Results and perspectives of selection of naked oat varieties in the Northern Steppe of Ukraine

The results and prospects of selection of naked oat varieties in the conditions of the Northern Steppe of Ukraine were given. The problems and main directions of creating of new initial material were determined. The high-yielding, large-grain genotypes (Thousand Grain Weight was to 25.3–29.1 g) such as Abel, Rhea, Nuprime, Plater, Adam, Biloruskyi, Pushkinskyi, Hosha, Kriepysh resistant to abiotic factors were used in hybridization, and allowed to create a new hybrid combinations of naked oats. We established that the cultivars significantly differed from each other in the spikelets and grains number per plant, however not always these features quite affected the plant productivity. Thus, it is proved that the set of features such as number of spikelets in the panicle, number of grains in the spikelet and the grain size determines the plant productivity. The best initial forms of naked oats by biological and economic features were specified. The characteristics of the new initial material were highlighted, and the results of breeding work were presented. The naked oat cultivars were selected in the control nursery: Ск 1024/10, Рс 72/09, Сс 732/10, their grain yield (2.59–2.66 t/ha) significantly exceeded the standard variety (by 0, 35–0.42 t/ha) on average for 3 years. The most productive cultivars by protein content (15.9–16.2 %) were Рс 72/09, СС 1136/09, Сс 732/10 and Сп 234/10. The average yield (2.58 t/ha) of Rodonit naked oat variety exceeded the Skarb Ukrainy national standard variety by 0.33 t/ha or by 14.7 % according to the three-year competitive variety test. Since 2019, Rodonit has been understate variety testing. The protein content of 16.1 % and the starch of 49.0 % were in the grain, and the number of hulled grains did not exceed 3.0 %. The growing season of Rodonit variety was 91 days which was three days longer than the standard variety. Key words: oat, variety, hybridization, selection, yield, hybrid combinations.

Selection of drought-resistant crops for South Steppe of Ukraine

The cultivation expediency of more drought-resistant crops, in particular sorghum, millet, false flax, safflower and others, instead of sunflower in the area of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine is substantiated. This is, first of all, required by climate change both in Ukraine and in the world. Since 2004, researches of field crops were carried out in the conditions of the Educational and Scientific Practical Center of the Mykolaiv National Agrarian University. Soil phase is the southern chernozem with humus content in the 0–30 cm soil layer which consist of 2.96–3.21 %, with medium and high level of availability of mobile phosphorus and potassium and low – mobile nitrogen. Experiments with soriz (Oksamyt hybrid) were conducted during 2004–2006, millet (Tavriiske, Kostantynivske, Skhidnevarieties) in 2008–2010, grain sorghum (Stepovyi 5 hybrid) in 2014–2016, safflower dye (Lahidnyi variety) in 2017–2019. The years of research differed significantly in temperature and even more in the amount of precipitation before sowing and during the growing season of crops. However, the weather conditions were typical of the Southern Steppe zone of Ukraine. It is established that all studied drought-resistant crops respond positively to nutrition optimization – the level of yield and quality of grain or seeds increases. It was found that the soriz productivity depending on the application of fertilizers and sowing dates increased by 37.6–39.2 %, millet –by 33.3–41.6 %, grain sorghum depending on the background of nutrition and growing conditions – by 8.2–33.2 %, dye safflower – by 11.1–64.6 %. It was determined that the optimization of nutrition of cultivated crops allows to increase their resistance to adverse conditions and productivity in the case of application of low doses of the mineral fertilizers before sowing, pre-sowing treatment of seeds, and growth-regulating chemical application of plants on the main stages of the growing season. Key words: drought-resistant plants, climatic conditions, nutrition optimization, yield, crop quality, varieties, sowing dates.

Influence of abiotic factors on seed quality of maize hybrids in the process of its storage

The research results of influence of various abiotic factors on seed quality of maize hybrids during long storage are given. The most effective of them are: temperature regime, seed moisture content and oxygen access. The storage methods (dry and cold, and controlled atmosphere storage) that have the greatest impact on the seed quality were established. It was found that the optimal moisture content of seed depends on the storage duration, if for 1–2 years – 10–11 %, 3 years and more – 7–8 %. In order to stabilize the moisture content, it is recommended to store the seeds in airtight containers, limiting the humidity access from the outside. During the long-term seed storage, particularly for the breeding purposes, the temperature range should advisably maintain within 8–10 °C in seed storage place. With that the laboratory germination of seeds increased by 3–5 %, field germination – by 6–8 %, growth rate by number of sprouts– by 5–9 % and by the weight of sprouts – by 2–5 g compared to the 18–20 °C temperature in a typical storage. Methods of pre-sowing improvement of seed quality were established – it is separation and chemical treatment (seed dressing). Separation is the sifting of the seed mass through sieves with round holes in order to divide from the smallest fraction, the content of which was 15–23 % depending on the seed uniformity of maize hybrids. It was found that in order to assess objectively the effectiveness of different chemicals and establish their suitability for presowing seed treatment, it is necessary to determine laboratory germination, especially the growth rate by the number of sprouts and weight of 100 sprouts. Premature chemical treatment of seed should be avoided. Key words: maize hybrids, storage methods, abiotic factors, seed quality, presowing treatment.

Formation characteristics of watermelon seed productivity under intercropping

Characteristics of watermelon seed formation in intercropping were studied. Different growing methods of watermelon seeds depending on its interaction with intercrops (sugar maize and common bean) and their planting schemes in melon fields were investigated. The developed elements of the watermelon seed growing technology reduced the impact of high temperatures on this melon crop (the number of fruits with sunburn decreased by 7.1 % compared to control). The results of phenological observations and analysis of yield components, seed productivity and quality of Favoryt watermelon variety in the intercropping with sugar maize and common bean were presented. It was established that the developed elements of the watermelon growing technology in intercropping under high temperatures and low relative air humidity in the Northern Steppe of Ukraine increased of watermelon yield and the full-value seed formation. It was found that intercropping of watermelon with sweet corn under proper cultivation gave positive results (watermelon seed yield gain by 12.4 % and 0.7 t/ha ears of sweet maize in milky-wax ripeness were received additionally), and with common bean (watermelon seed yield gain by 8.9 % and additional 75 kg/ha of beans). Methods and planting schemes of watermelon and intercrops were established: sugar maize in the rows of watermelon according to scheme 2.8 x 1 m, common bean in the rows of watermelon according to scheme 1.4 x 0.5 m. It was found that under intercropping of watermelon with sweet maize the full-value seed yield per one fruit increased up to 88.5 %, and with common bean – to 84.9 %. Key words: watermelon, sugar maize, common bean, intercropping, seed yield.

Maize grain yield formation depending on macro- and microfertilizers

The research results of the foliar fertilization influence with different levels of mineral nutrition on the maize grain yield were presented, and the economic efficiency of growing of grain products was clarified. It was found that when increasing the mineral fertilizer dose from N30P30K30 to N45P45K45 and N60P60K60, the height of plants increased by 3 and 7 cm, the leaf surface area of one plant – by 4.8 and 10.9 %, respectively. Due to foliar fertilization, the height of plants increased by 2–5 cm, and the leaf area changed insignificantly. Depending on the background of mineral nutrition, it was accounted 98–99 ears per 100 maize plants, and in the case of foliar fertilization – 98–100 ears. The maize grain yield on the background of N30P30K30 was 7.56 t/ha, on the background of N45P45K45 and N60P60K60 – 8.65 and 8.68 t/ha, respectively. In the control variant (without spraying) the yield was 7.77 t/ha, and when plants fertilizing with urea (15 kg/ha) – 8.09 t/ha. The grain yield in the variants with maize plant fertilizing with a mixture of urea and micronutrients reached to 8.30–8.78 t/ha. The prime cost of 1 ton of maize grain when growing on the background of N30P30K30 was 1808 UAH, with increasing the fertilizer dose to N45P45K45 and N60P60K60 – 1781 and 1903 UAH, respectively. In the control variant, it was equal to 1828 UAH, in the variants under maize fertilization with urea (15 kg/ha) or a mixture of urea and micronutrients – 1827–1836 UAH. The conditional profit on the background of N30P30K30 was 21878 UAH/ha, it enlarged to 24264–25265 UAH/ha in the case of fertilizer dose increasing. In the control variant (without spraying) the conditional profit was equal to 22310 UAH/ha, when plants were fertilized with urea (15 kg/ha) – 23257 UAH/ha, with a mixture of urea and micronutrients – 23823–25155 UAH/ha. The highest level of profitability (163.9 %) was on the background of N45P45K45; the impact of foliar fertilization on this indicator was insignificant. Key words: maize, fertilizers, foliar fertilization, grain yield, economic efficiency.

Influence of fertilizer systems on spring barley yield under conditions of the Right Bank Forest Steppe

The research results of the influence of fertilizer systems on the productivity of spring barley in the Right-bank Forest Steppe were presented. Traditionally fertilized backgrounds were studied: mineral, organic and organomineral (with half fertilizer rates of previous backgrounds), and the alternative to organic matter was cereal straw and biomass of green manure crops. The best backgrounds and optimal fertilizer systems for high level of grain yield were determined. The main factors that formed the productive plant density of spring barley were the rates and types of fertilizers. The improving of plant nutrition due to using of organic and mineral fertilizers led to an increase in the productive plant density in the agrocenosis and the competitiveness of plants, the reducing of weed infestation. Depending on the type of fertilizer, the grain yield of spring barley changed. Based on the research results, it was found that the combination of traditional fertilization with the application of alternative types of organic matter increased the grain yield of barley spring compared to the control variant on mineral background within 1.61–2.04 t/ha, organic – 1.69–2.14 t/ha, organomineral – 1.79–2.19 t/ha. At the same time, the yield indicators had a range: 4.86–5.29 t/ha on the mineral, 4.94–5.39 t/ha – organic and 5.04–5.44 t/ha organomineral background. The highest yield of spring barley was provided by a combined fertilizer system with half norms both mineral fertilizer and manure against the background of the afteraction of predecessor straw with compensatory dose of N10/t and green manure biomass of white mustard as organic fertilizer, and equaled of 5.44 t/ha (yield gain was 2.19 t/ha compared to control). The optimal fertilizer systems to increase of spring barley yield in conditions of the Right Bank Forest Steppe are combined mineral, organic and organomineral fertilizer systems, which include the use of traditional fertilizers: the action of mineral fertilizers and the afteraction of manure, as well as alternative fertilizers – the straw of predecessor with a compensatory dose of N10/t in combination with the white mustard biomass. Keywords: spring barley, predecessor by-products, mineral fertilizers, yield, fertilizer systems, grain quality.

Features of accumulation and consumption of soluble carbohydrates by plants of soft winter wheat varieties

The results of three-year research (2016–2019) conducted in the fields of the State Enterprise Experimental Farm "Dnipro" of the SЕ Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS of Ukraine with soft winter wheat was presented. The soft winter wheat was placed on black fallow (on background of N30P60K30) and after sunflower (on background of N60P60K60). It was found that winter wheat plants had a not the same ability to accumulate soluble carbohydrates in years with different weather conditions. The analysis of plant samples showed that the largest number of these substances had synthesized in the autumn 2017. It was found that in the plots with black fallow during the period from November 20, 2017 to January 10, 2018, the amount of soluble carbohydrates (total amount of mono- and disaccharides) in the tillering nodes of winter wheat plants of Uzhynok variety decreased from 41.2 % to 34.7 % (by 6.5 %), Nyva Odeska variety – from 43.9 % to 32.7 % (by 11.2 %), Kokhanka variety – from 45.0 % to 42.6 % (only by 2.4 %). From January 10 until the resumption of spring vegetation, the carbohydrates were consumed most intensively by plants of the Uzhynok and Kokhanka varieties. It was found that despite the lower doses of mineral fertilizers applied to presowing cultivation, winter wheat plants accumulated more soluble carbohydrates in all years after black fallow than after sunflower. On average for three years of research, the highest consumption of sugars during the winter both in leaves and in tillering nodes, regardless of the forecrop, was observed in plants of the Uzhynok variety. It was found that the winter wheat plants of Kokhanka variety consumed soluble carbohydrates more economically than the Uzhynok and Nyva Odeska varieties, and grew more intensively in early spring. The content of sugars in the tillering nodes of Kokhanka variety during resumption of spring vegetation was 28.4 % for black fallow and 25.9 % after non-fallow forecrop. Key words: winter wheat, variety, soluble carbohydrates, forecrop, background of nutrition.

Influence of ice crust on frost resistance and survival of winter wheat in the Steppe of Ukraine

The features of the effect both separately and together of lapped ice crust and low temperatures on winter wheat plants was highlighted. During the research period (2017–2019), the plants of the Mudrist Odeska variety which were damaged by low temperature and ice crust began to ear by 3–6 days later than undamaged ones. It was found that under unfavorable wintering conditions, in particular in plots without snow, the plant density per area unit and productive tillering, as well as grain productivity of the crop, largely depended on the degree of winter hardiness of plants. After growing of winter wheat which was frozen in laboratory conditions (without lapped ice crust) at a temperature of -15 °C, all plants survived, when the temperature dropped to -18 °C, 16.3 % of plants died. A further drop in temperature to -21 °C caused the loss of 81.7 % of plants. Against the background of artificially created lapped ice crust, the tillering nodes of the winter wheat plant were more damaged and, accordingly, the survival rate of plants decreased compared to variants without lapped ice crust, and at a freezing temperature of -15 °C its indicators were 69.8–92.0 %; at a temperature of -18 °C – 12.6–74.5 % depending on the thickness of the ice crust. When the cryogenic load increased to -21 °C, winter wheat died under the ice crust. During the growing season, in variants of mineral nutrition with a dose of N60P60K60, the death of winter wheat shoots compared with the non-fertilized control variant was less by 4.9–23.1 %. The dynamics of the soluble carbohydrate content in the tillering nodes indicates that at the resumption of spring vegetation the minimum consumption of carbohydrates by plants (30.8% of autumn reserves) was observed in variants with N60P60K60 fertilization. In the plots without snow cover under the lapped ice crust, carbohydrates were intensively consumed by plants, as a result, their amount in the tillering nodes during the winter period decreased on non-fertilized and fertilized variants by 58.5 and 61.2 %, respectively. Key words: winter wheat, frost resistance, mineral fertilizers, ice crust, productivity, survival.

An overview of innovative developments from the scientific provision of plant selection to resistance to diseases and pests

The Institute of Plant Protection of NAAS developed methods of plant selection for resistance to major pathogens and assessment methodology the resistance of winter wheat, potatoes, clover and alfalfa to pests to create complex resistant varieties. Donors of potato resistance to cancer, Alternaria, Phomosis and cyst-forming nematodes were identified. Methods for determining the resistance of cereals to high and low temperatures were developed. A collection of the Aegilops biuncialis L. wild wheat samples as sources of new resistance genes to plant diseases and pests was compiled. The soft winter wheat resistance genes to diseases by DNA markers were identified at the Institute of Plant Production named after V. Ya. Yuriev. The V. M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat formed a set of winter wheat cultivars with group and complex resistance to diseases and pests. The Institute of Oilseed Crops of NAAS established physiological and biochemical mechanisms of resistance of sunflower, soybean, crown flax to pathogens. Collections of sunflower lines based on complex resistance to sunflower broomrape, dry rot, downy mildew and soybean lines based on complex resistance to white rot and Anthracnose were also created. In the National Scientific Center "Institute of Agriculture of NAAS", the fodder lupine resistance to the most important pathogens was investi-gated. The Institute of Agriculture in the Carpathian Region of NAAS revealed the spring barley, oat, rape, fiber flax varieties and selection numbers resistant to basic diseases; and the Institute of Rice of NAAS – rice cultivars resistant to diseases and pest pathogens. The resistance to main phytophagous insects of the modern genotypes of hemp, fiber flax and crown flax was assessed by the Institute of Agriculture of the North-East of NAAS. The assessment method of breeding value for the initial material of the main vegetables on the basis of disease resistance was developed by the Institute of Vegetables and Melons Growing of NAAS. Scientists of the Institute of Agroecology and Environmental Management of NAAS and V. M. RemesloMyronivka Institute of Wheat of NAAS revealed the cucumber and barley resistance to viral diseases. Key words: crops, pests, pathogens, resistance, resistance gene, resistance source.

Аdaptive properties and selection value of the collection genotypes of winter wheat by the features of ear productivity.

In the conditions of the global climate change, it is important to find the donors of the adaptive properties among the existing initial material of wheat, because only on the basis of the targeted selection of the parental components for crossbreeding it can be expected to obtain the selection material with the specified parameters of adaptability. The purpose of this research was to assess the collection samples of soft winter wheat by the features of ear productivity and to establish the adaptive peculiarities by these features. The results of a three-year (2014–2016) study of the level of implementation and variability of the ear productivity features – ear length, ear weight, number of ear spikelets, number of ear grains and grain weight from the ear have been presented in the article, and also the indices of homeostaticity (Hom) and selection value (Sc) of the studied wheat genotypes by these features have been calculated. The object of the research was 45 varieties and 9 selection lines of different genetic and ecological and geographical origin. As the result of the conducted researches, the existence of a significant difference between the collection genotypes of wheat has been established both by the level of the ear productivity development features and their variability during the years of the research. The maximum development level of the ear productivity features had 6 species (Hordovyta, Stanichnaya, Legenda, Pereyaslavka, Oksana, Liryka). By the vast majority of the features, the average level exceeded 7 varieties and 2 selection lines (Rosinka Tarasovskaya, Banga, Venera, Volnitsa, Masha, Krasota, Ebi, Kiu-07, 89-I/2). The homeostaticity index characterizes the ability of the genotype to minimize the negative influence of the environmental factors. It has been established that the collection samples of soft winter wheat had different levels of homeostaticity features of ear productivity. Some collection varieties of wheat had a high level of homeostaticity by certain features of ear productivity, but a low or medium development level of the features themselves. Some genotypes were characterized by high values of both homeostaticity and features development level. The greatest value is represented by the genotypes in which high homeostaticity and selection value is combined with a high level of productivity features development – Zdobna, Dobirna, Zapashna, Dbailyva, Fermerka, Krasota, Masha, Stanichnaya, Oda, Legenda, Kyu99, 89-I/2, etc. These genotypes can be used as the donors of a high level of ear productivity with their high homeostaticity. Thus, as the result of the conducted researches, we have established different nature of the manifestation and variability of the ear productivity features of the collection genotypes of soft winter wheat of different genetic origin. The conducted assessment of the homeostaticity and selection value of the productivity features allowed identifying a number of the varieties and selection lines of wheat that can be used in the combination selection as the donors of high ear productivity in the complex of adaptability have been carried out. Key words: soft winter wheat, genotype, ear productivity, homeostatic, adaptability, selection value.