Purpose. To analyze peculiarities of Ukrainian cereals and oilseeds trade, the situation on the world market, and determine future prospects of its development. Methods. Analysis and synthesis, comparative evaluation, graphic procedure. Results. The role and place of Ukraine in a total grain supply to the world market was determined. Ukraine is a world’s top ten grain producer. Among domestic agricultural products, cereals, oilseeds and sunflower oil are in the highest demand in the world. In recent years, our state has reinforced its status as one of the leading exporters of cereals. The commodity pattern of cereals and oilseeds export was analyzed with specifying most in-demand positions and the main countries purchasing these pro­ducts. According to the results of 2015, Ukraine obtained the highest foreign currency revenue from export of corn, wheat and barley (in grain structure) including soybeans and rapeseed (among oil crops). Key domestic and multinational operators are the main exporters of cereals and oilseeds in Ukraine and still hold their leading position. It was found a significant excess of import price of seeds as compared with export price of crops grown in Ukraine. Assortment of maize and sunflower seeds offered by major companies-producers in Ukraine was studied. Main trends of the world grain market development are considered. Conclusions. It was established that Ukraine is one of the major exporters of cereals and oilseeds. However, volatility of their prices significantly affects the export revenue that was decreasing even with increasing export quantities in kind. The dependence of domestic grain industry development on high-quality imported seed of maize and sunflower hybrids was recorded. It is expected that in the years to come Ukraine will maintain its strong positions in the world’s grain market.

Purpose. Identifying new scab-resistant apple varieties with high biological potential by the set of agronomic characters and the ability to realize it effectively in various soil and climatic conditions. Methods. Field, laboratory, comparison, generalization, statistical ones. Results. The author presents the results of study of 17 scab-resistant non-irrigated apple varieties on a semi-dwarf rootstock as to their adaptability to biotic and abio­tic stressors as well as their economic productivity. The studied varieties appeared to be winter-hardy, frost- and heat-resistant, but medium drought-tolerant ones. They are characterized by weak and moderate susceptibility to powdery mildew, high resistance to fruit rot and very low amounts of brown spot, except for Gold Rush variety. Such 10 year old varieties as ‘Edera’, Florina’, ‘Amulet’ and ‘Perlyna Kyieva’ and 8 year old ‘Afrodita’, ‘Vitos’, ‘Orlovskoie Polesie’ and ‘Topaz’ formed the highest productivity during the years of study. Due to the pollen quality and high interfertility, ‘Revena’ and ‘Gold Rush’ varieties were identified as universal pollinators for winter scab-resistant apple varieties. Conclusions. Such ecologically resistant winter varieties as ‘Topaz’, ‘Freedom’, ‘Edera’ and autumnal ‘Remo’, ‘Afrodita’, ‘Vitos’, ‘Amulet’ were recognized as promising for new intensive non-irrigated plantations in the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine. They can be the basis of new gardens occupying 25–30% of the area where ecologically safe fruits for various target purposes will be grown supplying demands of the population and processing industry.

Purpose. Substantiating the selection of potato varieties for their ecological plasticity and stability to grow in Polissia. Methods. Field, laboratory, analitycal and statystical ones. Results. Impact of weather conditions during the growing season on the stability of potato varieties was estimated by indicators of yield, starch content and collection over the years by determining the average, standard deviation, minimum, maximum values and range of variation. ‘Memphis’, ‘Faluka’, ‘Arsenal’ and ‘Evolution’ were distinguished from the studied potato varieties by high genetic stability – their deviation from the average variance marked «minus» had values that were significantly less than zero. ‘Faktor’, ‘Flamenko’ and ‘Evora’ varieties are plastic (deviation is close to ±0), ‘Kolomba’, ‘Arizona’ and ‘Voliumiia’ ones – very plastic (deviation is most distant from zero). The studied varieties were distributed by homeostasis as follows: ‘Arizona’, ‘Colombo’, ‘Factor’ and ‘Memphis’ are the most valuable. Conclusions. ‘Evora’ potato variety can be considered intensive in terms of yield. ‘Evolution’ and ‘Flamenco’ varieties formed stable yields, during the years of study the difference between their maximum and minimum yields was the least – 8.2 and 9.3 tons per ha, respectively. Environmental assessment according to Eberhart and Russell indicates a high genetic stability of such potato varieties as ‘Arizona’, ‘Volyumiia’, ‘Kolombo’, ‘Evora’ and ‘Flamenko’. Conditions of Zhytomyr Oblast Plant Varieties Studying Centre are the most favorable among the studied regions to cultivate potato varieties.

Purpose. To study the influence of agriecological conditions of edaphic-climatic macro- and microzones on adap­tability and productivity of new soft winter wheat, identification and selection of complementary varieties for appropriate conditions. Methods. Field, laboratory, analytical and statistical ones. Results. Peculiarities of the formation of productivity of varieties and its stability cultivation on the condions of cultivation in edaphic-climatic zones, subzones and microzones, including favourable and unfavou­rable years were studied. For realizing the potential of their productivity, it is advisable to introduce a differentiated approach to their cultivation in agri-climatic zones, subzones, microzones according to the requirements of biological characteristics of varieties, their natural adaptive capacity, natural and ecological environment of these zones. Complementary varieties were identified and recommended for use in edaphic-climatic zones, subzones and microzones that demonstrated high plasticity, better adaptability to favourable agri-ecological factors and were more tolerant and resistant to adverse ones. Conclusions. According to the set of productivity and ecological plasticity indices, it is desirable to cultivate varieties Sotnytsya, Kalancha, Hurt, Tonatsiya, Dobrochyn, Gubernator Donu in the Steppe zone; Sotnytsya, Oriyka, Lira Odeska, Tatsitus and Fidelius – in the Forest-Steppe; Tatsitus, Fidelius, Sailor, Etela – in the Polissia.

Purpose. Scientific substantiation of agrotechnological methods used for marketable production of lettuce varieties Lactuca sativa L. according to economic and bioenergy evaluation. Methods. Field, laboratory, analytical and statistical ones. Results. Economic assessment of elements of cultivation technology for all lettuce varieties was undertaken considering different sowing time (early spring, late spring, spring-and-summer period and before the winter season), growing techniques (direct sowing, seedling method – planting pots, seedling method – planting containers) and the use of organic fertilizer Dominanta. Calculation of economic efficiency indicators of marketable lettuce production was scientifically grounded, and bioenergetic evaluation of its growing was made. Economic feasibility of seedling method of growing as well as sowing time and delivery of marketable products to the consumer was confirmed. Conclusions. Technological elements of lettuce growing including loose-leaf, butterhead, romaine and stem subvarieties provided increase of marketable products by 13,38; 3,92; 2,07; 3,20 t/ha respectively. The level of profitability of lettuce production was within 83–141% (butterhead) 86–130% (loose-leaf), 185–214% (romaine), 131–137% (stem).

Purpose. Considering ways to solve issues related to soil cover study at the institutions for plant varieties examination. Methods.Fieldandanalytical ones. Results. Issues are identified that arise during soil sampling at institutions for plant varieties examination within the state system of plant varieties protection. The author considered in detail the current soil sampling techniques for agrochemical tes­ting for humus, nitrogen (compounds to be easily hydrolyzed), mobile P2O5, exchangeable K2O, hydrolytic acidity and others. Attention was paid to violation of methodological requirements concerning the time of soil sampling and number of samples for agrochemical testing at the experimental field, to the lack of devices for meteorological observation and appliances for soil and leaf diagnostics. The article also touches upon the issues associated with the study of soil cover at fields with scientifically-based crop rotation that belong to institutions for plant varieties examination within the state system of plant varieties protection. Conclusions. It should be necessary to follow recommended practice when sampling at elementary sites for agrochemical testing and performing all operations in accordance with crop cultivation flowcharts. General recommendations for agrochemical testing of fields in case of conventional crop rotations in farms are not suitable for fields with scientifically-based crop rotations at institutions for plant varieties examination.

Purpose. Conducting economic evaluations of late varie­ties of white cabbage of various sort types bred by Kyiv experimental station of the Institute of Vegetables and Melons NAAS of Ukraine (IVM). Methods. Field, laboratory, statistical. Results. Experimental studies included phenological observations of plants growth and development, biometric measurements of vegetative and edible parts of plants, determination of biochemical сomposition of heads, records of yield and storability of late varieties of white cabbage of such sort types as Amager and Langedijska winter. Varieties with the highest yield, best biochemical composition and excellent storability of cabbage heads during four and six month periods were identified. Conclusions. Among the cabbage samples of Amager sort types, late variety Vasylyna was characterized by the highest yields. Olga variety provided the significant increase in productivity. Violanta variety had the highest yield within the sort type Langedijska (Langendijker) winter. Knyagynіa variety far exceed indices of standard Langendijker detsema. Late varieties of the first sort type produced the highest yield, the second ones demonstrated better biochemical composition and excellent storability of cabbage heads during four and six month period.

Purpose. Considering ways to solve issues related to soil cover study at the institutions for plant varieties examination. Methods.Fieldandanalytical ones. Results. Issues are identified that arise during soil sampling at institutions for plant varieties examination within the state system of plant varieties protection. The author considered in detail the current soil sampling techniques for agrochemical tes­ting for humus, nitrogen (compounds to be easily hydrolyzed), mobile P2O5, exchangeable K2O, hydrolytic acidity and others. Attention was paid to violation of methodological requirements concerning the time of soil sampling and number of samples for agrochemical testing at the experimental field, to the lack of devices for meteorological observation and appliances for soil and leaf diagnostics. The article also touches upon the issues associated with the study of soil cover at fields with scientifically-based crop rotation that belong to institutions for plant varieties examination within the state system of plant varieties protection. Conclusions. It should be necessary to follow recommended practice when sampling at elementary sites for agrochemical testing and performing all operations in accordance with crop cultivation flowcharts. General recommendations for agrochemical testing of fields in case of conventional crop rotations in farms are not suitable for fields with scientifically-based crop rotations at institutions for plant varieties examination.

Purpose. Reviewing a history of formation and current state of the national nomenclature and streamlining the Ukrainian scientific species names for the genus Fragaria L. Results. Controversial attitudes towards the use of names «sunytsi» (= garden strawberry) and «polunytsi» (= hill strawberry) are inherently present in the Ukrainian nomenclature of the genus Fragaria L. The Ukrainian scientific names of species of this group of plants should be brought into line with the generic name “Sunytsi” in plural. Nothogeneric name x Fragophora Mezhenskyj (= Dasiphora Rafin. x Fragaria L.) is proposed. Conclusions. In a professional environment it is necessary to use only scientific names of species of the genus Fragaria – Sunytsi (= garden strawberry) that is used in plural in Ukrainian. Concerning garden strawberry, in every day life and popular literature the usage of a derivative sunytsia (in Ukrainian) in singular as well as polunytsia, polunytsi (in Ukrainian) may be permissible.

Purpose. To find out the ecological importance of winter triticale varieties in the formation of species diversity of agro-ecosystems. Methods. Field, laboratoryones and mathematical and statistical analysis. Results. The authors studied ecological importance of winter triticale varieties of forest-steppe and Polissia ecotopes as determinants of agrobiocenosis in the structural and functional organization of species diversity. It was found that less favourable ecological niche for pests-phytophags is such winter triticale varieties and lines as ‘Slavetne’, ‘AD 256’, ‘Chaian’, ‘DAU 5’, for epiphytoparasites – ‘Vivate Nosivske’, ‘Pshenychne’, ‘Slavetne polipshene’, ‘Slavetne’, ‘Yaguar’, respectively. It is determined that varieties and lines of winter triticale such as ‘AD 256’, ‘Vivate Nosivske’, ‘Pshenychne’, ‘Slavetne polipshene’, ‘Slavetne’ show high biological ability to compete with synanthropic vegetation and form distinct associations of segetal plants. Conclusions. It was found that agrophytocenoses of the studied varieties of winter triticale under the conditions of forest-steppe, Polissia-forest-steppe and Polissia ecotops determined in movements structural and functional organization of species diversity of agroecosystems.