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.

Brandy spirits, matured for three years and produced with various yeasts, were examined to assess their quality. The study included evaluating sensory indicators and conducting a qualitative and quantitative analysis of volatile aromatic compounds. Results showed that brandy spirits fermented with “Oenoferm Bouquet” yeast, displayed the highest concentrations of volatile aromatic substances, with this variant receiving the most favorable tasting evaluation among the sampled spirits.

The second article of the series considers the issues of inter-row and near-trunk land cultivation in orchards. As a result of the study and analysis of the literature, a classification and comparative evaluation of the existing machines intended for the cultivation of the mentioned areas was implemented. Both the advantages and disadvantages of rotary tillers with horizontal and vertical rotation axis were indicated. It has been stated that from the prospect of agro-technological and technical requirements of the mentioned machines, rotary tillers with vertical axis are preferable, which, anyhow, need to be upgraded. Based on the above stated, it has been recommended to select planetary mechanism with external gear as a transmission mechanism for the rotary tiller, which will enable to provide high rotation numbers for the disc of the tillers’ blade in case of relatively fewer rotation numbers of the rotor. It is theoretically justified and experimentally confirmed that from the point of view of effective tillage and a sharp decrease in the traction resistance of the unit, the optimal number of satellite cutters is three, located at an angle of 1200 to each other, and the number of knives is two, with a symmetrical arrangement. The expressions derived in the result of dynamic research on the recommended mechanism, enable to identify the optimal geometric parameters for the installation of the tillers’ disc knives, in case of which the resistance force factors of the cultivated medium, including the traction resistance force of the unit will assume the possible minimum values in conditions of the stated regime.

The demand for confectionery products is constantly growing, so a task has been set up to justify the use of secondary raw materials obtained from the first extract fruit and vegetable juices in the production of cupcakes. The use of fruit and vegetable powders will enable to expand the product range of flour confectionery, as well as to enrich the finished product with dietary fibers and vitamins. Apple and parsnip pulp were subjected to primary research, and their nutritional value was determined. The chemical and vitamin indicators of the finished products were determined according to the research methods regulated by GOST. Then, comparative evaluation of the vitamin value of apple and parsnip pulps was made. According to research results, fruit and vegetable pulp is not inferior in nutritional value to the original raw material, only certain losses occur during juice extraction process. In order to obtain fruit and vegetable powders and possibly preserve their valuable components, the convective­ microwave drying method was used, which prevents microbial spoilage and deactivation of enzymes in the pulp. After drying, the content of vitamins, chemical and mineral substances in the obtained powders was studied. The addition of 10­15 % fruit and vegetable powders in the production recipe of cupcakes improves the physicochemical indicators of the finished product. Cupcakes made with the supplementation of fruit and vegetable powders also have a low energy value and contain a large amount of pectin substances. Therefore, we recommend using these powders in the manufacture of other products as well.

Throughout 121 days of winter pasture period, the animals aged 9.0­12.9 months old were grazed on without supplemental feeding. The study was carried out in the winter pasture of Yeghegnut community, Armavir region of RA. 10 heads from Holstein and Flekvi heifers each, kept in stalls were selected for the research. During 121 days of winter grazing, female calves from 9.0 to 12.9 month­old were in the pasture from 12:00 to 17:00 and during the remaining 19 hours in the cattle shed, without additional feeding. Absolute, average daily, relative weight gain and growth factors were determined on the basis of weighing and body part measurements at the beginning and end of winter grazing. According to the weight growth data, the absolute weight gain of a 9.0­12.9­month­old female Holstein calf was 71.4 kg, the average daily weight gain was 610 g, the relative weight gain was 30.6 %, the growth factor was 1.4 times, compensation for 1 kg weight gainer – 5.4 energy feed units, and for the Flekvi breed – 62.6 kg, 535 g, 27 %,1.3 times, and 6.2 energy feed units, respectively. According to the data of linear growth, the height of the body parts of the 9.0­12.9­month­old female Holstein breed in­ creased by 3.0­3.7, width by 3.0­3.3, length by 0.9­4.3, chest depth – 3.1, breast width – 3.6, forearm width – 0.7 cm, and Flekvi – 2.3­3.2, 0.7­2.6, 0.7­6.1, 1.7, 5.5 and 1.4 cm, respectively. Body composition indices also prove that the body structure of the 12.9­month­old female Holstein and Flekvi breeds has also developed proportionally. Therefore, we suggest to graze 6­month­old calves and older animals of different gender and age groups in the Armavir region of RA in winter pastures.

During the research aimed at reducing the cost price of poultry feed and increasing their productivity lysofort bio­emulator and L­carnitine supplement were used. 4 groups of ROSS­308 broilers were made (100 heads each). The control group received feed portion corresponding to the nutrition value of ROSS­308 cross boiler feed, containing defined content of exchange energy (in the initial phase­3050 kcal/kg, in the growth period­3100 kcal/kg, and in the final stage­3200 kcal/kg). In the experimental groups, the efficiency of the exchange energy was artificially reduced, mostly due to low content of vegetable oil. Feed conversion, head maintenance, live broiler chickens of different ages, growth dynamics, average daily weight growth, meat qualities of slaughtered poultry were studied in all groups. According to the research results, compared with the control group, the indicators of feed conversion and average daily weight growth of broiler chicken fed by portions containing bio­emulator and L­carnitine were improved, which testifies to the increase in the availability of energy. Due to the synergy of joint application of bio­emulators and L­carnitine, feed conversion is improved, production costs and cost price are reduced, the productivity of broilers is increased, as well as the profitability of poultry production (not at the cost of increasing the consumer prices) and meat quality is improved (as a result of increasing the amount of protein and reducing fat). As an efficient and safe means to increase the profitability of poultry production, the bio­emulators and L­carnitine can be used in the feed of meat poultry.

The aim of the study was to prevent latent mastitis in cows by sanitizing the udder teats with amyloyodin solution (blue iodine). Research work on prevention of mastitis in cows was carried out during 2022 in the Balahovit teaching and experimental farm of ANAU, as well as in the laboratories of the ANAU Research Center for Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Sanitary Examination on 14 Caucasian brown cows, with seven heads in each group. In the experimental group, the treatment of teats after milking with an interval of 12 hours was carried out by applying amyloyodin to the teats of the udder by dipping them into small plastic cups filled with a solution of blue iodine to three­ quarters of the dish. The teats of cows in the control group were not treated with blue iodine, but were washed with warm clean water immediately after milking. To study the microbial contamination of the cow udder, swabs were taken from the teat skin in animals of the experimental and control groups. A microbiological study of swabs indicates that after milking the number of colonies of microorganisms in the experimental and control groups is approximately the same – 139 and 143, respectively. However, the use of amyloyodin showed preventive efficacy and longer hygienic protection of the teats skin in animals, i.e. the number of colonies in the experimental group decreased after 30 minutes (from 139 to 8), and in the control group, confluent growth of colonies was observed after the same period of time.

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.

Genetic markers for the study of genetic diversity are divided into 4 groups: morphological or phenotypic, biochemical or protein, cytogenetic, and molecular or DNA. Currently, ISSR-DNA markers or Inter Simple Sequence Repeats is widely used for the genetic characterization of various crop varieties and wild species. In the present day, ISSR-DNA markers (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats) are widely used to characterize various crop varieties and wild species from their genetic makeup. It is used both for inter-species and intra-species genetic variability of populations and for genetic diversity, and species identification, as well as for genome mapping and marking of useful economic traits. The purpose of this research was to certify the wild species and population varieties of beet common in Armenia using DNA markers, to offer them as a selection starting material. The studied wild species and population varieties of beet are distinguished by a high degree of polymorphism: 33.3-88.9 %. According to the indicators of genetic diversity, most of the studied species and varieties are characterized as the main or typical gene pools with a minimum number and frequency of rare alleles. An exception is the Aparan population of table beet, which is distinguished by a high degree of originality. According to the indicators studied with ISSR DNA markers, it is possible to select the right parental forms for beet breeding activities.

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.