No 5 (2025)

In November 2025, Terenty Semenovich Maltsev will celebrate his 130th birthday. Terenty Semenovich Maltsev, an honorary academician of the All-R ussian Agricultural Scientific Institute, and a two-time Hero of Socialist Labor, is the creator of an innovative farming system that focuses on conserving soil moisture, preventing soil erosion, and effectively controlling weeds. Maltsev’sresearch has led to the development of soil-saving, moisture-a ccumulating tillage techniques, short-rotation crop rotations, and effective weed control methods. These innovative technologies were widely implemented in many soil and climatic zones of the country, including the Urals, Siberia, and Northern Kazakhstan, which significantly increased the yield of grain crops and prevented widespread wind erosion of the soil. The ideas and practical developments of T. S. Maltsev and his associates served as the basis for the creation and widespread implementation of the system of minimum tillage, stubble sowing of grain crops, and the system of anti-erosion machines and units.

The studies aimed to identify valuable nakedgrain oat genotypes with effective genetic-physiological systems (GPS) of adaptability, attraction and microdistribution of assimilates for their subsequent use as sources in the development of highly productive varieties. The evaluation of 11 genotypes (10 varieties and the kss-98-329 line) was carried out in 2022–2024 in the southwestern part of the Sverdlovsk region at different moisture levels (GTC 0.98; 1.14; 2.06, respectively) using the theory of ecological-genetic organisation of quantitative traits and the orthogonal regression method. The weight of the stem, panicle, grain and chaff from the panicle was measured in 10 plants of each variety in two field replicates. The average value of the productivity trait indicator was plotted on a graph of two-dimensional trait coordinates, and the contribution of the GPS to the yield was identified. According to the orthogonal regression graphs reflecting the work of the HPS of attraction of photosynthetic products from the stem to the panicle, the following varieties stably demonstrated their capabilities: Progress, line kss-98–329, Sibirsky Golozerny and Levsha, which were assigned to the first and second groups on the orthogonal regression graphs depending on the combination of positive and negative shifts in the genetic systems. The varieties Vyatsky, Sibirsky and Tyumensky Golozerny were characterised by stable positive shifts in the GPS of the genetic system of microdistributions of plastic substances over 3 years of testing. The Levsha, Persheron, Sibirsky Golozerny and kss-98-329 varieties were distinguished by the highest productivity rates (1.41–1.59 g) and grain content (52–56 pcs.) per panicle, and also formed the largest dry above-ground biomass with a plant weight of 3.95–4.37 g, stem weight of 1.64–1.74 g, panicle weight of 2.27–2.63 g, exceeding other varieties by more than 5.2 %. According to the results of the rank analysis, these genotypes took the first positions with ranks from 7 to 22.

Medicago sativa L., M. varia Mart., M. falcata L. varieties were studied in 2019–2023 in the Central Black Earth Region (Belgorod Region) on typical chernozem. The aim of the work was to identify the relationship between the crude protein content in alfalfa phytomass and other economically valuable traits in order to isolate the best variety samples in long-term experiments that are promising for use in breeding for forage value. The studied varieties and selection samples of different geographic origins were evaluated in grass stands of the first, second and fifth years of life. It was found that the protein content in the forage mass is a stable selection trait, 81,4 % determined by the genetic characteristics of the variety samples and 15,5 % by the lifespan of the grass stands. Correlations were established between the protein content and the associated economically valuable traits: a strong positive correlation with the dry matter yield per cut and for 2 cuts as a whole (r = 0,757…0,782; p = 0,05), no correlation was found with the seed yield (r = 0,042, p > 0.05). Quartile grouping of variety samples by protein content made it possible to identify a group with low (Q1) – 177.6…192.3 g/kg, average (Q2) – 192,6…203,6 g/kg, high (Q3) – 204,4…224,5 g/kg, strong (Q4) – 225,8…235,9 g/kgmanifestation of the trait. On average, over the years of research, the Q1 and Q2 quartiles were significantly inferior to the Q3 and Q4 quartiles in terms of dry matter yield, both by cuttings and in total for 2 cuttings, by 16,0…35,8 %; by 6,7…23,7 % in terms of plant height; and by 5,4…12,8 % in terms of foliage. For further selection for feed value and increasing protein content, werecommend using the varieties included in Q4 – Krasnoyaruzhskaya 2, Belgorodskaya 7, Alekseevskaya 1, SI-138, M-195, SI-139, PO-155 m (M. varia blue-hybrid variety type) and Salsa, Kreno, Planet, Plato, Lyuzell, Galaxy (M. sativa), as well as varieties from the Q3 group – Gloria, PO-169 mk.

The aim of the study was to isolate and identify a complex of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols and compounds of other chemical classes, from plum fruit pulp extracts to assess their potential as a source of biologically active substances of phenolic nature. Ripe fruits of the plum varieties Krasnomyasaya, Neporazhemaya, Long Yuan Mi Li, Long Yuan Tao Li, collected at the end of July 2023 at the collection variety plot of the Far Eastern Experimental Station (Primorsky Krai), were used as plant material. To obtain highly concentrated extracts, fractional maceration was used: seven-day infusion of each part of the pulp in a dark room at room temperature with three repeated extractions for each sample. Mass spectrometric analysis was performed on an ion trap with an electrospray source (positive and negative ions), separating multicomponent mixtures on a Shimadzu LC-20 Prominence HPLC liquid chromatograph with a UV detector and a Shodex ODP-40 4E reversed-phase column. A gradient mode of transition from water to acetonitrile was used: 0…4 min. (0 % acetonitrile), 4…60 min. (25 % acetonitrile), 60…75 min. (100 % acetonitrile), 75…120 min. (100 % acetonitrile). Mass spectra were recorded in the m/zrange of 100…1700 with fragmentation upto the 4th order. A total of 74 chemical compounds were identified as a result of mass spectrometric experiments, 52 of which were classified as polyphenols. A large group of anthocyanins and catechins has been identified, indicating high antioxidant properties of the studied plant matrices. For the first time, polyphenolic compounds ibuprofen, phloretin, umbelliferone, methylgallic acid, dihydrokaempferol, herbacetin, umbelliferone hexoside, p-coumaroylquinic acid – have been isolated from the pulp of Prunus L. fruits. The results indicate high prospects for the fruits of the studied plum varieties as an object of research for the search for biologically active substances of a polyphenolic nature, potentially suitable for the creation of new drugs and biologically active additives.

The research was carried out in order to identify the optimal parameters for the cultivation of Pseudomonas chlororaphis BZR 245-F and Pseudomonassp. BZR 523-2 bacteria, which form the largest number of bacterial cells and realize a high potential for the synthesis of antifungal metabolites, for their subsequent inclusion in the technological regulations for the production of biofungicides based on these bacteria. The experimental scheme provided for the study of the following cultivation parameters: temperature (+20 °C, +25 °C, +30 °C, + 35 °C) and acidity (3.0; 6.0; 7.0; 8.0 pH units). The titer value of bacterial cells was determined by the Koch method. The analysis of antifungal metabolites was performed by thin-layer chromatography and bioautography. The amount of metabolites produced by bacteria was assessed by visual assessment of thin-layer chromatograms and growth inhibition zones of the test culture of the fungus on bioautograms. For P. chlororaphis BZR 245-F optimal conditions for maximum biomass production (4.72×10¹¹ CFU/ml) and enhanced synthesis of antifungal metabolites, including orange pigment (Rf 0.45) and phenazine compounds (Rf 0.52), are a temperature of 25 °C and pH 6.0–10.0 (with a peak at pH 6.0 and 8.0), and the antifungal activity is most pronounced at 25…30 °C. Strain Pseudomonas sp. BZR 523-2 shows the highest titer (9.7×10¹¹ CFU/ml) and increased production of phenazine metabolites (Rf 0.52) at a temperature of 25–30 °C and pH 6.0…8.0 units, and also produces phenazine in significant amounts at pH 8.0 and 10.0 units. At the same time, its overall antifungal activity, although inferior to P. chlororaphis BZR 245-F, is maximal at a temperature of 30 °C. Both strains synthesize various active compounds, with phenazine structures making the main contribution to their antifungal effect.

The studies were conducted to investigate the impact of agronomic technologies (traditional, differentiated, minimum, and direct sowing), which differ in the method of primary tillage and plant protection system, on the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of humus in typical chernozem. The study focused on a powerful, heavy-loamy typical chernozem. The soil samples were analyzed for their humus content, total nitrogen, and the fractional-group composition of humus using the Tyurin method, as modified by Ponomareva and Plotnikova. The use of technologies based on minimizing soil tillage contributes to the accumulation of C in the 0…10 cmlayer, org. which was 3.10–3.14 %. The content of humic acids bound to calcium (HA-2) increased from 37.08 % in the traditional technology to 34.21…38.44 % in the direct sowing and differentiated technology, and to 41.47 % in the minimum tillage technology. The change in the content of humic acids, free and bound to mobile half-oxides (HA-1), in the 0…10 cmand 10…20 cmsoil layers was 0.43…0.70 % of С , and the change in the content of humic acids bound to clay minerals (HA-3) was 0.30…2.20 % of C , in favor of the 0…10 cmorg. org. layer. Traditional technology contributed to the growth of HC-1 by 0.26…0.70 % of С , while the minimum HC-3 contained more org. by 0.29…2.15 % of С , in relation to other technologies. It was noted that the optical density of humic acids in the 0…10 cmlayer org. exceeded by 0.02–0.04 in technologies focused on minimizing soil processing. The study of the first stage of humification, which shows the intensity of the process of humic acids formation, demonstrated its activation with depth when using traditional technology, while this process weakened or faded when processing was minimized. The analysis of the second stage of humification, which characterizes the process of humate formation, showed its significant intensification in the 10…20 cmlayer, which indicates the polymerization of humus structures, regardless of the applied agricultural technology.

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of pre-sowing seed treatment with lignohumate on the intensity of consumption of biogenic elements by rice plants from soil and fertilizers during their growing season. The studies were carried out in 2023–2024 in the rice irrigation system of the left bank of the Kuban River in Republic of Adygea. The field experiment included a control (without fertilizers), application of N₁₂₀ P₈₀ K₆₀ fertilizers (background) and variants with the treatment of rice seeds with an aqueous solution of lignohumate at rates of 121250, 280506,0 500, 750, 1000 ml/tagainst the background of N P K . The highest consumption of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by rice plants in the experiment occurred when the seeds we1r2e0 tr8e0at6e0d with lignohumate at a rate of 750 ml/t. Compared to the control, their assimilation increased by 56.8 %, 58.3 and 63.1 %, and compared to the background – by 16.4 %, 18.6 and 17.6 %, respectively. The average daily intensity of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium consumption increased compared to the control by 60.8 %, 62.5 and 67.3 % and compared to the background by 18.2 %, 20.6 and 19.6 %, respectively. Optimization of mineral nutrition of rice was accompanied by an increase in the removal of nitrogen by 46.1 %, phosphorus by 47.7 % and potassium by 52.0 % relative to the control and by 10.9 %, 13.2 and 12.0 %, respectively ‒ compared to the background. The utilization rates of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by rice plants from fertilizers increased by 30.98 %, 23.04 and 76.04 %, respectively, in relation to the control and by 9.68 %, 8.29 and 23.9 % in relation to the background.

The aim of the work was to establish the possibility of using maturity indicators for intraspecific identification of cheeses. The objects of the study were cheeses belonging to the same species group «semi-hard»: Dutch, Russian, Roquefort, differing in manufacturing technology and organoleptic indicators. The maturity of cheeses was assessed by the degree of proteolysis, molecular weight distribution of proteolysis products, and the buffer capacity of the water-soluble fraction. It was found that with an increase in the ripening duration, the process of accumulation of watersoluble proteolysis products in Dutch and Russian cheeses proceeded linearly with a higher intensity in Dutch cheese. In Roquefort cheese, a sharp increase in the degree of proteolysis was noted after 30 days of ripening to a level of 45±6 %, which is associated with the action of the proteolytic system of Penicillium roqueforti. In the composition of proteolysis products in all cheeses, mediummolecular peptides with molecular weights from 1 to 10 kDa quantitatively prevailed. Over 45 days of ripening, their amount increased in the Dutch and Russian cheeses by 2–3 times, and in the Roquefort cheese by 4–5 times. A significant influence of the peculiarities of cheese production technology on the process of accumulation of substances that impart buffer properties to them was established. During ripening of the Dutch cheese, the buffer capacity increased linearly and increased by an average of 1.6 mmol/dm3 over 60 days. The buffer capacity of the Russian cheese, characterized by increased active acidity, changed nonlinearly during ripening and had higher values than that of the Dutch cheese, both at the beginning and at the end of ripening. By the time of reaching conditioned maturity, the greatest buffering occurred in the Roquefort cheese: 15.2±1.8 mmol/dm3. In the Dutch cheese, this indicator was at the level of 2.5±0.3 mmol/dm³, in the Russian cheese – 4.5±0.5 mmol/dm³. The obtained results allow usto make a positive forecast about the possible intraspecific identification of cheeses based on maturity indicators, which depend on the specifics of their production technologies.