Purpose. Determination of peculiarities of anatomical and morphological characters of stevia plants to accelerate the identification of tetraploid forms. Methods. Field, laboratory and analysis-of-variance methods. Results. It was established that larger leaf area index (19–38%), fewer stomata per unit area (by 39–48%), larger diameter of pollen grains (by 42–92%) is a characteristic feature of anatomical and morphological characters of stevia tetraploid forms as compared to diploid ones. Conclusions. The parameters of leaf plate, the size of stomata and diameter of pollen grains are auxiliary selection criteria (rapid test). For tetraploid forms of stevia, leaf area index (the ratio of leaf blade length to width), size of stomata and diameter of pollen grains is truly larger as compared to diploid forms. Chromosomes number determination based on cytological analysis is the major and the most accurate criterion for selection of tetraploid forms, that seems advisable to use it at later stages of selection.

Purpose. Determination of peculiarities of anatomical and morphological characters of stevia plants to accelerate the identification of tetraploid forms. Methods. Field, laboratory and analysis-of-variance methods. Results. It was established that larger leaf area index (19–38%), fewer stomata per unit area (by 39–48%), larger diameter of pollen grains (by 42–92%) is a characteristic feature of anatomical and morphological characters of stevia tetraploid forms as compared to diploid ones. Conclusions. The parameters of leaf plate, the size of stomata and diameter of pollen grains are auxiliary selection criteria (rapid test). For tetraploid forms of stevia, leaf area index (the ratio of leaf blade length to width), size of stomata and diameter of pollen grains is truly larger as compared to diploid forms. Chromosomes number determination based on cytological analysis is the major and the most accurate criterion for selection of tetraploid forms, that seems advisable to use it at later stages of selection.

Purpose. To study the influence of steppe and forest-steppe climatic conditions on the yield, oil content in seeds and fatty acid composition of oil in new sunflower varieties of high oleic and oilseed use. Methods. The research was conducted in accordance with “Methods of qualification examination of plant varieties for their suitability for distribution in Ukraine (general part)” and “Methods of qualification examination of plant varieties for their suitability for distribution. Methods of determining quality indicators of plant production”. The following methods were used in the research: laboratory, comparison, generalisation, mathematical statistics, analysis and synthesis to draw conclusions. Results. The fatty acid composition of the seeds of new varieties of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) of high oleic and oilseed use, grown in different soil and climatic conditions, was studied. According to the results of the analysis in the steppe zone, the variety ‘LG50648’ has the highest economic and value characteristics: oil content (51,0%), oleic acid (85.1%), yield (3.11 t/ha); varieties ‘SULIANO’ and ‘MAS 908HOCP’ – yield (3.40 and 3.91 t/ha) and oleic acid content (85.8 and 86.1%) regardless of the gro­wing conditions. It was found that high oleic sunflower varieties ‘MAS 908HOCP’, ‘LG50648’, ‘SULIANO’ grown under steppe and forest-steppe conditions yielded higher quality oil. The maximum content of oleic acid in 2022–2023 was characteristic of the seeds of the varieties ‘MAS 908HOCP’ (86.1% in the steppe and 85.8% in the forest steppe) and ‘SULIANO’. The hi­ghest linoleic acid content was obtained in the seeds of the oilseed use varieties ‘STK104’ (62.9% in the steppe and 58.5% in the forest steppe) and ‘STK103’ (61.2% in the forest steppe). Among the high oleic varieties, the best results were obtained with ‘LG50648’ (5.7% in the steppe and 5.9% in the forest steppe). Conclusions. Oil content of sunflower varieties and fatty acid composition are determined by varietal characteristics of sunflower and environmental conditions. Modern sunflower varieties, which are included in the State Register of Plant Varieties of Ukraine, have high yield potential and can provide a large yield of vegetable oil per unit area. Agroclimatic conditions have different effects on the gross seed yield and oil quality in the conditions of the forest steppe and steppe of Ukraine. | Мета. Вивчити вплив кліматичних умов Степу та Лісостепу на врожайність, жирнокислотний склад олії та її вміст у насінні нових сортів соняшнику однорічного високоолеїнового та олійного напрямів використання. Методи. Дослідження виконували відповідно до «Методики проведення кваліфікаційної експертизи сортів рослин на придатність до поширення в Україні (Загальна частина)» та «Методики проведення кваліфікаційної експертизи сортів рослин на придатність до поширення. Методи визначення показників якості продукції рослинництва». Використовували такі методи: лабораторний, порівняння, узагальнення, математичної статистики, аналізу та синтезу для підготовки висновків. Результати. Проаналізовано жирнокислотний склад насіння нових сортів соняшнику однорічного (Helianthus annuus L.) високоолеїнового та олійного напрямів використання, вирощених у різних ґрунтово-кліматичних умовах. Зокрема, у зоні Степу найліпші результати за господарсько-цінними ознаками продемонстрував сорт ‘LG50648’: вміст олії – 51,0%, олеїнової кислоти – 85,1%, урожайність – 3,11 т/га. ‘SULIANO’ та ‘MAS 908HOCP’ незалежно від умов вирощування характеризувалися високими врожаями (3,40 і 3,91 т/га) та вмістом олеїнової кислоти (85,8 і 86,1%). Олія була більш якісною у високоолеїнових сортів ‘MAS 908HOCP’, ‘LG50648’ і ‘SULIANO’. Максимальний вміст олеїнової кислоти впродовж 2022–2023 рр. фіксували в насінні сортів ‘MAS 908HOCP’ (86,1% у Степу) та ‘SULIANO’ (85,8% у Лісостепу). Найвищі результати за вмістом лінолевої кислоти серед сортів олійного напряму використання продемонстрували ‘STK104’ (62,9% у Степу та 58,5% у Лісостепу) та ‘STK103’ (61,2% у Лісостепу); високоолеїнового напряму – ‘LG50648’ (5,7% у Степу та 5,9% у Лісостепу). Висновки. Олійність і жирнокислотний склад визначаються сортовими особливостями соняшнику та умовами навколишнього середовища. Сучасні сорти соняшнику, внесені до Державного Реєстру сортів рослин України, мають великий потенціал урожайності та здатні забезпечити значний збір олії з одиниці площі. Агрокліматичні умови по-різному впливають на валовий збір насіння та якість олії в умовах Лісостепу та Степу України.

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.

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.

The effect of sowing time on realization of the natural productivity potential of modern soft winter wheat varieties was studied. It is established that the use of current agricultural technologies in a context of climate change has caused shift of calendar sowing terms to the second half of the optimal terms comparing with earlier cultivated varieties. In subzones of Kirovohrad and Bila Tserkva state variety testing stations the highest yield of winter wheat is formed in case of sowing on September 20–30, but the optimum for Kirovohrad station fall on September 30, Bila Tserkva station – on September 20 and 30. Sowing in earlier or later time leads to decreasing yields, especially of Vynnychanka, Smuhlyanka, Zolotokolosa and Tripilska varieties. Bogdana and Kuialnyk varieties are the most adaptive to sowing time under agroecological conditions of Kirovohrad state variety testing station.

The effect of sowing time on realization of the natural productivity potential of modern soft winter wheat varieties was studied. It is established that the use of current agricultural technologies in a context of climate change has caused shift of calendar sowing terms to the second half of the optimal terms comparing with earlier cultivated varieties. In subzones of Kirovohrad and Bila Tserkva state variety testing stations the highest yield of winter wheat is formed in case of sowing on September 20–30, but the optimum for Kirovohrad station fall on September 30, Bila Tserkva station – on September 20 and 30. Sowing in earlier or later time leads to decreasing yields, especially of Vynnychanka, Smuhlyanka, Zolotokolosa and Tripilska varieties. Bogdana and Kuialnyk varieties are the most adaptive to sowing time under agroecological conditions of Kirovohrad state variety testing station.

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.

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.

The author presents the study results concerning the infl uence of different systems of primary soil tillage on weed infestation on lands withdrawn from agriculture in Polissia of Ukraine. It is found that in case of returning such lands to use ploughing leads to depletion of weed seed stock in the layer of 0–10 cm by 36,1%. Surface and combined tillage systems help to reduce pollution of this soil layer with weed seeds by 25,4% and 31,7% respectively. When using surface tillage, a very shallow buriel of vegetative and generative organs of weeds that are close to the soil surface foster their early regrowth and accelerated development.

Various fungi were isolated during the course of a survey in a cold-store of apples in the Netherlands. One of these fungi belongs to the genus Penicillium and produces cleistothecia at 9 and 15 °C. A detailed study using a combination of phenotypic characters, sequences and extrolite patterns showed that these isolates belong to a new species within the series Roqueforti. The formation of cleistothecia at low temperatures and the inability to produce roquefortine C, together with a unique phylogenetic placement, make these isolates a novel entity in the Roqueforti series. The name Penicillium psychrosexualis sp. nov. (CBS 128137T) is proposed here for these isolates.

Elements of energy-saving technology of table beet seed production (variety type of Bordeau) in the Eastern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine were improved, they include method of irrigation (drip irrigation, HB 70–65%), fertilizing (locally N 15 P 30 K 60 + N 15 ), fertigation (stage of 3–4 true leaves, bundle ripeness, the beginning of stooling and flowering), the use of standard mother roots 61–100 mm in diameter along with mother rootsstecklings 41–60 mm in diameter that increase average yields according to the size up to 1,89 t/ha. It is found that the application of micronutrient mixture of Zn + B + Mo in one term and mixture of Zn + B in two terms was the most effective.

Elements of energy-saving technology of table beet seed production (variety type of Bordeau) in the Eastern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine were improved, they include method of irrigation (drip irrigation, HB 70–65%), fertilizing (locally N 15 P 30 K 60 + N 15), fertigation (stage of 3–4 true leaves, bundle ripeness, the beginning of stooling and flowering), the use of standard mother roots 61–100 mm in diameter along with mother rootsstecklings 41–60 mm in diameter that increase average yields according to the size up to 1,89 t/ha. It is found that the application of micronutrient mixture of Zn + B + Mo in one term and mixture of Zn + B in two terms was the most effective.

Results obtained during the study of special features of cultivation and productivity of soft winter wheat varieties that differ by origin in the Steppe zone in Ukraine are presented. Relevance of the executed work was determined by ambiguous assessment and selection of available soft winter wheat variety assortment that is used in Steppe zone farms. Findings allow to find out  and expose to a greater extent unused reserves for increasing the croppage level. It was found in the process of the study that now according to comprehensive assessment the best varieties of a soft winter wheat for corn growers in the steppe zone are Smuhlianka, Epokha odes`ka, Kiriia, Zolotokolosa, Blahodarka odes`ka, Bohdana, Lyst 25, Rozkishna.

Results obtained during the study of special features of cultivation and productivity of soft winter wheat varieties that differ by origin in the Steppe zone in Ukraine are presented. Relevance of the executed work was determined by ambiguous assessment and selection of available soft winter wheat variety assortment that is used in Steppe zone farms. Findings allow to find out and expose to a greater extent unused reserves for increasing the croppage level. It was found in the process of the study that now according to comprehensive assessment the best varieties of a soft winter wheat for corn growers in the steppe zone are Smuhlianka, Epokha odes`ka, Kiriia, Zolotokolosa, Blahodarka odes`ka, Bohdana, Lyst 25, Rozkishna.

The article quotes data on fruits biochemical composition for 101 varieties of peach from Nikita Botanical Garden collection. 88 varieties have been singled out according to the composition of bioactive substances. Among those varieties the North China and Iran ecological and geographical groups prevail (52.3% and 37.5%, respectively).

The article quotes data on fruits biochemical composition for 101 varieties of peach from Nikita Botanical Garden collection. 88 varieties have been singled out according to the composition of bioactive substances. Among those varieties the North China and Iran ecological and geographical groups prevail (52.3% and 37.5%, respectively).