Under the conditions of a 24-day model experiment on soil samples of ordinary chernozem (Corg=3.6%, pH=7.4), the effect of biopreparations on the biological activity and on the dynamics of the content of two forms of soil organic matter (Chwl and Corg) was evaluated. Based on the results of theeffectof the used biopreparations on the intensity of substrate-induced soil respiration, they can be classified as means of biological activation of soil. The biological activity of the soil increased in the Rizoplan-Sporex-Bisolbi-Trichosan-Baktofit series when the biopreparations were applied to the soil before sowing, varying in the range of 57–156.7 µl CO2/h/g of soil, while the indicator in the reference variant was 28.6 µl CO₂/h /g soil. The bioactivation agents show a pronounced ability to destroy soil organic matter, which is expressed in a reduction of the gross carbon content. The fraction of organic carbon extracted by hot water is negatively correlated with plant biomass (r = –0.845), which may indicate the involvement of this fraction in the direct formation of biomassat the early stage of barley plant development. At the same time, the carbon of the microbial biomass is characterized by a weak correlation with the plant biomass (r=0.298) in the period studied.

The article presents an approach to data processing that extends critical indices of plant structural analysis by new characteristics of vegetation indices. The ability to detect differences in plant genotype usingvegetation indices was confirmed using common millet (Panicum miliaceum) as an example. The use of cluster analysis to group the tested breeding lines into clusters with optimal variety characteristics for further breeding work was demonstrated. In 2021…2023, practical results were obtained in the form of transferred new varieties of winter soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), standing out or having greater productivity in clusters with optimal parameters: Aist Orlovskiy, Zusha, Pamyati Katkova and Akvamarin. The conclusion is drawn on the promising use in the breeding process of groups with reduced tillering based on the variety sample Timiryazevskaya Odnostebel’naya. Promising breeding lines with highly productive ear based on the variety Ferruginum and new forms of Ferruginum and Milturum with high values of vegetative indices in combination with a complex of indicators characterizing yield and grain quality were revealed.

The breeding of F1-hybrids of spring rapeseed is the most effective approach to solving the problem of increasing rapeseed yield, as well as provides a more effective return on investment in breeding. Accelerated breeding of heterosis hybrids is provided by a complex of modern biotechnological and molecular-genetic methods. Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is used to control hybridization in the industrial production of F1-hybrid seeds and for additional copyright protection. Molecular-genetic markers allow rapid determination of the type of CMC and differentiation between the lines of fertility restorers and sterility maintainers. By combining double haploid production and indoor planting for the development of maternal lines, the intensity of the breeding process can be increased by 2–3 times.

In this research, we have genotyped a germplasm collection of foreign spring rape using the molecular marker ORF138 for the Ogura cytoplasm and divided the collection into two groups according to the presence or absence of the marker. Subsequently, doubled haploid lines (DHL) produced from a sample with Ogura cytoplasm were used as fertility restorer lines, and DHL from hybrids with a non-Ogura cytoplasm were used to develop female male sterile lines based on Ogura-CMC.

The doubled haploid lines were evaluated in the field for the main economically valuable traits, and 30 fertility restorer lines and four male-sterile lines were hybridized to assess their combining ability. As a result, four DH lines J30, J26, J24 and Ki1ms were selected for future breeding of heterosis hybrids basedon Ogura-CMC and five promising spring rapeseed hybrids were identified according to the complex of traits and properties.

Long-term studies on leached chernozem soils were carried out at the experimental base of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy (Michurinskiy district, Tambov region) under the conditions of the northern part of the Central Black Earth Region. In the breeding program to create varieties of white lupine (Lupinus albus L.) with a determinant growth type studies were conducted to assess the degree of effect of stress factors associated with the weather conditions on the dynamic parameters and seed productivity of white lupine varieties selected by the RSAU-MTAA (Start, Gamma, Delta, Dega, Deter 1). In the research under the conditions of 2021–2022 the new varieties of white lupine Timiryazevsky and Gana showed a high level of adaptive potential to moisture deficiency (drought) and heat stress: the average yield for two years of studies was 540 g/m² (variety Timiryazevsky) and 516 g/m² (variety Gana).

To assess the control of biotype constancy of naked oat varieties during cultivation, a highly effective method of electrophoresis of spare seed proteins – prolamins– is increasingly used in primary seed production. The aim of the research was to certify naked oatvarieties of the FRC “Nemchinovka” selection and to analyze their genetic diversity using alleles of avenin-coding loci.Chemical-technological, computational-constructive and statistical research methods were used in the work. The method of electrophoresis of spare alcohol–soluble proteins of oats – avenins – was used. Electrophoresis was carried out in vertical plates of 13.2% polyacrylamide gel at a constant voltage of 500 V using VE-20 electrophoretic chambers (Helicon, Russia). As a result of the conducted studies, it was found that all the analyzed samples were heterogeneous in the composition of avenin components, with the number of biotypes ranging from 2 to 14 pcs. The frequency of occurrence of biotypes in the samples varied from 1.0 to 97.0%. The blocks of avenin components missing in the catalog of genetic nomenclature were found: four blocksby Avn A locus, two blocksby Avn B locus, and one blockby Avn C locus. Their probable component composition was determined. A high value of the average gene diversity was found for all three loci. This indicates the effective use of genetically diverse source material in the breeding process.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that occurs in genetically susceptible people after eating prolamin-containing grains. The only cure for celiac disease is a lifelong glutenfree diet, but adherence to this diet can also have a negative impact on health. A good solution may be to include oat products in such a diet. However, different oat varieties differ in their immunogenicity, and studying the immunoreactivity of their prolamins to identify gluten-free genotypes is of utmost importance. The aim of the research was to assess the immunogenicity of varieties and promising breeding lines of oats cultivated in the Tyumen region in the period from 1929 to 2023 for use in the selection of gluten-free varieties. The amount of gluten in the grain was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using test systems based on the use of R5 and G12 antibodies. It was found that none of the samples showed immunoreactivity to the R5 antibody. Using the G12 antibody, all the varieties analyzed were found to be gluten-free, with gluten content ranging from 2.14 (Nidar) to 9.55 (TM 16–58–4) mg/kg. The variety Orel deserves special attention, as the gluten content of its grain is less than 2 mg/kg. This genotype is promising for inclusion in the breeding process to produce glutenfree varieties. The average gluten content in the samples of local selection is 5.23±0.678 mg/kg and significantly exceeds this index in foreign and non-regional varieties, which is associated with the introduction of more allergenic varieties in crossbreeding. The immunogenicity of varieties is associated with specific alleles of avenin-coding loci. Alleles A11, B11 and C2 may be promising as markers for gluten-free varieties. For the successful development of breeding of gluten-free oat varieties, it is necessary to analyze the allelic state of avenin-coding loci of the original genotypes and to determine their gluten content with the G12 antibody.

The use of vegetative propagation is promising for obtaining raw materials of stable biochemical composition from popular medicinal and essential oil plants of the Lamiaceae family, such as peppermint, common thyme and oregano. Increasing the efficiency of cuttings (increasing rooting, shortening the growing period) is an urgent problem in this field. The domestic OMEK-7 complex (JSC Bioamid) and Fitaktiv extra (LLC NPO BINAM, Russia) were used in the work. As a result of the research, the high efficiency of Fitaktiv extra in concentrations of 0.5–2 ml/l in rooting of peppermint and spearmint cuttings, as well as common thyme and oregano was shown. The application of a foliar treatment with OMEK-7 (an amino acidmineral complex at a concentration of 1 g/L) contributed to the subsequent growth of the aboveground part of the cuttings. The combined use of the above preparations made it possible to increase the yield of plant material per unit area and to obtain seedlings of these crops for planting in the ground in a short time.

The key areas for improving agribusiness sustainability and responsibility are related to environmental, economic, health and social factors. Companies recognize that integrating the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) approach into their operations not only contributes to eliminating negative environmental and social impacts, but can also be a source of competitive advantage. A more sustainable company can attract investors who are committed to ESG principles. Incorporating an ESG approach into business planning minimizes risk and maximizes the efficiency of agribusiness projects. The novelty of the research lies in identifying and describing specific ESG metrics in the business planning process, both quantitative, measurable indicators, and qualitative ones, to motivate agribusinesses to improve their financial performance.. The study places a particular emphasis on environmental and social performance. The authors have formulated methodological approaches for the use of ESG principles in business planning for investment projects in the agribusiness sector. The integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ESG principles into the sections of a business plan is presented in the form of a conceptual scheme. Using this relationship, companies should strive to incorporate various ESG trends into their business plans. Based on the analysis of rating agency data, business benchmarking in the agribusiness sector is presented, and sustainable development projects are discussed. The concept of sustainable agriculture is interpreted to include projects such as the implementation of precision farming technology, the automation of business processes, the improvement of soil fertility and productivity, land reclamation, the use of fallow land and the use of crop rotations optimised to maintain soil quality. The practical significance is defined in the identified ESG practices and the opportunities for their incorporation into business plans for the agribusiness investment projects.

The article deals with the complex problem of the territorial location and strategic development of the agrifood sector, the proper condition of which ensures the physical and economic availability of products at the consumption rate of each citizen. Territorial planning is designed to use those competitive advantages of regions that are more relevant to the task of the “desired” development of the agricultural sector. The purpose of the article is to assess the impact of the current location of the agrifood sector on the results of its strategic development. The information resource of the study was the author’s database characterizing the development of the agrifood sector of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation for 2017–2020. The method of comparative assessment of the level of indicators (localization as a criterion of specialization, productivity, costs, profitability, and selling price as a criterion of consumer protection) between regions is used to identify the competitive advantages of regions. The logic of the approach is that the “correct” specialization is a consequence of the comparative advantages of the regions in the above-mentioned positions of product competitiveness. It is shown that the current distribution of resources for the strategic development of the agricultural sector is determined by natural and economic conditions. It was revealed that in regions with the best rent-generating factors, there is also a concentration of energy capacities, labor, material and technical resources, fixed capital, and investment. It is shown that a high concentration of funds and objects of labor at a certain stage does not lead to an increase in the efficiency of new investments, but rather contributes to an increase in the capital intensity of products, their price increase and a decrease in affordability. It was found that the competitive advantages of the regions are not sufficiently used to solve the problems of strategic development of the agrifood sector. It is concluded that it is necessary to strengthen the “incentive” support measures for producers. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that the scientific aspects of the territorial location of the agrifood sector are supplemented by theoretical and methodological provisions based on the principles of balanced formation of the physical and economic accessibility of products. The scientific developments can be used by public authorities to support strategic decisions on territorial planning of the agribusiness sector.

The relevance of the research lies in the need to overcome the dependence of Russian agriculture on imports of foreign technologies. The country has problems with effective interaction between enterprises and research institutions in R&D, knowledge sharing and commercialization and possibly marketing activities. The aim is to identify the factors that hinder the innovative development of agriculture in Russia through support, and to propose measures to improve its effectiveness. The current number of results of intellectual activities is not sufficient for Russia with such a large potential of agro-industrial sector. Its positive dynamics is due to the low base effect and increased government funding of scientific organizations. Russia has two poles of farms in terms of the level of implementation of innovative technologies. Small farms are less active in mastering them, in contrast to large farms. The study uses comparative analysis, monographic method, and expert evaluation method. Firstly, the paper reveals the extent of intellectual activity in Russian agriculture. Secondly, the survey demonstrates the dynamics of the level of innovation activity of organizations in Russian agriculture. Thirdly, the research presents the specific weight of subsidies in the total amount of expenditures on innovation activity. Fourthly, the article outlines the place of financing of research and institutes, education in the structure of support of general services in Russia. Fifthly, the author gives the recommendations on improving the efficiency of innovation support.

The article establishes a positive trend in the dynamics sheep and goat population in peasant (farmer) households from 1990 to 2022, in contrast to agricultural organizations and household farms, which led to structural shifts in farm categories. In 2000, the share of sheep and goats in peasant (farmer) households accounted for only 6% of the total livestock in all categories of farms, but by 2022, it reached 40%, with the total number of sheep and goats in the Russian Federation increasing from 15 to 21 million during this period.

The article presents a methodology for analyzing the state and development of sheep and goat farming in the Russian Federation, focusing on peasant (farmer) households. To analyze the dynamics of the sheep and goat population in peasant (farmer) households, sub-periods were identified and piecewise-linear functions were used to align the data. The highest slope (average annual absolute growth) was observed from 2000 to 2008, with an increase of 753 thousand head per year. From 2009 to 2016, it decreased to 468 thousand head per year, and the last period (2017–2022) is characterized by a declining trend, with an average annual decrease of 156 thousand head.

The proposed approach to factor-based analytical grouping based on sheep and goat population data from Form № 1-KFH, provided by peasant (farmer) households and individual entrepreneurs receiving subsidies from the federal budget or regional budgets of the Russian Federation.

The methodology was tested on a sample of almost three thousand households specializing in sheep and goat production. In contrast to publications on the data of All-Russian agricultural censuses and micro-censuses, the characterization of the identified groups is given by a system of performance indicators, as it is done in countries with developed economies in general and agriculture in particular. Based on the grouping, a positive correlation between the animal population and the overall production size and its efficiency was established, which can be used for developing targeted state support measures.

The developed methodology can be used to analyze and forecast the development of the sheep and goat farming industry, taking into account the characteristics of small businesses in agriculture.