There has been given brief historical information on the formation of primary seed production of grain crops at the Zernograd State Breeding Experimental Station (now FSBSI Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”). The current paper has presented the results of seed production work and further prospects for the laboratory work from the moment the laboratory was set up in 1955 to the present days. There has been shown the role of seed-growers in improving the methods of individual-family, mass, and negative selection; in a comprehensive study to improve the sowing qualities of seeds and determine the causes of seed damage of winter common wheat varieties during harvesting and post-harvesting processing. There has been established that in different years the laboratory of primary seed production was headed by the following researchers who contributed their invaluable experience. They are A. M. Nadeeva (1955–1967), L. G. Sinetskaya (1967–1972), L. I. Tareva (1972–1980; 1992–1997), N. D. Shchedrin (1980–1991), S. S. Kovalev (1997–2004), T. I. Firsova (2004 and at present days). There has been found out that the laboratory is conducting research work, according to the “Methodological recommendations for the production of seeds of the basic grain, leguminous and cereal crops” for the primary seed production of grain crop varieties of the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy” on an area of 34 hectares, in volumes up to 6000 families in primary links. The main method of work is individual-family selection with a two-year estimation of families according to progeny. Every year, more than 120 tons of conditioned original seeds are produced in breeding nurseries for winter common wheat, winter and spring barley, which meet the regulatory requirements for varietal and sowing qualities and their classification by reproductions.

The productivity increase of many agricultural crops is associated with the production of heterotic hybrid forms that are more productive than conventional varieties. In order to obtain a heterotic effect and develop hybrid seeds in sorghum breeding practice, the phenomenon of cytoplasmic male sterility is used. The purpose of the current work was to study new sorghum-Sudan hybrids developed on the basis of CMS, and to determine heterosis according to the main economically valuable traits that affect green mass productivity. The study was carried out in theAgricultural Research Center “Donskoy” in 2020–2022. The objects of the study were the sorghum-Sudanese hybrids studied in the competitive variety testing. Sowing and field observations were carried out according to generally accepted methods. The meteorological conditions during the years of study (2020–2022) varied significantly, which made it possible to conduct a comprehensive estimation of hybrids in contrasting conditions. According to the study carried out according to the main traits (length of “sprouts-heading stage” period, plant height, length of the 3rd leaf and number of leaves per plant), which affect the productivity of sorghum-Sudan hybrids, there has been established a high heterotic effect. Hybrids developed on the basis of CMS had a green mass productivity of 3557–5949 g/m2 for two cuts. Hypothetical heterosis ranged from 59.8 to 144.3 %, true heterosis was 22.1–95.1 %. According to the green mass productivity, the hybrids ‘APV-1115 x Kudesnitsa’, ‘APV-1115 x Svetloplenchataya 2’, ‘APV-1115 x ChT-22’, ‘Dzhetta x ChT-22’ were the best ones, exceeding the standard on 755–1384 g/m2 or by 16.5–30.3 %. The identified hybrids have confirmed the expediency of using cytoplasmic male sterility to obtain a highly heterotic effect both in terms of green mass productivity and in terms of the main traits that affect productivity.

The expansion of winter wheat sowing areas is one of the reserves for increasing grain production in the Siberian region, since the areas under winter wheat is 15–20 % larger than under spring wheat according to productivity and has great potential in using bioclimatic resources of the region. the availability of sources of economically valuable traits and the development of various initial material on their basis is of decisive importance for breeding of new winter wheat varieties and their successful introduction into production. The purpose of the current paper was to find sources of economically valuable traits from the collection of winter wheat varieties of Russian breeding in the conditions of Western Siberia. There has been studied a collection of varieties and lines of winter common wheat of Russian breeding from the institutions of the Rostov region, Stavropol, and Krasnodar Areas. Field and laboratory trials were carried out on the experimental field of the Omsk SAU in the conditions of the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia in 2020–2022. Sowing was laid in fallow at the generally accepted sowing dates. According to the breeding estimation of the studied samples in the field seasons of 2020–2022 there was a significant correlation between winter resistance of plants and winter wheat productivity (r = 0.59), as well as an inverse correlation between productivity and gluten percentage (r = –0.36), grain ash content (r = –0.73) and sedimentation (r = –0.38). The varieties ‘Barynya’ (North Caucasian FNAC), ‘Gubernator Dona’, ‘Donna’ (Rostov ARC), ‘Don 107’, ‘Nakhodka’ (ARC “Donskoy”) and the line ‘K18918’ (RCG named after P.P. Lukyanenko), characterized by increased winter resistance (6.5–8 points) and productivity (351–384 g/m2) have been recommended as sources in breeding to improve productivity level and stability of winter wheat varieties in the conditions of Western Siberia. The varieties ‘Etnos’, ‘Anka’, ‘Gurt’, ‘Antonina’, ‘Alekseich’ and ‘Duplet’ of Krasnodar breeding with a high protein and gluten percentage (16.1–17.9 % and 35.5–39.3 %), large grain ash content and sedimentation (1.59–1.92 % and 58.0–67.0 ml) can be used as an initial material in breeding to improve the quality of winter wheat grain.

The current study was carried out on 20 pea varieties and lines of various origins with a leafless type in the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia in 2019–2022. The purpose of the study was to conduct a comparative analysis of varieties and breeding lines of domestic and foreign breeding and identify those suitable for processing into cereals. The trial was laid in the nursery of ecological variety testing according to the generally accepted methodology. The technological quality of grain was estimated according to the method of the State Commission for Variety Testing. Weather conditions were contrasting with periods of severe drought. The most favorable years for the formation of a large productivity of pea seeds (5.11 and 5.01 t/ha, respectively) were 2019 (HTC = 0.99) and 2020 (HTC = 0.60). In 2022 (HTC = 1.04), the lowest yield was obtained on average for the trial (2.22 t/ha, environmental index was 1.78), but with an increased proportion of protein (23.86 %, environmental index was +1,07). The variety ‘Yamalsky’ (2.79–5.61 t/ha) was the best in productivity, yielding to foreign varieties in the formation of protein in seeds (21.7 %). High-protein varieties were ‘Bonus 2’ and ‘L 36/18’ (22.7–26.8 %). There has been established that the highest protein percentage is synthesized at a yield level of 3.8 to 4.3 t/ha. There has been clarified correlation between protein yield per unit of area and productivity (r = 0.92) and protein percentage in seeds (r = 0.50). The correlation between 1000- seed weight and their uniformity was close to functional (r = 0.93), and with the total yield of cereals it was medium negative (r = –0.45), with the yield of shelled peas with undivided cotyledons it was strong negative (r = –0.76). The smallest yield of cereals was obtained from peas with a high percentage of coarse fraction (7.0–6.5 mm). In order to produce cereals with a standardized yield and quality, there have been recommended the variety ‘Blagovest’ and the line ‘L 182/15’. There has been established that among high-yielding varieties (4.27–4.63 t/ha) for the cereal industry there can be used such varieties as ‘Yamalsky’, ‘Krasnoufimsky 11’, ‘Aksaysky usatiy 55’, ‘Salamanka’ with a lower yield of shelled peas with undivided cotyledons (49.9–61, 1 %).

Drought is one of the most important factors hindering the cultivation of rice, resulting in large yield losses, and limiting productivity growth. The purpose of the current study was to determine the drought resistance of rice varieties and samples of various origins under conditions of periodic irrigation with periods of prolonged soil aridity and high air temperature, to identify drought-resistant plants for the selection of upland varieties. There have been studied 68 varieties and samples of upland rice when grown on irrigated and flooded areas (Proletarsk, Rostov region). There has been established that varieties and samples under drought conditions and sufficient water supply formed different grain productivity, which in 2020–2021 with a lack of water amounted to 63.7 % of the norm, and in 2022 to 30.1 %. There has been found that the correlation of rice productivity under dry conditions with that under full moisture supply was weak negative (r = –0.22±0.12), and with the drought resistance index (DRI) it was high positive (r = 0.95±0.04). The values of quantitative traits under drought conditions have changed significantly in comparison with the control. Such traits as plant height (95.7 %), panicle length (73.1%), panicle density (58.7 %), number of harvested plants per 1 m2 (87.3 %), plant weight (42.3 %), panicle weight (25.1 %), total number of spikelets (54.5 %) and grains per panicle (32.4 %), 1000-grain weight (70.4 %) have decreased. Such traits as number of productive stems per 1 m2 (115.2 %), tilling capacity (126.1 %), the number of empty spikelets per panicle (205.1 %) and the percentage of empty grains (339.1 %) have increased. There have been identified such 9 varieties and samples with DRI from 51.1 to 93.7 % as ‘Kontro’, ‘An-Yun-Ho’, ‘Chan-Chun-Man’, ‘Hong-Mo’, ‘8323’, ‘8338’, ‘8337’, ‘ZULK 8’, ‘ZULK 9’, which formed maximum productivity in dry conditions (3.95–5.51 t/ha).

The purpose of the current study was to determine the main economically valuable traits of the new spring durum wheat variety ‘Bezenchuksky podarok’, to establish its significance in the system of durum wheat varieties and to describe the main approbation traits. The variety was developed by individual selection from the hybrid population F9 746D-39/Pamyati Chekhovicha. Its pedigree includes such varieties as ‘Kharkovskaya 46’, ‘Bezenchuksky yantar’, ‘Saratovskaya zolotistaya’, ‘CIMMYT – Altar 84’, ‘Ahninga’, intermediate breeding lines ‘92D-4’, ‘2125D-4’, ‘746D-18’ of the Samara RIA and the breeding line ‘358s-94’ of the RIA of the South-East. Field trials, phenological observations and estimations in the competitive and ecological variety trials were carried out in accordance with the requirements of the methodology of the State Commission for Variety Testing and Protection of Breeding Achievements. The variety belongs to the Volga steppe ecological group, middle-maturing biotype, having a medium-sized stem (with the height reduction gene RhtAhng). Over the years of study (2018–2022), in the competitive variety testing, a new variety with a mean grain productivity of 2.36 t/ha exceeded the standard variety ‘Bezenchukskaya 210’ on 0.15 t/ha and the variety ‘Bezenchukskaya zolotistaya’, which is widespread in the Volga region and the Urals, on 0.19 t/ha. In the ecological variety testing in the Samara SAU (Kinel) and in the RIA of the South-East (Saratov), the excess over local standards was 1.05 t/ha and 0.06 t/ha, respectively. In the competitive variety testing (2018–2022), the new variety was the best in its responsiveness to environmental conditions (the regression coefficient bi was 1.06, the standard variety’s coefficient was 1.00), and its resistance to stem rust pathogens and leaf spots (Alternaria sp., Fusarium sp.). The new variety was the best in terms of gluten quality with the parameters of SDS (52 ml), and IG (94.0 %), which makes it possible to attribute it to the class of durum wheat varieties with excellent gluten. Thus, gluten quality and production capabilities of the variety ‘Bezenchuksky Podarok’ have enhanced the diversification of the durum wheat varietal system in the Middle Volga region.

The purpose of the current study was to estimate the varietal zoning of spring wheat in the Tyumen region, as well as a productivity and adaptability potential of its varieties in the conditions of the northern forest-steppe zone of the region. Varietal zoning of spring wheat in 2022 included 18 varieties. The largest mean productivity was produced by the varieties ‘Ekaterina’ (3.14 t/ha, a middle-early variety), ‘KVS Akvilon’ (3.60 t/ha, a middle maturing variety) and ‘Melodiya’ (3.86 t/ha, a middle late variety). The best stress resistant varieties were ‘Novosibirskaya 15’ (a middle-early variety, –1.59), ‘Chernyava 13’ (a middle maturing variety, –1.42) and ‘Melodiya’ (a middle late variety, –2.08). The varieties ‘Ekaterina’ (a middle-early variety), ‘Ikar’, ‘Aviada’, ‘Omskaya 36’, ‘KVS Akvilon’ (a middle maturing variety), ‘Riks’ and ‘Melodiya’ (a middle late variety) belong to the strongly responsive, intensive varieties, with a regression coefficient b_i > 1. The best stable varieties in the middle-early group were the varieties ‘Iren’ (S_i² = 1.82), ‘Tyumenskaya 25’ (S_i² = 0.92) and the varieties ‘Lutescens 70’ (S_i² = 0.92), ‘Chernyava 13’ (S_i² = 1.18), ‘Tyumenskaya 29’ (S_i² = 1.61) in the middle maturing group. The varieties ‘Ekaterina’ (P_cond = 197.8 %, a middle early variety), ‘Tyumenskaya Yubileinaya’ (P_cond = 202.5 %, a middle early variety), ‘Chernyava 13’ (P_cond = 170.9 %, a middle maturing variety), ‘Grenada’ (P_cond = 122.9 %, a middle maturing variety) and ‘Melodiya’ (P_cond = 154.2 %, a middle late variety) were characterized with the largest indicator of the productivity level and stability. According to the general adaptability, the best middle early variety was ‘Ekaterina’ (GA = 0.39), the middle maturing ones was ‘Chernyava 13’ (GA = 0.18) and ‘KVS Akvilon’ (GA = 0.26), the middle late variety was ‘Melodiya’ (GA = 0.19). According to the sum of the ranks of productivity and adaptability indicators, the most valuable variety in the middle early group was ‘Ekaterina’ (the sum of ranks was 20), in the middle maturing group was ‘Chernyava 13’ (the sum of ranks was 23) and in the middle late group was ‘Melodiya’ (the sum of ranks was 10).

The purpose of the current study was to develop a new spring barley variety that can form consistently large productivity in different soil and climatic conditions, including regions with frequent droughts. As a result of breeding work at the experimental breeding station ‘Prikumskaya’, a branch of the FSBRI “North Caucasus FRAC”, there was developed a new spring barley variety ‘Stepnyak’ in 2009–2020. The new genotype was obtained as a result of intraspecific hybridization, followed by individual selection from the hybrid population of Nutans g-74840 (EBS ‘Prikumskaya’, a branch of the FSBRI “North Caucasus FRAC”) and Special (ICARDA, Syria). According to maturation terms, the variety belongs to the group of middle maturing varieties. The vegetation period lasts from 75 to 87 days. The new variety has high drought and heat resistance, resistance to lodging and damage by net blotch. During 2020–2022 at the EBS ‘Prikumskaya’, the new variety ‘Stepnyak’, in comparison with the standard, was characterized by a higher productive stem stand with 353 pcs/m2 (+9 pcs. to the standard), number of grain peer head with 21 pcs. (+6 pieces to the standard) and grain yield per total mass of a plant 39.1% (+4.5 % to the standard). The mean variety productivity in the Competitive Variety Testing was 2.42 t/ha and was higher than that of the standard variety ‘Strannik’ on 0.32 t/ ha (15.2 %). The high adaptation of the new variety to changing environmental conditions makes it possible to form a stable productivity increase to the standard variety ‘Strannik’. In 2020, at the EBS ‘Prikumskaya’, with a significant moisture deficit, the variety ‘Stepnyak’ exceeded productivity of the standard variety on 0.30 t/ha. In a more favorable 2021 and 2022 the yield increase varied from 0.24 to 0.43 t/ha. When studying the variety in the Kalmyk Research Institute of Agriculture (in 2021 and 2022), the yield increase to the standard variety ‘Strannik’ was 0.25 t/ha (12.8 %). During the years of the State Variety Testing (2021 and 2022) in the North Caucasus and Low Volga regions, the new variety ‘Stepnyak’ exceeded productivity of the standard on 0.17–0.18 t/ha, respectively. In 2023, the variety ‘Stepnyak’ was included in the State List of Breeding Achievements and recommended for cultivation in the North Caucasus and Lower Volga regions.

The current paper has considered the results of comparative trials of winter wheat varieties of the ARC “Donskoy” in the zone of blackearth soils, the subzone of southern blackearth of the Volgograd region. Modern breeding provides a wide choice of winter wheat varieties. In the Volgograd region, more than 100 varieties are sown annually. This objectively results in difficulty of the best choice. Based on the official data on the preferences of farmers, there have been optimized the selection base, focusing on the varieties of the ARC “Donskoy”, considering it more important and responsible for farmers to clarify information about this significant (about 60 %) block. The field trial was laid in the Kikvidzensky district of the Volgograd region in the zone of blackearth soils, the subzone of southern blackearth, on the lands of “AGROPRODUKT” LLC. The study was carried out according to the methodology used by the State Variety Commission. Significant effect on the autumn stage of development was made by weather conditions, which were significantly contrasting, during the years of trial. The value of field germination was at the level of 65–75 %. The indicators of autumn tillering at the end of the autumn vegetation period for three years were in a rather narrow range of 3.9–4.7 pcs/plant. In the studied area, the formation of yield due to the density of productive stems prevailed. On average, for three years, the value of the productive stalk was 610–729 pieces/m2. According to this indicator, the winter wheat varieties ‘Krasa Dona’, ‘Donskaya Step’, ‘Kapitan’ (679–729 pcs/m2) were the best ones. As a result, the best productivity indicators were demontarted by the varieties ‘Krasa Dona’ (5.66 t/ha) and ‘Donskaya Step’ (5.41 t/ha). A significant group of varieties, such as ‘Kapitan’, ‘Lidiya’, ‘Asket’, ‘Zhavoronok’, formed 5.21– 5.26 t/ha.

Taking into account the main purposes of barley use (food, feed, brewing), one of the main tasks is to develop highly productive and high-quality varieties with specified grain protein parameters that meet Russian and international standards for targeted use, since the requirements for protein percentage in grain are different. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the productivity and protein percentage in grain of spring barley varieties, to identify correlations between productivity, protein percentage and grain hoodness. There has been established that, depending on the weather conditions of the vegetation period, the yield decrease of spring barley grain from 3.96 t/ha to 1.56 t/ha during the years of study was due to a decrease in productive tillering, grain weight per head, and number of grains per head. According to the results of the correlation analysis, barley productivity did not depend on 1000-grain weight. On average, in 2018–2022, the largest productivity was formed by the barley varieties ‘Kholzan’ with 2.93 t/ha and ‘Sarych’ with 2.88 t/ha. There has been identified a group of such varieties with an increased amount of protein, regardless of the weather conditions of the vegetation period as ‘Lun’, ‘Prairiya’, ‘Bezenchuksky 2’, ‘Kholzan’, ‘Orlan’, with the maximum protein percentage of 14.5 % formed by the variety ‘Lun’. These spring barley varieties are suitable for food (cereals) and feed purposes. There has been established that the maximum percentage of protein substances was formed in very dry years (17.0 % by the variety ‘Lun’). There has been found a significant inverse correlation between grain productivity and protein content only in years with contrasting weather conditions, namely in the extremely dry 2021 (–0.65*) and in the favorable for plant growth and development 2022 (–0.60*). There was seen a similar situation between protein percentage and grain hoodness with –0.66* in 2021 and –0.73** in 2022. On average, over the years of study, there was no significant correlation between these indicators, which demonstrates the possibility of breeding highly productive spring barley varieties with protein percentage in grain at the level of existing standards.

The purpose of the current study was to determine the content of mobile forms of microelements in soils with different relief and to establish the correlation between elements and productivity of the main agricultural crops under the conditions of the Central Blackearth Region. The study was carried out on the territory of the Kursk region on the fields of the FSBSI Kursk FARC in the laboratory for agrochemistry and agroecological monitoring in the period from 2006–2016. The subjects of the study were microelements and their quantity. The object of the study was the arable soil and grain crop productivity. There has been established that the slopes of polar exposures have different levels of microelement content. The content of mobile copper has decreased on the slope of the northern exposure and amounted to 0.07 mg/kg and 0.09 mg/kg on the watershed plateau. On the slope of the southern exposure, it has tended to increase (0.10 mg/kg). The highest content of mobile zinc has been determined on the watershed plateau (0.13 mg/kg), the lowest on the southern slope (0.06 mg/kg). The manganese content on the territory of the watershed plateau was relatively higher in comparison with the slopes of polar exposures (17 mg/kg), northern slope (10.8 mg/kg), and southern one (8.0 mg/kg). There has been found that microelements have a different effect on productivity of the studied grain crops according to land relief. On the territory of the northern slope and the watershed plateau, barley productivity has been more influenced by the content of zinc and manganese. Winter wheat productivity was dependent on manganese. On the southern slope, productivity of the studied grain crops was significantly affected by both the content of mobile zinc and manganese.

Strengthening the forage base is an important task for the successful development of animal husbandry in the Kostroma region, and the main role in this belongs to red clover. The purpose the current study was to identify the dependence of the productivity of clover green mass on the type and dose of top dressing, when using sparing doses of fertilizers and environmentally friendly types of processing. The study was carried out on the basis of the Kostroma Research Institute of Agriculture in 2020–2022. The two-factor trial consisted of 15 options (three backgrounds – Control, Ozone and “Aquamix”, and 5 options for different doses of top dressing) in three sequences, the area of one plot was 6 m². There was taken the clover variety ‘Soligalichesky mestny’ as the most adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of the region. During the study, there was found a dependence of the efficiency of the applied fertilizers on weather factors during the vegetation period. Thus, under favorable climatic conditions, the complex “Aquamix” was effective both in pre-sowing treatment and in the form of foliar top dressing. In the variants with its use, there was obtained a significant improvement of green mass productivity and general productivity indicators. The P₃₀K₃₀ dose was the most effective among all mineral top dressings. When increasing the dose and introducing nitrogen (N₃₀P₄₅K₉₀) in the top dressing, productivity and quality of the green mass decreased mainly due to grass lodging. During the unfavorable vegetation period (summer drought), microelements did not affect forage mass productivity and quality. Only top dressing with mineral fertilizers was effective, and the best result was obtained with a higher dose and the full composition of top dressing (N₃₀P₄₅K₉₀). Seed ozonation was effective under all weather conditions. The best result in a favorable year was obtained in the variant Ozone + P₃₀K₃₀ (+43.8 t/ha of green mass, or 153 %), in an unfavorable year it was Ozone + N₃₀P₄₅K₉₀ (+16.1 t/ha, or 111 %). The dose of mineral top dressing ought to be adjusted depending on the weather conditions of a particular vegetation period.

Winter wheat is the main grain crop in the Central Blackearth region. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the effect of basic tillage practices and doses of mineral fertilizers in crop rotations on the productivity, grain quality and economic efficiency of winter wheat grain production in the conditions of the Central Blackearth region. The study was carried out on the experimental field of the FSBSI “Kursk FARC” on the slope of the northern exposure in 2016–2020. The scheme of the trial included crop rotations (grain-fallow, grain-grass-fallow, graingrass), primary tillage methods (plowing, disking, non-moldboard plowing), mineral fertilizers (without fertilizers, single N₂₀Р₄₀К₄₀ and double N₄₀Р₈₀К₈₀ doses). As a result of the study, there has been established productivity advantage of the grain-fallow crop rotation over the grain-grass-fallow and grain-grass crop rotation. Winter wheat productivity in the grain-grass crop rotation has decreased on an average of 10.2 %, in the grain-grass it has reduced on 15.8 %, compared with the grain-fallow crop rotation. The minimization of primary tillage methods in most cases has contributed to a decrease of winter wheat productivity, content of gluten, protein, and grain nature weight, compared with plowing. The introduction of mineral fertilizers has contributed to the improvement of all indicators of winter wheat grain quality. The largest yield of 4.63 t/ha was obtained in a grain-fallow crop rotation when plowing the soil with a fertilizer dose of N₄₀P₈₀K₈₀. Calculations of the economic efficiency of the applied technologies have shown that the cost price of winter wheat grain was lower (4.44 thousand rubles/t) when disking soil in a grain-grass crop rotation with the application of a fertilizer dose N₂₀P₄₀K₄₀. At the same time, the profit has amounted to 19.85 thousand rubles/ha, the level of profitability was 125.2 %. The minimum cost price of winter wheat grain was found in the variant with a fertilizer dose of N₃₂P₆₄K₆₄.

In Russia wheat is a strategically important food and export grain crop, but despite the expansion of sown areas and the growth of gross yields, yield quality remains low. A significant decrease in the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the wheat grain productivity is caused by corn bug Eurygaster L. Planting resistant varieties is one of the most environmentally friendly and effective ways to reduce the number and harmfulness of corn bug. Unfortunately, modern wheat varieties are often not characterized by corn bug resistance, although this is of paramount importance for grain production and breeding programs. The purpose of the current study was to compare the damage caused by corn bugs to grain of different wheat types and varieties. In accordance with GOST 33538-2015 “Plant protection. Methods for identifying and accounting for damaged grains by corn bug”, there has been conducted an estimation of wheat samples for their damage by corn bug. There has been shown that corn bug Eurygaster L. equally damages grain of different wheat types, varieties, and forms. Among the 108 studied wheat varieties, only 16 varieties were characterized by a low degree of grain damage. Absolutely resistant varieties to damage by corn bug have not been identified. The least mean grain damage by corn bug was found in such varieties (up to 5.0 %) as ‘Utrish’, ‘Yunion’, ‘Altaiskaya zhnitsa’. There has been established that the largest number of grain samples slightly damaged by corn bug was found among spring durum wheat varieties (up to 50.0 %). There has been determined that under different agroclimatic conditions of cultivation, the most studied wheat samples had the same level of grain damage by corn bug.

Leaf rust is a harmful wheat disease of, which is annually identified in crops in the territory of the Republic of Tatarstan. The disease resistance of the varieties is controlled by Lr genes, of which more than 70 are known at present. Most of them have lost their effectiveness. The purpose of the current work was to study the efficiency of 54 leaf rust resistance genes and their combinations from 2011 to 2022. The object of the study was a set of isogenic lines and test-varieties with identified Lr genes. The damage degree by leaf rust was estimated according to the maximum infestation, identified in the period ‘milk – beginning of a kernel wax ripeness’ under conditions of a natural infectious background. The damage degree by leaf rust was determined as a percentage according to the Peterson scale. There has been established that the genes Lr 19, Lr 38, Lr 47, Lr 49, Lr Ag (i), Lr Ku keep showing high efficiency in the conditions of the Republic of Tatarstan. The efficiency of the gene Lr 19 has increased in pyramids with genes Lr 26, Lr 23, Lr 14a, and Lr Bz. Monogenic resistance to leaf rust has been maintained for 12 years in the sample ‘Pavon derivative’ (PI 603918), carrying the gene Lr 47. In the period of 2019–2022 there was identified a decrease in wheat damage degree by leaf rust. Though under such conditions, a field estimation of breeding material for resistance cannot guarantee the development of wheat varieties immune to this disease.

The current paper has presented the results of a two-year study (2018–2019), the purpose of which was to study the efficiency of the herbicide ‘Axial Cross, EC’ (45 g/l of pinoxaden + 5 g/l of florasulam + 11.25 g/l of antidote cloquintoset-mexil) in 6 regions of the Russian Federation, namely on the crops of winter wheat variety ‘Ershovskaya’ in the Volgograd region, on the crops of winter wheat varieties ‘Skipetr’ (2018) and ‘Snigurka’ (2019) in the Voronezh region, on the crops of spring wheat variety ‘Altaiskaya Zhnitsa’ in the Altai Territory, on the crops of spring wheat variety ‘Uralosibirskaya’ in the Omsk Region, on the crops of spring barley variety ‘Acha’ in the Sverdlovsk Region, on the crops of winter barley variety ‘Rubezh’ in the Krasnodar Territory. The trials were laid on plots of 25 m2 in four sequences. The weed infestation of crops was estimated by a quantitative method before the treatment, in 30 and 5 days after it and before harvesting. The efficiency of the herbicide was calculated in relation to the untreated control. There has been established that the use of ‘Axial Cross, EC’ at application rates of 0.7–0.9–1.1 l/ha has provided a high degree of suppression of both cereals and dicotyledonous weeds. At the maximum rate of application, there was a 100 % efficiency of the herbicide against yellow-foxtail grass, wild oats, green-foxtail grass, blind weed, canker rose and black bindweed, 97.4 % against loose silky bent, 95.6 % against airif (catchweed). There was up to 68.1–77.7 % efficiency against Canadian thistle, corn sow thistle and field bindweed. The greatest yield increase after the use of the herbicide ‘Axial Cross, EC’ was obtained from the winter wheat varieties ‘Skipetr’ (0.88 t/ha) and ‘Snigurka’ (1.65 t/ha) in the Voronezh region.