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 create a multiplex system for identification glyphosate-tolerant sugar beet by using PCR. Methods. Molecular genetic analysis. Results. The article presents the results of studies to determine the parameters of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in order to develop a multiplex system for identification of the structural elements of the design of transgenic gene cp 4 epsps, which provides tole­rance to glyphosate. For amplicon target DNA sequences, the following values of temperature conditions of PCR were determined: step 1 (initial denaturation) 95 °C – 3 min; step 2 (specific reaction products accumulation): denaturation 95 °C – 45 s; hybridization of primers 55 °C – 50 s; elongation 72 °C – 1 min; number of cycles – 40; step 3 (final elongation) 72 °C – 6 min. A series of PCR were carried out for the purpose of selecting the optimal amount of DNA matrix for efficient estimate of transgenic sugar beet plants for the presence of specific sequences. Conclusions. To identify transgenic glyphosate-tolerant sugar beet, it is advisable to determine 35S promoter and gene cp 4 epsps in individual genotypes. It was found that during the selection of temperature parameters of multiplex reaction a 5 °C rise in primer hybridization temperature did not affect the identification of gene als that allowed to include specific primers for determination of this sequence as an internal control. Based on the results of test multiplex reactions, concentrations of dNTPs and Mg2+ ions were determined that allowed to exclude the possibility of non-specific fragments and false-negative results. The optimum amount of matrix DNA (100–150 ng) for an efficient estimate of transgenic sugar beet plants for the presence of specific sequences was determined. Obtained results allowed to develop a multiplex test system for identification of transgenic glyphosate-to­lerant sugar beet which can be used for simultaneous determination of the 35S promoter, cp 4 epsps gene and als gene as an internal reaction control.

Purpose. To evaluate results of old garden roses varieties introduction based on the analysis of their decorative pro­perties and economic characters. Methods. Field study, comparative analysis, generalization. Results. The collection of roses at M. M. Hryshko National Botanical Garden (the city of Kyiv) was analyzed. A comparison was drawn between their gene pool and the world collection of roses. After collection screening, 22 old varieties were found at M. M. Hryshko National Botanical Garden and described. Their decorative pro­perties, economic characters and winter hardiness were eva­luated, the final result ranged from 81 to 100 points. Evalua­tion of winter hardiness that was based on the records of shoot damage degree in the field during the winter showed that in Kyiv conditions 13 cultivars were exceptionally resistant to frost, the other 9 appeared to be frost-sensitive. Conclusions. As follows from the analysis of decorative va­lues, economic characters and winter hardiness, 12 varieties of old roses such as ‘Cardinal de Richelieu’, ‘Commandant Beaurepaire’, ‘La Reine’, ‘Louise de Odier’, ‘Madame Plantier’, ‘Maiden’s Blush’, ‘Marie Baumann’, ‘Mousseuse Rouge’, ‘Persian Yellow’, ‘Poppius’, ‘Reine des Violettes’, ‘Versicolor’ were found to be perfectly suitable for landscaping.

Purpose. To estimate genetic resources collection of soft winter wheat plants (new collection accessions) of Ustymivka Experimental Station for Plant Production and select initial material for breeding of adaptive, productive and qualitative soft winter wheat varieties. Methods. Field experiment, laboratory testing. Results. The authors pre- sented results of study of over 1000 samples of gene pool of soft winter wheat from 25 countries during 2001–2005 in Ustymivka Experimental Station for Plant Production of Plant Production Institute nd. a. V. Ya. Yuriev, NAAS of Ukraine for a complex of economic traits. More than 400 new sources with high adaptive properties were selected that combine traits of high productivity and high quality of grain, early ripening, resistance to biotic and abiotic fac- tors (the assessment of samples for 16 valuable traits is given). The selected material comes from various agro-cli- matic zones, including zones of unsustainable agriculture. Conclusions. Recommended sources of traits that have breeding value will allow to enrich high-quality assortment of wheat and considerably accelerate breeding process du- ring development of new soft winter wheat varieties.

Purpose. Providing information on the formation, composition, maintenance of the collection of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum Mill.) genus at Ustymivka Experimental Station of Plant Production (Poltava region), and areas of its use: introduction, preservation and study of the material, for the set of index, formation of special collections and providing research and education institutions of Ukraine with a valuable original material. Methods. Methodical developments dealing with formation and maintenance of crop collections, methodical literature on the study of buckwheat collection for breeding and agronomic performance. Results. The author represented results of the collection material study for the main breeding and economically valuable traits including yield, productivity, resistance to abiotic and biotic factors of the environment. The results of work are considered aimed on creating special collections of the gene pool – base, trait (for yield and large seeds; for productivity, drought and heat resistance; for suitability for mechanical cultivation), educational and core ones. Conclusions. All formed and registered collections are a valuable base material for solving a number of breeding goals to increase the quantity and improve the quality of plant production.

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.

Purpose. To study biometric characteristics of climbing roses leaves (length of compound leaf, the number of leaf blades, total leaf area and leaf blade area) and select the best varieties on this base. Methods. General biological (biometric) study and statistical evaluation. Results. As follows from the morphological analysis, a significant leaf size variation in the studied varieties of climbing roses was revealed. The leaf size in such varieties as ‘Kahovka’, ‘Flammentanz’, ‘Krasnyi Maiak’ was the largest, in ‘New Dawn’ and ‘Krymskoe Solnyshko’ – the smallest one. Based on the leaf biometric study of 9 varieties of climbing roses, the authors defined that ‘Flammentanz’, ‘Krasnyi Maiak’, ‘Kahovka’ varieties had the highest values of leaf parameters. The ‘Veilchenblau’ variety differed significantly from the other studied samples by the form and color of leaves that had a positive impact on its decorative value. Data obtained allowed to select varieties that can be used in landscaping not only because of flower decorative characteristics, but also due to attractive leaf appearance, as well as varieties for application in breeding programs related to this trait. Conclusions. Biometric characteristics of climbing roses leaves (length of compound leaf, the number of leaf blades, total leaf area and leaf blade area) were studied, and in compliance with the results the best varieties were selected that can be re­commended for use in gardening and breeding.

Purpose. Developing methodical aspects of assessing grape breeding material in hybrid combinations for a number of indicators of adaptability and productivity. Methods. Breeding, hybridological, statistical ones. Results. Main requirements were determined for a new generation of table and technical grapes that was based on the set breeding task and patent searches, literary sources and Internet resources. 12 main indicators of adaptability, productivity and quality of products were analyzed, a high level of their display is required for pre-selection of grape seedlings for further study. Gradation from the lowest level of display of the above economic characters of grapes to the medium and high ones was developed. For their definition points-based system is used – the lowest level of display corresponds to one and three points, average – five, and high – seven and nine. As a result, studied plants can score 12 to 108 points. Variation in the plant evaluation over the years should not exceed 10 points. A seedling cannot be selected by the maximum level of displaying only one parameter, in the same manner as it shall be rejected with a minimum level of display of any of the said indicators. Seedlings that display a stable middle level of traits can be placed to the breeding nursery to study the level of display of the essential parameters and properties of the grafted culture. Conclusions. Criteria and basic parameters of genotypic values in hybrid combinations were determined. Plants that have been estimated in 60 points or higher may be considered as promising ones, that is those which require further studying. Valuable genotypes correspond to the level of 80–100, very valuable – of 101–108 points.

Мета. Провести дослідження зразків соняшникової олії з різним вмістом олеїнової кислоти хроматографічним методом, показати можливість застосування відносно простих, експресних та ефективних фізичних методів для конт­ролю вмісту олеїнової кислоти у процесі селекції гібридів соняшнику і в товарному виробництві під час визначення автентичності зразків високоолеїнової олії та розпізнавання її замінників. Методи. Загальноприйняті міжнародні методи ІСО, математико-статистичні. Результати. Проведено дослідження жирнокислотного складу соняшникової олії на газовому хроматографі за спрощеною процедурою, встановлено залежність ряду фізичних методів – заломлення на рефрактометрі, в’язкості та щільності – від жирнокислотного складу соняшникової олії, зокрема вмісту олеїнової кислоти. Висновки. Метод газової хроматографії виявився найінформативнішим та ефективним для контролю вмісту олеїнової кислоти на всіх етапах як селекційного процесу, так і в умовах товарного виробництва. Серед фізичних методів на особливу увагу заслуговують ті, що ґрунтуються на визначенні показників заломлення, кінематичної в’язкості та щільності, оскільки між ними та вмістом олеїнової кислоти в соняшниковій олії встановлено високу кореляційну залежність.

Purpose. Selecting spring wheat lines with increased adaptive capacity. Methods. Field experiments, statistical evaluation. Results. Lines of spring soft wheat with better adaptive capacity were identified (‘Erythrospermum 13-39’, ‘Lutescens 11-16’, ‘Lutescens 05-24’, ‘Lutescens 10-36’) and spring durum wheat (‘Melanopus 10-02’ (biotype II), ‘Melanopus 10-02’, ‘Melanopus 10-03’, ‘Hordeiforme 12-12’). Spring soft wheat varieties ‘Zlata’, ‘Dubravka’, ‘Oksamyt Myronivskyi’, ‘Bozhena’ and spring durum wheat varieties ‘MIP Raiduzhna’, ‘Magdalena’ with increased adaptive capacity were passed for State variety testing. Conclusions. With regard to the analysis of parameters of yield capacity and its variability under the influence of changing environmental factors, soft and durum spring wheat lines with increased adaptive capacity were identified. The best spring wheat lines for general adaptive capacity were passed for State variety testing. Soft spring wheat variety ‘Zlata’ and durum spring wheat variety ‘MIP Raiduzhna’, in 2014, and such soft spring wheat varieties as ‘Dubravka’, ‘Oksamyt Myronivskyi’, ‘Bozhena’ and spring durum wheat variety ‘Magdalena’, in 2015, were passed for State variety testing.