Buckwheat provides essential nutrients crucial for the human body’s regular functioning, however, studies have indicated that it may also contain potentially toxic elements. Therefore, this study aims to assess the health risks associated with buckwheat produced in Armenia, focusing on dietary exposure to toxic elements (lead, cadmium, and arsenic). Risk asessment was conducted using the margin of exposure (MOE) method, involving calculating daily intakes for toxic elements. The study findings suggest that the levels of toxic elements in the investigated buckwheat samples were within acceptable limits. This indicates that there is no significant health risk to consumers.

Food security of the population is one of the main challenges of the 21st century, which, due to the events of recent years (Artsakh war, pandemic, Russian-Ukrainian conflict, sanctions, export restrictions) and their consequences, has become more acute. The stability of the grain sector in the country is of particular importance from the point of view of improving the food security in Armenia. Based on the study of international practice of state support for agricultural production, the results of analysis on the effectiveness of the state support tools traditionally used in different countries, as well as evaluating the state support for the development of grain production in RA, we have developed a model of state regulation of grain production, where the application of a number of realistic methods and measures is emphasized. The results of the studies document that, despite the government’s efforts to expand grain production, the grain sown areas are decreasing year by year, yield growth is not ensured, and the total growth is decreasing. Studying the international experience of state support for agricultural production, analyzing the results of the effectiveness of the state support tools traditionally used in different countries, as well as evaluating the state support for the development of grain production in RA for 2010-2021, we propose to revise the state regulation tools. In particular, to create a grain commission, form a guarantee and collateral price institute, set grain production and distribution quantities, strengthen contractual relations, form a commodity credit company and a grain price stabilization fund, apply commodity intervention, as well as promote economy-infrastructure intervention. We believe that the mentioned fundamental measures will contribute to the prospective development of grain production, ensure realistic results in the medium term, strengthen the cooperation between the state, production and science, as well as increase the self-sufficiency level of grain and, most importantly, will contribute to ensuring the food security of the Republic of Armenia.

In recent years, urban green plantings have been significantly reduced in Yerevan; at the same time, due to geoplastic changes, scattered landscapes and rock walls have appeared, which significantly spoil the beautiful appearance of the capital. Therefore, there is a need to implement vertical landscaping. For vertical greening in residential areas, woody lianas are usually used, and in some cases, also grassy lianas and ampelous flowers. In order to improve and green the landscapes, we carried out ecological and biological research on a route basis, carried out appropriate geodetic measurements, and then prepared phytoplans and estimates for greening of some areas and landscapes. In the autumn of 2022, Yerevan Municipality “Greening and Environmental Protection” Community Non­Commercial Organization (“GEP” CNCO) has planted ivy, campsis, and creepers on both sides of the tunnel leading to Saralanj at the beginning of Myasnikyan Avenue (in an area of 70 square meters), due to which the roadside areas will turn into green, blooming landscapes. The selection of lianas was made according to the latter’s dendrocirculation indicators, decorative features and ecological flexibility. In the coming years, “Greening and Environmental Protection” CNCO will carry out vertical greening according to the above principle in similar landscapes of Myasnikyan Avenue, as well as Saralanj and Tsitsernakaberd highways (in the sections, that have undergone geoplastic change), turning the mentioned areas into green and blooming landscapes.

The aim of the work is to study the growing dynamics of total sugars, acids and phenolic compounds (flavonoids, anthocyanins) in Sev Areni grape berries in conditions of organic farming depending on the buds’ load rate. The studies were conducted in 2020-2021. The vineyard belonging to “Hin Areni” CJSC, established in 2007-2008, is located in the Areni community of Vayots Dzor marz, at an altitude of 1200 m above sea level. At the start of the trials, 5 hectares of the garden (10 ha) were cultivated with organic methods. The experiments were carried out in four replications through the method of Lazarevskiy including 15 vines in each option. The dynamics of berry ripening was studied according to vine load. Sugar content (refractometric method), titratable acidity (using OIV-MA-AS313-01 method), pH, total phenolic content of fruit juice was determined three times. According to study results, the amount of flavonoids and anthocyanins changes during grape ripening, depending on the vine load. Along with the grapes maturation, sugar content of the fruit juice increases, the acidity decreases. However, parallel to the increase in vine load, the sugar content decreases. In the option of 50 bud load the sugar content decreases. The harvested yield lags behind the option of 30-40 bud load in its qualitative properties. Thus, it is not recommended to use high bud loading option in the organic farming. Based on the study results, it is recommended to use 30-40 bud vine loads of Sev Areni variety in conditions of vineyards organic farming.

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the state agrarian policy, laws, and legislative acts regulating the viticulture sector of RA. An analysis of the strategic documents, legislative documents regulating the sector, laws, normative legal acts, and other documents related to state policy was conducted. Obtaining results led to the conclusion that the legislative acts regulating the sector need to be updated and, in some cases, amended․ In addition, the control mechanisms of the sector have gaps in law enforcement. There is no strategic document aimed at viticulture development, and existing policy measures and programs are not properly implemented and are ineffective. The article concludes with recommendations aimed at alleviating the issues revealed by this research.

Application of fertilizers is among the prior agriculture measures to achieve sustainable potato yield in conditions of leached soils of Lori region, poor in essential plant nutrients. The field experiments established that to obtain maximum potato yield in addition to the introduction of the main mineral fertilizer (NPK) it is necessary to apply complex water-soluble fertilizer (CWF) via foliar feeding thrice during the vegetation period with 10-12 days of interval. In this case the yield amount was 286 c/ha, 40.0 % of which was large and 35.0 % were medium size. The tuber’s chemical composition was also improved. In the case of using N120P120K120 the yield amount was 261.0 c/ha, out of which 30.2 % were large and 40.5 % were medium size, while in the control variant 207.5 c/ha yield was received, out of which only 15.1 % were large and 35.9 % – medium in size.

The article presents the direction of degradation processes in eroded forest brown soils based on the example of the Bazum community of the Lori region. It also shows the qualitative characteristics of these soils, the thickness, the degree of humus content, and the availability of nutrients. New technologies and methods of resource saving tillage and plant care are proposed to mitigate erosion processes, degradation, and desertification of soils based on the research conducted.

Research in this area aims to develop a milk-protein product similar to ricotta cheese. This product will be the second component of the newly developed twocomponent Yogrik product, a mixture of yogurt and ricotta. Combination of the biological value of yogurt and ricotta will create a balanced amino acid food. Cheeses obtained by acid and thermo-acid coagulation are usually fresh soft cheese varieties made by the coagulation of milk, cream, whey, or their mixtures, by direct chemical acidification, bacterial cultures coagulation, or by a combination of chemical acidification and high-temperature processing. In appearance and production technology, ricotta is between cheese and cottage cheese. But in terms of the softness of the clot and versatility, it is an outstanding product. Ricotta is rich in proteins including albumin and contains about 11 % protein. Whey cheese proteins are in the most easily assimilated state. Combining the biological value of yogurt and ricotta will create a balanced food with amino acid content.

In comparison with other infectious diseases of dogs, parvovirus enteritis is quite common. The infection is periodically detected in animals in veterinary clinics. Observations have shown that unvaccinated puppies of 3-4 months are more often admitted to the clinic with parvovirus enteritis. In contrast to the 70 % rate indicated in the literature, the mortality rate among sick dogs reaches 50 to 93.3 %. Parvovirus enteritis can be treated with specific immune serums alongside symptomatic and pathogenetic therapies which increases the treatment efficiency up to 25 %. Additionally the combined use of immune serums and dexamethasone along with the described preparations – up to 50 %, which indicates the need for long-lasting use of glucocorticoids to increase adaptive functions of the body in dogs with parvovirus enteritis.

Using research findings, it was determined that each strain exhibits distinct morphological, biochemical, and tinctorial attributes that are intrinsic to its particular classification. Remarkably, the API test proficiently categorized the subtypes of these strains, achieving an exceptional precision rate of up to 99.8 %. The following strains of microbes have been isolated during this study: E. coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus spp., and Proteus mirabilis. The results of analyses conducted through the discօ diffusion technique reveal a diverse spectrum of antibiotic resistance profiles among the multiple strains isolated from poultry, encompassing 28 antibiotics originating from Italy. The acquired data are of significant scientific and pragmatic value. This underlines the need for specific emphasis on strains manifesting pathogenic traits, particularly those demonstrating multidrug resistance involving three or more distinct antibiotics. The importance of understanding and managing antibiotic resistance in avian microbial populations is underscored by this imperative.