This article presents the results of a long-term field experiment (1990–2024) investigating pea yield under changing climatic conditions in the Rostov Region, Russia. Given the high demand for pea in both Russia and the Rostov Region, maximizing yield is a primary objective of agricultural production. The study aimed to determine the optimal combination of hydrothermal factors (temperature, precipitation) influencing the yield of pea varieties in the Azov zone of the Rostov Region. A comparative analysis was conducted to assess pea productivity during vegetation periods characterized by contrasting climatic conditions (drought vs. wet). The study also quantified yield fluctuations (1.65–2.70 t/ha) in relation to varying fertilizer application rates and climatic conditions. During drought periods, pea yield decreased by 8.3%, whereas during wet periods, it increased by 11.0% compared to long-term average values. Optimal temperature and precipitation ranges for maximizing pea yields were identified as 14.0–17.5°C and 200–300 mm, respectively. Fertilizer profitability was reduced by 15.3–22.8% during wet vegetation periods compared to drought years. An optimal temperature range of 15.5–17.5°C and precipitation of 200–300 mm during the vegetation period were also identified for maximizing fertilizer profitability, resulting in yield increases of 6.00–7.00 kg/kg with a higher application rate (P80K80). Application of varying fertilizer rates can enhance fertilizer efficiency and compensate for the adverse effects of climatic conditions.

The investigation of plants with high bioresource potential from renewable sources, whether native or cultivated in Russia, is of significant importance. Sambucus racemosa L., a European understory species, accumulates fatty oils and is traditionally used in cosmetics and medicine. This study investigated the fruit development of red-berried elder, using fruits collected from the S.I. Rostovtsev Botanical Garden (Moscow) during 2021–2022. Morphological, morphometric, and weight characteristics of developing fruits were analyzed to determine the duration of developmental phases and describe growth dynamics. Fruit development followed a double sigmoid growth curve. A growth and weight increase lag was observed from mid-June to the beginning of the third decade of June. The entire fruit development process spanned eight weeks, from the third decade of May to the second decade of July, with growth continuing for six weeks until early July and ripening occurring over two weeks. Fruit length increased from 3.633 ± 0.008 mm to 4.646 ± 0.014 mm, width from 2.752 ± 0.141 mm to 4.757 ± 0.244 mm, thickness from 2.463 ± 0.127 mm to 4.471 ± 0.230 mm, and weight from 9.145 ± 0.472 mg to 62.340 ± 3.245 mg. Growth dynamics in length, width, and thickness exhibited similar patterns. Following the growth lag, width and thickness increased at a faster rate than length. The obtained data on the growth and development dynamics of red-berried elder fruits are comparable to those reported for Sambucus sibirica Nak.

Helleborus purpurascens Waldst. & Kit. is a valuable ornamental perennial herbaceous species, highly sought after for shade gardens and exhibiting potential for medicinal applications. While this species has been successfully introduced into various botanical gardens in European Russia, the potential for seed propagation remains understudied. This study aims to identify the developmental features and study the characteristics of seed propagation of H. purpurascens under the conditions of the Central Non-Chernozem region, using Moscow as a case study. H. purpurascens has been cultivated in the VILAR collection since 2006. During the years 2024–2025, the timing of phenological phases up to fruit dehiscence, structural features of dicyclic shoots, and elements of seed productivity were investigated. The number of leaves, generative shoots, and fruits on them was recorded for 15 plants, while the number of carpels per fruit, seeds per carpel, and leaflet parameters were assessed for 40 fruits. The results indicated that the onset of flowering in H. purpurascens occurs in late March to early April, coinciding with residual snow cover and the total heat reaching 125–135°C. Monitoring the condition of carpels at the onset of dehiscence is recommended from mid-June when planning seed collection for this helleborus species to prevent seed loss. A strong positive correlation was found between the number of assimilating leaves of the median formation and the number of generative shoots in H. purpurascens*; the number of leaves exceeded the number of generative shoots in the plants by a factor of 1.24–2.0. Each fruit contained between 4 and 9 carpels. No significant differences were observed in the average number of seeds developing in one leaflet across the study years. Consistent fruit production enables the creation of seed stocks, with the potential for harvesting an estimated 37 to 133 seeds per generative shoot, depending on the number of flowers it bears.

This research presents the results of an investigation into the anatomical features of freshly picked leaves of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton), introduced into the Dendrological Garden of R.I. Schroeder (Moscow). The current lack of published data regarding the anatomical adaptation of V. angustifolium to altered agroclimatic conditions during cultivation hinders the assessment of the introduction potential of this valuable berry crop. Therefore, the study of the anatomical features of V. angustifolium leaves under the conditions of introduction in the Moscow Region is relevant. Plant material was collected for analysis in July of the years 2023–2025 during the phase of peak fruit production. The anatomical features of plant leaves were studied in accordance with the requirements of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation. Anatomical analysis revealed that V. angustifolium leaves are dorsoventral and hypostomatic. The stomatal apparatus of the leaves is paracytic. The midrib of the leaf blade and petiole is characterized by a closed collateral vascular bundle. Over the observation period, plants exhibited an increase in total leaf thickness, upper and lower epidermis thickness, palisade and spongy mesophyll thickness, and an alteration in the ratio of spongy to palisade mesophyll, as well as an increase in stomatal density. Specifically, the palisade coefficient of V. angustifolium leaves increased by 7% from 2023 to 2025, and the stomatal index increased by 3.5%, indicating enhanced photosynthetic activity and adaptation of the plants to the agroclimatic conditions of the Moscow Region. The established anatomical diagnostic features of V. angustifolium leaves can be utilized in compiling anatomical atlases of cultivated plants, identifying and authenticating of plant material, and assessing the adaptive potential of introduced plants. Furthermore, these findings provide a theoretical foundation for developing a methodology for introducing berry crops.

Using DNA profiling and phenotyping, 10 parental lines and 10 hybrids of sugar beet from domestic and Belarusian breeding programs were studied. Twelve microsatellite loci exhibited a high level of polymorphism information content (PIC), ranging from 0.55 to 0.83, with the highest value observed at locus Unigene 17623B (PIC = 0.83). Approximately 92% of loci across all samples possessed dominant alleles present in more than half of the samples. Among all alleles across all loci, about 55–60% were dominant (frequency > 50%), 25–30% were of intermediate frequency (20%–50%), and around 10–15% were rare alleles (frequency < 20%), indicating high conservation alongside maintained genetic diversity due to existing allelic variability. Cluster analysis performed based on the Jaccard distance matrix using the UPGMA algorithm in the PAST software delineated the 10 hybrids according to breeding groups (Ramonskaya, Lgovskaya, and Belarusian), parental relatedness, and ploidy level. The hybrid “Polibel” showed the lowest similarity to other hybrids (mean Jaccard index of 0.416), whereas the hybrid “Konkurs” exhibited the highest similarity (0.592) to the sample set. Based on genetic profiles obtained with a panel of polymorphic markers, unique molecular genetic passports were developed for the 10 hybrids. An evaluation of genotype data from the Ramonskaya, Lgovskaya, and Belarusian breeding programs was conducted over 27 biomorphological traits, including those characteristics regulated by the State Commission of the Russian Federation for Testing and Protection of Breeding Achievements (FSBI “Gossortkomissiya”) registration guidelines for hybrids.

The San Jose scale, Diaspidiotus (Quadraspidiotus) perniciosus (Comstock, 1881), is a significant economic pest of fruit crops regulated under the Common List of Quarantine Pests of the Eurasian Economic Union. In quarantine phytosanitary laboratories, diagnosis of this species is typically performed using morphological methods; PCR teats for D. perniciosus are not routinely employed. This article describes the development of PCR tests for the identification of D. perniciosus based on speciesspecific primers Dp1-F/Dp1-R, which amplify a 216 bp amplicon, and a Dp1-probe targeting a region of the mitochondrial COI gene. In silico testing of the primer pair and probe demonstrated their species specificity for D. perniciosus. Three PCR tests were developed: 1) with electrophoretic detection of PCR products; 2) a real-time PCR with the intercalating dye Sybr Green I; and 3) a real-time PCR using a TaqMan probe. They were tested on DNA samples of D. perniciosus and 15 other Diaspididae species, including eight species of the genus Diaspidiotus. In all three tests, a positive result was only obtained for the target species, demonstrating the specificity of the proposed identification methods. The analytical sensitivity of each of the three PCR tests, when tested on D. perniciosus DNA samples with concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 40.4 ng/μL, was 100%, indicating that the PCR tests can detect the target DNA at its minimum concentration. The developed PCR tests can be recommended for use in quarantine phytosanitary measures in laboratory practice for the identification of D. perniciosus, including at pre-imaginal stages; the choice of a test depends on the available laboratory equipment.

The use of microsatellite analysis for parentage verification has enabled the creation of an extensive information base of genetic markers for cattle, which can be successfully used to control breeding processes in breeds and individual herds. The aim of our research was to study the genetic diversity of seven breeds of dairy and beef cattle, their phylogenetic relationships, interbreed and intrabreed differentiation, genetic diversity, homo- and heterozygosity, inbreeding, and other populationgenetic parameters. Genotyping of animals was performed using the “GeneProfile Cattle” reagent kit, designed for genetic identification and kinship determination of cattle (Bos taurus) based on 16 microsatellite loci. The breed-specific nature of allele frequencies and certain differences are shown using the example of one locus, TGLA53. Alleles 174, 178, 182, 186, 188, and 190 are extremely rare or not found in all breeds; conversely, alleles 160, 162, and 172 occur from 28.8% to 44.4%. Thirteen private alleles were identified in the Holstein breed, one allele each in the Simmental and Hereford breeds, and two in the red-and-white breed. The number of alleles per locus in the Holstein breed is 12, red-and-white Holstein is 9.75, red steppe is 8.94, Hereford is 10.25, Galloway is 8.44, and Kazakh white-headed is 5.69. The number of effective alleles varies from 3.59 (Kazakh white-headed) to 4.66 (Holstein). The Shannon index ranges from 1.43 to 1.71. Fis has a negative value and varies from minus 0.02 to minus 0.12. The level of observed heterozygosity is comparable to the expected heterozygosity; no excess of heterozygotes or inbreeding was detected. Separate clusters are formed by the Hereford and Kazakh white-headed breeds, red-and-white Holstein and Holstein, and Galloway and Simmental breeds. The results obtained can be considered as a basis for comparison in subsequent generations, as well as in the evaluation of breeds from other regions.

This study aimed to evaluate and optimize methods for transporting bovine ovaries, as well as methods for in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocyte-cumulus complexes (OCCs) for subsequent in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo culture to the blastocyst stage in vitro. Ovary transportation temperature regimes of +4°C and +37.5°C were tested, along with three in vitro maturation systems for bovine oocytes utilizing commercially available media designed for preimplantation embryo culture: BO-IVM (IVF-Bioscience), Continuous Single Culture Complete (CSCM–C) with Gentamicin and HSA (Irvine Scientific) supplemented with 50 µg/mL human chorionic gonadotropin and 5 µg/mL follicle-stimulating hormone, and the CAPA-IVM (capacitation IVM) method with the addition of 1mM N6,2’-O-dibutyryl adenosine 3’,5’-cyclic monophosphate and 0.5mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine to CSCM–C medium. Comparable results were obtained between the transportation temperature regimes of +4°C and +37.5°C. The oocyte maturation rate using the CAPA-IVM method in CSCM–C medium was 52.4%, with a blastocyst formation rate of 14.8%. This is comparable to the results obtained in the control group utilizing media specifically formulated for bovine oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo culture – BO-IVM/BOIVF/BO-IVC (IVF-Bioscience) – which yielded 36.2% and 18.8%, respectively. Therefore, based on our results, the CAPA-IVM method appears promising for use in assisted reproductive technologies in cattle.

This study evaluated the impact of a 2% phytobiotic feed supplement, incorporating nigella and milk thistle, on the performance and meat quality of Ross 308 broiler chickens under commercial conditions. The supplement replaced a portion of the standard feed. Chickens were monitored for 48 days, assessing mortality and feed conversion ratio. At slaughter, meat productivity and organoleptic characteristics were determined. The experimental group exhibited a 0.77% absolute improvement in survival rate compared to the control group. While the control group consumed more feed, the experimental group showed a 3.8% higher live weight. Carcass yield was 2.0% higher in the experimental group. Organoleptic evaluation revealed a distinct savory aftertaste attributed to the nigella in the supplement, resulting in superior sensory characteristics for both cooked meat and broth from the experimental group. The study concluded with a 9.8% absolute increase in profitability for the experimental group compared to the control.

The implementation of a program aimed at significantly increasing the production potential of beef cattle breeding should be based on the efficient utilization of available breed resources, which implies the involvement of surplus replacement heifers as a component for fattening. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional value of an average sample of minced meat and the yield of nutrients in the edible portion of the carcass of red steppe (Group I), Simmental (Group II), and Kazakh white-headed (Group III) heifers. It was found that Group I heifers were inferior to their counterparts in Groups II and III in terms of the mass fraction of dry matter in the average minced meat sample by 2.21% and 3.81%, extractable fat by 1.09% and 2.59%, and protein by 1.11% and 1.20%. Moreover, Group III heifers showed an advantage over Group II heifers in the magnitude of the analyzed parameters, which amounted to 1.60%, 1.50%, and 0.09%, respectively. Heifers in Groups II and III exhibited a higher yield of dry matter in the edible portion of the carcass compared to their Group I counterparts, amounting to 11.88 kg (21.54%) and 15.15 kg (28.10%). In terms of protein yield, Group I heifers were inferior to those in Groups II and III by 6.43 kg (22.36%) and 6.39 kg (22.22%), and in extractable fat by 5.79 kg (23.32%) and 8.26 kg (33.27%). This resulted in a higher energy value of beef products from Simmental and Kazakh white-headed heifers in Groups II and III, with the latter holding a leading position.

The creation and further development of the Land Redistribution Fund of the Russian Federation are aimed at increasing agricultural production through peasant (farm) enterprises and private subsidiary plots. The Land Redistribution Fund both expands and contracts over time. From January 1, 2019, to January 1, 2024, the area of agricultural land within the Fund experienced a reduction of 9.1%. The main reasons for land withdrawal from the Fund include the transfer of land plots in ownership or lease to individuals and legal entities, as well as the reclassification of agricultural lands into alternative land use categories. Reasons for the increase in agricultural land area within the Fund include the acquisition of land plots by the state. In the context of import substitution and the need to address the issue of unused agricultural lands, it is advisable to increase the arable land. The Land Redistribution Fund contributes to solving this problem. However, the study revealed operational challenges within the Fund from both legal and economic perspectives. The operational efficacy of the Fund can be augmented through the implementation of an information system that provides users with comprehensive and current data on the agricultural lands within the Fund and the living standards in the respective territories. The information system developed by the authors (using the Penza Region as an example) is convenient, easy to use, and allows for visual analysis of regional indicators. Based on these indicators, it identifies a ranking of the districts to facilitate quick and systematic selection of areas where interested parties are willing to purchase agricultural lands from the Fund, live, and produce agricultural products. For the Fund, having such an information system would promote more efficient land allocation: increasing the speed and number of transactions, reducing the impact of the “adverse selection” effect, and enabling a differentiated approach to pricing for leasing and buying/selling land plots.

The relevance of this study is conditioned by the urgent need to enhance global food security and to explore pathways for modernizing the agro-food system in the context of escalating contemporary challenges and multifaceted threats. The aim of this article is to identify the factors contributing to instability in food supply and to determine strategies for strengthening global food security at the current stage of development. It is noted that both developed and developing countries face two major coexisting food-related problems: obesity and hunger. International statistics on the prevalence of obesity are presented. The concept of “hunger” is examined as an acute negative manifestation of food insecurity, the eradication of which remains a complex challenge requiring not only innovative approaches to agricultural development but also additional investments in infrastructure, improvements in education and healthcare in rural areas, and the provision of humanitarian aid to developing countries. The study analyzes key factors significantly impacting the instability of global food security, including population growth, climate change, and the physical and economic accessibility of food. It also addresses critical crisis phenomena associated with the pandemic, rising food prices, the effects of sanctions, and military conflicts, all of which have contributed to the transformation of the global food system. Using data from international statistical databases, the article presents a ranking of countries according to the Global Food Security Index and examines trends in global food prices, confirming a decline in the overall level of food security worldwide. The findings suggest that the primary directions for ensuring food availability and security at the national level include increasing self-sufficiency in staple food products, supporting socially vulnerable groups, maintaining open international trade, regulating export and import restrictions, and implementing joint investment projects.

This study analyzes global trends in corn production, with a specific focus on the African continent. Characterized by a history of colonial agricultural suppression, rapid population growth, and technological limitations, Africa’s corn production is examined in relation to food security, technological innovation, and environmental challenges. The study’s relevance stems from corn’s status as one of three critical food crops and a vital industrial raw material with continuously increasing global demand. The research aims to assess Africa’s role in global corn production dynamics. Employing a comparative analysis of FAO data on gross production, cultivated areas, and corn yields from 1961 to 2023, the methodology differentiates between extensive (area expansion) and intensive (yield improvement) growth factors. The findings indicate that Africa’s share of global corn output has remained static, while its yields remain the lowest globally. Gross production increases have been primarily driven by cultivated area expansion, with limited adoption of modern agricultural technologies. The study attributes the limited success of the Green Revolution in Africa to underdeveloped infrastructure, political instability, and restricted access to technology for producers. However, the African agricultural sector possesses significant unrealized potential, which can be leveraged through adherence to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and sustained support from the international community.

This study identifies key determinants of successful diversification processes within the Russian agrarian economy, emphasizing the significance of institutional frameworks, infrastructure access, and human capital levels. A comparative analysis of methodological approaches to the classification of rural territories facilitates the delineation of parameters shaping their socio-economic profiles. Leveraging a synthesis of economic, environmental, and demographic indicators, we develop an original typology of Federation subjects, accounting for the nuances of inter-industry linkages. Applying input-output analysis, specifically utilizing statistical “Input-Output” tables, enables a quantitative assessment of technological coefficients for intermediate consumption across 33 regions. The methodological framework presented herein is predicated on calculating the proportion of each product type within the structure of intermediate consumption, enabling the quantification of indirect impacts from related industries on the development of tourism clusters within specific localities. Empirical validation of this approach, utilizing application documentation from the “Agritourism” grant program in the Republic of Buryatia for 2022, demonstrates the capacity to forecast multiplicative effects with a planning horizon extending to 2030. Results from the calculations indicate that each ruble of public investment in rural tourism infrastructure generates 2.3 rubles of value added within associated economic sectors. Integrating these findings into the authors’ typology of rural territories reveals four distinct clusters, characterized by differing diversification potential: ranging from agroindustrial hubs with high multiplicative effects to economically depressed zones necessitating targeted interventions. The proposed classification underpins the formulation of differentiated state policy measures designed to mitigate interregional disparities and stimulate endogenous growth drivers. Cross-regional analysis supports the hypothesis of a positive correlation between the degree of diversification and the dynamics of regional gross domestic product. The developed methodological toolkit holds potential for future adaptation in the design of digital models, facilitating the prediction of long-term impacts resulting from the adoption of innovative practices within the agricultural sector.

This article investigates the motivational challenges faced by village elders within the context of enhancing their labor productivity. The authors analyze relevant legal frameworks to identify potential legal instruments for safeguarding the status of village elders through economic incentives. The study of motivational factors reveals that the legal status of village elders, specifically whether they are considered employees and subjects of labor relations, remains a contentious issue. This uncertainty hinders the development of effective motivational strategies, impeding efforts by regional governmental entities to leverage economic levers in addressing the problem. The authors’ review of scholarly literature concerning the status and motivation of village elders confirms the absence of extant solutions that effectively address motivational deficits and offer more concrete definitions of their professional responsibilities within their designated territories. Synthesizing regulatory frameworks, practical experiences, and existing research, the authors propose a solution involving the conditional allocation of financial remuneration to these representatives of rural territories. This approach simultaneously solidifies their status as subjects of labor relations and incentivizes the attainment of favorable socioeconomic outcomes. Recognizing the multi-tiered budgetary mechanisms established by legislation, the proposed solution, upon successful validation, could be implemented across all rural settlements. The proposed framework significantly enhances the motivational aspects for village elders, whose status is reinforced not only through assigned authorities but also through demonstrably positive socioeconomic transformations. Furthermore, the financial dimension of the motivational strategy explicitly accounts for the budgetary processes at different governance levels.

Digital twin technology has been increasingly applied to improve business process management in manufacturing. A first-level digital twin methodology (process simulation model) was tested using the example of a sugar factory acceptance workshop, where the initial processing of sugar beets and their preparation for further processing occur. Digital twins enable enterprises to conduct virtual modeling and testing of new production concepts, optimize processes, predict equipment failures, diagnose production processes using virtual replicas, and improve management methods. The creation of a digital twin for the sugar beet acceptance process allowed for the determination of the process qualitative characteristics. As the process is linear, the throughput of the workshop is determined by the uniform distribution of workload across the entire circuit. A “bottleneck” in the system is defined by an operation that takes more time relative to the preceding and subsequent operations, which creates a queue of transactions. Analysis of the model run revealed “bottlenecks” in the network, specifically, increased queues of trucks at the sugar beet acceptance operation, at the gross weight weighing station, and at the factory entry checkpoint. To address this problem, the system parameters were optimized, with the aim of balancing the load on the nodes of the sugar beet acceptance workshop and reducing queues at the servicing devices (system nodes). The optimization experiment indicated that it is necessary to increase the number of control checks of the beet mass to three and that the loading speed of a truck should be six minutes. As a result, the generalized (averaged) load function on the workshop was reduced by almost a factor of two.