Purpose. To develop a method of propagation, stimulation of rhizomes growth in vitro culture for the genus Miscanthus representatives and their adaptation in the open field without the use of greenhouse complexes for acclimatization and completion of growing. Methods. Biotechnological procedures, mathematical and statistical analyses. Results. Prescription of nutrient medium was developed for explants inoculation, sprouts propagation, rhizomes growth stimulation in vitro. Such sterile explants as seeds, buds to be removed from rhizomes, parts of  stems with bud were placed on modified media with mineral portion by Murashige and Skoog (MS) that contained 0,5–1 dose of macroelements and one dose of microelements,  vitamins (10 mg/l of thia­minum, 1,0 mg/l of pyridoxine, 1,0 mg/l of nicotinic acid and 1,0 mg/l of ascorbic acid) supplemented with amino acids (250 mg/l of glutamic acid, 3 mg/l of tyrosine, 3 mg/l of arginine, 2 mg/l of hydroxyproline), plant growth regulators [0,5–1,0 mg/l of GA (gibberelline acid), 0,2 mg/l of 6-BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine, 0,1 mg/l of NAA (α-naphtylacetic acid)] in different variations. After seed germination, buds emerging and sprouts formation 1–2 cm in height, for propagation purpose they were passivated on the medium of other composition that differed from previous one by the content and ratio of growth regulators, especially by a high concentration of cytokinins [6-BAP (0,4–0,5 mg/l), kinetin (0,5 mg/l), adenine (0,5 mg/k)] in different variations in presence of GA (0,2 mg/l). In order to stimulate rhizomes growth, microclones were transferred on media with other composition and ratio growth regulators (6-BAP (0,2–0,3 mg/l) + GA (0,5–1,0 mg/l) or 6-BAP (0,2–0,3 mg/l) + GA (0,5–1,0 mg/l) + NAA (0,1 mg/l),  in other words,  with a high content of gibberellins. After the formation of rhizomes 10–15 cm in length, miscanthus plants were planted out in the open ground. Stimulation of rhizomes initiation and elongation on appropriate nutrient media before Miscanthus giganteus, M. sacchariflorus and M. sinensis planting in vivo resulted in 100% adaptation and 100% survival of plants in the winter period without the use of greenhouse complexes. Conclusions. The method of miscanthus propagation in vit­ro and adaptation in the open ground was developed that included stimulation of rhizomes growth and favoured the increase of their length on media supplemented with gibbe­relline that guaranteed 100% preservation of microplants to be propagated from in vitro culture during adaptation in the open ground and acclimatization in winter.

Мета. Провести типування сортів сої культурної (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) української та закордонної селекції за мікросателітним маркером Satt100 гена Е7 фотоперіодичної чутливості. Методи. Виділення ДНК з проростків на колонках із сорбуючою мембраною; полімеразна ланцюгова реакція; горизонтальний гель-електрофорез; визначення розмірів продуктів ампліфікації за програмою «GelAnalyzer 2010a». Результати. За допомогою аналізу мікросателітного локусу Satt100, який є маркером гена Е7, проведено типування 15 сортів сої. Встановлено наявність продуктів ампліфікації розміром 133, 149 та 168 п.н., що маркують рецесивний та домінантний алелі гена Е7 відповідно. Усі досліджені сорти, крім сорту ‘Одеська 150А’, були гомогенними за мікросателітним локусом Satt100. Генотипи восьми сортів мали рецесивний алель е7, шести – домінантний алель Е7. Порівняли наявність певного алеля гена Е7 у генотипі сорту з належністю до групи стиглості. Відмічено зв’язок для сортів з вегетаційним періодом до 100 діб: усі чотири сорти цієї групи мали алель е7 та для сортів із вегетаційним періодом понад 110 діб: для всіх чотирьох сортів цієї групи характерні фрагменти ампліфікації локусу Satt100, що маркують домінантний алель. Із семи середньо­ранніх сортів чотири мали рецесивний алель е7, а три – домінантний Е7. Наведено інформацію про отримання різними науковцями фрагментів ампліфікації неоднакових розмірів, але при цьому виявлено тенденцію щодо зв’язку більш високомолекулярних фрагментів з домінантним, а низькомолекулярних – з рецесивним алелем. Висновки. За результатами типування за мікросателітним маркером Satt100 гена Е7 фотоперіодичної чутливості для 15 сортів сої визначено наявність рецесивного або домінантного алеля гена Е7. Для більшості зразків встановлено відповідність наявності певного алеля гена Е7 та тривалості вегетаційного періоду. Наявність фрагментів ампліфікації різного розміру, характерних для рецесивного алеля, свідчить про необхідність сиквенування та біоінформатичного аналізу фрагментів ампліфікації локусу Satt100.

Purpose. To substantiate and develop breeding technologies of soybean cultivation under various weather conditions of the Western Forest-Steppe zone. Methods. Laboratory test, statistical and mathematical analysis. Results. Analysis of the data of yielding increase due to the use of seed inoculation, green manure and spraying of crops with microbial prepa­rations showed that their effect was much dependent on the weather conditions during the year. Based on the analysis of productivity of such early ripening varieties of soybean as ‘Lehenda’, ‘Anzhelika’ and ‘Ksenia’ during 2011–2015, it was found that the influence of agrometeorological conditions during the vegetation period accounted for 47.8%. The results of the analysis of five-year data of productivity of the late soybean variety ‘Heorhina’ indicated that the share of influence of agrometeorological conditions during the vege­tation period on the studied variety was 48.8%. The use of microbial strains of nodule bacteria Bradyrhizobium japonicum 634b, 614A and M-8 against two backgrounds (in case of green manure application and without it) was compared, and microbial culture Hetomik application during the vege­tation period. Conclusion. All biological preparations and green manure considerably increased yield of soybean seeds in moderately humidified and elevated temperature conditions. For soybean growing, the application of green manure, seed inoculation with strains of M-8, 614A and Hetomik spraying of crops was effective. The use of these methods for gro­wing ‘Lehenda’ variety was the most effective. Such varieties as ‘Lehenda’ and ‘Anzhelika’ showed more stable results as compared to others in case of considerable variations of agrometeorological conditions.

Purpose. To investigate rice blast resistance genes polymorphism by using bioinformatic methods. Methods. Global and local nucleotide alignment, phylogenetic analysis, HyPhy test. Results. For Pib gene, numerous single nucleotide substitutions and deletions of 1–3 bp were established. The phylo­geny of this gene has been studied and homologues have been found both in various rice species and in other cereals. These sequences can encode proteins that «recognize» the phytopathogens effectors, and can also be associated with resistance to phytopathogens. The Pi4 gene is characterized by single nucleotide substitutions, insertions and deletions; the number of non-synonymous substitutions exceeds the number of sy­nonymous ones. The Pi54 gene variability is significantly lower than that of the Pi4 and Pib genes. The predominant types of polymorphism were single nucleotide substitutions and small-sized indels. It was found that non-synonymous substitutions in Pi54, Pi4 and Pib genes were in close proximity, sometimes forming clusters, while some coding regions were either superconservative or contained predominantly synonymous substitutions. On philodendrograms, cultivated rice samples were clustered with samples of ancestral wild-growing species. Conclusions. Evolution of the rice blast resistance genes Pi4, Pib and Pi54 is characterized by diversification selection. Considering that tense coevolution and significant rate of adaptation and creation of new pathogen races are typical for a plant and a parasite, these genes are subjected to intensive selection aimed at increasing diversity for obtaining the resistance to new races of the pathogen.

Purpose. To evaluate the stability and plasticity of new varieties of grain sorghum in ecological conditions of the Fores-Steppe and Steppe zone of Ukraine. Methods. Field study, statistical evaluation. Results. It was found that in Ukraine the average yield of grain sorghum in 2015 was 3.72 t/ha and in 2016 – 3.36 t/ha. In field experiments during 2009–2016, ‘Praim’ and ‘Sprynt 2’ hybrids appeared to be significantly better as compared to averaged yields of 3.9 t/ha. Evaluation of yield plasticity in environmental conditions of the Forest-Steppe and Steppe zones showed that the hybrid ‘Praim’ did not differ from the group standard and its index is no more than one. At the same time, the ‘Sprynt 2’ is highly-plastic hybrid and ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ belongs to relatively low-plastic varieties. Conclusions. It was established that, as an average of an experiment, hyb­rids of grain sorghum ‘Praim’ and ‘Sprynt 2’ had a yield of 4,2–4,3 t/ha. According to the analysis of ecological plasticity, ‘Sprynt 2’ can be included with the intensive type and ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ – with relatively low-plastic varieties. It was found that proper selection of varieties and far­ming practices of cultivation is one of the main factors that favors high yields and respectively determine 37% and 34% of the level of grain sorghum productivity.

Purpose. To assess introduced samples of drought-resistant species of perennial grasses, select a promising parent material and create on its base high-yielding varie­ ies with economic characters. Methods. Field experiment, laboratory testing. Results. The results of studies on introduction and breeding were given aimed to improve drought tolerance of non-traditional perennial grasses under the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine. Based on the selected parent material, varieties were created by the use of hybridization and ecotype breeding methods and then entered into the State Register of plant varieties suitable for dissemination in Ukraine, among them: intermediate wheatgrass (Elytrigia intermedia (Host) Nevski) – ‘Hors’, crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.) – ‘Petrivskyi’; meadow brome (Bromus riparia Rehm.) – ‘Boian’; slender wheatgrass (Roegneria trachycaulon (Link) Nevski) – ‘Co­umb’. As compared with conventional, relatively drought-tolerant species of smooth brome (Bromopsis inermis (Leyss.) Holub) – ‘Mars’, increment of dry matter content of these species in the extreme drought conditions of 2011 was increased by 1,52–3,73 t/ha. Under more sufficient moistening conditions of 2012, slender wheatgrass ‘Columb’ was at the level of the сheck variety in terms of this indicator. Other varieties exceeded it by 1.44–3.22 t/ha. The data was given including seed productivity and sowing quality indicators, after-ripening duration and economic fitness of seeds. Conclusions. The use of the recommended varieties of drought-resistant species of perennial grasses as part of grass mixtures will increase significantly the productivity of grasslands and pastures in the current context of climate change.

Purpose. To analyze the Ukrainian names of the fruit crops which varieties are undergoing scientific and technical examination. Results. Names of fruit crops form a separate terminological system based on one-word fruit plant names. Names of new introduced fruit crops usually are borrowed from the language of that country where the crop has extended and whence it has spread, or on the basis of a Latin generic name. Conclusions. The registered varieties of fruit plants in Ukraine belong to 48 crops. Formation of names of fruit crops has begun in ancient times and is continuing until now. Crop names, as a rule, consist of one word; two-word names occur as an exception, if so, an adjective should be places ahead of a noun. Names of fruit crops and the name of botanic taxa are specific, belong to different terminological systems and perform different functions.

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 develop a tobacco variety model with optimal inflorescence traits such as size and shape that will allow to increase seed productivity of the crop. Methods. Statistical and mathematical (correlative, regressive) ones. Results. Basic collection consisting of 282 variety samples registered in the National Genetics Center was evaluated, optimal parameters of inflorescence were defined that can provide a high seed yield. During statistical analysis, correlation matrix was developed with the purpose to highlight traits that correlate with inflorescence productivity. According to the results of correlation analysis, a strong relationship between the width and height of inflorescence (r = 0,773±0,038) was established. Somewhat weaker correlation was observed when modeling regressive relation between inflorescence height and width, where regression showed the medium relationship. Regression equation of these traits is as follows: y = 0,5585x + 8,4649. Inflorescence density (r = 0,646), height (r = 0,556) and width (r = 0,527) also had quite a high positive effect on seed productivity. The results of regression analysis pointed to the fact that there were a linear relationship between inflorescence size and seed productivity. Conclusions. Among 282 samples of basic tobacco collection, 29 varieties with high seed productivity was defined which can be used in the breeding process, and ‘Sobolchskyi 15/21’, ‘Ergo 23’, ‘C-11’, ‘Sygarnyi 99’ varieties were selected for large-scale implementation into the production of raw material of cigar type.

Purpose. To define spring barley breeding lines with an optimal combination of yielding capacity and stability under different weather conditions in the Central Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine. Methods. Field studies, ANOVA, AMMI, GGE biplot analysis. Results. Hydrothermal regime during interphase periods of spring barley vegetation under conditions of The V. M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat of NAAS in 2012–2014 was characterized by significant variability, that facilitated detailed evaluation of the lines for productivity, stability, and resistance to abiotic and biotic factors. In the performance of an experiment, the highest average yielding capacity (5.87 t/ha) was noted in 2012, the lowest one (3.50 t/ha) was in 2013. As for these years, average yield of 4.63 t/ha was obtained in 2014. By applying AMMI and GGE biplot analysis, significant differences in response of the studied lines to variability of weather conditions was revealed. Using AMMI model, additive components of the main effects of the breeding lines and years of testing as well as multiplicative components of their interaction were characterized. GGE biplot genotypes ranking in relation to a hypothetical “ideal” genotype showed an absolute advantage of breeding line ‘Nutans 4540’ for yielding capacity and stability. In addition, breeding lines ‘Nutans 4241’ and ‘Nutans 4120’ were close to ideatype. Selected breeding lines were characterized by resistance and moderate resistance to leaf diseases and lodging. Conclusions. Use of AMMI and GGE biplot analysis to evaluate breeding lines at the final stages of breeding process allows to describe them thoroughly and graphically as well as differentiate them not only for average yielding capacity but also for their interaction with changing conditions during the years of testing. Breeding lines ‘Nutans 4540’, ‘Nutans 4241’, and ‘Nutans 4120’ to be identified for the stability of yielding capacity display in combination with other agronomic characters were transferred to the State variety testing as new spring barley varieties ‘MIP Myrnyi’, ‘MIP Saliut’, and ‘MIP Sotnyk’ respectively.