Impact of Irrigation Erosion on the Agrochemical Properties of Mountain-brown Soils and the Productivity of Cereals and Legumes

The cultivation of perennial grasses in mountainous areas protects the slopes from erosion and provides animals with good food. According to the results of the studies, it was determined that the restoration of fertility and the ecological balance of erosional lands and the implementation of soil and agrotechnical measures is of great importance for increasing yields. Thanks to the application of these measures, as a result of the improvement of the water-physical properties of the affected lands, runoff of surface waters is prevented. Perennial grasses accumulate the nitrogen atmosphere of legumes, enrich the soil with organic substances, accelerate the formation of a water-resistant granular-fuel structure and improve its water-physical properties, which in turn contributes to the rapid assimilation of minerals.

STATISTICAL STUDY OF SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE AT THE MESO-LEVEL

Significant transformations in the Russian economy in 1990-2000 negatively affected the development of agriculture. The number of workers in the industry has declined, and the production of some types of products has dropped to catastrophic levels. In this regard, we consider it timely and necessary to conduct a statistical study of the state of the industry at the meso-level and the factors that influence it. The aim of the research is to study the development of agriculture at the meso-level in the historical aspect based on statistical methods for assessing the current and forecasting future states. The object of research is Orenburg region and its municipalities, which is due to a number of reasons: the region occupies a stable leading position in the agriculture of Volga Federal District; the industry’s contribution to GRP is about 8%; municipalities of the region are in unequal conditions that affect the development of agriculture in the region. The development of crop production in Orenburg region in 1991-2019 characterized by an increase in sunflower production and a lateral trend in gross grain harvest, while the production of silage, annual and perennial grasses significantly decreased. The lack of a forage base against the background of low early maturity led to a significant reduction in the number of cattle - this negatively affected milk production in the region. Meat production managed to keep from falling only due to the growth of poultry population. The construction of regression models based on panel data covering 35 municipalities (period 2000-2019 and 5 variables) showed that three factors influence the volume of agricultural production - the availability of acreage, investment in fixed assets and the number of cattle. The constructed statistically significant regression model with fixed effects indicates a stable structure of producers and the presence of hidden factors. This determines the direction of further research, which consists in identifying latent variables that have a significant impact on the development of the region’s industry

Possibilities of plant nutrient recycling in energy grass plantations = Augu barības elementu reciklācijas iespējas enerģētisko zālaugu plantācijās

To develop the scientific work, field trials were performed at the Research Institute of Agronomy of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, in Skriveri in the time period from 2012 to 2016. Hypothesis of the thesis By using by-products of bioenergy production in fertilisation - fermentation residues or digestate and wood ash, it is possible to partially cover the requirements of energy grasses for nutrients, as well as to ensure their reuse. The aim of the thesis To find out the possibilities of growing reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) 'Bamse' and festulolium (× Festulolium pabulare) 'Felina' for energy production by using bioenergy production by-products in fertilisation – fermentation residues or digestate and wood ash, as well as to study possibilities of plant nutrient reuse in the system: soil – plants – digestate / ash – soil – plants. Research tasks 1. To evaluate digestate and wood ash as energy grasses fertilisers. 2. To find out the optimal norm and the regime of use of digestate in reed canary grass fertilisation. 3. To study the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium circulation cycle in the system: soil – plants – digestate / ash – soil – plants. 4. To perform economic evaluation of reed canary grass and festulolium fertilisation. The structure of the research paper Chapter 1 - The literature review includes five subchapters. The chapter provides a brief overview of bioenergy production technologies, examines perennial grasses in the context of bioenergy production, evaluates agrotechnical measures to ensure adequate grass biomass yield and quality for biogas and fuel feedstock production, examines plant nutrient circulation in bioenergy crop production systems, and provides agronomic assessment of by-product – digestate and ash fertiliser for use in energy grass plantations. Chapter 2 - Materials and Methods includes two subchapters. The chapter describes the methodology of test establishment, the studied material, the observations and analyzes performed, describes the meteorological conditions and describes the statistical analysis of data. Chapter 3 - The results and discussion include six subsections. The chapter analyzes the obtained results on reed canary grass and festulolium yield and changes in yield structure and quality due to the use of different fertilisers, norms and regimes, performing grassland dry matter yield inventory by mowing once and twice a year. The remove of plant nutrients from soil with dry matter yield, as well as changes in soil agrochemical parameters due to fertilisation were evaluated. An economic evaluation of reed canary grass and festulolium fertilisation has been performed. The conclusions include answers to the research tasks. The paper contains 34 tables, 41 figures, 53 annexes and 353 scientific source references.

A NEW VARIETY AND PROMISING SAMPLES OF NURSERIES BREEDING GALEGA

Биоклиматический потенциал Псковской области позволяет ежегодно получать качественные семена практически всех видов многолетних злаковых и некоторых видов бобовых трав. Первостепенная роль в производстве кормов принадлежит сеянным травам как в полевом (площадь земель составляет 182,8 тыс. га), так и луговом кормопроизводстве (естественные сенокосы (230 тыс. га) и пастбищам (244 тыс. га). Основными направлениями в повышении продуктивности и улучшении качества кормовой базы, на наш взгляд, должны стать новые сорта многолетних трав, возделывание которых ведется с использованием современных агротехнологий. Селекционная работа по выведению новых сортов козлятника восточного ведется в 7 питомниках на полях ФГБНУ ФНЦ ЛК Обособленного подразделения г. Пскова. На каждом этапе селекционного процесса, в каждом питомнике выделены лучшие образцы по ряду хозяйственно ценных и морфологических признаков. На заключительной многолетней стадии, в питомнике конкурсного испытания высеяны сортообразцы, которые выделены из различных питомников с сохранением отличительных признаков, морфологических или хозяйственно-ценных. Селекционерами института создан новый сорт козлятника восточного Талисман (сортообразец №24), превышающий по продуктивности и качеству сорт-стандарт Кривич на 7-10%, в среднем за годы испытаний (5 лет) урожайность зеленой массы составила 38,1 т/га, сухой массы – 9,7 т/га, что выше стандарта на 11%. Семенная продуктивность в среднем за 5 лет была на уровне 4,5 ц/га. Содержание сырого протеина в сухом веществе данного сорта было на уровне от 20 до 22,0%. Выход сырого протеина с урожаем составил 1,9 т/га. The bioclimatic potential of the Pskov region makes it possible to annually obtain high-quality seeds of almost all types of perennial grasses and some types of legumes. The main role in feed production belongs to sown grasses both in the field (the land area is 182.8 thousand hectares) and in meadow forage production (natural hayfields (230 thousand hectares) and pastures (244 thousand hectares). In our opinion, the main directions for increasing productivity and improving the quality of the feed base should be new varieties of perennial grasses that are cultivated using modern agricultural technologies. Breeding work on breeding new varieties of Eastern goat is carried out in 7 nurseries in the fields of the Federal state budgetary scientific center of the LPR, a separate division, Pskov. At each stage of the breeding process, each nursery selects the best samples for a number of economically valuable and morphological characteristics. At the final multiyear stage, in the nursery of competitive tests, varietal samples were sown, which were isolated from various nurseries with the preservation of distinctive features, morphological or economically valuable. Breeders of the Institute have created a new variety of Eastern talisman goat (variety type No. 24), which exceeds the productivity and quality of the standard Krivich by 7-10% on average, over the years of testing (5 years), the yield of green mass was 38.1 t/ha, dry mass – 9.7 t/ha, which is 11% higher than the standard. Seed productivity on average for 5 years was at the level of 4.5 c/ha. The content of crude protein in the dry matter of this class was at the level of 20 to 22.0%. The yield of crude protein from this crop was 1.9 t/ha.

Ammonia-oxidizing bacterial communities are affected by nitrogen fertilization and grass species in native C4 grassland soils

Background Fertilizer addition can contribute to nitrogen (N) losses from soil by affecting microbial populations responsible for nitrification. However, the effects of N fertilization on ammonia oxidizing bacteria under C4 perennial grasses in nutrient-poor grasslands are not well studied. Methods In this study, a field experiment was used to assess the effects of N fertilization rate (0, 67, and 202 kg N ha−1) and grass species (switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)) on ammonia-oxidizing bacterial (AOB) communities in C4 grassland soils using quantitative PCR, quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, and high-throughput amplicon sequencing of amoA genes. Results Nitrosospira were dominant AOB in the C4 grassland soil throughout the growing season. N fertilization rate had a stronger influence on AOB community composition than C4 grass species. Elevated N fertilizer application increased the abundance, activity, and alpha-diversity of AOB communities as well as nitrification potential, nitrous oxide (N2O) emission and soil acidity. The abundance and species richness of AOB were higher under switchgrass compared to big bluestem. Soil pH, nitrate, nitrification potential, and N2O emission were significantly related to the variability in AOB community structures (p < 0.05).

Productivity of mountain bows of the carpathians depending on surface improvement measures

Purpose. To determine the peculiarities of formation of productivity, as well as the chemical composition, nutritional value and energy intensity of grass forage, depending on the measures of surface improvement of the meadows of the Carpathian mountain forest zone. Methods. Field works, laboratory, mathematical-statistical. Results. Productivity of haymaking and perennial mowing fluctuated on the range of 2.15–4.77 t/ha and 1.95–4.11 t/ha during the 3-year research of dry mass yield. Compared to the variants without additional sowing of grasses and fertilizer use, the highest productivity of haymaking was upon the additional sowing of cereal grass mixtures and applying of N60P30K60 – 12 % and 85 %, respectively. Productivity of perennial mowing increased upon the additional sowing of Trifolium repens and applying of P30K60 on 85 % and 111 % respectively. The best uniformity of distribution of biomass crop by slopes was obtained by the use of multifaceted use of creeping clover with the introduction of P30K60, when the proportion of 1st slope was 39%, 2nd - 33 and 3rd – 28% with unevenness, which is expressed by the coefficient variation - 18%. Among the measures of surface improvement on the quality of feed by chemical composition, increasing, first of all, the content of crude protein, influenced by the introduction of N60P30K60 or 15 t / ha of manure, and in the case of multi-grade use - the sowing of clover on the background P30K60. Irrespective of the measures of surface improvement, higher crude protein content, better energy consumption and nutritious nutritional value of feed were characterized by a multi-use (pasture imitation) mode of use than hay. Conclusions. For surface improvement of the meadows of the Carpathian mountain forest belt with natural herbage, the annual application of N60P30K60, or 15 t / ha of manure, or – N60P30K60 + sowing of a mixture of grass meadows and sapwood with sapwood, on the grass meadows, is a factor of increasing their productivity and improving the quality of herbage. use or – P30K60 + clover seeding for high quality use. The best positive effect is the application of mineral fertilizers in combination with sowing of perennial grasses.

Assessment of precursors and terms of tillage for soybeans by plant productivity in the Amur region

Soybean cultivation is the basis of agriculture in the Amur region. The area of soybean sowing is more than 74%, which leads to repeated sowing of soybeans and does not allow to fully realize the potential of cultivated varieties. The choice of predecessors and terms of tillage will increase the efficiency of soybean production in the region. The article presents the results of field ex-periments in the production conditions of agricultural enterprises of the Amur region. Plowing of perennial grasses in the first decade of July provides the highest yield of soybeans sown after perennial grasses. 24% more than plow-ing in the first decade of August. The tillage after perennial grasses to a depth of 12-14 cm with the BDM-8 discator and to a depth of 14-16 cm with the Morris cultivator can increase soybean yields by 39 and 22%, respectively. The choice of wheat as a precursor will improve productivity indicators and achieve yields greater than when cultivated in repeated crops by 25% and by 15% for the steam predecessor. Non-moldboard loosening of the soil after wheat to a depth of 14-16 cm at the end of April contributes to an increase in the productivity of soybean plants by 17.3% more than non-moldboard loos-ening at the end of May. Keywords: SOYBEAN, PREDECESSOR, PERENNIAL GRASSES, TILLAGE, PLANT PRODUCTIVITY, YIELD

EFFICIENT METHOD OF DNA ISOLATION FROM BULKING SAMPLES OF SEEDLINGS

Forage annual and perennial grasses are the difficult subject for molecular and genetic studies because of the problem with obtaining qualitative genomic DNA for PCR, due of high content of proteins, polysaccharides and polyphenols. The known methods of DNA extraction or the numerous commercial kits allow isolating purified nucleic acids from the leaf tissue, but characterized by low efficiency at seedlings using. The modified method of DNA isolation, based on the SDS-extraction buffer (sodium dodecil sulfate), is presented in this study. Significant modifications were introduced in the reagents compound and the steps of procedure accordingly to used type of plant tissue and the result was positive at usage on the bulking samples, as well as on the individual genotypes (the only seedling). Reliability of this method and the functionality of the obtained DNA samples were tested in PCR with different molecular markers (SSR, SRAP and PawS) in researches on revealing of forage legume grasses DNA polymorphism. The general advantages of the proposed method are simplicity and effectiveness, the possibility to isolate qualitative DNA without toxic reagents application, as well as relatively low cost and availability of reagents. This method can be useful for studying the genetic biodiversity and for decision the different tasks, required the rapid analysis of large plant populations.

Evaluation of Perennial Grass-legume Cropping Systems for Year-round Supply of Fodder for Dairy Farms

Background: Long-term and stable livestock productivity could be possible only through a year-round supply of quality green fodder and it is essential for the sustainability of dairy farms. The year-round supply of quality green fodder is challenging to livestock farmers; however, it is possible by adopting perennial grass-legume intercropping systems. Methods: A field experiment with eight treatments consisting of two perennial grasses (Napier- bajra hybrid grass and guinea grass) alone or in combination with three fodder legumes (Lucerne, Hedge Lucerne and Sesbania) was conducted for 3 years (2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19) in a sandy loam soil at the Agricultural Research Institute, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad. The treatments were replicated thrice in a randomized block design. Perennial grasses were raised in paired row method (row to row 120cm and plant to plant 60 cm. The legume intercrops were grown with their respective spacing within 120 cm row. Sesbania inter crop was allowed to grow for 6 months and later trimmed to a height of 1 meter in the establishment year. Growth parameters were measured only for grasses at each harvesting and green fodder, dry matter and crude protein yields were recorded for both grasses and legumes at each cut and accumulated annually (total 6 cuts/year) for statistical analyses. Result: The results indicated that among the grasses, Napier-bajra hybrid recorded significantly higher green fodder, dry matter and crude protein yields; in case of leguminous inter crops, Sesbania recorded highest green fodder, dry matter and crude protein yields followed by Hedge Lucerne. About total productivity of the system, Napier-bajra hybrid + Sesbania (2:1) cropping system recorded highest green fodder, dry matter and crude protein yields. Highest net returns and B:C ratio was also noted with Napier bajra hybrid +Sesbania (2:1) cropping system and proved to be the best perennial fodder system for year-round supply fodder to the livestock.

Towards the Biologization of Vegetable Farming in the Primorsky Territory

The main elements of the biologization of the agricultural system in the vegetable growing of the Russian Far East are described: pre-filling with fresh organic matter in the repair fields and on the layer of perennial grasses, with the introduction of crop rotations with sideral steam, the introduction of agrotechnical methods that ensure a zero or positive balance of humus in the soil of a vegetable plantation.