The article is devoted to decomposers of family Lumbricidae. The purpose of the work was to study specificity of bioconversion of organic substrates by different species of Lumbricidae. The objectives included vermiculture in organic substrates followed by an assessment of the chemical composition of the humus obtained, an assessment of its nutritional value and the content of heavy metals. It was shown that the chemical composition of the biohumus and its nutritional value were determined by decomposer species. The nutritional value of the biohumus obtained with the activity of natural species E. fetida and L. rubellus were not inferior to the biohumus obtained with the activity of industrial hybrid E.f. andrei. Transition of biogenic elements of the substrate into accessible forms for plants was caused by intestinal microbiota of Lumbricidae. The conversion quality of each organic substrate was determined by ecological niche taken by tested species of Lumbricidae. Lumbricides from different ecological niches converted the same substrate with different performance. L. rubellus, in accordance with their nutritional adaptation, began decomposion processes at later stages of biotic cycle, in comparison with compost worms E. fetida and E.f. andrei, therefore, the vermitransformation rate of the original substrates provided by this species was the lowest. All tested species were characterized by a threefold decrease in the level of heavy metals in vermicompost due to the binding by organic compounds produced by intestinal microbiota with a transition into immobile forms.

The article presents the effects of changes in the bulk density, water regime of ordinary chernozem, crop yield of winter wheat and its quality, caused by both soil preparation and tillage. On average, the content of available moisture during the postemergence period in the topsoil after moldboard plowing to a 6-8 cm depth was 4.9 mm, at zero tillage - 8.7, which is 77% more, and in the metre-deep lay - 28%, respectively. During the spring-and summer growing season of winter wheat, no differences in the content of available moisture in the soil after different tillage methods were found. The analysis of the soil bulk density showed that main tillage techniques had no significant effect on this indicator and were within the experimental error. The changes in the indicators of water regime and bulk density depending upon tillage methods in crop rotation practically did not affect the yield. The variations in the yield data on all treated variants were not significant, and were mostly random. However, the variant with zero tillage showed a statistical decrease in the yield in all years of the study. On average, it was 8.1 centners per hectare (19.2%) on unfertilized background and 10.9 (22.1%) on fertilized background. At the same time, the effect of tillage was manifested mostly in indicators of gain quality of wheat. The study showed that the best conditions for the formation of high-quality grains were formed on the variant with moldboard plowing to a 6-8 cm depth.

Studies of many scientific institutions show that it is impossible to obtain high yield of winter wheat without using a complex of agricultural activities (correct crop rotations, fertilizer systems and tillage, control of weeds, pests and diseases, seed production, etc.) [1.4]. One of the main activities is a crop rotation, without which it is impossible to implement techniques intended to improve farming. Winter wheat in various regions of the country is grown after different predecessors, which are usually divided into three groups: complete fallow, seeded fallow and non fallow predecessors. However, this division is relative, since the same predecessor is assessed unequally in different regions of the country. Duration of the period from the harvest of a predecessor to the sowing of winter wheat and the amount of precipitation during this time are crucial. A complex of agrotechnical measures for winter wheat is largely determined by its predecessor. It affects, on the one hand, the fertility of the soil, on the other hand, deposit of moisture in the root layer. The predecessor affects the fertility of the soil due to the crop residues and interaction of the root systems with the soil. The more crop residues remain, the better they are (legumes) and the more powerful the root system of the predecessor is, the more the soil is enriched with organic matter, which improves the soil nutrition for next crop. At present, the issue of reducing or expanding the area of complete fallow is solved at each specific farm, taking into account productive capacity, environmental conditions, weed infestation, availability of fertilizers and the achieved level of cultural farming.

Studies showed that an increase in doses of mineral fertilizers for peas up to N₄₀P₄₀K₄₀ and further up to N₆₀P₆₀K₆₀ and, in general, an increase in fertilization level of crop rotation link to N₂₄₀P₂₁₀K₂₁₀ and further up to N₃₉₀P₃₀₀K₃₀₀ provide a significant improvement of conditions for plant soil nutrition, which have a direct impact on the additional formation of vegetative and generative organs of pea. The mineral fertilizer N₄₀P₄₀K₄₀ provides the biggest increase in the pea grain yield, if the level of fertilization of the crop rotation link is N₂₄₀P₂₁₀K₂₁₀. The most effective agroproducts included in the cultivation technology of peas are considered to be Gumi-20 M rich and Aquadon-micro. The combination of the studied factors was achieved with N₄₀P₄₀K₄₀ and N₆₀P₆₀K₆₀ with Gumi-20 M rich and Aquadon-micro. On average, the pea yield in these variants in three years was from 3.21 to 3.36 t/ha.

There are given results of 2-year field testing of postemergence herbicides used to reduce weediness and to increase yield of corn grown for grain under the conditions of Ryazan region. It was established that tested herbicides effectively reduced weed infestation of crops and increased corn grain yield by 21-30 centners per hectare.

The acute dietary protein deficiency takes place in many countries. To completely eliminate protein deficiency with livestock products is impossible in near future. The introduction of high-protein crops into a diet, in particular, soybean can partially address the problem. The article analyzes the consumption of basic foodstuffs per capita per year in Ryazan oblast, demonstrates the possibility of replacing animal protein with vegetable protein. The Ryazan Research Institute of Agriculture works on selection and seed production of soybean. The main research activity is aimed at selecting early ripening varieties for grain, food and feed use. Such soybean varieties as "Mageva”, "Okskaya”, "Svetlaya”, "Kasatka” and "Georgia” were created in the Institute and entered the Russian Register of Selection Achievements. These varieties are characterized by the yield of 1.7-3.2 t/ha, protein content of 37-44%, and fat content of 17-19% and capacity to ripen under the conditions of the region. The vegetation period of the varieties is 76-110 days. The analysis of protein productivity and quality of "Mageva”, "Svetlaya” and "Kasatka” showed that these varieties can be used as processing products for food consumption. The studies conducted in RSAU-MTAA or RSAU-MAA named after K.A. Timiryazev showed that in comparison with traditional varieties, "Mageva” possesses a unique property, low trypsin inhibitor activity. The selected varieties also indicate the possibility and necessity of expanding the range of soybean cultivation to 56N and using these varieties in order to address the problem of protein deficiency.

In the cultivation of spring wheat in the link of grain-grass crop rotation, the selection of resource-saving technology, crop rotation and methods of soil cultivation have a significant impact on the yield and economic efficiency of cultivation of the crop. When carrying out an economic evaluation of the cultivation of spring wheat, it should be noted that production costs per 1 hectare will be minimal using No-till technology, while they will amount to just 10.21 thousand rubles/ha against the background of fertilizer application in comparison with the traditional autumn plow plowing. Even with a decrease in the level of spring wheat yield of 1.56 t/ha in the No-till system versus 1.84 t/ha, obtained from traditional autumn plowing, the profitability of the crop against the background of mineral fertilizers application in the No-till system was 52.8% higher than in traditional autumn plowing (29.5%).

Domestic animal husbandry has leveled up manufacturing since the middle of the past century to provide the food security of our country. However, this could not but cause side effects, that cannot be neglected due to an increase in the production capacity of the agroindustrial complex. One of the most important signs of the "industrialization disease” affecting animal husbandry is the excessive ecological stress on the environment near livestock farms, associated with permanent massive ventilation emissions from livestock buildings. These emissions are saturated with dust and aerosol particles, viruses and microorganisms, vaccines, harmful and foul-smelling gases (hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, methane, intestinal gases, etc.), as well as a large amount of thermal energy spent on creating the optimal temperature balance inside the livestock buildings . This "cocktail” certainly has negative impact on the ecosystem near the livestock farms. To solve this problem, it is proposed to use high-performance purification and disinfection systems based on air electrofiltration. A two-stage wet electrostatic precipitator with a high dust holding capacity and a continuous regeneration of collecting electrodes was developed for this reason. Its application allows highly effective purification and disinfection of ventilation emissions from dust and aerosol particles, viruses and microorganisms, vaccines, serums, and harmful and foulsmelling gases. Introduction of this electrostatic precipitator into the purification and disinfection systems and the application of partial recycle system will make it possible to significantly reduce heat losses at livestock farms and increase energy efficiency of the farm.

Hazelnut is a valuable natural product for food industry, contains complete proteins, micro and macro elements, a complex of organic acids and vitamins. There is noted a need for primary processing of hazelnuts, in particular, separation of hazelnut skin using shelling machines. In order to improve this technology, there is considered a theoretical problem of mass formation of floating particles of the skin by creating vorticity in a vertical air channel, intensifying the purification process of peeled hazelnut kernel. The task can be solved on the basis of the calculated scheme of movement of the skin in the air channel and aerodynamic forces acting on it. It has been established that increased rotational vibrations of the skin in a periodic uneven flow make it possible to narrow the beam of particle trajectories (by twisting) and provide intensive mass removal from air stream into the cyclone.

The article focuses on the modification of design parameters of the wet electrostatic precipitator (WESP) intended for purification and disinfection of the exhaust recirculated air in livestock facilities. A wet single-zone electrostatic precipitator with 97% efficiency of removing 1 ym dust particles, 77% efficiency of removing microorganisms, 84% efficiency of removing ammonia, 50% efficiency of removing hydrogen sulfide was taken as a platform for modernization. The construction of this WESP is similar to the construction of the ozonizer. It is known from the literature that periodic ozonization of the air in industrial premises reduces the content of harmful gases by 80-85% and microbial content - by 80-90%. So, it was suggested to refine WESP by using air damper to control air flow, and leaving the system of collecting electrode unchanged. Thus, this WESP will increase ozone generation, which will increase efficiency of removing microorganisms, fungi, bacteria, spores from the air. It will increase livestock productivity, improve housing con ditions and quality of working conditions for employees.

The article gives technical and chemical indicators of 37 forms of wild cherry cultivated in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. According to the ripening period, the tested wild cherry forms were divided into three groups: early ripening (29.7%), mid ripening (54.1%), late ripening (16.2%) forms. 43,2% of the tested forms were classified as bigarreau group and 56.8% as gin group. Kotam-1, Kotam-6, Ordubad-7, Andamidj-5 (early ripening forms); Andamidj-12, Nus-Nus-18, Anabad-2, Bashkand-3, Dirnis-5 (mid ripening forms); Kuku-1, Kuku-4 (late ripening forms) showed high rate.

This work is devoted to the issue of cultivation of planting material of apple on clonal stocks to create high-intensity orchards on saline soils. There was reviewed adaptability of clonal stocks to growing conditions in Xorazm oblast, assessed stocks during their reproduction in parent plants through cutting. The studies conducted in 26 types of small-stature forms of stocks showed that М2, М5, М7, М9, ММ102, ММ105, ММ106, ММ109, ММ111 were the most perspective for irrigated fruit-production zone of Uzbekistan. М9, М2, М7 и ММ102 are recommended for regions with severe winters; M9 is for weakly and moderately saline soils; М2, М5, М9, ММ102, ММ106 are the best option for regions with relatively insufficient provision of irrigation water. M9 was the most saline-tolerant. According to [2], the yield of small-stature forms of stocks at a young age (5-7 years) was various: from small (1-6 kg from a tree) - М8, М9, М6, and М11 types, to average (6-10kg) - М1, М2, М3, М4, М5, М7,М13, ММ104, ММ109 and ММ113, and high (11-20 kg) - М25, ММ102, ММ105, ММ106, ММ110 и ММ115.

Saving on feed at poultry farms causes loss of productivity and poor quality of the liver of chicken-broilers. On 35 day after slaughter, there are recorded such changes in the liver as fatty degeneration and haemorrhage. Therefore, various feed additives are used in production to prevent deficiency of important nutrients and to obtain high-quality products. One of these additives is "Productive Hepato”. In our test, we used the feed additive fot prevention of fatty liver and other liver disorders, as well as deficiency of B vitamins and essential amino acids. The histologic pattern of the muscle tissue and liver of 42-day old chickens in the test group was within the physiological norm indicating the safety of the products obtained [4]. There was also recorded the greater regenerative capacity of the liver in comparison with the control group, it can be the key to the higher resiliency against the background of technological measures (vaccination, beak trimming) when using "Productive Hepato”.

The article describes parameters of milk productivity of new breeding types of dairy cattle of different breeds in the Republic of Kazakhstan: “Ertis”in Simmental, “Ak-yrys”in Alatau, “Sairam”in Black-and-White breeds. The studies were conducted at farms of different regions of Kazakhstan. There was revealed that the highest average productivity was obtained with “Mamed” cows (5980±57.8), the lowest - with “Adal” (3900±48.9). The rates of “Mamed” cows were higher by 997 kg (Р > 0.999) than the rates of “Almaty”, by 180 kg (Р > 0.95) than the rates of “Mezhdurechensk-agro”, by 1580 kg (Р > 0.999) than the rates of “Khilchenko” and by 2080 kg than the rates of “Adal”. Preferable type: “Mamed” - 91.07%, “Almaty” - 67.5%, “Mezhdurechensk-agro” - 93.5%, “Khilchenko” - 78.7%, “Adal” - 70% of cows. The preferable type included 78.1% of cows with the average productivity of 5412±65.4 kg of milk per lactation, which was 281.2 kg more than the average per herd and significantly exceeded the minimum requirements for selection of cows of new types into a group of the preferable type. The selection intensity was relatively low. Among red-and-white cattle “Ertis”, the most productive herds were “Kamyshiskoe” and “Kirov”, 5750-6122 kg and 4046-4924 kg, respectively. The genetic progress was especially recorded in “Kirov”, where productivity was 21.7% higher than in 2012. It was determined that at the selection intensity of 26.7% in 2012, the average productivity of the cows of the preferable type increased by 48.3%, at 27.6% in 2013 - 78.5% increase, at 20.5% in 2014 - 45.5% increase. The cows of the selection group “Kamyshinskoe”showed the highest productivity (7872-9515 kg), their genetic progress was 120.9% in comparison with 2012. The milk productivity of black-and-white type “Sairam” varied from 4914 to 6710 kg per lactation, fat content - 3.77-3.56%. There was established a difference of 1796 kg (Р > 0.99) between milk yield, with an unreliable difference in fat content. Breeding type “Karatomar” revealed that the highest average milk productivity was obtained at the farm “named after K. Marx” (5949±81.1 kg), which was 1225 kg higher (Р > 0.99) than in “Zarechnoe”. At the same time, it was determined that the productivity of cows of all these herds was significantly higher than the minimum requirements for creating this type.

The studies of milk productivity of Kazakh dromedary Arun showed that within 210 days of lactation, milk yield reliably increased from the first to the fourth lactation with a consequent decrease. Within 210 days, milk yield in the first lactation was 1980.4±34.1 kg, in the second - 2417.1±29.5 kg, in the third - 2795.9±35.1 kg, in the fourth - 2814.2±22.3 kg, in the fifth - 2439.5±12.8 kg and in the sixth - 2025.3±25.8 kg. On the basis of these data, we think it is reasonable to select into the selection herd according to the first lactation. Within 7 months of the second lactation, selection herds of Kazakh dromedary selected sequentially according to the developed methods of selection had 2700.0 kg of milk, with fat content of 4.42% and protein content of 3.5%. The heritability estimate of the fat content in milk was h² = 0.64, protein content - h² = 0.48, milk flow rate - h² = 0.83, it indicates efficiency of using new selection methods.

To reveal the influence of mineral complexes on nutrient utilization by ruminants, there was performed a test on calves of Kalmyk breed and sheep of Groznensky breed, the animals were divided into 3 groups of each species. The diet of sneers and rams of the first group did not contain mineral additives, the second group received macroelement salts, and the third group received microelements. It was established that the animals of the third group digested raw protein, fat and fiber better than the control group. The sneers receiving the complex of mineral substances digested raw protein 3.50% better than the rams. After optimizing the mineral composition of the feeding regime, the rams digested raw protein and fat 2.63 and 1.74% better than the sneers.

Examples of the support for livestock industry. The program "A cow in exchange for milk” appeared in Tula oblast. 70% of the milk obtained are given for the repayment of the value of the cow, 30% are returned in cash. A dairy cluster was organized in Volgograd oblast. Cow barns, silage and haylage trenches are constricted in Tatarstan. To support the industry, it is necessary to develop the national idea, new program "Agrarian Russia”, where the priority of strategic development is based on the revival of agricultural farms.

Economic and management activities of the agricultural organization were analyzed in the specific agricultural company. The empirical material was represented by the payroll and productivity of the company’s employees, profit and income, as well as commercial and administrative expenses in dynamics from 2006 in graphical form and in the form of regression models. The interpretation of the identified trends was given. The organizational structure of the management with the emphasis on the politico-strategic and tactical-technological levels of management was revealed.