Analysis of the collection samples of Coriandrum sativum L. by valuable breeding indicators

Coriander is a valuable, highly profitable essential oil crop. Therefore, the development of new highly productive varieties is the main direction of breeding. The aim of the research was to study the collection of Coriandrum sativum L. (owner – Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea) by a complex of valuable traits to identify promising samples for breeding purposes. In 2017–2019, under the conditions of the Crimean Foothills (village of Krymskaya Roza, Belogorsky district), we analyzed 164 samples from 30 regions of the world. The territory of the experimental plots belongs to the upper foothill, warm, insufficiently humid agro-climatic region. To compare the parameters, we included five coriander varieties in our study. They were created in the Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea (‘Yantar’, ‘Ranniy’, ‘Nektar’, ‘Medun’ and ‘Silach’) and registered in the “State Register of Breeding Achievements Permitted for Use” of the Russian Federation. The work was guided by the methodological recommendations on essential oil crops breeding. Plot area – 0.6 m2, double replication. The analysis revealed high variability of the collection samples in terms of the main indicators of productivity: fruit yield (Cv = 37.2 %), content of essential oil (Cv = 51.3 %), yield of essential oil per unit area (Cv = 60.0 %). Optimal weather conditions for the accumulation of essential oil with a high content of linalool (the main component) are relatively low air humidity and increased temperature regime during flowering and fruit ripening. The following samples were identified as sources of valuable traits: vr. 341, vr. 757, vr. 756, vr. 387, VIR 415 with a mass fraction of essential oil in fruits at the level of 2.81–3.62 %; VIR 258, vr. 233, VIR 144, VIR 165, VIR 246, vr. 705 with a fruit yield that reached 52.0–73.9 g per plot. Five samples – VIR 348, VIR 421, VIR 180, VIR 431 and vr. 521 – provided a high amount of essential oil (0.90–1.23 g per plot) because of the combination of the increased yield and essential oil mass fraction.

ОЦЕНКА СОРТОВ ОЗИМОЙ ПШЕНИЦЫ ПО ПРИЗНАКУ «МАССОВАЯ ДОЛЯ БЕЛКА В ЗЕРНЕ»

Penza region is characterized by a diversity of natural and climatic zones and considerable variability of meteorological factors over the years. Therefore, the creation of high-yielding winter soft wheat varieties with high protein content in grain is one of the most significant challenges in this crop breeding. The purposes of this research are twofold: assess the ability of winter wheat varieties to form high-protein grain in various environmental conditions and isolate a valuable source material for breeding. The research objective is to evaluate winter wheat varieties by such indicator as “mass fraction of protein in grain”. The research was carried out from 2008 to 2017 in a forest-steppe zone of the Penza region. The soils of the experimental field – medium-humus medium-thick leached chernozem with the 35–40 cm depth of the plowing horizon. Ninety varieties of winter wheat from the world collection were the material for the research. The forecrop is black fallow. Square of experimental fields is 3 m2, triple replication. Seeding rate – 5.5 million germinating grains/ha. Standard – winter soft wheat variety ‘Fotinya’. Mass fraction of protein in grain in early ripening and mid-early varieties of winter wheat significantly differed from those of the mid-maturing group. Winter wheat varieties from the mid-ripening group were distinguished by a high protein content (on average 15.5 %), high yield (on average 3.8 t/ha), high yield of protein per hectare (on average 0.59 t/ha). According to the level of stress resistance, varieties ‘Fotinya’ and ‘Moskovskaya 39’ stood out (0.7 and 0.6, respectively). The following varieties are characterized by high genetic flexibility (15.3–16.2): ‘Fotinya’ (Penza region), ‘Moskovskaya 39’ (Moscow region), ‘Bezenchukskaya 380’ (Samara region), ‘Badulinka’ (Volgograd region), ‘Ershovskaya 25’ (Saratov region), ‘Zimorodok’, ‘Pobeda 50’ (Krasnodar Territory), ‘Zernogradka 8’, ‘Konkurent’ (Rostov Region). All the aforementioned varieties have less variability of a characteristic over the years (coefficient of variation – 3.2–9.7 %) and are recommended for use as a starting material for creating new forms.

Creation of clary sage cultivar using cell engineering methods. 2. Study of plant-regenerants at the stages of breeding process

Clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.) is a widely demanded essential oil plant. The products of its processing are used in medicine, perfumery and cosmetics, food industry, paint and varnish production. The main breeding tasks are to develop cultivars that combine high yield and quality of essential oil, resistant to abiotic and biotic stresses. All clary sage cultivars registered in the ‘State register of breeding achievements allowed for use’ Russian Federation were obtained on the basis of traditional methods. The initial breeding material of S. sclarea was obtained at the FSBSI “Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea” using methods of cell engineering (induction of somaclones from callus cultures, obtaining hybrids in embryoculture and cell selection for resistance to osmotic stress). The aim of this work was to study the main economic and morphometric parameters of clary sage samples created using various biotechnological methods at the main stages of the breeding process. As a material for research, we used samples obtained in vitro using three biotechnological methods – regenerants (R2-R3) from calli of ‘C-785’ and ‘Taigan’ cultivars, obtained in isolated embryo culture hybrids (Salvia sclarea L. x S. grandiflora Etling.) and forms selected in embryoculture on a selective medium with an osmotic (mannitol or NaCl). When studying 10 sage samples (seed progeny of regenerants) in the breeding nursery (2012–2014), three that exceeded the control cultivar ‘Taigan’ in terms of basic economic characteristics were identified. The collection of essential oil from them was 1.2-1.4 times higher than in the control. In the nursery of competitive variety trials (2016–2019), when studying three samples (No. R3-1-6, 226-08 and 1-01), No. R3-1-6 was selected for a number of indicators. This sample is seed progeny of regenerant obtained by the induction of morphogenesis from callus. A characteristic feature of this sample was an increase in the number of lateral shoots per inflorescence by 41.1 %, which contributed to an increase in the mass of inflorescences. By the yield of inflorescences (162.0 c/ha) and the collection of essential oil (51.5 kg/ha), No. R3-1-6 exceeded control by 24.9 % and 43.9 %, respectively. The patent on the new clary sage cultivar ‘Selinzh’ (No. R3-1-6), in the creation of which the method of cell engineering was used for the first time, was received.

Potassium status of sod-podzolic loamy soils

Potassium is one of the essential plant nutrients. Despite numerous surveys, some issues related to the transformation of potassium in soils require additional study. The purpose of the research was to study the potassium transformation in sod-podzolic loamy soils and its entry into plants influenced by various farming methods in long-term field experiments of different duration. Field experiments were conducted at the experimental station of the FSBSI “Pryanishnikov Institute of Agrochemistry” located in the Moscow region, Domodedovo district, village of Barybino. To study the potassium status, an archive of soil samples created in the Geographical Network of Experiments with Fertilizers was used. Soil samples were collected in long-term field experiments after their closure (experiment SH-8, year of laying – 1971–1973, duration – 14 years) or modification (experiment SH-5, year of laying – 1964-1966, duration – 28 years). The experimental schemes included the systematic introduction of various fertilizing systems (organic, mineral, organo-mineral) and the determination of their impact on crop rotation productivity and soil fertility. Previous studies have shown that the formation of the crop yield in the context of long-term potassium deficiency burdened by the absence of fertilization was chiefly due to the consumption of non-exchangeable potassium by plants. For the 14–year period, the annual use of non-exchangeable potassium in the control and NP variants was 62.0-63.0 kg K2O/ha. As potassium reserves in the soil of the control variant become depleted (longer experiment), its assimilation from the non-exchangeable form decreased by 1.6 times and amounted to 39.5 kg K2O/ha. The use of a mineral fertilizing system (potassium dose < 90 kg/ha for 14 years) increased the annual mobilization of the non-exchangeable form of the element (over 100 kg/ha of K2O). The transformation of soil potassium forms that differed in the degree of their availability for plants was determined by the fertilizing systems, the doses of potassium fertilizers in the systems, as well as the duration of the experiments.

Botanical composition dynamics in fodder agrophytocenoses based on legume-cereal herbs

Various ecological and biological factors, including the composition of grass mixtures in crop rotation, affect the state of agrophytocenosis. The purpose of the research was to reveal the regularities of changes in the botanical composition of crops in forage agrophytocenoses depending on the duration of perennial legume-cereal grasses cultivation. The experiment was conducted according to B. A. Dospekhov’s “Methods of field research” on the experimental field of the Mari Research Institute of Agriculture, a branch of the FSBSI “Federal Agricultural Research Center of the North-East” in 2013–2018. In a two-factor field experiment, we studied the botanical composition dynamics in three six-field grain-grass crop rotations and goat-rump grass mixture (Factor A) with and without nitrogen fertilizing against the background of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers (Factor B). Soil of the experimental plots – sod-podzolic mid loamy. The meteorological conditions of the growing seasons were often unfavorable; therefore, the crops were strongly suppressed. The most drought-resistant species (sunflower, winter rye, alfalfa and barley with a mass fraction of 55 %, 97 %, 20 % and 96 %, respectively) had an advantage over weeds in grass mixtures by weight in the spring-summer period during the third rotation of the studied crop rotations. Plants of red clover and white mustard in the catch crop were strongly suppressed by drought. The clover-alfalfa-timothy grass mixture was replaced by forbs from 36 % in mass in the first year of use with a step of 23 % in subsequent years. After the 15-year usage, the second component in the grass mixture monocrop (Galega orientalis Lam. + Bromus inermis Leyss) completely dropped out. Non-sown grasses faster replaced the crop components of the herbage on the fields without nitrogen fertilizing. Thus, the crop rotation fields with the richly diverse crops composition and the nitrogen application were infested with fewer weeds (4.0–10.6 % by mass).

Improving efficiency of operational control in the expert evaluation of grain quality

Traditional methods for evaluating sowing and technological characteristics of grain do not sufficiently reveal the caryopsis internal structure damages. They can only be recorded using the microfocus soft X-ray radiography method. The aim of this work was, with the help of X-ray, to evaluate the hidden integrity of the caryopsis structure (including the period of the post-harvest maturation) to increase the efficiency of expert assessment of the degree of economic suitability of grain batches. Seeds of Hordеum vulgare L. variety ‘Suzdalets’ harvested in 2015 in the Gatchina and Vsevolozhsk districts of the Leningrad region, malting barley from the Morskoy Port St. Petersburg (2015–2016), as well as corn grain (Zea mais L.) harvested in 2010 and 2011 were the objects of the research. Grain, which is for feed use only, was provided by the poultry farm “Severnaya”. The poultry farm “Roskar” provided samples harvested in 2017. We used the microfocus radiography method combined with a visual analysis of digital X-ray images to detect hidden grain defects. Experimental data on the evaluation of quality and biosafety of barley and maize grain for various purposes determined by radiographic signs of hidden damage are presented. The survey highlighted several key points: the seed lots obtained in the Vsevolozhsk district had a low total level of hidden defects (39 %); in the seed lots obtained in the Gatchina district, this figure was significantly higher (> 140 %). The germination rate for these options, determined six months after harvesting, turned out to be 89 and 74 %, respectively; it was higher for batches of seeds with a small value of the total indicator of hidden defects. Samples, the total level of hidden defects of which was lower (29 %), had a higher germination index (97 %) compared to the same in seed samples with a total level of hidden defects 70 % or more (85–90 %). X-ray analysis of corn grain samples obtained at the poultry farm “Roskar” revealed that the amount of grain with defects in the embryo (hidden germination) compared with the same in grain lots from the poultry farm “Severnaya” was low and varied from 17 to 29 %. The index of the hidden fissuring rate in these samples was not reliably recorded. However, we detected such internal grain damage as enzyme mycosis depletion (64 to 98 %). Research results are the basis for the development of new engineering and technical solutions for the “gentle” agricultural technologies to obtain batches of high-quality non-injured grain that ensure high competitiveness in the global grain market.

Chromatographic profiles of antifungal exo- and endometabolites of Bacillus velezensis

The antifungal activity of the Bacillus bacteria is based on their ability to produce metabolites. Therefore, when selecting a strain that produces an effective biofungicide, it is necessary to assess the metabolism of bacteria. The aim of this work is to isolate exo- and endometabolites of the promising B. velezensis BZR 336g and B. velezensis BZR 517 strains and assess their antifungal activity. Studies were carried out in 2020–2021. The object of the study is a liquid culture of the B. velezensis BZR 336g and B. velezensis BZR 517 strains. Methods of liquid extraction, ascending thin layer chromatography (TLC), bioautography with a test-culture of Fusarium oxysporum var. orthoceras and Alternaria sp. fungi were used to analyze metabolites. The ability of the strains to accumulate a complex of active metabolites showing antifungal effect from fungistatic to fungicidal action was revealed. On the bioautogram of exometabolites, we found two most pronounced zones (Rf 0.18 and 0.29) of Fusarium oxysporum var. orthoceras BZR P1 growth inhibition (fungicide). Zones with Rf 0.58 for B. velezensis BZR 336g and Rf 0.70 for B. velezensis BZR 517 correspond to the test fungus growth retardation (fungistatic). Significant suppression of Alternaria sp. BZR P8 growth was also observed in two zones (Rf 0.18 and 0.29). The use of surfactin, iturin A, fengycin (Sigma-Aldrich®) in the TLC analysis made it possible to detect similar lipopeptides in the composition of metabolite complexes produced by the studied bacteria. It should be noted that the studied strains differed both in their ability to produce metabolites of different structure (can be found when analyzing chromatograms under ultraviolet light) and in their effect on phytopathogenic fungi in vitro. This may indicate possible differences in the mechanism of antagonistic activity of bacteria against phytopathogenic fungi. Thus, B. velezensis BZR 336g and B. velezensis BZR 517 produce a significant set of antifungal metabolites and can be used as strains to produce effective biofungicides.

Physiological aspects of drought resistance of cherry varieties

There is an abnormal increase in average summer temperature in the southern region (Krasnodar Territory). This, more than ever, actualizes the problem of identifying drought-resistant varieties of fruit crops, including cherry. The purpose of this research was to study the physiological indicators of water regime: loss of water, water-holding capacity, leaf water content, abscisic acid content in leaves of different varieties of Cerasus vulgaris Mill., which determine resistance to temperature stress, as well as to identify the most drought-tolerant varieties to optimize the range of varieties for the south of our country. The studies were carried out in 2018–2019 in the Prikuban fruit-growing zone of the Krasnodar Territory. Sixteen varieties of Cerasus vulgaris Mill. were the objects of the research. Varieties ʻKrasnodarskaya sladkayaʼ and ʻKazachkaʼ served as a control. Planting schemes – 6 × 4 m and 5 × 3 m. Soil – chernozems leached. pHwater – 6.8–7.22. Humus content – 3.47 %. In summer, meteorological conditions were characterized by an abnormal temperature rise (up to 39.3 ℃) and extended periods of drought. Studying of water regime was carried out according to the modified methodology of M. D. Kushnerenko using the gravimetric method. In laboratory experiments, we used the capillary electrophoresis “Kapel 104 P” (power supply with a positive polarity; equipped with a photometric detector; set wavelength – 254 nm). In the course of the research, we revealed that the water content in cherry leaves during the period of the adverse draught (in July) was 57.9 %; in the context of studied cherry varieties, it varied insignificantly (Cv = 4.4 %). For two hours, the loss of water by the leaf apparatus was not high – from 6.5 % to 11.9 % with a low coefficient of variation by varieties (Cv = 1.9 %). The water-holding capacity of leaf tissues was 19.6 %, the range of variability of which was insignificant by varieties (Cv = 18.0–24.2 %). The average content of abscisic acid in cherry leaves was 4.3 mg/kg and varied depending on the studied cherry varieties within the range of 1.5–14.2 mg/kg. According to the complex of physiological indicators of the water regime (low water loss (6.5–7.9 %), high water-holding capacity (19.4–24.2 %) and leaf water content (58.1–61.9 %), as well as increased abscisic acids content (11.0–14.2 mg/kg)), such cherry varieties/cultivars as ʻDuke Ivanovnaʼ, ʻDuke Khodosaʼ, ʻFeyaʼ, ʻMolodezhnayaʼ and ʻErdi Botermoʼ were classified as highly drought-resistant. They are recommended for expanding the range of adaptive cherry varieties/cultivars in the southern part of Russia.

Modifications of Phytoseiidae mite breeding methods to suppress spider mite

Populations of mites from the Tetranychidae family are characterized as high-resistant to acaricides, which, in turn, leads to an increase in the pesticide load on the agrocenoses ecosystem. Carnivorous arthropods from the Phytoseiidae family can be used as an alternative pest control. Our research aimed at improving the methods of breeding, storage and use of predatory mites against Tetrahychus urticae Koch. In 2015–2018, work was being undertaken to define the optimum thickness of the substrate layer (2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 cm) for breeding the food object – Acaris farus Oud. We also assessed the effect of the fodder substrate composition (wheat bran – control, wheat bran + soybean meal – experimental variant) on the population density of Amblyseius andersoni Chant. In 2016–2019, experiments on the storage of Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes, Neoseiulus cucumeris Oud. and Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot at 4 °C (control – no storage) were carried out. In 2018–2019, to control Tetrahychus urticae Koch. in the soybean field, a mixture of N. cucumeris and A. andersoni was used according to the method of introduction into natural foci of prey. The optimum thickness of the substrate layer was found to be 4 cm. In this case, it was possible to obtain 6,983 mites in 1 cm3 for 7 days. Soybean meal addition increased the number of A. andersoni by 22.3 % compared to control (263 ind. vs 204 ind. per cm3). 30–45 days – an effective storage period for N. barkeri, 30 days – for N. cucumeris, no more than 10 days – for A. swirskii. On average, in 2018–2019, N. cucumeris and A. andersoni mixture reduced the number of T. urticae. The number of spider mites in the control variant was 14.6, in the experimental one – 5.3 ind./leaf. No predatory activity was observed on eggs. To prevent the development of spider mites, it is necessary to use N. cucumeris and A. andersoni at least twice with an interval of 5–7 days.

Evaluation of triticale variety samples by crop structure elements

Breeding improvement of triticale requires the search for genetic sources for hybridization. Our research aims at identifying high-yielding genotypes of winter triticale and determining the influence of structural elements on this indicator to optimizing selection during the breeding process. In 2014–2018, fifty variety samples of triticale were studied in the North Caucasus Federal Agricultural Research Centre. Soil – ordinary chernozem, medium loamy, medium-thick, low-humus. Black fallow preceded all × Triticosecale Wittmack samples. The experiment was laid having only one replication. The area of the plot was 1 m2. Triticale variety ‘Valentin 90’ served as a standard. We identified 25 medium-yielding and 25 high-yielding varieties. Grain yield in the first group was lower than in the second one and amounted to 784 ± 191 g/m2 and 1024 ± 202 g/m2, respectively. High-yielding samples exceeded the average-yielding ones in the number of spikelets (32.0 ± 2.17 and 31.2 ± 2.18 pieces), grains per ear (69.1 ± 13.0 and 64.5 ± 10.6 pieces) and weight of grain per ear (3.26 ± 0.61 and 3.00 ± 0.61 g). The yield and weight of grain per ear vary significantly (Cv > 20 %). Ear size, number of grains in the ear and spikelet, 1000 grain weight and triticale ear density do not vary much (Cv > 10 %). The most stable trait is the number of spikelets per ear (Cv < 10 %). A weak positive correlation was observed between the yield and number of grains per spikelet (r = 0.18 ± 0.06), yield and ear (r = 0.22 ± 0.06), as well as yield and weight of grain per ear (r = 0.29 ± 0.06). In the group of high-yielding variety samples, there was a reliable weak negative correlation between the yield and number of spikelets per ear (r = −0.32 ± 0.08), between the yield and ear density (r = −0.24 ± 0.09). Grain yield of more than 1.000 g/m2 had the following variety samples – ‘Ugo’, ‘RAH 121/04’, ‘Kitaro’, ‘Tewo’, ‘Ratne’, ‘Slavetne’, ‘Adas’, ‘Dar Belorussii’, ‘Dinamo’, ‘Dinaro’, ‘Liniya 71’, ‘Lamberto’, ‘PRAG 203/1’, ‘Nemchinovsky 1’ and ‘Valentin 90’ (standard).