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. Investigation of maize ae1 gene polymorphism by bioinformatic methods. Methods. Global and local alignment of the nucleotide and amino acid sequences, in silico translation and transcription, translates modeling, pri­mers design, phylogenetic analysis. Results. 255 nucleotide sequences of maize аe1 gene, 500 amino acid sequences of homology translates of maize ae1 gene (SBEIIb enzyme homologs) and 100 mRNA expressed from the maize ae1 gene were analyzed to establish phylogenetic relationships. Polymorphism of maize ae1 gene different regions was investigated by bioinformatic methods. Modeling of the maize enzyme SBEIIb was performed. Conclusions. According to the results of amino acid sequences of SBEIIb enzyme homologs alignment, it was found that ae1 gene orthologs are pre­sent only in monocots, paralogs – in monocots, dicots, and other taxa, including algae and animals. Based on the results of alignment of plants mRNA from which enzyme SBEIIb is translated, maize ae1 gene orthologs and the nearest paralogs encoding starch branching enzymes with chloroplast localization were defined; this suggests a possible origin of ae1 gene due to duplication of the gene encoding the 1,4-alpha-glucan-branching enzyme 2 with chloroplast or amyloplast localization. In the maize ae1 gene structure, regions were found that include polymorphic sites not defined previously. For the polymorphic sites design primers were developed that allowed to differentiate the maize lines. It was determined that the detection of polymorphism in theory can influence the enzyme function and, as a result, change the concentration of amylopectin in maize grain.

Purpose. To develop a conceptually new method for determination of varietal purity (typicality), hybridity, steri­lity of seed lots. Methods of molecular biology (genomic DNA extraction, PCR with SSR markers application, capillary electrophoresis), genetic, statistical, mathematical analysis. Results. New method for determining the varietal qualities of seed lot was developed that consists of the following steps: simultaneous DNA extraction from a representative sample of aggregated seeds; PCR and further analysis of the amplification products by determination of the qualitative and quantitative composition of SSR-markers’ alleles; calculation of values of varietal seed lot quality using experimentally derived allele ratios. Conclusions. The developed method for determining varietal qualities of seed lots allows to reduce significantly the consumption of materials, time and labor during the analysis. Consistent qualification and quantification of alleles in the total sample of a seed lot is a conceptually new approach to establish varietal purity (typicality), hybridity, sterility.

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

Purpose. To define the role of fertilizers containing amino acids in the nutrition systems of highly productive varieties of winter wheat. Methods. Field studies, biochemical technique, analytical procedure, statistical evalua­tion. Results. In the process of investigations, sufficiently high activity of fertilizers containing amino acids was established when applying them for leaf-feeding. Fertilizers based on algae (Megafol, Megafol Protein, Terra-Sorb foliar) and animal (Izabion) hydrolysates appeared to be very effective for increasing yield of culture. It was found that in case of low doses of mineral nitrogen, fertilizers helped to increase both the yield and quality indicators of high-yielding wheat variety. Conclusions. It was defined that fertilizers that include amino acids are highly effective compositions containing plant-available nitrogen in organic form and can be promising for application as antistress agents and improving efficiency of macro- and microelements use by cultivated plants. They are essential components of modern technologies for cultivation of highly productive varieties and hybrids in crop production of Ukraine.

Historical review was done concerning the formation and development of scientific research of the Experimental Station of Medicinal Plants over the period 1916–2016. The main stages of experimenting in the direction of “medicinal plant cultivation’’ in Ukraine were covered. Role and importance of the Experimental Station of Medicinal Plants in the scientific and methodological support of such scientific directions as breeding, seed production, cultivation technologies, pharmacognosy in medicinal plant cultivation were shown. For the needs of the branch, over 100 species of introduced medicinal plants were studied at the Station and agricultu­ral techniques of their growing were developed, in addition, more than 50 varieties of medicinal plants were crea­ted, a number of machines and devices for growing, harves­ting and initial treatment of raw materials and seeds of the most important medicinal plants was designed. Other scientific achievements of the Station were mentioned and promising areas of medicinal plant research in Ukraine were outlined.

Purpose. To develop a conceptually new method for determination of varietal purity (typicality), hybridity, steri­lity of seed lots. Methods of molecular biology (genomic DNA extraction, PCR with SSR markers application, capillary electrophoresis), genetic, statistical, mathematical analysis. Results. New method for determining the varietal qualities of seed lot was developed that consists of the following steps: simultaneous DNA extraction from a representative sample of aggregated seeds; PCR and further analysis of the amplification products by determination of the qualitative and quantitative composition of SSR-markers’ alleles; calculation of values of varietal seed lot quality using experimentally derived allele ratios. Conclusions. The developed method for determining varietal qualities of seed lots allows to reduce significantly the consumption of materials, time and labor during the analysis. Consistent qualification and quantification of alleles in the total sample of a seed lot is a conceptually new approach to establish varietal purity (typicality), hybridity, sterility.

Purpose. To analyze thecollection of hybrid tea roses for the countries of origin, flower color, years of breeding. To select best modern cultivars for use in landscaping basing on evaluation of ornamental properties and economic characters. Methods. Field study, comparative analysis, generalization. Results. The collection of roses at M. M. Hryshko National Botanical Garden (the city of Kyiv) has been analyzed. After screening the collection, 141 hybrid tea rose varieties have been revealed. The collection of hybrid tea roses varieties has been analyzed for the countries of origin, flower color, years of breeding. Modern varieties (bred after 2000) has been described and their decorative value, economic characters has been estimated. Conclusion. The analysis of the collection of hybrid tea roses showed that most of them are varieties with red and pink flowers bred in 1961–2000 in countries of Western Europe. Evaluation of modern varieties for ornamental properties and economic characters allowed the authors to recommend 10 hybrid tea varieties for use in landscaping, namely: ‘Akvarel Rose Park’, ‘Alain Souchon’, ‘Aphrodite’, ‘Chippendale’, ‘Edith Piaf’, ‘Laetitia Casta’, ‘Line Renaud’, ‘My Girl’, ‘Pullman Orient Express’, ‘Terracotta’.

Purpose. To establish the level of formation of winter barley yield depending on weather conditions during the gro­wing season in the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine. Methods. Field investigations, ANOVA, variance and correlation analysis. Results. Positive correlation was revealed between yield and the duration of the vegetation (r = 0.54) and especially “heading–maturation” period (r = 0.76). Moderate positive correlation was established between yield and mean daily air temperature during the period from termination to resumption of vegetation (r = 0.44), and strong negative one – between yield and mean daily air temperature during hea­ding to maturation period (r = -0.77). Positive correlation was observed between yield and rainfall amount during the period from vegetation resumption to heading (r = 0.30). In general, during the growing season the correlation was weak (r = 0.16). For the period of “heading–maturation” low nega­tive value (r = -0.11) was fixed. This was due to heavy precipitations, especially torrential rains, which in some years have caused lodging of plantings resulted in yield decrease. Conclusions. Under the conditions of Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine, fluctuations in temperature and water regimes are responsible for significant variability in growing season duration and yield of winter barley. Optimal amount of precipitation (close to long-time annual average) and their uniform distribution throughout growing season is the most favorable for obtaining high yield. “Heading–maturation» period is responsible for the formation of winter barley yield level.

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.