. The overall invasion intensity for all species of fish studied was 3.64 %. Effective for the disinfection of fish meat with the presence of Apofalus donicus metacercariae are: boiling at 80 °C, 15 minutes, at 100 °C, 10 minutes; freezing -18 °С, 7 days; salting of 12 % tuzluk 1 month; frying – from 15 minutes; action of microwaves 480 W, 8 minutes, 760 W, 4 minutes. In the future, it is planned to conduct research to determine the spread of apophalosis among cats, dogs and fish birds.

Measurement and Assessment of Virtual Internationalization Outcomes in Higher Agrarian Education

The paper deals with the application of information and communication technologies amid internationalization process in higher agrarian education. The purpose of this research is to evaluate virtual internationalization initiatives in Sumy National Agrarian University (SNAU), Ukraine. Analysis and systematization of the latest scientific works on digitalization in higher education and virtual academic programs proved that they are essential to connect students and educators worldwide in order to improve instruction, to enhance intercultural awareness across borders, to develop target languages knowledge and transversal skills, necessary for young professionals to be competitive in the information-based society. The findings of the survey stated that SNAU is integrating a growing number of international projects requiring the use of digital tools. Data on the inputs, outputs and outcomes of virtual internationalization programs from both official documents and questioning participants, students and faculty was collected and measured. Actual benefits (developing intercultural competence, accessing to global knowledge, lowering economic and environmental costs, improving foreign languages) and potential risks (brain drain, cultural homogenization and less diversity of languages and teaching modes, imbalance of resources) of virtual academic projects were assessed as well. It has been concluded that SNAU engagement in virtual international programs has contributed to the intensification of academic mobility, ensuring international standards for the quality of educational services, gaining international experience in the field of agrarian business and research due to implementation of ICT.

Core Curriculum for Foreigners’ Language Training in Higher Agrarian Institutions: Correlation with Common European Recommendations

The article deals with introducing important items of the Core Curriculum for Foreign Language Training of Non-Residents in Higher Agrarian Education Institutions based on CEFR and taking into account professional orientation of foreign (Ukrainian) language training (on the example of Sumy National Agrarian University, Ukraine). Different methods of research (theoretical and empirical) have been used. The Curriculum’s content (goal; objectives; principles of training; content components) has been shown. The main goal of foreign language training is identified as the students' acquisition of skills of communicative activity through the integration of communicative, learning and upbringing goals as well as deep professionalizing the future specialist. The Curriculum’s context (stages, communicative training areas) are correlated with the requirements of CEFR to meet internationally recognised standards. To monitor if the curriculum meets the students’ needs in foreign language training the questionnaires were conducted October-November, 2018. The questionnaires on students’ self-assessment of language proficiency level; learning activities preferences; situations in which foreign language is useful for; the importance of work with professionally-oriented materials were generalised. Conclusions: the important foreign language skills for agrarian students are speaking and reading ones; the preferable communicative areas are the social-cultural and the learning-professional ones; the work with professionally-oriented materials is indicated as an important one. This confirms the appropriateness of the curriculum to international students’ needs in foreign language training. The results can be extrapolated for other higher agricultural institutions while foreign language curriculum development.

Впровадження інноваційних технологій електронного навчання у процес засвоєння іноземних мов студентами аграрних ЗВО

The article reveals the implementation of innovative e-learning technologies in the process of mastering the discipline “Foreign language in the professional direction” by students of agricultural universities. Actual approaches to teaching humanities require the use of information-communication technologies (ICT) for educational purposes, that allows increasing the volume of educational materials and modernizing it with the help of multimedia presentation tools. The application of information-communication technologies contributes to the students’ mastering of foreign languages knowledge as a tool of communication in a global society and the development of their information competencies. Particular attention is paid to the characteristics of the content, structure and objectives of the electronic training course on learning English, German, Ukrainian and Russian as foreign languages for students of the distance learning form of Sumy National Agrarian University. The presented distance learning course is an innovative development exemplar, that provides learners’ study of educational textual, audio and video materials in the mode of independent work with a computer and facilitates regulating the order of interaction of students with a computer. Such interaction contributes to the improvement of the efficiency of the educational process through the introduction of new methods and means of teaching educational materials; stimulates students’ interest in the study of foreign languages through the use of innovative information-communication technologies; responsiveness of the feedback and the possibility of direct consultation with the teacher in the educational environment of the Moodle platform. The analysis of the experimental study results showed predominantly sufficient and high levels of humanitarian knowledge in experimental groups that were trained on the basis of the electronic course in the educational environment of Moodle platform; in contrast to the low and initial levels in the control groups.

Combating crime in the banking sector as a method for ensuring its stability (evidence from Ukraine)

An effective system for combating banking crimes can ensure the stability of the Ukrainian banking sector. Developing such a system requires an analysis of public policy institutional instruments to counter threats to the banking system stability. The article proposes the crime counteraction concept for the Ukrainian banking system based on the analysis of scientific articles dealing with the issue, relevant provisions of legal acts and on the study of functions of law enforcement agencies, individual executive bodies, central public authorities, state collegial bodies, territorial NBU departments, Ukrainian banks and their branches, the Deposit Guarantee Fund, international institutions, and bank clients.It has been established that the stability of the Ukrainian banking system can be ensured by effective interaction of all actors in combating crime in the banking business. Overlapping of their functions and some conflict rules negatively affect ensuring the banking system stability by entities engaged in banking crime counteraction. Therefore, an algorithm of cooperation between relevant counteraction entities should be developed and reflected in the Banking and Financial Security Strategy on the legislative level. Optimization of statistical reporting on crime in the Ukrainian banking sector in a more informative format requires data on both individual types of banking crimes and on the persons who commit them. As part of the work of the National Bank of Ukraine’s Public Council, it is necessary to organize regional public councils and ensure cooperation between bank clients and local banking institutions. It is assumed that the development of effective mechanisms for protecting rights and legitimate interests of depositors and creditors, as well as combating criminalization in the banking sector will be the main functions of these regional public councils. The relevant innovations require amendments to the Regulation on the NBU Public Council. AcknowledgmentThe article was prepared as part of a project for young scientists of Ukraine in 2017 (state registration number – 0117 U 006531), Improving the Legislation of Ukraine Regarding the Protection of Banking Activities in the Context of European Integration: Economic and Legal Aspect, by Alyona M. Klochko, Ph.D. (Law), Sumy National Agrarian University, Head of the Chair of International Relations.

Producing of potato varieties resistant to fusarial wilt by cell selection

The experiment has determined the characteristic features of callusogenesis, regeneration as well as of receiving resistant to fusariosis of potatoes cell lines in simulated conditions of biotic stress. The technologic elements of potato cell selection towards its resistance to Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium sabucinum were presented. We succeeded in separating the lines which during a 3-year period of research were characterised by a higher resistance point as compared to the original varieties Gurman and Tyras. The plants-regenerants received on the selective medium were characterised by higher resistance (by 10–35%) to the pathogens action as compared to the regenerants of a control variant. The received lines were estimated on their yield capacity and starch content. The lines deviations on economically valuable indices either increased or decreased as to characteristic value. Herewith, the deviation upward is 25–75% depending on characteristics. The combination of maximal characteristic values was found in lines 12 and 28 of Gurman variety. The received lines were given to the selection-breeding plot for further testing. Key words: Potatoes; Culture in vitro; Cell selection; Selective medium; Phytotoxic metabolites; Plants-regenerants. References Behnke, �?. (1980). General resistance to late blight of Solanum tuberosum plants regenerated from callus resistant to culture filtrates of Phytophthora infestans. Theor. and Appl. Genet., 9, 151–152. Bolic, M., Foroughi-Wehr, B., & Kohler, F. (1986). In vitro selection for disease resistance in potato and barley. Nuclear Technigues and in vitro Culture for Plant Improvement, 12, 275–285. Kalashnikova, E.A. (2003). Cell selection of plants on their resistance to fungus diseases. Thesis of Doctoral Dissertation. Moscow (in Russian). Murashige, T. & Scoog, A. (1962). A revised medium for rapid growth and bioassays with tobacco tissue cultures. Physiol. Plant., 15, 473–497. Podgayetskiy, A.A. & Gorbas, S.B. (2013). The feasibility of getting high-starch forms from among the progeny from crossing of interspecific hybrids. Bulletin of Sumy National Agrarian University, 3(25), 224–228 Polozhenets, V.M., Tymoschuk, O.A. & Zhuravska, I.A. (2006). Fusarium dry rot of potatoe. Quarantine and plants protection, 8, 13–15. Zaharchuk, N.A. (2013). The effectiveness of potatoe selection in vitro on its resistance to Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium sambucinum. Bulletin of Sumy National Agrarian University, 11 (26), 188–228.

Multifaceted Problems of Intercultural Adaptation: A Case Study of Chinese Students in Ukraine

The paper is aimed to indicate the multifaceted problems that international students, in particular, those who belong to non-European intellectual traditions, meet at Sumy National Agrarian University, Ukraine. The authors examined the scientific works concerning Chinese students’ intercultural adaptation experience in foreign universities. It was found out that successful intercultural adaptation process depends on effective interpersonal communication, which improves language proficiency, motivation, and promotes students’ interaction with representatives of foreign cultures. Interviews and questionnaires with the international students were compiled and processed to determine the main problems of adaptation from physiological, socio-psychological, socio-cultural, academic points of view. The data for the survey was collected through observation over the participants, focusing on students’ ability to keep the norms and rules of behaviour in Ukraine; ability to establish and maintain ties with the representatives of other cultures; ability to overcome intercultural tension in the process of communication. Thus, it has been concluded that intercultural adaptation can be successful only in the process of psychological, social, and cultural accommodation of international students, which can be gained with the following strategies: social facilitation, cultural awareness, psychological and pedagogical support, effective organization of interpersonal communication of students in the academic group, dormitories, communication with lecturers both at classes and outside the university.

Morphogenesis and vitality of seedlings of Ginkgo biloba in outdoor conditions

Ginkgo biloba L. is a relic tree that is preserved in natural conditions only in China. In the North-East Ukraine ginkgo is only in the process of introduction, but in certain places ginkgo trees are grown for decorative purposes which show high vitality. Therefore a relevant and promising task is the creation of industrial plantations of ginkgo for collection of its leaves. The objective of the study was morphological peculiarities of ginkgo plants and their vital condition depending on the calendar age of the seedlings at the stage when they were transplanted into the soil. For growing ginkgo, in our studies, a combined two-stage system was approbated, accor­ding to which seedlings were grown in greenhouses during 2–3 years, and then moved into soil outdoors. In our study, as planting material we used seedlings of ginkgo from a plant nursery (greenhouse) of Sumy National Agrarian University planted in 2014 and 2015. Seedlings were planted in the soil in early spring. Seedlings for growth completion were planted in rows with inter-row distance of 0.8 m and distance between the plants measuring 2.5–3.0 m. We studied the condition of the seedlings in two variants: variant 1 – three-year old seedlings obtained in the greenhouse were transplanted in spring 2018; variant 2 – two-year old seedlings obtained in greenhouse were transplanted in spring 2017. Comparative morphometric analysis and evaluation of vitality of these plants was performed in August 2019. Both groups of seedlings were five years old at the time of survey. For evaluation of morphometric structure of the ginkgo seedlings and their vital condition we used randomized selections of specimens in amount of up to 30 from plantations of variants 1 and 2. Analysis of the plants was conducted during the end of the vegetative period of 2019, when active growth of the plants stopped. Four main parameters of the plants were recorded: height, value of annual increment, diameter of the stem near the root neck and the number of leaves. Vital condition of the seedlings was evaluated on the basis of algorithm of vital analysis. Vitality of each seedling was evaluated by the coefficient of Q vitality, value of which was in interval from 0 to 1.0. Depending on the value of Q the seedlings were divided into five classes of vitality: 0–0.2 – cc (specimens of the lowest vitality), 0.2–0.4 – c (low vita­lity), 0.4–0.6 – b (average vitality), 0.6–0.8 – a (high vitality), 0.8–1.0 – aa (specimens with highest vitality). Comparative analysis of morphological peculiarities of the ginkgo seedlings revealed that two-year plants transplanted outdoors from the greenhouse had higher annual increment of the main stem, diameter of stem and number of leaves. Vital condition of such seedlings was the highest and was evaluated using Q index, which ranges between vitality of classes b to aa. This allows recommending a two-stage scheme of growing seedlings of ginkgo in North-East Ukraine. The optimum age for transplanting seedlings from greenhouses to open soil is two years.

Manifestation of the average mass of commercial tubers in interspecific hybrids of potatoes, their backсroses depending on the place and years of the test

The successes in the selection of potato in the direction of creating varieties with a large average weight of commercial tubers depends on the quality of the source material, very desirable with the combination of high manifestation of the sign and the stability of its expression, regardless of external conditions. The researches were carried out in 2015–2017 under the conditions of the Ustymovskaya Research Station Plant (URSP) and the Sumy National Agrarian University (SNAU) in accordance with generally accepted methods in potato-growing. The starting material used different methods of creation, origin, degree of backing complex intraspecific hybrids with the participation of Mexican wild species. Significant potential of individual backcrosses has been revealed at the sign of a sign that is up to 1.8 times more than in the best grades. At the same time, he realized, depending on the external conditions is far from complete. Only in the most favorable for the meteorological complex in 2017, under the conditions of the SNAU, the proportion of hybrids having an average mass of one commercial tubers of more than 100 g was 75.8 %, and in the URSP it was 2,3 times less. The favorable conditions of the growing season of potato in 2017 are also evidenced by the proportion of hybrids with the maximum manifestation of the trait. In SNAU it was 28.3 %, and URSP – 25.3 %. The variability of the expression of the indicator at the test site is evidenced by the magnitude of its coefficient of variation. In the conditions of SNAU and URSP, the proportion of hybrids with a coefficient of variation of 10 % or less was 9.1 %. At the same time, in some hybrids the value of the indicator turned out to be very high – 50–70 %. Allocated hybrids, in which in each year the difference in the manifestation of the trait does not exceed 10–11 g, depending on the test site, namely: 90.673/30, 08.194/23 and 08.194/25, and in the hybrid 08.194/122 it was observed during 2015 and 2016 years. A different reaction of sister forms to the influence of the external complex was revealed. Among the hybrids 88.1450s2 and 88.1450s3 only in the latter under the conditions of the SNAU meteorological conditions almost did not affect the manifestation of signs – the coefficient of variation was 8%. With a difference of 1 g, the average mass of commercial tubers in this hybrid in the SNAU and URSP in 2015 was revealed. As a result of the study, it was possible to identify hybrids with a stable expression of the indicator irrespective of the meteorological conditions (08.194/25), for trials for three years in the SNAU (88.1450s3), URSP (08.194/33,08.194/119) and experimental locations (90.673/30,08.194/23 and 08.194/25). They are recommended for use in the breeding process with high adaptability.

The effect of weather conditions and application of mineral fertilizers on quality indicators of Callistephus chinensis (L) Nees

With the development of modern floral business, Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees is among the top three of the most popular crops, yielding only chrysanthemum and calendula in commercial cultivation. This is one of the most widespread seasonal decorative annual flower crops, which is beautifully cultivated in open ground, pots and bouquet flowers. The researches presented in the article were conducted in order to determine the influence of weather conditions during the growing season of C. chinensis on the research sites of the educational scientific-production complex of the Sumy National Agrarian University (Northeast Forest-steppe of Ukraine) and the effectiveness of the application of various norms of complex mineral fertilizers, introduced at the planting of seedlings into open ground, on the processes of growth, flowering and other qualitative characteristics of the five varieties. During the growing season, the climatic conditions of the region of conducting research, variety characteristics, and also the variability of the parameters of height, number and diameter of C. chinensis inflorescences of the varieties 'Olenka', 'Leleka', 'Litnia Nich', 'Tsarivna' and 'Yabluneva' were influenced by variability mode of mineral nutrition. Weather conditions of vegetation have an impact on the number and size of inflorescences. According to research results, it has been established that there is a certain relationship between the weather conditions of the year and the number of inflorescences. So, the increase in the amount of precipitation during the growing season contributes to the development of the vegetative mass, but also negatively affects the formation of the number of inflorescences C. chinensis. For most varieties, the optimal conditions for the development of the generative sphere were the normal conditions for moisture of the year, and for the 'Litnia Nich' variety it was dry. The greatest increase in height when fertilizing compared to control was observed by the variety 'Tsarivna' (15.9 %), the smallest - by the variety 'Olenka' (2.0 %). The formation of inflorescences of greater diameter by the plants of the varieties 'Olenka', 'Litnia Nich' and 'Tsarivna' was observed in 2016, and by the 'Leleka' and 'Yabluneva' varieties in 2017. For most varieties in 2015, the diameter of inflorescences was the smallest. Studies have shown that weather conditions do not have a significant effect on the diameter of inflorescence, unlike mineral nutrition. The diameter of the inflorescences was the highest in comparison with the control by the variety 'Olenka' (18.3%), the smallest - by the variety 'Tsarivna' (1.1 %). The most valuable morphological and decorative features of C. chinensis plants of the five varieties under study were formed according to the norms of complex mineral fertilizers (nitroamofoska) 6.0 g/m2. The further increase of norm was not appropriate.

The effect of green manures on weediness of sugar beet

Thіs study aimed to investigate the effect of aplying post-harvest green manure on weediness of sugar beet crop rotation. Post-harvest green manure were grown under the conditions of the Scientific Research and Production Complex (NNVK) of Sumy National Agrarian University (Ukraine, Sumy oblast, Sumy region) after harvesting winter wheat from August to October 2000‒2004. After the plowing of it in the following 2001‒2006, a hybrid of sugar beet Umansky FM-97 was grown according to the technologies recommended for the local area. Potential weediness was determined by washing seeds from the soil on sieves at the beginning of the growing season and before harvesting sugar beets, and the actual weediness ‒ by quantitative-weight method before plowing the green manure and into the main stages of growth and development of sugar beets.
 The experimental plot had the least weediness under oilseed radish and the largest weediness under buckwheat as green manure. During growing seasons the radish oilseed formed good biomass and the number of weeds under its cover was noticeably reduced to 4.8 pieces/m2 and their mass ‒ to 21.8 g/m2. The findings obtained from statistic program showed the strongest correlation between the above-ground mass of radish and the number of weeds ‒ r = -0.55 and their weight ‒ r = -0.56. In the spring the amount of weed seeds under radish cover in the 0‒30 cm soil layer was reduced to 11.4 %, to 101 million units/ha, compared to the control without green manure. The impact factor of the effect of the radish biomass on the potential weediness was highest in all soil layers - within 70‒90 %. The biomass of radish decreased significantly the number of weeds in the sugar beet crops – by 39 to 19.2 pc/m2, and their weight ‒ by 23 % to 354 g/m2, compared to the control without green manure. Green radish oilseed mass had the greatest impact on reducing quantity of weeds – 67 % and their mass – 80 %. Radish cover provided the most significant reduction the potential weediness before harvesting sugar beets ‒ by 12 % in the 0-30 cm soil layer, compared to the control without green manure, where the amount of weed seeds was at 112 million units/ha. The inverse correlation of the radish biomass and the potential weediness at the time of sugar beet harvest was the closest ‒ r = -0.9.