Purpose. To study biological characteristics of growth and development of middle-early soybean varieties and create a model of phenotype productivity. Methods. Special and gene­ral techniques for studies. Results. Optimal productivity of plants is forming merely at the expense of efficient ratio of all the elements of their structure. It often happens that in case of underdevelopment of one of the structure components yield to some extent can be offset by better development of other elements. Eight indicators were defined which make the largest contribution to the productivity trait of a variety: seed weight per plant, total number of branches, number of nodes per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, number of flowers, plant height, 1000 kernel weight. The first four indicators provided most of the total contribution to a trait of seed weight per plant. Model building was based on hierarchy of productivity traits display in ontogenesis and compliance of their development in organogenesis. The model consists of two modules of traits – resulting and some componental showing phenotypic realization of the genetic formula. It was found that the plant height significantly influence the number of nodes per plant (r = 0,76), and the number of pods per plant (r = 0,43) depends on this trait. In addition, correlation based on the research was obtained between the number of flowers per plant and plant height (r = 0,35), and number of nodes (r = 0,76). It was established that the number of flowers per plant determines the development of pods on the plant so it is quite strongly correlated with this trait (r = 0,99). Conclusions. It was determined that the number of pods per plant and the number of seeds per plant have a very strong correlation (r = 0,96). Besides, such trait as the number of seeds per plant has a strong relationship with the seed weight per plant (r = 0,79).

Purpose. To evaluate hazelnut cultivars, species and hybrids from the genetic collection of Corylus spp. in the National Dendrological Park “Sofiyivka” of the NAS of Ukraine for the complex of economic characters. An attempt has been made to analyze the information on Corylus spp. identity, taxonomy and description, dissemination and ecological requirements of the species, possibilities to use the genetic potential for developing new cultivars. Methods. The value of the Corylus spp. collection representatives was investigated using conventional testing procedures. For summarizing information concerning phylogenetic reconstruction of the Corylus L. genus and hazelnut, a number of scientific publications to be proposed for discussion was analyzed. The oil content in hazelnut kernels and the fatty acid composition was determined using official methods. Results. The best samples of hazelnut genetic collection were included into the broad hybridization programme, and C. chinensis Franch. representatives as well. A number of hybrid seedlings was obtained including new hazelnut cultivars ‘Sofiyivsky 1’, ‘Sofiyivsky 2’ and ‘Sofiyivsky 15’ which were characterized by spherical or almost spherical fruits, high winter hardiness and drought resistance, as well as the absence of rhythmicity in fruiting. Conclusions. The collection of varieties, forms, cultivars and species of the Corylus L. genus created during the last years can be the base for hazelnut breeding in Ukraine.

Purpose. To create and study genotypes of the secondary triticale of the hexaploid level for their effective use in further breeding and plant growing. Methods. Field study, laboratory analyses, intraspecific hybridization with subsequent individual selection. Results. New genotypes of the secon­dary triticale of the hexaploid level have been created and characterized for economic characters and agroecological traits and properties. Series of short-stem winter triticale was represented by ‘Pshenychne’, ‘Chaian’ to be adapted to the conditions of both intensive and organic farming. They are characterized by high drought resistance and winter hardiness, resistance to lodging, grain shedding, grain germination in the spike and spike fragility as well as by immunity to fungal diseases providing a high level of yield and technological quality of grain. The following new constant forms of triticale as ‘ПС_1-12’, ‘ПС_2-12’, ‘ПС_3-12’, that have an average height of the stem and belong to the Polissia-Forest-Steppe and Forest-Steppe ecotypes, demonstrated high productivity and adaptability in organic farming, particularly in case of the use of biologized elements of agrotechnology. Conclusions. For the creation a new parent material during breeding of hexaploid triticale, the method of intraspecific hybridization is desirable with the use of parent material to be contrasting for eco-geographical origin and adapted local forms, followed by individual selection of genotypes with the desired characteristics and properties in cleavable hybrid populations. New genotypes of the secondary triticale have been created and characterized for breeding, genetic and agroecological traits and properties. In breeding practice, it is advisable to use a whole new approach of agroecological and genetic certification of genotypes for the effective solution of a number of theoretical and practical tasks facing modern ecological and adaptive breeding. New parent material of the secondary winter triticale and scientific support for its cultivation is proposed for further breeding and plant growing.

Purpose. To substantiate and develop breeding technologies of soybean cultivation under various weather conditions of the Western Forest-Steppe zone. Methods. Laboratory test, statistical and mathematical analysis. Results. Analysis of the data of yielding increase due to the use of seed inoculation, green manure and spraying of crops with microbial prepa­rations showed that their effect was much dependent on the weather conditions during the year. Based on the analysis of productivity of such early ripening varieties of soybean as ‘Lehenda’, ‘Anzhelika’ and ‘Ksenia’ during 2011–2015, it was found that the influence of agrometeorological conditions during the vegetation period accounted for 47.8%. The results of the analysis of five-year data of productivity of the late soybean variety ‘Heorhina’ indicated that the share of influence of agrometeorological conditions during the vege­tation period on the studied variety was 48.8%. The use of microbial strains of nodule bacteria Bradyrhizobium japonicum 634b, 614A and M-8 against two backgrounds (in case of green manure application and without it) was compared, and microbial culture Hetomik application during the vege­tation period. Conclusion. All biological preparations and green manure considerably increased yield of soybean seeds in moderately humidified and elevated temperature conditions. For soybean growing, the application of green manure, seed inoculation with strains of M-8, 614A and Hetomik spraying of crops was effective. The use of these methods for gro­wing ‘Lehenda’ variety was the most effective. Such varieties as ‘Lehenda’ and ‘Anzhelika’ showed more stable results as compared to others in case of considerable variations of agrometeorological conditions.

Purpose. To evaluate the stability and plasticity of new varieties of grain sorghum in ecological conditions of the Fores-Steppe and Steppe zone of Ukraine. Methods. Field study, statistical evaluation. Results. It was found that in Ukraine the average yield of grain sorghum in 2015 was 3.72 t/ha and in 2016 – 3.36 t/ha. In field experiments during 2009–2016, ‘Praim’ and ‘Sprynt 2’ hybrids appeared to be significantly better as compared to averaged yields of 3.9 t/ha. Evaluation of yield plasticity in environmental conditions of the Forest-Steppe and Steppe zones showed that the hybrid ‘Praim’ did not differ from the group standard and its index is no more than one. At the same time, the ‘Sprynt 2’ is highly-plastic hybrid and ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ belongs to relatively low-plastic varieties. Conclusions. It was established that, as an average of an experiment, hyb­rids of grain sorghum ‘Praim’ and ‘Sprynt 2’ had a yield of 4,2–4,3 t/ha. According to the analysis of ecological plasticity, ‘Sprynt 2’ can be included with the intensive type and ‘Dniprovskyi 39’ – with relatively low-plastic varieties. It was found that proper selection of varieties and far­ming practices of cultivation is one of the main factors that favors high yields and respectively determine 37% and 34% of the level of grain sorghum productivity.

Purpose. To determine morphological and morphometric features of vegetative and generative organs of Persica species and varieties under the conditions of the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine for further use in breeding. Methods. Biological (morphological analysis) and statistical (processing of morphometric parameters) ones. Results. It was found that except ternate multiple buds, in peach hybrid ‘Suputnyk’collateral buds were prevalent which was not common to other tested varieties and species. Buds of each species and variety have a certain number of scales. The most scales were observed in ‘Suputnyk’. Pubescence of abaxial side of the leaf in P. davіdiana and ‘Suputnyk’ plants was not revealed. Species of P. vulgaris (‘Pecherskyi’, ‘Antotsianovyi’, ‘Poleskyi’) was characterized by increase in size of leaf blades, flowers and fruits. The distinctive features of P. davidiana and ‘Suputnyk’ are that stamens were accumulated in their flowers while in P. vulgaris they are branched. Raphe of a P. vulgaris stone protrudes above the edges of the bordering creases and consists of a number of narrow plates. Conclusions. For the breeding purposes, plants have an advantage for some basic criteria: the most flower buds that is common to interspecies hybrid ‘Suputnyk’; increase in photosynthetic productivity of the leaf apparatus to be typical for the variety ‘Pecherskyi’; large fruits that ‘Pecherskyi’ variety is noted for; intense red color of fruits that is inherent feature of ‘Antocianovyi’ variety.

Purpose. To select the initial breeding material with complex resistance to Fusarium dry rot and tuber late blight among the created potato of secondary interspecific hyb­rids. Methods. Interspecific hybridization, laboratory test, analytical approach. Results. Based on the interspecific hybridization, the initial breeding material was created and the degree of its resistance to the above pathogens was determined by way of artificial infection of tubers with the inoculum of such fungi as Fusarium sambucinum Fuck and Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) De Bary. During interspecific hybridization based on schemes of saturating and enriching crosses, using forms of various species with a high phenotypic expression of resistance to Fusarium dry rot, the result of the cumulative effect of genes that control resistance to the pathogen was observed. Crossing combinations differed significantly for the degree of population average manifestation of resistance to the diseases. Conclusions. Combinations В54, В53, В61 with a mean resistance (above 7 grades) to Fusarium dry rot have been selected. Such combinations as B52, B50 and B54 had increased resistance to tuber late blight. It was found that the combination В54 is characterized by complex resistance to both diseases. For further work, the following samples with complex resistance to Fusarium dry rot and tuber late blight (7 grades or more) were selected: В59с42, В59с43, В50с16, В50с19, В50с44, В51с1, В51с26, В51с28, В52с11, В52с23, В52с24, В52с29, В53с1, В53с11, В53с17 , В53с23, В54с13, В54с14.

Purpose. To define morphological peculiarities of the different types of shoots of switch grass (Panicum virgatum L.) in the context of introduction in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe and Polissia zones of Ukraine. Methods. Morpho-physiological and ontogenetic analysis, morphometric technique, statistical evaluation. Results. It was found that P. virgatum plants were producing the following types of shoots: vegetative-generative short or long rhizomatous ones (they appeared as in the underground part of a maternal shoot in «the area of shortened internodes» and in the base of its aboveground part); vegetative underground and aboveground ones (they are forming both in the axils of scales of the underground part of a maternal shoot and in the axils of cauline leaves); generative aboveground shoots (borne in the axil of cauline leaves). Morphological parameters and features of morphogenesis of reproduction, resting and secondary buds have been described. Conclusions. During flowering phase of maternal shoot, P. virgatum reproduction buds were on the organogenesis phase I–II, their bursting occured after maternal shoot has flowered. The correlation of internodes length, leave blades and sheaths has been established. The maximum values of the above parameters were observed in the middle part of the prefloral zone of the stem. In the context of introduction, panicle earing came in the third decade of July, flowering began in the first decade of August. It was revealed that complete flowers are bloomed faster than the staminate ones.

Purpose. To study the effect of weather conditions on grain quality in soft spring wheat lines that are undergoing competitive variety trial. To identify indices to be least affected by weather conditions. To investigate the correlation dependence between grain quality indices in the years with contrasting weather conditions and conduct the analysis of variance. Methods. Parameters of grain and flour quality of bread spring wheat lines were determined using conventional methods at the laboratory of grain quality of V. M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat, NAAS of Ukraine, protein content in flour was measured with the use of the SPECTRAN 119M device. Results. Contrasting weather conditions were considered including arid ones (2013) – that had negative effect on 1000 kernel weight, but at the same time positively influenced the averaged grain quality indices; with excess humidity (2014) – they resulted in decreasing of all technological indices; optimal ones (2015) – allowed to obtain maximum indices of grain and flour quality. Paired coefficients of correlation between different para­meters of grain and flour quality were calculated. The most number of strong and medium correlations was found in a dry year (33.3%), the smallest one – in a wet year (13.0%). Such indices as flour strength, dough dilution and protein content depended on the conditions of the growing year least of all. Grain-unit response was the most considerable to the humid conditions of the year. The analysis of variance showed that climatic conditions had significant effect on the quality indices of grain and flour. At the same time, an important genotypic component was revealed in indices of dough resilience (63%), bread volume and rating (61 and 53% respectively), the flour strength (42%), crude gluten quality (33%), bread porosity (30%). With climate variations, the genotypic conditionality of the content of protein and especially crude gluten was expressed insignificantly. Conclusions. When creating high quality cultivars, plant breeders should be guided by such indices as flour strength, dough resilience, gluten quality, bread volume and rating as only they are more genetically determined

Purpose. To make comprehensive assessment of introduced oat samples of various eco-geographical origin under the conditions of the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine for the set of productivity and adaptability indices in order to define the most valuable ones and describe them. Methods. Field study, laboratory analysis, generalization. Results. The authors presented results of the study, evaluation and description of 35 new samples of oats from 5 countries for productivity and adaptability traits during 2011–2015 in Ustymivka Experimental Station for Plant Production to be run by the V. Ya. Yuriev Institute for Plant Production of NAAS. In field and laboratory conditions, the following indicators as yielding, productivity, thousand-kernel weight, early ripening, height of plants and length of panicle, lodging resistance were stu­died. Conclusions. A set of studies of new oat samples under various weather conditions allowed to identify material with increased parameters of economic and biological characters. During studies, it was found that ‘Laima’, ‘Stendskaia Darta’ (Latvia), ‘Borowiak’ (Poland), ‘Faks’ (Belarus) were the high-yielding varieties. Panicles in such oats samples as ‘Cwal’, ‘Borowiak’ (Poland), ‘Iakov’, ‘Mutika 1077’, ‘Mutika 990’, ‘Irtysh 22’, ‘Pokrovskyі 9’ (Russia), ‘Faks’ (Belarus), ‘Stendskaia Darta’, ‘Stendskaia Mara’ (Latvia) contained a large mass of grains (more than 2,5 g), panicle productivity in these samples was rather high both due to increased amount of grains in it and at the expense of thousand-kernel weight. Analysis of the study results showed that introduced oat samples of various eco-geographical origin were adapted to the Southern Forest-Steppe zone and can be recommended as an initial material in breeding for increasing productive and adaptive capacity.