The article provides results of efficiency of double screening by quantity of normally developed germs affected of unfavorable abiotic factors, namely decreased temperatures of seeds sprouting and embryogenesis at extremes (heat, shortage of water).

Seeds are a vector of genetic progress and, as such, they play a significant role in the sustainability of the agri-food system. The current global seed market is worth USD 60 billion that is expected to reach USD 80 billion by 2025. Seeds are most often treated before their planting with both chemical and biological agents/products to secure good seed quality and high yield by reducing or preventing losses caused by diseases. There is increasing interest in biological seed treatments as alternatives to chemical seed treatments as the latter have several negative human health and environmental impacts. However, no study has yet quantified the effectiveness of biological seed treatments to enhance crop performance and yield. Our meta-analysis encompassing 396 studies worldwide reveals for the first time that biological seed treatments significantly improve seed germination (7±6%), seedling emergence (91±5%), plant biomass (53±5%), disease control (55±1%), and crop yield (21±2%) compared to untreated seeds across contrasted crop groups, target pathogens, climatic regions, and experimental conditions. We conclude that biological seed treatments may represent a sustainable solution to feed the increasing global populations while avoiding negative effects on human health and ensuring environmental sustainability.

Magnetic or oxidation treatment of irrigation water can promote the transport of water and nutrients by the root system, improve the efficiency of water and fertilizer use and potentially increase yields. Hydroponic and field experiments were conducted to explore how irrigation with magnetized and/or oxidized water affects grain yield and water-use efficiency (WUE) in winter wheat with an emphasis on physiological changes in the root system. Hydroponic cultivation of winter wheat with pure groundwater and brackish water included the following treatments: control group (CK−G, CK−B); magnetization (GM, BM); oxidation (GO, BO); and the combination of magnetization and oxidation (G(M+O), B(M+O), G(O+M), B(O+M)). Field experiments only tested irrigation with various types of groundwater, including the control group (IG), magnetization treatment (IGM), oxidation treatment (IGO), and the combination of the two treatment methods (IG(M+O), IG(O+M)). Hydroponic cultivation revealed that the magnetic treatment and oxidation of both groundwater and brackish water can significantly improve the root vigor of winter wheat, i.e., improvements of 100.5–253.7% and 100.4–213.9% were seen in the groundwater and brackish treatment groups, respectively, relative to the control group. The root length density (RLD) of wheat increased by 67.6% (GM), 79.4% (GO), 7.5% (BM), and 40.0% (BO) relative to the respective control groups (CK−G and CK−B). Moreover, the root weight density (RWD) for BO and B(O+M) treatments improved significantly (66.7% and 55.4%, respectively) relative to CK−B. The maximal increases in root surface area density (RSD) were observed in treatments GO and B(O+M), which showed values 125% and 100%, respectively, higher than what was measured for the control groups. The root/shoot ratios of the GO and G(O+M) treatments improved significantly (by 75.3% and 62.0%, respectively) relative to CK−G. The results of field experiments showed that wheat in the IGO and IG(O+M) plots absorbed more water from the soil than wheat in the of IG plots (increases of 13.9% and 16.9%, respectively). Furthermore, the IGO and IG(O+M) treatments produced significantly higher grain yields and WUE than the IG plots, with IGO producing the maximum yield (11.7 × 10³ kg ha⁻¹) and IG(O+M) the highest observed WUE (30.3 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹). Hence, the research provides clear evidence that the irrigation of winter wheat with magnetized and/or oxidized water can increase grain yields and WUE.

Мета. Визначити вплив умов зволоження та обробки насіння біологічними препаратами Азотофіт-р, Фітоцид, Мікофренд-р, Органік-баланс Монофосфор на ростові процеси на початкових етапах життя рослин, формування густоти стояння та урожайність зерна сортів пшениці озимої.Методи. Для досліджень використовували загально­наукові, спеціальні, польові, математично-ста­тистичні та розрахунково-порівняльні методи.Результати. Запорукою високої врожайності пшениці озимої є одержання дружних сходів, формування оптимальної густоти стояння рослин на час збирання з урахуванням показників їх виживаності, коефіцієнту продуктивної кущистості та вивчення нових сортів, адаптованих до змін клімату. За результатами досліджень визначено, що в середньому за 2020–2022 рр. більшу урожайність зерна серед досліджуваних сортів пшениці озимої сформовано у рослин сорту ‘Дума одеська’ (8,38 т/га) на зрошенні у варіанті з передпосівною обробкою насіння біопрепаратом Азотофіт-р, що на 0,78 т/га більше, порівнюючи з контролем (обробка водою). У варіанті без зрошення урожайність становила 6,08 т/га, що менше за контроль на 2,3 т/га або 27,4%.Висновки. Розроблені елементи технології вирощування сортів пшениці озимої дають можливість сформувати оптимальну густоту стояння рослин та значно підвищити урожайність зерна в умовах Південного Степу України. | Purpose. To determine the influence of the moistening conditions and treatment of seeds with biological preparations Azotofit-r, Fitotsyd, Mycofriend-r, Orhanik-balans Monofosfor on growth processes at the initial plant life stages, formation of stand density and grain yield of winter wheat varieties.Methods. General scientific, special, field, mathematical-statistical and calculation-comparative methods were used for research.Results. The key to a high yield of winter wheat is in obtaining even stands, forming the optimal density of plant stands at the time of harvesting, taking into account their survival rates, the coefficient of productive tillering, and the study of new varieties adapted to climate changes. According to the research results, it was determined that, on average, for 2020–2022, the highest grain yield among the studied varieties of winter wheat was recorded in plants of the variety ‘Duma Odeska’ (8.38 t/ha) under irrigation in the variant with pre-sowing treatment of seeds with the biopreparation Azotofit-r, which was 0.78 t/ha more compared to the control (treatment with water). In the variant without irrigation, the yield was 6.08 t/ha, which was less than the control by 2.3 t/ha or 27.4%.Conclusions. The developed elements of the technology of winter wheat varieties growing make it possible to form the optimal plant density and significantly increase grain yield in the conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine

Magnetic or oxidation treatment of irrigation water can promote the transport of water and nutrients by the root system, improve the efficiency of water and fertilizer use and potentially increase yields. Hydroponic and field experiments were conducted to explore how irrigation with magnetized and/or oxidized water affects grain yield and water-use efficiency (WUE) in winter wheat with an emphasis on physiological changes in the root system. Hydroponic cultivation of winter wheat with pure groundwater and brackish water included the following treatments: control group (CK−G, CK−B); magnetization (GM, BM); oxidation (GO, BO); and the combination of magnetization and oxidation (G(M+O), B(M+O), G(O+M), B(O+M)). Field experiments only tested irrigation with various types of groundwater, including the control group (IG), magnetization treatment (IGM), oxidation treatment (IGO), and the combination of the two treatment methods (IG(M+O), IG(O+M)). Hydroponic cultivation revealed that the magnetic treatment and oxidation of both groundwater and brackish water can significantly improve the root vigor of winter wheat, i.e., improvements of 100.5–253.7% and 100.4–213.9% were seen in the groundwater and brackish treatment groups, respectively, relative to the control group. The root length density (RLD) of wheat increased by 67.6% (GM), 79.4% (GO), 7.5% (BM), and 40.0% (BO) relative to the respective control groups (CK−G and CK−B). Moreover, the root weight density (RWD) for BO and B(O+M) treatments improved significantly (66.7% and 55.4%, respectively) relative to CK−B. The maximal increases in root surface area density (RSD) were observed in treatments GO and B(O+M), which showed values 125% and 100%, respectively, higher than what was measured for the control groups. The root/shoot ratios of the GO and G(O+M) treatments improved significantly (by 75.3% and 62.0%, respectively) relative to CK−G. The results of field experiments showed that wheat in the IGO and IG(O+M) plots absorbed more water from the soil than wheat in the of IG plots (increases of 13.9% and 16.9%, respectively). Furthermore, the IGO and IG(O+M) treatments produced significantly higher grain yields and WUE than the IG plots, with IGO producing the maximum yield (11.7 × 10³ kg ha⁻¹) and IG(O+M) the highest observed WUE (30.3 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹). Hence, the research provides clear evidence that the irrigation of winter wheat with magnetized and/or oxidized water can increase grain yields and WUE.

International audience | Seeds are a vector of genetic progress and, as such, they play a significant role in the sustainability of the agri-food system. The current global seed market is worth USD 60 billion that is expected to reach USD 80 billion by 2025. Seeds are most often treated before their planting with both chemical and biological agents/products to secure good seed quality and high yield by reducing or preventing losses caused by diseases. There is increasing interest in biological seed treatments as alternatives to chemical seed treatments as the latter have several negative human health and environmental impacts. However, no study has yet quantified the effectiveness of biological seed treatments to enhance crop performance and yield. Our meta-analysis encompassing 396 studies worldwide reveals for the first time that biological seed treatments significantly improve seed germination (7±6%), seedling emergence (91±5%), plant biomass (53±5%), disease control (55±1%), and crop yield (21±2%) compared to untreated seeds across contrasted crop groups, target pathogens, climatic regions, and experimental conditions. We conclude that biological seed treatments may represent a sustainable solution to feed the increasing global populations while avoiding negative effects on human health and ensuring environmental sustainability.

The article explains the aim and objectives of parental components of maize hybrids identification in the course of soil varietal control. Scientific background has been provided to methodological aspects of comparative evaluation of morphological characteristics on control plots for the purpose of establishing authenticity of maize hybrids circulated at the market.

The article explains the aim and objectives of parental components of maize hybrids identification in the course of soil varietal control. Scientific background has been provided to methodological aspects of comparative evaluation of morphological characteristics on control plots for the purpose of establishing authenticity of maize hybrids circulated at the market.

Stabilizing (centripetal) breeding produced donor of short stem characteristic for winter rye (Secale cereale L.) with height of plants ranging from cm 50 to 60. Distribution curve of plant's height remained symmetric with cummulation of frequencies at central classes (leptokurtic). For the first time, designation for new allele of short-stem gene HI-2HI-2 and donor name Gnome 2 was suggested. Gnome 2 was found to have direct genetic correlation of plant height with number of flowers in the ear, length of the ear, weight of 100 seeds from the plant, as well as reverse correlation with ear density and weight of kernels from the ear.

Stabilizing (centripetal) breeding produced donor of short stem characteristic for winter rye (Secale cereale L.) with height of plants ranging from cm 50 to 60. Distribution curve of plant's height remained symmetric with cummulation of frequencies at central classes (leptokurtic). For the first time, designation for new allele of short-stem gene HI-2HI-2 and donor name Gnome 2 was suggested. Gnome 2 was found to have direct genetic correlation of plant height with number of flowers in the ear, length of the ear, weight of 100 seeds from the plant, as well as reverse correlation with ear density and weight of kernels from the ear.

The article displays economical value, as well as directions of use for valuable protein crop, soybean, as well as growth rate of its production during recent years in the world scale and in our country, establishment of its varietal resources in Ukraine. Complete description for new soybean varieties listed in the State Register of Plant Varieties Suitable for Dissemination in Ukraine is provided for those having Official Description.

The article displays economical value, as well as directions of use for valuable protein crop, soybean, as well as growth rate of its production during recent years in the world scale and in our country, establishment of its varietal resources in Ukraine. Complete description for new soybean varieties listed in the State Register of Plant Varieties Suitable for Dissemination in Ukraine is provided for those having Official Description.

The drought-resistance of 15 nectarine varieties and forms with a sign of male infertility is studied. The research identified genotypes with varying degrees of drought-resistance. The greatest degree of drought-resistance demonstrated the form 33-3-1, 512-86,41-15-2, and grade Kul'dzhinskiy 4x, Krymtsuht, Elbertaziya.

The drought-resistance of 15 nectarine varieties and forms with a sign of male infertility is studied. The research identified genotypes with varying degrees of drought-resistance. The greatest degree of drought-resistance demonstrated the form 33-3-1, 512-86,41-15-2, and grade Kul'dzhinskiy 4x, Krymtsuht, Elbertaziya.

Complex assessment of varietal resources of the lettuce by means of identification of morphological descriptions and determination of indices of suitability for dissemination in Ukraine is considered. Contemporary classification by botanic and economic and consumption criteria of all the lettuce subspecies has been adapted.

Complex assessment of varietal resources of the lettuce by means of identification of morphological descriptions and determination of indices of suitability for dissemination in Ukraine is considered. Contemporary classification by botanic and economic and consumption criteria of all the lettuce subspecies has been adapted.

Genetic and statistical analyzes of ten quantitative characteristics inheritance of reciprocal populations F2 of three-hybrid crossing by plant height, leaf blade electroidy and absence of glaucosity on the plants of Winter Rye in three breeding institutions – Nosivskiy Variety Testing Station (VTS), Verhnianskiy VTS and Volynskiy Institute APV. Major portion of phenotype variation has been determined by environmental factors. Genotype variability of those characteristics is predetermined by effects of domination and epitasis, so the breeding aimed at acquirement of heterosis effect when ZKZ (ЗКЗ) and SKZ (СКЗ) are applied is expected to be promising.

Genetic and statistical analyzes of ten quantitative characteristics inheritance of reciprocal populations F2 of three-hybrid crossing by plant height, leaf blade electroidy and absence of glaucosity on the plants of Winter Rye in three breeding institutions – Nosivskiy Variety Testing Station (VTS), Verhnianskiy VTS and Volynskiy Institute APV. Major portion of phenotype variation has been determined by environmental factors. Genotype variability of those characteristics is predetermined by effects of domination and epitasis, so the breeding aimed at acquirement of heterosis effect when ZKZ (ЗКЗ) and SKZ (СКЗ) are applied is expected to be promising.

The perspective hybrid forms between genus Prunus persica (L.) Batch and Prunus amygdalus Batsch, having high ornamental qualities and high resistance to Sphaerotheca pannosa (L v.) var. persicae Woronich., Taphrina deformans (Berk.) Tul., Clasterosporium carpophilum (L. v) Aderh., Monilia cinerea Bonord. have been obtained for using in breeding of peach and nectarine varieties and their rootstocks.

The perspective hybrid forms between genus Prunus persica (L.) Batch and Prunus amygdalus Batsch, having high ornamental qualities and high resistance to Sphaerotheca pannosa (L v.) var. persicae Woronich., Taphrina deformans (Berk.) Tul., Clasterosporium carpophilum (L. v) Aderh., Monilia cinerea Bonord. have been obtained for using in breeding of peach and nectarine varieties and their rootstocks.

The brief biographical information and the results of industrial and biological study of fruit crops varieties in steppe zone of the Crimea have been given. Widely spread varieties for industrial, collective and private orchards in Ukraine studied by V.V. Danylenko have been given. The main published workes of V.V. Danylenko have been given.

The brief biographical information and the results of industrial and biological study of fruit crops varieties in steppe zone of the Crimea have been given. Widely spread varieties for industrial, collective and private orchards in Ukraine studied by V.V. Danylenko have been given. The main published workes of V.V. Danylenko have been given.

The article reflects the progress of genetic decrease of Rye F 3k- 10029/ Saratovske (Саратовське) 4 height by means of the shortest stem plants selection during the period from 1974 to 2010. 37 years selection of the shortest- stern genotypes decreased the plants height from 119.33 cm to 22.57cm. Targeted selection into minus direction decreased the plants height in 5,29 times on the background of the dominant HI expression. In average, the height of plants in the course of 27 breeding cycles were decreasing by 2.69 cm, but that was not going gradually. A new donor Gnom 3 had been created for ultra short-stem trait of the Winter Rye, with the marking of alleles HI-3HI-3. Relative influence on the minus selection efficiency has been established by height of plants for the selection differential (38%) and coefficient of inheritance in narrow sense (14,56%). Realized efficiency of selection in decrease of winter rye height in 72,08% of cases corresponded to predicted hit ration of the breeding. Analyzes of genetic and statistical parameters and correlation clusters of 11 utilitarian average characteristics of ultra short- stem rye Gnom 3 for the period of 1974 to 2010 has been performed.

Abstract The entomopathogenic genus Ophiocordyceps includes a highly diverse group of fungal species, predominantly parasitizing insects in the orders Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera. However, other insect orders are also parasitized by these fungi, for example the Blattodea (termites and cockroaches). Despite their ubiquity in nearly all environments insects occur, blattodeans are rarely found infected by filamentous fungi and thus, their ecology and evolutionary history remain obscure. In this study, we propose a new species of Ophiocordyceps infecting the social cockroaches Salganea esakii and S. taiwanensis, based on 16 years of collections and field observations in Japan, especially in the Ryukyu Archipelago. We found a high degree of genetic similarity between specimens from different islands, infecting these two Salganea species and that this relationship is ancient, likely not originating from a recent host jump. Furthermore, we found that Ophiocordyceps lineages infecting cockroaches evolved around the same time, at least twice, one from beetles and the other from termites. We have also investigated the evolutionary relationships between Ophiocordyceps and termites and present the phylogenetic placement of O. cf. blattae. Our analyses also show that O. sinensis could have originated from an ancestor infecting termite, instead of beetle larvae as previously proposed.