Yield of modern varieties of valuable fodder crop lucerne is quite low - 0.2 - 0.3 t / ha. The reason - lack of cross-pollination due to the lack of insect pollinators. Under these conditions, the highest seed production plants are prone to selfpollinate. The results of the study of 26 new selffertile samples of alfalfa own selection. It was shown that 15 samples for seed yield higher than standard - grade Jaroslavna. The herbage yield of only four samples was lower than in the standard. The dry matter content of all samples was high - 22,1-25,5 %. The results obtained are allowed to select in hotbed of pre-strain testing samples with high levels of self-fertility, seed yield 0,24-0,29 t/ha, herbage for three mowing - 63,2-67,7 t/ha, high dry matters content, which will be used in future breeding process

Zoological collections are the main repositories of biodiversity for specific regions or taxa. However, they often lack promotion and consequently remain largely unknown to the general public or even for specialists. Moreover, many of these collections are at risk of deterioration and, in many cases, lack taxonomic review. Founded in 1771, the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN; Madrid, Spain) is one of the oldest Natural History Museums in the world and one of the most important scientific research institutions in the field of Natural Sciences in Europe. The review conducted in this study resulted in an annotated catalogue of marine Heterotremata crabs, documenting 83 species across 21 families from the MNCN collection. It was found that only 21.9% of the specimens had been correctly identified, while 78.1% were either unidentified, identified only to the family level, or misidentified. This highlights a significant loss of biodiversity information and missed opportunities for identifying new species, as many specimens had been inadequately identified for up to 175 years. The review also expanded the known geographic distribution of several species, with the first-time recordings in regions such as Mauritian, Equatorial Guinean, Moroccan, Ghanaian, and São Tomé and Príncipe waters. The study emphasizes the importance of access to zoological collections and collaboration with specialists to enhance our understanding of biodiversity.

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 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.

Assessment has been carried out for parental lines and hybrid combinations of forage beet by individual indices of productivity and morphological characteristics of root storages. Best combinations have been selected for further crossing and breeding.

Assessment has been carried out for parental lines and hybrid combinations of forage beet by individual indices of productivity and morphological characteristics of root storages. Best combinations have been selected for further crossing and breeding.

The analysis of the structure of State Register of Plant Varieties Suitable for Dissemination in Ukraine is presented. The descriptions of new lupine's varieties important for economic use are given. The state of new varieties introduction in production and ways of improving of the soil fertility with a low humus content and the overcoming of crisis in the forage sphere are shown.

Some examples concerning the meaning of notion "variety" and its role in the increasing of wheat productivity are covered in this article, Some historical aspects of the origin of this term and its use in the select ional work are given. At the example of varieties

Peculiarities of developing national varietal resources of Lupin (Lupinus L.) in Ukraine have been explained. Market monitoring for annual lupin species have been completed. Peculiarities for the conduct of lupin plant varieties examination on establishing their suitability for dissemination compliance with the criteria of distinctness, uniformity and stability according to the guidelines in force. The conditions for developing the Program of Field Trials of Plant Varieties Qualifying Examination are displayed. Species specific and quantitative composition of fodder crops detailed as included into the Program. Essential soil and climatic cultivation areas proposed. Lupin uses outlined, as well as its application in various branches of national economy and value for establishing strong fodder backgrpund for cattle breeding. Prospective options of using lupin crop are spotted in connection with new plant varieties created, which seed by technological properties could be used for the purpose of preparing dietary foodstuff

Abstract Sparassis crispa is an edible mushroom exhibiting a wide range of medicinal properties. It is recognized for therapeutic value because of the high β-glucan content in the basidiomes. The broad range of its reported curative effects include anti-tumour, anti-cancer, immune-enhancing, hematopoietic, anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, wound-healing, antioxidant, anti-coagulant, and anti-hypertensive properties. However, most of the studies are conducted on immunomodulatory and anticancer activities. Besides this, it also exhibits anti-microbial properties due to the presence of sparassol. Technology is now available for the cultivation of S. crispa on coniferous sawdust. This review is an attempt to focus on its distribution, taxonomy, chemical composition, medicinal properties, potential applications, and artificial cultivation.

The article unveils the seed potential of fenugreek species to provide routine supply of methi leaf in the conditions of Ukrainian Forest-Steppe. The fenugreek species have have a wide range of morphological and economical characteristics variability that affect their seed production. A high productivity of dry seeds is inherent to fenugreek species at early spring sowing (10.04), as for this date the yield of dry seeds of blue fenugreek amounted to 0.4 t per ha, that of fenugreek hay – 2.0 t / ha, with mass of 1000 seeds, respectively, 0.71 and 9.7 gr. To obtain a spicery called «mushroom grass» the use of fenugreek hay is considered as a promising direction (Greek hay, Shambhala, hay fenugreek) along with scheduling the sowing for early spring (4.10) and late spring (25.04–15.05) , which would enable the development of greatest herbage volume and higher yield of mature seed (0.9–2.0 t / ha). Another prospective line of development is to use blue fenugreek (fenugreek blue) as a green manure and nectar bearing crop, with the sowing scheduled for spring (4.10) and late spring (25.04–15.05).

The article unveils the seed potential of fenugreek species to provide routine supply of methi leaf in the conditions of Ukrainian Forest-Steppe. The fenugreek species have have a wide range of morphological and economical characteristics variability that affect their seed production. A high productivity of dry seeds is inherent to fenugreek species at early spring sowing (10.04), as for this date the yield of dry seeds of blue fenugreek amounted to 0.4 t per ha, that of fenugreek hay – 2.0 t / ha, with mass of 1000 seeds, respectively, 0.71 and 9.7 gr. To obtain a spicery called «mushroom grass» the use of fenugreek hay is considered as a promising direction (Greek hay, Shambhala, hay fenugreek) along with scheduling the sowing for early spring (4.10) and late spring (25.04–15.05) , which would enable the development of greatest herbage volume and higher yield of mature seed (0.9–2.0 t / ha). Another prospective line of development is to use blue fenugreek (fenugreek blue) as a green manure and nectar bearing crop, with the sowing scheduled for spring (4.10) and late spring (25.04–15.05).

Varietal supply with fodder crops of Ukraine’s market and DUS-test of new varieties of plants in 2006 on their suitability for dissemination were analyzed in the article.

Westerdykella reniformis Ebead & Overy sp. nov. is described based on morphology and phylogenetic analyses using ITS, nLSU rDNA, and β-tubulin gene sequences. Westerdykella reniformis is characterized by the production of cleistothecioid ascomata, containing small globose to subglobose asci with 32, aseptate, dark colored, pronouncedly reniform ascospores having a concave central groove. The isolate was obtained from a red alga (Polysiphonia sp.) collected from the tidal zone in Canada at low tide. Organic extracts enriched in extrolites, obtained from fermentation on a rice-based media, inhibited the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE), S. warneri, and Proteus vulgaris. Presented here is the identification of the compounds responsible for the observed antimicrobial activity, the taxonomic description of W. reniformis, and a dichotomous key to the known species of Westerdykella based on macro- and micromorphological characters.