Purpose. Creation of experimental sugar beet hybrid combinations of high sugar yield values and defining gene­tic determination of their heterotic effect. Methods. Diallel crossing and topcrossing, genetic analysis of quantitative traits. Results. The authors have studied the frequency of occurrence of sugar beet heterotic hybrid combinations for «sugar yield» trait created on the basis of two pollinator lines to be genetically valuable for productivity elements, CMS lines and single-cross sterile hybrids with the use of diallel and topcrossing system of controlled hybridization. The share of parental components’ effect and their interaction in CMS hybrids variability for productivity was determined. Expediency of heterotic forecasting based on high combining ability lines was substabtiated. Promising high-yielding sugar beet combinations were selected that exceeded the group standard by 4.1–16.3%. Conclusions. The theory of genetic balance by M. V. Turbin was confirmed. Such hybrids as [CMS 5OT 4]MGP 1 (116.3%), [CMS 1OT 2]MGP 1 (112.5%) and [CMS 3OT 5]MGP 1 (113.2%) were recognized as the best for their productivity, MGP 1 and MGP 2 lines – as the best for their combining ability.

Purpose. Creation of experimental sugar beet hybrid combinations of high sugar yield values and defining gene­tic determination of their heterotic effect. Methods. Diallel crossing and topcrossing, genetic analysis of quantitative traits. Results. The authors have studied the frequency of occurrence of sugar beet heterotic hybrid combinations for «sugar yield» trait created on the basis of two pollinator lines to be genetically valuable for productivity elements, CMS lines and single-cross sterile hybrids with the use of diallel and topcrossing system of controlled hybridization. The share of parental components’ effect and their interaction in CMS hybrids variability for productivity was determined. Expediency of heterotic forecasting based on high combining ability lines was substabtiated. Promising high-yielding sugar beet combinations were selected that exceeded the group standard by 4.1–16.3%. Conclusions. The theory of genetic balance by M. V. Turbin was confirmed. Such hybrids as [CMS 5OT 4]MGP 1 (116.3%), [CMS 1OT 2]MGP 1 (112.5%) and [CMS 3OT 5]MGP 1 (113.2%) were recognized as the best for their productivity, MGP 1 and MGP 2 lines – as the best for their combining ability.

Purpose. Theoretical and experimental substantiation of introduction of “Romantica” roses originated by Meilland company under the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe Zone of Ukraine. Methods. Biometrical, comparative-morphological, statistic ones. Results. Viability, growth and development indices as well as ornamental qualities (tolerance for winter conditions, frost hardiness, drought resistance, complex disease and pest resistance, habit maintenance, shoot formation, flowering, coloration, shape of flowers, petal number etc.) were analyzed for 12 rose cultivars of “Romantica” series planted on the collection and exhibition plots of the National Dendrological Park «Sofiivka» NAS of Ukraine. The investigations were conducted within 2012–2015. The most of the cultivars got the mark of introduction success 41–45 points of 50; so, the cultivars are totally promising for introduction into the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe Zone of Ukraine. ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ and ‘Yves Piaget’ cultivars got point number 35–38 and they can be considered promising ones. The acclimatization number for the most of the investigated cultivars was 85–90 points of 100 that means good adaptation of the plants in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe Zone of Ukraine. The adaptation of cv. ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ and cv. ‘Yves Piaget’ roses (point number 75) can be considered satisfactory. The total evaluation of “Romantica” roses ornamental qualities made 76–87 points of 100; so, all the cultivars display high ornamental qualities and deserve to be introduced to the production. Conclusions. The garden roses of “Romantica” series originated by Meilland company being introduced into the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe Zone of Ukraine are adapted well in the introduction region and they are promising for the subsequent introduction.

The article provides methodological ground (method of morphological description) for identification of qualitative, quantitative and pseudo-qualitative characteristics of maize hybrids (Zea mays L) disclosing methodological facets of practical appliance for histogram and variation curve of morphological characteristics of the phenotype by uniformity test and unveiling the link between quantitative characteristics of the ear and economically valuable indices of plant productivity. Target of the research has covered physiological and biochemical processes of plant productivity development into relevant phenological growth and development stages followed by relevant observations and records of vegetative and generative organs of maize. The field examination results obtained are processed with mathematical and statistical methods with the view of searching for margins (min and max) of confidence intervals and in order to verify reliability of the research results with the view of follow-up construction of histogram and variation curve.

Purpose. Improvement of a range of strawberry varie­ties based on comprehensive study and introduction of new Ukrainian and West European cultivars. Methods. Cultivars and elite forms were studied using the methods of primary variety studying and state variety testing at three-year strawberry plantations of the Institute of Horticulture of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (the city of Kyiv) and its variety testing stations. Results. It was found that more frequent spring and summer droughts as well as black frosts in winter adversely affected the strawberry productivity. The best varieties were selected among new ones for the complex of traits, they included ‘Elegance’ from the Great Britain, ‘Gercules’ from Ukraine (both are dessert grapes), ‘Elsanta’ from Holland (for universal use), ‘Alba’ from Italia (as raw material). The highly adaptive and productive ‘Istochnik’ and ‘Festyvalna romashka’ varieties (as raw material) are recommended for the north regions. Conclusions. In the context of profound climatic change, high-profitable cultivation of mid-ripening varieties and a strawberry as such in the Northern Forest-Steppe zone is expedient under controlled conditions – in high film tunnels, in hot-houses and under perennial irrigation that already has become the European tendency.

Purpose. Improvement of a range of strawberry varie­ties based on comprehensive study and introduction of new Ukrainian and West European cultivars. Methods. Cultivars and elite forms were studied using the methods of primary variety studying and state variety testing at three-year strawberry plantations of the Institute of Horticulture of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (the city of Kyiv) and its variety testing stations. Results. It was found that more frequent spring and summer droughts as well as black frosts in winter adversely affected the strawberry productivity. The best varieties were selected among new ones for the complex of traits, they included ‘Elegance’ from the Great Britain, ‘Gercules’ from Ukraine (both are dessert grapes), ‘Elsanta’ from Holland (for universal use), ‘Alba’ from Italia (as raw material). The highly adaptive and productive ‘Istochnik’ and ‘Festyvalna romashka’ varieties (as raw material) are recommended for the north regions. Conclusions. In the context of profound climatic change, high-profitable cultivation of mid-ripening varieties and a strawberry as such in the Northern Forest-Steppe zone is expedient under controlled conditions – in high film tunnels, in hot-houses and under perennial irrigation that already has become the European tendency.

Purpose. Determination of the possibility to diffe­rentia­te triticale samples by starch grain size and identify samples with a minimum size of granules that have a significant positive correlation with the efficiency of the starch transformation into ethanol. Methods. Light mic­roscopy of grinded triticale grains. Results. Analysis of the starch granule size in triticale samples was performed. The minimum average granule size was observed in line Kc-270/14 (23.78 µm), maximum one – in line KR-110/14 (28.06 µm). The size of starch granules in a soft winter wheat variety ‘Tsvit Kalyny’ was 24.2 µm that was within the values typical for winter triticale varieties and lines. The size of the majority of granules ranged from 15 to 35 µm, but their distribution was uneven in the studied lines. Conclusions. Considerable polymorphism of winter triticale for the starch granule size was established. It was found that the minimum average size of starch granules was observed in the samples characterized by minimum maximum size of granules, low frequency of granules of more than 35 µm, and therefore, minimum dispersion. Based on this, assumption can be made about the possibility to evaluate a sample for the presence of granules larger than 35 µm that can significantly reduce the number of measurements and speed up analysis.

Purpose. Determination of the possibility to diffe­rentia­te triticale samples by starch grain size and identify samples with a minimum size of granules that have a significant positive correlation with the efficiency of the starch transformation into ethanol. Methods. Light mic­roscopy of grinded triticale grains. Results. Analysis of the starch granule size in triticale samples was performed. The minimum average granule size was observed in line Kc-270/14 (23.78 µm), maximum one – in line KR-110/14 (28.06 µm). The size of starch granules in a soft winter wheat variety ‘Tsvit Kalyny’ was 24.2 µm that was within the values typical for winter triticale varieties and lines. The size of the majority of granules ranged from 15 to 35 µm, but their distribution was uneven in the studied lines. Conclusions. Considerable polymorphism of winter triticale for the starch granule size was established. It was found that the minimum average size of starch granules was observed in the samples characterized by minimum maximum size of granules, low frequency of granules of more than 35 µm, and therefore, minimum dispersion. Based on this, assumption can be made about the possibility to evaluate a sample for the presence of granules larger than 35 µm that can significantly reduce the number of measurements and speed up analysis.

Purpose. To establish the level of formation of winter barley yield depending on weather conditions during the gro­wing season in the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine. Methods. Field investigations, ANOVA, variance and correlation analysis. Results. Positive correlation was revealed between yield and the duration of the vegetation (r = 0.54) and especially “heading–maturation” period (r = 0.76). Moderate positive correlation was established between yield and mean daily air temperature during the period from termination to resumption of vegetation (r = 0.44), and strong negative one – between yield and mean daily air temperature during hea­ding to maturation period (r = -0.77). Positive correlation was observed between yield and rainfall amount during the period from vegetation resumption to heading (r = 0.30). In general, during the growing season the correlation was weak (r = 0.16). For the period of “heading–maturation” low nega­tive value (r = -0.11) was fixed. This was due to heavy precipitations, especially torrential rains, which in some years have caused lodging of plantings resulted in yield decrease. Conclusions. Under the conditions of Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine, fluctuations in temperature and water regimes are responsible for significant variability in growing season duration and yield of winter barley. Optimal amount of precipitation (close to long-time annual average) and their uniform distribution throughout growing season is the most favorable for obtaining high yield. “Heading–maturation» period is responsible for the formation of winter barley yield level.

Purpose. To establish the level of formation of winter barley yield depending on weather conditions during the gro­wing season in the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine. Methods. Field investigations, ANOVA, variance and correlation analysis. Results. Positive correlation was revealed between yield and the duration of the vegetation (r = 0.54) and especially “heading–maturation” period (r = 0.76). Moderate positive correlation was established between yield and mean daily air temperature during the period from termination to resumption of vegetation (r = 0.44), and strong negative one – between yield and mean daily air temperature during hea­ding to maturation period (r = -0.77). Positive correlation was observed between yield and rainfall amount during the period from vegetation resumption to heading (r = 0.30). In general, during the growing season the correlation was weak (r = 0.16). For the period of “heading–maturation” low nega­tive value (r = -0.11) was fixed. This was due to heavy precipitations, especially torrential rains, which in some years have caused lodging of plantings resulted in yield decrease. Conclusions. Under the conditions of Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine, fluctuations in temperature and water regimes are responsible for significant variability in growing season duration and yield of winter barley. Optimal amount of precipitation (close to long-time annual average) and their uniform distribution throughout growing season is the most favorable for obtaining high yield. “Heading–maturation» period is responsible for the formation of winter barley yield level.

Purpose. Developing technology for clonal micropropagation of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) plants of Ukrainian breeding based on the complex of methods of isolated tissue and organ culture in vitro. Methods. During the experiment, such methods as isolated tissue and organ culture in vitro, clonal micropropagation, detached scion grafting, chemotherapy with adding of virucide Ribavirin to the nutrient medium, biometric and statistical ones were used. Results. The stepped procedure of sterilization that we have developed allows to receive 88–100% of sterile explants. For M. piperita L. introduction into culture and clonal micropropagation, Murashige and Skoog (MS) nut­rient medium appeared to be optimal supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (0.75 mg/l), adenine (0.05 mg/l), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (0.05 mg/l) and gibberellic acid (0.5 mg/l) on which the reproduction ratio on the 28th day ranged between 1:7 and 1:15. For recovery of plants from viral infection, virucide Ribavirin at concentration of 10 mg/l was added to the nutrient medium. The proposed nutrient medium for rhizogenesis, that contained IAA (0.5 mg/l) and indole butyric acid (IBA) (0.5 mg/l), allows to obtain the frequency of rhizogenesis up to 84–100%. Regenerated plants were adapted to the conditions in vivo on substrate peat : universal soil : perlite : sand in the ratio 2:1:1:1. The survival rate for peppermint varieties amounted to 96–100%. Conclusions. Biotechnological scheme was developed that permits to get healthy, purebred planting material and intensively propagate plants for supplying breeding programs of the Experimental Station for Medicinal Plants of the Institute of Agroecology and Environmental Management of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, among which such varieties as ‘Lebedyna pisnia’ and ‘Ukrainska pertseva’ were selected as the most promising for clonal micropropagation.

β-tubulin, calmodulin, internal transcribed spacer and partial lsu-rDNA, RNA polymerase 2, DNA replication licensing factor Mcm7, and pre-rRNA processing protein Tsr1 were amplified and sequenced from numerous isolates belonging to Aspergillus sect. versicolor. The isolates were analyzed phylogenetically using the concordance model to establish species boundaries. Aspergillus austroafricanus, A. creber, A. cvjetkovicii, A. fructus, A. jensenii, A. puulaauensis, A. subversicolor, A. tennesseensis and A. venenatus are described as new species and A. amoenus, A. protuberus, A. sydowii, A. tabacinus and A. versicolor are accepted as distinct species on the basis of molecular and phenotypic differences. PCR primer pairs used to detect A. versicolor in sick building syndrome studies have a positive reaction for all of the newly described species except A. subversicolor.

Purpose. Providing a scientific rationale for the practical application of analysis of variance elements to determine the range of morphological and value for cultivation and use (VCU) characteristics of Romaine lettuce ‘Skarb’ variety. Results. The Romaine lettuce ‘Skarb’ variety was identified by the type of display of quantitative (QN) identification characteristics. VCU characteristics of the var. longifolia L. varieties were determined and statistically processed. The author focused on practical application of histogram and variation curve of phenotype morphological characteristics when performing the uniformity test. The correlation between quantitative characteristics of lettuce leaf and head was observed when plant productivity was developing. Romaine lettuce yield value was verified statistically. Thresholds were established for the indices under study, confidence intervals were defined over the years of study. Conclusions. The use of Lewis stability factor (S.F. = Xmax/Xmin) allowed to establish the stability of each characteristic display. Practical application of the histogram and variation curve for determining code of display of quantitative morphological characters and the range of VCU characteristics of the Romaine lettuce ‘Skarb’ variety was scientifically grounded.

Purpose. Providing a scientific rationale for the practical application of analysis of variance elements to determine the range of morphological and value for cultivation and use (VCU) characteristics of Romaine lettuce ‘Skarb’ variety. Results. The Romaine lettuce ‘Skarb’ variety was identified by the type of display of quantitative (QN) identification characteristics. VCU characteristics of the var. longifolia L. varieties were determined and statistically processed. The author focused on practical application of histogram and variation curve of phenotype morphological characteristics when performing the uniformity test. The correlation between quantitative characteristics of lettuce leaf and head was observed when plant productivity was developing. Romaine lettuce yield value was verified statistically. Thresholds were established for the indices under study, confidence intervals were defined over the years of study. Conclusions. The use of Lewis stability factor (S.F. = Xmax/Xmin) allowed to establish the stability of each characteristic display. Practical application of the histogram and variation curve for determining code of display of quantitative morphological characters and the range of VCU characteristics of the Romaine lettuce ‘Skarb’ variety was scientifically grounded.

Historical review was done concerning the formation and development of scientific research of the Experimental Station of Medicinal Plants over the period 1916–2016. The main stages of experimenting in the direction of “medicinal plant cultivation’’ in Ukraine were covered. Role and importance of the Experimental Station of Medicinal Plants in the scientific and methodological support of such scientific directions as breeding, seed production, cultivation technologies, pharmacognosy in medicinal plant cultivation were shown. For the needs of the branch, over 100 species of introduced medicinal plants were studied at the Station and agricultu­ral techniques of their growing were developed, in addition, more than 50 varieties of medicinal plants were crea­ted, a number of machines and devices for growing, harves­ting and initial treatment of raw materials and seeds of the most important medicinal plants was designed. Other scientific achievements of the Station were mentioned and promising areas of medicinal plant research in Ukraine were outlined.

This is a genome announacment there is no abstract

Purpose. To develop a conceptually new method for determination of varietal purity (typicality), hybridity, steri­lity of seed lots. Methods of molecular biology (genomic DNA extraction, PCR with SSR markers application, capillary electrophoresis), genetic, statistical, mathematical analysis. Results. New method for determining the varietal qualities of seed lot was developed that consists of the following steps: simultaneous DNA extraction from a representative sample of aggregated seeds; PCR and further analysis of the amplification products by determination of the qualitative and quantitative composition of SSR-markers’ alleles; calculation of values of varietal seed lot quality using experimentally derived allele ratios. Conclusions. The developed method for determining varietal qualities of seed lots allows to reduce significantly the consumption of materials, time and labor during the analysis. Consistent qualification and quantification of alleles in the total sample of a seed lot is a conceptually new approach to establish varietal purity (typicality), hybridity, sterility.

Abstract The genus Salispina was recently described for saprotrophic estuarine oomycetes with aculeolate or spiny sporangia. The genus currently contains three species, S. intermedia, S. lobata, and S. spinosa, the latter two previously included in Halophytophthora. During a survey of mangrove-inhabiting oomycetes in the Philippines, an isolate of Salispina (USTCMS 1611), was obtained from a decaying mangrove leaf. This isolate differed from other species in the genus in a unique combination of morphological and biological characters. Phylogenetic analysis revealed it to be the sister lineage of S. lobata. Consequently, the new species name S. hoi is introduced for the isolate. In addition, Salispina spp. grouped with Sapromyces of Rhipidiales with strong support, but differs from all other known genera of the order in the weak formation of hyphal constrictions, and absence of basal thalli and a holdfast network. The new family Salispinaceae is, therefore, described to accommodate Salispina in the order Rhipidiales.

Purpose. Literature review of DNA banks creation as the current strategy of plant genetic resources conservation. Results. The current state of plant genetic resources conservation was analyzed in the context of the threat of gene­tic erosion. The importance of DNA banks was shown which function is to store DNA samples and associated products and disseminate them for research purposes. The main DNA banks in the world were described, including the Republican DNA Bank of Human, Animals, Plants and Microorganisms at the Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Stages of DNA banking were considered: tissue sampling (usually from leaves), cell destruction, DNA extraction, DNA storage. Different methods of tissue sampling, extraction and DNA storage were compared. The need for Plant DNA Bank creation in Ukraine was highlighted. Conclusions. DNA collections is an important resource in the global effort to overcome the crisis in biodiversity, for managing world genetic resources and maximi­zing their potential.

Purpose. Literature review of DNA banks creation as the current strategy of plant genetic resources conservation. Results. The current state of plant genetic resources conservation was analyzed in the context of the threat of gene­tic erosion. The importance of DNA banks was shown which function is to store DNA samples and associated products and disseminate them for research purposes. The main DNA banks in the world were described, including the Republican DNA Bank of Human, Animals, Plants and Microorganisms at the Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Stages of DNA banking were considered: tissue sampling (usually from leaves), cell destruction, DNA extraction, DNA storage. Different methods of tissue sampling, extraction and DNA storage were compared. The need for Plant DNA Bank creation in Ukraine was highlighted. Conclusions. DNA collections is an important resource in the global effort to overcome the crisis in biodiversity, for managing world genetic resources and maximi­zing their potential.