A Static Pulling Test Is a Suitable Method for Comparison of the Loading Resistance of Silver Birch (Betula pendula Roth.) between Urban and Peri-Urban Forests

In urbanized areas, wind disturbances can be intensified by anthropogenic stresses under which trees may become hazardous, creating serious threats and damages to nearby targets. Therefore, species with notably lower both wood mechanical properties and compartmentalization, such as pioneers, are considered to have higher wind damage risk if subjected to unfavorable growing conditions. Eurasian aspen (Populus tremula L.) and silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.), are frequently found in both urban and peri-urban forests in Northeastern and Central parts of Europe, which strengthen the necessity for the evaluation of mechanical stability of such species. Therefore, static pulling tests were performed to compare the mechanical stability of the studied species in both urban and peri-urban forests. The loading resistance of the studied species differed, with birch being more stable than aspen, indicating aspen to be more prone to wind damage. Additionally, the mechanical stability of birch did not differ between trees growing in urban and peri-urban forests, suggesting static pulling tests are a suitable method for comparing trees from completely different growing conditions.

Metal Accumulation Properties of Eight Traditionally Utilized Nutritional Plants and Their Potential as Suitable Crops for Cultivation on Acidic Soils of the Northern Province Uíge, Angola

High metal contents of acidic soils from sub-Saharan Africa often prevent the cultivation of crops and lead to a low livestock yield. The carbohydrate rich diet of the Angolan population is low in minerals and vitamins, resulting in various deficiency syndromes and a high child mortality rate. Eight traditionally utilized plants (Anisophyllea quangensis, Annona stenophylla subsp. cuneata, Canarium schweinfurthii, Eugenia malangensis, Landolphia lanceolata, Raphionacme madiensis, Tristemma mauritianum, Vitex madiensis subsp. madiensis) with nutritional value for the Angolan population were analyzed for their soil and growing conditions. The species are adapted to the local conditions and can serve as crops for the unfavorable soils of the province Uíge. Chemical and physical characteristics of the uppermost soil (0–5 cm) and in 30 cm depth were analyzed. The plant-available macro-and micronutrients were determined using Mehlich 3 extraction. Data are completed with leaf tissue analyses, examining the uptake of minerals. As aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn) are plant-available in high amounts, local plants evolved mechanisms dealing with those metals. These Al accumulators with foliar contents above 1000 mg/kg are Anisophyllea quangensis (7884 mg/kg), Landolphia lanceolata (6809 mg/kg), Tristemma mauritianum (4674 mg/kg), and Eugenia malangensis (13,989 mg/kg). All four species bear edible fruits with nutritional potential. The domestication and commercialization of those plants seem to be promising, utilizing local soils without expensive amelioration techniques.

Enhanced Soybean Productivity by Inoculation With Indigenous Bradyrhizobium Strains in Agroecological Conditions of Northeast Germany

Commercial inoculants are often used to inoculate field-grown soybean in Europe. However, nodulation efficiencies in these areas are often low. To enhance biological nitrogen (N) fixation and increase domestic legume production, indigenous strains that are adapted to local conditions could be used to develop more effective inoculants. The objective of this study was to assess the ability of locally isolated Bradyrhizobium strains to enhance soybean productivity in different growing conditions of Northeast Germany. Three indigenous Bradyrhizobium isolates (GMF14, GMM36, and GEM96) were tested in combination with different soybean cultivars of different maturity groups and quality characteristics in one field trial and two greenhouse studies. The results showed a highly significant strain × cultivar interactions on nodulation response. Independent of the Bradyrhizobium strain, inoculated plants in the greenhouse showed higher nodulation, which corresponded with an increased N uptake than that in field conditions. There were significantly higher nodule numbers and nodule dry weights following GMF14 and GMM36 inoculation in well-watered soil, but only minor differences under drought conditions. Inoculation of the soybean cultivar Merlin with the strain GEM96 enhanced nodulation but did not correspond to an increased grain yield under field conditions. USDA110 was consistent in improving the grain yield of soybean cultivars Sultana and Siroca. On the other hand, GMM36 inoculation to Sultana and GEM96 inoculation to Siroca resulted in similar yields. Our results demonstrate that inoculation of locally adapted soybean cultivars with the indigenous isolates improves nodulation and yield attributes. Thus, to attain optimal symbiotic performance, the strains need to be matched with specific cultivars.

PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY EVALUATION OF TARRAGON AND THYME GROWN UNDER ARTIFICIAL LIGHT

The research aimed at evaluation of productivity and quality of tarragon and thyme medicinal material was carried out on hydroponic installations during 2019-2020. The objects under study were Monarkh and Gudvin tarragon varieties as well as Medok and Zmeyka thyme varieties. The plants were grown in mineral cotton substratum. Fertikea Hydro complex fertiliser with microelements and calcium nitrate were used. The growing conditions: ambient temperature +22…+25℃, solution temperature +20℃, ambient humidity 55…65%. Experiment regimens: growing under white LEDs (luminous flux 8000 lm, color temperature 4000 K, PPF 165 mkmol/s/m2) and color LEDs (combination of red, blue and white LEDs (32:16:32), luminous flux 6573 lm, PPF 143 mkmol/s/m2), for 16-hour light regimen. We found that thyme grown on a vertical hydroponic system increase its biomass 2.0…3.5 times compared to the conventional growing. The highest productivity of Zmeyka thyme variety is reached under white light, while for both the tarragon varieties and Medok thyme variety it is reached under coloured LEDs. Chlorophyll-a content in green biomass is a little higher under coloured LEDs for Zmeyka thyme variety and Gudvin tarragon variety, while the reverse trend is observed for Monarkh tarragon variety. All the varieties show higher chlorophyll-b content under coloured LEDs. Combined chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b content increases under coloured LEDs for the thyme varieties and Gudvin tarragon variety. Monarkh tarragon variety shows the highest combined chlorophyll content under white LEDs. Carotenoid concentration in Medok thyme variety and Monarkh tarragon variety is higher under white LEDs and it is higher under color LEDs for the rest of the varieties. Flavonoids in the studied varieties accumulate statistically better (1.5…3.0 times) under white LEDs

Agrobiological estimation of the collection samples of Allium sativum subsp. vulgare (Kuzn.)

Purpose. To study biological features of biological potential realization of softneck garlic productivity. Methods. Field, laboratory, statistical and calculation-analytical. Results. The results of studying local and introduced forms of softneck garlic cultivars (samples No. 1, 14, 16, 19, 24, 27) in comparison with varieties (‘Prometei’ (standard) and ‘Liubasha’) in terms of productivity are presented. In the research, field, laboratory and statistical methods were used. The experimental design was a systemic complete block design without replicates. It was found that all, without exception, softneck garlic cultivars have an erectoid type of leaf placement. Introduced cultivars featured low seedstalk formation, which is a manifestation of adaptation to growing conditions. All studied cultivars were characterized by lower values of the number of air bulbils in the inflorescence compared to the standard cultivar ‘Prometei’. Thus, ‘Liubasha’ formed 16.1% fewer bulbils than the standard; however, its 1000-bulbil weight was 37.2% larger than in ‘Prometei’. The softneck cultivars that formed bulbils on the reduced seedstalk were characterized by a very small number of bulbils − by 89.7–90.8% less than in the standard – however, the formed bulbils had very large 1000-bulbil weight. Thus, sample No. 1 formed bulbils by 542.0% larger in terms of the 1000-bulbil weight than standard; sample No. 16 by 554.3%; sample No. 27 by 752.9%. Samples No. 14, 19 and 24 did not formed seedstalks. In terms of the bulbil yield, the samples that formed bulbils had by 11.7–40.1% lower indicators than the standard. Cultivar ‘Liubasha’ was characterized by a 19.0% higher bulbil yield. The vast majority of collection samples of winter garlic formed smaller bulbs. Sample No. 16 had a large bulb wight compared to the standard. Collection samples had significantly lower yield except for No. 16, which exceeded the standard by 30.2 and 56.8%. Conclusions. Collection samples have a significantly higher dry matter content. The promising samples (No. 14, 16, 19, 24) were selected by a number of characteristics as promising for further breding of softneck table garlic cultivars. In further research, the content of secondary metabolites and the storage of the samples in uncontrolled conditions will be studied in order to create table garlic cultivars suitable for long-term storage.

Productivity of camelina and spring rapeseed as affected by varietal characteristics in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Purpose. Determine the oil content and glucosinolate content and productivity of spring camelina and spring rapeseed as affected by varietal characteristics. Methods. The research was conducted in the educational-scientific-industrial complex of Uman National University of Horticulture. Spring rapeseed varieties ‘Belinda’, ‘Aidar’, ‘Heros’, ‘Jerry’ and spring camelina varieties ‘Zevs’, ‘Hirskyi’, ‘Slavutych’, ‘Mirazh’ were studied. Seeds were sown in a row to a depth of 1.5 cm with a seeder CH-16. The sowing rate was 300 seeds/m2, or 5.4 kg/ha. The crop was harvested separately by Sampo-500 combine. Results. In spring rapeseed, the highest yield was marked by variety ‘Aidar’ (2.52 t/ha) and the lowest by ‘Heros’ (2.43 t/ha). In spring camelina, the highest yield was in variety ‘Zevs’ (2.31 t/ha) and lower in ‘Hirska’ (2.15), ‘Mirazh’ (2.27), and ‘Slavutych’ (2.22 t/ha). The highest oil content among rapeseed varieties demonstrated ‘Aidar’ (43.7%). Slightly lower it was in ‘Belinda’ (43.2%), ‘Jerry’ (42.8) and ‘Heros’ (42.6%). Depending on the varietal characteristics, the highest percentage of oil content was found in spring camelina varieties ‘Zevs’ (45.1%). It was lower by 0.5 and 0.9% in ‘Mirazh’ and ‘Slavutych’. The lowest percentage of oil content (43.7%) was determined in camelina variety ‘Hirska. In spring rapeseed varieties, the highest content of glucosinolates was in ‘Aidar’ – 20.5 μmol/g, 0.3 and 0.5 μmol/g less in ‘Belinda’ and ‘Jerry’, and the lowest in ‘Heros’ (19.8 μmol/g). In spring camelina, the highest value was in the variety ‘Zevs’ (22.0 μmol/g), and the lowest in ‘Hirska’ (21.0 μmol/g). ‘Mirazh’ and ‘Slavutych’ contained 21.7 and 21.4 μmol/g of glucosinolatesm respectively. Conclusions. The productivity of oilseed crops varies under the same growing conditions: spring rapeseed, regardless of varietal characteristics, demonstrated higher yield compared to camelina. On average over the years of research and varieties, this indicator was 2.47 t in spring rapeseed, and 2.24 t/ha in spring camelina, which is 0.23 t/ha less. In rapeseed, the oil content of the seeds was 43.07%, the content of glucosinolates varied from 19.8 to 20.5 μmol/g. In spring camelina, the oil content of seeds was 1.33–44.40% higher, the content of glucosinolates ranged from 21.0 to 22.0 μmol/g. The level of profitability of the studied oilseed crops was high and varied as affected by varietal characteristics: in rapeseed from 122 to 141%, and in spring camelina from 182 to 196%.

Introduction of meadow species of the genus Thalictrum L. in the dendrological park “Druzhba” in Precarpathian region

The article presents a short issue on the distribution of Thalictrum L. in the flora o Precarpathian region. The introductional pecularities of Thalictrum flaum L., Thalictrum aquilegifolium L., Thalictrum minus L., та Thal- ictrum simplex L. on the collection sites of the dendrological park “Druzhba” are revealed. Examples of phenophases of ontogenesis of species in soil and climatic conditions of the dendropark, their adaptation to new growing conditions under the influence of cultivation and care of plants are given. It is shown how it affects the appearance of populations of all species, their height, features of growth of individuals, flowering, fruiting. A brief description of the medicinal properties of some species and their decorative value is given.

Incidence of Zonate Leaf Spot on Sorghum Accessions Under Disease-Conducive Growing Conditions Burleson County, Texa

The frequent rains coupled with cooler than normal maximum temperatures in the early part of the 2021 growing season created conditions for severe outbreaks of zonate leaf spot infection on sorghum plants in the experimental plots at the Texas A&M AgriLife Farm, Burleson County, Texas. As a result, the incidence of zonate leaf spot was recorded for 68 accessions planted in one of the field trials. In this study, 13 sorghum accessions, including TAM428, BTx635, PI330255, PI534157, PI570841, PI609251, PI570726, and PI267588 were free of zonate leaf spot infection, indicating that they were highly resistant to the disease. The lines identified in this study may possess genes for resistance which can be useful in breeding programs for introgression of the resistant genes to elite or parental lines.

Tree shaping catalogs: formation and nature of garden chair applications

Purpose: Tree shaping catalog development of practical use: garden chair category; study of the ergonomic aspects of their design, calculation of the time for the formation of tree shaping objects with regard to the plant types. A deeper study of the formation of natural and artistic objects of architectural space, i.e., tree shaping.Design/methodology/approach: Ergonomic analysis, analysis of woody plants compositions in tree shaping, visual-anthropometric analysis, modeling, comparative analysis.Originality/value: 1. Proposed tree shaping catalogs in the category of garden chairs. These catalogs have no analogues in are Russia. 2. The selected woody plants of the West Siberian region, most adapted to humane correction of growth, with the ecological specification in accordance with the following parameters: gas resistance, growth rate, life cycle of a woody plant. 3. Diagrams are suggested for the garden chair dimensions (chair back height, seat width, chair leg height) depending on the woody plant (willow, Tatar maple, bird cherry).Findings: Many identified aspects are can be used in tree shaping: compositional complexity of tree shaping, woody plant type, growth characteristics, and the growing conditions.Practical implications: The obtained results can be used as in a deeper study of new approaches to the formation of open architectural spaces with plant materials.

ASSESSMENT OF COLLECTION SAMPLES OF THE WINTER CAMELINA PILOSA FOR PRODUCTIVITY AND ADAPTIVITY

Целью исследований являлась оценка коллекционного материала рыжика озимого по урожайности и основным параметрам адаптивности. Исследования проводили в лесостепной зоне Пензенской области в 2018–2020 гг. Объектом исследований являлись образцы рыжика озимого, различного эколого-географического происхождения. В качестве стандарта использовали сорт Барон, селекции Пензенского НИИСХ. Вегетационный период озимого рыжика в 2018 году протекал в острозасушливых условиях при ГТК=0,40. Условия вегетации в 2019 году характеризовались как засушливые, ГТК составил 0,63 единицы, сумма осадков за период составила 98,1 мм. Вегетация рыжика в 2020 году проходила при более благоприятных условиях (ГТК=1,03), сумма осадков составила 147,4 мм при температуре 19,4°С. Урожайность сортообразцов озимого рыжика, за годы исследований, варьировала в широких пределах от 130,9 до 157,2 г/м2 . Наиболее высокая продуктивность отмечена у номеров к-4164 (153,0 г/м2 ), к-4169 (153,1 г/м2 ) и к-3290 (157,2 г/м2 ), которая существенно превышала сорт Барон (на 8,7-12,9 г/м). Наибольшей экологической адаптивностью отличались образцы к-3290 (Алтайский край), к-1553 (Армения), к-4169 (Чехословакия) и сорт Барон, значения которого составили bi=0,96-1,02 и S2 d1 = 0,08-0,11. Номера к-4155, к-2224 и к-3290 отличались наибольшей стабильностью и пластичностью, показатели индекса стабильности (ИС) и индекса экологической пластичности (ИЭП) которых составили 17,4-18,8% и 1,04- 1,08. Наибольшим значением уровня стабильности сорта (ПУСС) отличались образцы к-4169, к-4164 и к-1553, значения которых составили 1,40, 1,41 и 1,46 соответственно. Число стручков на растении у сортообразцов варьировало от 151 до 287 штук, при 251 штуке на растении у сорта Барон. Количество семян в стручке варьировало в пределах 13-18 штук, масса 1000 семян в пределах 1,05-1,42 г. Наиболее крупные семена были у номеров к-4165 и к-3290, масса 1000 семян которых составила 1,40 и 1,42 г соответственно. The aim of the research was to assess the collection material of winter camelina in terms of yield and main parameters of adaptability. The studies were carried out in the forest-steppe zone of the Penza region in 2018 - 2020.The object of research was samples of winter camelina of various ecological and geographical origin. Variety Baron, selection of the Penza Research Institute of Agriculture, was used as a standard. The growing season of winter camelina in 2018 proceeded in severely arid conditions with GTC=0.40. The growing conditions in 2019 were characterized as arid, the GTC was 0.63 units, the amount of precipitation for the period was 98.1 mm. Camelina vegetation in 2020 took place under more favorable conditions (GTC=1.03), the amount of precipitation was 147.4 mm at a temperature of 19.4°C. The yield of varieties of winter camelina, over the years of research, varied widely from 130.9 to 157.2 g/m2 .The highest productivity was noted for numbers k-4164 (153.0 g/m2 ), k-4169 (153.1 g/m2 ) and k-3290 (157.2 g/m2 ), which significantly exceeded the Baron variety by (8,7-12.9 g/m)2 . Samples k-3290 (Altai Territory), k-1553 (Armenia), k-4169 (Czechoslovakia) and variety Baron were characterized by the highest ecological adaptability, the values of which were bi=0.96- 1.02 and S2 d1 =0,08-0.11.The numbers k-4155, k-2224 and k-3290 were distinguished by the greatest stability and plasticity, the indicators of the stability index (IS) and the environmental plasticity index (IEP) of which were 17.4-18.8% and 1.04-1.08%. Samples k-4169, k-4164 and k-1553 were distinguished by the highest value of the level of stability of the variety (PUSS), the value of which was 1.40, 1.41 and 1.46, respectively. The number of pods per plant in the accessions varied from 151 to 287 pods, with 251 pods per plant in the Baron variety. The number of seeds in a pod varied within 13-18 pieces, the weight of 1000 seeds was within 1.05-1.42 g. The largest seeds were for numbers k-4165 and k-3290, the weight of 1000 seeds of which was 1.40 and 1.42 g, respectively.