Quality of winter wheat grain with different systems of main tillage in crop rotations of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine

The article investigates the influence of the application of different systems of basic tillage on the quality of winter wheat grain in short crop rotations of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine. It is established that the grain quality of winter wheat in the Southern Steppe of Ukraine is mainly determined by the genetic characteristics of the variety, but also largely depends on the conditions and technologies of cultivation. In winter wheat grain, which is used for food purposes, reserve proteins are important, which in winter wheat determine the baking properties of flour. In drought conditions, when the yield of winter wheat decreases, the protein content in its grain tends to increase. In wet years, on the contrary, there is a reverse pattern. According to experimental studies, wheat varieties have a negative correlation between grain protein content and yield. It is established that during 2016–2020 research shows almost the same pattern of action of different predecessors and systems of basic tillage on the formation of grain quality of winter wheat in arid conditions. It was found that, on average, according to all variants of research, only with the use of the system of tillage-free tillage received grain of winter wheat with a protein content of 12,5%, which met the requirements of the 2nd class. It is recorded that on average over five years of research on all tillage systems, grain of winter wheat with gluten content was obtained, the quality of which corresponded to the 3rd class. Different tillage systems caused a slight impact on the gluten content, which ranged from 20,6% to 21,1%. It is determined that the precursors have a certain effect on the protein content in the grain of winter wheat. The analysis of qualitative indicators showed that on average in five years of research, when growing winter wheat after a pair of black and a pair of green wheat with winter vetch, grain was formed, which in terms of protein content corresponded to the 2nd quality class. More protein was accumulated in winter wheat grain after a pair of black, which was 12,9%. After peas for grain, as well as a pair of green with a mixture of white mustard and peas, received a grain of winter wheat, which was the 3rd quality class. It was found that on average in five years of research, all variants of winter wheat were grown with gluten content, which met the requirements of the 3rd class. Black vapor and green vapor with winter veneer caused the accumulation of gluten at almost the same level with a small increase in the version with winter vetch up to 21,8%. The lowest level of gluten was obtained in the grain of winter wheat after peas per grain, which was 19,7%. In all variants of the experiment, sidereal steam with winter tillage and the use of tillage-free tillage had the best effect on the growth of winter wheat grain quality indicators. The grain of winter wheat was mainly formed in terms of quality, which allows it to be used for food purposes – mainly in the flour-milling and baking industries, as well as for export. It is established that it is important to further study the quality of winter wheat grain and other cereals in short crop rotations of the arid Southern Steppe of Ukraine, especially in climate change.

EFFICIENCY OF USE CREZACIN AND ZIRCON GROWTH STIMULANTS ON SOWING QUALITIES OF SEEDS AND BIOMETRIC PARAMETERS OF SPROUTS OF KHINGAM FIR (ABIES NEPHROLEPIS)

The article presents the study of the stimulating effect of aqueous solutions of growth stimulants Crezacin and Zircon, and the identification of doses that activate the germinative energy, laboratory germination of seeds and the growth of biometric parameters of sprouts along the length and weight of Khingam fir (Abies nephrolepis). The greatest stimulating effect on the sowing qualities of Khingam fir seeds by the Crezacin and Zircon shown in the concentrations of solutions of 1∙3∙10-3–1∙6∙10-3 ml/l. Germinative energy and laboratory germination of seeds exceeded the control group by 84.8-293.9, 106.4-273.4% and 112.1-203, 59.6-187.2%, respectively. The seed quality class increased from the third to the second and first ones. The growth stimulator Crezacin had a more positive effect on the growth of sprouts along the length and weight at solution concentrations of 1∙2∙10-3–1∙6∙10-3 and 1∙2∙10-3–1∙7∙10-3 ml/l (excess to control group – 7,7–41,7 and 6,1-61,4%). Zircon is less effective. Its positive effect on the growth of the length and mass of sprouts was noted at concentrations of 1∙4∙10-3–1∙5∙10-3 and 1∙2∙10-3–1∙7∙10-3 ml/l (excess to control group – 8,3–25 and 6,1-46,5%).

Study of various ripeness groups winter bread wheat varieties according to productivity and grain quality

The purpose of the current study was a comparative estimation of productivity and grain quality of the early ripening, middle early and middle ripening winter bread wheat varieties in the conditions of the southern part of the Rostov region. The study was conducted in the Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy” in 2017-2019. The objects of the study were 15 winter bread wheat verities. The study established that the middle early ripening varieties Krasa Dona, Lidiya, Lilit and Premiera showed a significant increase to the standard variety Don 107 from 0.46 to 0.85 t/ha according to productivity. The comparative estimation of the ripeness different groups varieties showed that such middle early ripening varieties with its maximum percentage as Don 107 (12.29%), Lidiya (12.46%), Volnitsa (12.72%) and the early ripening sample Podarok Krymu (with 12.68% of mass fraction of protein), that correspond to the 3rd quality class, were identified according to the mass fraction of protein in grain. The early ripening varieties Zhavoronok (24.98%) and Podarok Krymu (26.77%) with the highest values and the middle early ripening varieties Don 107 (24.81%), Volnitsa (25.22%) and Asket (26.30%), corresponding to the 3rd quality class, were identified according to the trait gluten content in grain.

Consumul chimic de oxigen în apele râului Prut

Chemical oxygen demand (COD) was determined in water samples from the Prut River during 2020. Mean values of CODMn and CODCr ranged from 3.5 to 9.0 mg O2/L (5.5 ± 1.2 mg O2/L) and from 12 to 45 mg O2/L (22 ± 8.7 mg O2/L) respectively. The analysis of the results demonstrates the existence in the waters of the Prut River of easily degradable organic substances (an indicator of fresh and permanent pollution) and those that are difficult to degrade. According to the requirements of the Regulation on the quality of surface waters, the water from the Prut River for the period studied in accordance to the chemical oxygen demand with manganese is assigned to quality class I-II (very good – good), and after chemical oxygen demand with chrome – to class II-III (good – moderately polluted).

Integrated water quality monitoring of Mahi river using benthic macroinvertebrates and comparison of its biodiversity among various stretches

Use of benthic macroinvertebrates has been in vogue as indicator organisms for water quality monitoring since long. Traditional methods of water quality monitoring incorporate mostly monitoring of physicochemical parameters. However, it is the biomonitoring studies that could help in more accurate water quality monitoring. Due to anthropogenic impact at water sources, integrated water quality monitoring has become a necessity. An integrated study comprising physicochemical parameters and biomonitoring using benthic macroinvertebrates was carried out at six sites along the Mahi river basin, the command area of which has witnessed tremendous economic and cultural progress over a period of time. Diversity Score and Saprobic Score were calculated, and Water Quality Class was determined as per Biological Monitoring Working Party score given by Central Pollution Control Board and results in moderate pollution at all locations, whereas Water Quality Class as per ISI-IS 2296–1982 at M-1, M-4, M-7 and M-12 shows slight pollution. Jaccard’s similarity index compared the biodiversity of benthic macroinvertebrates at all the sites from upstream to downstream locations. It was maximum, i.e., 52.94% between the locations at M-4 and M-7. Species richness (S) has also been monitored at the said locations. The Diversity Score 0.83 is maximum at the Galteshwar (M-12) location of the Mahi river, which indicates that the location was the most ecologically diverse region among all.

Characteristics Of Natural Oak Forests Of In Se "Khmilnytske Lisove Hospodarstvo" And Implementation Of Measures For Their Regeneration

As a consequence of the intensive economic use of oak forests in the region, the share of stands of natural origin is significantly reduced, which requires an in-depth study of their condition, productivity, and natural restoration processes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the state, structure, and reforestation processes of oak forests for their further natural reproduction. Generally accepted methods in forestry and comparative ecology were used to compare the dynamics and condition of the studied stands with the reference ones. The paper presents the findings of the study of the productivity and state of natural forests within the state enterprise “Khmilnytske lisove hospodarstvo”. It was found out that natural oak stands are represented by 7 forest types, mainly in fresh hornbeam oak forest (area – 471 hectares). According to the results obtained, it was found that natural oak stands of vegetative origin predominate within the studied enterprise (528.6 ha). They are mainly represented by forests of the 11th age class (188.0 ha). High-bonitat oak forests of the 1st quality class predominate. Mature and over-mature stands have slightly lower productivity (2nd quality class, stand density of 0.6-0.7). The largest total reserve is characterised by stands of the 11th age class. The maximum average reserves are typical for stands of the 9th age class (290 m3 /ha). The greatest share of oak in stand composition (9-10 units) was found in stands of 9-10 age classes. The study shows that the natural renewal of oak is concentrated mainly in fresh sudubrava (fresh hornbeam sudubrava) in plantings in the presence of Scots pine and common oak. The density of natural renewal is 1-3 thousand units/ha. The practical value of the study is conditioned by the possibility of introducing the basic principles of forestry aimed at growing stable high-yield stands of common oak through more complete utilisation of natural renewal

Ecodiagnostics of different types of lakes in the Nizhny Novgorod Region based on indicators of the species structure of zooplankton

The research assesses the state of different types of lakes in specially protected natural areas of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and the anthropogenically disturbed territory of Nizhny Novgorod. The trophic status of water bodies was determined using the trophic status index ( TSISD ). It has been established that most of the lakes have eutrophic and mesotrophic status. The analysis of the species structure of zooplankton in water bodies has been carried out. The species richness of both lakes of the protected areas and urban lakes was high. Along with eurybiontic species, alien and rare species of zooplankton were identified. Significant differences in the indicators of the species structure were established, however, no critical values of the abundance, biomass, Shannon and Pielou indices were recorded. Most of the identified zooplankton species were indicative. On the basis of the Pantle-Bukk saprobity index in the Sladecek modification, the water quality class was established. The reservoirs were characterized by quality class II-III (clean-moderately polluted water). In some lakes an excess of the maximum permissible concentrations of ammonium, nitrite, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, lead has been established. However, in general, in terms of a set of indicators, water bodies are in a satisfactory condition. In order to objectively assess the ecological state of aquatic communities, to predict possible changes and develop recommendations for the conservation of species diversity, it is important to carry out regular monitoring studies.

Assessment of Drinking Water Purification Plant Efficiency in Al-Hassa, Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia

The quality of drinking water is an extremely important factor in public health. The main sources of drinking water in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are bottled water, purified groundwater, and desalinated seawater. This study aimed to assess drinking water quality and evaluate the performance of water purification plants in Al-Hassa and with the aid of the water quality index (WQI). A total of 150 water samples were collected from 30 water purification plants. The physiochemical characteristics of drinking water, including the pH, TDS, EC, turbidity, free chlorine, total hardness, anions (Cl, HCO3, SO4, NO3, and F), cations (Na, K, Ca, and Mg), iron, and manganese, were investigated. The results revealed that the purified water was of acceptable quality for drinking with respect to the measured physiochemical characteristics. The overall water purification efficiency for the reduction in total dissolved salts and related anions and cations was over 90%. For instance, the average TDS values in groundwater were 1916 ± 806 mg/L, which decreased to 118 ± 32.9 mg/L in purified water. The WQI results showed that all the collected purified water samples were considered to be of excellent quality (class I) for drinking. Meanwhile, 81.7% of the untreated groundwater samples were considered to be poor quality (class III), and 11.7% were considered to be very poor quality (class IV) due to their high contents of dissolved salts. The purification of the groundwater improved its quality from very poor/poor quality (classes III and IV) to excellent water quality (class I). A Piper diagram revealed that 80% of the investigated groundwater samples were of the sodium chloride–sulfate water type. Overall, we found that the groundwater in the investigated area is not suitable for drinking purposes unless further purification techniques are applied.

Epiphytic Diatom-Based Biomonitoring in Mediterranean Ponds: Traditional Microscopy versus Metabarcoding Approaches

Benthic diatoms have traditionally been used as bioindicators of aquatic ecosystems. Because diatom-based monitoring of water quality is required by European legislation, molecular-based methods had emerged as useful alternatives to classical methods based on morphological identification using light microscopy. The aim of this study was to test the reliability of DNA metabarcoding combined with High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) techniques in the bioassessment of the trophic status of 22 Mediterranean shallow ponds in NW Spain. For each pond, the Trophic Diatom Index (TDI) was calculated from inventories obtained by identification using light microscopy (LM) followed by high-throughput sequencing (HTS) at the molecular level. Ponds were subsequently classified into five water quality classes. The results showed a good correspondence between both methods, especially after applying a correction factor that depended on the biovolume of the cells. This correspondence led to the assignment to the same quality class in 59% of the ponds. The determination and quantification of valves or DNA sequences was one of the main pitfalls, which mainly included those related to the variability in the relative abundances of some species. Accordingly, ponds with similar relative abundances for the dominant species were assigned to the same quality class. Moreover, other difficulties leading the discrepancies were the misidentification of some species due to the presence of semi-cryptic taxa, the incompleteness of the reference database and the bioinformatic protocol. Thus, the validation of DNA-based methods for the identification of freshwater diatoms represents an important goal, as an alternative to using traditional methods in Mediterranean shallow ponds.

TRENDS IN THE VARIABILITY OF THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND WATER POLLUTION LEVEL IN THE KUBAN RIVER

Introduction. The paper explores the long-term spatial and temporal variability of the chemical composition and water quality in the Kuban River. Methods. To study the variability of the chemical composition of river water, we analyzed data from systematic observations over the concentrations of major ions, biogenic and organic substances, petroleum products and heavy metals from 2010 to 2017. To describe the variability of water quality, we used such indicators as water quality class, water pollution level, and characteristic pollutants. Results. It is shown that the spatial change in the chemical composition is uneven — a number of components in the water have low concentrations in the upper reaches, increasing in the lower part of the river. Others are characterized by high concentrations in the middle reaches, followed by a decrease towards the mouth. Over time, the change in the concentrations of chlorides, sulfates, organic substances and petroleum products increases. As for the content of nitrates, a slight decrease was detected in its variability. For the remaining chemicals, there were no clear trends. We established that in most cases the water in the Kuban River can be classified as polluted and very polluted (water quality class 3). We also found that the nature of river water pollution regarding a number of components is stable. Conclusion. In modern conditions of sharp climate changes and anthropogenic impact, the identified features of the chemical composition and trends in water quality variability of the Kuban River are of great practical importance and can be used in the development of environmentally sound recommendations for improving water quality and the state of water ecosystems in the river basin.