Two-year Studies Research Articles

Influence of Artemisia dubia Wall and Pig Manual Digestate on Winter Wheat Productivity and Grain Quality

Sustainable agriculture aims to use biological resources to improve crop quality and productivity. This approach promotes alternatives, such as replacing synthetic pesticides with biological ones and substituting mineral fertilizers with organic fertilizers. Field trials were conducted using two different factors: fertilizer treatments (ammonium nitrate and pig manure digestate) and plant protection treatments (pesticides, Artemisia dubia Wall biomass mulch, and strips). After harvesting the winter wheat, the productivity and quality (weight of 1000 grains, protein, gluten, starch, sedimentation of grains) were evaluated. The two-year studies showed that pig manure digestate positively affected winter wheat grain quality. Mugwort biomass outperformed other plant protection options in three key grain quality indicators (protein, gluten, and sedimentation). Furthermore, in 2023, the highest grain yield of 5798 ± 125 kg ha−1 was observed in the pesticides and pig manure digestate treatment. The quick impact and mode of action of vegetation pesticides were more easily felt over the two years of study, leading to the highest yield of wheat grains compared to other plant management measures. This study shows that mugwort biomass can positively influence wheat grain quality, a significant milestone in utilizing nonfood crops as alternatives for agricultural productivity.

Risk Assessment of Pulegone in Foods Based on Benchmark Dose-Response Modeling.

This study presents a new risk assessment of pulegone, a substance classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) by the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The analysis used data from a two-year carcinogenicity studies in rats and mice conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) in 2011. Because of the absence of a no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) in these studies, the benchmark dose (BMD) approach was employed as an alternative risk assessment method. The lowest BMD lower confidence level (BMDL) of 4.8 mg/kg b.w./day among the eight endpoints served as the point of departure for calculating an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 48 μg/kg b.w./day. This new ADI is significantly lower than the previously established tolerable daily intake of 0.1 mg/kg b.w./day set in 1997. The analysis also considered various genotoxicity studies, which indicate that pulegone's effects follow a nongenotoxic, thresholded mechanism. The estimated intake levels of pulegone in the European Union and USA were below the newly calculated ADI, suggesting a low health risk based on current consumption patterns.

Synthesis and Physicochemical Stability of a Copaiba Balsam Oil (Copaifera sp.) Nanoemulsion and Prospecting of Toxicological Effects on the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Nanoemulsions are dispersions of oil-in-water (O/W) and water-in-oil (W/O) immiscible liquids. Thus, our main goal was to formulate a nanoemulsion with low surfactant concentrations and outstanding stability using Copaiba balsam oil (Copaifera sp.). The high-energy cavitation homogenization with low Tween 80 levels was employed. Then, electrophoretic and physical mobility properties were assessed, in addition to a one- and two-year physicochemical characterization studies assessment. Copaiba balsam oil and nanoemulsions obtained caryophyllene as a major constituent. The nanoemulsions stored at 4 ± 2 °C exhibited better physical stability. Two years after formulation, the nanoemulsion showed a reduction in the particle size. The size underwent changes in gastric, intestinal, and blood pH, and the PdI was not changed. In FTIR, characteristic bands of sesquiterpenes and overlapping bands were detected. When subjected to freezing and heating cycles, nanoemulsions did not show macroscopic changes in higher concentrations. Nanoemulsions subjected to centrifuge force by 1000 rpm do not show macroscopic instability and phase inversion or destabilization characteristics when diluted. Therefore, the nanoemulsion showed stability for long-term storage. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was used to assess the potential toxicity of nanoemulsions. The nanoemulsion did not cause toxicity in the animal model, except in the highest concentration tested, which decreased the defecation cycle interval and body length. The toxicity and stability outcomes reinforce the nanoemulsions' potential for future studies to explore pharmacological mechanisms in superior experimental designs.

Management of Alternative Organic Fertilizer Sources for Wheat Production: Evidence from Decomposition Dynamics and Agronomic, Economic, and Farmers’ Preferences

The increasing cost of mineral fertilizer has posed a barrier for smallholder farmers, resulting in lower application rates, declined soil fertility status, and crop yield. Therefore, it is vital to look for cheap, impactful, and locally accessible organic fertilizer sources. Thus, two-year on-farm studies were conducted to evaluate potential organic fertilizer sources based on their decomposition dynamics and agronomic, economic, and farmer preference responses. The organic fertilizer sources used were dried tree leaves of Croton macrostachyus (Cm) and Erythrina bruci (Eb) and farm yard manure (FYM) and their mixture at ratios of 1 : 1:0, 2 : 1:0, and 1 : 1:1 Cm : Eb : FYM, respectively. The organic materials were buried using litter bags at 5 tons ha−1 rate in the crop field and retrieved at the weeks of two (14 days), four (28 days), six (42 days), and eight (56 days) after placement. Data were collected that included dry mass (DM) remaining, daily decomposition rate (k), and half-life (t1/2). Furthermore, to validate the findings of litter bag trials, the mixture of three organic fertilizer sources [1 : 1 : 0, 2 : 1 : 0, and 1 : 1 : 1 of Cm : Eb : FYM] and four application times (two, four, six, and eight weeks before sowing) were evaluated on bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) as a test crop in factorial randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement with three replications. Data on agronomic, economic, and farmers’ preferences were recorded. The result revealed an increased weight loss over 56 days in the order of 2 : 1 : 0 > 1 : 1 : 0 > 1 : 1 : 1. The k value significantly (P<0.05) varied among organic fertilizer sources. The k value (% day−1) in 2013 varied between 3.42% and 0.023%, whereas in 2014, it was 3.10% and 0.23% for Cm and FYM, respectively. The k value was in the order of Cm > 2 : 1 : 0 > 1 : 1 : 0 > Eb > 1 : 1 : 1 > FYM. Applying organic fertilizers two weeks before sowing significantly improved wheat performance compared to applications made eight weeks prior. For example, the mean grain yield was 4.1 tons ha−1 and 2.6 tons·ha−1 at two and eight weeks before sowing, respectively. Although there were no statistically significant differences among the mixed sources, the 2 : 1 and 1 : 1 over 1 : 1 : 1 proportion have resulted in a higher grain yield. Farmers showed the highest preference rank for 2 Cm : 1 Eb and 1 Cm : 1 Eb, incorporated two weeks before sowing. The partial budget analysis demonstrated the highest net benefit from applying two weeks before sowing and 2 Cm : 1 Eb organic material mixture. Considering the findings generated from the decomposition test, agronomic and economic evaluations, and farmers’ preferences, we could conclude that the wheat growers should use 2 Cm : 1 Eb and incorporate it into the soil two weeks before sowing.

Application of New Filling Material Based on Combined Heat and Power Waste for Sewage Treatment in Constructed Wetlands.

The filling of constructed wetlands (CWs) affects the efficiency of sewage treatment and proper operation. Mineral aggregates are most often used as filling materials. Significant environmental burdens from mineral mining operations justify the search for waste fill. This study aimed to determine the possibility of increasing the efficiency of CW by using a Certyd aggregate as a new filling. Certyd is produced in the sintering process of coal ash, a waste from combined heat and power (CHP) plant operation. Comprehensive two-year studies were conducted using two real-scale subsurface vertical flow (SS VF) CWs supplied with domestic sewage. One bed was filled with a Certyd and the other was filled with appropriate fractions of a mineral aggregate. Both beds worked in parallel, and to compare their effectiveness, account seasonality was taken into account. The SS-VF Certyd-filled bed achieved an average efficiency of 88.0% for biological oxygen demand (BOD5), 80.2% for chemical oxygen demand (COD), 80.4% for suspended solids (SSs), 80.2 for ammonia nitrogen (N-NH4), 72.2% for total nitrogen (TN), and 55.3% for total phosphorus (TP), while the gravel-filled bed achieved 84.5%, 77.0%, 86.9%, 74.2%, 69.4%, and 57.8% for the whole research period, respectively. A higher effect of the removed unit load was achieved in the bed filled with Certyd (36.2 g BOD5 m-2 d-1, 50.0 g COD m-2 d-1, 5.88 g SS m-2 d-1, 7.1 g TN m-2 d-1, 7.9 g N-NH4 m-2 d-1, 0.79 g TP m-2 d-1) compared to the gravel-filled bed (34.7 g BOD5 m-2 d-1, 47.0 g COD, 6.35 g SS m-2 d-1, 6.9 g TN m-2 d-1, 7.3 g m-2 d-1 N-NH4, 0.83 g TP m-2 d-1).

THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF SUNFLOWER SEEDS DEPEND ON THE PRE-SOWING TREATMENT OF THE SEEDS AND EXTRA-ROOT NUTRIENTS

The article presents the results of two-year studies on the effect of different options of pre-sowing treatment of seeds with various combinations of bacterial, mycorrhizal preparations and growth stimulators based on humic substances, and foliar fertilizing with various combinations of growth stimulators and complex water-soluble fertilizers on seed yield, oil content and collection from 1 hectare of crops high oil sunflower hybrid Aurora AM. The research was conducted during 2022 and 2023 on the basis of LLC “Alliance Agro” located in the Pyryatinsky district of the Poltava region. The technology of sunflower cultivation, with the exception of the investigated issues, was generally accepted for the research area. The yield results showed a significant positive effect of pre-sowing seed treatment. On average, by years and variants of foliar fertilizing, the highest yield of sunflower seeds was in the variant of pre-sowing treatment of seeds with a mixture of Micofrend, BlackJack and “PMK-U” drugs – 2.66 tons/hectare, which is by 0.3 tons/hectare (12.7 %) is higher than on the control version. The advantage of this option in terms of seed yield was noted in the weather conditions of both years. In 2022 and 2023, it was 2.37 and 2.94 tons/hectare, respectively, which is 0.27 and 0.32 tons/hectare higher than in the NIR05 control – 0.06 and 0.09 tons/hectare. In general, according to the experiment, due to the optimization of pre-sowing seed treatment and foliar fertilization, the yield of sunflower seeds on average in two years was increased by 0.45 tons/hectare or almost 20.0%, which indicates the need to pay more attention to pre-sowing seed treatment and foliar feeding. The largest collection of oil in an average of two years – 1,417 tons/hectare was obtained in the variant of pre-sowing treatment of seeds with a mixture of Micofrend, Blackjack and “PMK-U” and carrying out two foliar fertilizing with a mixture of the Blackjack growth stimulator with the formulations of the complex fertilizer Jiva MIX recommended for a specific period of plant growth. Compared to the control, the increase in the indicator was 0.271 tons/hectare or almost 24.0%. According to years of research, the highest oil collection from 1 hectare was also in this variant. In contrast to the seed yield, the oil collection in the variants of three foliar top dressings was somewhat lower than after two top dressings. This trend is associated with a decrease in the oil content in the seeds after the third foliar feeding, while the yield did not increase significantly. Pre-sowing treatment of seeds with a mixture of all drugs provided both the highest seed yield and the highest oil content in seeds, which is why its greater effect on oil collection from 1 hectare than on seed yield is associated with this. Thus, in this variant, compared to the control, the seed yield increased by 12.7% on average over the years and foliar fertilization, while the oil yield from 1 hectare increased by 16.2%. Like the seed yield, the oil yield from 1 hectare underwent greater changes under the influence of weather conditions, while their influence was somewhat less than that of the seed yield. Thus, the range of seed yield variation under the influence of weather conditions was 24.0% (2.25 tons/hectare in 2022 and 2.79 tons/hectare in 2023), and oil yield from 1 hectare was 19, 7% (1.166 tons/hectare in 2022 and 1.396 tons/hectare in 2023). A somewhat smaller influence of the weather conditions of the year on the collection of oil from 1 hectare is due to the lower content of oil in the seeds in the sunflower of 2023, which is more favorable for plants.

Editorial Introduction: A Critical Road Map: Introduction to the Special Issue on Guided Pathways

We are now a decade into the call for comprehensive community college “redesign” known as Guided Pathways. This introduction provides an overview of the Guided Pathways model and its advocacy arm and reviews critiques of the model in education research and two-year college literacy studies. These reviews contextualize the contents of the special issue.

Physio-morphological trait and bioactive constituents of Ocimum species under drought stress

The genus Ocimum, which belongs to the Lamiaceae family, encompasses a wide variety of herbs and shrubs, with over 60 species originating from tropical regions. These plants are widely cultivated for their essential oils, which are used in culinary, medicinal, and aromatic applications. However, prolonged exposure to water scarcity can negatively impact the growth and essential oil production of Ocimum species. There is limited information available on how Ocimum basilicum ‘Ohře’ and O. americanum respond to drought stress. Consequently, two-year studies (2021 and 2022) were conducted to investigate the physiological, morphological, and biochemical changes occurring in those two basil plants under three different soil water regimes (70%, 50%, and 30% of soil water capacities ‘SWC’). The findings of these studies demonstrated that drought stress significantly affected physiological indicators, hindered the growth and development of the examined Ocimum species, and altered their essential oil production. Due to severe drought stress both basil plants lost over 14% of their leaf relative water content and more than 60% reduction in water potential. Consequently, basil plants lost over 45% of their biomass (dry and fresh) and essential oil yield when the soil became drier (30% SWC). Conversely, dry soil conditions enhanced water use efficiency, SPAD value, glandular hair density (increased by over 60%), essential oil concentration (increased by 10%), and phenol concentration. Additionally, the essential oil constituents were mildly affected, with the effects dependent on factors such as species, production year, drought intensity, and specific essential oil compounds. In conclusion, these studies have demonstrated that prolonged exposure to water scarcity limits growth and alters the biochemical constituents of both Ocimum species. Therefore, to secure maximum biomass and essential oil yield under protected cultivation, it is recommended to maintain at least 70% soil water capacity.

First Data on Vertical Particle Fluxes and Environmental Conditions in the Northern Segment of the Mohns Ridge, Norwegian Sea

Continuous two-year studies of particle fluxes and associated environmental parameters in the axial zone of the Arctic segment of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at the junction of the Mohns and Knipovich ridges (Norwegian Sea) have been carried out for the first time. Sediment traps were deployed from the R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh in June 2019 in the northeastern part of the Mohns Ridge with revision in August 2020 and lifting in July 2021. It is shown that the sedimentation of particles in the study area was affected by the global transport of water masses in the northeasterly direction, with Atlantic waters in the subsurface layer and water masses of Arctic origin recirculating deeper in the subsurface. A weak positive temperature trend at a depth of more than 2500 m (0.02°C over two years) is detected. The bimodal vertical distribution of fluxes and changes in the composition of sinking particles corresponded to the pattern of sediment recycling in the ocean. The annual course of fluxes in the subsurface layer is determined by the activity of Si-concentrating and calcifying plankton, while the maximum bloom period is also manifested in the deep layer. At the same time, the main significant source of the flux deeper than 2000 m is the supply of lithogenic matter from the near-bottom nepheloid layer.

Изучение эффективности применения органических удобрений на кормовых культурах

As a result of two-year studies, a significant effect of granulated organic fertilizer "Greenex" on morphometric indicators and productivity of biomass and seeds of the studied crops was found. The use of fertilizer at a dose of 200 kg / ha proved to be the most effective. So, the pre-sowing application of this dose of fertilizer provided a reliable excess of indicators relative to the control on all variants of the experiment. To improve growth processes, the maximum effect was found in soybeans and grain sorghum. It was revealed that the increase in yield when using fertilizer compared to the non-fertilized control was 12.99-29.33% for crops. Keywords: ORGANIC FERTILIZERS, YIELD, SOYBEANS, GRAIN SORGHUM, SUDAN GRASS, PHACELIA, PAIZA

Reducing the Adverse Effects of Salt Stress by Utilizing Compost Tea and Effective Microorganisms to Enhance the Growth and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Plants

One of the worst environmental conditions limiting crop plant productivity is salinity. As a result, ecologically friendly methods are urgently needed to boost the development and yield of wheat growing on saltine soils. Two-year field studies to examine the effects of applying compost tea (CT) and effective microorganisms (EMs; Azospirillum brasilense, Pseudomonas koreensis, and Bacillus circulans) on the growth and yield of two wheat cultivars, namely Sids 12 as a salinity susceptible cultivar and Misr 1 as a salinity resistant cultivar, under salt-affected soils. The findings corroborated our hypothesis that, in comparison to the control and the individual applications of EM or CT, the combined application (EM + CT) significantly improved growth, yield, uptake of nutrients, and photosynthetic characteristics. Furthermore, the combined application markedly (p ≤ 0.05) boosted the antioxidant enzymes. Our research showed that the combination treatment could increase soil microbial activity and activate critical soil enzymes, primarily dehydrogenase and urease. In general, the combination treatment has demonstrated a good effect in terms of stimulating plant development and raising element concentrations in wheat under salt stress.

Evaluation of <i>Fragaria×ananassa</i> Duch varieties in the conditions of the Orenburg Region

The article presents the results of the study of strawberry varieties in winter hardiness, yield, resistance to diseases and pests. The research was carried out in 2020-2021 in the Federal Scientific Selection and Technology Center for Horticulture. The objects of study were 15 varieties of garden strawberries of various genetic origin. The purpose of the research is to evaluate the varieties of garden strawberries in the conditions of the Orenburg region for winter hardiness, productivity, resistance to diseases and pests and to identify the best for breeding. As a result of two-year studies of the resistance of strawberry varieties to low temperatures of the winter period, winter-hardy varieties were identified Aleksandrina, Dukat, Elliot, Orlec, Najdena Dobraya, Rubinovyj Kulon, Desnyanka Kokinskaya. Common diseases and pests of strawberries in the Orenburg region are white spot, brown spot, gray rot and strawberry mite. During the years of the study, there was dry hot weather, which contributed to the least development of diseases, but also negatively affected the development of strawberry plants. The defeat of gray rot in the studied varieties was not noted. Field resistance to white spotting was shown by the varieties Orlec, Najdena Dobraya, Daryonka, Baunti, Aleksandrina, Rubinovyj Kulon, Bogota, Troickaya, Desnyanka Kokinskaya, Dukat. The defeat of brown spotting from 0 to 0.3 points was noted in the varieties Rubinovyj Kulon, Desnyanka Kokinskaya. Aleksandrina, Najdena Dobraya. According to yield records, the following varieties were distinguished: Bogota (11,1 t/ga), Troickaya (10,9 t/ga), Daryonka and Dukat (10,3 t/ga), Aleksandrina (9,7 t/ga), Elliot (9,5 t/ga), Desnyanka Kokinskaya (9,4 t/ga), Kalinka (9,3 t/ga). According to the results of the evaluation of strawberry varieties, the starting material for breeding in the Orenburg region can be varieties Aleksandrina, Najdena Dobraya, Rubinovyj Kulon, Desnyanka Kokinskaya. Daryonka, Bogota, Troickaya.

The use of developed mushroom compost in crop cultivation technology

The scientific work analyzes experimental data on the cultivation of potatoes and rapeseed using elements of biologization in conditions of Ryazan region. Two-year studies have been carried out to study the effect of developed mushroom compost on the yield of potato tubers and rape of various varieties cultivated on dark gray forest soils of Ryazan region. The use of spent mushroom compost is a promising technique that allows to increase the productivity of crops and obtain environmentally friendly products. When cultivating potatoes and spring rape, first, bare fallow was used as a precursor, and then the introduction of 84 t/ha of fresh mushroom compost for the main processing of potatoes and 80 t/ha for spring rape, immediately after harvesting mushrooms in the form of developed blocks. In the second option, 95 t/ha of mushroom compost was used for potatoes and 89 t/ha was used for spring rape, after a year of storage of spent mushroom blocks. As a result of the use of two types of mushroom compost, the foliage of plants improved: on average, the largest increase in leaves was obtained in the option with fresh compost. Its use immediately after harvesting mushrooms exceeded the control by 12.8%, and the use of compost after a year of storage caused 7.6% increase. The highest average marketability of tubers for all varieties was noted in the option with fresh mushroom compost and averaged 80.8% for all varieties, which was 9.1% more than the control. The productivity of spring rape seeds increased when using mushroom compost as a fertilizer. The introduction of fresh compost under the main tillage increased the rape productivity by 2.9 dt/ha, and rotted compost by 1.9 dt/ha compared with the control. For all varieties of potatoes, the yield with fresh mushroom compost increased by 37.8 dt/ha or 20.1% compared to the control, and for the variant after a year storage of mushroom compost, the yield increased by 23.8 dt/ha or 11.3 %.

Methods of increasing the productivity of various varieties and hybrids of variegated alfalfa in the conditions of arable farming biologization

Two-year studies of variegated alfalfa (Medicago varia Mart.) of the following varieties and hybrids were carried out: Pastbischnaya 88, Taisia, Agnia VIC, 506 and SGP, as well as observations of their reaction to inoculation. Strains of nodule bacteria Sinorhizobium meliloti were used as inoculants: SHM1-105, 415, A-1, A-5, and a control variant without inoculation. As a result of research, it was revealed that the minimum length of stems in 2021 was fixed in the Pastbischnaya 88 + 415 variant, and amounted to 12.5 cm, in 2022 — Taisia with A1 and SHM1-105, 8.8 cm each. The maximum length of stems in 2021 was marked by a hybrid 506 in a combination of A1 and SHM1-105 strains, the indicator was 40.4 and 40.3, respectively, in 2022 — Agnia VIC + A5, 28 cm. In 2021, the Pastbischnaya 88 variety with the strain SHM1-105 turned out to be the most competitive, its share prevailed over the unseeded admixture, and reached 54.8%, in 2022 variant Agnia VIC + 415 was distinguished with this indicator, with a mass fraction of 65.45%. The positive effect of inoculation was revealed, the best symbiotic varietal microbial systems were determined. The strain of nodule bacteria 415 is marked by a complex effect on all varieties of variegated alfalfa. According to the yield of dry weight (3.3 t/ha on average), the Taisia variety and the SGP hybrid were distinguished.

Evaluation of the biological effectiveness of the biofungicide Serenade ASO, SC in the fight against bacterial black spot of tomatoes (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Doidge) on indoor tomatoes

The article presents the results of two-year studies on the biological effectiveness of biofungicide Serenade, ASO, SC (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, strain QST-713, titer not less than 1x10 9 CFU/ml) in the fight against bacterial black spot on the leaves and fruits of indoor tomatoes in the conditions of the II soil-climatic zone of the Crimea. It was found that a five-time treatment with biofungicide Serenade, ASO, SC, the rate of application of 5.0, 6.5 and 8.0 l/ha, contributed to a decrease in the intensity of development of Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria on leaves by 2.3-2.9 times, on fruits by 2.2-2.7 times. On the 10th day after the fifth spraying, the biological effectiveness of biofungicide Serenade, ASO, SC in the application rates of 5.0, 6.5 and 8.0 l/ha, with an average development of bacterial black spot on the control variant (3.3-5.2% on leaves, 2.9-3.3% on fruits), on leaves was 76.5-85.1%, on fruits – 71.6-75.0%. On the day of the last harvest, on the 29th day after the last treatment, the biological efficiency on leaves was 57.3-65.4%, on fruits – 54.5-62.6%. The difference of five-time treatment with biofungicide Serenade, ASO, SC in the norm of application of 8.0 l/ha, with the standard is insignificant, within the limits of experimental error. The positive effect of biofungicide Serenade, ASO, SC on yield was noted. The difference with the control (77.9 c/ha) is 34.9, 36.9 and 41.0 c/ha.

INFLUENCE OF CLADOSPORIUM CLADOSPORIOIDES METABOLITES ON VIRAL INFECTION DYNAMICS IN POTATO PLANTS UNDER CONDITION OF NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL PHYTOVIRAL INFECTION

Objective. Study the influence of Cladosporium cladosporioides metabolites on viral infection dynamics in potato plants under conditions of artificial and natural infection. Methods. Laboratory (virological, immunological, electron microscopic), field, statistical. Results. The influence of microbial metabolites on the development of viral infection in potato plants was studied in 2021 and 2022 under the conditions of a small field experiment. In 2021, under the conditions of protection against re-infection in the variants artificially infected with potato virus X (PVX), visual and immunological methods did not reveal any plants with symptoms of viral damage, the electron microscopic examination showed a low concentration of virus particles in plants, which probably caused due to abnormally high temperature during the vegetation of micro-plants. Treatment of plants with C. cladosporioides metabolites did not significantly affect the accumulation of PVX. In the experiments of 2022, tubers from healthy and artificially infected microplants from variants with and without treatment of plants with C. cladosporioides metabolites were used. The analysis of the viral infection dynamics under the conditions of natural infection with phytopathogenic viruses and previous artificial infection with PVX showed that C. cladosporioides metabolites affect the development of viral infection. In most variants using microbial metabolites, the rate of visual manifestation of the viral disease was 3 % to 5 % lower compared to the control. The frequency of detection of viruses by the immunological method was higher in the control variant and was equal to 40 %, the lowest number of detected infected plants was reported in the variant when the plants were treated with C. cladosporioides metabolites for two consecutive years and was equal to 22.5 %. The greatest decrease in the viral protein content, which indicates a decrease in virus reproduction, was reported when C. cladosporioides metabolites were applied in the first and second years in the variants artificially infected with PVX in 2021 — the difference to the control was 38 %. We believe that the influence of C. cladosporioides metabolites on the viral infection dynamics in potato plants is caused by exohormonal substances included in their composition. Conclusion. The results of two-year studies show that C. cladosporioides metabolites influence the viral infection dynamics. A decrease in the rate of visual manifestations of viral disease is registered. The lowest number of infected plants was found in the variant when the plants were treated with C. cladosporioides metabolites for consecutive two years. Also, the action of microbial metabolites reduces the concentra tion of viral protein in potato plants. Such a reaction of the “plant-virus” system indicates the inhibitory activity of C. cladosporioides metabolites against viruses.

Improvement of water and crop productivity of silage maize by irrigation with different levels of recycled wastewater under conventional and zero tillage conditions

Although wastewater irrigation has a long history involving different stages of development, the future expectation to improve crop yield and water productivity in wastewater irrigation practices is still relevant. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate water productivity, yield and crop quality of silage maize irrigated with different application levels (100%, 67%, and 33% of irrigation need) of recycled wastewater with three replicates in conventional tillage and zero tillage practices and comparing them with full fresh water irrigation. The results of two-year field studies showed that zero tillage resulted in saving 10.1% of irrigation water on average compared to conventional tillage and actual evapotranspiration in silage maize with zero tillage was 7.4% less. Biomass yield was the highest in full irrigation with wastewater under zero tillage. Zero tillage practice provided 12.0% and 13.2% higher water productivity(WP) and irrigation water productivity(WPirrig), respectively compared to conventional tillage. The WP was higher in treatments with wastewater with 100% and 67% irrigation levels, while the WPirrig was higher in treatment with wastewater with 67% irrigation level. While the crop total soluble solids, nutrients, crude protein, chlorophyll(SPAD), leaf area index and leaf relative water content (LRWC) values were higher in full irrigation with wastewater, acid and neutral detergent fibers and membrane damage was lower. Crude protein in zero tillage was lower than in conventional tillage, while SPAD and LRWC were higher. It could be concluded that wastewater can increase silage maize biomass yield and crop quality. This result may be more valuable in terms of both protecting scarce fresh water resources and contributing to the environment with waste disposal. Moreover, 67% irrigation treatment with wastewater can be preferred for the higher WP and WPirrig values, and zero tillage can be used as a practical treatment that contributes to the yield and water saving.

Evaluation of the biological and economic efficiency of the herbicide Conviso 1, MD on sugar beet crops in the Ryazan region

Soil and climatic conditions of the region allow to obtain annually high stable yields of sugar beet. The increase in yield is directly related to a complex of factors, including high-yielding varieties and hybrids, a complex of fertilizers and chemical means of crop protection. In agricultural enterprises of the region, subject to the technology of sugar beet cultivation, the yield of root crops receives up to 50 t / ha and above. Bayer CropScience has created a new systemic herbicide Conviso 1, MD (ALS inhibitor) for sugar beet specifically for SMART hybrids that are part of the CONVISO SMART technology. The article presents the results of two-year studies to study the effectiveness of the herbicide Conviso 1, MD. The tests were carried out on the experimental fields of the ISA-branch of the FGBNU FNATS VIM. The task of the research was to determine the effectiveness of the herbicide Conviso 1, MD with a single, double and triple application on sugar beet crops SMART hybrid Calledonia KVS, in order to establish its effect on the weediness of crops and crop yield. Tests of the herbicide were carried out in 2020 and 2021 in fourfold repetition. The size of the experimental plots is 50 m2. The soil of the experimental site is dark gray forest heavy loamy, the humus content is 3.8%, the pH is 5.8 - 6.0, the predecessor is winter wheat. Spraying of sugar beet crops was carried out in phase 1-3, 3-4 and 6-8 leaves of the culture with threefold application, 3-4 and 6-8 real leaves of the culture - with double, and in phase 3-4 pairs of real sugar beet leaves with a single one. Field tests to study the effectiveness of the herbicide Conviso 1, MD were carried out according to the scheme of experience: Conviso 1, MD - 0.5 + 0.5 + 0.5 l / ha; Conviso 1, MD – 0,75 + 0,75 l/ha; Conviso 1, MD – 1.5 l/ha; control – without herbicides. As a result of research, it was found that the weediness of crop crops with annual dicotyledonous and cereal weeds decreased by 86-99%. As a result, the yield of root crops increased by 32.5-78.3%.

Development of elements of technology for growing branched sweet cherry seedlings

The results of two-year studies on the influence of rootstocks, physiologically active substances and mechanical techniques on biometric indicators of annual seedlings of two varieties of cherries (Tyutchevka and Chermashnaya) are presented. The research was carried out in 2020-2021 in the experimental nursery of the Federal State Budgetary Research Center of Horticulture in the conditions of the Moscow region. The scheme of the experiment included 5 options: I – removal of apical leaves; II – treatment with Apllin (0.6 g/l); III – removal of apical leaves with treatment with Apllin (0.6 g/l); IV – pinching of the tip at a height of 60 cm; st – control, without processing and pinching. The eyepieces were sprayed twice, with an interval of 10 days. It was found that treatment with the preparation Apllin, removal of the apical leaves and their combined use contributed to a significant improvement in the biometric indicators of annual cherry seedlings of weakly branching varieties, increased the number of branches by 2.7-4.6 times and provided in most combinations an increase in the yield of first-class seedlings up to 90-100%. The greatest effect from mechanical and chemical influences was achieved when using the Izmailovsky rootstock. Pinching the top at a height of 60 cm caused a decrease in the linear and radial growth of annuals, an increase in the number of lateral shoots by 1.43 times, but only 50 % of seedlings obtained in this variant corresponded to 1 commercial grade.

Carcinogenicity prediction using the index of ideality of correlation

ABSTRACT Carcinogenicity testing is necessary to protect human health and comply with regulations, but testing it with the traditionally used two-year rodent studies is time-consuming and expensive. In certain cases, such as for impurities, alternative methods may be convenient. Thus there is an urgent need for alternative approaches for reliable and robust assessments of carcinogenicity. The Monte Carlo technique with CORAL software is a tool to tackle this task for unknown compounds using available experimental data for a representative set of compounds. The models can be constructed with the simplified molecular input line entry system without additional physicochemical descriptors. We describe here a model based on a data set of 1167 substances. Matthew’s correlation coefficient values for calibration and validation sets are 0.747 and 0.577, respectively. Double bonds between carbon atoms and double bonds of oxygen atoms are the molecular features that indicate the carcinogenic potential of a compound.