New cultivar of soft winter wheat ‘Berezit’ has been described in the article. The cultivar is a middle-late maturing one with a set of unique characteristics. It possesses a complex immunity to leaf-stem diseases widely spread in the region and doesn’t need any fungicide treatment during vegetation period. The variety possesses higher salt tolerance than a standard one ‘Stepnaya 7’ well-known in the area.

The article describes genes which control waxy endosperm of rice grain and shows their inheritance in F1 and frequency of variability in F2 on the sample of triploid endosperm and haploid pollen grains. Waxy endosperm depending on the  doses of dominant and recessive genes (WxWxWx, WxWxwx, Wxwxwx and wxwxwx) consists of conventional and waxy (gluten) starch. According to concentration of dominant and recessive genes of waxy endosperm, endosperm of rice grain will contain a definite number of amylose and amylopectin. The more recessive genes in gluten endosperm, the less content of amylose  and the more content of amylopectin are. The structure of rice grain endosperm depends on concentration and quantity of dominant and recessive alleles. Triplex of dominant  genes WxWxWx forms vitreous endosperm. If there is only one recessive allele of waxy endosperm, the structure of endosperm is going to change into dull-gluten endosperm. The selectionists should take into account this genetic property when hybridizing new gluten varieties. We conducted analysis of endosperm and pollen grains of F1 hybrids using 2% iodine test to determine the inheritance of gluten in phenotype reveal of waxy endosperm genes. In all cases in endosperm and pollen grain gluten possesses recessive effect. The trait can easily be used in selection of new varieties of gluten genotype. In 1994 gluten rice variety was included into State Register of selection achievements. Such waxy rice varieties of ARRIR selection as ‘Violetta’,‘Vita’ and ‘Yuzhnaya Noch’ were made and are being tested. Food industry uses grain of waxy and gluten varieties for children and dietary food.

The basis of ecologically safe plant-growing is to supply industry with crop varieties tolerant to biotic stressors. According to phyto sanitary situation in Volga-Vayatka region, cultivation of tolerant varieties is of great importance and can become a solution of the problem. That’s why we studied such new oat varieties of hulled and naked type as ‘Argamak’, ‘Faust’, ‘Dens’, ‘Fakir’, ‘Krechet’, ‘Gunter’, ‘Eklips’, ‘Butsefal’, ‘Vyatsky’ and ‘Persheron’ of North-East RIA selection to evaluate their tolerance to a complex of basic biotic stressors under strong infectious conditions of local pathogens. It was revealed that new varieties were mostly or moderately tolerant to loose smut, crown rust, fusarious root rot and frit fly. Immunity forms to these pathogens were not found among the new varieties, but there was significant difference of their response to the pathogens. The study results showed that hulled and naked varieties of oats didn’t expose any significant difference in the character and degree of damage by crown rust and root rot. It was noticed that naked varieties were more sensitive to loose smut than hulled ones. It was shown that early maturing varieties were the most sensitive to frit fly. Thus, cultivation of new oat varieties of North-East RIA selection allows maintaining ecological balance in eco system through elimination of technogenic contamination and it gives an opportunity to receive safe product for processing industry and fodder for husbandry.

It has been carried out complex assessment of factors which greatly influence upon harvesting qualitative millet for cereals industry. Quality of millet varieties with different colour of grain with two predecessors (fallow and grain), quality of grain grown in three soil-climatic zones, i.e. southern forestry steppe, north forestry steppe and steppe and quality of millet of various factions have been studied. Grain predecessor of the sowing gave a harvest of large grain (on 2,0-4,1%) and flattened grain (on 1,4%), and fallow predecessor gave a harvest of hulled grain (on 1%) and protein grain (on 1,51%) with less groats harvest (on 1,6%). The varieties with different colours of grain vary in their quality. Groats with the best colour is received from grain of red millet variety with reduced protein content. Variety of white millet possesses higher resistance to hulling (on 2,5-5,8%) of less hulled grain (on 1,0-2,8%). Under processing, factional homogeneity of grain effects on groats yield. The more a portion of medium faction, the lower millet cereal yield is. The best millet grain is formed in the conditions of steppe (Cherlak) in Omsk region on the material of the variety ‘Barnaulskoe 98’. Varieties ‘Saratovsloe Zholtoe’ and ‘Kulundinskoe’ can produce the desired groats raw material in southern forest-steppe (Moskalenki) and steppe (Pavlogradka). The region of north forest-steppe is unfavourable place for production of millet grain with high content of carotenoids. Taking into account a predecessor, region of sowing, variety of millet and factional homogeneity of grain we can significantly differentiate quality of groats under processing.

The use of thermal castration is based on thermal treatment which is fatal for male form of the plant but is acceptable to preserve female fertility. Herewith a small portion of pollen remains viable. In the process of self-pollination with this portion of pollen we receive the seeds which are more viable and adapted to unfavourable environment. Due to this method we managed to cultivate wheat variety ‘Praskoviya’ and a line ‘Zimogor-tk-9’ which significantly exceed variety of winter triticale ‘Zimogor’. The use of the method is expedient not only for constant selection material of later cultivars, but also for new hybrids that will allow improving selection of better economic-valuable forms. Plants of wheat are necessary to be castrated thermally 0,5 or 1,5 days before the alleged anthesis. Water heated up to 480C is a thermal agent.  Ears are immersed in hot water for 2 minutes and then are placed under a paper isolator. Necessary equipment for this method of selection includes a thermos flask with hot water, some containers with hot and cold water for regulation of water temperature in a thermos flask after each cycle of castration, a stopwatch, twines, scissors and paper isolators. The use of the method of thermal castration to cultivate valuable self-pollinated forms can be carried out together with hybridization if mother form possesses a strongly marked recessive trait but a father form possesses a dominant one. Thus it becomes possible to distinguish self-pollinated forms and hybrids in the first generation of the hybrid.

The results of studies of selection and seed-growing of  energy saturated crops including maize, soybean, winter wheat, winter triticale, sunflower, peas and rape (colza) made by some research institutions of RF are given. The state, effectiveness of researches, competitiveness of domestic cultivars and hybrids, possibilities of innovative use of new cultivars in production, problems constraining the development of scientific experiments are considered in the article. Special attention has been paid to domestic scientific achievements in selection of field crops. It has been emphasized that the best cultivars of winter wheat, winter triticale, selected in Krasnodar RIA, All-Russian RI of grain crops, Moscow  RIA “Nemchinovka” and in other RI are quite competitive with foreign cultivars and give yields of high qualitative grain (8-12 t/ha) when follow recommended scientifically approved technology of tillage. The same conclusions have been made in regard to maize, sunflower, soybean, peas and rape (colza). The necessity of optimal decision of urgent problems of seed-growing of perspective cultivars and hybrids; implementation of the best genotypes into production; use of sizing, disinfecting chemicals, fertilizers increasing growth energy and plant development before seeding have been considered in the article. It was noted that weakness of seed-growing logistical base, absence of modern plants and production lines for seed processing in research institutions and in seed-growing farms occupy a special place among the reasons constraining preparation of high qualitative seeds. It has been emphasized that mentioned circumstances negatively affect on competitiveness of domestic cultivars and hybrids on internal and foreign markets. In the article we suggested to strengthen participation of agrarian enterprises in solving the problems of development of modern seed-growing logistical base in Russia.

     In the article the problems of increase of drought and heat tolerance have been considered. The problems connected with application of plant growth regulators to increase productivity, quality of product and crop resistance to abiotic stresses have been considered. The article shows the mechanisms and efficiency of application of growth regulator ‘Zirkon’ (natural mixture of hydroxycinnamic acids and their derivatives extracted from Echinacea purpurea), ‘Epin-Extra’ (analogue of the natural phytohormone epibrassinolide) and silicon-containing chelate micronutrient ‘Siliplant’ for spring and winter wheat and maize under stress. It has been shown that when ‘Epin-Extra’ and ‘Zirkon’ are applied for spring and winter wheat seed preparation and spraying them in the tillering stage, they increase germination, number of productive stems, number of grains in the ear, their mass and productivity in the conditions of moisture shortage and high temperatures. If maize is twice sprayed with these growth regulators in the conditions of extremely high temperatures, the number of cobs per plant, grains per cob and mass of 1000 grains will increase.  Fertilizing of ‘Siliplant’ in the tillering stage enhances drought and heat tolerance of grain crops, promotes productive stalk density and improves the main features of the harvest, i.e. ear length, number and mass of grains in the ear.

Medium and low level of agriculture in Siberia doesn’t allow realizing potential productivity of winter varieties of intensive type. It’s necessary to create multi biotype varieties of wheat adapted to local conditions. Selection material made according to international program with participation of Mexico, Kazakhstan and Russia gave possibility to form multi biotype selective samples in Siberia which possess standard variety ‘Omskaya 36’ in productivity and in other economical traits. The best samples are prepared to be given to state variety testing. Spring wheat selection is carried out according to 50 and more traits, the most important of them is tolerance to diseases, especially to stem smut, which shows a strong progress last years. It’s necessary to include absolutely new original material with valuable genes in selection and to develop multi biotype varieties on their basis, using different geographical regions with various climatic conditions. In this way we selected multi biotype selection numbers of spring wheat, which have an advantage over standard variety ‘Omskaya 36’ in competitive variety testing.

Imperfect fungus Magnaporthe grisea is a phyto pathogen with a vast influence on most crops including rice. Economic damage of the disease is enormous in all rice cultivation zones of the world. The purpose of the work is to create some cultivars and lines of rice with tree and more genes resistant to pyriculariosis using the method of molecular marking. We introduced and pyramided of Pi-ta, Pi-b, Pi-1, Pi-2, Pi-33 genes resistant to pyriculariosis into domestic cultivars of rice to give them longer resistance to the disease. DNA-markers analysis allowed revealing disease resistant rice samples which possess 5 aimed genes in homozygous condition. The results of phyto pathological testing showed their resistance to a mixture of isolators of M.grisea pathogen, found in Krasnodar Krai.  To increase economic efficiency of marker-assisted selection we developed a system of multiplex PCR which can simultaneously identify three Pi-1+Pi-2+Pi-33 genes resistant to M. grisea in a DNA genome of hybrids under one PCR. Its use allows reducing costs of material and time for analyzing of rice samples.

The article reveals basic problems of soybean seed-growing, considers the problems of maintaining of cultivars purity and shows distinctive features of the cultivars. It also sets out indicators of soybean quality and gives their values according to GOST.  Because seed quality and genetic homogeneity of a cultivar depend upon both time of reproduction and compliance of cultivation technology, the article reveals technological methods of soybean cultivation, i.e. a place in crop rotation, peculiarities of general and seedbed preparation, a choice of methods and terms of sowing, seeding rates, measures of care for crops and defense from pests and diseases, peculiarities of harvesting and post-harvesting processing and seed storage. The recommendations about optimal soil temperature, seeding rates have been given for the cultivars of different groups of ripeness depending on width of row spacing and depth of seeding.  The article deals with the problems of soybean care and the most widespread herbicides for weed control, terms and doses of application. The most harmful pests, permitted substances and doses of application for their control have been listed in the work. We also recommended methods of adjusting soybean harvesters and equipment which can be used for drying and cleaning of seeds. The technology of seed storage is considered in the paper as well. A set of measures to receive soybean seeds with high seeding properties has been recommended.

We suppose its fulfillment can increase quality of primary seed-growing, providing all farms of Rostov region with highly reproductive soybean seeds.

Self-pollinated lines of maize have been identified according to the content of alleles of fertility-restorer genes Rf4, Rf5, Rf6 of ‘C’ type of CMS. Genotype of the line SP 286 – rf4 rf4 rf5 rf5 rf6 rf6 possesses restorer genes in recessive state. Genotype of the line SP 357 possesses restorer genes in dominant state (Rf4, Rf5, Rf6). Genotype of the lines SP 275 and SP 331 possesses two restorer genes in dominant state and one gene in recessive state. The study results allow forecasting reaction of the lines on sterile cytoplasm ‘C’ type of CMS. Self-pollinated line SP 286 is going to possess sterile progeny in hybridization with any sterile lines. Fertility will completely be restored in any hybridization with the line SP 357. Fertility restoration in any hybridization with the lines SP 257 and SP 331 will depend on the genotype of the chosen pair. Classification of lines according to the content of fertility-restorer genes will allow finding a suitable program of transferring maize hybrids on a sterile basis and determining position of lines in a hybrid.

The results of long-year experiments with mineral and organic fertilizing in the conditions of long-term stationary fields experiment have been given. A great number of experiments showed influence of different systems of fertilizing in field grain crop rotation on the elements of soil fertility, productivity and quality of winter wheat varieties in the conditions of ChZ of Tambov region. It has been revealed that the largest yields of grain were received in all variants of the experiment where fertilizing was applied in comparison with those where there was no any fertilizing. Mineral and organic fertilizing improves productivity and grain quality. Maximum productivity of variety ‘Mironovskaya 808’ (4,04 t/ha) was achieved with the use of NPK + manure 30t/ha, equivalent to 2 norms of NPK. Productivity of new winter wheat varieties ‘Moskovskaya 39’ and ‘Gubernator Dona’ was the greatest one in all experiments conducted in 2008-2013. The highest increase of productivity (1,05 t/ha) was noted in the case with application of NPK, 2 norms of N80P80K80. Together with productivity increase it’s necessary to pay attention to improvement of grain quality. Protein content is the most important trait of grain quality. Wheat cultivar ‘Mironoskaya 808’ is characterized with a lower content of raw protein. The least value (12,6%) was received in the cultivars without fertilizing.  There was no essential difference among the cultivars which were fertilized. During 2008-2013 years the content of raw protein was higher than that of the variety ‘Mironoskaya 808’. There was no essential difference among the cultivars, some increase of content of raw protein (14,6 %) was noted in the case with application of NPK, 2 norms of N80P80K80 compared with the case without fertilizing. The basic agro chemical traits have been considered in the article; fertilizing effects on soil fertility components after a cycle of seven crop rotation were shown. During 42 years of experimenting humus content was reduced in all variants of the experimenting; content of moving phosphorus in soil was increased due to fertilizing; content of exchangeable potassium didn’t change greatly remaining on a rather high level.

It’s common knowledge that heavy metal (HM) can enter the soil together with fertilizers which contaminates agricultural landscapes. The purpose of the research is to study influence of fertilizers on accumulation and migration of Cd, Pb ,Zn, Cu, Co, Mn in soil and plants. The research was conducted during field experiments in chernozem (blacksoil). We studied two levels of plant fertilizing: the first one without fertilizers and the second one with fertilizing of norms of NPK. The fertilizers were distributed in the following way: spring wheat (Triticum vulgare) – N₆₀P₆₀K₆₀; spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) and oats (Avena sativa) – N₄₅P₄₅K₂₀; millet (Panicum miliaceum) – N₃₀P₄₀K₄₀; peas (Pisum sativum) – N₁₀P₆₀K₆₀; buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) – N₄₅P₆₀K₆₀.v We found out that fertilizing raises the amount of Сd, Рb Zn, Сu, Со and Мn on 10-36% in soil and increases mobility of Zn, Си, Со and Мn on 25%. The increase of fertilizing of spring wheat, barley, oats, millet and buckwheat reduces whole volume of HM migration in phyto mass on 5-30%.  But it also stimulates Pb migration in the plants of spring wheat, migration of Сd, Zn and Сu into bio mass of oats and barley, and migration of Cd and Mn into peas. The main portion of accumulated elements is stored in a root system of a plant, Zn and Cu are able to transport into inflorescence. The volume of HM accumulation in phyto mass of fertilized plants doesn’t exceed TLV.

The problem of saline soils is of great importance among unfavourable environmental factors which negatively influence upon cultivation of crops.  The excess of water-soluble salts causes thinning of seedlings, hinders growth and development of plants and dramatically reduces productivity. Flooding technology of rice growing  promotes leaching of salt ions below a rooting layer and they flow into water inlets and outside a rice irrigation system that allows using an enormous amount of saline soils which can’t be used for upland crops.    But cultivation of rice in such environmental conditions reduces productivity and deteriorates quality of the product. Thus, it’s mostly important to develop varieties with high tolerance to salt stresses. Cultivating new varieties it’s necessary to combine potential productivity and quality of product with environmental adaptability. The success of the work mostly depends upon the knowledge about inheritance and variability of selectable traits, interactions of genotype and environment, a principle of pair choice, methods of stepwise assessment of primary material on productivity, quality and tolerance to abiotic factors of environment.

In the article the study results of influence of minimum and zero tillage upon biological soil activity compared with conventional one are considered. It’s established that tillage under decrease of soil density and increase of general porosity, especially porosity of autumn aeration is more preferable and advantageous than minimum and zero tillage. Increase of humus content and decrease of nitrate N in an upper layer of the soil have been found under decrease of tillage with straw.  Micro biological analysis showed increase of saprophytic microorganisms during tillage. Their quantity was in 2-3 times more than after minimum and zero tillage. Under zero tillage there was decrease of ammonifying and nitrifying bacteria, but increase of anaerobic cellulose-destroying microorganisms. Barley cultivation under energy saving tillage decreased its productivity on 17,7-22,9% compared with plowing. Fertilizing increased productivity under plowing, under minimum tillage and under zero tillage on 10,8%, on 19,6% and on 19,4% respectively.  Advantage of energy saving tillage under calculation of economic efficiency of barley was shown.

The article describes the laboratory experiments made to determine median toxic concentration (TC50) of fungicides taken from different chemical groups such as triazoles, strobilurins, morpholines and used both separately and in mixtures with fungicides for pathogens of  Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Died). One-component drugs from triazole group have been given, as ‘Reks S’ - CS of 125g/l, ‘Tilt’ - EC of 250 g/l and ‘Folikur’ - EC of 250 g/l. From strobilurin group we took ‘Optimo’ - EC of 200 g/l and some mixed fungicides, as ‘Alto turbo’ - EC of 250+160 g/l, ‘Alto super’ - EC of 200+80 g/l, ‘Broader’ - EC 150+150 g/l, ‘Abakus ultra’ - SE of 62,5+62,5 g/l, ‘Konsul’ - CS of 125+125 g/l, ‘Amistar extra’ – SC of 80+200 g/l and ‘Reks ultra’ – SE of 84+250 g/l. Toxicity of studied fungicides for pathogens of Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Died) varied from strong toxic 0,33 mg/l to less toxic 2,29 mg/l according to median toxic concentration (TC50). The given results comply with previously published data about fungicide efficiency for pathogens of Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Died) on winter wheat.

The reaction of barley in callus cultures has been studied using ions Cd²⁺, Mn²⁺, Al³⁺ and PEG as osmotic. Analyzing amount of doses for crop survival, lethal and sublethal metal concentrates were found:  manganese (350 and 250 mg/l, respectively), cadmium (30 and 10 mg/l), aluminum (42 and 20 mg/l). Optimal schemes have been suggested to select callus lines tolerant to a complex of stresses.  To select a line resistant to complex ion toxicity, it has been recommended to use ions of cadmium (20 mg/l) during a proliferation period and ions of manganese (200 mg/l) during a period of morphogenesis. Ions of aluminum (20-30 mg/l) can be used during both stages of callus tissue development, supporting survival of callus and frequency of plant regeneration. To choose callus with total tolerance to ion toxicity and osmotic stress it’s advisable to apply osmotic (10% of PEG) only during a period of morphogenesis, during a proliferation period it’s possible to use aluminum (20 mg/l) with ions of cadmium (20 mg/l) or ions of manganese (200 mg/l). Using the developed scheme of selection we received 50 plants-regenerators of barley for applying them as starting material in crop selection.

116 cultivars of winter wheat of different ecological-geographical origin were analyzed on resistance to leaf rust  (Puccinia triticina Erikss) and powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis D.C.). These pathogens are the most spread and harmful in Rostov region. The infected plants decrease their productivity on 10-15%, sometimes even on 30%. Cultivars 75/481, Zolotokolosa, Pyvna (Ukraine) and KS 93 U 50 (US) which possess the highest resistance to leaf rust have been selected on the artificially infected allotment. Cultivars IL84-3132-1, KS 93 U 11 (US) and Zrazkova (Ukraine) turned to be the most resistant cultivars (infected on 10-25%). Cultivars KS 96 Wg RC 34 (US), Webster (Canada), Dobirna and Spivanka (Ukraine) turned to be less resistant. The rest cultivars were infected most of all, up to 40% and in some years up to 80-100%.  During analyzing the study of winter wheat resistance to leaf rust we found 15 cultivars totally resistant to infection, among which Fokus, Derby, Gaspard (France), Banga (Latvia) and others. Due to long-term study we could select cultivars with a group resistance to leaf rust and powdery mildew. The study results can be used for cultivation of new varieties resistant to fungus diseases.

The results of three-year use of fungicides in laboratory and in the field have been considered. The substantiation of their biological and economic efficiency against harmful diseases in Tambov region has been given. The application of fungicides, possessing a wide spectrum of activity, reduced pathogen infection on seeds and plants. During the years of study diseases of aerogenic origin prevailed, among them septoriosis (Septoria spp.) with 11,8-35,7% and wheat leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) with 27,6-72,5%. The influence of drought and heat upon spring winter seeds has been considered. As a result, the seeds received under these conditions possessed satisfactory literal and primary roots, purpose of which is to form element of productivity and preservation of future yields, their penetrating into subsoil layers and supplying plants with water and nutrients. The peculiarity of spring wheat cultivation is that it possesses weaker root system than winter wheat. Air temperature increase to 22-36°С in a vegetation period reduces all stages of growth, violates photosynthesis and decreases yield. Fungus р. Alternaria spp  is a dominant component of pathogens on spring wheat seeds, that accounts 60-83% under total infection of seeds during last years. Complex protection of the crop influenced positively on productivity and elements of its structure. Superiority of fungicides over a control variant was noted in a number of productive stems, number of seeds per spikelet, 1000 grain weight. Infection of spring wheat plants and seeds with pathogens depended upon application of fungicides and on climatic feature of crop growing.

One of the most important priorities of the governmental economic strategy is to form and develop multi structural (mixed) economy as a basis of stable progress of agricultural territories and stable condition of the countryside. Thus, the study of the experience of some regions, enterprises, analysis of the factors and development of practical recommendations is of great importance. The purpose of the study is to monitor of functioning of agricultural enterprises being a part of regional grain productive subcomplex in the in the condition of combination of small and medium agribusiness. In the work the analysis of financial and economic activity of grain farms of Orlov region has been conducted with the help of scientific, economic and statistical methods of study. Features of agricultural production have been revealed taking into consideration sizes and specialization of the enterprises. A complex of enterprises which shows interconnection of productive efficiency with amount of expenditures and subsidies per hectare of grain crops, has been considered. It has been established small and medium agro enterprises develop more efficient but meet preconditions of financial deterioration which can lead to bankruptcy. The conclusion has been made that mixed economy is a principal position of development of domestic grain productive subcomplex nowadays.  The results of economic monitoring have been used when making practical recommendations how to increase profitability of agricultural enterprises of Orlov region. The significance of the study is essential under conditions of implementing Governmental Program “Development of Agriculture and Regulation of Agricultural Markets, Raw material and Food during 2013-2020”. The most important tasks of the program are to give support to small farms and to increase profitability in agriculture.