In recent years, much attention has been paid to the restoration and development of viticulture and winemaking in our country. The state promotes the planting of new vineyards by providing subsidies for for the establishment of vineyards and the care of young plantings. Favorable conditions are created for the competitiveness of domestic winegrowing products. Another vector of agricultural development is the growing popularity of organic farming products farming in the world. The Federal Law No 280-FZ “On Organic Products and on Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation” was adopted and entered into force on January 01, 2020. The principles of organic production are increasingly spread in viticulture production. Consequently the cultivation of resistant grape varieties is of great importance, because classic European varieties require repeated pesticide treatments to protect crops and plants from diseases. The purpose of the research is to assess qualitative composition of wine materials of a group of new resistant grape varieties for the production of red wines. The research involved the following resistant wine grape varieties by VCR breeding with red berry color: Merlot Early, Merlot Khorus, Cabernet Volos, Cabernet Eidos. Merlot variety served as the control. The origin of varieties is complex interspecific. The evaluation of the varieties of a new generation was carried out according to the methods generally accepted in viticulture and winemaking. When assessing the elemental composition of wine materials, quantitative parameters of the presence of 27 mineral elements in leaves and wine materials were established. It was found that potassium (1329.0–1877.0 mg/l) is in the first place in terms of content in wine materials, followed by sulfur, calcium, magnesium, silicon, phosphorus, sodium, boron, iron, copper, manganese, zinc. A significant excess of the content in the leaves and wine materials of the control variety compared with the experimental varieties was established by the content of iron, sodium, sulfur, phosphorus. The silicon content was higher in the experimental wine materials.

The genus Celastrus L. (bittersweets) includes about 35 species of woody lianas, growing in Australia, Madagascar, America and Asia, including Russian Far East. Some species, used in Russia and abroad for vertical gardening are not only decorative, but partially edible and even medicinal. The content of biologically active compounds in the leaves and other structures of bittersweets has been studied fragmentarily. Cyclitol, catechins, and glycosides of kaempferol and quercetin were found in plants. It is known about the use of bittersweets in folk and modern medicine in Russia, as well as India, China and other Asian countries. Information on leaf productivity of species, growing in Moscow region, is not enough. Comparative botanical evaluation of shoots and leaves of four species and one variety of bittersweets from collection of N.V. Tsitsin’s Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences was carried out. A total of 19–20 shoots of each taxon – C. rugosus, C. flagellaris, C. scandens, C. strigillosus and C. orbiculatus var. punctatus – were studied. In each taxon the shape of leaves, their number on shoot were determined; mass, length and width of the leaf were studied. The average, maximum and minimum morphometric values were determined and statistically processed. The leaves were found to vary greatly in shape, number per shoot (from 42 for C. orbiculatus var. punctatus to 21 for C. strigillosus), average weight (from 0.42 ± 0.03 for C. strigillosus to 0.24 ± 0.01 g for C. orbiculatus var. punctatus), average weight per shoot (from 8.82 g for C. strigillosus to 10.92 g for C. scandens), average length (from 6.74 ± 0.11 cm for C. flagellaris to 5.73 ± 0.18 cm for C. orbiculatus var. punctatus) and average width (from 4.89 ± 0.21 cm for C. strigillosus to 3.34 ± 0.09 cm for C. orbiculatus var.punctatus). Despite the significant variability of leaves, C. rugosus, C. flagellaris, C. scandens, C. strigillosus, introduced in Moscow region, and C. orbiculatus var. punctatus, having the lowest leaf productivity, can be recommended for further study as a medicinal raw material.

Phytopathogenic fungi are the causative agent for disruptive crop plant diseases, besides causing significant losses in crop yield annually. Sclerotinia is one of the most common and dangerous pathogens. Species of the Sclerotinia genus cause widespread disease across a broad range 40 of economically important agricultural crops. Regular screening of Sclerotinia in plant material is necessary due to wide host-plants range and absence of resistance to this phytopathogen. The purpose of this study was to test the developed systems of primers and probes to identify the most dangerous species of Sclerotinia genus, such as S. sclerotiorum, S. nivalis, S. borealis and S. minor. This system has been tested on positive samples of fungal cultures. Screening study and determination of the infection level with S. borealis were carried out on winter wheat. The material for the study was 24 samples of fungi belonging to the genus Sclerotinia obtained from Syngenta LLC and 37 winter wheat samples from different places of growth. Species identification of fungal cultures was carried out by Sanger sequencing using the developed pairs of primers for the β-tubulin (tub) gene region and a fragment of the rRNA gene cluster. Additionally, oligonucleotides were designed for the identification of S. borealis by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). In determining the analytical characteristics of the kit, the absence of false positive and false negative results was demonstrated. Screening studies of 37 winter wheat samples showed the presence of nucleic acids of the studied pathogen in 24.3% among the analyzed samples. There were no severely infected samples among the tested, which indicates that the pathogen is in the initial stage of its development.

Isolated microspore culture is the main method of producing doubled rapeseed haploids and is widely used in research institutions and commercial companies. The protocol of rapeseed embryo production is well developed and efficient for many genotypes, but some issues remain due to the low regeneration frequency of plantlets from embryos. When the standard protocol is applied, regeneration of plantlets from microspore-derived embryos usually involves a callus-forming stage 51 followed by regeneration of adventitious shoots or secondary embryos, which prolong the period of plantlet regeneration and makes production of doubled haploids complicated. Identifying factors, which affect the frequency of direct embryo germination will increase the frequency of plantlet formation and reduce the period of DH plant production. In this work, we studied the effect of medium pH on the duration of plantlet regeneration from rapeseed microspore-derived embryos and effect of their low temperature treatment of +1 and +5℃ for 3, 6, 8, 9, 12 days in complete darkness on the embryo maturation and germination. Rising the pH of the nutrient medium from 5.8 to 6.1 increased the frequency of direct embryos germination up to 18% and the overall frequency of plantlet regeneration up to 76%. Culturing embryos at low temperatures effected the frequency of direct germination of embryos into plantlets. The maximum frequency of 44–53% direct embryo germination was observed when cultured at +1℃ for 6 and 9 days, when embryos were cultured at +5℃ the frequency of direct germination was 0–10%. In the control variant without cold treatment it was 16%.

The article presents the results of the study of the baking qualities of grain of three varieties of soft spring wheat characterized by by purple grain colouring, and the red grain standard of Zlata in the conditions of the Central region of the Non-Chernozem zone. The years of the study were characterized by contrasting meteorological conditions – excessively humid year 2020 and arid year 2021. Protein content was determined using a spectrophotometer. Gluten was washed manually. Bread baking was carried out according to the modified methodology of the State Commission for Testing and Protection of Breeding Achievements. The allelic composition of high molecular weight glutenins was carried out by electrophoresis according to Singh et al., (1991) in the modification of Branlard et al. (2001). It has been found that all varieties of spring wheat with purple grain colouring are not inferior in quality to the standard, differing from it by two alleles of high-molecular glutenins, affecting the stability of manifestation of baking qualities by year. The quality of the grain is highly dependent on the meteorological conditions of the growing season. All the studied varieties of spring wheat with a purple grain colouring are able to form a grain suitable for baking in the conditions of the Non-Chernozem zone. The quantitative protein and crude gluten content in grain varies by year, but is not inferior to the standard. The quality of gluten varied within groups I and II. At the same time, the gluten was stronger under drought conditions. All varieties showed a high potential of bread volume yield – at or above the standard. The low score of the general bakery evaluation is explained by inclusions of purple bran particles, which caused a darker colouring of the crumb. The positive correlation between the volume yield of bread and the protein content was stronger in the year with reduced protein content in grain.

In field experiments for four years (2019–2022) in the conditions of the northern part of the Central Chernozem region, the productivity components of different varieties of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) were determined and presented in the article Dega, Delta, Start, Manovitsky, Timiryazevsky and Gana, the varieties of breeding of Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, were studied. Cultivation of high-yielding and high-protein varieties of white lupin increases the production of vegetable protein up to 15 c/ha (with a similar yield in grain crops, the protein harvest is four times lower). Thanks to nitrogen fixation, its production is possible without the cost of expensive nitrogen fertilizers, which is also beneficial in energy and environmental aspects. In addition, white lupin is able to assimilate phosphates that are difficult to dissolve. The influence of stress factors related to weather changes at different stages of vegetation on the variability of plant seed productivity parameters has been determined. The varieties of white lupine with determinant type of growth bred in Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy were characterized by a high level of adaptive potential to moisture deficiency (drought) and heat stress. The biological yield of the varieties was high, averaging 529, 573, 483, 564 g/m2 in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. The share of the main stem in seed yield by year was 85, 74, 78, 88%. The coefficient of variation on the main shoot (V%) averaged 4.9% in varieties, 11.8% in years. On lateral shoots it was three times higher.

The use of competitive allele-specific PCR is becoming a popular method for mass crop genotyping. The development of markers for SNPs in polyploid organisms requires additional validation and testing when developing primers for further use. In this work, we propose an algorithm for testing and interpreting the performance of KASP markers on wheat using existing common wheat genomic assemblies. Using the described algorithm, six KASP-markers on VIVIPAROUS-1, MOTHER OF FT AND TFL1, TGW6-A1, PSY-A1, Dreb-B1 and leaf rust resistance locus Lr14a were analyzed. The most promising KASP markers by bioinformatic analysis and PCR were the markers for VIVIPAROUS-1, MOTHER OF FT AND TFL1 genes.

Spider mites of the genus Tetranychus are universally one of the significant pests that damage garden strawberries and many other crops. One of the important problems of the pest population management is to be able to identify the thresholds of this pest, which, when feeding, causes a change in the color of plant leaves.

Since it is very difficult to determine visually the level of leaf damage by spider mites, the authors of the study turned to the previously substantiated instrumental method for assessing damage using the relative electron transport rate (rETR) based on chlorophyll fluorescence detection in the leaf. Instrumental thresholds of pest damage were calculated: the economic injury level (EIL) and the economic threshold (ET).

Studies were carried out in the laboratory on the leaves of strawberry grown in conteiners at temperature of 22 ± 2°C, relative humidity of 75 ± 10%, photoperiod (L : D) 16:8 h, as well as on the experimental plot of the strawberry plantation of JSC “Lenin Sovkhoz” (Moscow region); registration of the population dynamics of spider mites on the leaves being made. At the same time, using the JUNIOR-PAM fluorimeter (Heinz Walz, Germany), the dynamics of chlorophyll fluorescence in the leaves of the control (without mites) and experimental (damaged by mites) variants were measured.

As a result, two varieties of industrial strawberries obtained a range of variation of the numerical physiological index, expressed in terms of the ratio of rETRmax between the experimental and control variants, equal to 1.4–2.0 conventional units, which corresponded to the economic injury level (EIL) of strawberry leaves. The latter trait was comparable to the same parameter obtained in the laboratory – 1.6. The economic threshold (ET), which signals the beginning of pesticide treatments, if it is reasonably expected that the number of pests will reach or exceed the value of EIL, also expressed in terms of the ratio of rETRmax between the experimental and control variants, turned out to be equal to 1.1–1.2 conventional units.

The authors recommend using the proposed instrumental criteria for the harmfulness of the Atlantic spider mite on strawberries. We believe that this approach can be applied to other species of spider mites, as well as sucking insects.

Sudanese grass is an important fodder crop for microzones of Russia with insufficient moisture. Currently, the demand for green mass of Sudanese grass is increasing, as high yields and unique drought resistance contribute to the active development of animal husbandry in these regions. The creation of varieties and hybrids adapted to the arid regions of the Russian Federation for fodder use with high productivity and quality of above-ground biomass meets the needs of the industry. In the breeding process, for this purpose, it is necessary to expand the genetic diversity of new forms involved as donors of valuable traits. The article presents the results of a comparative analysis of the yield, fodder and energy value of the above-ground biomass of 118 varieties and breeding lines of Sudanese grass. According to the results of the study, it was found that the varieties L-106, L-45, L-176/14, L-79/14, Ambitsiya, Kulundinskaya and Sputnitsa statistically significantly exceeded the standard variety Spartanka by an average of 47.2%. According to the protein content in the aboveground biomass, the breeding line MEV-728 (11,19%) and the Mechta Povolzh’ya variety (9,16%) were distinguished; according to the fiber content – varieties: Aleksandrina (36.48%), Tashebinskaya (38,72%), Kulunda (38,41%), and Fortuna (36,52%); according to the fat content – the breeding line L-106 (5.00%); according to the ash content – the breeding line MEB-728 (9,21%) and the Mechta Povolzh’ya variety (8.21%); according to the content of nitrogen-free extractives – the breeding line L-45 (58.55%); according to the content of carotenoids variety samples L-92/14, L-92/14, L-45, MEV-728, Evgeniya, Mechta Povolzh’ya. The most productive biomass varieties Ambitsiya, Allegory, Evgeniya, Kulundinskaya, Sputnitsa, Aleksandrina, as well as breeding lines L-33–1/17, L-176/14, L-106, L-45, L-79/14, formed a high yield of gross energy of crops of Sudanese grass of the 1st cutting. Variety samples MEV-728 and Mechta Povolzh’ya statistically significantly exceeded the standard variety in terms of aboveground biomass yield in the second cut by 46.4% and 39.1%, respectively.

The antibacterial activity of 25 samples of essential oils and seven aqueous samples and ethanolic plant extracts was evaluated against the complex of potato blackleg pathogens Dickeya chrysanthemi, Pectobacterium odoriferum, Dickeya didantii and Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum. To identify the described species, studies of pathogens were carried out in vitro with a skin diffusion test on agar, requiring minimal inhibitory (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of essential oils and plant extracts. Based on the results of screening for studies in the field of health, in vivo conditions, the essential oils of the common oregano, Chinese cinnamon, clove, as well as ethanol extracts of thick-leaved badan and common oak bark were selected. In the course of further testing, the ability of essential oils and extracts to prevent potato tuber maceration when used for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes was evaluated. With therapeutic use of the above essential oils at a concentration of 40 mg/ml or more and plant extracts at a concentration of 150 mg/ml or more, the biological effectiveness was 12.4–48.7%, and with prophylactic use – 35.3–100%. GC–MS and GC-FID analyzes showed that the main component of oregano essential oil was carvacrol (62.32%), Chinese cinnamon – cinnamaldehyde (84.25%), clove – eugenol (76.98%). Acetic (27.85%) and caproic (28.52%) acids predominated in the compositions of the extracts of thick-leaved badan and common oak, respectively.

The article considers the physico-chemical parameters of sheep’s milk. It is shown that sheep’s milk has a high biological and nutritional value due to the high content of protein and fat fractions. A characteristic feature of sheep’s milk is the size of fat balls. The average size is 5–7 microns and is dominant (38%), up to 3 microns – 17%, 3–5 microns – 27%, from 7 and more – 18%. It gives an opportunity to produce high-fat products based on sheep’s milk, such as butter, cream, ice cream, etc.

Sheep’s milk has a fairly high content of physiologically important fatty acids such as linoleic acid, linolenic acid and arachidonic acid. It also contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), from information sources, this fatty acid has a number of functional properties: antibacterial, immunomodulatory, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic.

The high serum protein content of lactoferrin (compared to other farm animals), which has bactericidal and immunomodulatory properties, allows the use of sheep’s milk as a raw material for obtaining an affordable target compound for pharmaceutical production and the creation of functional products based on it.

Sheep’s milk has a high carbohydrate content of about 5.1%, represented by lactose, which promotes the development of beneficial micro-organisms used in the production of dairy products based on sheep’s milk.

The mineral composition of sheep’s milk consists mainly of bioavailable calcium, which is necessary in human nutrition and for the maintenance of bone tissue.

The article is devoted to one of the leading scientists of Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy in the field of soil science, Professor Naumov Vladimir Dmitrievich. The stages of formation of the scientist in the field of soil science and an outstanding teacher are shown. The contribution of the practical researcher to the study of soil formation factors for various regions of our country and foreign countries, soil classification, generalization of his own results on the physical chemistry of soils and literature data, their use in numerous textbooks and manuals, monographs for students of agrarian universities of the country is shown.

Many scientific and pedagogical schools, new scientific and academic fields and disciplines emerged within the walls of Timiryazev Academy. People of science successfully solved practical problems and fundamental problems in a particular period. Brief information about Professor V.S. Butkevich is a tribute to a clever man with plenty of guts – microbiologist, plant physiologist, biochemist, who possessed encyclopaedic knowledge.