The article is dedicated to the memory of two Soviet professors of the Timiryazev Academy, theoretical physicist Dmitry D. Ivanenko and physical chemist Evgeniy N. Gapon, who proposed the neutron-proton model of the atomic nucleus structure. The formation of outstanding scientists as researchers and teachers is shown. The contribution of D.D. Ivanenko and E.N. Gapon to the development of nuclear physics is described.

The article discusses the anatomical structure of the leaf blade and petiole of plants of the clonal rootstock of the apple tree Kuban-86 (AP-1) depending on their growth at different altitudes of mountainous Dagestan and under urban conditions. The paratypical nature of the occurrence in an ecological-genetic experiment with clonal plants within the reaction norm is substantiated. The relationship of adaptive changes with plant growth conditions and the location of leaf attachment in the crown (sunny or shady side) is analysed, and labile and stable characteristics are identified. As taxon-specific characteristics of the AP-1 leaf the authors proposed the tortuosity of the epidermal cell walls, the types of simple and glandular trichomes, the anomocytic type of the stomatal complex, the deepening of the stomata in relation to the epidermis, the oval shape of the petiole cross-section with crenate edges, containers with a lipophilic secretion in the phloem part and the presence of oxalate drusen in the cortex parenchyma. The variability of petiole characteristics is higher than that of blade characteristics and the informative value of indicators of sclerenchyma, xylem and collenchyma tissues. The possibilities of quantitative analysis of leaf and petiole anatomical characteristics and the prospects of petiole anatomy of the hybrid AP-1 in assessing the plasticity of indicators under the influence of contrasting external conditions along an altitudinal gradient are considered. Within the crown, the specificity of changes in the anatomical structure of petiole tissues to illumination was revealed. Furthermore, the thickness of most mechanical tissues is greater in light leaves in mountainous areas and in shaded leaves in lowland areas. The latter is explained by the high light and thermal stress to which leaves on the southern side of the crown are exposed.

The article presents the results of studies on phenological and morphological characteristics of forest berry plants obtained by microclonal propagation and adapted ex vitro, after transplanting to open ground conditions in the Vologda district of the Vologda region. Nowadays, in the conditions of import substitution and demand for fruit and berry products, the industrial cultivation of berry planting material is necessary. The objects of research are lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) cultivars ‘Kostromichka’ and ‘Kostromskaya Rozovaya’, lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) cultivars ‘Northblue’ and ‘Northcountry’, European cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos L.) cultivars ‘Dar Kostromy’ and ‘Severyanka’, arctic bramble (Rubus arcticus L.) cultivars ‘Astra’ and ‘Galina’. The winter hardiness of 2-year-old seedlings of the studied berry cultivars obtained by the in vitro method after overwintering was 89–100% in the first decade of May. The average height of 2-year-old R. arcticus plants is 9.3 to 10.2 cm, V. angustifolium – 17.4 to 18.1 cm, V. oxococcos – 6.4 to 7.2 cm, V. vitis-idaea – 6.2 to 7.0 cm. The yield of air-dry phytomass of leaves of 2-year-old R. arcticus plants averaged 112.9 to 151.8 g/m2, V. vitis-idaea – 2.1 to 2.2 g/m2; the air-dry mass of plant leaves was 18 to 21% of the wet mass. Leaf damage by the cruciferous flea beetle (Phyllotreta Stephens) was observed on 2-year-old R. arcticus plants. The results obtained indicate a rather high adaptability of the studied berry plants to the soil and climatic conditions of the Vologda region, Russia.

The paper presents the results of the development of the microclonal propagation technology of Digitalis purpurea L. with plant adaptation in hydroponic Ebb and Flow Systems. It has been found that MS and WPM growth media with a full and reduced content of mineral salts supplemented with 6-BAP cytokinines, 2-iP and auxins of indoleacetic acid, isobutyric acid in various concentrations can be highly efficient for in vitro cultivation of the plants. Intensive shoot proliferation and rhizogenesis of plants in vitro culture is observed on MS and WPM growth media with a twofold reduced content of mineral salts, with 6-BAP phytohormones 0.5 mg/L and 2-iP 0.3 mg/L. A high frequency of callus formation was observed on MS growth medium with full mineral salt composition containing 6-BAP 0.5 mg/L. The use of hydroponic systems at the stage of adaptation to ex vitro conditions ensures high survival of plants. During the work, anatomical and morphological features of regenerating plants under in vitro and ex vitro conditions were studied.

The development of molecular genetic identification and certification of sugar beet hybrids using DNA markers is a current research direction in plant breeding. The subject of the study were plants of promising domestic sugar beet hybrids. The article presents the results of the development of the methodology of molecular genetic identification and certification of sugar beet hybrids using microsatellite markers. Seedlings of eight prospective domestic sugar beet hybrids were used as test material. Target fragments were amplified using locus-specific (microsatellite) primers (Unigene16898, Unigene17623B, Unigene26753, Unigene17923, Unigene27833, FDSB1001, FDSB1033, FDSB502–2, FDSB502–3, SB09, SB04, and SB15) labeled with fluorescent dyes (FAM, R6G, TAMRA and Rox). The obtained amplicons were identified by the method of high-resolution capillary electrophoresis using the genetic analyzer Nanofor 05 (Synthol, Russia). The results of selection of 12 microsatellite loci suitable for genetic certification of sugar beet hybrids are presented. All primers selected for microsatellite loci of sugar beet genome are characterized by a high level of polymorphism. From the results of fragment analysis, the size of the obtained PCR amplicons in plants of the studied hybrids was determined. on the basis of the obtained molecular data, genetic formulas and passports for identification and certification of plant genotypes were prepared. Based on the calculated genetic distances, a dendrogram of genetic relationships of the studied sugar beet hybrids was constructed. The development of methods for molecular genetic identification and certification of sugar beet hybrids using DNA markers is a current research direction in plant breeding. It is of great practical importance in sugar beet breeding, seed production and state variety testing, both in the development of new hybrids and in their registration.

Acizzia jamatonica (Kuwayama, 1908) is one of the most dangerous pests of Albizia julibrissin Durazz., 1772. A high pest population can lead to defoliation and death of the plant, and growing in forested areas makes it impossible to use chemical methods to protect the plant from Acizzia jamatonica (Kuwayama, 1908). the aim of this work was to study the species composition of predatory insects occurring in plantings of Albizia julibrissin Durazz., 1772 and to evaluate their regulatory activity against Acizzia jamatonica (Kuwayama, 1908). the work was carried out in the forest and park areas of Krasnodar, plantings of the farm “Kuban” and FRCBPP in 2022 and 2023 (2nd agroclimatic zone). to study insect biodiversity in the plantations of Albizia julibrissin Durazz., 1772, Malesa traps were installed, and insects were counted by mowing in the crown of trees. in 2022, the phytophagous development began in the first decade of April. the first peak of abundance was observed at the beginning of the first decade of May – 0.72 ex/m². the second peak of abundance was observed at the beginning of the third decade of June – 0.88 ex/m². the maximum number of insects was found at the end of August – 1.08 ex/m². in 2023, the highest population density of Acizzia jamatonica (Kuwayama, 1908) was observed at the end of the third decade of September – 1.24 ex/m². As a result of the study, the species composition of entomophagous insects feeding on Acizzia jamatonica (Kuwayama, 1908) in Albizia julibrissin Durazz., 1772 plantings was determined. Among the family Syrphidae the following were found in Albizia plantings: episyrphus balteatus (De Geer, 1776), Scaeva pyrastri (linnaeus, 1758), Sphaerophoria scripta (linnaeus, 1758), eupeodes corollae (Fabricius, 1794), Paragus albifrons (Fallen, 1817), Platycheirus podagratus (zetterstedt, 1838), Platycheirus peltatus (Meigen, 1822), Melanostoma mellinum (linnaeus, 1758), Syrphus ribesii (linnaeus, 1758), Baccha elongate (Fabricius, 1775), Volucella zonaria (Poda, 1761), Myathropa florea (linnaeus, 1758), eristalis tenax (linnaeus, 1758), eristalis arbustorum (linnaeus, 1758). the most common species were: episyrphus balteatus (De Geer, 1776), Sphaerophoria scripta (linnaeus, 1758). these species represented 33% and 30% of the total number of syrphids in the study areas. Five species of the family Coccinellidae were recorded: harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773), Coccinella septempunctata (linnaeus, 1758), Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (linnaeus, 1758), Adalia bipunctata (linnaeus, 1758), hippodamia variegate (Goeze, 1777). the most abundant coccinellid was harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773), its share was 60% of the total coccinellid fauna, the second most abundant was Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (linnaeus, 1758) – 25%. ecological relationships were established between Volucella zonaria (Poda, 1761) and the wasp Vespula vulgaris (linnaeus, 1758) with Acizzia jamatonica (Kuwayama, 1908).

In modern vegetable growing, much attention is paid to environmental protection, especially to control of water regime, quality and quantity of fertilizers used. The use of preparations approved for organic vegetable growing contributes to the reduction of the pesticide pollution and the enrichment of vegetable products with bioelements. The research was carried out on the territory of the V.I. Edelstein National Center for Horticulture and Vegetable Growing in a spring film greenhouse. The aim of the research is to study the effect of foliar fertilization with preparations promising for organic farming on the yield, biochemical and elemental composition of tomato fruits. Three tomato hybrids and organic preparations Rostovit and Aminozol were studied. Standard methods and GoST standards were used in the research. The quality of the products was determined in the Central Research Institute of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy and the Federal Research Center for Vegetable Growing. As a result of the research, the positive reaction of tomatoes to the preparations approved for organic vegetable growing and containing brewer’s yeast extracts, macro- and microelements, amino acids was established, at the same time, the species-specific reaction of hybrids was noted. The triple foliar fertilization with aqueous solutions of Aminozol and Rostovit increased the yield of the Chernysh F1 hybrid by 31% and 28%, respectively, in comparison with the control varieties. The studied preparations had a positive effect on the biochemical and elemental composition of the fruits of the studied tomato hybrids: potassium (K), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), iron (Fe), copper (Si).

The aim of the work was to study the effect of precipitation and temperature during the vegetative season on the oil content of the studied sunflower cultivars. The article examines the dynamics of changes in the oil content of the sunflower cultivars selected by the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Federal Center of Agriculture Research of the South-East Region” for 2010–2019. It was revealed that the most favorable conditions for oil accumulation were observed in 2013, 2017 and 2019. The cultivar Stepnoy 82 showed the most constant high oil content (49.45%) compared to other cultivars during the 9-year research period. The method of two-factor analysis of variance determined the share of the effect on the oil content of cultivar factors (A) – 14.7%, year conditions (B) – 66.59% and their interaction (AB) – 12.9%. An average correlation between the amount of precipitation and the oil content in the germination-budding period (June – first half of July) was observed in the cultivars Stepnoy 81, Stepnoy 82, Saratovsky 86 and Saratovsky 82. During flowering (second half of July) there was an average correlation (r = 0.31–0.65) between these indicators in most of the cultivars studied; during seed filling (August) there was a weak negative correlation in all cultivars. During the period of physiological seed maturity (September), the cultivars Saratovsky 21, Stepnoy 82, Saratovsky 85 and Saratovsky 86 showed an average correlation between the amount of precipitation and the oil content. There was a negative correlation between the temperature regime and the oil content of the seeds of the cultivars studied throughout the vegetative season. The greatest contribution of precipitation to the oil formation process was observed in July in the cultivars Skorospely 87 (41%) and Saratovsky 20 (42%), and the greatest contribution of temperature was observed in July and August in the cultivar Slastena (71 and 48% respectively). There was a slight variation in the oil content between cultivars over the years, ranging from 4.7% in Skorospely 87 to 6.55% in Slastena.

The studies are dedicated to the evaluation of changes in the genetic status of the pale dairy cattle population and its constituent breeds (Simmental and Red-and-White breed) on the main traits of milk productivity for the period from 1994 to 2017. Throughout the analysis period, a very moderate but positive trend was observed in the improvement of the genetic potential of these animal groups through the use of sires. The average annual genetic gain of the selected traits in the analysed breeding females varied from –1.06 to +18.64 kg for milk yield, from –0.001 to +0.004% for milk fat and protein content, from –0.02 to +0.82 kg for milk fat and milk protein; the selection index was from +0.10 to +0.36 economic units. This fact indicates a suboptimal system for evaluating the breeding value of animals in the population, for the formation of selection groups of sires and their use in the mass reproduction of breeding stock in the population.

Analysis of blood biochemical status is a universal way of monitoring metabolism and general physiological state of animals, which determines the relevance of identifying the nature of relationships between blood biochemical parameters and various economically useful and biological traits. The aim of the work is to determine the correlations between blood biochemical parameters and morphological features of broiler chickens (on the example of cross Ross 308). Broiler chickens in the number of 258 birds were reared in a one-room poultry house for 35 days under observance of technological parameters and feeding system recommended for the given cross. At the end of rearing, 18 chickens were slaughtered with subsequent blood sampling and anatomical cutting of carcasses. The obtained data were mathematically processed; Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated. The results of correlation analysis showed a direct relationship between the activity of aminotransferases and indicators characterizing muscle development and meat productivity (r = +0.56–0.57), the activity of lactate dehydrogenase and indicators, characterizing muscle development and meat productivity (r = +0.50–0.73), triglyceride concentration and liver weight (r = +0.51), calculated indicators of protein metabolism and indicators of meat productivity (r = +0.47–0.64). A negative relationship was found between glucose level and the sum of inedible parts of the carcass (r = –0.52), as well as between some absolute indices of protein metabolism and indicators of meat productivity (r = –0.54–0.61). The results of the research are important for expansion of the database of ranges of physiological norms of biochemical blood parameters of broiler chickens and can be used in interpretation of blood analysis results as monitoring indicators of metabolism, state and work of organs and level of meat productivity of poultry. The results of the research are important for expanding the database of ranges of physiological norms of biochemical blood indices of broiler chickens and can be used in interpreting the results of hematological analyses as monitoring indicators of metabolism, state and work of organs and level of meat productivity of poultry.

Over the past few decades, the reindeer husbandry in Russia has gradually degraded. This is manifested in the reduction of the reindeer herd, lower economic efficiency of production, and a lack of financial resources for development. According to government statistics, in 2022 the unprofitability rate of domestic reindeer husbandry was 51.73%. The state constantly provides financial support to reindeer farms, compensating up to 95% of current costs, which allows them to continue their production activities, but does not provide opportunities for development. This paper proposes a transition from a policy of financial support for the current activities of reindeer herders to a radical transformation of the industry from traditional grazing technologies to reindeer herding in hedges, as well as to the use of modern technologies for slaughtering, processing and producing reindeer products with high added value. The evaluation of such a development on the example of a particular pilot transformation project in the Chukotka Autonomous District showed the economic viability of the proposed approach. However, due to the lack of sufficient financial resources of reindeer herders, the project requires state support support and/or the search for alternative sources of financing for capital investments and working capital growth. only under this condition will the project be financially feasible and economically effective in the future. Moreover, if this project is implemented and its results are widely disseminated in the territories of the Arctic zone of Russia, it will create favorable conditions not only for the industry to overcome the crisis, but also for achieving the goals of sustainable development of the Far North.

The article presents data on the use of modern methods of analysis, isolation and identification of representatives of the microbiocenosis of the ceca of the intestines of industrial pigs raised using intensive technology. Bacterial metagenomic analysis was used to study the composition of microflora of various taxonomic groups in the chyme of industrial pigs. Classical microbiological research methods were used to isolate the dominant representatives of the genus Lactobacillus. Identification of the probiotically relevant microbial cultures was performed by mass spectrometric analysis using MALDI-ToF MS in a BactoSCREEN spectrometer, as well as by nucleotide sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Full-genome sequencing of isolated dominant pure cultures of the genus Lactobacillus was carried out. As a result of the research, it was found that in the cecum of the intestines of suckling piglets, growing and fattening pigs there is a diversity of microbial communities, which changes in quantitative proportions with age. The results of mass spectrometric analysis revealed the presence of protein spectra of important representatives of bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus, among which two species, Lactobacillus amylovorus and Limosilactobacillus mucosae, were dominant, which were additionally confirmed by analyzing their nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene and by performing full-genome sequencing.

Breeding of goats and sheep for milk production shows positive dynamics in Russia. For effective breeding it is necessary to collect information on the composition of goat and sheep milk and the nature of correlations between its components in different breeds. The article compares infrared spectra of milk parameters of Alpine and Zaanen goats, Lacon and ostfriesian sheep breeds, obtained on the automatic analyzer CombiFoss 7 D. It was found that in the milk of Alpine goats the content of the mass fraction of fat, solids, palmitic, long-, medium-, monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids was significantly higher by 7.2 to 82.4 percent (p<0.001) than in the milk of Zaanen goats. The milk of Lacon sheep had higher levels of fat, protein, casein, solids, urea, myristic, medium-, short-, and saturated fatty acids, and fatty acid trans-isomers by 19.4 to 82.6% (p<0.001) than that of ostfriesian sheep; the latter had higher lactose content and lower differential somatic cell counts by 19.4% and 23.4% (p<0.01), respectively. In sheep milk, the level of mass fraction of fat, protein, casein, dry matter was on average 1.3 to 1.9 times higher than in goat milk, with the greatest advantage in the content of monounsaturated, short-chain and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which is important for functional human nutrition. Calculation of correlation coefficients revealed both general patterns and individual differences in the relationships between goat and sheep milk components. Common were a high functional relationship between protein and casein B content; high positive relationship between fat and TS, fatty acids (r=0.61 and 0.96, respectively); high and medium positive relationship between saturated (SFA, LCFA, MCFA, myristic acid, palmitic acid) and unsaturated (MUFA, PUFA, SCFA, oleic acid, stearic acid) fatty acids (r=0.40 and 0.99); somatic cell count and differential cell count (r=0.36 and 0.33). The differences consisted in a weak positive relationship between urea, oleic acid and long chain fatty acids in goat milk while there was no relationship in sheep milk; between stearic acid there was a weak positive relationship in goat milk while there was a weak negative relationship in sheep milk; between lactose and long chain fatty acids there was a medium positive relationship in goat milk while there was a weak negative relationship in sheep milk.

The article is devoted to the urgent regional problem of improving the efficiency of horticultural enterprises in the Republic of Dagestan. It is noted that the significant decrease in the contribution of this category of commodity producers to the production of fruit products, the lack of innovation and investment activity limit the development not only of the horticultural sub-branch, but 213 also of the entire agro-food sector of the Republic. The aim of the research is to develop proposals to strengthen the position of horticultural enterprises in the national production of fruit products and to improve the efficiency of their activities. The methodology of the work is based on the use of regional statistical information, as well as on studies of domestic scientists and economists in the field of horticultural enterprises and development of various forms of management. Production and economic activity of horticultural enterprises located in three natural-climatic zones of the Republic is analyzed. The analysis period is 2017–2022. Conclusions are drawn on the necessity of differentiated placement of perennial orchard plantings on the territory of the Republic, deepening of specialization of each natural-climatic zone, application of increasing coefficients of state support, provided that perennial orchard plantings are planted at an altitude higher than 500 m above sea level. It has been shown that the small size of perennial plantings does not allow horticultural enterprises to achieve high production volumes, even if intensive cultivation techniques are used. It is recommended to the regional authorities to implement legal and organizational measures for the expansion of areas through cooperation between horticultural enterprises and small private subsidiary farms of the population. It is proposed to create a passport and an electronic database of horticultural land in the Republic. An investment plan for the development of horticulture in the Republic until 2035 has been developed. The projected increase in the volume of fruit production will contribute to the increase in the financial indicators from the sale of products, increase in the economic efficiency of horticultural enterprises. The forecast calculation of the required volume of financial investments for capital and current expenditures in case of increasing the area of perennial plantings is presented. The main source of financing is the regional budget. Calculations have shown that the payback period of the project will be eight years with a rate of return of 30%. The materials obtained in the process of this study will allow to make certain adjustments in the prospects of industrial location, to become the basis for the development of strategy and comprehensive programs of regional development of horticulture and rural areas.