Frontenac Gris as colour-mutant Frontenac grape variety

The work aimed to assess the cultivation and breeding prospects of the new Frontenac Gris technical grape variety obtained in 2003 by clonal selection as a colour-mutant Frontenac red technical grape originated by the University of Minnesota, USA. The variety is a complex cross-species hybrid with early maturity in the zone of Novocherkassk, Rostov Region. The variety was studied in 2018-2020 following the common viticulture and winemaking protocols at an experimental plot of the Novocherkassk trial field of All-Russian Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking named after Ya.I. Potapenko — Branch of the Federal Rostov Agricultural Research Centre. Vineyards were uncovered, unirrigated, grafted, Berlandieri×Riparia Kober 5BB rootstock, 3×1.5 m planting scheme. Formation as medium-standard double-shouldered horizontal cordon. By combination of economic value and agrobiological traits (cold and winter hardiness, yield, anti-phytopathogen resistance, high wine material quality), the Frontenac Gris variety holds promise in industrial viticulture. It can be recommended for gardening in sufficiently humid cool climates avoiding winter bush sheltering, as well as for breeding. The variety is low-hardy to drought and summer heat, which hinders its growing in the southern country. The variety’s disadvantages are in early maturity and slight berries wilting on bush in dry and windy air, which can pose an issue in juice production from pressed berries.

The effect of alfalfa age on the accumulation of total and soil organic matter when rotating grain crops

Исследования проведены в 2013–2015 годах в ООО «Вымпел 2002» в Хасавюртовском районе Республики Дагестан. Почва экспериментального участка содержит в пахотном слое гумуса 2,77%, Р2О5 — 2,21 мг, К2О — 32,8 мг/100 г почвы, плотность в пахотном слое — 1,24 г/см3, наименьшая влагоёмкость слоя 0–0,6 м — 29,2%. Целью наших исследований являлось выявление влияния возраста люцерны на накопление общей и неотчуждаемой из почвы органической массы в зернокормовом севообороте в условиях Западного Прикаспия. Рассмотрено два севооборота (с двухлетней и трёхлетней люцерной), по пласту и обороту пласта выращивали озимую пшеницу, после уборки которой в пожнивный период с помощью провокационного полива формировали пожнивный естественней фитоценоз (ПЕФ). Степень насыщения севооборотов люцерной составляла соответственно 50 и 60,0%, озимой пшеницей + ПЕФ — 60,0 и 40%. Установлено, что увеличение срока использования люцерны в зернотравяных севооборотах с 2 до 3 лет и доли её в структуре посевных площадей с 50 до 60% способствовало увеличению сборов сена с 1 га севооборотной площади на 2,57 т/га (на 19,0%), зерна озимой пшеницы по пласту — на 7,9%, по обороту пласта — на 6,5%, надземной массы ПЕФ — на 5,3 и 5,1% соответственно. Одновременно увеличивалось и количество накапливаемой растительной массы с 71,56 до 92,66 т/га севооборотной площади. Но в том случае, когда люцерна в севообороте использовалась 2 года, а доля озимой пшеницы с последующим использованием пожнивного периода под ПЕФ увеличивалась с 40 до 50% севооборотной площади, неотчуждаемой из почвы растительной массы накапливалось больше на 20,2%. Заслуживает уточнения в методическом плане вопрос об отнесении части урожая сена люцерны, произведённого в хозяйстве, к неотчуждаемой из почвы продукции подобно тому, как это делается в отношении соломы, только 60% которой считается экосистемной. The investigation took place at the OOO “Vympel 2002” in the Khasavyurt district of the Republic of Dagestan in 2013–2015. Soil of the trial field contained 2.77% of humus, Р2О5 — 2.21 mg, К2О — 32.8 mg/100 g of soil, layer density — 1.24 g/cm3, the lowest moisture content of the 0–0.6 m layer — 29.2%. The aim was to test the effect of alfalfa age on the accumulation of total and soil organic mass in grain crop rotation in the Western Caspian region. Two crop rotations were studied (two- and three-year old alfalfa). After harvesting winter wheat the plot was irrigated to form post-harvest natural phytocenosis. Alfalfa proportion amounted to 50 and 60%, winter wheat + post-harvest natural phytocenosis — 60 and 40%. Cultivation of alfalfa for 3 years instead of 2 and increase in its proportion from 50 to 60% improved hay yield by 2.57 t ha-1 (19%), wheat grain yield — by 7.9 and 6.5%, top mass of post-harvest natural phytocenosis — by 5.3 and 5.1%, respectively. Plant mass increased from 71.56 to 92.66 t ha-1. When alfalfa was cultivated for 2 years and winter wheat proportion raised from 40 to 50%, accumulation of soil organic matter improved by 20.2%. Attributing part of alfalfa hay to soil organic matter was performed the same way as for straw, only 60% of which belonged to an ecosystem.

Optimal Plot Dimensions for Performance Testing of Hybrid Potato in the Field

Field trials to evaluate the performance of new varieties are an essential component of potato breeding. Besides the genetic differences, environmental factors can lead to variation in a trial. In variety trials, the observed differences amongst varieties should reflect genetic differences, without a large impact of the random or systematic variation in the field. One way to reduce within-field variation is to adjust the plot size and its shape in a trial. Two years of field trials in which individual plants in 90-plant plots of both diploid hybrid and tetraploid varieties were measured provided data to derive relationships between LSD% and plot size and shape. We provide a method to estimate the equations to calculate the expected variation when using different plot dimensions in a relatively homogeneous trial field for tuber yield, tuber volume, tuber count, tuber shape and the standard deviations of tuber volume and shape. Compared with the yield traits, the variation for tuber shape was relatively small. The effect of plot shape was minor. With these equations, breeders can determine what plot dimensions are needed to reach the desired precision for each trait.

Facilitated transition in HIV drug trial closure: A conceptual model for HIV post-trial care

Within the HIV clinical trial field, there are gaps in existing ethical regulations in relation to post-trial care. There is need to develop post-trial care guidelines that are flexible and sensitive to local contexts and to the specific needs of different groups of participants, particularly in low income contexts. Evidence regarding HIV trial closure and post-trial care is required to underpin the development of appropriate policies in this area. This article reports research from Uganda that develops a new model of ‘Facilitated Transition’ to conceptualize the transition process of HIV positive trial participants from ‘research’ to ‘usual care’ health facilities after trial conclusion. This was a qualitative grounded theory study that included 21 adult HIV positive post-trial participants and 22 research staff, undertaken between October 2014 and August 2015. The findings showed that trial closure is a complex process for HIV positive participants which includes three phases: the pre-closure, trial-closure, and post-trial phases. The model highlights a range of different needs of research participants and suggests specific and person-centred interventions that can be delivered at different phases with the aim of improving health outcomes and experiences for trial participants in low income settings during trial closure. Further research needs to be done to verify the model in other contexts and for other conditions.

Productivity and adaptability of white clover lines in the forest-steppe of the Middle Volga region

Цель исследований — оценка перспективных сортообразцов клевера ползучего по продуктивности и адаптивности в условиях лесостепи Среднего Поволжья. Исследования проводили на опытном поле Обособленного подразделения в г. Пензе ФГБНУ «Федеральный научный центр лубяных культур» в 2016–2019 годах. Объектом исследования были перспективные сортообразцы клевера ползучего в питомнике конкурсного сортоиспытания, заложенном в 2015 году. Агроклиматические условия в годы исследований различались. Оптимальные условия для роста и развития клевера складывались в 2016 (ГТК за период отрастания – созревания семян составил 1,1) и в 2017 годах (ГТК = 1,2); 2018 и 2019 годы были засушливыми, ГТК в эти годы составлял 0,5 и 0,4 соответственно. В среднем за 2016–2019 годы урожайность сухого вещества клевера ползучего колебалась в пределах 2,43–2,76 т/га, лучшим по урожайности оказался сортообразец Пл-90-5 (2,76 т/га). Изменчивость урожайности у всех сортов высокая. Почти все сортообразцы показали высокую экологическую адаптивность и пластичность: значение bi у них варьировалось в пределах 0,95–1,15. Наиболее адаптивными и пластичными сортообразцами были Пл-90-2, Пл-90-3, Пл-90-4 и Пл-90-5 (bi=0,95–1,10, σd2=0,0–0,07). Наиболее высоким показателем уровня стабильности сорта отличился сортообразец Пл-90-5 (116,7%), ещё у двух сортообразцов он составил 110,2–115,5%. Наиболее высокий индекс стабильности для данной культуры (0,06) отмечен у четырёх сортообразцов, в том числе у стандарта. Из изучаемых сортообразцов четыре показали коэффициент адаптивности 1,0–1,07, наибольший показатель — у Пл-90-5. Образцы Пл-90-2 и Пл-90-3 обладали наибольшей стрессоустойчивостью. Наибольшая генетическая гибкость между генотипом и факторами среды была отмечена у сортообразцов Пл-90-4 и Пл-90-5 (2,74–2,77). The aim of this research was to evaluate promising genotypes of white clover with regard to its productivity and resistance in the forest-steppe of the Middle Volga region. The experiment took place on the trial field of the Penza branch of the Federal Research Center of Fibre Crops in 2016–2019. A competitive variety trial started in 2015. Environmental conditions varied among years of study. Optimal conditions were in 2016 and 2017, hydrothermal coefficient amounted to 1.1 and 1.2, respectively. Weather of 2018 and 2019 was dry, hydrothermal coefficient reached 0.5 and 0.4, respectively. Dry matter (DM) productivity varied within 2.43–2.76 t ha-1. Pl-90-5 line performed the best producing 2.76 t DM ha-1. Yield variation was high among all the genotypes. Plants showed high adaptability and plasticity: bi varied within 0.95–1.15. Such lines as Pl-90-2, Pl-90-3, Pl-90-4 and Pl-90-5 had the best adaptability and plasticity (bi=0.95–1.10, σd2=0.0–0.07). Pl-90-5 had the highest stability of 116.7%. The highest stability index of 0.06 was determined for four genotypes, including standard variety. Four genotypes had adaptability coefficient of 1.0–1.07, Pl-90-5 showed the highest adaptability. Pl-90-2 and Pl-90-3 had the highest stress-resistance. The highest plasticity between genotype and environment was observed for Pl-90-4 and Pl-90-5 (2.74–2.77).

Growing miscanthus in the conditions of Western Polesie

The results of studies on the effect of density, fertilizer and soil type on miscanthus productivity in Western Polesie are presented. It was found that the average yield of dry biomass of 15.5 t/ha was obtained on a dark gray loamy soil for a planting density of 20 pc/ha., and fertilizer application at the rate of N60Р200К200. The application of mineral fertilizers (N60Р200К200) on dark gray light-loamy and sod-podzolic sandy-sandy soil provided the highest increase in dry mass yield (up to control) of 2.9–3.4 t/ha. As the results of research have shown, the dry matter yield varies significantly under the influence of certain factors. Thus, in four years on average the highest dry matter yield was obtained on condition of planting density of 20 thousand pcs./ha and application of N60P200K200 on both dark gray light loamy soil and sod-podzolic sandy soil, 15.5 and 13.1 t/ha respectively. The lowest yields on two types of soils were obtained on condition of planting density of 10 thousand pcs./ha in the trial field without fertilizers (check) – 12.0 t/ha and 9.1 t/ha on dark gray loamy and sod-podzolic light sandy soils, respectively. The application of mineral fertilizers at the rate of N60P100K100 ensured increase in the yield by 1.8 and 2.2 t/ha of dry mass on two types of soils. Increasing the dose of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers up to 200 kg. d. r./ha contributed to an increase in the amount of dry mass to 15.0 and 10.1 t/ha compared to the trial field without fertilizers. The results of the research confirm the fact that with the increase in grain planting density and application of mineral fertilizers, the yield of miscanthus biomass increases, thus, the yield of solid fuel and energy increases as well. Consequently, the highest fuel yield of 17.1 t/ha with the energy yield of 271 GJ/ha was ensured by the application of mineral fertilizers at the rate of N60P200K200 and an increase in planting density to 20 thousand pcs./ha on dark gray light loamy soil. The lowest productivity at this density was characterized by the option without fertilizers (check) - 12.2 t/ha of dry biofuel and 194 GJ/ha of energy. Planting miscanthus plantations with the density of 15 thousand pcs./ha for four years on average reduced the yield of biofuel to 11.0 t/ha and energy to 175 GJ/ha in the trial field without fertilizers (check). However, the lowest amount of biofuel of 10.1 t/ha and energy yield of 159 GJ/ha was obtained in the trial field without fertilizers at the planting density of miscanthus of 10 thousand pcs./ha. The application of mineral fertilizers at the rate of N60P100K100 and N60P200K200 contributed to the increase of the above indices to 13.5 and 14.7 t/ha of dry biofuel and 215 and 235 GJ/ha of energy, respectively. Keywords: miscanthus, dry biomass, solid biofuels, energy, soil.

Facilitated transition in HIV drug trial closure: a conceptual model for HIV post-trial care

Within the HIV clinical trial field, there are gaps in existing ethical regulations in relation to post-trial care. There is need to develop post-trial care guidelines that are flexible and sensitive to local contexts and to the specific needs of different groups of participants, particularly in low income contexts. Evidence regarding HIV trial closure and post-trial care is required to underpin the development of appropriate policies in this area. This article reports research from Uganda that develops a new model of ‘Facilitated Transition’ to conceptualize the transition process of HIV positive trial participants from ‘research’ to ‘usual care’ health facilities after trial conclusion. This was a qualitative grounded theory study that included 21 adult HIV positive post-trial participants and 22 research staff, undertaken between October 2014 and August 2015. The findings showed that trial closure is a complex process for HIV positive participants which includes three phases: the pre-closure, trial-closure, and post-trial phases. The model highlights a range of different needs of research participants and suggests specific and person-centred interventions that can be delivered at different phases with the aim of improving health outcomes and experiences for trial participants in low income settings during trial closure. Further research needs to be done to verify the model in other contexts and for other conditions.

EFEK KOMPOSISI BEBERAPA MEDIA TANAM TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN PRODUKSI TANAMAN CABAI RAWIT (Capsicum frutescens L.)

This study aims to determine the composition effect of several growing media on the growth and production of cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens L). This research was carried out on the Labuhanbatu STIPER trial field, Jln. Manunggal AMD, Bakaran Batu Village, Rantau Selatan District, Labuhanbatu Regency, North Sumatra Province which began from December 2018 to March 2019. The experimental design used was Non Factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD) and each treatment was repeated 3 (three) times. Treatment consists of: P0 = Land (control), P1 = Solid + Land (1: 3), P2 = Cow Manure + Soil (1: 3), P3 = Sand + Soil (1: 3), P4 = Land + Solid + Cow Manure (2: 1: 1), P5 = Land + Solid + Sand (2: 1: 1), P6 = Soil + Cow Manure + Sand (2: 1: 1), P7 = Land + Solid + Cow + Sand Manure (1: 1: 1: 1). The results showed that the composition of solid + soil planting media with a ratio of 1: 3 (P1) can increase plant height, number of leaves and stem diameter of cayenne pepper plants. In the composition of soil + solid planting media + cow manure with a ratio of 2: 1: 1 (P4) can increase the weight of fruit crops and the number of fruit crops in cayenne pepper plants.Keywords: composition of planting media, cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens L).