Bulletin of Sumy National Agrarian University. The series: Agronomy and Biology

GERMINATION OF PUMPKIN SEEDS UNDER CD STRESS

2025-03-21T11:43:09+02:00

Cadmium is a non essential element for plant growth, and its accumulation in plants can cause damage to a certain extent. The accumulation of heavy metals not only inhibits the growth and development of plants, but also threatens human health through the food chain. Therefore, the problem of heavy metal pollution cannot be ignored. Studies have shown that grafting can reduce the accumulation of cadmium in Pumpkin fruits, such as eggplants, providing new ideas for mitigating the impact of heavy metal pollution on agricultural products. Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata (Duchesne ex Lam.) Duchesne ex Poir.) as an important vegetable crop, it has a well-developed root system and good affinity, and is often used as a grafting rootstock for melon crops. Seed germination is a crucial stage for evaluating plant cadmium tolerance. The evaluation of plant tolerance to heavy metals during germination is a widely recognized method internationally. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of cadmium stress on pumpkin seed germination and the tolerance of different pumpkin varieties to heavy metal cadmium under the same concentration (8mg/L-1 Cd2+) of heavy metal cadmium stress, in order to screen pumpkin resources that are tolerant to heavy metal cadmium stress and provide a basis for further screening of pumpkin rootstocks that are tolerant to heavy metal cadmium pollution. The research results indicate that cadmium has a significant impact on the germination status of some combinations of seeds, while the impact on other combinations is relatively small, such as: Hetou a2×041-1, Hetou a2×360-3, and Yanbian-2×041-1 have high relative germination rates, with Yanbian-3×041-1 having the highest relative germination potential, Yanbian-3×041-1 having the most prominent relative germination index, and Yanbian-3×Lingchuan c1 having the highest relative vitality index. Overall, 360-3×041-1 and Hetou a2×360-3 are at a relatively high level in terms of relative germination rate, relative germination index, and relative vitality index, while Yanbian-2×041-1 and Yanbian-3×041 are at a relatively high level. The three indicators of relative germination potential, relative germination index, and relative vitality index are all at a relatively high level, indicating that they are relatively less affected by cadmium. According to the analysis of membership functions, the average value of the membership function for combinations 360-3×041-1 is the highest, followed by Yanbian-3×041-1, Hetou a2×360-3, Yanbian-2×041-1, Yanbian-4×Lingchuan c1, Yanbian-3×Lingchuan c1, and Hetou a2×041-1. The average value of the membership function is above 0.70, indicating good growth status and good Cd tolerance. Therefore, seven pumpkin hybrid combinations with strong Cd tolerance were finally selected.

YIELD OF GRAIN SORGHUM DEPENDS ON FERTILIZER AND VARIETAL CHARACTERISTICS

2025-03-21T11:43:06+02:00

Grain sorghum (L.) is a valuable crop with high yields. The crop future perspective depends on the ability of producers to apply optimal growing technologies. The general prerequisite for high yields of sorghum crops is the most efficient satisfaction of plant needs during the growing season, that is, the use of necessary chemical nutrients. Sorghum yields can be significantly increased by providing adequate nutrients. Fertilizer management affects not only yield but also the quality of the final product. Providing sorghum crops with adequate doses of fertilizers assist in maximising of yields. That is, research is needed on the selection of sorghum varieties optimal for the growing zone and the application of appropriate elements of technology, in particular, determining the optimal rates of mineral fertilizers that can ensure high yields in the northeastern forest-steppe zone of Ukraine, which was the goal of our research. The research was conducted during 2021-2023 at the educational and scientific field of Sumy National Agrarian University. The experiment repetition was trice, the plot placement was systematic. Factor A – hybrid and varieties of grain sorghum: Yankee, Dniprovsky 39, Samaran 6. Factor B – fertilizer rate: variant without fertilizer application (control), Nitroammophos (N16P16K16), (N35P35K35.) and (N70P70K70) active ingredient kg/ha were applied for pre-sowing cultivation. The results showed that the use of fertilizer rates of N70P70K70 and N35P35K35 increased sorghum yield from 2.30 to 6.32 t/ha depending on genotypes. With increasing fertilizer rates, the value of the yield coefficient and crop weight increased. The highest yield coefficient was determined for the Yanki hybrid and the Samaran 6 variety with an average coefficient value of 35 – 37%. (fertilizer rates of N70P70K70 and N35P35K35) For Dniprovsky 39 and the Samaran 6 variety, the maximum level of yield increase was noted with application of N35P35K35 – 11, 8 kg and 5,52 kg of grain per 1 kg of active substance, respectively. For Yankee hybrid, the highest indicator values was 11.90 kg of grain per 1 kg of active substance with a maximum rate of N70P70K70. In general, for high level of yield, the optimal rates of fertilizer application were N70P70K70 and N35P35K35. The yield of Yankee hybrid and the Dniprovsky 39 variety was the highest in the experiment so they could be recommended for the growing under region conditions.

INFLUENCE OF LIQUID COMPLEX FERTILIZER FOR VIRUS INFECTION ON SOWING SEED QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF WHEAT

2025-03-21T11:42:47+02:00

The article is devoted to the research results of the influence of the liquid complex fertilizer «Fiziozhivlin-P» in the formation of productivity elements and sowing qualities of wheat under artificial infection with wheat stripe mosaic virus (WSMV). Methods: Microbiological, molecular genetics, biometric, statistical. In two-year field experiments, the influence of foliar treatment with liquid complex fertilizer (LCF) with a balanced composition of macro and microelements (containing N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mo, Li) of healthy and virus-infected wheat plants (artificial infection) on structural yield indicators, sowing quality of seeds and growth processes of juvenile plants was investigated. The presence of wheat stripe mosaic virus in wheat leaves with WSMV symptoms was confirmed by PCR. Studies have established a significant suppression of the main structural indicators of productivity of common wheat under the influence of WSMV damage: a decrease in the number of productive shoots, stem height, number of spikelets in the spike, length, and number of grains in the main spike, the mass of grains of the main and lateral spike, the mass of 1000 grains. It was found that the treatment of crops of healthy plants with LCF increased mainly the mass of grains of the main and lateral spike. It was found that the mass of juvenile plants grown from seeds of plants treated with liquid complex fertilizer increased significantly, but mainly due to an increase in the root system. The use of LCF during viral infection reduced the negative impact of viral infection on fresh weight gain and growth compared to virus-infected plants without treatment, which occurred due to improved root system growth. The weight of 1000 grains from the yield of virus-infected plants treated with LCF tended to increase to pure control It is noted. Thus, according to the data obtained, foliar treatment of plants with liquid complex fertilizer allows an increase in the tolerance of wheat plants to virus damage, to some extent reducing productivity losses, but it does not affect the sowing quality of seeds and the structure of crop productivity the following year.

ERIOPHYID MITES ACERIA TRISTRIATA (NALEPA, 1890) AND ACERIA ERINEA (NALEPA, 1891) ON WALNUT IN KHARKIV REGION

2025-03-21T11:42:44+02:00

Walnut (Juglans regia L.) is a strategically important fruit crop with a wide spectrum of uses. During the cultivation of this plant, producers are faced with pests that can reduce the marketability, quality and quantity of the nut harvest. In Ukraine, the most common among phytophagous animals in the last five years are eriophyid mites (Eriophyidae), which became the object of this study. Commonly accepted methods for monitoring phytophagous were used, and original scales were developed to determine the damaging of walnut leaves by leaf blister mite and erineum mite. Correlations were established between the level of colonization of trees of different ages and the decrease in the mass of nuts. The phenology and biological features of these species have been clarified. A high level of colonization of J. regia L. trees by the leaf blister mite was recorded, indicating an outbreak of mass reproduction of this species during the years of research. It was found that the walnut colonization of A. tristriata in 2022–2024 was 28.4–59.0% of leaves (0.5–1.84 points), and A. erinea – 16.8–25.3% (0.22–0.67 points). Mites inhabited the trees to the same extent regardless of their age. It has been proven that the weight of nuts in the shell decreases depending on the level of plant damage by eriophyid mites. A significant decrease in fruit weight was observed with damage to the leaves of the crop at the level of 41–60% and more. In addition to direct crop losses, eriophyid mites caused a decrease in plant decorativeness and premature defoliation, especially in 2024 under dry weather conditions. Tasting analysis of shelled nuts showed better taste properties in fruits picked from damaged trees by more than 40%, but these data need further clarification. It is important to establish quantitative and qualitative indicators of nutrients in walnut fruits with varying degrees of mite damage, but this requires a special laboratory study, which is planned in further work.

RADIOECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF GRAY FOREST SOIL IN NATURAL MEADOWS OF THE RIGHT-BANK FOREST-STEPPE 37 YEARS AFTER THE CHORNOBYL NPP ACCIDENT

2025-03-21T11:42:40+02:00

The technogenic load on natural forage lands increases annually due to human activity. Among pollutants, radionuclides are the most dangerous for living organisms. In an exchangeable form and migrating through natural ecosystems, radionuclides enter living organisms, causing various disruptions at cellular, organ, and organismal levels. Irradiation-related disturbances lead to a range of diseases, which result in immune system suppression. The primary pathway for radionuclides into living organisms is the food chain. Radionuclides in a soluble form from soils accumulate in plants, transferring to plant products, and eventually enter the human body through consumption. To reduce radiation exposure on the population, several measures are used to hinder radionuclide migration in the soil → plant → human system. The main ones include agrotechnical measures, in particular, soil cultivation, the use of sorbents, mineral fertilizers, specialization in the field of crop production, and others. However, these measures are less effective in natural meadows, so their vegetation must be constantly monitored. The problems of using agrotechnical measures to reduce the migration of radionuclides in the soil → vegetation system in the conditions of natural meadows are primarily due to high economic costs and the impossibility of their effective use. Natural meadows before the application of agrotechnical measures to reduce the migration of radionuclides into vegetation require additional costs for the preparation of areas for rehabilitation, moreover, the uneven terrain does not allow the effective use of agrotechnics. Monitoring for cesium-137 contamination of natural forage meadows in Vinnitsa showed that its concentration in gray forest soils does not exceed pre-Chоrnobyl accident levels, ranging from 0.105 Ki/km² to 0.247 Ki/km². Research indicates that, in the right-bank forest-steppe, cesium-137 content in gray forest soil of natural forage meadows follows this increasing order: normal drylands → absolute drylands → excessively moist drylands. The lowest cesium-137 content in gray forest soil was observed in normal drylands, while the highest was in excessively moist drylands. The greatest difference in cesium-137 content in gray forest soils from 2019 to 2024 was found in normal drylands, characterized by abundant grass-legume vegetation and active cattle grazing, while the smallest difference was observed in overly moist meadows, whose forage material is less suitable for livestock feeding. That is, the productivity of natural meadows and the intensity of use of their vegetation by animals has a significant impact on the radiological state of natural meadows. Radionuclides, being in an exchangeable form along the trophic chain, accumulate in vegetation, and as they are consumed by animals, they also accumulate in their bodies. In territories with vegetation that is not suitable for animal consumption, the removal of cesium-137 due to phytoremediation is not very effective, which is characteristic of over moistened meadows where sedge grows mainly.

THE VITALITY STRUCTURE OF TRIFOLIUM MEDIUM L. AND TRIFOLIUM MONTANUM L. POPULATIONS IN THE CONDITIONS OF MEADOWSTEPPE PHYTOCENOSES OF THE NATURE RESERVE “MYKHAILIVSKA TSILYNA”

2025-03-21T11:42:37+02:00

Steppe ecosystems in Ukraine are currently fragmented, largely transformed by anthropogenic activities and characterized by violations of the use regime in the territories of nature reserves, which makes the protection and conservation of steppe biodiversity, in particular, plant species that form a unique steppe phytocoenosis, an important area of research. Legumes play an important role in meadow-steppe phytocenoses, ensuring their stability, productivity and biodiversity. Population studies make it possible to assess the status and structure of populations of typical steppe species and, based on the results, to develop an action plan for their protection and reproduction. The article presents the results of the vitality analysis of six populations of Trifolium medium L. and three populations of Trifolium montanum L. growing in the conditions of meadow-steppe phytocenoses of the Nature Reserve “Mykhailivska Tsilyna”. The vitality analysis was carried out according to the generally accepted method by Yu.A. Zlobin. During the vitality analysis, it was found that, according to the vitality type, among the six populations of T. medium, four belonged to depressed (Q index values ranged from 0.0435 to 0.1250) and two populations were balanced (Q index values ranged from 0.2500 to 0.3250). None of the six populations of T. medium belonged to the prosperous ones. Among the three populations of T. montanum, two were depressed by vital rate (Q index values ranged from 0.0625 to 0.0938), and one population was balanced (Q index value was 0.3126). No populations of this species of prosperous type were found. The dependence between the mode of territory use and the quality index of T. medium and T. montanum populations was established. It was noted that populations under the haying regime had a higher quality index compared to populations growing in areas without haying, where populations had a significant proportion of individuals of the lower vitality class (c) and a lower quality index. The absence of populations of the thriving type indicates a deviation from the optimal growth conditions of the studied species on the territory of the Nature Reserve “Mykhailivska Tsilyna”. As part of the effective management of protected steppe areas, haymaking can contribute to the conservation of certain plant species, including legumes. At the same time, this process should be balanced, scientifically grounded and implemented, taking into account the specifics of a particular territory and its species diversity.

SPECIES COMPOSITION, POPULATION DYNAMICS, AND SEX RATIO OF SCALE INSECTS AND FALSE SCALES IN FRUIT ORCHARDS OF THE RIGHT-BANK FOREST-STEPPE OF UKRAINE

2025-03-21T11:42:34+02:00

The study presents findings on the species composition of armored scales (Diaspididae) and soft scales (Coccidae), identifying dominant species and evaluating their distribution dynamics across various fruit orchards. The analysis also considered the sex ratio and fluctuations in the proportion of infertile females. The research was conducted following established methodologies (Stankevych et al., 2022; Frewin et al., 2019; Deligeorgidis et al., 2008) during 2023–2024 in the experimental orchards of the Uman National University of Horticulture. The study encompassed the following fruit varieties: apple (Jonagold, Idared, Renet Simirenko, Golden Delicious), sweet cherry (Dar Mliyeva, Melitopol Spotted, Drogana Yellow), plum (Hanita, Italian Prune), and pear (Zolotovorotska, Clapp’s Favorite). For each variety, five model trees were selected for sample collection. Within the fruit orchard ecosystems, four phytophagous species from the superfamily Coccoidea were identified, three belonging to the family Diaspididae and one to the family Coccidae. The California red scale (Aonidiella aurantii) was the most prevalent species across the years of study and among all fruit crops. Its relative abundance ranged from 87.5% in apple orchards to 56.2% in cherry orchards. The sex ratio within the California red scale population demonstrated dependence on both the generational stage and the host plant species. A decline in population density correlated with a reduction in the proportion of males in successive generations across all host plants. The highest male-to-female ratio was observed on apple trees, while the lowest ratio and overall population density were recorded in cherry orchards. A direct relationship was established between the proportion of infertile females and the female-to-male ratio, reflected in the sex index. When the ratio was 1 male to 1–8 females, the proportion of infertile females remained low, ranging from 1% to 3%. However, as the female-to-male ratio increased to 9–12 females per male, the proportion of infertile females increased significantly, up to 11%, representing a nearly 3.5-fold rise. Further increases in the female-to-male ratio led to a progressive growth in the number of infertile females, emphasizing the impact of sex ratio dynamics on reproductive success within the population.

RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR SOIL PROTECTION IN UKRAINE

2025-03-21T11:42:30+02:00

Despite the obvious differences between the concepts of “soil” and “land”, as well as the fundamental differences between soil protection activities and land protection, the issue of soil protection not only remains in land legislation, but also the functions of soil protection are transferred to the land service. This leads to confusion among legislators, authorities, even those from whom relevant legislative initiatives came. The current situation requires an immediate determination of the state of the problem with legislative support for soil protection, the reasons for its emergence, and the development of proposals for the creation of an adequate regulatory framework. The purpose of this work is to analyze the regulatory framework for soil protection, assess trends in changes to the regulatory framework, as well as assess possible negative consequences and risks. It is also necessary to determine the directions of work on creating a legislative framework that corresponds to the nature of the protected object, namely soils. For this purpose, changes in regulatory acts regarding soil protection in Ukrainian legislation were analyzed, and the consequences of these changes are assessed. It has been established that soil protection legislation in Ukraine is part of land legislation that does not correspond to the nature of the concepts of “soil” and “land”. Over time, the requirements for soil protection in Ukrainian legislation become increasingly blurred and less mandatory. At present, the only logical way out of the situation that has arisen is to adopt a separate law on soil protection developed by specialists – agronomists and soil scientists. First of all, it is necessary to fundamentally determine that the subjects of legislative initiative should be specialized institutions (Ministry of Agrarian Policy – State Enterprise “State Soil Protection”, Ukrainian Academy of Agrarian Sciences – Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, as well as specialized scientistseducators). In addition to adopting an appropriate professionally qualitative law on soil protection, it is also necessary to: – exclude from land legislation norms related to soil protection; – exclude land survey projects from the category of land management, without depriving land management organizations of the right to develop them; – admittance of soils as a natural resource and subject of property rights; – declare the state as the owner of soils; – introduce responsibility for soil depletion and failure to undergo agrochemical certification; – fully restore the competence and functions of the State Enterprise “State Soil Protection” in soil protection activities. Such a law should be developed, as a priority, to protect soils of agricultural lands, with the determination of the competencies of authorities and expert environment, with complete separation of the State Geocadastre from agricultural technological issues.

INHERITANCE OF RESISTANCE TO RACE F OF BROOMRAPE (OROBANCHE CUMANA WALLR.) BY SUNFLOWER (HELIANTHUS ANNUUS L.)

2025-03-21T11:42:27+02:00

Genetic protection is a key component in the control measures against the plant – parasite of sunflower, broomrape (Orobanche cumana Wallr.). Studies of the genetics of resistance of domestic breeding sunflower materials to virulent broomrape races, which are widespread in Ukraine, are not sufficiently presented in the literature; therefore, developments in this direction are of particular importance. The article presents the results of researches on the detection of the peculiarities of the inheritance of sunflower resistance to broomrape in the first and second hybrid generations from crossing lines with various levels of resistance. The study was conducted in the scientific crop rotation fields of the Yuriev Plant Production Institute of NAAS in 2021–2023 and in an experimental greenhouse of the Institute. Broomrape infestation of plants was determined visually by counting healthy nodules of the parasite on the roots of the studied plants. It was repeated three times. The damage degree is expressed as the mean number of nodules per one assessed plant. In an experimental greenhouse, it was determined that the parental lines differed in resistance to broomrape. Lines– pollen fertility restorers, Kh 1814 V, Kh 1817 V, and KhZU 10 V were resistant to a broomrape population, whose seeds were collected in significantly damaged sunflower fields in the Kharkivska Oblast. The most virulent race in the broomrape population was defined as race F. No more than one nodule of the parasite was observed on the affected plants of these lines. For crossing broomrape-resistant lines Kh 85 V and Kh 808 V on a fertile basis, F1 hybrid combinations had 0.11– 1.13 nodules of the parasite per one tested plant, and the number of nodules on one affected plant did not exceed four nodules. Susceptible plants with 5 and more than 5 nodules were observed in all studied F2 populations with a segregation of 15 resistant plants: 1 susceptible plant.

ANALYSIS OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDING OF ILLEGAL LOGGING IN THE FORESTS OF UKRAINE

2025-03-21T11:42:24+02:00

The purpose of export bans, commonly known as ‘Timber Export Restrictions’, in many cases has both economic and environmental objectives. Environmental criminals are often involved in acts of corruption, money laundering, other related crimes. INTERPOL supports its member countries in strengthening their forestry law enforcement capacity and establishing international cooperation between national agencies. In this way INTERPOL analysing all types of information that facilitate or accompany illegal forestry activities. The research method used to analyse criminal implementations was the process of evaluating data based on criminal intelligence analysis (criminal intelligence analysis – CIA). This method supports the decision-making process of investigators, managers, supervisors and other law enforcement agencies to use their limited resources more efficiently and effectively and to ensure an analytics-based policing approach. The article presents the results of the analysis of the materials of criminal investigations into illegal logging carried out in the forests of Ukraine. The analytical materials of criminal investigations will become the basis for the development of preventive measures that can discourage illegal logging. Also, in the same time the obtained analytical materials of criminal investigations will influence the creation of new and improvement of existing legal acts regulating liability for illegal logging. An analysis of criminal investigations in Ukrainian forests has led to the conclusion that most of the time illegal logging is carried out in natural areas in the such zone as the Ukrainian Carpathians and Polissia (47.4%). The main amount of illegal logging was carried out in forest stands (44.8%) and forests with protected status (28.9%). The main forest species targeted for felling are pine (41.7%), acacia (22.7%) and oak (21.1%). The organisers of the crimes are mainly individual entrepreneurs who has own timber processing enterprises and storage facilities (65.2%). Then the material damage caused by illegal logging is mostly not compensated (75.8%). This article offers recommended approaches to implementing the main areas of combating illegal logging in our country. The analytical materials can become the basis for the development of preventive measures to reduce quantities of illegal logging in the forests of Ukraine.

CHANGES IN THE CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM OF SCALED CARP DURING MYCOTOXICOSIS AS A BIOCHEMICAL MARKER FOR ASSESSING THE LEVEL OF TOXICITY OF THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT

2025-03-21T11:42:20+02:00

The article examines the effect of mycotoxicosis, in particular the effects of mycotoxin T2, on carbohydrate metabolism in scaly carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) under conditions of different concentrations of the toxin: 2 MPC, 3 MPC and 5 MPC. The aim of the work was to determine specific changes in metabolic processes caused by the action of toxicants, with an emphasis on the activity of key enzymes of gluconeogenesis, glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and the pentose phosphate pathway. Special attention is paid to the functioning of adaptation mechanisms that ensure the maintenance of energy homeostasis of fish in toxic conditions. The results of experimental studies showed that the effect of mycotoxin T2 stimulates the activity of glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase, which is the key enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway. This provides an increase in the pool of pentoses, necessary for the synthesis of nucleotides, and reduced forms of coenzymes NADH+H+, which play an important role in the processes of antioxidant protection. At the same time, there is an increase in the activity of glucose- 6-phosphatase, which is an important enzyme of gluconeogenesis. This reaction is aimed at maintaining a normal level of glucose in the tissues of the body, which indicates the activation of compensatory energy supply mechanisms. Under the conditions of the highest concentration of the toxin (5 MPC), a decrease in the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase was found, which may be related to the inhibitory effect of the toxicant on the key enzymes of gluconeogenesis. Instead, there is an increase in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase, which plays an important role in the processes of anaerobic energy supply, and enzymes of the Krebs cycle, which are responsible for maintaining ATP production in fish tissues. This indicates a redistribution of metabolic pathways to ensure the body’s energy needs under stress conditions. Analysis of changes in the concentration of glucose and glycogen under the influence of different concentrations of the toxin made it possible to establish the dependence of the metabolic activity of the carp organism on the level of toxicants in the aquatic environment. It was found that the adaptive mechanisms of the body are sensitive to changes in the concentration of mycotoxins, which is important for bioindication of the state of aquatic ecosystems. In addition, it was established that changes in metabolism are specific biochemical markers that can be used to assess the level of toxicity of the aquatic environment. The obtained research results are important for ecological monitoring, as they allow to assess the state of aquatic ecosystems based on the response of hydrobionts to toxicants. Such data can be used to predict the consequences of pollution of water bodies and develop measures to reduce the negative impact of toxic substances on fish farming. The conclusions of the work contribute to the improvement of aquaculture management methods, in particular in regions with an increased level of water pollution.

ECOLOGICAL AND RESOURCE SIGNIFICANCE OF FOREST ECOSYSTEMS OF СHERNIHIV FORESTRY AND THEIR PROTECTION

2025-03-21T11:42:17+02:00

“Chernihiv Forestry” branch of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” was established in 1936 and includes 102344,6 hectares of forest fund, which is distributed among 17 forestry departments. In modern conditions of forest management, the forestry departments of the “Chernihiv Forestry” provide a comprehensive system of forest management, which includes technologies from growing planting material, caring for forest ecosystems and processing of forest products. The forest fund of the forestry departments of the “Chernihiv Forestry” belongs to different groups of forest use. Significant areas are occupied by territories of the category “protective forests”, which are multifunctional, including operational ones, much smaller areas are occupied by recreational and health forests, and the network of forest conservation areas mainly includes the categories of forests of historical, scientific, and nature conservation purposes. In geobotanical terms, the highest species representativeness is noted in the group of pine forests (Pineta sylvestris), birch forests (Betuleta pendulae), aspen forests (Populeta tremulae), hornbeam forests (Carpineta betulitis), oak forests (Querceta roboris) and alder forests (Alneta glutinosae). The floristic features of the forest ecosystems of the study area are mainly correlated with the features of the flora of Ukrainian Polissia, which belongs to the migratory type of flora. Also, the floristic characteristics of the study area are determined by the leading positions of the species of the boreal group, which together with arctboreal species make up almost half of the species diversity, non-moral species make up more than the flora and are widespread mainly in the coenoses of oak-pine forests. Forest ecosystems are an integral part of the nature reserve fund, within which an appropriate regime of protection, conservation, reproduction and use is established. The nature reserve fund network of the research area includes 51 objects and territories with an area of 12130, 54 hectares of which one object has a national protection status (general zoological reserve “Kamoretskyi”), and 50 objects of local protection status, represented by 8 categories, mainly reserves. The rare phytocomponent of forest nature reserves of the research region is represented by 18 species of narrowleaved plants, among them 10 species of plants listed in the Red Book of Ukraine and 8 species of regional protection.

TRANSGENIC PLANTS: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS FOR USE

2025-03-21T11:42:13+02:00

With the advent of modern genetic engineering methods, using gene transfer, it has become possible to construct source material with improved valuable economic traits and involve it in breeding to accelerate the work. In modern conditions, plant biotechnology has the potential to change agricultural practices and change food production and environmental impact. Genetic modifications of plants are carried out mainly using two methods of transferring foreign DNA into a plant cell: Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and biolistic transformation. For plants, the most commonly used method is the introduction of the soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens into plant genomes. Countries that are leaders in growing GM crops: USA, Argentina, Canada, Brazil, China. Five crops, such as soybeans, corn, cotton, rapeseed and potatoes, occupy the largest area of GM crops. The main directions of genetic modifications of agricultural crops are related to resistance to herbicides, diseases and pests. Improvement of valuable economic traits in agricultural crops is carried out with the aim of commercial implementation of GM plant varieties. Despite the rapid spread and benefits of GM crops, there has been active discussion and concern in the scientific community about their use since the certification of the first GM product. The article analyzes the domestic processes of regulating biosafety systems during operations with GMOs to prevent their uncontrolled use and distribution. Accordingly, biological safety consists in not negatively affecting people (including future generations), agricultural plants, other organisms, and genetic safety – in the absence of unnatural and uncontrolled effects on the human and plant genome. Proponents of transgenic technology promote it as an opportunity to make significant changes in food production and eliminate food shortages. In today’s conditions, scientists have not reached a single conclusion regarding the positive or negative impact of growing GM crops on the environment, public health, and consumption of food products and their content.

ADAPTATION OF HAZELNUT VARIETIES IN THE CONDITIONS OF TRANSCARPATHIA

2025-03-21T11:42:09+02:00

The article highlights the results of research on the adaptation of 12 hazelnut varieties in the lowland subzone of Transcarpathia. The main purpose of the work was to study the biological characteristics of growth, development, fruiting and resistance to unfavorable environmental factors of the introduced hazelnut varieties. The study also examined the technological aspects of cultivation, including the effectiveness of disease and pest protection systems. The soil pests that cause significant damage to young plantations were assessed. To control them, it is recommended to apply the drug Force during the establishment of the garden and use Pirinex during the growing season. Schemes for the protection of hazelnut plantations with the use of such drugs as Champion, Topsin M, Fundazol, and Enjio, which demonstrate high efficiency in the fight against major diseases, including Fusarium, Verticillium, Alternaria, and powdery mildew, are presented. In addition, key pests were monitored: May beetle larvae, hazelnut weevil, hazelnut aphids and others. The results of biometric measurements indicate high adaptability of the varieties to local conditions. It was found that the diameter of the stems by the end of the growing season reached 28.0–31.7 mm, and in the variety Tonda di Gifoni – 35.9 mm, which is significantly higher than the control variety Darunok Yunatam. Significant total growth (180–391 cm) was observed in the varieties Lozovsky Bulavovidnyi, Francescana, Zhovtnevyi, Tonda di Gifoni, Mortarella, Dolynskyi, Nokyone and Svyatnichnyi. Particular attention is paid to the productivity of the varieties. In the third year after planting, fruiting was observed in all varieties except Zhovtnevyi and Karamanovskyi. The most large-fruited were Camponica, Francescana, Dolinsky and Tonda di Gifoni, the average weight of one nut of which was 3.2–4.4 g. The kernel yield reached 46.0-50% in varieties Darunok Yunatam, Tonda di Gifoni, Francescana and Mortarella. The obtained results indicate the high prospects of using the studied hazelnut varieties for industrial cultivation in Transcarpathia. Agrotechnical measures to increase the yield and resistance of plants, including effective systems of protection against diseases and pests, as well as recommendations for fertilization and care of the trunk strips, are proposed.

CURRENT STATE OF BIODIVERSITY OF THE REGIONAL LANDSCAPE PARK «YALIVSHCHYNA» AND PROBLEMS OF ITS CONSERVATION

2025-03-21T11:42:05+02:00

Biodiversity is a key indicator of the value of a natural area, its conservation status and role in the conservation of certain species. Rare species are classified into three main categories: national, international and regional significance and protection. According to this gradation, the status of species is determined and their inclusion in the relevant lists and inventories, such as annexes to international conventions on the protection of flora and fauna, the Red Book of Ukraine and regional lists of species protected within the administrative regions. Biodiversity conservation is one of the most pressing problems of our time. The implementation of directives and environmental protection measures aimed at preserving biodiversity is becoming increasingly difficult, and in some cases impossible, due to the impact of military operations. The objects of the nature reserve fund occupy an important place on the map of Ukraine, since the main part of the country’s flora and fauna, which is under special protection at the state, regional and international levels, is concentrated here. The research was carried out during 2015–2024 on the territory of the regional landscape park «Yalivshchyna» within the city of Chernihiv. Based on the analysis of literary sources, the key characteristics of the biodiversity of the nature reserve fund object and adjacent territories were determined. In the process of analyzing the state of biodiversity, species protected at the regional, national and international levels were identified. The purpose of the research conducted on the territory of the regional landscape park «Yalivshchyna» in the city of Chernihiv was to clarify the current picture of the distribution of species of different categories and protection statuses in order to develop scientific recommendations for further protection, conservation and reproduction, as well as monitoring the state of their populations. Such comprehensive applied research is of great importance for the biodiversity monitoring system of nature reserve objects in individual regions, as they contribute to improving biodiversity protection at different levels (species, population, phytocenotic, ecosystem) and at different territorial levels (regional and state).

THE STATE OF PHYTODIVERSITY OF HYDROLOGICAL RESERVES OF THE SADIVSKA TERRITORIAL COMMUNITY OF SUMY DISTRICT

2025-03-21T11:42:01+02:00

The publication presents the results of the assessment of the current state of phytodiversity of the hydrological reserves of local importance «Verkhniosulskyi-2» (230.6 ha) and «Holubivskyi» (15.2 ha) located within the Sadivska settlement territorial community. These reserves were created to preserve the Sula River and the valuable water bodies in its basin. The study of these territories of the nature reserve fund was conducted using generally accepted floristic and geobotanical methods. The «Verkhniosulskyi-2» reserve represents floodplain landscapes of the deeply embedded floodplain of the Sula River. The «Holubivskyi» hydrological reserve is located in the upper reaches of the gully system of the upper reaches of the Sula River and is represented by one water body with a coastal strip. The territory of both reserves is characterized by a high level of aesthetic appeal. The vegetation cover of the «Verkhniosulskyi-2» reserve is dominated by meadow communities (covering almost 41.2% of the territory), aquatic and air-water vegetation (covering 28.4% of the territory), forest vegetation (covering 25.9%), while shrubs are distributed only on 4.5% of the reserve’s territory. The core of the protected object within the «Holubivskyi» Reserve is the pond, which covers 77.6% of the reserve’s territory. About half of this area is occupied by aquatic vegetation. The land part of this reserve is about 22.4% of its territory and is occupied by tree and shrub communities. It has been established that the floristic core of the natural flora in the «Verkhniosulskyi-2» reserve is represented by 234 species, and in the «Holubivskyi» reserve – by 58 species. «Verkhniosulskyi-2» contains one plant species included in the «List of plant, animal and fungal species subject to special protection in the Sumy region», while the «Holubivskyi» reserve does not contain such plant species. In both reserves, a significant percentage of the flora is made up of medicinal plants. In «Verkhniosulskyi-2», the number of medicinal plant species reaches 85, which is 36.3% of the reserve’s flora, and in «Holubivskyi», 32 (55.8% of the flora). Based on the available data on the state of phytodiversity in the hydrological reserves of the Sadivska territorial community, it becomes possible to identify areas and measures aimed at improving the protection of natural complexes. In particular, it is necessary to continue studying their biodiversity and to start monitoring the state of both flora and fauna of the reserves.

CREATION OF POTATO BREEDING MATERIAL RESISTANT TO BACTERIOSIS AND STEM NEMATODE

2025-03-21T11:46:49+02:00

The results of the scientific work of the Laboratory of Breeding and Genetic Resources of the Institute of Potato Growing of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine during 2014–2023 are presented. Experimental studies were conducted to create and isolate resistant potato breeding material to bacterial diseases and stem nematode. The basis was taken as parental forms of potato varieties of domestic and foreign selection and interspecific hybrids created on a multispecies basis, which combine resistance to bacteriosis, stem nematode and a set of economically valuable traits. Through the use of interspecific and interspecific hybridization methods, potato breeding material was created, which was studied, described, analyzed, and synthesized for a set of traits in breeding nurseries, based on the scheme of the breeding process, according to the methodology of conducting research with potatoes. The best interspecific potato hybrids were evaluated in the laboratory of immunity and plant protection of the Institute of Potato Growing of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine for resistance to bacteriosis and stem nematode. During 2021–2023, 513 potato genotypes of various origins were evaluated, among which effective sources of resistance against pathogens (black leg, wet and ring rot) and stem nematode were established. On the artificial infectious backgrounds of pathogens, thirteen genotypes with high resistance to the causative agent of ring rot, six resistant to black leg and wet rot were identified among the studied genotypes. Among the selected resistant material of potatoes, thirteen interspecific hybrids were selected, which have complex resistance to stem nematode, bacteriosis with a complex of economic and valuable traits. The purpose of the research is to create and isolate potato breeding material with complex resistance to bacteria and stem nematode, to offer new generation potato varieties.

INVOLVEMENT OF CELL WALL COMPONENTS IN PLANT PROTECTION REACTIONS AGAINST PATHOGENS

2025-03-21T11:46:46+02:00

The review considers the involvement of cell wall components and its strengthening through cross-linking of proteins or deposition of metabolites (lignin, suberin, kalose), accumulation of toxic phenolic compounds, and protective PR proteins at the point of infection in the mechanisms of immunity to pathogens. The components of the cell wall are analyzed as the first obstacle that pathogens must overcome to colonize plant tissues. The involvement of the cuticle as a component of the cell wall in the barrier against phytopathogens and pests is characterized, and how most fungal pathogens can penetrate cutin and wax. The structure and role of cellulose microfibrils, pectin, hemicellulose, structural proteins, lignin, callose, and suberin of the cell wall in the mechanisms of immunity to pathogens are presented. The role of cell wall strengthening as a protective response of plants to pathogen infection is considered. It is outlined that during infection with a pathogen and its recognition by a plant on the basis of an immune response, the cell wall can be strengthened through cross-linking of proteins or deposition of metabolites (lignin, suberin, kalose), accumulation of toxic phenolic compounds, protective proteins PR at the point of infection. Successful protection at the cell wall level can stop the invasion of pathogens at an early stage of infection. Research results on various enzymes produced by pathogens to degrade the cell wall to facilitate plant infection and bypass the multi-level of protection method are summarized. Due to the possibility of pathogen infection of only dicotyledonous or monocotyledonous plants, the different composition of the cell wall structure of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants and different enzymes for degradation of the polysaccharide material of the cell are separately outlined. It is considered how plants resist the invasion of biotrophic and hemibiotrophic pathogens by means of the apposition of “papillae”, which is a thickening of the cell wall that occurs early in the place of penetration of pathogenic organisms. It is shown how various pathogenic fungi (necrotrophs, biotrophs and hemibiotrophs), bacteria, viruses and nematodes bypass the protective mechanisms of cell wall components that are widely involved in plant immune responses to pathogens.