Relevance. Intensification of livestock production negatively affects the quality and life expectancy of dairy cattle. The introduction of loose and bedding-free animal housing in most cases leads to various diseases of cattle.

The study objective was to identify the effect of animal housing practices on animal health.

Materials and methods. Fifteen livestock complexes in the Leningrad Region and the Republic of Belarus  were surveyed in the period of 2016–2019. The complexes had either tied or loose housing systems of cows either on bedding (peat, sawdust or chopped straw) or without bedding. Surgical clinical examination was performed on 6827 cows: 2177 Ayrshire cows and 4650 blackand-white cows.

Results. In the loose housing systems, the surgical diseases were diagnosed in 35.0% of examined cows and in the tied housing systems — in 10.5% of the examined cows. Laminitis prevailed in the structure of surgical diseases. On one dairy complex with the loose housing system, the limb diseases were detected in 19.3% of the examined animals, diseases in the tarsal joint — in 14.5%, in the wrist joint — in 8.9% of the animals. On average, 23% to 25% of animals on dairy complexes had purulent pathology of the distal extremities. On the complexes where the cow housing technology was severely violated, the number of sick animals could exceed 50%. The productivity loss due to the orthopedic pathologies was 20% to 30%. The culling rate due to the limb diseases was up to 31%. The housing conditions were found to be the main contributor to the development of surgical diseases of animals. The increased humidity in the housing premises due to the insufficient quantity or poor quality of the bedding was one of the leading factors in the development of purulent-necrotic lesions of the cow limbs. One of the directions of further research will be the elaboration of regulated requirements for animal bedding.

Relevance. The work is devoted to the study of the therapeutic effect of the drug Enroflon gel on cows of the Holstein black-and-white breed during the period of intensive lactation. Due to the fact that drugs for intracisternal administration based on enrofloxacin and ketoprofen were not used at domestic livestock enterprises, the goal was to study the therapeutic efficacy of the drug in the treatment of clinical and subclinical mastitis of bacterial etiology.

Methods. The production experience was carried out in the conditions of the economy of LLC “Babaevo”, with. Babaevo, Sobinsky District, Vladimir Region. Two experimental groups of Holsteinized black-and-white cows with live weight of 500–600 kg with a milk yield of 6000–7000 l/year were formed. When determining the number of somatic cells in milk samples, we used the Kenotest system and the Somatos-V-2K milk analyzer. The presence of a residual amount of antibiotic in milk was determined by inhibitory microbiological tests. Hematological parameters in cows were carried out at the Department of Disease Diagnostics, Therapy, Obstetrics and Animal Reproduction of the Moscow State Academy of Medical Sciences K.I. Scriabin. The drug Enroflon gel was injected intracisternally into the inflamed udder lobe in clinical and subclinical mastitis in cows during lactation. For 15 days, the clinical condition of the cows was monitored. The investigated drug was manufactured at LLC “VIC-Animal Health”.

Results. In the treatment of clinical and subclinical mastitis of bacterial etiology in cows during the period of intensive milk production with the use of Enroflon gel, a high therapeutic effect was obtained: 80 and 100%, respectively. The clinical condition of cows during production experiments without deviations from the physiological norm.

Porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV-3) — a recently detected member of Circoviridae family. The virus has been identified as a possible infectious agent. Clinical signs vary from stillbirth and fetus mummification, encephalitis and myocarditis in perinatal period to periarteritis in fattening period. The PCV-3 widespread has been demonstrated in major pork development countries. Establishing of the association between presence of this pathogen and disease development makes PCV3 diagnostic studies in Russia necessary. The main goal of this investigation was to detect PCV3 DNA in blood serum, saliva and bronchioalveolar lavage and pathological material in sows and piglets of different age groups at two units at an industrial swine farm. For PCV-3 detection we used PCR method.

Results of this investigation revealed that PCV3 was detected in all types of biomaterial. At the unit 1 PCV3 DNA has been detected in saliva (highes ratio of infected animals was 60% in 21- and 60–70 day-old piglets), serum (100% in 150–160-day-old piglets) and bronchioalveolar fluid (40% in 90–100-day-old piglets). It was found that at the unit 2 level of piglets PCV-3 shedding was higher (50–100%) than at the unit 1 (0–60%). Moreover, PCV3 DNA has been detected in 70% of pathological material obtained from aborted sows and in 80% of their amniotic fluid.

Relevance. One of the main problems in the use of interspecific hybridization in animal husbandry is fertility decreasing in interspecific hybrids, especially males. In this regard, the study of the stages of development, morphology and biometric parameters of male testes is of great importance for characterizing the species characteristics of spermatogenesis and the development of assisted reproductive technologies.

Material and methods. The aim of the research was to study the weight, morphological and morphometric parameters of the testes from interspecific hybrids of argali with sheep of the Romanov breed in comparison with the original parental breed (Romanov breed). The object of research was purebred Romanov’ rams (n = 8) and interspecific hybrids of argali with the Romanov breed ewes (n = 10) at the age of 12 months. The weight, morphometric parameters of the testes, and also histological examination were studied. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v.15.0. ANOVA and comparison between groups were carried out using T-test.

Results. A significant decrease in a number of indicators characterizing the development and maturation of germ cells, in particular, the weight, volume of the testes, the diameter of the seminiferous tubules and the number of spermatogenic cells in them by 41%, 24%, 21% and 9%, was established in hybrid animals as compared to purebred animals. The obtained results indicated a later sexual maturation in hybrid animals compared to purebred peers. It must be taken into account when using the genetic resources of wild animal species in breeding programs for obtaining new breeding forms of farm animals.

Relevance and methods. Due to the need for food security, the country needs selfsufficiency in grain, especially winter soft wheat. To obtain high grain yields, varieties of soft winter wheat that are resistant to major leaf diseases are required. Thus, the task of finding resistance genes for following to pyramiding them in one genotype  is urgent. This study aimed to assess the gene pool of soft winter wheat from the CIMMYT collection (Mexico) for the presence of the gene for resistance to leaf rust Lr10. The work used: CTAB-method (DNA extraction); PCR method (according to the developed protocols for determining resistance genes to the diseases of winter wheat); method of electrophoresis on agarose gels.

Results. The presence of a functional allele of the Lr10 gene was established in 76 samples of winter bread wheat out of 411 studied (sets 20th IWWYT-SA, 21th IWWYT-IRR, 25th FAWWON-IRR, 25th FAWWON-SA). We identified 15 samples with atypical alleles of the Lr10 gene. In 320 samples of winter wheat, there was no amplification of DNA fragments with the molecular marker Lrk10-D. It may indicate for samples genotype a significant variability of the microsatellite sequence, for which the molecular marker was made. The 76 samples of soft winter wheat from the CIMMYT collection with a functional allele of the Lr10 gene (such as 213, 214, 217, 220, 224, 227 et al.) identified as a result of studies are proposed to be used in breeding programs for pyramiding with other genes for resistance to leaf rust.

Materials and methods. The current study was carried out in 2017–2019 on the experimental plots of the FSBSI “Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy” in order to evaluate winter bread wheat samples of the competitive variety testing according to productivity and quality indicators, as well as to find the optimal values of the traits  which promote formation of the largest yields. There have been studied 75 winter bread wheat samples developed in the FSBSI “Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”. The variety ‘Ermak’ has been taken as a standard one.

Results. The wheat samples’ productivity in the competitive variety testing ranged from 8.52 t/ha (the line 1822/15) to 10.51 t/ha (the variety ‘Razdolie’). The productivity of the standard variety ‘Ermak’ was significantly exceeded by 7 samples, their increase ranged from 0.41 to 1.39 t/ha, НСР05 = 0.41 t/ha. When studying the winter bread wheat samples according to GOST R 52554-2006, they corresponded to the 1–3 quality class due to protein mass fraction. When the protein percentage in grain increased on 1%, the productivity decreased on 0.26 t/ha. Due to gluten content in grain the studied samples corresponded to the 2–3 quality class. When the gluten content in grain increased on 25-27%, there has been formed the largest productivity.

Relevance. The yield level significantly depends on the cultivation technique and landscape conditions. Therefore, knowledge of the mechanism of the relationship between these factors and the plant is relevant.

Methods. The experiment was carried out in 2015–2019 at the “Agro landscape” training ground.

The aim of the research was to study the influence of predecessors, the level of mineral nutrition and location in the relief on the formation of elements of the structure of the yield of winter wheat in the zone of unstable moisture in the Stavropol Territory.

Results. The pea yield was formed in 2015 by the type of tall stalks, in 2017 by the mixed type, in other years by the spike type. On taxon A1, the yield depended on the grain weight per year in a strong (r = 0.85), and on A3, in an average (r = 0.60). For the halffallow, the formation proceeded in 2015 due to the productive stalk (r = 0.78) and grain weight per ear (r = 0.71), in 2016–2019. according to the spike type (r = 0.76–0.96). In
taxon A1, the yield was formed due to the weight of grain per ear (r = 0.83), and in taxon A2 and A3, due to the stem (r = 0.84–0.85). For peas, a significant difference between the nutritional backgrounds was for all elements of the crop structure, except for the weight of grain per ear, and for half-fallow only in the number of productive stems. On average for predecessors, a significant difference in taxa was noted between A1 and A2 in the number of grains and grain weight per ear, between A2 and A3 in the stem, between A1 and A3 in all elements of the crop structure. The strongest relationship between yield was noted with the weight of grain per ear (r = 0.88), which is closely related to the weight of 1000 grains (r = 0.83) and the number of grains per ear (r = 0.82).

Relevance and methods. The aim of the research is to evaluate different varieties of alfalfa by a complex of economically valuable traits. The research was carried out in the conditions of the foothill zone of the Central Caucasus on the experimental fields of the SCNIIGPSH VNC RAS. The object of research is 8 varieties of alfalfa Sarga (control), Manycheskaya, Kizlyarskaya, Sinegibridnaya, VEGA 87, Lada, Nakhodka, Mira. Experiments, observations, and records were recorded using generally accepted methods.

Results. The article presents a comparative characteristic of four varieties of alfalfa on the main economically valuable characteristics and seed productivity. As a result of research, it was found that the yield of green mass and leafiness of alfalfa varieties Sinegibridnaya and Kizlyarskaya exceeded other varieties by 5–7%. The Kizlyar variety had a high seed productivity among the tested alfalfa varieties. The Kizlyarsky variety combines high yields of green mass, dry matter and 1000 seeds. Improvement of existing and creation of new alfalfa varieties with high seed productivity for the conditions of the foothill zone of the Central Caucasus. Materials and methods. The object of the study was eight species of monoecious hemp of the Central Russian type included in the State register of agricultural achievements approved for use, of various breeding origin. Each specie was represented by eight individual plants. To study genetic polymorphism, a PCR method was used using a set of ten SSR markers, followed by product detection on a genetic analyzer. To determine the cannabinoid chemotype of species, a specific SCAR marker was used, the amplification products of which were detected by electrophoresis.

Relevance. The revival of hemp farming, which is observed in many countries, places high demands on the efficiency of breeding and genetic work and new species of hemp. The genetic diversity of hemp species for economically valuable traits is quite limited, and legal requirements for the content of cannabinoids in the plant complicate the selection process. The use of various DNA markers can provide significant support in effective and safe breeding, analysis of genetic polymorphism and intra-variety purity.

The purpose of this work was to study the genetic diversity of a number of modern Russian species of hemp seeds using two types of DNA markers.

Materials and methods. The object of the study was eight species of monoecious hemp of the Central Russian type included in the State register of agricultural achievements approved for use, of various breeding origin. Each specie was represented by eight individual plants. To study genetic polymorphism, a PCR method was used using a set of ten SSR markers, followed by product detection on a genetic analyzer. To determine the cannabinoid chemotype of species, a specific SCAR marker was used, the amplification products of which were detected by electrophoresis.

Relevance and methods. The processes of microbiological transformation of substances in soil are closely related to the productivity of crops, affecting the growth and nutrition of plants. Data are given on the number of soil yeast and microorganisms transforming nitrogen compounds depending on the technology of winter wheat cultivation. The number of microorganisms transforming nitrogen compounds is higher in the technology without soil treatment (no-till).

Results. It was established that the introduction of ammonium nitrate N 52 leads to a significant increase in the number of microorganisms in technology with fine soil treatment (from 28.5 to 31.3·105 colonies forming units per gram of absolutely dry soil). In versions with the introduction of mineral fertilizers, the number of microorganisms increased on all technologies for cultivating winter wheat. The largest number of  microorganisms was noted on versions with the introduction of complete mineral fertilizer, on average by the years of study and cultivation technologies, it was for microorganisms that transform nitrogen compounds — 154.2·105 colonies forming units per gram of absolutely dry soil and for soil yeast — 44.9·103 colonies forming units per gram of absolutely dry soil. During the period of research, the responsiveness of winter wheat to fertilizers was very high. Maximum crop yield was achieved on the version with introduction of N52P52K52 — 5.32–7.02 t/ha. The use of mineral fertilizers contributed to the creation of favorable conditions for the development of soil microflora, which had a positive effect on the yield of winter wheat.

Relevance. The technology of cultivation of field crops without soil tillage — No-Till has been actively started to be introduced in agriculture of Stavropol Territory and other regions of the country. While mastering this technology, changes occurred in the species composition of harmful objects affecting the formation of crops.

Methods. The purpose of the research is to study the phytosanitary condition of crops in field crop rotations without soil tillage, compared to the traditional technology. The research was conducted on the experimental fields of “North Caucasian FNAC” and industrial crops of agricultural enterprises in the Stavropol Territory. Pest numbers were determined and accounted for using methods and reference books generally accepted in plant protection.

Results. As a result of research, the negative impact of post-harvest plant residues of winter wheat on subsequent crops in crop rotation, such as winter wheat, rape and others, was determined. In addition, winter wheat straw, which is not put into the soil, is a source of root rot infection. For the first time, a cotton shovel significantly damaged winter wheat in the arid regions of Stavropol Krai. For the first time, cereal leaflets started to damage corn and sunflower, damaging up to 70% of sprouts, while neighboring fields with traditional technology were not inhabited. Damaged by caterpillars, the young leaves of sunflower at the point of growth deformed, which later led to the formation of new underdeveloped stems. Mouse-like rodents on corn and sunflower, where the population reaches 200 colonies per 1 ha, were found to be harmful, while they were not found on traditional technology. The new pest of sunflower and corn field slug can completely destroy sprouts of these crops cultivated with No-Till technology. Studies have shown that it is necessary to adjust the system of plant protection for field crops cultivated using the technology without soil tillage. 

Relevance and methods. The article presents the data of scientific research on the influence of field crop rotations with the use of complex mineral fertilizers at a dose of 90 kg d. V. and without them on the humus state of dark gray forest heavy loam soil and arable land productivity in the Ryazan region. Research was  carried out in the fields of ISA-a branch OF fgbnu FNAC VIM from 1992–1994.

The aim of the research is to study the effect of long-term use of different crop rotations and mineral fertilizers on the humus content and changes in arable land productivity in dark gray forest soil and to predict  the consequences of their use. In order to reproduce soil fertility and a deficit-free balance of humus, it is necessary, first of all, to have scientifically-based crop rotations in crops.

Results. Our studies on dark grey forest heavy loam on granulometric structure of the soil, it was found that the saturation of crop rotations of legumes and legume-grasses contributes to the content of the total humus 0.16–0,195% for unfertilized and 0,324–0,290% in the fertilized soil, whereas in the rotation with the black field pair without application of fertilizer stocks this indicator of soil fertility in the layer 0–30 cm was reduced by 0,154%, the result of the increasing salinity and the lack of input of organic matter. It is noted that the long-term use of crop rotations saturated with grasses leads both to the stabilization of soil fertility and to an increase in the productivity of arable land, the initial value of which when the experiment was laid was 33.0 C.K. units/ha. at the end of the fourth rotation, the value of this indicator increased by 55.2% and 105.8%, respectively, on wind and fertilized backgrounds.

Relevance. Cotton is a strategically important technical crop. Fiber, its main product, is in constant demand in the global market. One of the most important factors in obtaining a stable and high yield of cotton is soil fertility. The main goal of the study is to develop effective alternative agrotechnical methods to increase soil fertility and obtain  a highquality product from cotton without the use of fertilizer in poorly supplied gray-brown (chestnut) soils in the Ganja-Gazakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Results. For the first time in the course of the study, the role of green manure was revealed for the production of high-quality cotton raw materials from the Ganja-114 cotton varieties on irrigated gray-brown (chestnut) soils. Thanks to the influence of green manure, the agrochemical, water-physical properties of the soil improved and the indicators of productivity and quality of cotton products increased.

Relevance. Large-scale purposeful selection work of the Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding for 65 years has allowed to create about 80 fundamentally new apple cultivars, of which 55 cultivars are included in the State Register of breeding achievements allowed for use (zoned). The most valuable cultivars for production have already been tested and zoned in a number of regions of Russia.

Material and results. This article contains a brief economic and biological description of the best cultivars that are included in four, three and two regions. In particular, a brief description of the cultivars is given, each of which is included in the zoning of four regions of the North-Western, Central, Central Chernozem and North Caucasus regions. These are Veniaminovskoye and Rozhdestvenskoye. In the North-Western, Central and Central Chernozem regions, the Sin-ap Orlovsky cultivaris has been zoned. In the Central, Volga-Vyatka, Central Chernozem and Srednevolzhsky regions, the Veteran cultivar has been zoned. Kandil Orlovsky has been zoned in three regions: in the Central, Central Chernozem and North Caucasus regions. In three regions  — the NorthWestern, Central and Central Chernozem regions, the well-known cultivar Orlik has been zoned. Orlovskoe Polosatoye has been also included in the State Register in three regions — Central, North-Caucasus and Srednevolzhsky regions. Bolotovskoye, Imrus and Yablochny Spas have been zoned in two regions — Central and Central Chernozem regions. Only in the State Register of one Central Chernozem region 29 apple cultivars have been included. This is due to the fact that many of these cultivars have recently been included in the State Register. Thus, the columnar cultivars Priokskoe, Poezia, Vostorg, Garlyanda and Orlovskaya Yesenia were included in the State Register in 2014–2019, and the valuable winter triploid cultivars Vavilovskoye, Ministr Kiselev and Patriot with high-quality and delicious fruits weighing 170–200 g were included in the State Register only in the last 7 years.

Relevance and methods. One of the main tasks of grain production in Russia is the storage of harvested grain crops. The growth of grain capacity in recent years has been mainly due to the construction of metal grain storage facilities. This is due to lower capital costs and shorter installation times compared to reinforced concrete silos. The
use of polymer composite materials (PKM) and, in comparison with traditional alloys, provides for a reduction in the weight of the metal structure, an increase in its resource, a reduction in the labor and energy intensity of manufacturing parts by up to 50%, an increase in the strength properties of the structure, a reduction in labor costs during the preparation of production, as well as an increase in the terms of exportation.

Results. The purpose of this study was to review Russia’s grain complex and the tasks it faces, in particular the problems of storage and processing of crops. The main storage method — silos and their structural characteristics — was considered. A comparative analysis of traditional materials with composite ones was carried out and the advantages of the latter were concluded.

Relevance and methods. The main problem of the flax industry is its insufficient technical support. This does not allow performing technological operations for the cultivation and harvesting of flax in the established agrotechnical terms, which leads to significant losses and damage to the crop. One of the ways to ensure the growth of production efficiency and the competitiveness of flax products is to increase the level of technical equipment of the industry through the use of high-performance energy-rich machines, progressive and intensive technologies.

Results. The article proposes innovative technical solutions for harvesting flax and processing flax, a promising system of machines for the use of intensive technologies is presented. It is established that the use of new technical means increases productivity by up to 50% or more for individual machines, reduces the cost of performing technological operations by 30–35% and the cost of production of seeds and flax.