Relevance. Agroforestry systems are believed to provide a multitude of ecological services. It is thought that agroforestry enhances resilience to the impacts of climate change and aids in adaptation by supporting diverse land use practices, sustainable lifestyles, and income streams, as well as increasing productivity in both forests and agriculture, and reducing weather-related losses in production.Results and Discussion. The aim of this review was to present genuine evidence on the role of agroforestry in ecosystem conservation and mitigation of climate change impacts. Compared to monocropping and open cereal-based agriculture, agroforestry has made a more significant contribution to ecosystem conservation and in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. However, it has been found that agroforestry contributes less to carbon sequestration than natural forests. Carbon sequestration through above-ground and underground biomass, carbon emission reduction from deforestation, and microclimate adjustment are key measures for mitigating climate change. Agroforestry systems provide essential ecosystem services, such as food, fuel wood, fodder, income, and improved soil production, which enable communities to cope better with the impacts of climate change. Therefore, agroforestry must be given significant attention if it is to play a crucial role in ecosystem management.

Relevance. Due to climate change on the planet, it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain high yields of melons and melons in rain-fed conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to develop modern methods of growing them. Accordingly, the use of new water-soluble fertilizers for the cultivation of melon in hot climates is a relevant work at the moment.Material and methodology. Objects of research: medium-ripening melon variety GP 599f and watersoluble fertilizers Lignohumate, Energen Extra, Zinc Sulfate. We have carefully studied options using these fertilizers for double foliar treatment of plants during the growing season.Results. As a result of studying new types of water-soluble fertilizers on increasing the vegetative mass of plants, yield and biochemical parameters of the variety sample, a positive effect was revealed. As a result of a comparative analysis of data on plant development after double treatment with the studied preparations, an increase in canes in all variants was noted in relation to the control by 4.3-18.7%. When calculating the yield in all studied options, an increase in these indicators was noted in relation to the option without treatments. After treating the plants with new types of fertilizers, the yield was 13.4-15.9 t/ha. The average fetal weight varied from 1.7 kg. up to 1.8 kg with maximum values in the Lignohumate and Energen Extra options. An analysis of the comparison of the biochemical composition of fruits showed that new types of fertilizers did not affect the taste and purity of the products. The dry matter content was noted to be 0.8-1% higher than the control variant. Nitrate levels in fruits did not exceed the maximum permissible concentration (90 mg/kg) and amounted to 24-28 mg/kg.

Relevance. The study of the reaction of potato varieties, especially new ones, to the use of a complex of agrotechnical techniques, including foliar top dressing with water-soluble fertilizers, is an urgent task. For this purpose, 4 potato varieties of different ripeness groups (Red Scarlett, Nevsky, Golubizna, Grand) were studied in two regions of Russia using agrochemicals Agrovin Micro. Methods. The article presents experimental data on the study of biometric indicators, yield and quality of potatoes for non-root top dressing in conditions of leached chernozem and sod-podzolic sandy loam soils of the Central region of Russia. The objects of research were potato varieties of various ripeness groups. Foliar fertilization of plants with agrochemicals Agrovin Micro was carried out in the phases of germination, budding and 20 days after the last treatment in two consumption rates – 1.0 and 2.0 l / ha. Control – without processing (K) with background N90Р90К135.Results. On average, over the years of research, the best options for all varieties turned out to be options with the use of additional leaf treatment with an agrochemical at a maximum dose of 2 liters /ha. Due to three-fold foliar top dressing for the critical phases of potato plant growth, the greatest yield increases and maximum values of dry matter and starch content to the mineral background were obtained. In the conditions of the Tambov region, the increase in yield, depending on the variety, ranged from 24.2 to 59.3% or 6.0-10.5 /ha and in the conditions of the Moscow region – 3.3-28.9% or 1.2-7.1 t/ha. The most suitable for processing into fried potato products from the studied varieties turned out to be Red Scarlett and Grand. All other things being equal, the color index of crispy potatoes and fries on these varieties was higher than the Nevsky variety by 1.0-1.5 points.

Relevanse. To reduce the negative impact of drought on the production process of agrocenoses of field crops, the entire complex of agrotechnical and reclamation measures should be used to ensure increased drought resistance of crops in the structure of crop rotations for various purposes.The purpose of our research was to study the dynamics of the growth of the raw mass of root crops and the collection of dry matter by the periods of growth and development of fodder and semi-sugar beet at different moisture levels of the root layer of the soil.Material and methodology. The research was carried out in a specially built arid zone, which is a 3x20 m plot, isolated from soil moisture to a depth of 1.5 m by a clay castle along the periphery and a dense reinforced polyethylene film between the variants. The arid area was divided into four plots, each with an area of 15 m2 (3x5 m), in which a different level of moisture supply was maintained throughout the growing season. The variety of fodder beet Eckendorf yellow and semi–sugar beet – Semi-sugar pink variety were used as the object of research.Results. It has been established that at all values of humidity, the maximum accumulation of the raw mass of root crops in both varieties was noted in the second period of growth and development of plants, which lasts an average of 60 days and lasts from the beginning of closing of crops in rows to the beginning of opening in row spacing. Among the studied irrigation regimes, the option should be recognized as optimal, where during the growing season the relative humidity of the root layer at a depth of 1 m is maintained at the level of 70-75% of the WPV. With such moisture, the yield of root crops for fodder beet is 855 centners/ha, for semi-sugar beet – 679 centners/ha, and the collection of dry matter – 120.54 and 156.33 centners/ha, respectively. With a further increase in humidity to 75-80% of the FPV, the increase in yield and collection of dry matter per 1 ha of crops for both beet varieties is within the statistical error of the experiment, however, the cost of irrigation water for the formation of 1 q of dry matter increases by an average of 2.2 times, which negatively affects the cost of grown products. It has been proven that the optimal regime of soil moisture is provided by the irrigation scheme according to the periods of growth and development of plants 1 3 1; irrigation rate – 400 m3/ha, irrigation rate – 2000 m3/ha.

Relevance. The priority direction in vegetable growing is the scientifically justified use of types and doses of micronutrients that can increase the yield of watermelon fruits and improve their quality. Due to the large number of different types of fertilizers currently appearing on the market, it is necessary to choose the right ones and study them in optimal doses for growing high-quality melon products.Material and methodology. Objects of research: watermelon varieties Meteor, Zemlyanin, Kholodok and preparations: iron chelate, zinc chelate, vegetable Aquarin. Options using these fertilizers for double foliar treatment of plants during the growing season have been studied. The research was carried out during 2019-2021 at the Bykovskaya melon breeding experimental station.Results. During the study, a positive effect of the tested drugs on the quantitative and qualitative indicators of products was established. As a result of foliar treatments of plants in all variants, the yield exceeded the control variant (without treatments). A comparative analysis of biochemical data showed that the dry matter content was at a fairly high level. As a result of the use of zinc chelate in the Meteor and Kholodok cv., the dry matter content increased by 0.4%. A similar increase in the indicator was obtained when using the drug Aquarin vegetable on the Zemlyanin and Kholodok cv. The content of total sugar in the Meteor and Kholodok cv. was higher than the control (without treatments), and in the Zemlyanin cv. it was at the control level. The fructose content in the tested variants of all varieties exceeded the control. As a result of the use of water-soluble fertilizers for plant treatment, the content of ascorbic acid increased in the variants with treatment in the Meteor cv. – by 1-1.5 mg%, in the Zemlyanin cv. – by 0.8-1.1 mg%, in the Kholodok cv. – by 0 .1-0.7 mg% compared to control (without treatments). Nitrate levels in watermelon fruits of different ripening periods did not exceed the maximum permissible concentration (60 mg/kg).

Relevance. Contarinia nasturtii Keiffer is one of the most dangerous insect pests of Brassicaceae plants dramatically affecting plant yield and seed productivity.Material and Methods. The effect of single foliar application of sodium selenate, ionic form of silicon (Siliplant fertilizer) and garlic extract on the efficiency of Raphanus sativus lobo defense against Contarinia nasturtii infestation was evaluated in condition of greenhouse. Concentrations of the applied reagents were: sodium selenate 26.4 mM; Siliplant – 1 ml/l; garlic extract – 8 g/l. Seed productivity and C. nasturtii infestation levels under Se, Si and garlic extract administration under infestation were determined along with the analysis of plant antioxidant status and sugar content.Results. Foliar application of Siliplant singular or in combination with Se provided the highest seed productivity and mass of 1000 seeds. Plants treated with Si, garlic extract and Si+Se demonstrated lack of C. nasturtii infestation only a week after the preparation supply. Contrary, selenate provided less pronounced defense. Among biochemical parameters tested the values of the total dissolved solids were the highest in plants treated with Se and Se+Si. Changes in the intensity of plant defense due to garlic, Se and Si supply were reflected in the increase of the total phenolic content compared to the values typical for control plants and in a significant accumulation increase of disaccharides, participating in tissue recovery after herbivory attack. Silicon application also provided an increase of selenium accumulation by lobo leaves.

Relevance. Opuntia distinguished by high adaptability is widespread in many countries of the world. Tolerance to water deficiency and high biological activity provide prospects of its cultivation for food and pharmaceutical industry. In Russia Opuntia is grown in the Crimea, Caucasus, Donbass, Astrakhan region and even in the Central Russia. Evaluation of the Opuntia cultivation efficiency in the Crimea for various utilization supposes the importance of its biochemical characteristics which variability greatly depends on the place of habitat. Materials and Methods. Total antioxidant activity and titratable acidity were determined using titration methods, polyphenol content –using spectrophotometric method, monosaccharide and total sugar concentrations were assessed via reaction with ferricyanide, mucilage levels were determined gravimetrically.Results. Investigation of cladode, inflorescence and fruit biochemical parameters of three Opuntia species: O. humifusa, O. phaeacantha, O. engelmannii, – gathered at the Southern and South-Eastern part of the Crimean peninsular revealed wide variability of fruit mucilage (4.3-16.56% d.w.), sugar and total antioxidant activity. Polyphenol content decreased according to: inflorescence (18.4-21.0) > fruit (11.7-18) > cladodes (10.2-20.0). Fruit monosaccharide content reached (6.2-31) % while in cladodes these values were in the range of 8.1-16.0%. Total sugar content was equal to 32.6-95% in fruit and 15.5-29.7% in cladodes. Concentration of selenium as a natural antioxidant was higher in the cladodes (102-176 µg/kg d.w.) than in fruit (46.8-72 µg/kg d.w.). The highest levels of the total antioxidant activity and titratable acidity were registered in O. engelmannii while the highest sugar, mucilage and taste index were typical for O. humifusa. Nevertheless, O. humifusa was characterized by the lowest fruit mass (6.0-6.3 g) contrary to O. engelmannii (36-40 g). The results suppose prospects of fruit, cladode and inflorescence utilization in food industry, cosmetics and pharmacology with the preference to O. humifusa.

Relevance. To improve the quality of life and expand the taste preferences of the population of Belarus, it is necessary to expand the range of vegetable crops with high yields, marketability and product quality, adapted to the natural and climatic conditions of the republic. In this regard, improving technological methods for cultivating such a crop as zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) is of scientific and practical importance.   Materials and Methods. The research was carried out on the territory of a private farm in the village of Chukhny, Smorgon district. Field and laboratory studies were carried out using generally accepted methods and guidelines.   Results. Substantiated the feasibility of cultivating green manure crops in combination with the local application of thermoammonia-disinfected compost when growing zucchini in seedlings on sod-podzolic light loamy soils in the natural climatic conditions of Belarus. The developed technological methods ensure the reproduction of soil fertility, increased yield, and production of high quality products without the use of mineral fertilizers. When using green manure and disinfected compost, the nitrate content in zucchini cv. Bonus, grown without mineral fertilizers, was in the range of 280-320 mg/kg. To reproduce the fertility of soddy-podzolic light loamy soils when growing zucchini in the natural climatic conditions of Belarus, it is advisable to use oats, oilseed radish and peas as green manure fertilizers. This technological technique increases the content of organic matter in the soil by 0.8-1.3 %. Together with green manure, adding thermo-ammonia-disinfected compost into a hole when planting zucchini seedlings ensures an increase in organic matter content by 1.2-1.5 % in the compost localization zone. During the decomposition of organic matter of green manure crops and disinfected compost applied locally, nutrients are released in quantities sufficient to form a high yield of zucchini with a nitrate content below the maximum permissible concentration. Thus, when grown on soddy-podzolic light loamy soils in the natural climatic conditions of Belarus, the proposed technological methods make it possible to obtain high-quality products and significantly increase the yield of zucchini due to green manure in combination with the local application of disinfected compost without the use of mineral fertilizers.

Relevance. Tomato pink-fruit cultivars and hybrids are of interest for fresh consumption. The biochemical parameters are influenced by the varietal factor and by the growing conditions. It is known that mature tomatoes record low storability. The softening of the fruit is caused by ethylene produced in the ripening fruit. Then pectinase enzymes are synthesized in the fruit tissues, under the action of which the cell walls of the fruit soften. Breeders are creating tomato cultivars whose fruits could be stored for a long time without losing their tasty.   The aim of the investigation was to study the biochemical parameters of pink-colored tomato fruits under different ripening conditions.   Materials and methods. The plants were grown on the experimental fields of the Laboratory for Breeding and Seed Production of Solanaceae crops. In the Analytical Department, the biochemical composition of pink tomato fruits was studied during harvesting from the field and after laying for storage in the milky ripeness phase according to the following indicators: dry matter, ascorbic acid, total content of water-soluble antioxidants, titratable acidity, monosaccharides, polyphenols and carotenoids.   Results. The breeding accession F4 (Lotos x Z6) showed maximum dry matter and monosaccharide content both after storage and in mature fruits. The same sample as F5 (Lotos x Z6) showed the highest ascorbic acid content after storage. Other parameters before and after storage in these samples were comparable. Whereas, breeding accession F6 (Z6 x Lotos) stood out in terms of maximum content of sum of antioxidants in alcoholic extract and content of water-soluble antioxidants after storage.

Relevance. The increase in global production of garden strawberry fruit is due to the high demand for the products for fresh consumption and as raw material for processing. The leading countries are: PRC, USA, Turkey, Egypt, Mexico, Spain, Russia, Poland, South Korea, Brazil. Increase in production volumes is provided due to high productivity of new varieties and intensification of strawberry cultivation technologies and, in particular, plant nutrition. The possibility of managing the nutrition of garden strawberry plants is one of the priority tasks from the solution of which depends on the realization of the potential of plant productivity, as well as the quality of the resulting products The role of many macroand microelements in plant nutrition is not fully understood. Numerous studies are conducted to identify the mechanisms of their absorption and movement in strawberry plants. New forms of fertilizers are being studied, allowing to effectively influence the processes of growth and development of plants, minimize the impact on the environment.Results. The article is devoted to the review of the role of the main mineral macroand microelements in plant nutrition, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, silicon, molybdenum. Based on the analysis of literary sources, the influence of certain mineral elements on physiological processes associated with the growth and development of garden strawberries is considered. The data on reaction of plants to the optimal content, excess and deficiency of certain elements, possibilities of their receipt and assimilation by plants of garden strawberries are given. Application in practice of the world experience on management of mineral nutrition can significantly improve the existing technologies of strawberry cultivation in open and protected ground.