Over the years of research, the winter durum wheat variety “Agat Donskoy” sown in weedfree fallow showed a good resistance to lodging with no fertilizing (4 points), average resistance to lodging (3 points) with two nitrogen dosings: in spring in thawed frozen soil (N₃₀) and in the period of earing (N₃₀). The winter durum wheat variety “Agat Donskoy” sown after sunflower showed a high tolerance to lodging (5 points) for 3 years on average. Sown in weedfree fallow the largest productivity (6.09 and 6.13 t/ha) and the surplus to the control (0.54 and 0.57 t/ha) were formed by the variety when fertilizing with the basic dosing (P₆₀K₄₀) and with one or two nitrogen dosings (N₃₀ in spring in thawed frozen soil and in the period of earing). At the same time, the grain had a high percentage of protein 15% and gluten 28.1% that corresponded to the 1^st quality class. The winter durum wheat variety “Agat Donskoy” sown in weedfree fallow proved to be highly profitable (at the level of 163-201%). The winter durum wheat variety “Agat Donskoy” sown after sunflower produced the largest surplus of yield (1.00 and 1.25 t/ha) when fertilizing with N₄₀P₆₀K₄₀ and the use of one or two nitrogen dosings (N₃₀ in spring in thawed frozen soil and in the period of earing). The profitability of the variety sown after sunflower was 113-147%. According to the GOST the obtained characteristics allow referring the winter durum wheat variety “Agat Donskoy” to the 2-3^d quality class.

Soybean is the most important food protein and oil grain crop in the world. However, in the Rostov region, the areas under this crop are insignificant (12.3 thousand hectares or 0.21% of the arable land in 2015). As the Rostov region is the zone of insufficient and unstable moistening, soybean is a promising leguminous crop, which is resistant to lodging and to damage by diseases. The studies were conducted in 2016-2017 to determine soybean response to different sowing time. The research work was carried out on the fields of the FSBSI “Agricultural Scientific Center “Donskoy” (the laboratory of cultivation technologies of row crops) located in the southern soil-climatic zone of the Rostov region. The soil of the test plot is ordinary blackearth (chernozem), heavy loamy, carbonate on forestry loam, with such agrochemical indicators of soil as 3.36% of humus; 7.0 of pH; 24.4 of P₂O₅; 360 mg of K₂O per kg of soil. The object of research was the soybean varieties “Don 21” and “Diva” approved for use in the Rostov region. The article presents the results on the effect of sowing dates on the length of the vegetation period, the elements of yield structure and productivity of soybean seeds. The length of the vegetation period varied depending on the sowing time and was the shortest in the fourth term of sowing, viz. 110 and 116 days for the varieties “Don 21” and “Diva” respectively. The highest values of the elements of the yield structure (the number of beans per plant (21.7 and 19.5 pcs.), seeds' weight per plant (3.87 and 3.58 g) and 1000-seeds weight (146.9 and 146.7 g) were identified in the variety “Diva” (the third sowing term) and in the variety “Don 21” (the second sowing term). In the same variants of the trial, the maximum yields were produced by the varieties “Diva” and “Don 21” (1.38 and 1.25 t/ha respectively).

In 2016-2018 in the competitive variety testing there was conducted the study of peas on the fields of research crop rotation of the laboratory of legumes breeding and seed-growing of the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy” located in the zone of unstable humidity of the Rostov region (Zernograd district). The analysis of the obtained seeds was carried out in the laboratory of biochemical estimation of breeding material and grain quality of the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy”. The objects of research were new pea lines of breeding of the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy”, which differed in their morphological, biological and economically valuable traits and properties. During the years of research, the meteorological conditions of the vegetation period of peas were contrasting, which made it possible to objectively estimate the lines in the climatic conditions. In the competitive variety testing for the period of 2016-2018, the evaluation of new promising pea lines due to their productivity and protein percentage resulted in identification the leafless pea lines “G-1002” and “G-1003” which exceeded the standard variety “Aksaisky Usaty 5” in productivity (0.30 and 0.39 t/ha) and protein yield (0.08 and 0.10 t/ha, respectively). There is a high correlation between seed productivity and protein content (0.95). There is a low correlation between protein percentage in seeds and protein yield (0.35). There is no correlation between productivity and protein percentage in seeds (0.03). The analysis of correlations shows that pea breeding on productivity directly affects on protein yield, i. e. the larger seed productivity, the larger protein percentage. The most productive pea lines are going to be used in further breeding work.

The article deals with the use of variety changing to increase productivity and resistance of winter wheat varieties to abiotic environmental factors. As a result of the variety changing and sequence of varieties successively replacing each other, the productivity increased from 3.3 t/ha (stage I) to 6.2 t/ha (stage VII). It has been established that the varieties belonging to the steppe ecotype possess a higher level of drought resistance in comparison with the varieties of the forest-steppe ecotype. According to the stages of variety changing drought tolerance ranged from 69–70% (stage I) to 95–99% (stage VII). The level of heat resistance from I to V stage of the variety changing was low (48–70%), excluding the variety “Rostovskaya” (III stage of variety changing) with its heat resistance of 81%. The varieties of the sixth and seventh stage of the variety changing possess high heat resistance (90–99%). The replacement of the cultivated varieties with new, more adaptive and highly productive ones will allow stabilizing grain production and rising its quantity.

The new and complete scientific knowledge and information on the physical and mechanical characteristics and morphological traits of the ear of plants are necessary to design and develop less energy-intensive and less injurious threshing methods. The purpose of the research is to establish a change in the coupling strengths of kernels and ear during a ripening period, taking into account the grain moisture and varietal characteristics of winter wheat. It was established that the maximum values of the coupling strengths of spikelet scales and kernels with an ear during the daytime were 17.84 N for the variety “Admiral” and 11.6 N for the variety “Luchezar”. The coupling strengths of kernels and ear and the force of kernel separation effort from the ear significantly depend on: 1) varietal traits of winter wheat (more than in 2 times); 2) humidity of plants during the period of ripening and harvesting time, depending on the variety from 30 to 100%; 3) changes in the moisture content of grain and an ear due to precipitation in 1.5–2.0 times.

Despite the favorable conditions for the cultivation of grain crops in the Republic of Dagestan (i. e. high levels of active solar radiation, sufficient heat, presence of an irrigation network, fertile soils), high yields of grain crops cannot be guaranteed every year, because high humidity, high agro background and strong winds contribute to the spread of fungal diseases, tall height resulted in lodging and deterioration of grain quality. Therefore, the research on the rate of plant response to certain growing conditions and selection of the most adaptive and productive lines and varieties, their introduction into breeding programs and introduction into production are of great importance. Updating of the genetic material through the introduction of new initial forms is one of the ways of successful breeding of the grain crops. In 2015–2017 in the southern lowland of the Republic of Dagestan there was carried out the scientific study of the productivity and resistance to the unfavorable factors of new promising lines and varieties of wheat, triticale and sorghum of different genetic composition and ecological-geographical origin. The research material was the variety samples and lines of wheat, triticale and sorghum, taken both from the world collection of the FSBSI “FITs VIGRR named after N. I. Vavilov”, FSBSI “Agricultural Scientific Center “Donskoy” and Dagestan selection, identified by a complex of breeding significant traits. The highest degree of adaptability in the conditions of Dagestan as demonstrated by the winter soft wheat variety “Fortuna” and the triticale variety “Kaskad”, with the maximum yield of 6.30 and 6.83 t/ha respectively. Among the studied sorghum varieties there should be distinguished the variety “Zernogradskoe 88”, which is characterized with the highest grain yield (4.35 t/ha) and a low height (98 cm) and it ripens before the others because of high adaptability to the growing conditions. The selected varieties of grain crops are of great interest both for breeding work and for direct introduction into the agricultural production of the Republic of Dagestan.

The introduction of new technologies is a key factor in the competitiveness of agriculture. The use of innovative technologies provides an increase in profitability, efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production. This is achieved by economizing of fertilizers, protective remedies, growth regulators, seeds, fuel; by reducing labor costs and increasing soil fertility. Innovations should become an integral part of the investments aimed at strengthening the material and technical base of enterprises. The prohibition of agricultural product imports contributed to the improvement of the financial situation of agricultural enterprises, which allows agricultural producers to introduce innovations.

The grain productivity and elements of yield structure of 34 new self-pollinated lines of the subspecies of waxy maize (Zea mays L. ceratina) have been studied. The elements of structure varied according to their effect on yield formation of these self-pollinated lines. The traits “number of cobs per plant”, “number of kernels per cob”, “number of rows with kernels” were of the great value, the trait “1000-kernels weight” was of the small value. The correlation analysis and the analysis of surface graphs identified the possibility to combine the largest values of complementary traits of the waxy maize lines. In 2015–2017 there was no any correlation between the traits “number of cobs per plant” and “weight of one cob” (r = –0.17±0.17…+0.16±0.17). Grain productivity of the lines increased proportionally to the increase of cob weight and a number of cobs per plant. In 2015 there was an average negative correlation between the traits “1000-kernels weight” and “number of kernels per cob” (r = –0.37±0.16), and in 2016–2017 there was no any correlation at all (r = –0.12±0.18, r = –0.10±0.18). The maximum productivity was formed at the combination of maximum values of the traits (241 g of “1000-kernels weight”; 540 pc. of “number of kernels per cob”). There was a tendency to the increase of a number of kernels together with the rise of kernel rows (r = 0.18±0.17…0.32±0.17). The largest productivity was formed at a maximum quantity of kernel rows (18 pc) and optimal quantity of kernels per row (30 pc). There was no correlation between “weight of one cob” and “number of kernel per cob” (r = –0.18±0.17…+0.27±0.17). The combination of the maximum values of the productivity traits promoted the formation of maximum grain yield. There have been identified the new self-pollinated lines of waxy maize “24/78”, “Wx2MP”, “21/82 (1)”, “25/75” with high grain productivity (1.0–2.42 t/ha) and large values of the productivity traits.

Soil and water salinization differently affects the growth and development of rice at all stages, reducing its productivity. The article presents the results of the analysis aimed to determine salt resistance of 186 hybrid samples of rice F₅ developed in the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy”. There were studied the samples developed from three hybrid combinations “IR 52713-2B-8-2B-1-2 x Novator”; “IR 74099-3R-3-3 x Novator”; “NSIC Rc 106 x Novator”. The studies were carried out in the ABSIE FSBI HE DonSAU. The rice seeds were germinated in rolls of filter paper on 1.5% NaCl solution and in distilled water. Salt tolerance was determined as the ratio of the percentage of germinated seeds in the experiment to the control. The purpose of the research is to analyze rice samples for salinization resistance. The analysis found out that the rice samples differed significantly among themselves in the length of the sprouts and roots on the salted and control variants. The graphic material of the article reliably shows the relative and absolute values of sprouts and roots in a trial and in a control variant. The analysis showed an average correlation between the length of sprouts in the trial and salt tolerance for sprouts (0.62±0.08), as well as a high correlation between the length of the roots in the trial and salt tolerance for the roots (0.74±0.09). PCR analysis with the help of the markers RM493 and RM7075 made possible to identify in 59 forms the presence of the dominant QTL locus Saltol in the homozygous state. According to the set of indicators 14 best samples were identified. Selected on salt solutions, the best samples with long shoots and roots have been planted on the rice bays of the OS “Proletarskaya” in the form of seedlings.

One of the main requirements for the quality of winter durum wheat grain is the development of varieties with tough elastic gluten. The breeding process in this direction will be more successful if the assessment of the trait is known at the early stages. In our study SDS-sedimentation was used for such an assessment. In addition to assessing the quantitative severity of the SDS-sediment index, the breeder should be aware of the efficiency of high-quality progeny selection in generations of hybrids, the prospects of the population, the breeding value of the initial components involved in hybridization. In this regard, the main purpose of the conducted research is to reveal the efficiency of selection for the gluten quality from SDS-sedimentation in hybrid populations (F₂ – F₄) of winter durum wheat using breeding and genetic parameters. There have been presented the study results of 14 hybrid combinations of winter durum wheat obtained from crossing of the varieties with different or equal amount of sediment. It was shown that the response of hybrid populations (F₂ – F₄ ) to the selection of high-qualitative genotypes with different intensities was ambiguous, and in most combinations it was low or absent. The realized heritability in the groups of selection greatly varied depending on the severity of the selection; on the parental forms taken for hybridization; on the environmental conditions during the grain formation and ripening. There were identified such promising hybrid populations as “Kremona” × “Kurant”, “Terra” × “Kremona”, “Kremona” × “Terra”, “Zolotko” × “Aksinit”, “Zolotko” × “Kremona” in which the genotypic shift and realized heritability are revealed in all generations and selective groups.

At present new varieties and hybrids capable to produce high and stable grain yields are of great demand. One of the main requirements to which they must meet is the ability to withstand environmental factors that reduce their productivity. Sunflower is a severe forecrop that extremely dries the soil, and it in its turn affects the productivity. Therefore, testing and selection of varieties able to withstand unfavourable conditions is of great urgency. This paper presents the study results of productivity and elements of its structure of 18 winter soft wheat varieties. The studies were carried out in the fields of the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy”. Sowing was carried out with a Wintersteiger Plotseed planter with 4–6 cm of seeding depth. The seeding rate was 550 germinating grains per1 m². Registration plot was 10 m² with 4-time periodicity. The winter soft wheat variety “Don 107” was used as a standard. According to a complex of traits, there were identified the varieties “Krasa Dona”, “Lilit”, “Volnitsa”, “Lidiya”, sown after sunflower which are able to produce high yields (6.9–7.5 t / ha), large number of grains per ear (30.7–36.2 pcs.) and 1000-kernel weight (41.1–45.5 g). The analysis found out that the productivity of winter soft wheat varieties had an average positive correlation between the number of productive stems (r = 0.32±0.24) and 1000-kernel weight (r = 0.43±0.22). There was a weak positive correlation between productivity, the number of kernels per ear, kernel weight per ear (r = 0.25±0.24 and r = 0.21±0.24 respectively).

Rapeseed takes one of the leading places in the world production of vegetable oils. Winter varieties, which are more productive and economically viable than spring ones, are of the greatest interest. Despite the large number of varieties and hybrids of winter rapeseed registered in the State List of Breeding Achievements Approved for Use in the Russian Federation, the productivity of this crop did not increase for the last 15–20 years. The share of foreign breeding hybrids increased to 90%. All of them have been developed in a mild climate of Europe or America and are poorly adapted to our natural and climatic conditions. It is still important to develop a winter rapeseed variety, tolerant to negative temperature changes, to little snowy winters and adapted to the heavy overwinter conditions of the Rostov region. In 2001–2015 the FSBSI “Donskaya Experimental Station named after L. A. Zhdanov” used the method of cohesive self-pollination to develop the winter rapeseed variety “Priz” from a hybrid population grown on the basis of winter resistant highly productive genotypes identified from the varieties of domestic and foreign selection. The variety is characterized by harmonious ripening, short height, short vegetation and uniformity of plants. The potential productivity of seeds in the conditions of the Rostov region is 4.0–4.5 t/ha. Oil percentage of seeds is 47–50%. The quality of oil and meal meet GOST and international requirements. Plants are slightly responsive to powdery mildew and they are highly tolerant to winter. The variety “Priz” was introduced into the State List of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation and approved for use in the North Caucasus (6) cultivation region since 2017.

The article presents the study results of 1708 collection and breeding samples of winter soft and durum wheat developed by the department of wheat breeding in the FSBSI “Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”. The samples were studied on the presence of brown rust resistant genes (Lr9, Lr10, Lr19, Lr24, Lr26, Lr34, Lr37), stem rust (Sr32, Sr44), yellow rust (Yr5, Yr24) and leaf blotch (Stb2, Stb4). The estimation of the samples was conducted by the PCR. The resistant genes were identified in 70% of the studied samples. The screening identified 132 samples which carry 3 and more genes resistant to biotic factors in different variants. The samples which possess genes resistant to biotic factors are recommended to use as donors in the breeding programs.

Despite the great achievements in the breeding of wheat, corn, soybeans and other crops, spring barley is still the most important grain crop in the Russian Federation. It is proved by the growth of its acreage, which reached 8.4 million hectares in 2016 against 7.2 million in 2010. The long-term agricultural practice has shown that barley is one of the most drought-resistant, salt-resistant, unpretentious and early ripening grain crops. Due to such traits, in the conditions of risky farming of the Non-Blackearth (non-chernozem) zone, barley acquires great national economic significance. High demand determines the importance of breeding work with barley. There was studied genotypic variability of the protein percentage in kernels of 12 varieties of various technological directions grown in two locations of the Central Non-Blackearth region. To obtain ecological-genetic information, focused on the selection of plastic forms, there was used the method of estimation of the adaptive ability and stability of genotypes, the differentiating ability of the environment which takes into account the effects of compensation-destabilization, the biological essence of correlation between genotype and environment. The differentiation of varieties according to their ability to accumulate protein in kernels has been established. The highest percentage of protein was produced by grain grown in the Moscow region. Vegetation conditions had a significant impact on the indicator. The differences among the varieties are quite clearly seen through content of protein in kernels. At the same time, the group of brewing varieties was characterized on average by a lower percentage of protein in comparison with the group of feed varieties. There was a significant differentiation of varieties in terms of stability. It has been established that productivity increase results in a significant stability decrease of protein percentage in the new varieties. According to the differentiating ability of the environment, the most valuable breeding backgrounds have been identified for selecting a new breeding material for brewing and feeding purposes. The obtained results are proposed for practical use in plant-breeding to improve the stability of the qualitative parameters of barley.

The rye production decrease in the Russian Federation is associated with low competitiveness, as well as the insufficient breeding improvement of newly developed varieties with a number of traits. Winter rye for food occupies a large segment of the modern market, so it is necessary to grow varieties that are suitable not only for the production of alcohol, starch and fodder, but also for baking purposes with high biochemical and technological properties. The purpose of our research is to find out the breeding prospects for winter rye varieties with improved baking advantages in the Middle Volga region. The study was conducted from 2015 to 2017 on the basis of the Samara RIA named after N. M. Tulaykov. The object of the research was some zoned and promising winter rye varieties. The influence of changing growing conditions on yield, productivity elements and grain quality has been evaluated. It has been established that over the years of study the winter rye variety “Bezenchukskaya 110” was more stable and adaptable to the growing conditions (regression coefficient of 0.88) than the standard variety and its productivity reliably exceeded the yield of the standard variety (50.3 hwt/ha) by 2.1 hwt/ha. In 2015 and in 2016 the varieties “Bezenchkuyskaya 87” and “Roksana” showed the best baking properties, namely 515–575 cm³ of maximum bread volume. In 2016 the variety “Bezenchukskaya 110” showed the best biochemical parameters (282 p. falling number; 780 e. a. height of amylogram) and baking quality (4.2 points of general baking assessment). In the conditions of the Middle Volga region, it is necessary to carry out breeding of winter rye varieties for food, namely with improved technological and baking advantages.

According to the study of the collection material represented by the samples of various ecological and geographical origin, there has been determined the average level and range of variability of the main elements of yield structure. The average yield in the trial was 622.5 g/m². The maximum variability has been identified in the trait “productive stand”. The variability of the traits “length of an ear”, “number of kernels per ear” and “kernels’ weight per ear” was average. Over the years of research, the average variability of the traits “1000-kernels weight” (V = 8.6%) and “number of spikelets per ear” (V = 7.5%) was weak that indicates the high stability of these characteristics. Due to the regressive analysis the optimal parameters of productive element of the model variety of winter wheat of intensive type has been specified for the southern conditions of Russia. To produce 7.0–8.0 t/ha, “density of productive stand” should be 500–580 pc/m², “kernels’ weight per ear” should be 1.7–1.9 g, “1000-kernels weight” should be 44–47 g, “number of spikelets per ear” should be 18–20 pc., “number of kernels per ear” should be 37–41 pc., “length of an ear” should be 8.5–9.5 cm, “plant height” should be 85–95 cm. The specified indexes of such traits as “density of productive stand”, “plant height”, “number of spikelets per ear” have been practically achieved. It has been determined that the breeding work to improve productivity of the varieties of intensive type should be directed on the rise of kernels’ weight per ear by the increase of number and size of kernels per ear as well as by the increase of length of an ear and its density.

On the fields with infectious backgrounds more than one thousands of varieties and samples of collection and breeding material of winter wheat are annually estimated for resistance to six diseases (brown and yellow rust, leaf blotch, powdery mildew, loose and kernel smut). Among the collection material there have been identified the samples tolerant and resistant to all studied diseases as well as the samples with complex resistance to 3–6 pathogens (e. g. “Maris Kinsman”, “Tucan”, “Liwilla”, “KS93V76”, “PL 178383” and others). Such varieties of the Inter-Station Variety Testing (ISVT) from Russia, Ukraine, Germany, France as “Etana”, “Kurs”, “Rotaks”, “Solokha”, “Shestopalovka” cannot be artificially infected with the diseases. There has been identified a small percentage among the present varieties and collection samples tolerant to such diseases as powdery mildew, leaf blotch and kernel smut. The winter soft wheat varieties developed in the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy” both widely cultivated in production, and introduced for study in the SVT in recent years, are characterized by a high resistance to 2–4 studied diseases. These are the varieties “Tanais”, “Rostovchanka 7”, “Aksiniya”, “Nakhodka” which are recommended to plant after fallow forecrops and the varieties “Krasa Dona”, “Ermak”, “Donskoy Syurpriz”, “Don 107”, “Izyuminka”, “Asket”, “Lidiya” which are recommended to plant after non-fallow forecrops. The identified resistant varieties are recommended for wide cultivation, and the sources of resistance to a complex of the main harmful diseases on the Nizhny Don can be used in the breeding programs on immunity.