100 rape varieties and hybrids of domestic and foreign selection that have been grown in the different soil-climatic zones of the country were evaluated. The paper presents the results of study by their biochemical characteristics: content of protein, oil and its fatty acid composition. High-oil varieties of rape are identifi ed with high content of erucic acid in oil – for the technical purposes and those without or with its low content – for food industry.

The research of 122 breeding lines of winter wheat to adaptability have been carried out for three years at three points. Samples for ecological variety testing were determined which have both high and average stability and plasticity, high average yield and are promising for qualified examination. The environments are analyzed for differentiating ability. Environments were selected which allow to identify genotypes for yield potential and adaptive ability. It is established that the parameters of adaptive ability and stability of winter wheat samples obtained during cultivation both in various geographical locations and at one point during some years were closely correlated. This confirms the hypothesis that the genotype estimate for adaptive ability in one location is reliable. The connection level was average only for the variance of genotype–environment interaction. However, this parameter is not principal therefore this connection level does not restrict significantly the use of the method in general.

The results of evaluation and selection of breeding material of mixed germ-plasm corn for early ripeness among self-pollinated families S4 by the length of the «sprouting–flowering of 50% of ears» period are given. A signifi cant infl uence of weather conditions during the years of study on the length of this indicator was determined. Response of studied corn test-crosses on growing conditions are described. Self-pollinated families DK22282111, DK28211111, DK21511111, DK20192321, DK26143111 were singled out which had a high tolerance to growing conditions and stable «sprouting–flowering of 50% of ears» period.

In 2011 to 2013 a study was completed for the impact of varying rates of fertilizing onto the indices of productivity for barley agrophytocenosis of Helios and Commandor, in particular, such its components as a number of productive stems, number of seeds per ear, potential biological activity of ear and photosynthetic apparatus. It is found that the level of spring barley agrophytocenosis productivity is subject both to varietal peculiarities and the rate of mineral fertilizer application. When applying N 60P 60K 60 і N 90P 90K 90 the highest potential and biological productivity of Helios and Commandor was recorder as compared against the control. Impact of varying application rates for fertilizers onto the components of ear biological productivity has been scrutinized. The qualitative composition of ear is a clear expression of variety phenotype and identifies the level of biological yield for spring barley. Application of N 60 P 60 K 60 і N 90 P 90 K 90 mineral fertilizers fairly increased the average leaf surface, photosynthetic lead capacity of varieties in 2 to 2.5 times, as well as FAR efficiency coefficient in 1.5 to 2.0 times as against control that thus contributed to the development of highest biological yield of Helios variety phytomass at the level of 14.9 to 15.0, grain – 7.8 to 8.0 ton per ha and, respectively, 12.7 and 7.5 tons per ha for Comandor variety.

State and prospects of growing for Triticale crop at the territory of leading states of the world are highlighted across space and time. Observing the trend of changes in planting acreage and the product yield of wheat and rye hybrids, their popularity in agrarian and industrial fields of a whole range of countries in Asia, Northern and Southern America, Australia, a Ukrainian manufacturer is invited to consider and reasonably assess this crop and thus list in the composition of planted acreage the national nowadays varieties of triticale as an essential or strategic system component.

The results obtained during the study of resistance of promising gooseberry varieties to Septoria leaf spot in the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine are described. Variety samples were divided into groups by the resistance to disease. Among them none was found with complete field resistance. Sladkiy proved to be highly resistant variety. Resistance above the average is typical for Berill, Grushenka, Kooperator, Lehin, Malakhit, Rodnik, Shennon varieties. Hrossulyar, Kamenyar, Karat, Knyazhych, Kolobok, Krasnoslavyanskiy, Laskovyi, Mazershkota, Russkiy, Svityaz, Severnyi kapitan are varieties of average resistance to Septoria leaf spot. Zyelyonyi dozhd, Zlatogor, Invikta, Kubanyets, Nesluhivskyi, Slivovyi are characterized as low resistant ones.

Assessment of agroclimatic conditions in 2012–2014 and their effect on formation of frost resistance and winter hardiness of soft winter wheat is made. Elevated temperature conditions in autumn and disturbance of cold hardening conditions caused the formation of the highest frost tolerance and winter hardiness of winter wheat only up to -15°C. Under the new climatic conditions the modern varieties of myronivska breeding are able to realize 80–85% of the genetic potential by the property.

New results of the clonal selection of apple tree (Malus domestica Borkh) conducted at Podillya Research Station of Horticultural Institute NAAS by method of state variety testing have been presented. By the results of the 6-year studying (2007 - 2012) of 20 new Jonagold clones of domestic selection their estimation was carried out according to the complex of such qualities as productivity, early ripening, marketability, taste qualities and durability of fruits. The following clones are defined to be the best: DP-16, DP-17, DP-18, DP-20. They start fruiting in the age of 2 or 3 years, productivity of the 5- or 6-year-old trees reaches 8,3–25,5 tons per hectare, quantity of the fruits of the highest and first grade is about 57–76% (in 2010–2012). Fruits of the mentioned clones are bigger than medium size (DP-16), big (DP-17, DP-18) and very big (DP-20); they have average similarity, excellent and very harmonious sour-sweet taste (8,3–8,7 points). Fruits of the best clones kept their quality for 202 – 220 days.

Methodological rationale is given (procedure - morphological description) for ‘plant’ as a quantitative characteristic - ‘plant: ratio of upper ear attachment height to plant height’ for maize hybrids (Zea mays L.), as well as parameters of grading for states of expression are set to facilitate the assessment at performing morphological description of maize hybrids

Chloropyll fluorescence intensity dependence on biological features of sugar beet hybrids and plant growth stages is described. Accuracy of a method of rapid diagnosis of the photosynthetic apparatus status of sugar beet plants are evaluated.