The creative and organizational role of academician M. M. Hryshko was analyzed in studying the gene pool of plants in Ukraine and creating collection funds of the National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, which has been named after this famous scientist since 1991. Investigations on introduction, acclimatization and breeding of plants were described embracing the period from post-war years to the present day. Information was gi­ven that concerns the results of the introduction and plant breeding in the early 1950s as reported by M. M. Hryshko and recent data on species and varietal diversity of cultivated ornamental, fruit, subtropical, agricultural (including energy, feed, vegetable, spice aroma, aromatic, technical, green manure, nectariferous) plants.

Purpose. Evaluation of collection samples of the genus Calendula L. available at the Experimental station of medicinal plants (ESMP) for the levels of display of morphological characters in order to identify the reference varieties and form a collection of standards. Methods. Field, laboratory, mathematical and statistical ones. Results. During 2012–2014 years the collection of the genus Calendula L. was evaluated, that includes 145 samples of 4 species from 18 countries, for the eight morphological characters (plant height, inflorescence number, full inflorescence number, the color of ligulate and tubular florets, number of rows of ligulate florets, inflorescence diameter, disk diame­ter) and varieties were distributed by the level of manifestation according to current technique for distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS). Conclusions. Samples of marigold were identified that can be sources of standards or starting material by plant height, inflorescence number, inflorescence full number, color of ligulate and tubular florets, number of rows of ligulate florets, inflorescence diameter, disk diameter and by all degree of their manifestation. For the highest level of manifestation of character complex (inflorescence diameter, disk diameter, the number of rows of ligulate florets, inflorescence full number and their manifestation pattern) ‘Mandarin Twist’ variety appeared to be the best

Purpose. Theoretical and experimental substantiation of introduction of “Romantica” roses originated by Meilland company under the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe Zone of Ukraine. Methods. Biometrical, comparative-morphological, statistic ones. Results. Viability, growth and development indices as well as ornamental qualities (tolerance for winter conditions, frost hardiness, drought resistance, complex disease and pest resistance, habit maintenance, shoot formation, flowering, coloration, shape of flowers, petal number etc.) were analyzed for 12 rose cultivars of “Romantica” series planted on the collection and exhibition plots of the National Dendrological Park «Sofiivka» NAS of Ukraine. The investigations were conducted within 2012–2015. The most of the cultivars got the mark of introduction success 41–45 points of 50; so, the cultivars are totally promising for introduction into the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe Zone of Ukraine. ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ and ‘Yves Piaget’ cultivars got point number 35–38 and they can be considered promising ones. The acclimatization number for the most of the investigated cultivars was 85–90 points of 100 that means good adaptation of the plants in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe Zone of Ukraine. The adaptation of cv. ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ and cv. ‘Yves Piaget’ roses (point number 75) can be considered satisfactory. The total evaluation of “Romantica” roses ornamental qualities made 76–87 points of 100; so, all the cultivars display high ornamental qualities and deserve to be introduced to the production. Conclusions. The garden roses of “Romantica” series originated by Meilland company being introduced into the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe Zone of Ukraine are adapted well in the introduction region and they are promising for the subsequent introduction.

Purpose. Providing a scientific rationale for the practical application of analysis of variance elements to determine the range of morphological and value for cultivation and use (VCU) characteristics of Romaine lettuce ‘Skarb’ variety. Results. The Romaine lettuce ‘Skarb’ variety was identified by the type of display of quantitative (QN) identification characteristics. VCU characteristics of the var. longifolia L. varieties were determined and statistically processed. The author focused on practical application of histogram and variation curve of phenotype morphological characteristics when performing the uniformity test. The correlation between quantitative characteristics of lettuce leaf and head was observed when plant productivity was developing. Romaine lettuce yield value was verified statistically. Thresholds were established for the indices under study, confidence intervals were defined over the years of study. Conclusions. The use of Lewis stability factor (S.F. = Xmax/Xmin) allowed to establish the stability of each characteristic display. Practical application of the histogram and variation curve for determining code of display of quantitative morphological characters and the range of VCU characteristics of the Romaine lettuce ‘Skarb’ variety was scientifically grounded.

Purpose. Analysis of hexaploid triticale breeding process for drought resistance through the use of systemic ecological tests in contrasting conditions. Methods. Dialectical, field, laboratory and statistical ones. Results. Medium-grown (‘Amos’, ‘Nikanor’, ‘Rarytet’, ‘Yaroslava’) and low-stem (‘HAD 69’, ‘HAD 86’, ‘HAD 110’, ‘Timofei’) multiline varieties of winter and alternate hexaploid triticale were developed with higher adaptability, potential yield of 9–12 tons per ha and high bread-making properties. Among the most drought resistant genotypes, such varieties as ‘Amos’, ‘Buket’, ‘Harne’, ‘Markiian’, ‘Kharroza’, ‘Shalanda’, ‘Nicanor’ and ‘Yaroslava’ showed high values of yield, plasticity and stability. Conclusions. The use of interspecific hybridization instead of intergeneric one in hexaploid triticale breeding, together with systemic testing of the hybrid material in contrasting agro-ecological zones, ensured the creation of multiline competitive varieties with an optimal combination of yield and adaptive properties

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. Assessing stability of yield formation of complex-valued varieties and lines of spring triticale under conditions and of different years of their growing. Identifying the best genotypes for yield potential, plasticity and stability. Methods. Ontogenetic, statistical and mathematical analyses. Results. Adaptive capacity and breeding value of spring triticale varieties and lines was established. Methods of breeding and parentage of the best samples were analyzed. Comparison of yields under conditions in of different years of growing allowed to identify genotypes with high yield potential – ‘ЯТХ 38-14’, ‘ЯТХ 61-14’, ‘ЯТХ 62-14’, with stable yields – ‘ЯТХ 17-14’, ‘Boryviter kharkivskyi’, ‘ЯТХ 43-14’, ‘Gusar kharkivskyi’, drought resistance ones – ‘ЯТХ 37-14’, ‘ЯТХ 43-14’, ‘ЯТХ-64-14’. The genotypes ‘Lebіd kharkіvskyi’, ‘ЯТХ 38-14’, ‘ЯТХ 62-14’ appeared to be more plastic. These samples may be used of hybridization to improve yield. Conclusions. The most promising to production and breeding are the lines ‘ЯТХ 17-14’, ‘ЯТХ 64-14’, ‘ЯТХ 37-14’, ‘ЯТХ 43-14’ (their average yield 4,27–4,48 t/ha) and varieties ‘Zlit kharkivskyi’, ‘Boryviter kharkivskyi’, ‘Gusar kharkivskyi’, ‘Darkhliba kharkivskyi’, which have high adaptive capacity combined with high productivity. They are valuable for use as a starting material in breeding for adaptability.

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. Determination of sowing time effect on productivity of various fenugreek species in the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine. Methods. Field study, laboratory test, analytical approach and statistical evaluation. Results. Effect of sowing time on economic characters of common fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L.) and blue fenugreek (Trigonella coerulea (Desr.) Ser.) was investigated. It was found that sowing time significantly influenced the individual productivity of plants and average yield of their fresh and dry matter. In particular, common and blue fenugreek plants formed not only the most developed vegetation but also higher productivity and fresh and dry matter yield, respectively, due to early-spring sowing. In case of summer sowing, the poorest yield of dry matter per unit was obtained for these species caused by a low fresh yield, though the moisture loss index was lower. Conclusions. Common fenugreek is promising for producing “mushroom grass” spices, and the conveyor supply of production in the Forest-Steep zone of Ukraine can be ensured by the first sowing time (the first or the second decades of April) and the se­cond sowing time (the third decade of April) as during this period more developed vegetation is formed that favored the higher yield of dry matter (1,3–1,5 t/ha).

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.