The author presents the study results concerning the infl uence of different systems of primary soil tillage on weed infestation on lands withdrawn from agriculture in Polissia of Ukraine. It is found that in case of returning such lands to use ploughing leads to depletion of weed seed stock in the layer of 0–10 cm by 36,1%. Surface and combined tillage systems help to reduce pollution of this soil layer with weed seeds by 25,4% and 31,7% respectively. When using surface tillage, a very shallow buriel of vegetative and generative organs of weeds that are close to the soil surface foster their early regrowth and accelerated development.

Various fungi were isolated during the course of a survey in a cold-store of apples in the Netherlands. One of these fungi belongs to the genus Penicillium and produces cleistothecia at 9 and 15 °C. A detailed study using a combination of phenotypic characters, sequences and extrolite patterns showed that these isolates belong to a new species within the series Roqueforti. The formation of cleistothecia at low temperatures and the inability to produce roquefortine C, together with a unique phylogenetic placement, make these isolates a novel entity in the Roqueforti series. The name Penicillium psychrosexualis sp. nov. (CBS 128137T) is proposed here for these isolates.

Elements of energy-saving technology of table beet seed production (variety type of Bordeau) in the Eastern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine were improved, they include method of irrigation (drip irrigation, HB 70–65%), fertilizing (locally N 15 P 30 K 60 + N 15 ), fertigation (stage of 3–4 true leaves, bundle ripeness, the beginning of stooling and flowering), the use of standard mother roots 61–100 mm in diameter along with mother rootsstecklings 41–60 mm in diameter that increase average yields according to the size up to 1,89 t/ha. It is found that the application of micronutrient mixture of Zn + B + Mo in one term and mixture of Zn + B in two terms was the most effective.

Elements of energy-saving technology of table beet seed production (variety type of Bordeau) in the Eastern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine were improved, they include method of irrigation (drip irrigation, HB 70–65%), fertilizing (locally N 15 P 30 K 60 + N 15), fertigation (stage of 3–4 true leaves, bundle ripeness, the beginning of stooling and flowering), the use of standard mother roots 61–100 mm in diameter along with mother rootsstecklings 41–60 mm in diameter that increase average yields according to the size up to 1,89 t/ha. It is found that the application of micronutrient mixture of Zn + B + Mo in one term and mixture of Zn + B in two terms was the most effective.

Results obtained during the study of special features of cultivation and productivity of soft winter wheat varieties that differ by origin in the Steppe zone in Ukraine are presented. Relevance of the executed work was determined by ambiguous assessment and selection of available soft winter wheat variety assortment that is used in Steppe zone farms. Findings allow to find out  and expose to a greater extent unused reserves for increasing the croppage level. It was found in the process of the study that now according to comprehensive assessment the best varieties of a soft winter wheat for corn growers in the steppe zone are Smuhlianka, Epokha odes`ka, Kiriia, Zolotokolosa, Blahodarka odes`ka, Bohdana, Lyst 25, Rozkishna.

Results obtained during the study of special features of cultivation and productivity of soft winter wheat varieties that differ by origin in the Steppe zone in Ukraine are presented. Relevance of the executed work was determined by ambiguous assessment and selection of available soft winter wheat variety assortment that is used in Steppe zone farms. Findings allow to find out and expose to a greater extent unused reserves for increasing the croppage level. It was found in the process of the study that now according to comprehensive assessment the best varieties of a soft winter wheat for corn growers in the steppe zone are Smuhlianka, Epokha odes`ka, Kiriia, Zolotokolosa, Blahodarka odes`ka, Bohdana, Lyst 25, Rozkishna.

The article quotes data on fruits biochemical composition for 101 varieties of peach from Nikita Botanical Garden collection. 88 varieties have been singled out according to the composition of bioactive substances. Among those varieties the North China and Iran ecological and geographical groups prevail (52.3% and 37.5%, respectively).

The article quotes data on fruits biochemical composition for 101 varieties of peach from Nikita Botanical Garden collection. 88 varieties have been singled out according to the composition of bioactive substances. Among those varieties the North China and Iran ecological and geographical groups prevail (52.3% and 37.5%, respectively).

The results obtained during the study of resistance of promising gooseberry varieties to Septoria leaf spot in the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine are described. Variety samples were divided into groups by the resistance to disease. Among them none was found with complete field  resistance. Sladkiy proved to be highly resistant variety. Resistance above the average is typical for Berill, Grushenka, Kooperator, Lehin, Malakhit, Rodnik, Shennon varieties. Hrossulyar, Kamenyar, Karat, Knyazhych, Kolobok, Krasnoslavyanskiy, Laskovyi, Mazershkota, Russkiy, Svityaz, Severnyi kapitan are varieties of average resistance to Septoria leaf spot. Zyelyonyi dozhd, Zlatogor, Invikta, Kubanyets, Nesluhivskyi, Slivovyi are characterized as low resistant ones.

The results obtained during the study of resistance of promising gooseberry varieties to Septoria leaf spot in the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine are described. Variety samples were divided into groups by the resistance to disease. Among them none was found with complete field resistance. Sladkiy proved to be highly resistant variety. Resistance above the average is typical for Berill, Grushenka, Kooperator, Lehin, Malakhit, Rodnik, Shennon varieties. Hrossulyar, Kamenyar, Karat, Knyazhych, Kolobok, Krasnoslavyanskiy, Laskovyi, Mazershkota, Russkiy, Svityaz, Severnyi kapitan are varieties of average resistance to Septoria leaf spot. Zyelyonyi dozhd, Zlatogor, Invikta, Kubanyets, Nesluhivskyi, Slivovyi are characterized as low resistant ones.

The research of 122 breeding lines of winter wheat to adaptability have been carried out for three years at three points. Samples for ecological variety testing were determined which have both high and average stability and plasticity, high average yield and are promising for qualified examination. The environments are analyzed for differentiating ability. Environments were selected which allow to identify genotypes for yield potential and adaptive ability. It is established that the parameters of adaptive ability and stability of winter wheat samples obtained during cultivation both in various geographical locations and at one point during some years were closely correlated. This confirms the hypothesis that the genotype estimate for adaptive ability in one location is reliable. The connection level was average only for the variance of genotype–environment interaction. However, this parameter is not principal therefore this connection level does not restrict significantly the use of the method in general.

The research of 122 breeding lines of winter wheat to adaptability have been carried out for three years at three points. Samples for ecological variety testing were determined which have both high and average stability and plasticity, high average yield and are promising for qualified examination. The environments are analyzed for differentiating ability. Environments were selected which allow to identify genotypes for yield potential and adaptive ability. It is established that the parameters of adaptive ability and stability of winter wheat samples obtained during cultivation both in various geographical locations and at one point during some years were closely correlated. This confirms the hypothesis that the genotype estimate for adaptive ability in one location is reliable. The connection level was average only for the variance of genotype–environment interaction. However, this parameter is not principal therefore this connection level does not restrict significantly the use of the method in general.

The results of evaluation and selection of breeding material of mixed germ-plasm corn for early ripeness among self-pollinated families S4 by the length of the «sprouting–flowering of 50% of ears» period are given. A signifi cant infl uence of weather conditions during the years of study on the length of this indicator was determined. Response of studied corn test-crosses on growing conditions are described. Self-pollinated families DK22282111, DK28211111, DK21511111, DK20192321, DK26143111 were singled out which had a high tolerance to growing conditions and stable «sprouting–flowering of 50% of ears» period.

The results of evaluation and selection of breeding material of mixed germ-plasm corn for early ripeness among self-pollinated families S4 by the length of the «sprouting–flowering of 50% of ears» period are given. A signifi cant infl uence of weather conditions during the years of study on the length of this indicator was determined. Response of studied corn test-crosses on growing conditions are described. Self-pollinated families DK22282111, DK28211111, DK21511111, DK20192321, DK26143111 were singled out which had a high tolerance to growing conditions and stable «sprouting–flowering of 50% of ears» period.