Purpose. To establish the optimal seeding time and depth of ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ and ‘Vinets’ sorghum varieties, to prove their effect on the crop photosynthetic capacity in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Field, laboratory, comparative, analytical, generalizing, mathematical and statistical. Results. It was proved that the best results of crop photosynthetic capacity of sorghum were obtained by sowing in the first decade of May (the second sowing period) at a seeding depth of 4–6 cm. Accordingly, the leaf surface area in these variants reached its maximum during the “panicle-blooming” period and equated 36.13–38.81 thousand m2/ha for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety and 34.23–36.91 thousand m2/ha for the ‘Vinets’ variety. By sowing seeds in the third decade of April (the first sowing period) at the seedining depth values described above the leaf surface area of the varieties was slightly smaller and amounted to 29.56–31.20 thousand m2/ha for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety and 27.76–29.40 thousand m2/ha for the ‘Vinets’ variety. By sowing seeds in the second decade of May (the third sowing period), the leaf surface area was 30.68–32.92 thousand m2/ha for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety and 29.08–31.32 thousand m2/ha for the ‘Vinets’ variety. The highest photosynthetic potential was obtained for sorghum plants in the second sowing period at the seeding depth of 4–6 cm and was 1.27 and 1.34 million m2/ha for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety and 1.16 and 1.22 million m2/ha for the variety ‘Vinets’. In the first sowing period, this indicator was slightly lower and amounted to 1.18 and 1.23 million m2/ha for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety and 0.98 and 1.02 million m2/ha for the ‘Vinets’ variety respectively. In the third sowing period, it was the smallest one and equated 1.09 and 1.13 million m2/ha for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety, and 0.88 and 0.93 million m2/ha for the ‘Vinets’ variety at the optimal seeding depth. The photosynthetic potential was lower at the seeding depth of 2 and 8 cm, which is explained by the different soil and climatic parameters during a certain period of sorghum plant vegetation. The highest value of the photosynthetic capacity net indicator was obtained by sowing seeds at the optimal time and the optimal seeding depth and it equated 3.84–4.02 g/m2 per day for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety and 3.79 – 3.98 g/m2 per day for the ‘Vinets’ variety.Conclusions. It has been established that the sorghum plants had better vegetation and formed photosynthetic capacity by sowing seeds in the first decade of May at the planting depth of 4–6 cm, which we recommend for growing this crop in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. | Цель. Установить оптимальные сроки сева и глубину заделки семян сорго зернового сортов ‘Дніпровський 39’ и ‘Вінець’, обосновать их влияние на фотосинтетическую продуктивность посевов в условиях Правобережной Лесостепи Украины.Методы. Полевой, лабораторный, сравнительный, аналитический, обобщающий, математически-статистический.Результаты. Наилучшие результаты фотосинтетической продуктивности посевов сорго зернового получены во время сева в I декаде мая (второй срок) на глубине заделки семян 4–6 см. Соответственно, площадь листовой поверхности в этих вариантах в период «выбрасывания метелки–цветения» достигала максимума и составляла 36,13–38,81 тыс. м2/га у сорта ‘Дніпровський 39’ и 34,23 – 36,91 тыс. м2/га у сорта ‘Вінець’. При севе семян в III декаде апреля (первый срок) при вышеуказанных значениях глубины заделки площадь листовой поверхнос­ти у сортов была несколько меньше и составляла 29,56–31,20 тыс. м2/га у сорта ‘Дніпровський 39’ и 27,76–29,40 тыс. м2/га у сорта ‘Вінець’. При севе семян во II декаде мая (третий срок) площадь листовой поверхности составляла 30,68–32,92 тыс. м2/га у сорта ‘Дніпровський 39’ и 29,08–31,32 тыс. м2/га у сорта ‘Вінець’. Фотосинтетический потенциал был самым высоким в растениях сорго зернового во втором сроке сева семян на глубине заделки 4–6 см и составлял 1,27 и 1,34 млн м2/га у сорта ‘Дніпровський 39’ и 1,16 и 1,22 млн м2/га у сорта ‘Вінець’. В первом сроке сева этот показатель был несколько ниже и составлял 1,18 и 1,23 млн м2/га у сорта ‘Дніпровський 39’ и 0,98 и 1,02 млн м2/га у сорта ‘Вінець’, соответственно. В третьем сроке сева он был самым низким, у сорта ‘Дніпровський 39’ этот показатель составлял 1,09 и 1,13 млн м2/га, у сорта ‘Вінець’ – 0,88 и 0,93 млн м2/га при оптимальных значениях глубины заделки семян. На глубине заделки семян 2 и 8 см фотосинтетический потенциал был ниже, что объясняют различными почвенно-климатическими условиями в определенный период развития растений сорго. Наивысшее значение показателя чистой продуктивности фотосинтеза было получено при севе семян в оптимальные сроки и оптимальной глубине заделки семян и составляло 3,84–4,02 г/м2 в сутки у сорта ‘Дніпровський 39’ и 3,79–3,98 г/м2 в сутки у сорта ‘Вінець’, соответственно.Выводы. Лучше развивались и формировали фотосинтетическую продуктивность растения сорго зернового при севе семян в первой декаде мая на глубине заделки 4–6 см, которые и рекомендованы для выращивания данной культуры в Правобережной Лесостепи Украины. | Мета. Встановити оптимальні строки сівби та глибину загортання насіння сорго зернового сортів ‘Дніпровський 39’ та ‘Вінець’, обґрунтувати їхній вплив на фотосинтетичну продуктивність посівів в умовах Правобережного Лісостепу України. Методи. Польовий, лабораторний, порівняльний, аналітичний, узагальнюючий, математично-статистичний. Результати. Найкращі результати фотосинтетичної продуктивності посівів сорго зернового отримано за сівби у  І декаді травня (другий строк) на глибину загортання насіння 4–6 см. Відповідно, площа листкової поверхні за цих факторів у період «викидання волоті – цвітіння» сягала максимуму і дорівнювала 36,13–38,81 тис. м2/га у сорту ‘Дніпровський 39’ та 34,23–36,91 тис. м2/га у сорту ‘Вінець’. За сівби насіння у ІІІ декаді квітня (перший строк) за таких самих значень глибини загортання площа листкової поверхні у сортів була дещо меншою і становила 29,56–31,20 тис. м2/га у сорту ‘Дніпровський 39’ та 27,76–29,40 тис. м2/га у сорту ‘Вінець’. За сівби насіння у ІІ декаді травня (третій строк) площа листкової поверхні дорівнювала 30,68–32,92 тис. м2/га у сорту ‘Дніпровський 39’ та 29,08–31,32 тис. м2/га у сорту ‘Вінець’. Фотосинтетичний потенціал був найвищим у рослин сорго зернового за ІІ строку сівби насіння та глибини загортання 4–6 см й дорівнював 1,27 та 1,34 млн м2/га у сорту ‘Дніпровський 39’ і 1,16 та 1,22 млн м2/га у сорту ‘Вінець’. За І строку сівби цей показник був дещо меншим і відповідно становив 1,18 та 1,23 млн м2/га у сорту ‘Дніпровський 39’ й 0,98 і 1,02 млн м2/га у сорту ‘Вінець’. За ІІІ строку сівби він був найменшим та у сорту ‘Дніпровський 39’ дорівнював 1,09 і 1,13 млн м2/га, у сорту ‘Вінець’ 0,88 і 0,93 млн м2/га за оптимальних значень глибини загортання насіння. За глибини загортання насіння 2 та 8 см фотосинтетичний потенціал був нижчим, що пояснюють різними ґрунтово-кліматичними умовами у певний період розвитку рослин сорго. Найбільше значення показника чистої продуктивності фотосинтезу було отримано за сівби насіння в оптимальні строки та за оптимальної глибини загортання насіння і становило у сорту ‘Дніпровський 39’, відповідно, 3,84–4,02 г/м2 за добу, у сорту ‘Вінець’ 3,79–3,98 г/м2 за добу.Висновки. Найкраще розвивались та формували фотосинтетичну продуктивність рослини сорго зернового за сівби насіння у першій декаді травня на глибину загортання 4–6 см, які й рекомендовано для вирощування даної культури в Правобережному Лісостепу України.

Purpose. To reveal features of formation of productivity of modern sugar beet hybrids of domestic selection.Methods. Field, laboratory.Results. Studies show that the lowest yields of sugar beets were obtained in 2016, 2017 and 2019. Moreover, the conditions of the unstable humidification zone of the Right-Bank part of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine were mainly characterized by unstable precipitation, a decrease in their amount, as well as increased average daily air temperatures. Therefore, the selection of high-yielding hybrids of sugar beets to obtain a high level of productivity is relevant. As evidenced by the data comparing the yield of sugar beet root crops on the test site, they significantly exceeded the average indicators for Kiev region by 10.7–20.0 t/ha, and only in arid 2016 the difference was minimal – 4.6 t/ha. The high stability of the trait “sugar content in root crops” is inherent not only in hybrids with low parameters of its manifestation, but is largely determined by the genetic characteristics of the hybrid. Three clusters were identified based on the reaction of hybrids to growing conditions. The first cluster included triploid hybrids: ‘Zluka’, ‘Oleksandriia, ‘Olzhych’, ‘Kvarta’ and ‘Konstanta’, the second one – the triploid hybrid ‘BTs ChS 57’ and diploid ‘Vesto’, the third cluster - the triploid hybrid ‘Sofiia’ and diploid ‘Ukrainskyi ChS 72’.Conclusions. Proper selection of high-yielding hybrids resistant to adverse growing conditions in the zone of unstable moisture of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine is extremely important, because the biological characteristics of hybrids affect 45% of the amount of sugar harvest, but the growing season by 33% and the interaction of factors was 17%. It was found that despite the difficult weather conditions, the highest yields were formed by hybrids: ‘Anichka’ – 70.1 t/ha, ‘Ramzes’ – 70.5 t/ha, ‘Romul’ – 73.0 t/ha and ‘BTs ChS 57’ – 73.4 t/ha. But the maximum sugar content in root crops was in hybrids: ‘Ukrainskyi ChS 72’ – 17.3%, ‘Zluka’ – 17.3% and ‘Sofiia’ – 17.7%. Accordingly, the maximum sugar harvest was provided by hybrids: ‘BTs ChS 57’ – 12.1 t/ha and ‘Romul’ – 12.2 t/ha. | Мета. Установити особливості формування продуктивності сучасних гібридів буряків цукрових вітчизняної селекції. Методи. Польові, лабораторні.Результати. Дослідження показують, що найменшу врожайність буряків цукрових було отримано у 2016, 2017 та 2019 роках. Причому умови зони нестійкого зволоження Правобережної част­и­ни Лісостепу України здебільшого характеризувалися нестійким випаданням опадів, зменшенням їхньої кількості, а також підвищеними середньодобовими температурами повітря. А тому добір високопродуктивних гібридів буряків цукрових для отримання високого рівня продуктивності є актуальним. Як свідчать дані порівняння врожайності коренеплодів буряків цукрових в умовах полігону, то вони істотно перевищували середні показники по Київській області на 10,7–20,0 т/га, і лише в посушливому 2016 році різниця була мінімальною – 4,6 т/га. Висока стабільність ознаки «вміст цукру в коренеплодах» притаманна не тільки гібридам із низькими параметрами її прояву, а значною мірою визначається й генетичними особливостями гібрида. За реакцією гібридів на умови вирощування виділено три кластери. До першого з них увійшли триплоїдні гібриди: ‘Злука’, ‘Олександрія’, ‘Ольжич’, ‘Кварта’ та ‘Константа’, до другого – триплоїдний гібрид ‘БЦ ЧС 57’ та диплоїдний ‘Весто’, до третього – триплоїдний гібрид ‘Софія’ та диплоїдний ‘Український ЧС 72’.Висновки. Правильний добір високопродуктивних гібридів, стійких до несприятливих умов вирощування в зоні нестійкого зволоження Лісостепу України, надзвичайно важливий, адже біологічні особливості гібридів на 45% впливають на величину формування збору цукру, а от умови вегетаційного періоду – на 33%, взаємодія цих чинників була на рівні 17%. Попри складні погодні умови, найбільшу врожайність формували гібриди ‘Анічка’ – 70,1 т/га, ‘Рамзес’ – 70,5, ‘Ромул’ – 73,0, ‘БЦ ЧС 57’ – 73,4 т/га. А от максимальний уміст цукру в коренеплодах був у таких гібридів, як ‘Український ЧС 72’ – 17,3%, ‘Злука’ – 17,3, ‘Софія’ – 17,7%. Максимум збору цукру забезпечували гібриди ‘БЦ ЧС 57’ і ‘Ромул’ – 12,1 і 12,2 т/га відповідно.

Purpose. To study the expression of gus and gfp genes in callus explants of amphidiploid spelt wheat (Triticum spelta L.) after Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation.Methods. Winter spelt wheat of ‘Europa’ variety was chosen for transformation. Calli obtained from mature embryos were used as explants. Callus pre-cultivation was carried out on MS nutrient medium (Murashige–Skoog) supplemented with 2 mg/L 2.4-D (2.4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and 10 mg/L silver nitrate. For genetic transformation, Agrobacterium tumefaciens Conn., strain GV3101 and a genetic construct with reporter genes beta-glucuronidase (GUS) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) were used. Calli were transformed by inoculation with agrobacteria and vacuum infiltration. Then they were co-cultured on MS medium with 2 mg/L 2.4-D and 10 mg/L AgNO3, but without antibiotics. The expression of the gus gene was checked by histochemical and the gfp gene by visual analysis (fluorescence of the GFP protein in UV light). Gfp and gus gene expression levels were evaluated using ImajeJ software. The integration of the gfp and gus genes into the spelt genome was verified by PCR.Results. Genetic transformation of spelt callus explants by inoculation in a nutrient medium with agrobacteria and vacuum infiltration occurred at different frequencies. The level of expression of the gus gene during vacuum infiltration was 4.66 ± 0.74%, with inoculation – 4.00 ± 0.91%; and the gfp gene with vacuum infiltration – 3.66 ± 0.74%, with inoculation – 4.66 ± 1.39%. The level of expression of the gfp gene was higher when using inoculation with agrobacteria, and the gus gene was higher during vacuum infiltration. Using PCR analysis, the integration of the gfp and gus genes into the callus of spelt genome was confirmed. The length of the PCR product with primers for the gus gene was 240 bp, and 717 bp for the gfp gene.Conclusions. The use of vacuum infiltration and inoculation methods for spelt genetic transformation gave different results. The frequency of genetic transformation ranged from 3.66 to 4.66%. Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of amphidiploid spelt wheat allows us to study the expression of gus and gfp reporter genes using callus explants derived from mature embryos | Цель. Исследовать экспрессию генов gus и gfp в каллюсных эксплантах амфидиплоидной пшеницы спельты (Triticum spelta L.) после Agrobacterium-опосредованной генетической трансформации. Методы. Для трансформации был выбран сорт пшеницы спельты озимой ‘Европа’. В качестве эксплантов использовали каллюсы, полученные из зрелых зародышей. Для прекультивации каллюсов использовали питательную среду МС (Мурасиге–Скуга), дополненную 2 мг/л 2,4-Д (2,4-дихлорфеноксиуксусная кислота) и 10 мг/л нитратом серебра. Для генетической трансформации использовали Agrobacterium tumefaciens Conn., штамм GV3101, и генетическую конструкцию, содержащую репортерные гены gus (ген бета-глюкуронидазы) и gfp (ген зеленого флюоресцентного белка GFP). Каллюсы трансформировали путем инокуляции с агробактериями и вакуумной инфильтрацией. Далее их ко-культивировали на среде МС с 2 мг/л 2,4-Д и 10 мг/л AgNO3, но без антибиотиков. Экспрессию гена gus проверяли с помощью гисто­химического анализа, а гена gfp – визуального (флуоресценция белка GFP в UV свете). Уровни экспрессии генов gfp и gus оценивали с помощью программного обеспечения ImajeJ. Интеграцию генов gfp и gus в геном спельты проверяли методом ПЦР. Результаты. Генетическая трансформация каллюсных эксплантов спельты путём их инокуляции в питательной среде с агробактериями и вакуумной инфильтрацией происходила с разной частотой. Уровень экспрессии гена gus при вакуумной инфильтрации составил 4,66 ± 0,74%, а при инокуляции – 4,00 ± 0,91%, а гена gfp при вакуумной инфильтрации – 3,66 ± 0,74%, а при инокуляции – 4,66 ± 1,39%. Уровень экспресии гена gfp был выше в случае использования инокуляции с агробактериями, а гена gus – при вакуумной инфильтрации. При помощи ПЦР анализа была подтверждена интеграция генов gfp и gus в геном каллюсов спельты. Длина ПЦР продукта с праймерами к гену gus составила 240 п. н., а для гена gfp – 717 п. н. Выводы. Использование методов вакуумной инфильтрации и инокуляции для генетической трансформации спельты дали разные результаты. Частота генетической трансформации колебалась от 3,66 до 4,66%. Agrobacterium-опосредованная генетическая трансформация амфидиплоидной пшеницы спельты позволяет исследовать экспрессию репортерных генов gus и gfp при использовании каллюсных эксплантов, полученных из зрелых зародышей. | Мета. Дослідити експресію генів gus та gfp в калюсних експлантах амфідиплоїдної пшениці спельти (Triticum spelta L.) після Agrobacterium-опосередкованої генетичної трансформації. Методи. Для трансформації було обрано сорт пшениці спельти озимої ‘Європа’. Як експланти використовували калюси, отримані зі зрілих зародків. Прекультивацію калюсів здійснювали на живильному середовищі МС (Мурасіге–Скуга), доповненому 2 мг/л 2,4-Д (2,4-дихлорфеноксиоцтова кислота) та 10 мг/л нітратом срібла. Для генетичної трансформації використовували Agrobacterium tumefaciens Conn., штам GV3101, та генетичну конструкцію з репортерними генами gus (ген бета-глюкуронідази (-glucuronidase)) та gfp (ген зеленого флюоресцентного білка (Green Fluorescent Protein, GFP)). Калюси трансформували шляхом інокуляції з агробактеріями та вакуумною інфільтрацією. Далі їх ко-культивували на середовищі МС із 2 мг/л 2,4-Д та 10 мг/л AgNO3, але без антибіотиків. Експресію гена gus перевіряли за допомогою гістохімічного, а гена gfp – візуального аналізу (флуоресценція білка GFP в УФ світлі). Рівні експресії генів gfp та gus оцінювали за допомогою програмного забезпечення ImajeJ. Інтеграцію генів gfp та gus в геном спельти перевіряли методом ПЛР.Результати. Генетична трансформація калюсних експлан­тів спельти шляхом їхньої інокуляції в живильному середовищі з агробактеріями та вакуумною інфільтрацією відбувалась з різною частотою. Рівень експресії гена gus за вакуумної інфільтрації становив 4,66 ± 0,74%, за інокуляції – 4,00 ± 0,91%; а гена gfp за вакуумної інфільтрації – 3,66 ± 0,74%, за інокуляції – 4,66 ± 1,39%. Рівень експресії гена gfp був вищим у разі використання інокуляції з агробактеріями, а гена gus – при ва­ку­умній інфільтрації. За допомогою ПЛР-аналізу було під­тверджено інтеграцію генів gfp та gus в геном калюсів спельти. Довжина ПЛР продукту із праймерами до гена gus становила 240 п. н., а до гена gfp – 717 п. н.Висновки. Використання методів вакуумної інфільтрації та інокуляції для генетичної трансформації спельти дали різні результати. Частота генетичної трансформації коливалась від 3,66 до 4,66%. Agrobacterium-опосередкована генетична трансформація амфідиплоїдної пшениці спельти дозволяє дослідити експресію репортерних генів gus та gfp за використання калюсних експлантів, отриманих із зрілих зародків.

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. Based on the study of consumer qualities of perspective potato hybrids (Solanum tuberosum L.) the ones with a high degree of differentiation depending on the biochemical composition of tubers and culinary-consumer type were identified. Methods. Field (phenology); laboratory (biochemical, technological); mathematical and statistical (linear correlation, regression). Results. Consumer qualities and patterns of their formation under the influence of the biochemical composition of tubers were studied. Excellent taste was determined in mid-early (‘203.703-3’, ‘205.781-9’), mid-season (‘205.786-72’, ‘205. 798-15’) hybrids. High cooking quality of the tubers was detected in early-season hybrids (‘99.523-15’, ‘205.791-3’, ‘205.785-25’, ‘205.792-205’). Soft crispy texture was detected in mid-early (‘205.776-25’, ‘99.546-3’) and mid-season (‘205.782-24’, ‘205.786-72’, ‘205.798-43’) hybrids. The mid-early hybrid '205.780-8' contained high levels of starch. In terms of resistance to browning, three early-season (‘99.517-39’, ‘203.703-2’, ‘205.785-25’) and two mid-season hybrids (‘205.781-9’, ‘205.788-3’) were selected. It is proved, that the taste development depended on the starch content (r=0,657), proportion of starch/protein (r=0,470) and sugars accumulation (r= -450). The positive dependence of the cooking quality of the tubers on their starchiness (r=0,945), proportion of starch and protein (r=0,900) was detected. The influence of proportion of starch/protein over the texture of the tubers (r=0,877) and starch content (r=0,868) was established. Mealiness depended on sugars (r= -0,494) and starch content (r=0,474), resistance to browning – on tyrosine content in protein (r=-0,873) and free tyrosine content (r= - 0,824). In terms of culinary and consumer type of food (table) potatoes, eight hybrids were rated as type B, five and five hybrids belonged to types A and C respectively, and three hybrids belonged to type D. Conclusions. The selected, as for the high level of culinary quality indicators, hybrids can be recommended as valuable output material for practical plant breeding. Determination of biological interrelation of potato culinary quality indicators and biochemical composition of their tubers allowed to develop mathematical simulations to predict taste and texture, and it practically relieved from boiling and subjective evaluation by organoleptic method of tasting results. Systematization of culinary and consumer type food (table) potatoes can be a subject matter in the course of state variety testing.

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. To identify spring durum wheat accessions with high yield level and by yield components for their involvement in breeding programs as a source material. Methods. Field, statistical. Results. The results of the study of 65 collection samples of spring durum wheat of various ecological and geographical origin in terms of productivity in 2016–2018 are presented. The research results indicate that the samples of spring durum wheat had different yield level depending on the conditions of the year of cultivation. According to the calculations of the degree of yield stability parameters, the samples were found that ensure its level under fluctuations in weather conditions with regression coefficient close to one as follows ‘Omskiy izumrud’ (RUS), ‘Korona’, ‘Toma’, ‘Nauryz 6’ (KAZ), ‘Dura king’, ‘Candura’ (CAN), ‘Tera’, ‘Novatsiia’ (UKR), thus indicating their semi-intensive type. Collection samples of spring durum wheat that under optimal weather conditions are capable of producing significant yield increase are distinguished by wide ecological reaction. These are samples with regression coefficient more than one ‘MIP Raiduzhna’, ‘Hordeiforme 13-07’ (UKR), ‘Lan’, ‘Salaut’, ‘Ertol’ (KAZ), ‘Bezenchukskaya 205’, ‘Lilek’ (RUS). These samples can be characterized by their adaptive properties as intense ones, with a pronounced response to the environment. Over the years of the research, grain number per spike varied from 35.9 to 38.8 pcs. Year conditions in 2016 were the most favorable for plant growth and development, while index of conditions was 4.1, and the average grain number per spike was 41.4 pcs. Year conditions in 2017 and 2018 were less favorable for growth and development of durum spring wheat, and therefore there was a negative value of index of year conditions (lj = -5.1 and lj = 0.5, respectively) with less grain number per spike (32.2 and 38.2 pcs., respectively). According to the trait «1000 kernel weight», the samples were identified with regression coefficient close to one under fluctuations of weather conditions, i.e ‘Korona’, ‘Raya’ (KAZ), ‘Lilek’, ‘Bezenchukskaya 205’ (RUS), ‘MIP Raiduzhna’ (UKR). The grain weight per spike in the collection samples varied from 1.27 to 1.77 g. The stable samples ‘Ertol’, ‘Salaut’, ‘Damsinskaya yantarnaya’ (KAZ), ‘Lilek’ (RUS), ‘Novatsiia’ (UKR), ‘Duraking’, ‘Candura’ (CAN) promising in spring wheat breeding were identified and can be involved in hybridization. Conclusions. Stable and plastic samples were identified among collection material of spring durum wheat in terms of productivity for involvement in scientific programs as source material.

Purpose. Identification of soft winter wheat varieties and lines from the Plant Production Institute nd. a. V. Ya. Yuryev, NAAS by allelic state of Pina–D1 and Pinb-D1 genes for targeted use in the breeding for high confectionery properties of flour. Methods. Identification of the Pina-D1 and Pinb-D1 genes allelic state was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using allele-specific primer pairs. Confectionery properties of flour were evaluated by determining the quality indicators: the water absorption capacity (WAC) of the flour, trial baking of cookies and evaluation of its quality. Results. According to the results of PCR analysis, 9 samples had an allelic composition of puroindoline genes (Pina-D1a and Pinb-D1a) characteristic for soft-grained varieties. Flour of the lines 'L137-26-0-2', 'L137-26-0-3' had the best confectionery properties, it had a WAC value less than 55%, cookies diameter 85 mm, cookies height 10 mm, estimation of a surface of cookies 7– 9 points, what meets the requirements for soft-grained wheat. 76% of the samples belonged to hard-grained varieties and had the corresponding alleles of the Pina-D1 or Pinb-D1 genes. In the studied sample, Pina-D1 gene is represented by 2 alleles: Pina-D1a and Pina-D1b. 27 samples had Pina-D1a allele, which also allows them to be used in breeding programs for grain quality when crossed with soft samples, 4 ones had Pina-D1b allele. As to Pinb-D1 gene, all hard grain samples had Pinb-D1b allele, and the 'Erythrospermum S 424-1 / 14' line was heterogeneous for Pinb-D1a / Pinb-D1b. The flour of these samples had typical for hard wheat quality indicators: WAC 68% and more, cookie diameter of 60–72 mm, cookie height of 13–15 mm, the surface evaluation of 1–4 points. Conclusions. The studies allowed to differentiate the breeding material and transfer a soft winter wheat cultivar of a confectionery use 'L137-26-0-3' ('Mazurok') which has an allelic structure of puroindolins genes (Pina-D1a and Pinb-D1a) characteristic for soft-grained varieties and high confectionery flour properties for qualification examination.

Purpose. To establish the optimal seeding time and depth of ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ and ‘Vinets’ sorghum varieties, to prove their effect on the crop photosynthetic capacity in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Field, laboratory, comparative, analytical, generalizing, mathematical and statistical. Results. It was proved that the best results of crop photosynthetic capacity of sorghum were obtained by sowing in the first decade of May (the second sowing period) at a seeding depth of 4–6 cm. Accordingly, the leaf surface area in these variants reached its maximum during the “panicle-blooming” period and equated 36.13–38.81 thousand m2/ha for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety and 34.23–36.91 thousand m2/ha for the ‘Vinets’ variety. By sowing seeds in the third decade of April (the first sowing period) at the seedining depth values described above the leaf surface area of the varieties was slightly smaller and amounted to 29.56–31.20 thousand m2/ha for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety and 27.76–29.40 thousand m2/ha for the ‘Vinets’ variety. By sowing seeds in the second decade of May (the third sowing period), the leaf surface area was 30.68–32.92 thousand m2/ha for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety and 29.08–31.32 thousand m2/ha for the ‘Vinets’ variety. The highest photosynthetic potential was obtained for sorghum plants in the second sowing period at the seeding depth of 4–6 cm and was 1.27 and 1.34 million m2/ha for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety and 1.16 and 1.22 million m2/ha for the variety ‘Vinets’. In the first sowing period, this indicator was slightly lower and amounted to 1.18 and 1.23 million m2/ha for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety and 0.98 and 1.02 million m2/ha for the ‘Vinets’ variety respectively. In the third sowing period, it was the smallest one and equated 1.09 and 1.13 million m2/ha for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety, and 0.88 and 0.93 million m2/ha for the ‘Vinets’ variety at the optimal seeding depth. The photosynthetic potential was lower at the seeding depth of 2 and 8 cm, which is explained by the different soil and climatic parameters during a certain period of sorghum plant vegetation. The highest value of the photosynthetic capacity net indicator was obtained by sowing seeds at the optimal time and the optimal seeding depth and it equated 3.84–4.02 g/m2 per day for the ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ variety and 3.79 – 3.98 g/m2 per day for the ‘Vinets’ variety. Conclusions. It has been established that the sorghum plants had better vegetation and formed photosynthetic capacity by sowing seeds in the first decade of May at the planting depth of 4–6 cm, which we recommend for growing this crop in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine.

Purpose. To analyze the variety diversity of the Itoh peony group in the collection of the M. M. Hryshko National Botanical Garden National Botanical Garden National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and determine its biological features in the new conditions of introduction. Methods. Introduction studies, phenological observations, morphometry, statistical processing of results. Results. The cultivars diversity of the Itoh peony group of the M. M. Hrysh­ko National Botanical Garden National Botanical Garden National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine collection was analyzed. The ornamental properties of the cultivars were described. Features of their growth and development under conditions of introduction were studied. It was revealed that the duration of vegetation of plants of Ito group varieties is 218–225 days. It was determined that plant growth begins on March 23 – April 2, flowering on May 19–28. The budding of plants was observed in the first decade of May and lasts 16–20 days. It was revealed that in the conditions of introduction ‘Morning Lilac’ and ‘Sonoma Apricot’ bloom first (May 19–20), ‘Viking Full Moon’, ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’, ‘Yellow Waterlily’ bloom later (May 28). The height of generative shoots of plants in flowe­ring phase ranged from 60 to90 cm. Plants go dormant in winter, having formed generative shoots that successfully winter. Reproduction of plants occurs both due to the buds that form on the lower part of the stem, and the buds that form on the rhizome. The shoot-forming ability and flowering productivity are 6.0±2.5 – 19.5±4.0 shoots and 4.5±1.5 – 16.0±3.0 generative shoots per plant, respectively. Cultivars ‘First Arrival’, ‘Sonoma Apricot’, ‘Hillary’, ‘Bartzella’, ‘Morning Lilac’, ‘Lollipop’, ‘Old Rose Dandy’ are highly productive. Conclusions. The collection of peonies of the M. M. Hryshko National Botanical Garden National Botanical Garden National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine has been expanded by Itoh Group cultivars. The R. Anderson’s breeds of 1980–1990 are more fully represented. An analysis of the ornamental features of the varieties showed that the hybrids with a semi-double flower shape of a yellow color dominate the collection. Cultivars retain all their ornamental and economic characteristics under conditions of introduction. The Itoh group varieties of the collection can be material for developing technologies for their cultivation and propagation, can be a source of replenishment and expansion of regional botanical gardens collections, planting material for gardening and landscaping, and also perform an educational and cognitive function.