This paper presents an overview of a novel approach to spirulina microalgae cultivation. The most optimal design of a photobioreactor with compact dimensions and, at the same time, a large production area is proposed. The research areas that can significantly impact increasing spirulina cultivation productivity are outlined. Results of studies confirm the relatively high productivity of spirulina cultivation, which is more than 30 g/l of dry biomass per 1 sq. m per a day.

Using DNA banks or gene libraries is the most efficient method of protecting and managing valuable, endangered, and rare gene pools. Genomic libraries are collections of bacteria colonies with restriction sites on their genomic DNA that contain desired genes from a specific organism. The “Scientific Center of AgroBiotechnology” branch of ANAU has created gene libraries of 34 plant species, which are preserved in the National Genebank of Crops and their Wild Relatives, which forms a basis for genomic selection. This allows genetic identification, barcoding, DNA formula decoding, and, most importantly, is the basis for genome identification. Based on the results, plasmids can incorporate restriction segments of genomic DNA and be efficiently transformed. The high level of correlation between the number of necessary clones and the efficiency of transformation of all studied plant species proves the completeness of the gene pool.

This study assessed potential risks associated with antibiotic residues in Armenian honey. Honey sample analysis revealed multiple antibiotics, in varying concentrations. Estimated daily intakes of antibiotics were calculated for different consumer clusters. The margin of exposure was determined based on acceptable daily intake values. The findings indicate that there are no risks to consumers regarding antibiotic residues in honey. However, it highlights the importance of controlling antibiotics in beekeeping practices to ensure honey safety.

The current work presents the distribution patterns of rare plant species and the mapping results with the help of the R programming language. In addition, it considers the topographical features of the RA mountain meadow zone. Taking the advantages of the R program capacity and the results of environmental studies of the given area, ways of solving several environmental problems related to the preservation of rare plants and biodiversity, depending on meteorological (Tmax, Tmin, RH, V) and soil moisture indicators were developed. The analysis was made with the data of Kajaran (1843 m) and Jermuk (2064 m) hydrometeorological stations, based on which the assessment of moisture availability of rare plant species was conducted, and the most dangerous periods for the development of life and growth of the mentioned plants were revealed. In particular, for plants at an altitude of 1800-2000 m, it was 75-130 days, and for those at the altitude of 2000 m, it was 60-110 days. Geospatial data analysis was performed, which allows to analyze and visualize environmental data through a cartographic representation. The use of comprehensive open source code for land use change assessment, landscape monitoring, ecological trends, and environmental problem identification is considered relevant, as it enables to avoid the use of narrow professional and expensive programs.

Cars have become an integral part of human civilization today. In developed countries, it is not only regarded as the main form of transportation, but also as a basic component of daily life. In spite of the rapid progress in motorization at the beginning of the 21st century, its apparent optimism brought tangible negative consequences as well. The study indicates that due to the sharp increase in the number of vehicles, loads on Yerevan, s roads have increased. The efficiency of transport use has decreased, whereas accidents, traffic jams and kneading have became more frequent. In 3-4 years, a transport collapse is inevitable if appropriate measures are not taken. To improve the traffic management, it is necessary to develop a strategy and implement a set of measures to improve the road network, especially road traffic, by using modern technologies, since expanding the road network is expensive, laborintensive, and not always possible.

As a part of the research, the species composition of almond diseases, as well as the susceptibility of different almond varieties, was studied. The following diseases and pests were detected at Armavir Marz: shot hole disease, almond leaf scorch, foamy canker, chlorosis, gummosis, peach twig borer, and green peach aphid. Trees of the Guara variety were infected with shot hole and gummosis, Penta - with gummosis, leaf scorch, and chlorosis. Diseases were not detected in trees of the Lauranne variety. Almond leaf scorch (Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al.) and foamy canker (Zymomonas Kluyver and van Niel) diseases were recorded in Armenia for the first time. Plant pathogenic fungi Arthrinium sp./Apiospora sp., Fusarium acuminatum, F. Incarnatum-equiseti, F. oxysporum, Valsa sordida (Cytospora chrysosperma), as well as non-pathogenic fungi Clonostachys rosea, Lachancea quebecensis, Mucor circinelloides, Pichia kudriavzevii and Torulaspora sp. have been isolated and identified from almond branches and trunks infected with gummosis.

The study was conducted on Holstein cows, which were imported from Germany and kept in the “smart” barnyard of the “Pepi Agro” farm at the Armavir Marz of the Republic of Armenia. According to the results, during the first lactation, 5827 kg of milk was yielded, fat and protein contents in milk were 3.82 and 3.27 %, live weight was 535 kg, and milk yield was 10.9 with the average milk flow rate of 2.37 kg/min. According to the 1990 appraisal, these cows exceeded the standards of the Holstein breed in terms of milk yield, fat, and protein content, as well as live weight. However, their milk yield was lower than the mothers bred in Germany by 2933 kg or 50 %. We propose to continue the importation of Holstein cows and their further breeding in “smart” farming conditions in the Republic of Armenia.

In recent years, in Armenia, meat has become more important than other food-producing directions of sheep breeding, which is due not only to lower costs and the demand for the domestic market but also to the export of many sheep from the republic. Consequently, foreign breeds of mutton, such as Dorper, Hisar, Romanov, Blanch Central Massif, etc., began to be imported and bred in Armenia due to their profitability. On October 20, 2021, Blanche sheep from the Central Massif was imported to the Balahovit ANAU experimental farm. A sheep was mated with a female weighing 80 % of the live weight of an adult queen, about 45-50 kg, and a male weighing 80-85 kg. There was an average or above-average fat level in the animals. Live weight, the amount of feed needed, the level of feed intake, the ability to adapt to weather conditions and reproductive performance were studied. Methods used in animal husbandry were used in the studies. When the animals were moved, they lost about 2.6 % of their weight during the initial period. However, it was restored within a short time. Females gained 365 g in March 2022, and males gained 450 g, which is an excellent indicator. A kilogram of weight gain costs 5.15 EFU. The pregnancy rate was 136 %, and the inter-calving period was 271-320 days, which made it possible to provide three births in two years.

In this article, we present the course and results of scientific research aimed at calculation of the concentration of somatic cells in cow's milk to detect subclinical mastitis in individual farms of the Republic of Armenia. Comparison of somatic cell concentrations in milk from healthy and sick cows with subclinical mastitis, analysis and comparison of blood morphological parameters in sick and healthy animals has been implemented and the relationship between somatic cell concentration in milk and morphological abnormalities in sick cow blood has been identified. SC concentrations between 300 and 500 thousand/ml are indicative of mastitis risk. In this case, the type of reaction manifested was positive. It was found that the viscosity of the investigated solution "Somatic plus" + milk increases in proportion to the increasing concentration of somatic cells in the milk sample, which indicates subclinical mastitis. A study of the morphological parameters of blood in healthy and subclinical mastitis animals revealed some deviations from the reference values of blood parameters, leading to the conclusion that these changes in animals' blood are related to an increase in the number of milk's somatic cells. Increased leukocytes were found in sick animals' blood. This was followedby an increase in stab neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, and ESR. As a result of all this, the body is experiencing inflammatory processes mobilizing its defensive mechanisms against pathogens.

Protein plays a critical role in both the nutrition and biological functions of milk, which is an important part of a balanced diet. In this study, we installed and implemented the fully automated Kjeldahl method, enabling the precise determination of the total protein content in cow milk. The investigation involved cow milk samples collected from Yerevan markets, representing 9 producers, over the years 2021 and 2022. The mean total protein content in the analyzed milk samples was found to be 2.93 g per 100 g.To determine the significance and contribution of milk protein in the adult population’s diet in Armenia, the daily protein intake through milk consumption was evaluated. Two consumer clusters were identified: one with moderate milk consumption (0.067 kg per day) and another with higher intake (0.208 kg per day). The contribution of milk protein to the overall protein intake in the diet of the adult population ranged from 2.62 % to 8.13 %. Despite varied levels of milk protein consumption, it is essential to acknowledge that Armenian protein sources extend beyond milk.