SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ON SPRING GARLIC IN KAZAKHSTAN: RESULTS, WAYS TO SOLVING PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

The aim of the research was to study the collection of spring garlic in the conditions of the south-east of Kazakhstan. The article presents the results of studies assessing the collection of spring garlic by economically valuable traits. According to the results of the assessment, out of 30 varieties, only 8. Sample K-41 (Akzhol) was transferred to the State variety testing of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The remaining samples selected for economically valuable traits (Mestny, Вр.5654, Victoria, Dedushkin kulak, Zhorobets, Вр.5276. Siberian) will be used in further breeding work.

Algae and Bioguano as promising source of organic fertilizers

The projected population growth implies an increased food demand with a severe impact on Earth’s natural resources. Improving crops yield without compromising the environment will be one of the main challenges of the next decades. Among the practices that can promote sustainable agriculture, organic fertilizers, and seaweeds in particular, are receiving growing attention. The aim of the current study was to test two macroalgae (Chaetomorpha sp. and Cystoseira sp.), one microalga (Chlorella CH2) and Bioguano (a mixture of macroalgae, spirulina, and guano) as organic fertilizers for the growth of barley seedlings. Remarkable plant growth was obtained on Bioguano, with seedlings showing a comparable total biomass yield with respect to the positive control plants on mineral fertilizer. Plants growth on macroalgae was reduced, even if in Chaetomorpha sp. not significantly compared to the positive control. Plants growth on Chlorella CH2 was close to that of the negative control (only water). Plants on Bioguano attained high uptake efficiencies of N (60%) and K (41%). Plants on macroalgae showed high N, and especially P (about 30%) uptake efficiency. Our results suggest a high potential for Bioguano and, to a lesser extent, for macroalgae without any synthetic fertilizer application to be used as growing substrates for crops.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence for unaware fear conditioning

Whether fear conditioning can take place without contingency awareness is a topic of continuing debate and conflicting findings have been reported in the literature. This systematic review provides a critical assessment of the available evidence. Specifically, a search was conducted to identify articles reporting fear conditioning studies in which the contingency between conditioned stimuli (CS) and the unconditioned stimulus (US) was masked, and in which CS-US contingency awareness was assessed. A systematic assessment of the methodological quality of the included studies (k = 41) indicated that most studies suffered from methodological limitations (i.e., poor masking procedures, poor awareness measures, researcher degrees of freedom, and trial-order effects), and that higher quality predicted lower odds of studies concluding in favor of contingency unaware fear conditioning. Furthermore, meta-analytic moderation analyses indicated no evidence for a specific set of conditions under which contingency unaware fear conditioning can be observed. Finally, funnel plot asymmetry and p-curve analysis indicated evidence for publication bias. We conclude that there is no convincing evidence for contingency unaware fear conditioning.

ASPARAGUS (ASPARAGUS OFFICINALIS L.) – VEGETABLE CULTURE OF THE FUTURE

The historical reference of Asparagus officinalis (Asparagus officinalis L.), its species composition and practical use is given. Biological and agrotechnical features of culture, the most common diseases and pests are presented. Grades and methods of selection work. Sexual type of asparagus, perennial varieties and the ability of plants to vegetative propagation are important factors in asparagus breeding. The following methods are used in asparagus selection: hybridization; formation of male varieties via self-pollination of bisexual flowers found on male plants; utilization of the heterosis effect the formation of homozygous inbred-lines; production of tetraploid forms by exposure of colchicine to asparagus seedlings. Selection can be done either on individual plants or using multiple approach. Improvement of selection may be achieved using several parameters: plant yield, the mass of seedlings; plant height of the most developed shoot; the number of shoots. This allows to discard undesirable forms at early stages. Laboratory of green vegetables, spicy-flavoring and flower crops of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center possesses the collection nursery of 7 samples of Asparagus officinalis: K-25, K-28, K-41, K-46, Mary Washington Bruswick, Paradise. The latter are used for Asparagus selection with the aim to retain economically valuable traits.