Most Far Eastern rice varieties are heavily affected by blast, so breeding of resistant samples is of great necessity. The purpose of the current study was to estimate and select androgenic doubled rice haploids Oryza sativa L. with an immune to the rice blast pathogen Pyricularia oryzae CaV. There has been estimated productivity of 36 androgenic lines of doubled rice haploids DH₁, identified from seven F₁ hybrids under the area vegetation conditions. Thirty-three of them have had resistance alleles of the genes of the Pi family. There has been determined resistance of nine DH₁ at an artificial infectious background when inoculating rice plants by spraying with an aqueous suspension of conidia P. oryzae. The study was carried out during two vegetation periods in the FSBSI FSC of Agricultural Biotechnology of the Far East names after A. K. Chaika. There have been identified fifteen lines of doubled rice haploids O. sativa with a pyramid of blast resistance genes, corresponding to the control variety ‘Dolinny’ according to its productivity. Over two years of study, mean grain weight per main panicle ranged from 1.4–2.2 g, grain weight per plant was from 1.5 to 2.0 g, and 1000-grain weight exceeded 27 g. There was a negative effect of the 239 bp allele of the Pi-2 gene individually or in combination with the resistance allele of the Pi-1 gene on the immunity of Far Eastern rice varieties. Individually, the Pi-z and Pi-ta2 genes or a pyramid with their participation provide a stable type of reaction of the DH lines and the variety ‘Dolinny’ to the Primorsky isolates of P. oryza with a mean damage rate from 1.7 to 2.6 points. All lines of doubled haploids were characterized by late-maturity and are of interest in the breeding process as parental forms in hybridization with early maturing varieties O. sativa of the Far Eastern breeding.

The current paper has presented the study results of promising lines of sainfoin in the competitive variety testing. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the fodder, seed productivity and quality of the fodder mass of promising sainfoin lines for the introduction of the best of them into production and use in breeding. The study was carried out in the fields of the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy”. The objects of study were nine sainfoin varieties and promising lines. The standard was a sainfoin variety ‘Veles’. According to the study results, green mass productivity of the lines ‘Sin 2/2010’, ‘Sin 4/2010’ and ‘Sin 8/95’ was 30.1 t/ha, 30.1 t/ha and 30.3 t/ha, or on 7.9 % and 8.6 % higher than that of the standard variety ‘Veles’ (27.9 t/ha). On average, for 2 cycles, the seed productivity of the studied lines varied from 0.93 t/ha to 1.02 t/ha and was significantly higher than that of the standard variety (0.85 t/ha). On average, during two cycles, the lines ‘Sin 3/2010’ and ‘Sin 3/2004’ produced the largest seed yield (1.02 t/ha). The lines ‘Sin 13/93’ and ‘Sin 4/2010’, respectively, exceeded dry matter yield of the standard variety ‘Veles’ on 9.8% and 10.0%, and feed units per 1 ha on 14.6% and 14.8%. The lines ‘Sin 3/2010’, ‘Sin 3/2004’ and ‘Sin 13/93’ are going to be propagated in isolated plots for further study under production conditions

The current study was carried out in 2019–2021 using the material and technical base of the FSBSI Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”, in order to research winter bread wheat samples of various ecological and geographical origin according to productivity and some economically valuable traits, to identify the most adapted of them for the conditions of the southern part of the Rostov region. The objects of the study were 17 winter bread wheat samples of ecological variety testing. The variety ‘Ermak’ was used as a standard. As a result of the study, there was found that the productivity of the samples (2019–2021) ranged from 7.75 (‘Etana’) to 9.52 t/ha (‘MV 15-04’). The standard variety ‘Ermak’ (8.20 t/ha) was exceeded by 9 samples ‘Akhmat’, ‘MONE’, ‘KIV – 6’, ‘Astarta’, ‘Slavna’, ‘Chornyava’, ‘XE 9710’, ‘MV 15-04’, ‘No. 71 CIMMYT’, the increase was from 0.45 to 1 .32 t/ha (0.42 t/ha with НСР05). According to ‘heading date’, the samples ‘KIV-6’, ‘Slavna’, ‘Chornyava’, ‘No. 71 CIMMYT’ (May 19–20) belonged to the middle-early maturing group; the samples ‘Akhmat’, ‘MONE’ (May 21–22) belonged to the middle-late maturing group; the samples Astarta, XE 9710, MV 15-04 (May 23–24) belonged to the late maturing group. According to ‘plant height’, the variation ranged from 81.5 cm (‘Akhmat’) to 100.3 cm (‘XE 9710’), the standard ‘Ermak’ had 99.5 cm. All studied samples belonged to a medium-large-grain-sized group (34.05–40.72 g) according to ‘1000-grain weight’. Through the years of study, the sample ‘No. 71 CIMMYT’ showed 0 points of powdery mildew resistance (defeat in the field). There have been identified the best septoria blight resistant samples ‘KIV-6’ (Russia) and ‘Astarta’ (Ukraine), with a damage degree of 5–10 %. The standard variety ‘Ermak’ had 30–40 %. As for yellow rust, the standard variety ‘Ermak’ was damaged on 50–60 %, the sample ‘No. 71 CIMMYT’ was damaged on 20–30 %; the sample ‘MONE’ on 5–10 %; the sample ‘KIV-6’ was damaged on  0–5 %; the remaining samples ‘Astarta’, ‘Slavna’, ‘Chornyava’, ‘XE 9710’ and ‘MV 15-04’ were resistant to this pathogen. According to the complex of economically valuable traits for practical breeding in the conditions of the south of the Rostov region, three winter bread wheat varieties ‘KIV-6’ (Russia), ‘Astarta’, ‘Slavna’ (Ukraine) have been of the greatest interest.

In order to use efficiently barley varieties for such purposes as food, fodder and brewing, an objective and thorough study of grain quality is of great necessity, with adjustment for the features of hulles varieties. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the biochemical and technological indicators of grain varieties of hulled and hulles barley, to determine the correlation between quality indicators. On the experimental basis of the Samara Research Institute of Agriculture, there were studied grain quality indicators of hulled and hulles barley varieties of the Competitive Variety Testing in 2019–2021. There has been established a high-protein group of varieties, such as ‘Orlan’, ‘Bezenchuksky 2’, ‘Lun’, ‘Streletsky golozerny’ and ‘Omsky golozerny 1’ with 14.9–16.8 % of protein. The largest ‘1000-grain weight’ (43.7–44.1 g) and low activity of α-amylase in grain (352–421 c of ‘falling number’) over the years of study was established among the hulled barley varieties of this group. Barley varieties with such qualitative traits could be widely used in the food industry and feed production. There has been noted that hulles barley varieties with a high protein percentage (16.8 %), the absence of hulls and low amylolytic activity (471 c), when adapting to growing conditions, will improve not only the quality of cereals, grain fodder, but can also be used for baking purposes. When summarizing the correlation analysis results, there was established that the correlation between a grain protein index and other qualitative traits was identified only under the extremely dry conditions of 2021. Grain husk content closely correlated inversely with grain unit (–0.94**; –0.64*; –0.84**) through all years of study. The ‘falling number’ in 2019 was somewhat less correlated with 1000-grain weight (0.60*) and grain unit (0.61*); negatively correlated with grain husk content both in 2019 and 2020 (–0.65*; –0.82**).

The current paper has presented the study results of the hybrid population of the second generation ‘Khao Hlan On × Kontakt’. The variety ‘Khao Hlan On’ is late-maturing, small-grained, fast-growing, of tall height, resistant to lodging, the variety ‘Kontakt’ is early-maturing, medium-grained, of low height, resistant to lodging. The purpose of the study was to analyze the inheritance of the main quantitative traits in the rice hybrid F₂ ‘Khao Hlan On × Kontakt’ and select the best forms for breeding. In the course of genetic analysis, there have been determined the features of traits’ inheritance that affect productivity; there have been selected the best plants with an average height, with vertical panicles and mean grain weight. The study was carried out on the fields of the EP “Proletarskoe” (the Rostov Region) in 2022. For all the studied traits, there have been established the monogenic differences between the parental varieties. According to plant height, there was a partial domination of the lower values of the trait (hp = –0.22). According to panicle length, there was a partial negative dominance of the trait (hp = –0.35). According to the trait ‘number of spikelets per panicle’, there was a partial dominance of a smaller value of the trait (hp = –0.19). According to 1000-grain weight, there was a partial negative dominance (hp = –0.26). There have been selected the best morphotype F₂ forms, which according to our earlier study, differed in optimal plant height, panicle length, number of spikelets per panicle, and 1000-grain weight.

The current paper has presented a three-year estimation of 14 new winter bread wheat varieties, recently developed in the laboratory of half-intensive type of the FSBSI Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”, according to such indicators as kernel hardness, grain nature weight, protein and gluten percentage in grain, IDK, SDS-sedimentation, flour strength, volume yield of bread from 100 g of flour and general baking assessment. The main way to improve the quality of winter bread wheat grain and flour is breeding, the development of varieties and samples with optimal values of these indicators. The purpose of the current study was to estimate current winter bread wheat varieties developed by the FSBSI Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy” according to the main quality indicators of grain and flour. Breeding for high flour-grinding and baking quality of grain has always been one of the priority areas for winter bread wheat breeding at the Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”. There has been identified more than 14 % of protein in grain on average for all studied varieties in 2019 (14.14 %) and 2021 (14.10 %). The average value of gluten content in grain was at the level of 27.1 %. More than 28.0 % of gluten was found in such varieties as ‘Volnitsa’ (28.9 %), ‘Podarok Krymu’ (29.5 %) and ‘Zolotoy Kolos’ (28.9 %). According to a set of quality indicators, the studied genotypes belonged to the second and third quality classes according to GOST 9353-2016. According to the study results, there have been determined significant positive correlations between protein percentage and gluten content in grain (r = 0.71±0.19); volume yield of bread and general baking assessment (r = 0.95±0.05); gluten content and flour strength (r = 0.57±0.22); grain nature weight and SDS-sedimentation (r = 0.62±0.21); SDS-sedimentation and flour strength (r = 0.63±0.21).

The purpose of the current study was to identify and present the most economically valuable features of the new spring barley variety ‘Rafael’ in the conditions of the Central region. There was developed a new spring barley variety ‘Rafael’ based on the Governmental task of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Federal Research Center “Nemchinovka”, (FRC “Nemchinovka” (Moscow Region)) No. 0608-2019-0011 and the Institute of Seed Production and Agrotechnologies, a branch of the FSBSI “Federal Research Agro-engineering Center VIM” (ISPA, a branch of FSBSI FRAEC VIM (Ryazan region)) No. 0581-2019-0021. In 2020–2021 the variety was tested in the State Variety Testing. In 2022, the variety was included in the State List of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation and approved for use in the Central (3) and Volga-Vyatka (4) regions. The code of the variety is 8057530. There was received the patent No. 12254. Breeding number 35/1-09 h 662 was obtained when crossing the lodging-resistant variety ‘Ksanadu’ and the breeding lines 27/13-78 h 34 (‘Moskovsky 121 x Highproli’), identified from the genetic collection according to a complex resistance to helminthosporiasis of barley and soil drought. The analysis of long-term data (2014–2019) has shown that under various agrometeorological conditions of the environmental trials, the variety was characterized by improved productivity in comparison with the standard variety ‘Yaromir ‘and varieties of earlier breeding. In the experimental crop rotation FRC “Nemchinovka” exceeded the mean value of productivity on 0.44 t/ha, the productivity increase was on 0.68 t/ha more than that of the standard variety, and on 1.08 t/ha more than that of the parental variety ‘Ksanadu’. In the fields, the ISPA, a branch of FSBSI FRAEC VIM exceeded the standard variety on 0.09 t/ha, providing a mean productivity of 6.85 t/ha. The maximum value of the indicator of the variety stability level (PSSS = 141.6%) has characterized a high degree of variety adaptation to various environmental conditions. The economic efficiency calculation has shown an increased profitability of the new variety on 17.0–20.8% compared to the widespread varieties. The introduction of this variety into production can significantly improve and stabilize gross barley productivity in the Central and Volga-Vyatka regions of Russia, increase profitability of enterprises and provide the feed industry with domestic raw materials.

It is possible to solve the problem of productivity and improve the gross harvest of agricultural products by introducing new varieties and hybrids adapted to the conditions of cultivation into production. The diversity of the varietal composition of sorghum crops necessitates a careful approach in the selection of varieties. This is especially important for the North Caucasus region, which is characterized by contrasting natural and climatic conditions. The purpose of the current study was to analyze the existing varietal range of grain, sweet, grass sorghum, to identify varieties recommended for cultivation in the North Caucasus region. The work on the development of sorghum crops was carried out at the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “ARC “Donskoy” in accordance with the Methodology of the State Commission for Variety Testing of Agricultural Crops. There has been found that since 2013 20 grain sorghum varieties and hybrids of Russian originators (7 sugar sorghum varieties, 6 Sudan grass varieties, 7 sorghum-Sudan hybrids) have been approved for cultivation in the North Caucasus region of the Russian Federation. Since 2013 2 grain sorghum varieties, 2 sweet and Sudan grass varieties, 1 sorghum-Sudan hybrid have been developed and introduced into the Register at ARC “Donskoy”. There have been developed grain sorghum varieties ‘Zernogradskoye 88’, ‘Esaul’ which are distinguished by high grain productivity of 5.0–6.2 t/ha and have been recommended for use for feed and food purposes. Sweet sorghum varieties ‘Feniks’ and ‘Yuzhnoe’ have been characterized by a large productivity of green mass for silage (37–45 t/ha) and good feed qualities, which allows them to be used for silage production. Sudan grass varieties ‘Alisa’ and ‘Gratsiya’ have made it possible to obtain 2 cuttings of high-quality green fodder (39–44 t/ha) and hay (12.0–13.2 t/ha). The sorghum-Sudan hybrid ‘Dobrynya F1’ has 55–61 t/ha of green mass for two cuttings and could be recommended for use for green fodder, hay, silage.

Currently winter barley breeding is aimed at developing high-yielding varieties that are adaptive to the challenges of nature. In addition to the characteristics of the variety and environmental conditions, productivity is greatly influenced by a forecrop. The purpose of the current study was to determine the adaptive properties of winter barley varieties according to productivity and adaptability indicators in the conditions of the Lower Don. In order to study this issue, in 2020–2022 there was carried out a study to estimate the adaptability parameters of 20 winter barley varieties developed by the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy” according to various forecrops (black fallow, peas, sunflower). The plot area was 10 m², with 4 repetitions and seeding rate of 450 germ.seed/m². In order to determine indicators of homeostaticity (Hom), breeding value (Sc), stress resistance (Y_min–Y_max) and genetic flexibility ((Y_max+Y_min)/2), coefficient of responsiveness to favorable growing conditions (Kp) and index of variety stability level (VSL) there were applied the methods of V. V. Khangildin and N. A. Litvinenko, A. A. Rosielle and J. Hamblina, V. A. Zykin, E. D. Nettevich. The conducted analysis has shown that on average over the years of study for all forecrops, the largest productivity was given by such varieties as ‘Marusya’, ‘Step’, ‘Pallidum 2100’. Also, for all forecrops, there have been identified the varieties characterized with high parameters of environmental adaptability and stability. The stable varieties were ‘Parallelum 2016’ and ‘Parallelum 2017’, which could be recommended for use in the breeding process as sources of high stress resistance, genotype value, and low variability of productivity. The varieties ‘Marusya’, ‘Step’ and ‘Pallidum 2100’ belong to the adaptable group, the productivity dynamics of these varieties corresponded to changes in growing conditions, and in order to obtain maximum productivity, there has been recommended to cultivate them after intensive forecrops.

There have been presented the study results of the biochemical composition of the green mass of sandy sainfoin (Onobrychis arenaria) samples developed by the FSBSI Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”. The purpose of the current study was to identify the variability of the content of raw nutrients: protein, oil, fiber, ash, BEV in the green mass of sainfoin varieties and lines, to determine the amino acid composition of protein and to identify the best samples for the studied traits. The study was carried out in the period of 2017–2021. The variety ‘Zernogradsky 2’ was used as a standard variety. Biochemical analyzes were carried out in the period ‘budding stage – blooming stage’. The chemical composition of the selected samples was carried out in accordance with the methodology and GOSTs. The maximum crude protein percentage was determined in promising lines ‘Sin 8/95’ (15.38 %) and ‘Sin 13/95’ (14.72 %). There was found that the varieties ‘Veles’ (10.6 %), ‘Atamansky’ (14.1 %) and the lines ‘Sin 13/95’ (11.8 %), ‘Sin 8/95’ (16.9 %) were characterized by a high concentration of raw ash. The optimal fiber content was established in the varieties ‘Atamansky’ (29.73 %) and ‘Veles’ (29.61%). As a result of determining the amino acid composition of protein, there was found that the line ‘Sin 8/95’ (68.5 g/kg) and the varieties ‘Zernogradsky 2’ (62.3 g/kg), ‘Veles’ (52.5 g/kg) were distinguished by the collection of essential amino acids. The varieties ‘Veles’ (75.0 g/kg), ‘Zernogradsky 2’ (66.5 g/kg) and the line ‘Sin 8/95’ (66.4 g/kg) were distinguished by the number of non-essential amino acids. The line ‘Sin 8/95’ (134.9 g/kg) and the varieties ‘Veles’ (127.5 g/kg), ‘Zernogradsky 2’ (128.8 g/kg) were characterized by a high total collection of amino acids. There was determined that crude protein percentage (from 4.3–18.4 %), fiber (7.8–16.9 %), dry matter (4.5–13.1 %) and BEV (9.6–15.9 %) were characterized by slight and medium variation in values. The content of crude ash (9.6–25.2 %) and crude oil (7.5–27.8 %) had weak, medium and strong variations depending on the variety and line. The study of the biochemical composition of sainfoin made it possible to establish varietal differences and variability of traits that characterize the nutritional value of the feed. The varieties ‘Veles’, ‘Zernogradsky 2’ and the promising line ‘Sin 8/95’ were found to have the best quality traits, which could be recommended for use in the breeding process as sources of useful traits and properties. 

The current paper has presented the results of environmental testing of winter durum wheat varieties in the conditions of the southern part of the Rostov region. The purpose of the study was to estimate productivity and grain quality of winter durum wheat varieties of various maturity groups. The objects of the study were 53 winter durum wheat varieties of various environmental origins of breeding, namely FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy”, FSBSI RCG named after P. P. Lukiyanenko, FSBSI FRAC and other institutions. The variety ‘Kristella’ was used as a standard variety. According to the results of the study there was found that 22.6 % (12 pcs.) of winter durum wheat samples belonged to the middle-early maturity group with a heading stage starting on May 20–22; 49.1 % (26 pcs.) of samples belonged to the middle-maturing group (May 23–25); 28.3 % (15 pcs.) of samples belonged to middle-late maturing group (May 26–29). The maximum productivity for the study period (2020–2022) was identified among the samples of middle maturity group (8.40 t/ha). High quality indicators were formed by winter durum wheat varieties of the middle-early maturity group with 15.24 % of protein, 27.0 % of gluten, 38 ml of SDS-sedimentation, 567 Mkg/% of carotenoids. On average for three years, the samples of the middle maturity group (78 %; 777 g/l) have formed high kernel hardness and grain unit in the trial. During the correlation analysis, there have been obtained significant positive correlations in middle-early genotypes (with protein content (r = 0.95±0.04), gluten content (r = 0.94±0.04), kernel hardness (r = 0.48±0,12), SDS-sedimentation (r = 0.92±0.04), carotenoid content (r = 0.96±0.04)) and in middle-late genotypes (with kernel hardness (r = 0.41±0.13)). Among middle maturing samples there have been found no significant correlations. 

The efficiency of the anther culture method in vitro largely depends on the responsiveness of varieties and hybrids to the induction of androgenesis. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the efficiency of haploproduction of regenerated lines (R₀) of winter bread wheat developed by anther culture in vitro and grown in a greenhouse. To achieve this goal, there was set a task to conduct a morphometric estimation of the developed heads (R₀) to identify their fertility level. The study was carried out in the laboratory of cell breeding of the FSBSI Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy” in 2021–2022. The objects of the study were 7 hybrid combinations of winter wheat, which were responsive to androgenesis in vitro in the culture of isolated anthers. As a result of induced androgenesis on an artificial nutrient medium, there were identified 333 neoplasms, represented by calluses, embryoids and embryogenic complexes. Green regenerated plants were vernalized in test tubes, cloned, diloidized, then planted into soil. There were obtained 13 haploid lines, after diploidization only 34 plants survived. The highest haploproductive capacity was established in the hybrid combination F₃ ‘Rostovchanka 7xBezostaya 100’. In this combination, there were formed 8 green regenerants, 21 plants of which were developed together with clones, 18 of which survived. The cytometric estimation has shown, that 25 dihaploid (2n = 42) and 16 haploid (n = 21) wheat plants have been identified by hybrid combinations, including 13 dihaploids from the combination ‘Rostovchanka 7xBezostaya 100’. As a result of the structural analysis and morphometric estimation of the head there has been found a different fertility degree of androgenic regenerated plants. There have been established prospects of using the dihaploid line ‘79.2.1.2’ in further breeding work based on the hybrid combination F₃ ‘Rostovchanka 7xBezostaya 100’ with the highest values of such yield elements as ‘number of heads’, ‘number and weight of grains per head’.

The study of ten parental forms of maize hybrids was carried out in 2017–2019 at five testing establishments with contrasting weather conditions, namely FSBSI Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”, Rostov Region; FSBSI “All-Russian research institute of maize”, Stavropol Territory; Povolzhsky branch of FSBSI ARRIWG, Volgograd region; FSBSI “All-Russian research institute of maize” (Voronezh branch), Voronezh Region; LLC "Leader", Volgograd region. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the parameters of environmental adaptability and stability, using contrasting moisture points, to evaluate the productive potential of parental forms, i.e. sterile simple maize hybrids to optimize their further use in the breeding and seed production process. The parental forms formed the maximum grain productivity in the Voronezh branch of the All-Russian research institute of maize, where there were formed the most favorable conditions with the environmental index Ij = +2.2; the smallest productivity was formed under the conditions of the ARC “Donskoy” with Ij = –2.3. There have been identified the parental forms (‘Maya M’ and ‘Prestizh M’) with a high potential grain productivity (9.1…9.5 t/ha). There have been identified the parental forms ‘Almaz M’, ‘Avrora S’, ‘Milena M’, ‘Mirt M’, ‘Malvina S’, ‘Raduga S’, ‘Prestizh M’, ‘Maya M’ with high environmental adaptability (bi = 1.03…1.37), high responsiveness to favorable growing conditions. They have been recommended to be used to develop maize hybrids of intensive type. Among them, there have been identified the most adaptable hybrids ‘Mirt M’ and ‘Prestizh M’ with Y_max+Y_min = 6.2…6.8. There have been identified the parental forms ‘Alfa M’ and ‘Istok S’ with low adaptability (bi = 0.76...0.77), but at the same time with high environmental adaptability (σ²d = 0.16...0.20) and high stress resistance (Y_min–Y_max = –3.0…3.1). They have been found preferable for breeding maize hybrids of extensive type for growing under less favorable conditions. The hybrid ‘Istok S’ (Hom = 4) was characterized by the best homeostasis.

The current study was carried out in order to identify the efficiency of direct (no-till) sowing of grain crops after potatoes on medium loamy gray forest soils with 2.33 % of humus, 210 mg/kg of mobile phosphorus, 162 mg/kg of exchangeable potassium and 6.6 units of acidity. The objects of study were winter and spring wheat, spring barley for brewing and fodder, maize for grain and silage. The sowing complex ‘Amazone Primera DMC’ has carried out direct (no-till) sowing of disease-treated seeds with the simultaneous application of mineral fertilizers. Grain crop treatment to control weeds, pests, and diseases, as well as top dressing with macro- and micro-fertilizers were aimed at obtaining the maximum productivity of each grain crop. The hydrothermal coefficient in the 2020 growing year was 1.04, in 2021 it was 0.60 and in 2022 it was 1.05. Harvesting was carried out in the phase of full ripening of grain and milky-wax ripeness of cobs when laying maize silage. On average, the largest (3.85 t/ha) grain productivity when using direct (no-till) sowing was produced by maize, and the least yields (2.00 t/ha) were given by brewing barley. In the production of these crops, there have been identified maximum (2.72) and minimum (1.99) energy efficiency coefficients. An economic estimation has shown the feasibility of direct (no-till) sowing of winter wheat, where the maximum (68.4 %) level of profitability was established. The minimum (14.8 %) level of profitability was found in the cultivation of brewing barley, which could be explained by the high degree of material and labor costs and low productivity. The profitability of the production of other crops was lower in 1.21-3.39 times. In general, agroeconomic and energy analysis has proved a high efficiency of direct (no-till) sowing in the cultivation of winter wheat and maize after potatoes in the agro-climatic conditions of the Republic Chuvashia.

In order to manage the phytosanitary situation on the sowings and get the maximum yields of high quality, at first it is necessary to estimate the condition of the protected crop. Based on this estimation, in future it is possible to establish the most effective and economically justified protection system. Grain crops are the most important strategic crops that ensure food security around the world. According to the FAO the world crop losses caused by pests have reached up to 40 % where fungal pathogens have played the most significant role. Therefore, the most important task of phytosanitary monitoring is the timely detection and identification of the disease before the beginning of symptoms at the earliest stages of pathogen development, which becomes possible when the infectious beginning of the disease has been detected. When monitoring fungal diseases, spore-catching equipment allow this issue to be solved. The purpose of the current review was to describe the existing developments of spore-catching equipment for monitoring grain crop diseases and to identify promising areas for using devices on crops to improve protective measures’ efficiency. The introduction has briefly described the classical methods of monitoring and the relatively new methods currently used. In the main part there has been considered a spore-catching equipment developed and used both in foreign and domestic practice. There have been analyzed the methods of using spore-catching equipment and given the examples of the use of these devices in monitoring crop diseases. In the conclusions there have been summarized the trends in the development of technical support for phytosanitary monitoring and shown areas that have been found promising for further research.