Vegetable chips are extremely popular due to high content of antioxidants, valuable biological activity and long-term storage. During the investigation optimal methods of drying and chips storage from celery (Egor and Dobrynya cvs), parsnip (Krugly, Bely aist and Zhemchug) and parsley (Zolushka cv) roots were developed using the criteria parameters of taste, aroma, color and antioxidant content. The highest organoleptic properties were recorded for celery chips of Dobrynya cv, parsnip chips of Krugly cv and root parsleyThe highest differences in chips organoleptic parameters between convectional and freeze-drying methods reached 1.5 times for parsnip Bely aist cv. while the lowest differences were recorded for root parsley (1.05 times). Decrease in antioxidant activity during freeze-drying was the lowest in root parsley and celery Dobrynya cv. Convectional drying did not affect chips total antioxidant activity and demonstrated the highest preservation effect after 8 months storage. On the contrary, vitamin C losses were the highest during convectional drying though during storage vitamin C content in such chips decreased much less than in freezedried products. Aluminum foil provided 1.2-1.8 times higher content of antioxidants than paper and polyethylene package. Significant inter species and varietal differences in antioxidant stability during various methods of drying and storage were revealed.

This article describes the history of the industrial development of the essential oil industry and the prospects for cultivating such essential oil crops as dill and coriander, including in the territory of Transbaikalia. Data are provided on the volume of essential oil production in Russia in different years. The noted morphobiological features of dill and coriander suggest the possibility of obtaining a high yield of fruits when they are cultivated by agricultural producers in the dry steppe zone of Transbaikalia. For the first time, in the conditions of the dry steppe zone of Transbaikalia, field research was carried out to study the effectiveness of some agricultural practices for cultivating zoned varieties of dill and coriander. The results of three years of research (2021-2023) on the formation of fruit yield of plants of the Umbrella family with a one-year development cycle - dill (Gribovsky, Lesnogorodsky varieties) and coriander (Karibe variety) in the driest soil-climatic zone of Transbaikalia are summarized. It was revealed that the heat supply of the growing season affects the formation of the fruit yield of the studied crops. The highest fruit yield was obtained from the Gribovsky dill variety at an average sowing time, and from the Lesnogorodsky variety when sowing early. At the same time, the Gribovsky variety is superior in yield to the Lesnogorodsky variety. The coriander variety Caribe provided the maximum fruit yield at a late sowing time in all years of research. In general, the soil and climatic conditions of the dry steppe zone of Transbaikalia make it possible to obtain a harvest of aromatic dill and coriander at the level of other regions of Russia, which determines the future development of essential oil crop production in our region.

Relevance and methodology. The task of controlling the growth and development of sugar beet plants with the help of lighting devices is of interest from the point of view of identifying biological features of the culture and in breeding practice. The purpose of the research is to determine the response of plants to the effects of low–energy monochrome radiation at the initial stage of ontogenesis (germination of seeds (coplodia) sugar beet). In this regard, the seeds of the hybrid Smena were germinated in the dark (control) and under different variants of continuous illumination with wavelengths of 380 nm, 440 nm, 525 nm, 660 nm and 730 nm.Results. The reaction of sugar beet seeds and sprouts to illumination with monochromatic light depends on the wavelength Germination of seeds when irradiated with monochromatic far-red light leads to a decrease in germination energy by 23%, seed germination by 39%, the height of sprouts and aboveground biomass by 21.8% compared with the control (dark germination). Similar indicators were observed for the negative effect of red light. Exposure to UV-A light (380 nm) led to an increase in germination energy by 4%, but germination, on the contrary, decreased by 12%. The terrestrial biomass of sprouts also decreased (by 9.9%). Irradiation with green and blue light had a positive effect on growth: the terrestrial biomass of sprouts increased by 19.8% with a green spectrum and 7.3% blue. At the same time, there was no decrease in germination energy and germination compared to the control. The germination energy under the influence of blue light even increased by 12%. With dark germination, elongated etiolated plants were formed on the 10th day, whereas in the variants of green, blue and UV-A irradiation, harmoniously developed dark green shoots were formed.

Relevance. Fermentation makes it possible to improve the properties of the final product, increase its nutritional value and organoleptic characteristics. It has been scientifically proven that the use of fermented foods (with high nutritional and biological value) on a regular basis has a positive effect on human health, increases immunity, improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Dry fermented products with a long shelf life can be recommended as part of the diet in space.   The aim is to creation of a dry base for fermented long-term storage beverages based on cabbage and table carrots, applicable in the diet of space nutrition.   Objects and methods of research. The objects of the study were the domestic hybrid of white cabbage F1 Severyanka and the domestic variety of carrot table Margosha, and the dry fermented products obtained from them.   Results. It was found that, according to biochemical and organoleptic quality indicators, the domestic hybrid of white cabbage F1 Severyanka and the domestic carrot variety Margosha are suitable for various types of processing, including fermentation and manufacture of dried fermented products. The comparison of the number of microorganisms in fermented cabbage and cabbage dehydrated by LTVD (low temperature vacuum drying) and VFD (vacuum freeze drying methods was carried out. The survival rate of microorganisms was 1.62 times higher in LTVD. The ways of accelerating the fermentation process of table carrots are considered. The expediency of using starter cultures obtained on the basis of the fermented product has been confirmed. It has been found that using starter cultures in the form of a fermented product dried by the LTVD method accelerates fermentation and allows you to reach the desired pH level 1.33 times faster than the base one and does not affect the final organoleptic characteristics.

Solanum tuberosum L. is susceptible to 40 different virus species and 2 viroids. To prevent plant viruses from spreading in field conditions, it is necessary to have reliable data on the species composition of plant reservoirs of viral infection, the total activity of insect vectors, and possible ways of virus transmission in a particular territory of seed material production. Attention should be paid to the factors that facilitate and hinder the disease development in crops and to disease symptoms in different potato varieties. Manifestations of viral infections were monitored on every plant from the sample at the stages of initial growth, bud formation, and flowering and before the removal of potato haulms. Insects were collected using standard entomological method. The total RNA was isolated employing commercial kits for the extraction of nucleic acids from plant material “PhytoSorb” (Syntol Llc) and the benchtop automated extraction instrument KingFisher Flex (ThermoScientific) with magnetic particles. Plant viral infection was observed to accumulate if potato planting material was not renewed. The tested potato plants contained mixed viral infection, which consisted of viruses from mosaic group: PVY, PVX, PVM, PVS PVA, as well as PSTVd and PLRV. Without the renewal of seed potatoes, the concentration of plant viruses in an agroecosystem rises and causes secondary infections in potato plants. The research identified the main insect-vectors in the agroecosystem of potato fields: insects from genera Cicadella, Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata, Dolycoris baccarum, Mythimna separata, Lygus pratensis, and Rhopalosiphum padi. Many wild weeds serve as fodder plants for insect vectors facilitating the accumulation of plant viruses in agroecosystems. It was established that perennial weeds were the main plant reservoirs of dangerous viral infections, e.g. Sonchus arvensis and Taraxacum officinale. We determined that Trifolium pratense typus L., Chenopodium album L., Plantago major L., Barbarea vulgaris W.T. Aiton, and Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. were the reservoirs of PVY. All these factors can lead to an epiphytotic situation.

Relevance. In the modern production of greenhouse products, with hydroponic cultivation of crops, one of the safe ways to increase the quantity, quality of cucumber products and plant protection is the use of microbiological preparations.Methodology. The purpose of our work was to assess the effect of a complex of microbiological preparations on the productivity of cucumber hybrids in winter and spring turnover. The study was conducted in industrial greenhouses during 2021-2022. Long-fruited (Lohengrin F1) medium-fruited (Mewa F1 and Svyatogor F1) and short-fruited (Valigora F1) parthenocarpic cucumber hybrids were selected as research objects. The preparations were applied five times, at 30-day intervals throughout the entire growing period, the first application when planting plants in the production department. Measurements of economically valuable and chemical indicators were carried out weekly. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA methods were used for statistical data analysis.Results. As a result of the research, a positive stimulating effect of a complex of microbiological preparations on the accumulation of raw and dry biomass, an increase in yield and its quality in the studied cucumber hybrids was revealed. The final yield when applying microbiological preparations increased on average from 4.1 to 5.5 kg/m2 in all cucumber hybrids over the two years of study, while the yield of standard products in the total crop structure increased by 2.7% - 6.4%.

Relevance. It is necessary to search for methods for obtaining environmentally friendly products and reducing the pesticide load on agrobiocenoses. Biostimulants can influence the increase in the yield of vegetable crops and improve their quality, which is confirmed by numerous studies. Stimulating effects depend on a combination of various biotic and abiotic factors. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of biostimulants on the yield and quality of Brassica Oleracea in the conditions of the Central Non-Chernozem zone on heavy loamy sod-podzolic soils.Methodology. A field experiment was carried out in the conditions of the Non-Chernozem zone of the Russian Federation on sod-podzolic soil in 2019-2021. In an experiment with two hybrids of Brassica Oleracea: F1 Zarnitsa (mid-early) and F1 Mechta (late-ripening), biostimulants Agrofil and MBK-BIS were studied for soaking seeds, seedlings and foliar treatment. The control variants were without fertilizer (absolute control) and the N90P120K150 background.Results. The effect of mineral fertilizers on both hybrids was characterized by an increase in the weight of heads of cabbage by 11.7 and 23.5%, respectively. When treating seeds, the weight of heads of cabbage increased by 15-18% compared to the background. Additional treatment with stimulants for soaking seedlings in Agrofil and foliar treatment with the MBK-BIS preparation increased the weight of heads of cabbage in comparison with the background in the F1 Zarnitsa hybrid by 21.4 and 23.3%, F1 Mechta - by 21.4 and 25.4%. The contribution of biostimulants to the yield of the used cabbage hybrids is more pronounced in the late-ripening hybrid, which directly depends on the amount of precipitation during the growing season. The studied biostimulants contribute to an increase in the content of vitamin C, fiber, and the amount of sugars in cabbage heads.Conclusion. Biostimulants MBK-BIS and Agrofil are effective for increasing the yield and improving the biochemical composition of the studied Brassica oleracea hybrids in the conditions of the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia.

Relevance. Lake Ebeyty is the largest salt lake in the Omsk region, located in the south-west of the region, at the junction of the borders of three regions: Poltava, Moskalensky and Isilkulsky, and has huge reserves of medicinal mud. The purpose of the research is to study the characteristics of the chemical composition of Lake Ebeyty water over the years of research (data from 2011, 2019, 2022 and 2023) and soil cover.Material and Methodology. The paper presents the results of studies of the chemical composition of the water of Lake Ebeyty in the period 2011-2019-2022-2023. In this work, satellite data analysis methods were used to identify relief features and changes in the area of the water surface (archive of satellite images for 10 years) of the study area in the QGIS software product. Water samples were taken during the daytime for chemical analysis using generally accepted methods.Results. An assessment of the ecological state of the lake was carried out. As a result of the research, it was established: an increase in oxidation from 53.04 mgO2/l in 2011 to 208.0 mgO2/l in 2022, in 2023 the figure decreases to 150.4 mgO2/l, which indicates a deterioration in the ecological situation of the water body. Mineralization increases over the years of research from 128054 to 268691 mg/l (respectively). The soil cover is rep-resented by soils of the saline series - solonchaks and solonetzes.

Relevance. Agroforestry systems are believed to provide a multitude of ecological services. It is thought that agroforestry enhances resilience to the impacts of climate change and aids in adaptation by supporting diverse land use practices, sustainable lifestyles, and income streams, as well as increasing productivity in both forests and agriculture, and reducing weather-related losses in production.Results and Discussion. The aim of this review was to present genuine evidence on the role of agroforestry in ecosystem conservation and mitigation of climate change impacts. Compared to monocropping and open cereal-based agriculture, agroforestry has made a more significant contribution to ecosystem conservation and in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. However, it has been found that agroforestry contributes less to carbon sequestration than natural forests. Carbon sequestration through above-ground and underground biomass, carbon emission reduction from deforestation, and microclimate adjustment are key measures for mitigating climate change. Agroforestry systems provide essential ecosystem services, such as food, fuel wood, fodder, income, and improved soil production, which enable communities to cope better with the impacts of climate change. Therefore, agroforestry must be given significant attention if it is to play a crucial role in ecosystem management.

Relevance. Fertigation is the application of fertilizers, in which nutrients are dissolved in water for irrigation. This method is relevant when growing eggplant in the Rostov region, allowing effective use of fertilizers, since nutrients enter directly into the roots of plants, which eliminates their loss to evaporation or weathering. During fertigation, there is no need to carry out separate procedures for fertilization and irrigation, operations are combined into one, which reduces time and costs. The Rostov region is characterized by variable climatic conditions, including drought and strong winds. Fertigation ensures uniform and constant nutrition of plants, allowing them to better adapt to weather conditions, and can help increase yields by optimizing plant growth and development conditions.Material and methodology. In the conditions of the Rostov region, on ordinary heavy loamy chernozems, studies were conducted on the cultivation of eggplant on different backgrounds of the main application of mineral fertilizers in calculated doses before planting and using root fertilizing with complex fertilizers with trace elements with irrigation (fertigation), as well as leaf fertilizing with organomineral fertilizer Arksoil during the growing season.Results. It was revealed that mineral fertilizers and top dressing accelerated the growth and development of plants, and in the best case, the increase in indicators was 2 times higher compared with the control, while the height of the main stem, the number of lateral shoots and the number of ovaries on the plant, as well as the average weight of the fruit, significantly increased, which ensured an increase in plant productivity. The combined use of basic fertilizer and complex soluble fertilizers in the drip irrigation system has significantly increased plant productivity and increased yields to 77.82 t/ha. The application of high doses of fertilizers in combination with fertigation with water-soluble fertilizers did not actually affect the quality of fruits. The content of dry matter and nitrates remained at an optimal level.