In recent years, research has been actively conducted on the use of drip irrigation in the cultivation of fruit and berry crops. It is known that drip irrigation helps to save irrigation water, as well as to create an optimal water-air regime of the soil throughout the growing season, which allows increasing the yield of agricultural land. Due to the technical features of the drip system, this irrigation method can be used for growing a wide variety of crops, adjusting it to the physiological needs of plants with a high degree of accuracy, depending on the natural and climatic conditions of the territory. Drip irrigation provides water supply directly to the root system of the plant, so water does not linger on the leaves, which significantly reduces the likelihood of diseases, creates a favorable microclimate in the surface layer, there is no over-compaction of the soil, which improves its aeration and the development of the root system of irrigated crops, and also helps to reduce water consumption. In addition, water-soluble fertilizers, nutrients and trace elements necessary for plant growth and development can be supplied through the drip irrigation system, which makes the system universal for use in agriculture. The article provides an analysis and generalization of the results of some studies and works on the use of drip irrigation in gardens and nurseries, for the cultivation of fruit and berry crops. The results of the considered works and studies show how effective modern drip irrigation systems are, how these systems differ from other irrigation methods, what disadvantages there are, and also by what indicators they are superior.

Intensive climate changes entail the possibility of effective introduction of some tropical plants in the northern hemisphere. Introduction of Physalis peruviana, Indian selection, along the Crimean southern sea shore in 2022-2024 revealed the perennial growth character of plants, fully flowering since the first decade of June, starting fruiting in late June, full fruit ripening in the second decade of July, and the possibility of partial ovaries shedding during the period of high temperatures (2730°С) from mid-July to August. In the mentioned conditions, fruits, leaves and calyx showed high antioxidant status. The efficiency of different extraction methods in polyphenol determination generated high prospects of dry fruit, leaves and calyx extraction with 70% ethanol at 80 oC compared to the application of water, 50% methanol and 98% ethanol extraction at room temperature. The fruits demonstrated similar values of the ascorbic acid (48.5 mg/100 g f.w.), monoand di-saccharide (35 and 51% per d.w.) content, and higher levels of dry matter (20.2%), phenolics (21.2 mg GAE/g d.w.) and carotenoids (4.51 mg/100 g f.w.), compared to the Colombian fruit randomly sampled at the local supermarket, but had significantly lower values of fruit titratable acidity (49.0 compared to 86.2 mg-eq citric acid/g d.w.). Mineral composition of plants revealed typical Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and Co distribution between fruit, leaves and calyx with calyx being the richest source of Fe (288.7 mg/kg d.w.). The results indicate high prospects of P. peruviana cultivation in Crimea.

The isolation of protoplasts from diverse plant species is a widely employed technique. The purpose of this work is to develop an efficient system for isolating and purifying mesophyll protoplasts from Daucus carota. Main factors influencing the qualitative and quantitative dimensions of protoplast isolation procedures attempted to be optimized, using the well-established protoplast fusion technique as the foundation for the comprehensive analysis, including sorbitol concentration during the preplasmolysis stage and the duration of the enzymolysis process, those key variables affect the yield and survivability of the protoplasts. This research employed "Vil-1" carrot leaves as the primary source material to isolate protoplasts through enzymolysis. The data revealed that higher concentrations of sorbitol led to increased protoplast yield, with the optimal concentration being 0.5 M, which resulted in up to 95% protoplast vitality. Furthermore, prolonging the enzymolysis duration to 6 hours maximized both protoplast yield and vitality. The optimal conditions for isolating protoplasts were determined to be 0.5 M sorbitol pre-treatment for one hour, combined with a mixture of 1% cellulase, 0.1% pectinase, and a 6-hour incubation period.

Relevance. Astilbe chinensis has clinical efficacy against many diseases, making this plant a potential natural source for treating diabetes and obesity with a mild, non-aggressive effect. Overall, the study of the biological properties of A. chinensis leaves is currently in its infancy.Aim. In this study, the anti-amylase and anti-lipase potential of aqueous extract of Astilbe chinensis leaves was investigated as an important source of natural complex substances with therapeutic potential. Methods. The total content of phenolic compounds was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and flavonoids by the colorimetric method according to the complexation reaction with aluminum chloride. The effects of aqueous/tea extracts of A. chinensis leaves on pancreatic amylase and lipase were studied via in vitro models in comparison with acarbose and orlistat, respectively. For these tests, the artificial substrates 1,2-O-dilauryl-rac-glycero-3-glutaric acid ester (6-methylresorufin) and 2-chloro-4-nitrophenol oligosaccharide were used.Results. The study of the effect of aqueous extract of A. chinensis leaves on pancreatic amylase and lipase showed a comparable inhibitory effect of 18% on both enzymes.

Relevance. Ethiopians have a long history of planting trees, and they have embraced the idea of keeping natural trees with many uses as a distinctive feature of their agricultural landscapes. Farmers use agroforestry practices to maintain a number of species of multipurpose trees. The selection of tree species, their intended benefits, and ecological services are inconsistent due to variability in agroecological conditions. The main problems with Ethiopia's multifunctional agroforestry tree species were also related to management approaches.Therefore, the purpose of this article is to examine the multipurpose agroforestry tree species in Ethiopia, their management methods, and their ecological benefits. In southern Ethiopia, Cordia africana, Millettia ferruginea, Erythrina brucei, and Olea capensis are the main multifunctional tree species used. The northern part of Ethiopia hosts Croton macrostachus, Vernonia amygdalina, Faidherbia albida, Acacia nilotica, Acacia seyal, and Grewia bicolor. The central highlands of Ethiopia are also home to Albizia gummifera, Cordia africana, Croton macrostachus, Ficus vasta, and Vernonia amygdalina. Farmers use coppicing, pollarding, and pruning tree management techniques to balance their survival with integrated crops because trees regenerate naturally. Multipurpose trees offer a range of agro-ecological services, such as improving soil fertility, mitigating erosion, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and maintaining biological diversity.

Relevance. The development of a system of molecular markers that allows identifying the genetic determinants of resistance to pathogens, as well as the typing of alleles involved in the regulation of anthocyanin accumulation, is the most important condition for increasing the efficiency of the breeding process aimed at enhancing the resistance of cultivated crops to biotic and abiotic stresses.Methodology. The work involved molecular genetic methods of DNA isolation, PCR analysis, restriction, and evaluation of amplification and restriction products in agarose or polyacrylamide gels. The material used included the diverse collections of Solanum lycopersicum and Capsicum annuum, as well as the specimens of closely related wild species.Results. The paper evaluates the effectiveness of 25 molecular markers presented in the literature associated with resistance to tomato and pepper diseases caused by fungal, bacterial, viral pathogens, as well as nematodes. Markers to the alleles of MYB transcription factor genes associated with the regulation of anthocyanin accumulation in tomato (SlMyb12, Anthocyanin1, Anthocyanin2, An-2-like and Atroviolacium) and pepper (Myb113-like1, Myb113-like2 and ETC3-2), recommended for the breeding process aimed at increasing resistance to stressful biotic and abiotic environmental factors, are presented.

Relevance. The modern direction of bean breeding is focused on increasing the protein content in seeds and green beans, as well as vitamins, folic acid, biologically active substances and antioxidants, improving organoleptic properties and reducing the content of anti-nutritional substances. When creating the initial material for breeding, the following traits are important: resistance to biotic and abiotic factors, stable high yield, technological effectiveness, bush type and upright form, high symbiotic activity. An effective approach to increasing the genetic diversity of the initial material is radiation mutagenesis.Purpose of research. To study the effect of γ-irradiation of seeds on germination, morphometric parameters and duration of phenophases of Russian bean varieties and to determine the optimal dose of γ-radiation for the radiation mutagenesis protocol.Materials and Methods. Objects of the study – 3 bean varieties bred by Omsk State Agrarian University. The seeds were γ-irradiated (source – 60Co) at doses of 50–200 Gy (dose rate 60 Gy/hour). The seeds were germinated under controlled conditions; germination energy and germination were assessed. The hypocotyl length, number and length of roots were measured in seedlings. The duration of development phases and productivity of plants were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed in R (ver. 4.3.3) and MS Office Excel 2019.Results. Hormesis effect was noted for 50 Gy γ-irradiation dose, which was manifested in higher values of germination energy and seed germination (variety Pamyati Ryzhkova), hypocotyl length (variety Marusya and Pamyati Ryzhkova) and in a decrease in the phenophases duration (variety Omskiy Rubin). Gamma irradiation at all applicable doses statistically significantly inhibited root development. Root length, as the most sensitive parameter to radiation, was chosen to calculate the dose causing a 50% growth reduction (RD50). For the Marusya variety, RD50 was 40 Gy, for the Pamyati Ryzhkova and Omsky Rubin varieties - 60 Gy.Conclusion. Variety specificity was established in the reaction to seed irradiation. Doses of 50 Gy or less (10-50 Gy) can be used to study the hormetic effects of γ-irradiation of bean seeds. Doses of 100 and 200 Gy turned out to be lethal. Starting doses of 40-60 Gy are recommended for the radiation mutagenesis protocols of Russian bean varieties.

Relevance. Deforestation is a major environmental challenge that has persisted over time and worsened in recent years. It is a primary concern for developing countries, including Ethiopia, due to its negative effects, such as biodiversity loss and increased greenhouse gas emissions. This study investigates the key drivers of deforestation and community perceptions of its impact in the Shabe Sombo district, Jimma zone, southwest Ethiopia.Data Collection. Primary data were gathered through questionnaires from 187 household heads selected simple random sampling. Additionally, interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with purposively selected individuals.Study Areas. Four kebeles; Atiro Gefare, Mirgano Baso, Yanga Dogoma, and Sombo Daru were purposively selected from the Shabe Sombo district.Data Analysis. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed. Quantitative analysis was performed using SPSS to evaluate questionnaire responses, while qualitative content analysis was used to interpret interview and FGD data. The findings were expressed through descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies, tables, and charts.Results. The study identified several direct causes of deforestation, including agricultural expansion, fuelwood collection, settlement expansion, grazing land expansion, and logging. Indirect causes included economic factors, policy and institutional factors, social factors, and population growth. As a result of data analysis we suggest that It is necessary to inform the population about the consequences of deforestation. In addition, this will solve many problems: the loss of variety of plants, subsequently restore forestry, control illegal cutting and use alternative energy sources in nearby settlements.

Purpose. To obtain and evaluate breeding forms of interspecific allium hybrids based on econom- ically useful characteristics and resistance to downy mildew to replenish the bioresource collection of the genus Allium L.Material and Methods. The studies were carried out on plants of progeny I1-5 from BC1 interspecif- ic allium hybrids of crossing combinations F5 (A. cepa × A. vavilovii) and F5 (A. cepa × A. fistulosum). Morphological assessment was carried out according to the signs of the bulb. Plants in the field were grown using the technology of onion cultivation for this soil and climatic zone. The phytopathological assessment included identifying the nature of onion plants resistance to downy mildew.Results. In a combination of crossing species of A. cepa × A. fistulosum and A. cepa × A. vavilovii, the plants formed bulbs weighing 54.4-100.0 g. The maximum bulb weight is more than 85.0 g in plants, I5BC1(F5(A. cepa × A. vavilovii)). Onion plants mainly showed splitting into yellow and red bulbs. Among the crossing combinations species of A. cepa × A. fistulosum and A. cepa × A. vavilovii, the red coloration of the bulb ranged from 44.0 to 97.0%. In the combination species of A. cepa × A. fistulosum, the broadly elliptical bulb shape prevailed (15-85%). In a combination species crossing of A. cepa × A. vavlovii, plants I3BC1(F5(A. cepa × A. vavilovii)) 95.0% formed elliptical bulbs, and 5.0% formed round bulbs. In plants of the crossing combination species A. cepa × A. fistulosum, the number of plants resistant to downy mildew varied in inbred generations from 42.0 to 49.0%. In combination with the crossing species of A. cepa × A. vavilovii, with an increase in the inbred generation from I1 to I5, the number of plants resistant to downy mildew increased from 50.0 to 74.0%. In the control, 90.0% of unstable plants were noted, as well as their death.Conclusion. The analysis of plants of interspecific allium hybrids from inbred progeny of I1-5 combinations of crosses species of A. cepa × A. vavilovii and A. cepa × A. fistulosum showed the pos- sibility of increasing onion biological resources due to interspecific hybridization, saturating crosses and inbreeding of breeding forms. A morphological assessment of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the onion plants obtained made it possible to identify promising breeding forms from the progeny of I3BC1(F5(A. cepa × A. fistulosum)) the weight of the bulb is about 100.0 g of elliptical and broadly elliptical shape. Based on a phytopathological assessment, recombinant Allium forms as a genetic source were isolated in the progeny of I5BC1(F5(A. cepa × A. vavilovii)) with 74.0% of plants resistant to downy mildew.

Relevance. New for Russia vegetable crops (vigna, kiwano, bitter melon and wax gourd), expanding their range and winning the attention of consumers, gradually increase their importance in the plant growing industry of the country. The study of the biochemical value of not only the fruits of these crops, but also previously non-traditional for food parts of the phytomass (leaves, wax on fruits) can not only more fully substantiate their consumer qualities, but also increase the efficiency of production and increase the coverage of food preferences of consumers of such products. The aim of the study is to consider from a nutritional value position the possibility of non-traditional use in Siberia of new for Russia vegetable crops as functional food.Materials and Methods. Seven varieties of vigna, kiwano, bitter melon and wax gourd from the "Collection of living plants in open and closed ground" UNU No. USU 440534 of the Central Siberian Botanical Garden SB RAS were used. The plants were grown in an unheated film greenhouse (54°49'33" N 83°06'34" E) in soil based on high-moor peat from seeds reproduced earlier in the same conditions. Standard methods for analyzing the content of ascorbic acid and pectins were used. The content of macro- and microelements in fruits (mesocarp and exocarp) was determined by X-ray fluorescence analysis using synchrotron radiation (XRF SR) and other standard methods.Results. In the exocarp of kiwano fruits, a significant, 2-10 times higher accumulation of Ca (18,246 μg/g) was noted, compared to other studied crops. A high content of Fe was found in the mesocarp and, especially, in the wax of wax gourd fruits − 141.6 and 473.2 μg/g, respectively. The amount of ascorbic acid in the leaves was 1.9-2.6 times higher than the same indicator in the fruits. The highest content of ascorbic acid was noted in the leaves of vigna accessions: Zinder − 98.35 mg% and cv. Yunnanskaya − 91.18 mg%.