Soybean (Glycine hispida) is an interesting and significant crop in plant production, as it is highly profitable and promising due to a number of valuable economic traits. The current study was conducted at the Institute of Seed Production and Agricultural Technologies (ISPA - branch of FSAC VIM), located in the Ryazan Region from 2020 to 2024. The purpose of the current work was to study the adaptability of soybean variety samples according to the traits ‘productivity’ and ‘oil yield’

per an area unit and to establish the potential for using these lines in breeding. The experimental plot was of dark gray, heavy loamy forest soil with 4.95% of organic matter, 213 mg of available phosphorus per a kg of soil, 155 mg of available potassium per a kg of soil, and 0.23% of total nitrogen, pHsalt = 4.91 units. The adaptive properties of promising soybean varieties were assessed in the nursery of the Competitive Variety Testing. To calculate adaptability parameters there have been used such indicators as an indicator range (d, %), a standard deviation (σ), a coefficient of variation (Cv, %), a phenotypic stability factor (SF), an adaptability coefficient (AC), homeostasis (Hom), and stress resistance (Ymin-Ymax) using the appropriate methods. There has been revealed that the meteorological conditions of the year such as the temperature of the vegetation period (r=+0.893+0.04) and the precipitations during the seed filling stage (r=+0.919+0.03) had a significant impact on the formation of the trait ‘productivity’. A comprehensive rating based on a combination of adaptability traits has identified the best variety samples (L 4146 x Brawalla) x Kasatka and the variety Kasatka, characterized by resistance to changing weather conditions and capable to form large productivity and oil yield per an area unit in the conditions of the Ryazan region.

In modern barley breeding, there is a clear shift in priorities, when the focus is now not only on traditional indicators such as productivity and quality, but also on the ability of varieties to adapt to various environmental conditions. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the adaptability parameters of spring barley based on productivity and yield structure elements, using selection indices. The competitive variety testing involved 19 varieties and lines, sown after peas in six sequences. The standard variety was Format, the plot area was10 m². The factor «variety» had the dominant effect (95.2%) on productivity formation in 2023-2025. Based on the linear regression coefficient, the lines Zernogradsky 1875 (bi = 1.14) and Zernogradsky 1921 (bi = 1.11) were found flexible, while the line Zernogradsky 1908 was found stable and resistant to external factors. Based on the coefficient of variation, the sample Zernogradsky 1908 proved to be the least variable (V = 32.5%). High homeostatic values were identified in the lines Zernogradsky 1825 (Hom = 5.59), Zernogradsky 1904 (Hom = 5.72), and Zernogradsky 1908 (Hom = 7.42). High breeding value was recorded for the samples Zernogradsky 1908 and Zernogradsky 1932 (Sc = 3.4). According to the indicator of cultivar level and stability (PUSS), the lines Zernogradsky 1925, Zernogradsky 1908 and Zernogradsky 1932 exceeded the standard by +10.1...13.7%. According to the sum of the ranks of the used selection indices (Mexican (Mx), Finno-Scandinavian (FSI), prospects (J.P.), correlation between 1000-grain weight and a number of grains per ear (j)) there have been identified such varieties and lines with high resistance to changing environmental conditions and high adaptability as Zernogradsky 1896 (Ʃ ranks = 21), Azimut (Ʃ ranks = 23), Zernogradsky 1910 (Ʃ ranks = 28), Zernogradsky 1911 (Ʃ ranks = 28) and Zernogradsky 1921 (Ʃ ranks = 31). The varieties Zernogradsky 1896, Zernogradsky 1908 and Zernogradsky 1921 have shown good results in the combination of productivity adaptability, selection indices and yield structure elements.

One of the main priorities in oat breeding is protein potential, which is determined by protein percentage in grain and yield per an area unit. The purpose of the current study was to estimate a collection of hulled oat varieties of domestic breeding and to identify genotypes with high protein potential in the forest-steppe of the Trans-Urals. The study was conducted at the experimental plot of the laboratory for genomic research in plant production at the Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture for Northern Trans-Urals - Branch of the Tyumen Scientific Center of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences from 2022 to 2024. There have been studied 158 hulled oat genotypes from 25 regions of the Russian Federation. The most representative group of genotypes was developed at breeding centers in the Kirov (20) and Leningrad (35) regions. Crude protein percentage was estimated by multiplying the total nitrogen content in grain by a coefficient of 6.25. The years of study were characterized by contrasting weather conditions. As a result, there has been identified a number of genotypes with a very high protein potential and stable indicators. This group included the genotypes Otrada, Tulunskiy 30, Tarskiy 2, Gibrid (15021), BADEN 1, Pozdnespely, Gibrid (15022), Valdin 765, KHANOMI 2, Gorizont, RAPEN, Severyanin, Kubansky, Oven, KHANOMI, Dogoy, Mestny (1733), Pokrovsky 9, KHANAMI, Mestny (1461), Mestny (1539), PIOBAND, 94h18. There has been established that protein in hulled oat grain is 22% dependent on weather conditions during a vegetation period, and 65% is genetically controlled. The pattern of protein accumulation under contrasting weather conditions can be used as a criterion for stress resistance caused by abiotic factors. Hull content of oat grain is 56% genotype-dependent and 28% environmental-dependent. These genotypes can be recommended as promising material for breeding programs to develop oat varieties with high protein potential.

The purpose of the current study was to identify inbred maize lines with high general combining ability (GCA) according to the trait «grain productivity» and to clarify the role of specific combining ability (SCA) in the formation of superadditive combinations in test-cross analysis. There have been studied fifty-six lines in crosses with three testers (a total of 168 lines×tester) in 2022–2024 using a randomized block design with three replications. There has been performed a pooled ANOVA with such factors as «line», «tester», «year/environment», and correlations, and estimated GCA/SCA effects using the classical «line×tester» approach. There has been established that yield variance is statistically significantly determined by the additive component. The GCA of lines and testers makes the main contribution, while the SCA is present but selective in nature. There have been identified donor lines with consistently positive GCA effects (the top group demonstrates increases of +3.8 to +4.9 t/ha relative to the average additive expectation), suitable for a wide combination. There has been found that the use of a «diagnostic» tester with a negative GCA allows displaying large positive SCA in several pairs, and the maximum SCA effects in the best combinations have reached ≈+7.35 t/ha, indicating strong complementarity of the parental alleles. There have been given characteristics to the following regularities: (i) primary selection by GCA ensures a reproducible productivity increase in different environments, (ii) subsequent optimization by SCA is necessary to identify peak hybrids and exclude incompatible pairs.

The purpose of the current study was to estimate the effect of group net isolator conditions on the biochemical and sowing characteristics of winter rapeseed compared to open pollination. There have been studied five genotypes (the varieties Elvis, Loris, Sarmat, Selegor, and the Rf-line ORK-10) grown in 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 at the central experimental base of VNIIMK. The seeds of the studied genotypes were analyzed on a Matrix-I IR spectrometer according to such indicators as oil content, fatty acid composition of seed oil, and amount of glucosinolates in seeds. Latent infestation with Alternaria brassicicola (Schw.) Wilts. was determined using the E.M. Dolgova method on sprouts. Laboratory germination was determined according to GOST 12038-84. The data were interpreted using the graphs of forest plots and slope. There has been established a significant decrease in oil content by 1.4–2.6% for all genotypes under isolation, most pronounced in the varieties Sarmat and Selegor. There has been found a shift in the fatty acid profile, when oleic and linoleic acid content decreased by 0.1–1.2% and 0.1–0.8%, respectively, while linolenic acid increased by 0.2–0.6%. The amount of glucosinolates changed insignificantly. There has been determined that during the flowering period under group net isolator conditions, compared to open pollination, the proportion of sprouts infected by Alternaria increased by 2.6 times (on average, 17.4% versus 6.8%), which decreased laboratory germination (80.3% versus 97.6%). It occurred because of the creation of a microclimate (poor ventilation and high humidity) inside the isolator during the period of flowering and initial seed formation. The use of net isolators reduces seed oil content and worsens seeding quality, necessitating optimization of plant density in the isolator and phytosanitary measures during winter rapeseed breeding and seed production.

The quality of agricultural crops depends largely on the correct selection of varieties and the use of zonal cultivation technology. It is known that modern common winter wheat varieties with high sowing qualities and meeting standards of GOST 52325-2005 can provide large productivity. In the Rostov region, individual-family selection with a two-year progeny evaluation is widely used to grow original winter common wheat seeds in primary seed production. The subjects of the current study were five semi-intensive winter common wheat varieties Stanichnaya, Asket, Lidiya, Krasa Dona, and Ermak bred in Zernograd. The purpose of the current study was to estimate productivity and seed quality of winter common wheat varieties in primary seed production. There has been found that between 1,300 and 1,900 basic ears were prepared to establish nurseries for first-year progeny testing (PTN-1). In the first-year progeny testing nurseries (PTN-1), between 960 families (in 2022/23) and 1,100 families (in 2023/24) were sown, and in the second-year progeny testing nurseries (PTN-2), between 450 families (in 2023/24) and 675 families (in 2022/23) were sown. There has been established that during the study period in the nurseries, the most productive winter common wheat varieties were Stanichnaya and Lidiya. There has been found that high-quality original seed productivity varied from 63,590 kg (in 2022/23) to 74,690 kg (in 2023/24). All winter common wheat varieties met GOST standards according to key sowing and varietal parameters, namely varietal purity, seed purity, moisture content, viability, and germination.

Climate change has led to more frequent long periods without precipitation, followed by short but heavy rainfalls, forcing plants to develop drought-resistant mechanisms. The consequences of drought affect the physiological parameters of vegetation, since chlorophyll content and the intensity of photosynthesis decrease, biomass accumulation slows down, which ultimately results in crop productivity decrease. The purpose of the current work was to study the effect of growing conditions on total leaf area, chlorophyll content and productivity of spring barley in order to identify the most moisturetolerant varieties. In 2024–2025 there were studied 36 collection spring barley samples of domestic and foreign breeding in the laboratory for cell breeding on a vegetation plot under simulated moisture conditions. There has been studied the impact of simulated drought on physiological parameters (leaf area, photosynthetic potential, and chlorophyll content) and productivity of spring barley varieties. The varieties Arkan, Bogatyr, Leon, Magnit and Novik under water stress have demonstrated the highest leaf area of 9.0–25.0 cm2, photosynthetic potential of 0.692– 0.906 million m2/day, and 0.6–0.9 mg of chlorophyll per 100 g of wet material. During the study, there have been identified such varieties as Arkan (130.5 g/m2 and 73.4%), Azimut (129.9 g/m2 and 74.7%), Partner (128.1 g/m2 and 71.9%), Novik (125.5 g/m2 and 63.2%), Leon (120.7 g/m2 and 70.6%), Taler (119.7 g/m2 and 65.2%) and Bogatyr (116.8 g/m2 and 49.3%) with maximum values of productivity and a minimal decrease in this indicator compared to the control. There have been established positive correlations between productivity indicators and leaf area at a milky ripeness stage (r = 0.33±0.16), as well as chlorophyll content during a flowering period and a milky ripeness stage (r = 0.41±0.16 and r = 0.27±0.17, respectively). The obtained results can be used in breeding drought-resistant spring barley varieties.

The current paper has presented the results of environmental 2022-2024 trials of new early and middle-early maturing maize hybrids bred by the All-Russian Research Institute of Irrigated Agriculture to estimate their adaptability to various agroclimatic regions. The promising hybrids have been evaluated according to productivity, moisture content, and adaptability using selection indices in various ecological zones. The trials were conducted at six scientific institutions in three approved regions. Optimal and limiting points were determined based on the average grain yield of hybrids in each maturity group. The hybrids were evaluated according to the methodology of the State Variety Testing of agricultural crop and selection indices calculated using formulas proposed by V.S. Sotchenko, V.V. Khangildin, and N.A. Orlyansky. The best hybrid for optimal growing conditions is PO 170-21 in the group of early-maturing hybrids. It is characterized by large productivity (8.48 t/ha), low harvest moisture (19.0%), and a high selection index (Ci=3.1) compared to the standard. In the middle-early group, the hybrid PO 200-21 was the best with similar characteristics, namely an optimal combination of large productivity (10.37 t/ha, 24.3% moisture) and environmental stability (Ci = 3.1). This same hybrid also was the best in the limited conditions, yielding 4.24 tons of grain per hectare. For limited conditions, the hybrid PO 170-19 can be also recommended, providing the highest grain yield of 3.73 t/ha with a selection index of 2.4. The data obtained will allow for the targeted selection of valuable genotypes for the State Variety Testing to subsequently zone in the approved regions most suitable for cultivation.

Among leguminous crops, chickpeas is the best in its high ecological adaptability and unique ability to produce significant grain yields in arid conditions. The growing demand for seeds, both domestically and for export, causes an urgent necessity to develop varieties with increased grain productivity and quality. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment of the initial breeding material is of great relevance in the experimental work. The purpose of the current work was to conduct a bioenergetic assessment of green mass and seeds of chickpea varieties from the VIR collection under aridity of the Lower Volga region. There has been estimated gross energy based on the nutrients in chickpea seeds and green mass. There has been found that gross energy per 1 kg of chickpea seeds ranged from 19.39 to 19.70 MJ, while gross energy per 1 kg of dry biomass ranged from 16.47 to 17.52 MJ. Gross energy per 1 kg of biomass at harvesting ranged from 4.15 to 4.73 MJ. There have been identified the samples k-572 and k-2307 with high energy intensity per 1 kg of seeds, and the samples k-572 and k-1724 (Uzbekistan 8) with high energy intensity per 1 kg of dry biomass. The highest proportion of nutrients in the energy value of seeds (over 30%) was found in the chickpea varieties k-434, k-388, k-572, and k-2307. The varieties k-388, k-434, k-572, k-2307 can be used as initial material in chickpea breeding due to protein percentage in seeds, the varieties k-16 (Kubansky 16), k-23 ТУРЕ 4, k-572, k-1238 Krymsky 150, k-1241 Kinelsky 17, k-2307, k-2799 (87AK71112), k-3073 (ILC-1799) due to oil content in seeds.

The current review has considered the works of Russian and foreign scientists devoted to the influence of grain hardness on the technological properties of wheat and has presented the main methods for its determination. Grain hardness is a numerical characteristic of the structural, mechanical (strength), and milling properties of wheat, characterized by a grinding degree, and significantly affecting its milling characteristics. Currently, there is no generally accepted method for determining grain hardness. There are various methods for determining grain hardness, which can be divided into the following groups: 1) a group of methods based on the analysis of the physical characteristics of a grain grinding process; 2) granulometric methods; 3) granulometric-fractographic methods (fractography); 4) methods based on the analysis of physical and chemical indicators of grain grinding; 5) methods for determining microhardness of grain; 6) a sedimentation analysis; 7) a Taylor method; 8) express analysis methods. However, currently available methods for determining grain hardness are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and lack comparability with other methods, limiting their use. Classifying wheat grain according to grain hardness has not found a widespread use in Russia. In some countries, such as Canada, the United States, and Australia, wheat grain is divided into hard and soft. In the American classification system, unlike the Russian one, Triticum aestivum wheat is divided into types based on grain hardness, and this distinction appears first in the type names, i.e. hard or soft wheat. This is crucial, as due to differences in their technological properties, hard and soft wheat have different intended uses.

The current review has considered the possibilities of using microbial products based on arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi and Trichoderma (Tr) fungi to improve the resistance of the Russian agricultural crops to a moisture deficiency stress. The fungi groups discussed here have demonstrated similar beneficial effects on plants, promoting their growth, improving resistance to abiotic and biotic factors, and mineral nutrition. Particular attention has been paid to the differences in the mechanisms of arbuscular mycorrhiza and Trichoderma, as well as their potential combined use as microbial products. There has been shown that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi provide long-term effects due to deep integration with the plant, while Trichoderma fungi are characterized by a more rapid response to stress conditions and relative simplicity of cultivation, making them accessible for effective use. There have been considered challenges of introducing microbial products into agricultural practices, including potential antagonism between components, technological difficulties, and the difficulty of using them in combination with fungicides. There has been shown that Trichoderma fungi and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi improve plant growth efficiency and productivity when used together, particularly for broccoli and maize. At the same time, the mechanisms of such interactions remain incompletely studied. There has been concluded that developments in this area are of great promise, and that it is necessary to develop microbial consortia resistant to the extreme temperatures and moisture deficits found in the southern regions of European Russia.

Extrusion is a critical process in the processing of plant-based raw materials into high-value feed. Extrusion increases protein digestibility, improves organoleptic properties, and disinfects the raw material. However, high temperatures can negatively impact the amount of protein and proteinogenic amino acids. The purpose of the current work was to study the effect of extrusion on the nutritional value of wheat grain harvested at the early stages of maturity. There has been found that extrusion processing resulted in a slight decrease in crude protein percentage (from 14.86% to 13.00%, i.e. by 1.86%). The analysis of the amino acid content in the studied samples has identified varying degrees of their thermal stability with the greatest losses of phenylalanine (43.7%), histidine (58.9%) and proline (48.4%), but an insignificant change of threonine, serine, and lysine (lysine losses were 6.11%). Despite the decrease in absolute protein content, its in vitro digestibility increased from 58.7% to 74.9%, which is by 16.2% more than the basic values. These data are consistent with the results of international study on plant material’s extrusion. There has been also established an improvement in the physical and mechanical properties of the extrudate, since it acquires a more brittle structure, which facilitates subsequent grinding and improves the homogeneity of the granulometric composition due to the partial destruction of fiber. The use of extruded grain heap of wheat of early maturity stages in the diets of farm animals allows increasing bioavailability of nutrients (by 16.2%), which contributes to an increase in animal productivity and a reduction in feed costs.

The current paper deals with the results of analyzing the effect of optimal application rates of the biological products «Agromaximum 5» and «AgroVerm Master» and their impact on winter resistance, productivity, and grain quality. The biological products «Agromaximum 5» and «AgroVerm Master» are complex fertilizers containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phosphate-mobilizing bacteria, potassium-mobilizing bacteria, humic acids, and amino acids. They are used for plant nutrition, both for pre-sowing seed treatment and foliar application, which improves nutrition and productivity, and protects against diseases. The purpose of the current study was to study the efficiency of the biological products «Agromaximum 5» and «AgroVerm Master» at specified doses to improve winter resistance, productivity, and grain quality. In the control variant, seeds were treated with the fungicide Kinto Duo at a dose of 2.5 l/t. In the second variant, the biological product «Agromaximum 5» (1.25 l/t) was added to Kinto Duo (2.5 l/t). In the third variant, in addition to Kinto Duo and «Agromaximum 5» the seeds were treated with the biological product «AgroVerm Master» at a dose of 1.5 l/ha during late tillering to early booting stage. The obtained data have shown that pre-sowing treatment of seeds with 1.25 l/t of the biological product «Agromaximum 5» significantly increased the aboveground biomass (by an average of 15.7%), a tillering coefficient (by an average of 27.8%), a depth of the tillering node (by an average of 21.8%), a number of nodal roots (by an average of 22.2%) and winter resistance (by an average of 6.7%). The treatment of crops with the biofertilizer «AgroVerm Master» during late tillering to early booting stage has improved productivity of the winter wheat variety Fotiniya by 0.66 t/ha (or 10.3%) and all indicators of individual grain productivity.

The solution to the problem of stabilizing the high-quality wheat grain production is of great urgency. The current study was conducted at the experimental plot of the «North Caucasus FARC» on ordinary medium-loamy, moderately deep, lowhumus blackearth in the unstable moisture area of the Stavropol Territory from 2023 to 2025. The purpose of the study was to characterize the economically valuable traits of new winter wheat varieties bred by the FSBSI «North Caucasus FARC» undergoing the state variety testing and to demonstrate their response to nitrogen top dressing during the heading growth stage. There have been studied two new winter common wheat varieties Taisiya and Aidariya. The varieties were studied according to the Methodology of the State Variety Testing and compared with the standard Grom. For three years of testing the average productivity of the varieties Taisiya and 

Aidariya was 8.04 and 8.11 t/ha, that of the standard variety was 6.98 t/ha, the productivity excess over the standard variety was 15.2 and 16.2%. The largest mean productivity increase due to the use of urea was obtained from the standard Grom (0.23 t/ha), the varieties Aidariya and Taisiya produced 0.14 t/ha and 0.07 t/ha, respectively. Foliar nitrogen top dressing significantly increased gluten percentage in the varieties Aidariya and Taisiya by 2.6% and 5.2%, respectively, and by 3.4% in the standard Grom. The new varieties Taisiya, Aidariya, and the standard Grom demonstrated responsiveness to nitrogen top dressing during the heading growth stage, producing better grain according to a range of quality indicators, demonstrating the potential of foliar nitrogen top dressing during the heading growth stage.