Purpose. Reveal the features of the formation of a quali­ty indicator complex in winter bread wheat depending on the growing seasons, preceding crops and sowing dates, as well as differentiate and identify genotypes with high and stable levels of manifestation. Methods. Field, laboratory, statistical. Results. A different share of the influence of the year conditions, the preceding crop, the sowing date and their interactions on the quality indicators of some varie­ties was determined. A different reaction of varieties in terms of quality indicators, depending on the investigated factors was revealed. The variation was very low for test weight, water absorption ability of flour, crumb porosity. Strong variation was observed for flour strength after sunflower and soybean as preceding crops, alveograph configuration ratio after sunflower and soybean, index of elasticity dough after corn, valorimetric value after mustard, dough dilution degree after green manure, sunflower, corn and especially after mustard and soybeans. The varieties, which on average for 2016/17–2018/19 reliably exceeded the standard both in individual indicators and in general in terms of physical indicators of grain and flour quality and dough rheological properties. GYT biplot analysis identified the genotypes ‘MIP Vidznaka’ and ‘MIP Assol’ with a more optimal combination of increased yield and a complex of quality indicators in terms of different years, preceding crops and sowing dates. Some varieties, namely, ‘Estafeta myronivs’ka’, ‘Trudiv­nytsia myronivs’ka’, ‘MIP Valensiia’, ‘MIP Yuvileina’, ‘Balada myronivs’ka’, ‘Vezha myronivs’ka’ were inferior to them, but were significantly superior the others. Conclusions. The selected by quality indicators varieties as genetic sources can be used in breeding process. A more stable level of yield and quality indicators at different sowing dates after different preceding crops should be expected for growing varieties ‘MIP Vidznaka’, ‘MIP Assol’, as well as ‘Estafeta myronivs’ka’, ‘Trudivnytsia myronivs’ka’, ‘MIP Valensiia’, ‘MIP Yuvileina’, ‘Balada myronivs’ka’, ‘Vezha myronivs’ka’. The peculiarities obtained in the research should be taken into account when evaluating and differentiating genotypes in breeding process, as well as developing basic elements of technology for growing the varieties of winter bread wheat.

Purpose. Analysis of the current state and experience on the loop-mediated amplification (LAMP) use to detect genetically modified plants. Methods. Literature search and analysis. Results. General information on the current state and use of the genetically modified plants is provided. Despite the wide distribution of genetically modified plants, the attitude towards them in society continues to remain somewhat wary. About 50 countries have introduced mandatory labeling of GM feed and products, provided that their content exceeds a certain threshold. In order to meet labeling requirements, effective and sensitive methods for detecting known genetic modifications in a variety of plant materials, food products and animal feed must be developed and standardized. The most common approaches to the detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are the determination of specific proteins synthesized in transgenic plants and the detection of new introduced genes. Methods for the determination of GMOs based on the analysis of nucleic acids are more common, since such methods have greater sensitivity and specificity than the analysis of protein composition. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method is the main method of nucleic acid analysis, which is now wide used for the detection of GMOs. Loop-mediated amplification (LAMP), which can occur at a constant temperature and therefore does not require the use of expensive equipment may be an alternative to the PCR. Scientific articles about the use of the loop-mediated amplification (LAMP) for the detection of genetically modified plants were analyzed. Advantages and disadvantages of the polymerase chain reaction and loop-mediated amplification are compared. Conclusions. The main criteria for applying a method of GMO detection analysis are as follow: its sensitivity, time of reaction, availability and ease to use, cost of reagents and equipment, and the possibility for simultaneous detection of many samples.

Purpose. Jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.) is a mucilaginous vegetable and fiber crop cultivated in the tropics, where catnip (Nepeta cataria L.) and Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia L.) are common weeds. Hence, the study investigated the growth, yield, and nutrient level of jute mallow in weed-free, catnip, and Mexican sunflower environments. Methods. The study involved two screen-house experiments in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with six replications. The treatments were 0 (control), 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weed plants per pot in both experiments. These are 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 weed count per square meter equivalent, based on the surface area of the pots used. Mexican sunflower and catnip plants interacted with jute plants in the first and second experiments, respectively. Growth parameters of jute mallow were recorded weekly from 5 to 8 weeks after sowing (WAS), and harvesting was done at 8 WAS. The proximate composition of jute was evaluated using standard procedures outlined by AOAC. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), and means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at P < 0.05. Results. Catnip and Mexican sunflower negatively impacted the morphological features of jute mallow from 100 plants per square meter upwards. Catnip and Mexican sunflower, at 300 and 100–500 plants per square meter, respectively, reduced the dry weight of jute mallow. The crude protein content of jute mallow was also lessened by Mexican sunflower at some point. Conclusions. The study recommends that the density of catnip and Mexican sunflower plants interacting with jute mallow should be maintained below 100 plants per square meter to prevent yield loss.

Purpose. To substantiate the features of the classification of morphobiological and economically valuable indicators of highbush blueberry varieties of Vaccinium corymbosum L. Methods. The studies were carried out during 2012–2019. Research methods: field (visual examination of the manifestation of morphological signs of vegetative and generative organs of blueberry plants), laboratory (determination of the content of vitamin C, total sugar, pectin, carotenes, anthocyanins, flavonoids, total acidity in berries), analytical, comparative, statistical (cluster analysis). Results. Over the years of research, varieties of highbush blueberries were characterized by a stable manifestation of homogeneous morphological traits and economically valuable performance indicators. In particular, the studied varieties are classified according to ripeness groups: very early: ‘Fiolent’; early: ‘Draper’, ‘Huron’, ‘Clockwork’, ‘Cargo’, ‘Laska’; medium: ‘Blue Ribbon’, ‘Top shelf’, ‘ZF08-070’, ‘Mavka’; late: ‘Liberti’, ‘Last Call’ and very late: ‘Aurora’, ‘Overtime’. It was determined that the quantitative morphological traits of highbush blueberry varieties that influenced the formation of plant productivity include such traits as growth vigor, leaf length, leaf width, inflorescences lengthwise, bunch density, fruit size. Economically valuable indicators of suitability of highbush blueberry varieties remained stable within the ripeness group. The highest yield (19.5 t/ha) was provided by the mid-season variety ‘Mavka’ of domestic selection. The yield of berries from the bush of this variety was also high and amounted to 7 kg. The studied performance indicators were low in the variety ‘Blue Ribbon’ – 10.2 t/ha and 2.4 kg, respectively. The minimum and maximum values of the manifestation of characteristics will serve to establish the limiting boundaries of its variation in the next modeling of economically valuable indicators of highbush blueberry varieties. Conclusions. Such morphobiological characteristics of highbush blueberry varieties, as plant growth vigor, leaf length, leaf width, inflorescences lengthwise, bunch density, fruit size are closely related to plant productivity, berry yield per bush, berry weight and yield. Therefore, they can be involved in the development and improvement of the model of suitability indicators of highbush blueberries for distribution in Ukraine.

Purpose. Identifying the features of the seasonal growth rhythm, development of the plants, morphological and biological differences in monoecious introduced and domestic varieties of Cannabis sativa L. in the North-east region of Ukraine. Methods. The research was conducted from 2014 till 2019. The following research methods were employed: field (phenological observations, sampling for laboratory analysis), microscopic (study of the morphological structure of glandular and cystolithic hairs on vegetative and generative organs, determination of the size and density of hair formation), laboratory and analytical (determination of the content of cannabinoid substances by thin layer and gas-liquid chromatography), biomorphological me­thods (analysis of morphological characteristics of plants). Chemical analysis for the content of cannabinoid substan­ces was carried out in the laboratory of the breeding and seed production department of the Institute of Bast Crops of the NAAS of Ukraine (Glukhiv, 2014–2019). The content of neutral substances [cannabinol (CBN), cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)] and acids (CBDA, THCA) was determined by using a thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) methods. For the study, 11 monoecious varieties of C. sativa: ‘YuSO 1’, ‘YuSO 31’, ‘Hliana’, ‘Viktoriia’, ‘Hlesiia’, ‘Hlukhivskyi 46’, ‘Hlukhivski 51’, ‘Zoloto­niski 15’ and 3 introduced varieties: ‘Fedora 17’, ‘Felina 32’, ‘Futura 77’ (France) which differed among themselves in morphological, biological, genetic, ecological-geographical and economically valuable characteristics were selected. Results. Biological and morphological characteristics of modern monoecious varieties of C. sativa were investigated depending on the ecological and geographical zones of origin, conditions of the growing season and the stage of ontogenesis. The functional interdependence between the formation of specialized excretory structures and the content of cannabinoid substances in plants of different varieties of C. sa­tiva was revealed. The following promising varieties of C. sativa in a ration of ((THC + CBN) ≤ CBD) point the possibility to use them as the source material for creating the medicinal varie­ties of plants with a high content of CBD. Conclusions. Nowadays C. sativa is the main source of phyto material for industrial production of natural CBD. In recent years, high-yielding varieties of C. sativa have been created, which, together with high commercially valuable traits, did not contain psychoactive THC and had an insignificant amount of CBD. The results of the research indicated the features of the seasonal growth rhythm, development of the plants and the morphological and biological features of modern monoecious introduced and domestic varieties of C. sativa in the North-east region of Ukraine. The low correlation between the content of cannabinoid substances and their acids in varieties, which are cha­racterized by the low content of cannabinoid compounds was established. According to the developed own classification (THC + KBN): CBD, varieties with a predominant CBD content ‘Hlukhivskyi 46’, ‘Zolotoniski 15’, ‘Hliana’ which are of significant medicinal value were identified.

Purpose. To analyze the divergence of early maturing source material of corn Zea mays L. in heterosis breeding for the genetic base formation at the State Institution the Institute of Grain Crops of the NAAS of Ukraine. Methods. Field (comprehensive assessment of morphobiological and economically valuable characteristics of the source material and maize hybrids) individual selection, cumulative and recurrent selection, backross and testcrosses bree­ding methods; laboratory; analysis and synthesis; statistical. Results. The results of research on the analysis of the divergence of early maturing corn source material in the conditions of the Steppe of Ukraine has become a developed harmonized working collection of corn breeding samples adapted to the stressful conditions of this region. The gradual cyclical improvement of the lines made it possible to form the core of the genetic diversity of FAO 150–290 early maturing specimens of the southern ecotype, which are competitive in heterosis breeding. The complexity of breeding for early maturity in the steppe conditions is due to the lack of material adapted to the stress factors of the South of Ukraine. The available early maturing lines of the world collection F2, F7, Ер1, Ма21, Ма23, Со125, Со255, См7, PLS61, S72, etc., were distinguished by high cold resistance, good starting plant development, intensive accumulation of dry matter during ripening, but not adapted to the deficiency of moisture in the soil and high summer temperatures. According to the results of the experiment, it was revealed that, in terms of breeding, lines of Lancaster plasma (DK427 and DK633) were the most plastic, due to which a number of new mid-early lines were obtained, for example DK2/427, DK267, DK266/417, DK633/266, DK296, etc., which were included in the registered hybrids. Formation of the genetic base of early maturing maize source material for heterosis breeding and systematization accor­ding to different breeding characteristics provided a balance of samples of alternative components, which will be further used to model heterosis hybrids in the early maturing group. Conclusions. The updated basic collection of lines is represented by the samples of plasma Iodent: DK744SVZM, DK216SVZM, DK4173SVZM, DK235zS, DK257zM, SV, DK365SVZM, DK777ZMSV, DK733-7zM,SV, DK315SVZM; Lancaster: DK296zS,VM, DK633/266zS,VM, DK2965ZSZM, DK2953 ZSZM, DK3023 ZSZM, DK236zS,ZM; Raid (SSS): DK232MV, DK2323MV, DK239MV; Mixed: DK253ZSZM, DK273MV, DK272zS, DK281SV, DK233zM,SV, DK959MV, DK9527 ZSZM, DK247MV, DK2442MV, which is the basis of the genetic diversity of early ripening corn samples included in the State register of plant varie­ties suitable for dissemination in Ukraine.

Purpose. To study the morphological features and determine the biometric indices of leaves of English roses. Methods. Field, morphological, descriptive, biometric. Morphological descriptions were carried out in accordance with the Atlas of morphological features of rose varieties (Rosa L.) (2009) and the Illustrated Guide to Flowering Plant Morphology (2004). Results. The morphological features of the leaves of English rose varieties were determined. Quantitative (length of complex leaf, number of leaf plates, area of leaflet, total leaf area) and qualitative (leaflet shape, leaflet edge shape, leaflet base shape, leaflet tip) were studied. Varieties of English roses that have maximum and minimum values for these indicators were highlighted. Conclusions. The morphological features were revealed and the biometric indicators of the leaves of English roses from the collection of the State Dendrological Park “Alexandria” NAS of Ukraine were determined. The amplitude of variability of morphological characters of the studied varieties was determined. Peculiarities of the morphological structure and biometric parameters of leaves of English rose varieties can be diagnostic signs for determining varieties within the boundaries of the species. Plants with increased photosynthetic productivity of the leaf apparatus, which is characteristic of the ‘James Galway’ and ‘A Shropshire Lad’ varieties, have an advantage in landscaping.

Purpose. To determine the patterns of influence of gro­wing factors on the economically valuable characteristics of new soybean varieties. Methods. Field, biochemical methods, analysis of variance. Results. The rates of the influence of the growing zone, the conditions of the growing season of the year and the soybean variety on the yield, weight of 1000 seeds, the content of crude protein and oil, and protein and oil collection were determined. The greatest influence on the yield of the studied varieties had a growing zone – 55%. On average the maximum yield was obtained in Forest-steppe zone 2.48–3.58 t/ha, the lowest – in Steppe zone (1.33–1.89 t/ha) for 2017–2018. In the same period the weight of 1000 seeds on average was 125.1–169.9 g in the Steppe zone, in Forest-Steppe zone it was 130.2–207.8 g and 143.9–188.0 g in Fo­rrest zone. According to the results of analysis of variance, it was determined that the growing zone has the greatest influence on weight of 1000 seeds – 31%, variety – 21% and conditions of the growing season of the year – 13%. The main characteristics of soybean quality are the content of crude protein and oil in seeds. The highest level of crude protein was observed in soybean variety in Forest-Steppe zone – 37.5–44.0%. In Forrest zone, the crude protein content was 34.4–41.7%, in the Steppe zone 35.4–40.1%. The maximum level of this characteristic was observed in variety ‘NS Diyana’ – 44.0% in Forest-Steppe zone, in Forrest zone – in the variety ‘Alexa’ 41.7%, in Steppe zone – in variety ‘NS Diyana’ 40.1%. Thus, the growing zone (31%) and variety (25%) had the greatest influence on the content of crude protein; the interaction of factors (variety and growing zone) affected 17%. The average oil content for 2017‑2018 ranges from 19.8 to 24.2%. High oil content was noted in ‘Adsoy’ variety in Forrest and Forest-Steppe zones, 24.2 and 22.6%, respectively, and ‘Azimut’ – 23.8% in Steppe zone. The results of the analysis of variance showed that the growing zone to a greater extent affected the oil content in soybean seeds by 25%, variety – 21%, and the interaction of factors of the variety and gro­wing zone by 21%. Conclusions. According to the results of multifactor analysis of variance, it was determined that the growing zone had the greatest influence on the studied parameters. It was found that the rate of the influence of gro­wing zone of soybean varieties is 25–55%, depending on the studied characteristic. It was determined that the influence of the variety was 4–25%, the conditions of the growing season affected by 1–26%.

Purpose. To study the effect of different sowing periods, seed sowing rates onto morphological and crop capacity indicators of oilseeds flax of Ukrainian varieties: ‘Orfei’, ‘Svito­zir’ and ‘Vodohrai’. Methods. The research was conducted in 2018–2019 in the branch of Ukrainian institute of plant varieties expertise in Khmelnytsky oblast state centre of plant varieties expertise, village Trebukhivtsi, Letychiv region, Khmelnytsky oblast. The following factors are studied: sowing period (15, 20, 25 April); seed sowing rates in million items per hectare (4, 6, 8); varieties of oilseed flax from The Institute of oilseed plants of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Ukraine: ‘Orfei’, ‘Svitozir’ and ‘Vodo­hrai’. Embedding experiments, material estimation, plants, harvest and seeds analysis are done in accordance with the “The method for the qualification examination of plant varieties for suitability for distribution in Ukraine”. Results. The credible difference between the variants according to the rate of sowing the seed and the terms of so­wing was defined. The estimation of the oilseed flax varieties according to the morphological and harvesting indicators was done. The variety of oilseed flaxseed ‘Svitlozar’ demonstrated higher harvest rate and morphological indicators in a so­wing period of 20–25 April and the sowing rate 6 and 8 million seed per1 hectare. It was also revealed, that regardless of a variety, the sowing rate of 6 million seeds per one hec­tare is the best of all. A better number of capsules, the seeds in the capsules and the weight of the seeds in the plant was formed by the variety ‘Svitlozir’ compared to the varieties ‘Orfei’ and ‘Vodohrai’. With early sowing period, the smal­-lest values of morphological and yield indices were observed in the varieties of flaxseed, irrespective of the variety and norms of seeding. Conclusions. For more full realization of the genetic potential of the varieties of oilseed flax according to the morphological and harvest indicators in the conditions of Western Forest-Steppe the sawing rate must be 8 million seeds per one hectare, and the sawing period of 20–25 April. The variety ‘Svitlozir’ is characterized by its higher crop capacity and morphological indicators

Purpose. Morphological and organoleptic evaluation of oyster mushroom strains for selection of highly productive cultivars assortment with valuable consumer properties for winter and summer cultivation and suitability for sale in fresh or processed form were investigated. Methods. The scheme of the experiment included six strains of oyster mushrooms belonging to two species: Pleurotus ostreatus (5 strains: 2301, Z, 2316, 2456, 431) and P. pulmonarius (2314). Laboratory, laboratory-industrial and statistical methods are used. Results. The dynamics of agrochemical parameters of substrates obtained by the method of aerobic fermentation in the high layer proved their optimality according to the main criteria and compliance to regulatory documentation. The biological efficiency of the strains was in the range of 40–78.9%. The highest weight of clusters was found in the “summer” strain 431 (430.7 g). The highest weight of the fruiting body was determined for the strain 2301 (15.2 g), the lowest – for the 2456 (3.3 g). Conclusions. The values of biological efficiency of strains was determined. The highest average values for the first flush of fruiting had strains 2316 (78.9%) from the “winter” group (A) and 431 (78.4%) from the “summer” group  (B). According to the results of statistical analysis, significant differences were revealed between the studied strains in the main morphological indicators of clusters. It was found that the mass of clusters of «winter» cultivars is much less dependent on the strain type (220.8–273.4 g) than that of «summer» cultivars (83.4–430.7 g). The index of the asymmetry coefficient of the cluster, which can be useful for calculating the required container sizes was proposed. It was determined that the morphological features of fruiting bodies had significant differences in all studied parameters.  In particular, the A group strains differed in size and weight. It was proposed the index of weight loss of the crop coefficient, which shows the ratio between the cap and stipe of the fruiting body and make it possible to predict the amount of mushroom raw material that will be sold in the form of caps, and the amount of raw material that can be processed into minced mushroom, powder and others. The best coefficient was obtained for the fruiting bodies of strain 2314 (0.87), and the worst – for 2456 (0.59), which, accordingly, is not recommended for sale by individual fruiting bodies. It was found that the fruiting bodies of high-yielding strains 2316 and 431 had a number of organoleptic defects.