Purpose. Identify the peculiarities of the growth and development of plants, formation of productivity of sweet sorghum hybrids for different widths of row spacing, crops density and the use of the growth stimulant Vympel 2 in the zone of the Forest-Steppe Ukraine. Methods. The study used hybrids ‘Dovista’ and ‘Huliver’. The width of the row spacing was 45 and 70 cm for the density of the crops: 150 thousand pcs/ha, 200 thousand pcs/ha, 250 thousand pcs/ha. Sorghum seed treatment was carried out using Vympel 2 (0.5 l/t) growth stimulant and its additional foliar application in the tillering stage of the crop (0.5 l/ha). Results. Studies have revealed that the ‘Dovista’ hybrid has a significant potential for productivity due to a longer growing season. At different widths of row spacing and density of plants standing, the hybrid ‘Dovista’ yield exceeded the average by 3.6 t/ha of‘Huliver’ hybrid. The yield increase at the level of 7.3–13.0 t/ha was obtained in the variant of application of growth stimulant Vympel 2 at 45 cm of row spacing and changes in sowing rates from 150 to 250 thousand pcs/ha. Similar variants of experiment at 70 cm of width of row spacing ensured collection of vegetative mass of sweet sorghum at 6.7–12.6 t/ha more than in cont­rol variants. The growth stimulant Vympel 2 increased the accumulation of dry matter in ‘Dovista’ hybrid with a row spacing of 45 cm and various seeding rates by 1.3–4.3 t/ha, whereas with a row spacing of 70 cm – by 1.2–3.5 t/ha. In the ‘Huliver’ hybrid in similar experiments, an increase in dry matter was obtained at the level of 1.7–3.9 t/ha, and the application of the growth regulator ensured the collection of dry matter of sweet sorghum by 1.3–3.0 t/ha above the control variants. Total sugar content in the variants of the experiment was biased. Application of seed treatment with growth stimulant Vympel 2 (0.5 l/t) followed by foliar application in the tillering stage (0.5 l/ha) increased the content of total sugars by 0.15, but this slight deviation was within the experimental margin. Conclusions. The highest yield of green mass at a density of 250 thousand plants per hectare and seed treatment with growth stimulant Vympel 2 (0.5 l/t) + foliar application in the tillering stage (0.5 l/ha) provided the ‘Dovista’ hybrid – 98.8 t/ha, which is 5.3 t/ha more than in the ‘Huliver’ hybrid for the width of the row spacing of 45 cm. In the phase of physiological maturity of the grain, the content of total sugars in sweet sorghum was, on average, at the level of 15.0%, in the ‘Dovista’ hybrid – 15.4%, in the ‘Huliver’ hybrid – 14.7%.

Purpose. Identify the peculiarities of the growth and development of plants, formation of productivity of sweet sorghum hybrids for different widths of row spacing, crops density and the use of the growth stimulant Vympel 2 in the zone of the Forest-Steppe Ukraine. Methods. The study used hybrids ‘Dovista’ and ‘Huliver’. The width of the row spacing was 45 and 70 cm for the density of the crops: 150 thousand pcs/ha, 200 thousand pcs/ha, 250 thousand pcs/ha. Sorghum seed treatment was carried out using Vympel 2 (0.5 l/t) growth stimulant and its additional foliar application in the tillering stage of the crop (0.5 l/ha). Results. Studies have revealed that the ‘Dovista’ hybrid has a significant potential for productivity due to a longer growing season. At different widths of row spacing and density of plants standing, the hybrid ‘Dovista’ yield exceeded the average by 3.6 t/ha of‘Huliver’ hybrid. The yield increase at the level of 7.3–13.0 t/ha was obtained in the variant of application of growth stimulant Vympel 2 at 45 cm of row spacing and changes in sowing rates from 150 to 250 thousand pcs/ha. Similar variants of experiment at 70 cm of width of row spacing ensured collection of vegetative mass of sweet sorghum at 6.7–12.6 t/ha more than in cont­rol variants. The growth stimulant Vympel 2 increased the accumulation of dry matter in ‘Dovista’ hybrid with a row spacing of 45 cm and various seeding rates by 1.3–4.3 t/ha, whereas with a row spacing of 70 cm – by 1.2–3.5 t/ha. In the ‘Huliver’ hybrid in similar experiments, an increase in dry matter was obtained at the level of 1.7–3.9 t/ha, and the application of the growth regulator ensured the collection of dry matter of sweet sorghum by 1.3–3.0 t/ha above the control variants. Total sugar content in the variants of the experiment was biased. Application of seed treatment with growth stimulant Vympel 2 (0.5 l/t) followed by foliar application in the tillering stage (0.5 l/ha) increased the content of total sugars by 0.15, but this slight deviation was within the experimental margin. Conclusions. The highest yield of green mass at a density of 250 thousand plants per hectare and seed treatment with growth stimulant Vympel 2 (0.5 l/t) + foliar application in the tillering stage (0.5 l/ha) provided the ‘Dovista’ hybrid – 98.8 t/ha, which is 5.3 t/ha more than in the ‘Huliver’ hybrid for the width of the row spacing of 45 cm. In the phase of physiological maturity of the grain, the content of total sugars in sweet sorghum was, on average, at the level of 15.0%, in the ‘Dovista’ hybrid – 15.4%, in the ‘Huliver’ hybrid – 14.7%. | Цель. Выявить особенности роста и развития растений и формирования продуктивности гибридов сорго сахарного при разной ширине междурядий, густоте посевов и применении регулятора роста Вымпел 2 в зоне Лесостепи Украины. Методы. В исследовании сеяли гибриды сорго ‘Довіста’ и ‘Гулівер’. Ширина междурядий составляла 45 и 70 см при густоте растений в посевах 150, 200 и 250 тыс. шт./га. Проводили допосевную обработку семян сорго стимулятором роста Вымпел 2 (0,5 л/т), а также применяли его в фазе кущения (0,5 л/га) культуры. Результаты. Установлено, что гибрид ‘Довіста’ имеет значительный потенциал продуктивности благодаря более длительному вегетационному периоду. В частности, в среднем по опыту при разной ширине междурядий и густоте стояния растений по урожайности он превышал гибрид ‘Гулівер’ на 3,6 т/га. В варианте применения стимулятора роста Вымпел 2 при ширине междурядий 45 см и изменении норм высева от 150 до 250 тыс. шт./га получили прирост урожая на уровне 7,3–13,0 т/га. Аналогичные варианты опыта при ширине междурядий 70 см обеспечили сбор вегетативной массы сорго сахарного на 6,7–12,6 т/га больше конт­рольных вариантов. Стимулятор роста Вымпел 2 увеличивал накопление сухого вещества у гибрида ‘Довіста’ при ширине междурядий 45 см и разных нормах высева на 1,3–4,3 т/га, тогда как при ширине междурядий 70 см – на 1,2–3,5 т/га. У гибрида ‘Гулівер’ в аналогичных вариантах опыта получен прирост сухого вещества на уровне 1,7–3,9 т/га, а применение регулятора роста обеспечило сбор сухого вещества на 1,3–3,0 т/га больше контрольных вариантов. Содержание общих сахаров в вариантах опыта имел тенденциозный характер. Применение обработки семян стимулятором роста Вымпел 2 (0,5 л/т) с последующим внекорневым использованием в фазе кущения (0,5 л/га) повысило содержание общих сахаров на 0,15%, что, однако, было в пределах погрешности опыта. Выводы. Наивысшую урожайность зеленой массы при густоте 250 тыс. растений на гектар и применении стимулятора роста Вымпел 2 обеспечил гибрид ‘Довіста’ – 98,8 т/га, что на 5,3 т/га больше, чем у гибрида ‘Гулівер’ при ширине междурядий 45 см. В фазе физиологической спелости зерна содержание общих сахаров в стеблях сорго сахарного в среднем по опыту было на уровне 15,0%, в том числе у гибрида ‘Довіста’ – 15,4%, ‘Гулівер’ – 14,7%. | Мета. Виявити особливості росту й розвитку рослин та формування продуктивності гібридів сорго цукрового за різної ширини міжрядь, густоти посівів та застосування регулятора росту Вимпел 2 у зоні Лісостепу України. Методи. У дослідженні висівали гібриди сорго ‘Довіста’ та ‘Гулівер’. Ширина міжрядь становила 45 та 70 см за густоти рослин у посівах 150, 200 та 250 тис. шт./га. Проводили допосівну обробку насіння сорго стимулятором росту Вимпел 2 (0,5 л/т) та позакоренево його застосовували у фазі кущення (0,5 л/га) культури. Результати. Установлено, що гібрид ‘Довіста’ має значний потенціал продуктивності завдяки тривалішому вегетаційному періоду. Зокрема, у середньому по досліду за різної ширини міжрядь та густоти стояння рослин за врожайністю він перевищував гібрид ‘Гулівер’ на 3,6 т/га. У варіанті застосування стимулятора росту Вимпел 2 за ширини міжрядь 45 см та зміни норм висіву від 150 до 250 тис. шт./га отримали приріст урожаю на рівні 7,3–13,0 т/га. Аналогічні варіанти досліду за ширини міжрядь 70 см забезпечили збір вегетативної маси сорго цукрового на 6,7–12,6 т/га більше контрольних варіантів. Стимулятор росту Вимпел 2 збільшував накопичення сухої речовини в гібрида ‘Довіста’ за ширини міжрядь 45 см та різних норм висіву на 1,3–4,3 т/га, тоді як за ширини міжрядь 70 см – на 1,2–3,5 т/га. У гібрида ‘Гулівер’ в аналогічних варіантах досліду отримано приріст сухої речовини на рівні 1,7–3,9 т/га, а застосування регулятора росту забезпечило збір сухої речовини на 1,3–3,0 т/га більше контрольних варіантів. Уміст загальних цукрів у варіантах досліду мав тенденційний характер. Застосування обробки насіння стимулятором росту Вимпел 2 (0,5 л/т) з подальшим позакореневим використанням у фазі кущення (0,5 л/га) підвищило вміст загальних цукрів на 0,15%, що, проте, було в межах похибки досліду. Висновки. Найвищу врожайність зеленої маси за густоти 250 тис. рослин на гектарі та застосування стимулятора росту Вимпел 2 забезпечив гібрид ‘Довіста’ – 98,8 т/га, що на 5,3 т/га більше, ніж у гібрида ‘Гулівер’ за ширини міжрядь 45 см. У фазі фізіологічної стиглості зерна вміст загальних цукрів у стеблах сорго цукрового в середньому по досліду був на рівні 15,0%, зокрема в гібрида ‘Довіста’ – 15,4%, ‘Гулівер’ – 14,7%.

Purpose. Identify the peculiarities of the growth and development of plants, formation of productivity of sweet sorghum hybrids for different widths of row spacing, crops density and the use of the growth stimulant Vympel 2 in the zone of the Forest-Steppe Ukraine. Methods. The study used hybrids ‘Dovista’ and ‘Huliver’. The width of the row spacing was 45 and 70 cm for the density of the crops: 150 thousand pcs/ha, 200 thousand pcs/ha, 250 thousand pcs/ha. Sorghum seed treatment was carried out using Vympel 2 (0.5 l/t) growth stimulant and its additional foliar application in the tillering stage of the crop (0.5 l/ha). Results. Studies have revealed that the ‘Dovista’ hybrid has a significant potential for productivity due to a longer growing season. At different widths of row spacing and density of plants standing, the hybrid ‘Dovista’ yield exceeded the average by 3.6 t/ha of‘Huliver’ hybrid. The yield increase at the level of 7.3–13.0 t/ha was obtained in the variant of application of growth stimulant Vympel 2 at 45 cm of row spacing and changes in sowing rates from 150 to 250 thousand pcs/ha. Similar variants of experiment at 70 cm of width of row spacing ensured collection of vegetative mass of sweet sorghum at 6.7–12.6 t/ha more than in cont­rol variants. The growth stimulant Vympel 2 increased the accumulation of dry matter in ‘Dovista’ hybrid with a row spacing of 45 cm and various seeding rates by 1.3–4.3 t/ha, whereas with a row spacing of 70 cm – by 1.2–3.5 t/ha. In the ‘Huliver’ hybrid in similar experiments, an increase in dry matter was obtained at the level of 1.7–3.9 t/ha, and the application of the growth regulator ensured the collection of dry matter of sweet sorghum by 1.3–3.0 t/ha above the control variants. Total sugar content in the variants of the experiment was biased. Application of seed treatment with growth stimulant Vympel 2 (0.5 l/t) followed by foliar application in the tillering stage (0.5 l/ha) increased the content of total sugars by 0.15, but this slight deviation was within the experimental margin. Conclusions. The highest yield of green mass at a density of 250 thousand plants per hectare and seed treatment with growth stimulant Vympel 2 (0.5 l/t) + foliar application in the tillering stage (0.5 l/ha) provided the ‘Dovista’ hybrid – 98.8 t/ha, which is 5.3 t/ha more than in the ‘Huliver’ hybrid for the width of the row spacing of 45 cm. In the phase of physiological maturity of the grain, the content of total sugars in sweet sorghum was, on average, at the level of 15.0%, in the ‘Dovista’ hybrid – 15.4%, in the ‘Huliver’ hybrid – 14.7%.

Purpose. To study the effect of AKM plant growth regulator on growth, development and yield formation of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids in hybridization plots under the conditions of the Southern Steppe zone of Ukraine. Methods. Laboratory tests, field study, statistical evaluation. Results. The results of studies devoted to determining the optimal AKM concentration for the treatment of seeds of the maternal and paternal lines, the effect of AKM on field germination, biometric parameters of sunflower plants, seed quality (F1) and yield are presented. Three hybrids of the Ukrainian selection, such as ‘Alpha’, ‘Logos’ and ‘Persei’ were studied during 2014–2016. Optimal concentration of AKM (0.0015 g/l) was defined. The vigor of seeds processed by AKM was higher than in check variety by 0.8–12.8 р.р. (♂); 0.4–10.7 p.p. (♀), laboratory germination – by 2.3–6.1 p.p. (♂); 3.5–6.2 p.p. (♀). In 2016, the sunflower plant height for all variants exceeded this parameter to be obtained for other years of the study. This could be explained by the fact that HTC in 2016 for the BBCH 00–39 period was 1.4 times higher than in 2015. In general, hybrids as the studied factor considerably influenced sunflower yield, and the share of the hybrid (factor A) influence is 33%. This should be considered when selecting hybrids for sunflower cultivation technologies in the Steppe zone of Ukraine. Conclusions. Hydrothermal conditions of the year had the maximum impact on the formation of seed quality and yield of sunflower plants of the hybrids under study, but when using AKM growth regulator for presowing seed treatment, this negative impact was reduced by an average of 23%.

Abstract The genus Phytophthora comprises many economically and ecologically important plant pathogens. Hybrid species have previously been identified in at least six of the 12 phylogenetic clades. These hybrids can potentially infect a wider host range and display enhanced vigour compared to their progenitors. Phytophthora hybrids therefore pose a serious threat to agriculture as well as to natural ecosystems. Early and correct identification of hybrids is therefore essential for adequate plant protection but this is hampered by the limitations of morphological and traditional molecular methods. Identification of hybrids is also important in evolutionary studies as the positioning of hybrids in a phylogenetic tree can lead to suboptimal topologies. To improve the identification of hybrids we have combined genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and genome size estimation on a genus-wide collection of 614 Phytophthora isolates. Analyses based on locus- and allele counts and especially on the combination of species-specific loci and genome size estimations allowed us to confirm and characterize 27 previously described hybrid species and discover 16 new hybrid species. Our method was also valuable for species identification at an unprecedented resolution and further allowed correct naming of misidentified isolates. We used both a concatenation- and a coalescent-based phylogenomic method to construct a reliable phylogeny using the GBS data of 140 non-hybrid Phytophthora isolates. Hybrid species were subsequently connected to their progenitors in this phylogenetic tree. In this study we demonstrate the application of two validated techniques (GBS and flow cytometry) for relatively low cost but high resolution identification of hybrids and their phylogenetic relations.