The purpose of the current study was to describe the changes of the fatty acid composition of Sarepta mustard varieties developed at the L.A. Zhdanov Don experimental station in years with varying moisture conditions in the Rostov Region, and to identify samples with high oil and fatty acid content to develop valuable erucic acid-free Sarepta mustard varieties. The paper has presented the results of changes in the composition of the main fatty acids depending on growing conditions. When describing weather conditions, there has been determined a hydrothermal coefficient during the years of study (2020–2022). There has been established an average increase in the oil percentage in Sarepta mustard seeds from 47.8 % in 2020 to 51.0 % in 2022. The increase of seed oil content has reduced fatty acid content (oleic and linoleic) and raised erucic acid. The average oleic acid percentage was 54.6 % in 2020, 51.9 % in 2021, and reduced to 50.6 % in 2022, which was less on 4 % than the percentage in 2020. The average erucic acid percentage was 0.4 % in 2020, 0.9 % in 2021, and raised to 1.3 % in 2022, which was more on 0.9 % than the percentage in 2020. Over the years of research, there have been identified such variety samples with high oleic acid percentage as 2466 (53.0 %), 2547 (53.0 %), 67505 (52.6 %) and the samples with low erucic acid percentage as 2466 (1.0 %), 2547 (0.4 %), 67505 (0.9 %). The standard variety Lyuks had 51.3 % of oleic acid and 0.6 % of erucic acid. There has been described a correlation between the traits in the years with different moisture availability. There has been recorded a positive annual correlation between precipitation and oleic acid, a strong positive correlation in 2020 (r = 0.876), a moderate positive correlation in 2021 (r = 0.361), and a weak positive correlation in 2022 (r = 0.299). Varieties with high fatty acid and low erucic acid percentage in seeds will be used in further breeding to develop new erucic acid-free varieties of Sarepta mustard.

The purpose of the current study was to identify possible connections between pigment accumulation in photosynthetic tissues and the formation of vegetative mass in winter rye plants. Sowing was carried out in 10 m² plots on August 21, 2023, in quadruplicate at a seeding rate of 5.5 million grains/ha. Weather conditions for winter rye development in 2024 were favorable, making it possible to ignore weather factors in the correlation calculations. Both morphometric parameters of plants at a heading phase and chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations (n=2, N=20) extracted from cuttings of the central portion of the flag leaf and a stem segment with an exposed photosynthetic surface were determined in the laboratory. Calculation of correlation coefficients has shown a moderately strong positive correlation between plant vegetative mass and the content of photosynthetic pigments in the flag leaf. The correlation between pigment concentration per unit area of a flag leaf and the weight of a stem, leaves, a shoot, and the area of the flag leaf itself is characterized by r>0.50. The correlation between pigment concentration per unit of raw weight and the listed morphometric parameters is r=0.40–0.49. These weight parameters also correlate positively with Chl/Car in the stem (r=0.5–0.66). Under favorable conditions, as in other field trials, the variety Arga has demonstrated better results in productivity by 0.69 and 0.49 t/ha, and in leaf weight by 1.5 and 1.3 times than the variety Yeniseika and the standard variety Krasnoyarskaya universalnaya. The difference in stem weight reached 2.72 g and 1.75 g. The variety Arga had the largest flag leaf area. This variety exceeded the other two varieties in the content of all types of pigments in the flag leaf by 1.9–2.3 times, based on concentration per unit of raw weight, and by 3.0–3.5 times, based on concentration per unit of photosynthetic surface area. The chlorophyll content per unit of stem surface area of the variety Arga was 1.5 times higher than that of the standard variety.

The current paper has presented the results of the study conducted during a stationary field trial at the Kursk FARC in 2023–2025. The purpose of the study was to select the most promising soybean varieties of Russian breeding for the Kursk region, based on an estimation of environmental adaptability, grain productivity and quality. There have been studied sixteen soybean varieties from three breeding centers. The plasticity and stability of the varieties were calculated using the methodology of Eberhart S.A. and Russell W.A. There has been found that favorable conditions for soybean cultivation developed in 2023, as the environmental index value was positive. In 2024 and 2025, the environmental index values were negative, which characterized them as unfavorable for the crop. The variety Bara had the lowest ecological adaptability (bi=0.52). The varieties Elana (bi=0.99) and Sarita (bi=1.02) fully complied with the growing conditions. The variety Aleksa demonstrated the highest ecological adaptability (bi=1.51). The varieties Bara, Sarita, Osmon, Farta, and Elana demonstrated high ecological stability values, ranging from 0.003 to 0.006 units. Valuable varieties with an agronomic stability coefficient of over 70 % were Bara, Sarita, Doka, Vita, Osmon, Artika, Farta, and Avanta. According to homeostasis, the most valuable varieties for breeding were Bara, Avanta, and Farta. The largest productivity was demonstrated by the varieties Sarita (3.01 t/ha), Unika (3.10 t/ha), Avrora (3.12 t/ha), and Aleksa (3.16 t/ha). Due to the estimation of adaptability of soybean varieties cultivated in the Kursk region, there have been identified the varieties Sarita, Osmon and Aleksa, which are characterized by a combination of high ecological adaptability and stability, agronomic value, stable productivity, and grain quality

The current paper has presented the study results of three new varieties developed by the Povolzhsky SRISSC (Povolzhskaya 21, Povolzhskoye Zoloto, and Kolobok) and the standard variety Skipetr for their adaptability to growing conditions, based on the trait ‘1000 – kernel weight’. The purpose of the current study was to determine the adaptive potential of the new winter common wheat varieties developed by the Povolzhsky SRISSC, relative to the standard variety. The study was conducted in the laboratory for winter wheat breeding and seed production from 2021 to 2025. Calculation of the values of 1000-kernel weight was conducted in accordance with GOST 10842–89 (1991). Meteorological conditions during the study period varied. There was found a high value of the trait ‘1000-kernel weight’ in 2021, ranging from 44 to 48 g. In 2024 the value of the trait was low, ranging from 35 to 38 g. The variety Povolzhskaya 21 demonstrated the lowest level of variation (7.79) with high values of stability index (82 %) and stability level (223 %). The indicators of selective value (35 g) and homeostatic ability were also high (5.35), with a low stress tolerance index (-7.5). The variety Povolzhskoye Zoloto was the best due to its environmental plasticity (1.025) and adaptability coefficient (102%). The variety Kolobok has demonstrated high values of genetic flexibility (43 g), environmental plasticity (1.041), and selective value (34 g). According to most adaptability parameters, the studied varieties were better than the standard variety. These varieties can be included in the breeding program as they are the most stable in terms of 1000-kernel weight. The most adaptable and stable variety according to most parameters was the variety Povolzhskaya 21.

The estimation of initial material of collection pea samples is an integral part of crop breeding and helps identify the sources of valuable agronomic traits in specific soil and climate zones. The relevance of the current study is in the necessity to identify the response of pea samples’ genotypes to the conditions of the Central Siberian region. The purpose of the study was to identify pea samples from the VIR collection that have the greatest breeding value and maximum genotypic effect in terms of productivity parameters in the conditions of Yenisei Siberia to use them in the future breeding process. The current study was conducted in the forest-steppe zone of Krasnoyarsk Territory at the Krasnoyarsk RIA from 2022 to 2024. The subjects of the study were 35 pea samples. The records were conducted using the VIR methodology. The breeding value of productivity traits was determined according to V.V. Khangildin and the genotypic effect of the samples was established according to B.P. Guriev. There has been found that the variety Otaman (Ukraine) had the highest selective value in terms of bean quantity (Sc=6.52) and seed weight (Sc=7.22), while the sample Ji-1427 (Great Britain) had the highest seed quantity (Sc=35.86), and the variety Otaman was slightly inferior to it (Sc=32.09). The variety Otaman has also demonstrated the highest genotypic effect in the conditions of Yenisei Siberia with bean quantity of Ɛi=3.25, seed quantity of Ɛi=16.24, and seed weight of Ɛi=3.66. The average genotypic effect, simultaneously for all productivity indicators, was characteristic for such samples as Radomir (standard, RF, Krasnoyarsk Territory), Ig 124763 IFPI 4449 (India), Shrek (RF, Tyumen Region), Tsarwa (Great Britain), Sibirsky-1 (RF, Novosibirsk Region), Thendy (Czech Republic) and Grande (Canada). The sample with the maximum selective value and genotypic effect indicators was the variety Otaman, which was recommended as a source of productivity in the conditions of Yenisei Siberia.

Lentils are an important agricultural crop, widely used in various production sectors and playing a vital role in ensuring the sustainable development of the agriculture. However, limited genetic diversity poses significant challenges to further progress in its improvement. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important for breeders to determine the level of polymorphism in genotypes and productivity-related traits. This will allow expanding their genetic potential and selecting optimal parental forms for hybridization programs. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate genetic diversity among large-seeded lentil genotypes of Russian and foreign breeding using SSR markers. There have been studied 40 collection lentil samples of Russian and foreign breeding. Molecular genetic characterization was performed using 33 microsatellite markers (SSR) developed by Biolabmix LLC (Russia). Genomic DNA was isolated from the samples. The resulting amplicons were separated on a 2% agarose gel. There were identified 157 polymorphic alleles (Na), averaging 4,76 alleles per marker. The largest number of studied alleles (Na) was recorded for SSR 90 (8), while each of SSR 96, SSR 130, SSR 204, and SSR 107 had three alleles. The number of effective alleles (Ne) ranged from 1,72 (SSR 48) to 6,32 (SSR 90). The most informative markers were SSR 113, SSR 119, SSR 124, SSR 156, and SSR 199, demonstrating high resolution in identifying molecular genetic diversity among lentil genotypes. Primer SSR 90 was the most polymorphic, with the largest number of alleles (8). A dendrogram constructed using the UPGMA method has divided all studied genotypes into five clusters characterized not only by genetic contrast but also by significant differences in a range of economically valuable traits.

The current paper has presented the data of competitive variety testing of 11 winter common wheat varieties bred by the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy” in 2018–2024, which were studied in such traits as productivity, number of heads per 1 m², head length, number of spicklets per head, number of kernels per head, kernel weight per head, 1000-kernel weight. The largest winter wheat productivity was achieved in 2024, ranging from 12.4 t/ha (the variety Etyud) to 13.16 t/ha (the variety Donskaya step’). On average, over the years of 2018–2024, the highest yields were produced by the variety Razdolie with 10.66 t/ha and the variety Donskaya step’ with 10.32 t/ha. There have been calculated the stability and adaptability coefficients. There has been established that the varieties Razdolie (bi-1.19), Matritsa (bi-1.05) and Priazovie (bi-1.08) are of a high level of stability. The varieties Etyud (S²di-0.04, bi-0.95), Shef (S²di-0.03, bi-0.99), Yubiley Dona (S²di-0.03, bi-0.95), Donskaya Step’ (S²di-0.05, bi-0.96), Rubin Dona (S²di-0.06, bi-0.98) and Matritsa (S²di-0.01, bi-1.05) are with a high level of adaptability. Between 2018 and 2024, at the trials there were identified the varieties with the best productivity indicators. The varieties Razdolie and Matritsa have demonstrated the highest value of head density with 800 and 788 heads per m², respectively. The varieties Razdolie (40.49 heads) and Priazovie (40.1 heads) were the best in the trait ‘a number of kernels per head’, while the variety Priazovie (1.72 g) and Zodiak (1.64 g) were the best in the trait ‘kernel weight per head’. These varieties are of great value in breeding work, since they can be used in crossings as the sources of valuable traits to develop new breeding material. The analysis of correlations has revealed which traits have the greatest effect on productivity. The most significant turned to be a number of heads per 1 m² (the correlation coefficient ranged from r = 0.45 ± 0.11 for the variety Razdolie to r = 0.69 ± 0.19 for the variety Etyud); a number of spikelets per head (the correlation coefficient ranged from r = 0.46 ± 0.14 for the variety Etyud to r = 0.89 ± 0.22 for the variety Matritsa). The purpose of the current study was is to identify the effect of yield structure elements on productivity, to calculate the correlation coefficients between productivity and yield structure elements, as well as the coefficients of adaptability and stability. 

Rice is the second-largest grain crop by area and gross yield. Direct sowing is used in Russia. With direct sowing, flooding is one of the most significant factors causing rice yield losses. On the other hand, flooding can act as a natural herbicide to control weeds. Selection of rice breeding lines tolerant to anaerobic conditions during germination can become a solution to overcome these stress-induced limitations. Identifying molecular markers associated with QTLs or genes controlling flood tolerance during germination allows selecting necessary rice lines more rapidly. The purpose of the current study was to identify the SUB1A and SNORKEL1 deep-sea flood resistance genes in hybrid rice lines. There have been studied 108 hybrid rice breeding lines. Due to PCR analysis using the RM7481 marker specific for the SUB1A gene there has been identified a dominant allele in 35 rice lines. The recombination frequency was 1.4 % (1.4 cM). The dominant allele of the SK1 gene was identified in 13 lines (2.1 % of recombination frequency). Seed germination of rice varieties and hybrid lines varied between 95 % and 100 % under flooding conditions. Hybrid lines with a dominant allele of the SK1 gene and the donor variety Khao Hlan On ranged in height from 111 to 143 mm. Hybrid rice lines with a dominant allele of the SUB1A gene slowed growth under anaerobic conditions. As a result of the study, the selected rice lines are promising samples for further breeding.

Peas are an important agricultural crop worldwide and in Russia, as their seeds contain a large amount of protein. However, productivity potential of the crop has not yet been fully realized. Productivity largely depends on a leaf shape and structure, as well as a leaf surface area, which influences photosynthesis, transpiration, and assimilation. Therefore, genes controlling a leaf size and shape are of primary importance for breeding new varieties. The purpose of the current study was to develop pea hybrids using a 5 x 5 diallel crossbreeding scheme and to determine patterns of inheritance for a leaf shape and several quantitative traits. Hybridization was conducted using a 5 x 5 diallel scheme among such varieties and samples as Vizir, Lu 153-06, Az-1420, Ras-218/10, and Fendrilling. The study was conducted in the laboratory for pea breeding and seed production of the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy”. The genetic analysis of plant hybrids was carried out by the program Poligen A. Due to the analysis of the second-generation hybrids by a leaf type, there have been established monohybrid ratios by phenotype of 3:1 in the combinations leafy x acacia, leafy x leafless, and dihybrid ratios by phenotype of 9:3:3:1 in the combinations leafy x split-leafy, leafy x chameleon. The hybrids have demonstrated a dominance of high and low values in the inheritance of the trait ‘plant height’; dominance and overdominance of low values in the intermediate inheritance of the trait ‘a number of beans’; intermediate inheritance, dominance of high and low values in the intermediate inheritance of the trait ‘a number of beans per pod’; dominance and overdominance of high and low values of the trait ‘1000-seed weight’. There have been selected the best pea plants from hybrid populations according to quantitative traits.

The current review deals with consideration of biotechnologies for developing, storing, and using nodule bacteria products (inoculants), as well as current issues of introducing symbiotic microflora products into domestic agriculture under emerging national bioeconomy. There have been considered the successive stages of developing modern highly effective forms of inoculants, such as the isolation of promising strains of nodule bacteria with high symbiotic potential and technological efficiency; storage of selected strains in appropriate microbial collections; development of highly productive formulations of nutrient media and highly productive modes of deep cultivation in industrial bioreactors (fermenters); storage of inoculants in various containers at different temperature conditions; preparation of working solutions of bioproducts with pesticide disinfectants; preliminary treatment of seeds with a working solution before sowing; the use of various polymercarbohydrate compositions (protectors) that protect bacteria from drying out. In the review there has been estimated the effectiveness of modern inoculant formulations under various soil and climatic conditions and outlined directions in improving biotechnology for nodule bacteria products.

The current study was conducted to examine the effect of sowing time on productivity of Carthamus tinctorius L. (safflower) in a zone of unstable moisture on low-humus southern chernozem on yellow-brown loess-like light clays in the arid conditions of the Crimean steppe zone between 2022 and 2024. A single-factor field trial has found that sprouts of the studied crop emerged, on average, in 13–26 days. The period ‘sprouts-bud formation’ ranged from 44 to 70 days, and the vegetation period during the third sowing time was 14–25 days shorter than during the first and second sowing time. The duration of the interphase periods varied greatly from year to year due to contrasting weather conditions. Late sowing, compared to early sowing, reduced the number of heads per plant by 16 %, including 24 % of productive heads, seed weight per head by 7 %, and the number of branches per plant by 5 %. The large-sized seeds, on average in the trial, formed during the third sowing time (40.8 g). Sowing time influenced on seed productivity and quality, as well as on economic efficiency of safflower cultivation, significantly reducing them with mid- and late sowing. Thus, during the years of study, the most optimal sowing time for safflower were early and mid-season, since the yields were 14.1 and 12.2 hwt per hectare, with production profitability levels of 89.5 and 64.0 %, respectively. Differences in seed oil content were insignificant, but there was a tendency for this indicator to increase at early sowing. The largest oil yield (3.89 centners per hectare) was recorded at early sowing due to the larger productivity.

Global warming, which has been occurring on the planet over the past 40–50 years, has also become evident in the southern and south-eastern regions of European Russia. In the Donetsk-Don region of the Russian steppe part, on the territory of the Luhansk People’s Republic, the average annual air temperature has increased to 9.8 °C (by 1.8 °C), while the hydrothermal coefficient for May-August has decreased from 0.79 to 0.74, and in August from 0.62 to 0.47 over the past 30 years. The climate aridity increase in the LPR results in the vulnerability of the territories and the climate risk of major yield failures. The purpose of the current study was to determine the effect of precipitation amount and pattern on productivity of such late spring crops as maize, sorghum, and sunflower, and to identify the periods of a year with precipitation that provide the strongest correlation with the productivity of the studied crops. During the period of study conducted on the experimental field with ordinary blackearth under field crop rotation by the staff of the department of agriculture and plant production of the FSBEI HE Luhansk VSAU, there has been noted that, on average, for 2008–2025, the amount of precipitation during a vegetation period (May-August) decreased by 54,7 mm (24.1 %) compared to the long-term norm, the average air temperature increased by 1,5 ºС (7.6 %), the amount of dry days increased by 15.3 days (48.0 %), the hydrothermal coefficient decreased to 0.71 (by 26.0 %). During the critical period of moisture demand for these crops (July–August), the correlation between precipitation and productivity was strong for maize (r = 0.725) and moderate for sunflower (r = 0.630) and grain sorghum (r = 0.681). The maximum correlation between precipitation and productivity was obtained for maize in the period May-September (r = 0,856), for grain sorghum in March-September (r = 0,758), and for sunflower in January-April (r = 0.741). There was no or insignificant correlation between productivity and precipitation in the autumn-winter-early spring period (October–March).

The purpose of the current study was to conduct an agroecological estimation of middle-maturing spring durum wheat varieties and select the most promising ones for cultivation in the Chuvash Republic. There have been conducted trials with five varieties on experimental plots at the SSPC of the Chuvash State Agrarian University in 2023–2024. There have been studied such middle-maturing spring durum wheat varieties as Bezenchukskaya 182 (St), Marina, Bezenchukskaya 205, Bezenchukskaya Zolotistaya, and Zolotaya Volna. There have been used such parameters for variety analysis as a length of a vegetation period, field germination, plant survival, productivity, grain unit weight, hardness, falling number, and crude gluten content. Phenological observations, records, and experimental observations were conducted according to the Methodology of the State Variety Testing. Physicochemical grain quality parameters were determined at the testing laboratory center of the Chuvash SAU. On average, over two years, the highest plant survival rates compared to the standard variety were demonstrated by the varieties Bezenchukskaya Zolotistaya (82.6 %) and Zolotaya Volna (82.8 %). In 2023, grain productivity of the durum wheat varieties ranged from 1.8 to 3.6 t/ha. The varieties Zolotaya Volna and Bezenchukskaya Zolotistaya produced the highest yields. In 2024, durum wheat productivity was slightly lower, ranging from 1.5 to 2.9 t/ha in the experimental variants. The variety Bezenchukskaya Zolotistaya has demonstrated the maximum grain productivity of 3.2 t/ha. The largest grain unit weight of 763 g/l was recorded for the variety Bezenchukskaya Zolotistaya. This variety also has a maximum grain hardness of 94 % with a falling number exceeding 300 seconds. The variety Bezenchukskaya Zolotistaya has also produced a maximum crude gluten content of 28.1 %. The spring durum wheat variety Bezenchukskaya Zolotistaya is recommended for cultivation in the Chuvash Republic.

Peas are among the most widely grown agricultural crops in Russia and worldwide. The current paper has considered the main advantages of peas and described their key applications in industrial processing. The purpose of the current study was to systematize and analyze information on the dynamics of pea sown area, productivity, and gross harvest in Russia. The data from the Unified Interdepartmental Information and Statistical System was used as the material for study. There have been analyzed the changes in pea sown areas and productivity in the Russian Federation from 2015 to 2024. There has been found that the average productivity in the Russian Federation ranged from 1.66 to 2.64 t/ha during the analyzed period. Throughout ten years, the highest figures were recorded in 2023 (2.64 t/ha) and 2017 (2.53 t/ha). Gross harvest of peas increased from 1,751.4 thousand tons in 2015 to 4,388.1 in 2024. The highest values for this indicator were established in 2023, reaching 5,256.3 thousand tons. The top three federal districts in Russia by pea acreage were the Siberian (374,400 hectares), the Volga (329,000 hectares), and the Central (237,700 hectares). There has been determined a positive acreage increase in the most federal districts. In the Central, Volga, North Caucasus, Siberian, Southern and Ural Federal Districts, there has been recorded an acreage increase under pea cultivation of 1.7–3.7 times in 2024 compared to 2015. Among the regions of the Russian Federation, the largest pea producers are Stavropol Territory, Rostov region, and Krasnodar Territory, with a gross harvest of over 200 thousand tons.

The current paper has presented the study results of 109 winter wheat samples of various ecological and geographical origins conducted between 2022 and 2025. The study was carried out at the experimental field of the laboratory for breeding and seed production of winter common wheat of semi-intensive type of the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy”. The purpose of the study was to identify the most valuable collection winter common wheat samples based on stability of productivity. 60.6 % (66 samples) of the studied samples were of Russian breeding; 6.4 % (7 samples) of Ukrainian breeding; 3.7 % each (4 samples) of Turkish, Kazakh, and Hungarian breeding; 2.8 % each (3 samples) of Czech and American breeding. The share of samples from other countries was 16.3 %. On average, productivity varied over the years of study, ranging from 420.5 g/m² for the variety Kanto 107 (Japan) to 881.5 g/m² for the variety Muck (Germany). Productivity varied significantly through the years, from 230.0 g/m² for the variety Kanto 107 (Japan) in 2024 to 1040 g/m² for the variety Solokha (Ukraine) in 2022. Thirteen varieties significantly exceeded productivity of the standard variety Don 107 (707.0 g/m², HSR₀₅=124.5), with increases ranging from 126.5 g/m² for the variety Retezat (Romania) to 174.5 g/m² for the variety Muck (Germany). Genotypes that form stable productivity and are responsive to improved conditions include Moskovskaya 56 (Russia) (bi=1.45 and σd²=0.67), Muck (Germany) (bi=1.41 and σd²=4.04), and Retezat (Romania) (bi=1.40 and σd²=1.27). The samples Martanvasari 9 (Hungary) (CV=12.1 % and Hom=32.6), Irda (Russia) (CV=14.1 % and Hom=31.7) and Zapashna (Ukraine) (CV=15.4 % and Hom=23.6) have been found stable in productivity. Stress-resistant genotypes included such varieties as Irda (Russia) (Ymin-Ymax = -169), Flesh (Russia) (Ymin-Ymax=-156), Kuban (Russia) (Ymin-Ymax=-148), Don 95 (Russia) (Ymin-Ymax=-108) and Martanvasari 9 (Hungary) (Ymin-Ymax=-184), which had a smaller difference between the minimum and maximum values of productivity. According to a set of indicators, the most valuable samples, taking into account stability, are Muck (Germany), Retezat (Romania), XE 9710 (France) and MV Nemere (Hungary), which should be used in further breeding work to increase productivity.