Purpose. Provide bioinformatic analysis and comparison of target regions of the acetolactate synthase (als) gene in several members of the Poaceae family and, on the basis of the obtained data, explore the possibility of creating a unified genetic construct for als gene editing using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Methods. The als gene sequences of various members of the Poaceae family were obtained from the NCBI: Nucleotide database. For comparison, a fragment of the imi-2 gene of wheat of the soft line ‘TealIMI11A’ was used in two regions of the 367–390 and 1729–1749 nucleotide sequences. The Sequence Viewer 3.37.0 tool was used to assess the presence of nucleotide substitutions in the working sequence of the imi-2 gene. The dendrogram was built using the “Blast Tree” tool from the NCBI: Blast: Nucleotide resource. Results. A comparative analysis of the nucleotide sequences of seven different species was carried out: soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), common wild oat (Avena fatua L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), Asian rice (Oryza sativa L.), maize (Zea mays L.), aleppo grass (Sorghum halepense Pers.) and Tausch’s goatgrass (Aegilops tauschii Coss.). The dendrogram is based on the gene sequence als, showed that all studied genotypes can be divided into two blocks: the first block included maize and aleppo grass, and the second block, a separate branch includes Asian rice and common wild oat, barley, soft wheat and Tausch’s goatgrass. 367–390 nucleotide sequences of soft wheat showed the highest 100% homology to Asian rice, Tausch’s goatgrass and common wild oat. The lowest homo­logy was for maize and aleppo grass at 83.3%. Evaluation of the nucleotide sequence 1729–1749 showed no complete homology at the 100% level. It was the highest for barley and Tausch’s goatgrass – 95.2%, and the lowest for rice, maize and aleppo grass – 80.9% each. Conclusions. The analysis confirms a significant degree of homology of the als gene sequence for various species of the Poaceae family, which allows us to create a universal genetic vector. However, taking into account the high degree of sequence homology for species such as soft wheat, Tausch’s goatgrass, barley, Asian rice and common wild oat, it can be assumed that the corresponding genetic vector can be used with the greatest efficiency to alter the als gene of these genotypes.

Purpose. The adaptation of regenerant plants to environmental conditions is the final stage of micropropagation. According to a number of authors, when in vitro plants are transferred to in vivo non-sterile conditions, a significant percentage of mortality is recorded. In a previous publication, the regenerative capacity of strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) in vitro tissues on MS culture medium (Murashige & Skoog, 1962) and a regenerants was obtained (Chornobrov O. Yu., 2019).The objective of the study is to develop an optimal protocol of acclimation of in vitro F. vesca plants to in vivo conditions.Methods. Biotechnological and statistical methods of research were applied. For the research ‘Ruiana’ and ‘Zhovte Dyvo’ cultivars were used with in vitro cultivation cycle of 30–35 days. Prepared plants were planted in 0.33 L plastic contai ners, one piece in a mixture of coconut substrate and perlite (3:1). Plants were kept under high relative humidity (85–90%) conditions for 3–5 days, 6–8 days and 10–14 days. The studies were carried out in the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory of SS of NULES of Ukraine “BFRS” during 2019–2020. Results. The duration of Fragaria vesca regenerant plants exposure in conditions of high relative humidity significantly affected adaptation efficiency. The proportion of ‘Ruiana’ and ‘Zhovte Dyvo’ plants adapted to the greenhouse conditions were 47.6 ± 2.5% and 60.0 ± 1.7%, respectively, when the plants were kept for 10–14 days. A significant efficiency of plant adaptation (more than 70%) was obtained under condition of preliminarily exposure the roots of the plants in an auxin solution for 25–30 minutes with daily application of 30% solution of glycerine as foliar spray. The plants adapted to the greenhouse conditions had pigmentation characteristic of the variety, without signs of chlorosis and vitrification.Conclusions. An optimal protocol for in vitro adaptation of F. vesca cultivars to in vivo conditions was developed and viable plants were obtained. Further research will be aimed at studying the growth and development of F. vesca regenerant plants in open ground. | Мета. Адаптація рослин-регенерантів до умов довкілля – заключний етап мікроклонального розмноження.За даними низки авторів, при перенесені рослин in vitro в нестерильні умови закритого ґрунту фіксують знач­ний відсоток відпаду. У попередній публікації досліджено регенераційну здатність тканин рослин суниці (Fragaria vesca L.) in vitro на живильному середовищі MS та одержано регенеранти (Чорнобров О. Ю., 2019). Мета дослід­ження – розроблення оптимального протоколу адапта­ції рослин-регенерантів сортів F. vesca до умов in vivo.Методи. Для досліджень використовували рослини суниці сортів ‘Руяна’ і ‘Жовте диво’ із циклом культивування in vitro 30–35 діб. Рослини висаджували в пластикові контейнери (об’єм – 0,33 л) по 1 шт. у суміш кокосового субстрату та перліту (3:1). Рослини витримували в умовах високої відносної вологості повітря (85–90%) упродовж 3–5 діб, 6–8 діб і 10–14 діб. Дослідження проводили в науково-дослідній лабораторії біотехнології рослин ВП НУБіП України «Боярська ЛДС» упродовж 2019–2020 рр.Результати. Тривалість витримування рослин-регенерантів F. vesca в умовах високої ВВП достовірно впливала на ефективність адаптації. За витримування упродовж 10–14 діб частка адаптованих до умов закритого ґрунту рослин становила для сорту ‘Руяна’ 47,6 ± 2,5% і 60,0 ± 1,7% для сорту ‘Жовте диво’. Значну приживлюваність рослин (понад 70%) одержано за умов попереднього витримування кореневої системи в розчині ауксинів упродовж 25–30 хв із щоденним обприскуванням листків 30%-м гліцерином. Адаптовані до умов закритого ґрунту регенеранти мали характерну для сорту пігментацію, без ознак хлорозу та вітрифікації.Висновки. Розроблено оптимальний протокол адаптації сортів F. vesca in vitro до умов in vivo та одержано життєздатні рослини. Подальші дослідження будуть спрямовані на вивчення росту й розвитку рослин-регенерантів F. vesca в умовах відкритого ґрунту

Purpose. The adaptation of regenerant plants to environmental conditions is the final stage of micropropagation. According to a number of authors, when in vitro plants are transferred to in vivo non-sterile conditions, a significant percentage of mortality is recorded. In a previous publication, the regenerative capacity of strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) in vitro tissues on MS culture medium (Murashige & Skoog, 1962) and a regenerants was obtained (Chornobrov O. Yu., 2019). The objective of the study is to develop an optimal protocol of acclimation of in vitro F. vesca plants to in vivo conditions. Methods. Biotechnological and statistical methods of research were applied. For the research ‘Ruiana’ and ‘Zhovte Dyvo’ cultivars were used with in vitro cultivation cycle of 30–35 days. Prepared plants were planted in 0.33 L plastic contai ners, one piece in a mixture of coconut substrate and perlite (3:1). Plants were kept under high relative humidity (85–90%) conditions for 3–5 days, 6–8 days and 10–14 days. The studies were carried out in the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory of SS of NULES of Ukraine “BFRS” during 2019–2020. Results. The duration of Fragaria vesca regenerant plants exposure in conditions of high relative humidity significantly affected adaptation efficiency. The proportion of ‘Ruiana’ and ‘Zhovte Dyvo’ plants adapted to the greenhouse conditions were 47.6 ± 2.5% and 60.0 ± 1.7%, respectively, when the plants were kept for 10–14 days. A significant efficiency of plant adaptation (more than 70%) was obtained under condition of preliminarily exposure the roots of the plants in an auxin solution for 25–30 minutes with daily application of 30% solution of glycerine as foliar spray. The plants adapted to the greenhouse conditions had pigmentation characteristic of the variety, without signs of chlorosis and vitrification. Conclusions. An optimal protocol for in vitro adaptation of F. vesca cultivars to in vivo conditions was developed and viable plants were obtained. Further research will be aimed at studying the growth and development of F. vesca regenerant plants in open ground.

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.

Purpose. Determine the effect of plant densities and the use of Organic-balance biological preparation on growth, development of photosynthetic potential and seed yield of maize lines, parental components of perspective hybrids (‘Arabat’, ‘Skadovskyi’, ‘Kakhovskyi’, ‘Azov’, ‘Chonhar’, ‘Hileia’ etc.) under conditions of drip irrigation. Methods. Field, morphometric, statistical. Results. In the flowering phase, the maximum differences in the area of the assimilation surface were observed between the maize lines and between variants using different plant densities and Organic-balance biological preparation. The largest indicator of the area of the assimilation surface was at the mid-late line DK445 for a standing density of 70 thousand plants/ha and the use of organic preparation Organic balance – 0.489 m2/plant. Organic-balance biological preparation had a positive effect on the dynamics of the area of the assimilation surface of the lines, had provide an increase of 0.04 m2/plant or 9.5% over individual phases of development compared to untreated control. The maximum value of the net productivity of photosynthesis – 6.78 g/m2 per day, was obtained from the FAO 420 line at a density of 70 thousand plant/ha, in the FAO 350 line was less by 4.3% with a maximum at a density of 80 thousand. plants/ha. For the FAO 290 line, the optimal plant density was 90,000 plants/ha. It was found that the genotype of the line with a share of influence of 81.2 and 85.2%, respectively, is predominantly influenced by the plant leaf area and the net productivity of photosynthesis. The influence of the organic preparation Organic-balance on these indicators was less and amounted to 13.3 and 12.3% respectively. The least influence on photosynthetic parameters was carried out by the density of phytocoenoses (the proportion of influence of 5.5 and 2.5%). Genotype with 82.2% share had the greatest influence on the seed yield of the lineage-parental components of maize hybrids. Part of the impact of the organic preparation Organic balance was 4.0%, plant density – 5.3%. The maximum seed yield of the FAO 290 line was obtained at a density of 90 thousand. growth./ha and organic drug treatment Organic-balance and amounted to 5.15 t/ha. The FAO 350 line showed the highest yield at a stand density of 80,000. growth/ha and treatment with organic drug Organic-balance – 5.46 t/ha. FAO 420, the highest seed yield, formed at a stand density of 80,000 plants/ha – 6.58 t/ha and treatment with organic drug Organic balance – 7.08 t/ha. Organic Balance treatment increased the seed yield by an average of 8.1%. Conclusions. Photosynthetic indicators of maize lines mainly depend on the genotype. Phytocenosis density and treatment with biopreparation have a much smaller effect. Under irrigation, the maximum seed yield was formed by the FAO 420 parent line of 7.08 t/ha. The results obtained indicate that in order to plan the production of seed material of maize lines, which are the parent components of hybrids, their genotypic features, the response to the density of phytocenoses and biological preparation with growth-stimulating action must be taken into account.

Purpose. Determine the effect of plant densities and the use of Organic-balance biological preparation on growth, development of photosynthetic potential and seed yield of maize lines, parental components of perspective hybrids (‘Arabat’, ‘Skadovskyi’, ‘Kakhovskyi’, ‘Azov’, ‘Chonhar’, ‘Hileia’ etc.) under conditions of drip irrigation. Methods. Field, morphometric, statistical. Results. In the flowering phase, the maximum differences in the area of the assimilation surface were observed between the maize lines and between variants using different plant densities and Organic-balance biological preparation. The largest indicator of the area of the assimilation surface was at the mid-late line DK445 for a standing density of 70 thousand plants/ha and the use of organic preparation Organic balance – 0.489 m2/plant. Organic-balance biological preparation had a positive effect on the dynamics of the area of the assimilation surface of the lines, had provide an increase of 0.04 m2/plant or 9.5% over individual phases of development compared to untreated control. The maximum value of the net productivity of photosynthesis – 6.78 g/m2 per day, was obtained from the FAO 420 line at a density of 70 thousand plant/ha, in the FAO 350 line was less by 4.3% with a maximum at a density of 80 thousand. plants/ha. For the FAO 290 line, the optimal plant density was 90,000 plants/ha. It was found that the genotype of the line with a share of influence of 81.2 and 85.2%, respectively, is predominantly influenced by the plant leaf area and the net productivity of photosynthesis. The influence of the organic preparation Organic-balance on these indicators was less and amounted to 13.3 and 12.3% respectively. The least influence on photosynthetic parameters was carried out by the density of phytocoenoses (the proportion of influence of 5.5 and 2.5%). Genotype with 82.2% share had the greatest influence on the seed yield of the lineage-parental components of maize hybrids. Part of the impact of the organic preparation Organic balance was 4.0%, plant density – 5.3%. The maximum seed yield of the FAO 290 line was obtained at a density of 90 thousand. growth./ha and organic drug treatment Organic-balance and amounted to 5.15 t/ha. The FAO 350 line showed the highest yield at a stand density of 80,000. growth/ha and treatment with organic drug Organic-balance – 5.46 t/ha. FAO 420, the highest seed yield, formed at a stand density of 80,000 plants/ha – 6.58 t/ha and treatment with organic drug Organic balance – 7.08 t/ha. Organic Balance treatment increased the seed yield by an average of 8.1%. Conclusions. Photosynthetic indicators of maize lines mainly depend on the genotype. Phytocenosis density and treatment with biopreparation have a much smaller effect. Under irrigation, the maximum seed yield was formed by the FAO 420 parent line of 7.08 t/ha. The results obtained indicate that in order to plan the production of seed material of maize lines, which are the parent components of hybrids, their genotypic features, the response to the density of phytocenoses and biological preparation with growth-stimulating action must be taken into account.

Purpose. To study the morphological features and determine the biometric indices of leaves of English roses. Methods. Field, morphological, descriptive, biometric. Morphological descriptions were carried out in accordance with the Atlas of morphological features of rose varieties (Rosa L.) (2009) and the Illustrated Guide to Flowering Plant Morphology (2004). Results. The morphological features of the leaves of English rose varieties were determined. Quantitative (length of complex leaf, number of leaf plates, area of leaflet, total leaf area) and qualitative (leaflet shape, leaflet edge shape, leaflet base shape, leaflet tip) were studied. Varieties of English roses that have maximum and minimum values for these indicators were highlighted. Conclusions. The morphological features were revealed and the biometric indicators of the leaves of English roses from the collection of the State Dendrological Park “Alexandria” NAS of Ukraine were determined. The amplitude of variability of morphological characters of the studied varieties was determined. Peculiarities of the morphological structure and biometric parameters of leaves of English rose varieties can be diagnostic signs for determining varieties within the boundaries of the species. Plants with increased photosynthetic productivity of the leaf apparatus, which is characteristic of the ‘James Galway’ and ‘A Shropshire Lad’ varieties, have an advantage in landscaping.

Purpose. Evaluate the introduced samples of soft winter wheat from the international nursery Common Bunt-Resistant Nursery (CBUNT-RES) of different ecological and geographical origin in the southern part of the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine according to a set of productivity indicators in order to define the most valuable samples and describe them. Methods. During 2016–2019 on the base of Ustymivka Experimental Station for Plant Production of the V. Ya. Yuriev Plant Production Institute of NAAS the authors studied, evaluated and described 75 new soft winter wheat samples of various eco-geographical origins by productivity traits. In the field and laboratory conditions, indicators of yield and productivi­ty were determined: 1000 grains weight, plant height and ear length, the number of spikelets and grains in the ear, weight of ear and grain and early-ripening. Results. Plant material with increased parameters of economic and biological characters was identified. During studies, it was found that ‘F08347G8’, ‘F00628G34-1’ (Romania), ‘91-142A61/KATIA1//GRISET-4’, ‘SAULESKU#44/TR810200//GRISET-4’, ‘ATTILA/BABAX//PASTOR/4/…’ (IU067591) (Turkey), ‘INTENSIVNAYA//PBW343*2/TUKURU’, ‘SANZAR-8/KKTS’ (Mexico) were the high-yielding varieties. The samples of soft winter wheat as ‘F08347G8’, ‘F00628G34-1’ (Romania), ‘INTENSIVNAYA//PBW343*2/…’ (IU067637) (Mexico), ‘ATAY/GALVEZ87/6/TAST/…’ (IU067587), ‘DE9/MERCAN-2’, ‘KRASNODAR/FRTL/6…’ (IU067595), ‘SAULESKU#44/TR810200//GRISET-4’, ‘GANSU-1/3/AUSGS50AT34/…’ (IU067598), ‘ORKINOS-1*2/3/AUS…’ (IU067608), ‘KAMBARA1/ZANDER-17’ , ‘TAM200/KAUZ/4/CHAM6//…’ (IU067612) (Turkey) contained a large grain weight (more than 5.0 g), plant productivity in these samples was rather high due to increased amount of grains and the thousand kernel weight. Conclusions. The introduced soft winter wheat samples of various eco-geographical origins were adapted to the Southern Forest-Steppe and can be recommended as a source material in breeding to increasing productive capacity.

Purpose. To study the features of the productivity formation of broccoli hybrids depending on the methods of application of “5 element” nanofertilizer in the conditions of the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Field, laboratory, statistical. Results. With the introduction of “5 element” nanofertilizer, the head diameter of the ‘Batavia F1’ hybrid increased from 16.6 (var. 2) to 18.3 cm (var. 8), while in the control this indicator was 15.9 cm. The biggest head diameter in the hybrid ‘Orantes F1’ 18.9 and 18.7 cm was noted with foliar feeding with “5 element” nanofertilizer in the phase of 4–6 leaves + beginning of head formation + 10–12 days after the beginning of head formation and in the phase of the beginning of head formation + 10–12 days after the beginning of head formation. Accordingly, in the aforementioned variants, the head mass was 901 and 863 g, which is higher than the control (without treatment) by 166 and 128 g, or 22.3 and 17.4%.The highest yield of the ‘Batavia F1’ hybrid was obtained in 8 and 7 variants of the experiment – 33.5 and 31.9 t/ha, respectively, the yield increase was 5.2 and 3.6 t/ha, or 18.4 and 12.7%. In the hybrid ‘Orantes F1’ the highest yield (37.1 t/ha) was recorded when applying the “5 element” nanofertilizer in the 8th variant of the experiment, which is 6.6 t/ha higher than the control, or 21.6%. Compared to the ‘Batavia F1’ hybrid, the yield in this variant of the ‘Orantes F1’ hybrid was 3.6 t/ha, or 9.7%. The diameter and weight of the head, as well as the yield of the hybrid ‘Orantes F1’ were larger compared to the hybrid ‘Batavia F1’, due to its biological characteristics. A strong correlation (r = 0.97 and 0.96) was revealed between the yield and the diameter of the broccoli head in the ‘Batavia F1’ and ‘Orantes F1’ hybrids. The quality indicators of broccoli (dry matter, sum of sugars and vitamin C) in the ‘Orantes F1’ hybrid were higher compared to the ‘Batavia F1’ hybrid. A tendency towards a decrease in the concentration of nitrates in the heads of broccoli with an increase in the number of treatments with nanofertilizer “5 element” was revealed. The concentration of nitrates in the ‘Orantes F1’ hybrid was lower in all variants of the experiment in comparison with the ‘Batavia F1’ hybrid. The concentration of nitrates in the heads of broccoli in all variants of the experiment did not exceed TLV (400 mg/kg wet weight). Conclusions. With an increase in the number of foliar treatments with “5 element” nanofertilizer, the yield increased and the quality of broccoli hybrids improved. It was revealed that the yield of the ‘Orantes F1’ hybrid in all variants of the experiment was higher in comparison with the ‘Batavia F1’ hybrid. When applying nanofertilizer “5 element” in three stages – foliar feeding in the phase of 4–6 leaves + beginning of head formation + 10–12 days after the beginning of head formation – we got the highest yield of broccoli in the hybrid ‘Orantes F1’ – 37.1 t/ha, an increase over the control variant (without fertilizers) was 6.6 t/ha, or 21.6%. The ‘Batavia F1’ hybrid had a yield of 33.5 t/ha, an increase over the control variant – 5.2 t/ha, or 18.4%.

Purpose. This study was aimed to determine some biochemical parameters and productivity of the gene fund of Silphium L. genus in the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine. Methods. Plant raw material investigated at the flowering stage (17 genotypes) and the end of vegetation (20 genotypes) of Silphium spp. 3 species and 4 cultivars studied for the content of nutrients at the flowering. Determination of dry matter, ash, calcium, nitrogenfree extractives conducted according to Hrytsaienko et al. (2003), phosphorus, protein – according to Pochinok (1976), sugars – according to Krishchenko (1983), cellulose – according to Zheng et al. (2018), lipids – according to Zamowski, Suzuki (2004). It was used productivity parameters: yield of above-ground mass, the yield of dry mass, energetic value, yield of energy. Data analyzed statistically. Results. Investigation of nutrients content showed that content of dry matter was in the range of 18.90–29.3%, protein – in the range of 8.88–23.56%, cellulose – 15.10–36.14%, ash – 8.13–12.19%, lipids – 1.83–3.97%; yield of above-ground mass – 45.0–139.0 t/ha, the yield of dry matter – 10.31–36.92 t/ha, energy value – 3933–4249 cal/g, and yield of energy – 43.81–149.27 Gcal/ha. A study of genotypes at the flowering and end of vegetation identified that the content of dry matter for all samples was in a range of 18.38–67.49%, sugars – 2.78–19.0%, ash – 3.93–11.20%, calcium – 1.68–5.99%, phosphorus – 0.14–1.21%, energy value – 3153.36– 3770.28 cal/g. Conclusions. Plant raw material of genotypes of Silphium L. spp. is a valuable source of nutrients. The content of ash, its components, energetic value, and parameters of productivity depending on genotype and stage of growth. The results allow recommending selected Silphium genotypes as perspective energetic crops in Ukraine as well as other countries.