Increasing demand for semi-finished meat has led manufacturers to increase production volumes, renewing and modernizing their assortments in parallel. Technologies and recipes for semi-finished products production are known, in which animal and vegetable raw materials are combined. In addition, it contributes to the rational use of raw materials, the provision of quality food, and the improvement of technical and economic indicators. As a dietary raw material, white cabbage is an effective raw material to use in the production of semi-finished products.

The crops variety growing in Armenia has not been fully explored yet, hence, their genetic potential has not been revealed. Therefore, study of gliadin (Gld) locus contained in cereals’ embryo will further clarify the process of allelofunds and genotypes, homozygocity and heterozigocity, genetic similarity, genetic formula and genomic analysis of studied cultivars and wild species. The research was carried out in 2021­2022 in the educational laboratory of Food Quality Control of the Armenian National Agrarian University. The samples of the studied plants were taken from the ex­situ seed collection of the National Gene­ bank of Agricultural Crops and their Wild Relatives of the “Scientific Center of Agro­Biotechnology” branch of the Armenian National Agrarian University. From the electrophoretic spectrum of gliadin (Gld) for the study and identification of the genetic diversity of the inventory samples of cereals diversity protein formulas were deciphered, allelotypes and genotypes, homozygosity and heterozygos­ ity levels were determined, and genomic analysis was performed. According to the genomic analysis of the studied cereals varieties and wild relatives using protein markers, gliadin is spread into four zones: α, β, γ and ω. The genes regulating the synthesis of different parts of gliadin of α, β, γ, ω zones, are polymorphic located in chromosomes 6B(S), 1A(S), 1B(S), 1D(S), and in the case of Alti aghaj, Voskehask and Gjulgian also in 6A chromosome. There are no genes regulating the synthesis of gliadin segments in chromosome 6D(α). Research results, as genetic markers, can be used in identification and selection of studied varieties and wild species.

Throughout the current research 20 rare plant species of the RA mountain meadow zone has been studied and the botanical, topographical, cartographical and graphical descriptions have been compiled based on the existing spatial database. At the first research phase, three rare plants growing in the regions of Kotayk and Gegharkunik were mapped in the ArcGIS environment: Inula acaulis Schott & Kotschy ex Boiss., Acanthus dioscoridis and Draba araratica Rupr. For mapping, first their distribution per communities, settlements, operational significance and soil type was studied and identified, then digital mapping and analysis were performed in the GIS (Geographic Information Systems) environment. Based on the results, it was recommended to take appropriate measures for their preservation. Further changes in the ecological condition of rare plants growing in the selected regions were studied, maps of the given areas were drawn up in the GIS environment, and analysis of plant location, growth density, distance from the settlement, functional significance of the land, threats of extinction as a rare plant species, and conservation measures was performed. The received digital maps and analysis of mapping results justify the need for the development of additional measures (legal, economic, environmental). In order to map the mentioned plant species in ArcGIS environment, sequence of actions has been developed based on which it is possible to update, adjust and complete the database of rare plant species in the mountain meadow zone of Armenia and enrich the global biodiversity repository through the GBIF system.

The implemented research was aimed to evaluate the biological and economic indicators of the studied varieties of zucchini, to introduce the most valuable and high­yielding variety into production. Expert studies were conducted in 2021­2022 in the Taghavard community of the Martuni region of the Republic of Artsakh, located at an altitude of 600m above sea level. Anna (control), Adana and Zartonk zucchini varieties were studied. Each cultivar was planted in a 50 m2 plot with four replications. In each plot, 123 plants were planted in two rows of 10 m length, with 90+70 cm inter­row and 45 cm inter­plant distance. During the vegetation period, feeding with the norm of N 45 was done twice. Breeding varieties were evaluated according to growth and development stages, duration of vegetation, resistance to diseases and pests, and yield indicators. According to research, the Adana and Zartonk have a relatively long vegetation period (72 and 73 days), and the Adana (510 cent/ha) stands out in terms of crop structural elements and yield indicators. Adana and Zartonk are relatively resistant to diseases, and the difference in pest infestation is insignificant. Adana surpassed both Anna and Zartonk in terms of fruit percentage. It exceeded the high­yield control by 135 cent/ha, at the same time, with high economic efficiency, it provided 135 cent/ha crop addition and AMD 420.000 additional profit per hectare. It is recommended to cultivate the Adana zucchini variety in the sub­mountainous zone of the Artsakh Republic.

Aflatoxin contamination in cereals poses a significant food safety and public health issue worldwide. Cereals, including rice, are a staple food in the diet of the Armenian population. This study aimed to assess the potential health risks associated with the exposure to aflatoxin B1 mycotoxin through rice consumption among the population of Yerevan. The daily intake of aflatoxin B1 through the rice consumption was estimated for the adult population across all administrative regions. The margin of exposure (MOE) method was used to evaluate the health risks associated with aflatoxin B1 exposure, with values less than 10000 considered a public health concern. The results indicated that the MOE for aflatoxin B1 exposure through rice consumption among the Yerevan population was less than 10000, which indicates the public health concern. Even the amounts of aflatoxin B1 within permissible levels were found to be potentially risky for the health of the population. Moreover, the MOE method used in this study can be a useful tool for assessing the risks associated with other food contaminants and guiding the development of appropriate risk management strategies. Hence, this study emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring of aflatoxin levels in cereals, to ensure the safety of the food supply and protect public health.

Throughout 121 days of winter pasture period, the animals aged 9.0­12.9 months old were grazed on without supplemental feeding. The study was carried out in the winter pasture of Yeghegnut community, Armavir region of RA. 10 heads from Holstein and Flekvi heifers each, kept in stalls were selected for the research. During 121 days of winter grazing, female calves from 9.0 to 12.9 month­old were in the pasture from 12:00 to 17:00 and during the remaining 19 hours in the cattle shed, without additional feeding. Absolute, average daily, relative weight gain and growth factors were determined on the basis of weighing and body part measurements at the beginning and end of winter grazing. According to the weight growth data, the absolute weight gain of a 9.0­12.9­month­old female Holstein calf was 71.4 kg, the average daily weight gain was 610 g, the relative weight gain was 30.6 %, the growth factor was 1.4 times, compensation for 1 kg weight gainer – 5.4 energy feed units, and for the Flekvi breed – 62.6 kg, 535 g, 27 %,1.3 times, and 6.2 energy feed units, respectively. According to the data of linear growth, the height of the body parts of the 9.0­12.9­month­old female Holstein breed in­ creased by 3.0­3.7, width by 3.0­3.3, length by 0.9­4.3, chest depth – 3.1, breast width – 3.6, forearm width – 0.7 cm, and Flekvi – 2.3­3.2, 0.7­2.6, 0.7­6.1, 1.7, 5.5 and 1.4 cm, respectively. Body composition indices also prove that the body structure of the 12.9­month­old female Holstein and Flekvi breeds has also developed proportionally. Therefore, we suggest to graze 6­month­old calves and older animals of different gender and age groups in the Armavir region of RA in winter pastures.

To study the adaptive and acclimatization capabilities of imported apple cultivars to expand the geographical boundaries of their use in the specific lowland conditions of the Ararat Valley as well as to understand their genetic resources in new growing conditions, production experiments were set up. The following encouraging data were obtained Based on a two-year study of five new novel cultivars of apple trees in three different areas. Five apple tree cultivars were investigated: Granny Smith, Jonagold Decosta, Fuji, Mutsu, and Gala. During observation and study, they showed a high yield productivity. As a result, all five imported cultivars of apple trees are recommended for growing in intensive orchards and under similar agro-climatic conditions.

Brucellosis is a common bacterial zoonosis caused by Brucella spp., which are facultative intracellular gram-negative cocco-bacilli, causing disease in cattle, small ruminants, and humans. The occurrence of brucellosis is widespread across a wide geographical area as well as endemic throughout the Caucasus region. The Ministry of Agriculture of Armenia has adopted a diagnostic algorithm consisting of screening samples with the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) followed by confirmation with the complement fixation test (CFT). This study determined the feasibility of the algorithm and diagnostics in Armenia. Sampling and testing were conducted in two marzes of Armenia with disparate brucellosis prevalence. The screening was performed in 2020 at regional laboratories, followed by retesting at the reference laboratory with RBT and confirmation by CFT. Results indicated that RBT testing was reproducible between laboratories, although positive rates in CFT testing were slightly higher. Brucellosis incidence in cattle was not geographically dependent, while sheep incidence was affected by location. The addition of CFT to the diagnostic algorithm improves the results.

The data of the study indicate that the service period of the cows of the 4th-5th lactation is 5-58 days higher than the norm in the “Vamaks” LLC cattle farm of the Syunik region of the RA, and the coefficient of reproductive ability varies in the range of 86.3-98.6 %. Due to sterility, the loss of lactations in the 5th lactation is 16 and the loss of milk quantity is 126 tons. We propose to identify and inseminate (mate) animals with sexual desire in a timely manner, as well as to establish strict veterinary control to monitor and regulate the service period of 4-5 calving cows.

In recent years, the successful development of dog breeding in Armenia has been hindered by various diseases, the most common of which is demodicosis. The spread of the demodicosis invasion in Yerevan is mainly due to the uncontrolled breeding of dogs, violation of sanitary and hygiene rules for dog rearing, and unauthorized sale and purchase of dogs. Lack of information about the disease among the dog owner and breeders is another important reason for the spread of the disease. Demodicosis in dogs proceeds with certain variations. The extent of invasion in autumn was 51.7 %, in spring – 34 %, in winter – (32.2 %), and in summer it was 18.5 %. The relatively low temperature of the external environment and the high relative humidity of the air are probably favorable conditions for the reproduction, growth, and development of causative agents of demodicosis in dogs. Studies have shown that the highest degree of demodicosis was observed among maternal livestock, and animals older than three months. The lowest degree of disease damage was observed in puppies up to three months old.