Purpose. To establish the optimal seeding time and depth of ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ and ‘Vinets’ sorghum varieties, to prove their effect on the crop photosynthetic capacity in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Field, laboratory, comparative, analytical, generalizing, mathematical and statistical. Results. It was proved that the best results of crop photosynthetic capacity of sorghum were obtained by sowing in the first decade of May (the second sowing period) at a seeding depth of 4–6 cm. Accordingly, the leaf surface area in these variants reached its maximum during the “panicle-blooming” period and equated 36.13–38.81 thousand m2/ha for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety and 34.23–36.91 thousand m2/ha for the ‘Vinets’ variety. By sowing seeds in the third decade of April (the first sowing period) at the seedining depth values described above the leaf surface area of the varieties was slightly smaller and amounted to 29.56–31.20 thousand m2/ha for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety and 27.76–29.40 thousand m2/ha for the ‘Vinets’ variety. By sowing seeds in the second decade of May (the third sowing period), the leaf surface area was 30.68–32.92 thousand m2/ha for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety and 29.08–31.32 thousand m2/ha for the ‘Vinets’ variety. The highest photosynthetic potential was obtained for sorghum plants in the second sowing period at the seeding depth of 4–6 cm and was 1.27 and 1.34 million m2/ha for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety and 1.16 and 1.22 million m2/ha for the variety ‘Vinets’. In the first sowing period, this indicator was slightly lower and amounted to 1.18 and 1.23 million m2/ha for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety and 0.98 and 1.02 million m2/ha for the ‘Vinets’ variety respectively. In the third sowing period, it was the smallest one and equated 1.09 and 1.13 million m2/ha for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety, and 0.88 and 0.93 million m2/ha for the ‘Vinets’ variety at the optimal seeding depth. The photosynthetic potential was lower at the seeding depth of 2 and 8 cm, which is explained by the different soil and climatic parameters during a certain period of sorghum plant vegetation. The highest value of the photosynthetic capacity net indicator was obtained by sowing seeds at the optimal time and the optimal seeding depth and it equated 3.84–4.02 g/m2 per day for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety and 3.79 – 3.98 g/m2 per day for the ‘Vinets’ variety. Conclusions. It has been established that the sorghum plants had better vegetation and formed photosynthetic capacity by sowing seeds in the first decade of May at the planting depth of 4–6 cm, which we recommend for growing this crop in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine.

Purpose. To reveal the peculiarities of leaf area formation and a structure of lentils variety ‘Antonina’ yield depending on the elements of cultivation technology: ino culation with nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms and the use of foliar growth stimulants. Methods. Field, laboratory. The experimental scheme included inoculation of seeds with nitrogen-fixing microorganisms (Ryzogumin), application of phosphate-solubili zing microorganisms (Polimixobacteryn and Biophosphoryn) into the row zone, and foliar feeding with a growth stimulator (Alga 600). Results. The results of studies of the leaf area formation peculiarities and the structure of lentils yield depending on the influence of cultivation technology elements are given in the article. It was found that the maximum indicators of the leaf area were formed by lentils in the flowering phase, which on average in the experiment was at the level of 37.5 thousand m2/ha, and in the control variant – only 32.0 thousand m2/ha. By inoculating the seeds with Rhyzogumin, applying phosphate-solubilizing biopreparation and foliar feeding, we obtained the maximum parameters of the leaf surface of lentil plants in the experiment. Thus, in the variant of inoculation with Rhyzogumin, application of Biophosphoryn and treatment with Alga 600 lentil plants formed a leaf area of 40.3 thousand m2/ha. However, due to the use of the phosphate-solubilizing biopreparation Polimixobacteryn and Alga 600 on the background of seeds inoculation with Rhyzogumin, the leaf area was formed at the level of 39.9 thousand m2/ha. Conclusions. When the seeds were treated with nitrogen-fixing microorganisms (Rhyzogumin) and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (Polimixobacteryn and Biophosphoryn), the yield of lentils increased significantly. Thus, in the experimental plots in the variants with Ryzogumin + Polimixobacteryn the yield was – 1.64 t/ha, and in the combination Ryzogumin + Polimixobacteryn + growth stimulator Alga 600 the yield of lentils was – 1.90 t/ha. Seed inoculation had a positive effect on plant height. The best results were obtained when the seeds were treated with Ryzogumin in combination with Biophosphorin and Polimixobacteryn – 44.5 and 44.1 cm, respectively.

Purpose. To determine the features of the leaf surface area formation and the dynamics of growth of the vege­tative mass of various sainfoin species depending on the influence of mineral fertilizers and inoculation. Methods. Field, laboratory, statistical. Results. In the course of experimental studies, the morphological features of plants in the process of growth and development of various sainfoin species were studied. As our studies showed, all sainfoin species had different plant densities, which accordingly affected the leaf surface area. In the budding phase, the leaf surface area of plants of the first year in continuous cultivation ranged from 17.01 to 24.3 thousand m2/ha on average over three years; in particular, from 18.06 to 24.3 – for common sainfoin; 17.6–20.5 – for transcaucasus sainfoin and 17.1–20.3 thousand m2/ha – for sand sainfoin. The maximum leaf surface area of the plants of the first year of cultivation, regardless of its species, was observed during flowering with the application of complete mineral fertilizer (N45P60K90). In areas without fertilizer this figure was much lower. In the experiments, an increase in the leaf surface on all three studied species and sainfoin varieties from the first to the third year of their cultivation was clearly observed. According to the results of gross productivity for 2 mowings, it was found that common sainfoin forms the maximum increase of top with complete mineral fertilizer and seed inoculation – 43.03 t/ha. Conclusions. The productivity of sainfoin crops depended mostly on the application of complete fertilizer at a dose of N45P60K90 + inoculation of seeds. To a much lesser extent, the species of sainfoin and the cutting height of the first mowing of the grass stand affected its productivity. It was revealed that the greatest dynamics of vegetative mass growth was observed in common sainfoin, and the smallest was recorded in sand sainfoin.

Purpose. To determine morphological and morphometric features of vegetative and generative organs of Persica species and varieties under the conditions of the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine for further use in breeding. Methods. Biological (morphological analysis) and statistical (processing of morphometric parameters) ones. Results. It was found that except ternate multiple buds, in peach hybrid ‘Suputnyk’collateral buds were prevalent which was not common to other tested varieties and species. Buds of each species and variety have a certain number of scales. The most scales were observed in ‘Suputnyk’. Pubescence of abaxial side of the leaf in P. davіdiana and ‘Suputnyk’ plants was not revealed. Species of P. vulgaris (‘Pecherskyi’, ‘Antotsianovyi’, ‘Poleskyi’) was characterized by increase in size of leaf blades, flowers and fruits. The distinctive features of P. davidiana and ‘Suputnyk’ are that stamens were accumulated in their flowers while in P. vulgaris they are branched. Raphe of a P. vulgaris stone protrudes above the edges of the bordering creases and consists of a number of narrow plates. Conclusions. For the breeding purposes, plants have an advantage for some basic criteria: the most flower buds that is common to interspecies hybrid ‘Suputnyk’; increase in photosynthetic productivity of the leaf apparatus to be typical for the variety ‘Pecherskyi’; large fruits that ‘Pecherskyi’ variety is noted for; intense red color of fruits that is inherent feature of ‘Antocianovyi’ variety.

Purpose. To establish adaptive capacity and reproduction time of the registered potato varieties elite bred at the Potato Research Institute of NAAS of Ukraine in various edaphic and climatic zones of Ukraine. Methods. Field and laboratory tests, statistical evaluation. Results. Potato varieties were tested in the Forest-Seppe, Polissia and Steppe zones of Ukraine. Over the years of testing (2012–2014), the highest yield of potatoes in the south-western part of the Forest-Steppe zone was produced by the early varieties: ‘Kimmeria’ – 46.9 t/ha, ‘Vedruska’ – 38.6 t/ha; middle-early varieties: ‘Partner’ – 33.2 t/ha, ‘Fantazia – 27.7 t/ha; mid-season varie­ties: ‘Okolytsia’ – 35.4 t/ha, ‘Mandrivnytsia’ – 25.1 t/ha. In the Central Polissia, ‘Kimmeria’ (31 t/ha) was the most productive early variety, the yield at the level of 27.6–29.2 t/ha was formed by such varieties as ‘Skarbnytsia’, ‘Serpanok’, ‘Radynka’, ‘Tyras’. Among the middle-early varieties, the yield of 33.1 t/ha was obtained from the variety ‘Partner’. In the conditions of Steppe zone, such early potato varieties as ‘Vymir’, ‘Glazurna’, ‘Strumok’, ‘Kimmeria’, ‘Svitoch’ and the middle-early variety ‘Ariya’ had the highest productivity in case of gro­wing as bivoltine crop under irrigated conditions. It was found that in the Forest-Steppe and Polissia zones such varieties as ‘Kimmeria’, ‘Vedruska, ‘Serpanok’, ‘Skarbnytsia, ‘Tyras’, ‘Radynka’, ‘Partner’, ‘Slovianka’, ‘Vernisazh’, ‘Mandrivnytsia’, ‘Poliske dzherelo’ and ‘Chervona ruta’ were characterized by high resistance to degeneration (viral diseases and loss of productivity of potato elite in the process of reproduction). According to the results of evaluation of the impact of elite potato reproduction time on affection by viral diseases, optimal time for elite renovation for investigated varieties was determined. Conclusions. In the process of testing in various edaphic and climatic zones of Ukraine, stable yield with a high seed tubers number, regardless of weather conditions during the growing season in the Forest-Steppe and Polissia zones, was formed by some early potato varieties (‘Kimmeria’, ‘Vedruska’, ‘Radynka) and middle-early one (‘Partner’). Among mid-season varieties ‘Vernisazh’, ‘Okolytsia’, ‘Mandrivnytsia’ were identified for high productivity, and among middle-late – ‘Poliske dzherelo’ and ‘Chervona ruta’. The most common viral diseases of potatoes were rugose mosaic and mosaic leaf curling. High efficiency of the use of bivoltine crop method for potato growing to obtain seed material in the Southern Steppe zone of Ukraine has been proved.

Purpose. Comparative studies of the photosynthetic apparatus of winter wheat varieties of modern and earlier breeding in the relation to their productivity. Methods. Field, pot experiment, biometrical, gas analysis, analytical and statistical ones. Results. It is found that the modern high-yielding winter wheat varieties have a higher rate of flag leaf photosynthesis during generative period of development, particularly at grain filling period, improved ability to store assimilates in stem and effectively use them later for grain growth. The modern varieties form crop canopy with greater leaf area and chlorophyll indexes and larger photosynthetic capacity and maintain functional activity of photosynthetic apparatus longer at the end of the growing season. Conclusions. The superiority for grain productivity of modern high-yielding wheat varieties, originated from the Institute of Plant Physio­logy and Genetics, NAS of Ukraine, over varieties released before the “green revolution”, results from increased capacity and durability of functioning the crop photosynthetic apparatus, higher CO2 assimilation rate and optimization of source-sink relations in whole plant.

The article presents the results of the laboratory investigation of the influence of high temperatures on water regime of red currant in Institute of Fruit Selection. It shows the dependence of water loss by leaves on the phenophase of plant development. High water loss by leaves occurs during the phase of ripening berries (July). Low water loss is noted during the active growth of shoots (June). Red currant genotypes: «Valentinovka», «Bayna» have a high percent of water loss in June and July. Genotypes «Shedraya», «Gollandskay krasnay», «Orlovchanka», «Dar Orla», «Selyanochka», «Osipovskay», «Belka» and «Jonker van Tets» have a low percent of loss water. The loss of water at the temperature shock is the important protective mechanism from over heat and death of plants. The results of the investigation of a degree of water restoration by red currant leaves in the periods of berry ripening and active growth of shoots are given. The most part of genotypes of red currant leaves have a high percent (>50%) of water restoration. Genotypes «Selyanochka» ,«Orlovchanka», «Dana», «Shedraya», «Belka» have a more 100% of water restoration. On the ground of the obtained results the following genotypes: «Belka», «Selyanochka», «Gollandskay krasnay», «Shedraya», «Orlovchanka», «Dar Orla», «Osipovskay» and «Jonker van Tets» are mostly heat resistant.

The example of various varieties and hybrids of sugar sorghum illustrates the summary of study on assessing varying density of plants in crops on phonological cha­racteristics of sugar sorghum plants, carbohydrate composition of sorghum juice and yield of its plants. The completed study established that one hectare of sugar sorghum, subject to varietal characteristics and varying density of plants in crop, may provide the green weight of 40.83 до 106.87 t/ha at stem juice yield of 22,27 to 56,24 t/ha, which would contain 2.31 to 6.09 t/ha of total sugars suitable for bioethanol production in at the rate of 198.25 to 501.19 dal/ha. However, despite of higher estimate of total sugars yield and bioethanol at 300 thousand plants per ha density in crop, industrial plots would preferably have plant density in crops ranging within 200...250 thousand pieces per ha. Since higher density increases dry matter content of plants, consequentially, cellulose and lignin in stems, this may create preconditions for harvest losses due to stem lod­ ging Besides, 200 thousand plants per hectare enables to reach the highest level of photosynthesis net productivity which combines high intensity of the photosynthesis with photosynthetic activity of leaf surface.

The article describes Agro-ecological features of winter triticale variety Vivate Nosivskyi developed by means of individual selection based on hybrid combination ([Avgusto x NE 312] x К 9844) at the Examination Facility of Nosivska Breeding and Testing Station ofChernigivIAPPIAAN and selected by quantitative (grain productivity, quantity and weight of grains per ear, cup weight of grain, 1000 kernels weight), qualitative (protein contain, «raw» gluten) parameters of grain yield, by adaptability to a range of causative agents, abnormal events in winter-spring and summer, lodging. It shows that bio-agents of microbe preparations Azospirillum brasilense и Achromobacter album 1122 on initial stages of development of winter triticale variety Vivate Nosivskyi plants enhance nitrogen and phosphor nutrition as reflected in raw and dry weight of plants increased by 1,5 to 2,5 times, area of leaf surface - 2 to 2,4 times, grain yield -1,1-1,3 times.

Assessment is made for heat-resistance of 10 promising domestic and foreign apple varieties, as well as for their drought- resistance (leaf tissue water content, water holding capacity and turgorescence); also, impact of weather conditions on implementation of its drought and heat resistance by the research subject is determined. The article highlights the best in Ukraine’s Forest-Steppe environment by the above economical and biological properties apple varieties.