Purpose. Analysis of the allelic state of Ppd-1 genes, which control sensitivity to photoperiod, in varieties and lines of bread winter wheat, and comparison of the results obtained with field observations on the duration of periods before heading and flowering, whose originators were the Nosivska Breeding and Research Station of the V. M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine and Poltava State Agrarian Academy of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. Methods. The following methods were used in the work: DNA extraction, allele-specific PCR, agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, analysis of variance. Results. It was revealed that ‘Yuvivata 60’ variety has a recessive Ppd-1 genotype and belongs to the III haplotype by a combination of mutations in the structure of Ppd-D1 gene. Line ‘L41/95’ was heterogeneous by alleles of Ppd-D1 gene, which corresponded to the presence of haplotypes III and VII. All other tested cultivars and lines were characterized by alleles Ppd-A1b, Ppd-B1b and Ppd-D1a, and assigned to haplotype VII. According to the results of statistical data processing, the duration of the period from May, 1 to heading was the smallest for the variety ‘Donskaya polukarlikovaya’ in the conditions of both the Forest-Steppe and Polissia-Forest-Steppe regions of Ukraine, the longest – in the varieties ‘Yuvivata 60’, ‘Myronivska 61’ and ‘L41/95’. The differences between these groups were significant and amounted to 10 days. Conclusions. A breeding material with a high adaptive ability for growing conditions in Polissia-Forest-Steppe zone was studied by the allelic state of the Ppd-1 genes. A low level of polymorphism in the studied varieties and lines was revealed by the alleles of Ppd-1 genes [12.5% – Ppd-D1b (²²²), 12.5% – Ppd-D1à/b (²²²/VII), 75% – Ppd-D1a (VII)], that agrees with the hypothesis that breeders gave a greater preference for the photoperiod-insensitive wheat genotype under Ukrainian conditions. The genotypes with the dominant Ppd-D1a (VII) gene almost completely dominate in the south of Ukraine. At the same time, in northern latitudes, weather conditions negate the advantages of the genotypes with Ppd-D1a gene

Purpose. To study morphoagrobiological and adaptive properties, level of yielding capacity of recently registered soft winter wheat varieties of various ecological groups under agroecological conditions of Kirovohrad variety testing station. Methods. Field study, laboratory test, analytical procedure and statistical evaluation. Results. It was established that the yield level of is a key composite indicator of genotype adaptation to agroecological growing conditions. Experimental data indicate significant deviations of yield depending on the genotype and the year of study. During three years of experiments, yield depending of the variety ranged from 4.26 to 9.71 t/ha, such varieties as ‘CN Kombin’, ‘Estivus’, ‘Tradytsiia odeska’, ‘Mudrist odeska’, ‘Lil’ and ‘Fabius’ had higher yields. In case of dry weather conditions and unfavorable agro-ecological factors, the following varieties as ‘Mudrist odeska’, ‘Veteran’, ‘Lil’, ‘Tsentylivka’, ‘Fabius’, ‘Patras’, ‘Montrei’ have demonstrated good adaptive properties. Their yield has decreased by 9,2–19,0%, while in the varieties ‘Mahistral’, ‘Poltavka’, ‘Harantiia odeska’ and ‘Pokrova’ – by 34.4, 42.4, 45.2 and 50.6% accordingly. Conclusions. Investigated soft winter wheat varieties differ in morphoagrobiological characteristics, productivity, height, maturation period, adaptability as well as economic and agronomic value. According to the complex of such indices as productivity, agronomic characters and properties as well as adaptability, in the microzone of Kirovohrad variety testing station it is advisable to grow varie­ties ‘CN Kombi’, ‘Pokrova’, ‘Mudrist odeska’, ‘Veteran’ and ‘Lil’.

Purpose. To make comprehensive assessment of introduced oat samples of various eco-geographical origin under the conditions of the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine for the set of productivity and adaptability indices in order to define the most valuable ones and describe them. Methods. Field study, laboratory analysis, generalization. Results. The authors presented results of the study, evaluation and description of 35 new samples of oats from 5 countries for productivity and adaptability traits during 2011–2015 in Ustymivka Experimental Station for Plant Production to be run by the V. Ya. Yuriev Institute for Plant Production of NAAS. In field and laboratory conditions, the following indicators as yielding, productivity, thousand-kernel weight, early ripening, height of plants and length of panicle, lodging resistance were stu­died. Conclusions. A set of studies of new oat samples under various weather conditions allowed to identify material with increased parameters of economic and biological characters. During studies, it was found that ‘Laima’, ‘Stendskaia Darta’ (Latvia), ‘Borowiak’ (Poland), ‘Faks’ (Belarus) were the high-yielding varieties. Panicles in such oats samples as ‘Cwal’, ‘Borowiak’ (Poland), ‘Iakov’, ‘Mutika 1077’, ‘Mutika 990’, ‘Irtysh 22’, ‘Pokrovskyі 9’ (Russia), ‘Faks’ (Belarus), ‘Stendskaia Darta’, ‘Stendskaia Mara’ (Latvia) contained a large mass of grains (more than 2,5 g), panicle productivity in these samples was rather high both due to increased amount of grains in it and at the expense of thousand-kernel weight. Analysis of the study results showed that introduced oat samples of various eco-geographical origin were adapted to the Southern Forest-Steppe zone and can be recommended as an initial material in breeding for increasing productive and adaptive capacity.

Purpose. To establish adaptive capacity and reproduction time of the registered potato varieties elite bred at the Potato Research Institute of NAAS of Ukraine in various edaphic and climatic zones of Ukraine. Methods. Field and laboratory tests, statistical evaluation. Results. Potato varieties were tested in the Forest-Seppe, Polissia and Steppe zones of Ukraine. Over the years of testing (2012–2014), the highest yield of potatoes in the south-western part of the Forest-Steppe zone was produced by the early varieties: ‘Kimmeria’ – 46.9 t/ha, ‘Vedruska’ – 38.6 t/ha; middle-early varieties: ‘Partner’ – 33.2 t/ha, ‘Fantazia – 27.7 t/ha; mid-season varie­ties: ‘Okolytsia’ – 35.4 t/ha, ‘Mandrivnytsia’ – 25.1 t/ha. In the Central Polissia, ‘Kimmeria’ (31 t/ha) was the most productive early variety, the yield at the level of 27.6–29.2 t/ha was formed by such varieties as ‘Skarbnytsia’, ‘Serpanok’, ‘Radynka’, ‘Tyras’. Among the middle-early varieties, the yield of 33.1 t/ha was obtained from the variety ‘Partner’. In the conditions of Steppe zone, such early potato varieties as ‘Vymir’, ‘Glazurna’, ‘Strumok’, ‘Kimmeria’, ‘Svitoch’ and the middle-early variety ‘Ariya’ had the highest productivity in case of gro­wing as bivoltine crop under irrigated conditions. It was found that in the Forest-Steppe and Polissia zones such varieties as ‘Kimmeria’, ‘Vedruska, ‘Serpanok’, ‘Skarbnytsia, ‘Tyras’, ‘Radynka’, ‘Partner’, ‘Slovianka’, ‘Vernisazh’, ‘Mandrivnytsia’, ‘Poliske dzherelo’ and ‘Chervona ruta’ were characterized by high resistance to degeneration (viral diseases and loss of productivity of potato elite in the process of reproduction). According to the results of evaluation of the impact of elite potato reproduction time on affection by viral diseases, optimal time for elite renovation for investigated varieties was determined. Conclusions. In the process of testing in various edaphic and climatic zones of Ukraine, stable yield with a high seed tubers number, regardless of weather conditions during the growing season in the Forest-Steppe and Polissia zones, was formed by some early potato varieties (‘Kimmeria’, ‘Vedruska’, ‘Radynka) and middle-early one (‘Partner’). Among mid-season varieties ‘Vernisazh’, ‘Okolytsia’, ‘Mandrivnytsia’ were identified for high productivity, and among middle-late – ‘Poliske dzherelo’ and ‘Chervona ruta’. The most common viral diseases of potatoes were rugose mosaic and mosaic leaf curling. High efficiency of the use of bivoltine crop method for potato growing to obtain seed material in the Southern Steppe zone of Ukraine has been proved.

Purpose. To study the protein content and other economically valuable traits in soybean varieties of various origin, to determine the stability and plasticity indicators of these traits, as well as to identify varieties that are promising for use in breeding programs. Methods. Field, laboratory, biochemical and statistical. Results. In total 22 soybean varieties of various origin in terms of yield, protein and oil content in seeds were investigated. High-yield and high-plasticity varieties are distinguished: ‘Muza’, ‘Mentor’, ‘Asuka’, ‘Valas’, ‘Kofu’, ‘Asuka’, ‘Cardif’, ‘Alligator’, ‘Vyshyvanka’, ‘Suziria’ and varieties of domestic breeding with stable yield ‘Siverka’, ‘Vilshanka’, ‘Ustia’, and also the ‘Lisbon’ variety. High protein content was noted in the variety ‘Opus’ – 45.0% in 2017. This variety on average for three years showed 43.63% of the protein in the seeds, and was second after the ‘Ustia’ variety (44.3%). The highest value of the regression coefficient b = 4.289 was observed in the ‘Lisbon’ varie­ty, which shows its high sensitivity to growing conditions with a fairly low average seed protein content of 38.60%, as well as the variety ‘Silesia’ b = 4.289 with an average protein value of 42,73%. Standard variety ‘Muza’ with a low protein content of 38.60% was quite stable in the expression of this characteristic – S2 = 0.222. A number of high-oil varieties were distinguished: ‘Valas’ – 22.77%, ‘Sigalia’ – 22.7%, ‘Alligator’, ‘Siverka’ – 22.53%, ‘Kofu’ – 22.13%, standard variety ‘Muza’ – 21.77%. Conclusions. In breeding programs aimed at increasing the protein content in seeds, the following varieties should be used: ‘Opus’ – as a carrier of the maximum value of the trait, as well as ‘Ustia’, ‘Asuka’, ‘Silesia’ and ‘Kasidi’ as combining high yield and high protein content. The weather conditions of the year in different ways influenced on the manifestation of the studied traits: in a favorable year for obtaining high yields, the protein content in the seeds decreased, the high protein content accumulated in a drier year, and the oil content in seeds changed insignificantly.

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. To establish correlation dependence of influence of such factors as seeding rate, sowing time and seeding methods on yield indicators, as well as individual response of winter wheat varieties to them in case of the ecological system of seed production, that would allow to form elements of intensive varietal technology and obtain the genetically determined productivity potential of the variety in the future. Methods. Weight measuring was used to determine seed yield; the reliability of the experiment results was identified by statistical evaluation, analysis of variance and regression procedure. Results. During the period of investigation, the weather conditions differed significantly both for the temperature regime and the amount of precipitation, but the stability of grain and seed yield over years was the main requirement to varieties, that allowed to study the intergenotypic correlation relationships of crop yield indices and the dynamics of their changes under the effect of ecological factors. In the course of investigation, winter wheat yield indices were fixed annually from 684 plots, which were grouped and analyzed for factors of influence in order to ensure the complete certainty. Conclusions. Variants of investigation were defined for the certified seed yield and environmental factors (sowing time and seeding method, seeding rate), that had strong positive correlation relationships. Seeding rate and seeding method had the greatest impact on 1000 kernel weight. For tille­ring coefficient, varieties depending on the variant of the investigation had a negative close correlation relationship, which was greatly affected by seeding rate. For correlation relationships, winter wheat varieties ‘Bohdana’ and ‘Slavna’ appeared to be the most stable, ‘Chorniava’ and ‘Astarta’ were the most plastic.

The article features summary of studying the resistance of rasberry promising varieties to main diseases (Didymella applanata Sacc., Gloeosporium venetum Speg. і Septoria rubi Sacc.) of stem expression type under the conditions of the Ukraine’s Northern Forest-Steppe. 8 summer rippeing varirties (‛Gusar’, ‛Kryepysh’, ‛Novokytaivs’ka’ (control), ‛Perseya’, ‛Saya’, ‛Tarusa’, ‛Phenomen’) were asessed, as well as the same number of that remontant (‛Babye lyeto 2’, ‛Heracles’, ‛Zolotyye kupola’, ‛Lyulin’, ‛Nyedosyagayemaya’, ‛Osinnya’ (control), ‛Osinny zorepad’, ‛Polana’). Weather conditions of the 2009-2011 vegetation periods were described. Favorable conditions were determined for the above raspberry diseases development. The studied varieties were divided into groups of resistance to the studied diseases. The resistance of the overwhelming majority of varieties was average to above average. The ‛Patricia’ and ‛Novokytaivs’ka’ (control) displayed low resistance against Dydimella and septoria spot, respectively. The varieties of ‛Kryepysh’, ‛Saya’, ‛Tarusa’, ‛Polana’, ‛Niedosyagayemaya’ and ‛Osinnya’ (control) have been found to display a complex resistance to Dydimella, anthracnose and septoria spot under conditions of the region researched.

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.

Pourpose. Establish compliance of heat and moisture resources to biological requirements of sunflower hybrids (Helianthus annuus), reveal criteria for assessing weather conditions in the northern regions of Ukraine; establish links between temperature, precipitation and yield. Methods. Field and mathematical methods were used. Field multifactorial experiment was conducted during 2016–2018 in the Left Bank of Ukraine, on the border of two soil and climatic zones of Ukraine - Forest-Steppe and Polissya. Peculiarities of plant growth and development, formation of "hybrids" yield (factor A) were studied: 'Ukrainskyi F1', 'P63LL06', 'NK Brio', 'NK Ferti' depending on "plant density" (factor B): 50, 55 , 60, 65 thousand pieces/hectare. We calculated and analyzed the sums of active, effective temperatures for two biological minima - 5 and 10 ° C; the sum of thermal units according to the method of Brown and Bootsma, 1993; coefficients of materiality of elements deviations of the agrometeorological mode of the current year from long-term averages; plasticity and yield stability according to the method of Eberthart S.A., Russel W.Q. (1966). Results. To pass the full cycle of sunflower plants development, the sum of active temperatures (t = 10 °C) for hybrid 'Ukrainskyi F1' – 2354.6; P63LL06 – 2306.4; 'NK Brio' – 2401.3; 'NK Ferti' – 2379.7; and the sum of effective temperatures for 'Ukrainskyi F1'- 1081.5; 'P63LL06' – 1056.9; 'NK Brio' – 1104.9; 'NK Ferti' – 1109.1 is required. The sum of temperatures, both at a biological minimum temperature 10 °C and 5 °C, meet biological needs of sunflower plants and is not a limiting factor for this crop growing. The sum of thermal units for the period April–October is 3780 on average for three years. During the period of active sunflower vegetation (April–August) the sum of thermal units is 2868–3258, significantly exceeding the sum of active and effective temperatures at biologically active temperatures 5 °С and 10 °С. The most determined limits of changes in active, effective temperatures and thermal units were observed in May – September. Conclusions. Plasticity and stability of sunflower yield more depending on hybrid and plants density than on conditions of the year. Yield stability coefficient for hybrid 'Ukrainskyi F1' was 1.68 - 2.30; 'P63LL06'- 2.51 - 3.14; 'NK Brio'- 3.15 - 4.63; 'NK Ferti' - 2.70 - 3.75 for yields, respectively: 2.16 - 3.11; 2.58 - 3.52; 3.20 - 4.12; 2.70 - 3.79 t/ha.