The article presents studies on the effect of biopreparations on nitrogen assimilation in spring soft wheat plants grown under stressful conditions resulting from either water deficit or excess soil moisture. It is known that recent years have seen a tendency towards an increase in the area of arable land in the Russian Federation affected by droughts, as well as periodic flooding and waterlogging, which significantly damage agricultural production. In this regard, the search for strategies to mitigate the negative effects of stress responses induced by either water deficit or waterlogging is of great practical and environmental significance and remains highly relevant. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of biopreparations on nitrogen assimilation in two different spring wheat varieties under simulated water supply stress conditions. Spring wheat plants of the varieties Zlata and Radmira were grown under controlled vegetation conditions using a modified soil culture technique. The soil used was typical light loamy urbanozem, collected from the field experimental station of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy. An adaptive effect of biopreparations was established under water deficit conditions, influencing nitrogen uptake by plants and the extent of nitrogen assimilation in wheat grain, thereby enhancing the ability of spring soft wheat to withstand adverse environmental conditions. A positive effect of the studied preparations on nitrogen uptake and assimilation processes in spring soft wheat plants varieties Zlata and Radmira was revealed. The effectiveness of biopreparations under various water supply stress conditions depended on their chemical composition and application method. It was shown that the greatest adaptive capacity of biopreparations was manifested under drought conditions during the critical period of plant development in both wheat varieties. The application of biopreparations provided optimal conditions for nitrogen uptake by plants and enhanced nitrogen assimilation processes, thereby promoting adaptive responses in plants and increasing the ability of spring wheat to withstand adverse environmental conditions.

The article analyzes the history of the development of floriculture and landscaping in the Arkhangelsk agglomeration. The introduction of ornamental plants in urban landscaping in the European North dates back to the late 19th century. The historical stages of floral design development follow the evolution of society, the economy, and the exploration of northern territories. The introduction of flowering plants is one of the ways to optimize greening and decoration of northern cities. The scientific basis for introducing new flower crops involves their importation from more southern regions, along with the refinement of cultivation techniques for open ground. In addition to the introduction of species and previously bred varieties of ornamental plants, the range of flower crops is currently being continuously expanded through breeding efforts. For a long time, the development of floral design in the Arkhangelsk agglomeration was constrained by the lack of ornamental nurseries. The work of research laboratories in horticulture and landscaping contributes to the enrichment of the collection of species suitable for northern conditions. The aim of this study is to highlight the history of the development of floral design and landscaping in the Arkhangelsk agglomeration. It has been revealed that the floral design system in the study region is currently developing intensively. All types of flower beds are used: in the regular style, various types of flower beds, rabatok, borders, stalls, arabesques; in the landscape style, mixborders, groups, rocky slides, as well as container gardening and solitary plantings. All groups of flower crops are used: annual and perennial ornamental foliage and ornamental flowering plants, biennials, carpet plants, as well as early-flowering bulbous plants and other primroses. Since the mid-20th century, winter gardens have been developing in the North.

The article presents the results of field studies aimed at producing branched one-year apple tree seedlings in a nursery. The aim of the study was to identify the optimal application of plant growth regulators and fertilizers in the nursery for producing one-year apple tree seedlings. The studies were conducted in 2024 and 2025 at the research and production nursery of the Federal Horticultural Research Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery in the Stupinsky District, Moscow Region. The objects of the study were one-year apple plants of the varieties Desertnoe Kichiny, Chekhovskoe, and Lobo, grafted onto the clonal rootstock 54–118. The plants were obtained by summer chip-budding. For chemical treatments, the growth regulators Gibbera, WP (25 mg/L), Saldo, WP (25 mg/L), and Epplin, WSP (0.6 g/L) were used. To improve mineral nutrition, in some variants foliar application of the complex fertilizer Aquarin 5 Plus (5 g/L) was applied. The first treatment of buds was carried out at the end of June when plants reached a height of 60 cm, followed by applications every 10 days. The frequency of application ranged from 1 to 3 times depending on the variant. A three-fold treatment with Epplin Epplin was taken as a reference option. The control received no growth regulator treatment. Increased apple tree height was achieved by increasing the number of treatments with growth regulators and the fertilizer Aquarin 5 Plus. The maximum plant height and trunk diameter were recorded in the variant with three-time application of growth regulators and fertilizer. The greatest positive effect in increasing the number of branches and their length (9.5-fold compared to the control) in all studied varieties was obtained in the variant with three-time application of Gibbera and Saldo. Simultaneous foliar application of Aquarin 5 Plus fertilizer contributed to an increase in average shoot length by 1.3-fold across the studied varieties. The variety Lobo was characterized by a high ability to form additional shoots, the variety Dessertnoye Kichiny by a moderate ability, and the variety Chekhovskoe by a low ability to form shoots. The yield of branched one-year plants under the influence of growth regulators was 100% for the varieties Lobo and Dessertnoe Kichiny, and 77.8% for the variety Chekhovskoe.

The results of high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit identification and allelic state determination of the Glu-1 loci in 105 spring common wheat accessions of various ecological and geographical origin are presented. A total of three alleles of the Glu-A1 locus, seven alleles of the Glu-B1 locus, and two alleles at the Glu-D1 locus were identified. Among the identified alleles, there are alleles that have a positive effect on the wheat grain and flour technological properties. Based on the high molecular weight glutenin profiles, 72 of the accessions studied were found to possess high baking quality potential. The allele frequency distribution of the Glu-1 loci among spring common wheat accessions originating from different geographic regions was determined. High frequencies of the Glu-A1b (0.65), Glu-B1c (0.68), and Glu-D1d (0.64) alleles were observed. It is suggested that the high frequency of the GluA1b and Glu-D1d alleles is most likely attributable to their positive effect on baking quality. In turn, it is hypothesized that the high frequency of the Glu-B1c allele may be explained by its positive effect on yield or tolerance to adverse environmental factors, since this allele does not confer high potential technological properties. Population genetic analysis revealed relatively low genetic diversity at the loci studied (H= 0.45–0.48). At the same time, low intrapopulation diversity (μ) values were also recorded for individual homeologous loci: on average, 2.49 ± 0.05 alleles per Glu-A1 locus, 3.71 ± 0.14 alleles per Glu-B1 locus, and 1.96 ± 0.01 alleles per Glu-D1 locus. High genetic similarity among the geographic groups of spring common wheat accessions was shown with respect to the allele frequency distribution of the Glu-D1 locus. Similarity at the Glu-A1 and Glu-B1 loci was also substantial, although less pronounced. A trend toward reduced genetic diversity as a result of the breeding process was noted.

Increasing crop yields and enhancing their adaptation to changing growing conditions are among the key strategies for ensuring food security. Potato is one of the most important food crops worldwide and is cultivated on all continents. Plant breeders play a crucial role in ensuring sustainable potato production by developing new resistant varieties with increased yield per hectare. Since the 1990s, genetics has played an increasingly important role in plant breeding through the introduction of DNA markers as indirect selection tools and for the assessment of genetic diversity. Today, genomics-based plant breeding approaches, such as marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS), accelerate the breeding process for many major crops. The aim of this study was to identify genes conferring late blight resistance in 30 promising potato hybrids using DNA markers. Laboratory analyses for late blight resistance were conducted at the Laboratory of Molecular Genetic Research of Agricultural Plants at the Vladikavkaz Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The breeding material was preliminarily evaluated under field conditions in accordance with the recommendations for potato breeding programs. Genomic DNA was extracted from potato leaves during the flowering period using the CTAB method. For molecular genetic analysis of late blight resistance, the following R-gene molecular markers were used: R1–1250, R3a-1380, and R3b-378. The molecular genetic analysis revealed the presence of all three markers R1–1250, R3a-1380, and R3b-378. They were identified in five different potato hybrids. These hybrids included: 3375–1 (Tiras × Breeze), 3403–2 (Arizona × Fritella), 3341–2 (Innovator × Mirage), 3352–1 (Kolette × Mirage), and 3352–4 (Kolette × Mirage). The presence of all three genes indicates a high degree of late blight resistance. Thus, the identification of potato genotypes using molecular markers facilitates the acceleration of the breeding process for developming new resistant potato varieties.

Plant-parasitic nematodes are the most widespread group of harmful organisms, capable of causing significant damage to agricultural crops and substantial yield losses. In areas affected by nematodes, secondary infections caused by pathogenic fungi and bacteria often develop; moreover, nematodes serve as vectors of viruses, further aggravating the phytosanitary condition of agroecosystems. Traditional control methods, such as thermotherapy and fumigation, have a number of limitations, including short-term efficacy, toxicity to humans and the environment, accumulation of pesticides in soil and agricultural produce, and the risk of pathogen resistance development. Consequently, there is an urgent need to search for, study, and implement environmentally safe methods for protecting plants against plant-parasitic nematodes. The aim of this study is to synthesize and analyze current domestic and international data on plant-parasitic nematodes as one of the most significant factors reducing crop yields, and to assess the prospects for the application of environmentally safe biological and biotechnological plant protection methods. Recent research highlights the potential of nematophagous fungi (Arthrobotrys, Trichoderma, Purpureocillium, Metarhizium, Beauveria), which suppress nematodes through predation, parasitism, or toxin production; antagonistic bacteria (Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Serratia), which synthesize antibiotics, enzymes, and toxins, activate plant defense responses, and compete for resources. An important role is also assigned to various agrotechnical practices that can reduce the invasive load and stabilize the phytosanitary condition of the soil. The use of antagonistic plants and phytochemical agents is also relevant. Thus, biological methods for protecting plants against plant-parasitic nematodes represent a promising alternative to chemical nematicides.

Soft winter wheat variety Grom was included in the State Register of Agricultural Plant Varieties and Hybrids Approved for Use in the Russian Federation in 2010. Its cultivation area includes five regions, and over the past three years it has ranked first in terms of sown area in the country. This variety is highly responsive to improved agricultural conditions. The aim of this study is to provide agronomic and economic assessment of the nitrogen application rates and timing efficiency following sunflower as a predecessor. The article analyzes the results of a 13-year study examining the impact of nine nitrogen application rates on yield, grain quality, and economic indicators of the variety Grom grown after sunflower. Field experiments were carried out in Leningradskaya village and Krasnodar city. It was established with 99.9% probability that all studying nitrogen application rate increases yield and grain quality while reducing production costs. The maximum yield of the variety Grom over the 13-year average was recorded at the application rate of N₆₈+N₆₈: 90.2 q/ha in Krasnodar and 71.4 q/ha in Leningradskaya, with grain protein content exceeding 13%. This treatment corresponded to the highest net income – 39,269 rubles/ha in Leningradskaya and 71,497 rubles/ha in Krasnodar, with profitability rates of 157.8% and 211.5%, respectively.

The article presents the results of phytosanitary monitoring of weed infestation in spring wheat crops. The studies were carried out under production conditions in the Oryol Region in 2020 and 2022. The aim of the study was to investigate the species structure and dynamics of weed infestation in spring wheat crops under conservation tillage technologies in the Oryol Region, as well as to evaluate the biological efficiency of the tank mixture of herbicides Ballerina Super, SE (0.5 L/ha) + Lastic Extra, EC (0.8 L/ha). Weed counts were carried out using the instrumental (quantitative-species) method at three time points: before herbicide application, 30 days after chemical weeding, and before crop harvest. It was established that the use of conservation tillage technologies with the abandonment of moldboard plowing contributes to increased weed infestation and higher phytosanitary pressure on the crop. During the critical period of spring wheat development (tillering stage), weed density reached 79 plants/m², significantly exceeding the economic threshold of harmfulness. The weed component structure included 16 species belonging to nine botanical families. Compositae (Asteraceae) representatives accounted for the largest proportion (35%), with Matricaria inodora L. and Erigeron canadensis L. predominating. By botanical class, dicotyledonous weeds dominated (73%), and by life cycle, annual species prevailed (82%). Based on the phytosanitary monitoring data, the chemical crop protection system was adjusted using the tank mixture of herbicides Ballerina Super, SE (0.5 L/ha) + Lastic Extra, EC (0.8 L/ha). The biological efficiency of the chemical weeding was 92.7%. The yield of spring wheat on the treated plots reached 4.14 t/ha. It was shown that weed infestation dynamics are determined not only by the tillage system but also by weather conditions, which contribute to the wavelike emergence of new weed seedlings throughout the growing season.

In the Northwestern region of Russia, and in the Leningrad Region in particular, mass outbreaks of aphids occasionally occur, which have a significant impact on crop formation. The aim of the study was to investigate the species composition, complex structure, and population dynamics of aphids in the fields of a grain-grass-row crop rotation, which is widely practiced in this territory. The aphid complex was studied during 2021–2022 using yellow water traps placed in all fields of the crop rotation. Aphid counts were carried out at 7–8 day intervals, resulting in a total of 10 and 15 counts in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The aphid complex of the graingrass-row crop rotation was characterized by high species diversity (30 species) but low abundance (1.9 individuals/trap), which varied depending on the agrocoenosis characteristics within a range of 1.3–2.8 individuals/trap, on average, over the crop growing season. The agrocoenoses differed considerably in the composition and structure of their aphid complexes, except for those whose cultivated plants belonged to the same botanical family and had identical seasonal development patterns (winter rye, perennial grasses). The numerical majority consisted of species whose feeding specialization is associated with cultivated plants (85.3%), with the remainder accounted for by weed species (12.6%) and woody and shrub vegetation (2.1%). The maximum aphid abundance in the crop rotation was recorded in the second decade of June, which coincided with the mass outbreak of the bird cherry-oat aphid in spring oat crops, and to a lesser extent in winter rye and perennial grass stands.

In the context of restructuring the dairy cattle breed composition in the Russian Federation and the ongoing Holsteinization of populations, an accurate assessment of the breeding value of stud bulls is a crucial task for effective selection. The BLUP (Best Linear Unbiased Prediction) method, while being the international standard, requires adaptation and comparative assessment with traditional methods in domestic practice. The aim of this study is to conduct a comparative assessment of Holstein bulls used in the Vologda Region population based on offspring quality, using the BLUP method and the traditional “daughter-peer” method. The study was carried out on data from 6,760 first-calf heifers sired by 283 bulls from 25 breeding farms in the Vologda Region. A mixed-type biometric model was used to predict breeding value (EBV) and calculate its reliability (R²). A comparative analysis of the methods was performed using correlation (r) and Spearman rank correlation analysis (ρ). The BLUP method assessed all 283 bulls, of which 115 were identified as improvers for milk yield, 60 as neutral, and 108 as deteriorators. Reliability of the estimate (R² ≥ 0.5) was obtained for 125 animals (44.2%). Only a few bulls simultaneously improved two traits, and none improved all three. The “daughter-peer” method allowed for the assessment of only 88 bulls (31.1%). A moderate positive correlation was found between the results of the twomethods (r = 0.33–0.43; p < 0.001). The BLUP method demonstrates an advantage in terms of assessment coverage and provides a more accurate accounting of genetic and paratypic factors. However, for practical breeding, it is necessary to establish clear threshold values for assessment reliability (R²). The correlation identified between the methods confirms the overall consistency of the results, indicating the potential for implementing BLUP in the breeding system, provided that the criteria for bull selection based on prediction reliability are standardized.

The effective reclamation of unused agricultural land is regarded as a key component of national food security and the implementation of State Programme No. 731, which mandates the recultivation of 13 million hectares of unused agricultural land by 2030. The State Programme aims to incentivize agricultural producers to bring fallow agricultural land back into productive use. The study demonstrates that the current economic measures, legal approaches, and modernization of federal and regional information systems on agricultural land remain largely ineffective. From January 1, 2020 to January 1, 2024, the area of unused agricultural land decreased by only 3%. Over this period, 1.06 million hectares of fallow agricultural land were brought back into production. It is therefore necessary to improve the existing measures and approaches for reclaiming unused land in order to meet Russia’s food security targets. The study examines peasant (farm) enterprises as land users, for which an information system has been developed. When making decisions on the reclamation of unused agricultural land, farmers consider not only expected profitability but also the condition of the land, the environmental situation of the territory, and the level of socio-economic infrastructure development. Farmers can currently obtain such information from several disparate information systems, which are presented in tabular form and do not allow for comparative analysis or ranking of selected territories for a comprehensive assessment of location choices for both residence and production activities. A well-informed selection of a locality by farmers, taking into account economic, environmental, and social factors, is likely to reduce the probability of subsequent land abandonment.

The development of organic agriculture requires the introduction of digital technologies to improve production management efficiency and ensure transparency in food supply chains. The aim of the study is to substantiate scientific and methodological approaches to the development of digital management systems for organic production and to formulate a concept for the optimal spatial allocation of farms. A comparative analysis of the digital infrastructure of Russia and China was conducted, identifying key technological components: information platforms, IoT sensors, GIS systems, Big Data, and blockchain. It is shown that the Russian model is based on decentralization and regional adaptability, while the Chinese model relies on centralized integration and scalability. A model for optimal allocation of organic farms was developed based on GIS modeling and multi-criteria analysis of environmental, logistical, and socio-economic factors. A five-level management system is substantiated: data collection, spatial analysis, allocation optimization, decision-making, and monitoring. It is proven that digitalization creates an integrated agroecosystem that ensures product traceability from producer to consumer through blockchain technologies. The results obtained provide a foundation for the formation of a Eurasian digital management system for the organic sector.

The article presents the results of a study on the evolution of state support mechanisms for agricultural land users under conditions of economic instability in 2020–2026. The relevance of the topic is determined by the fundamental transformation of the agricultural policy of the Russian Federation, associated with the adoption of the new version of the Food Security Doctrine (Presidential Decree No. 20 of January 21, 2020) and the unprecedented sanctions pressure of 2022–2025, which caused a disparity in prices for material and technical resources (a 40–60% increase in fertilizer and agricultural machinery prices), disruption of logistics chains, and the need for accelerated import substitution in critical areas (seeds, veterinary drugs). The aim of the study is to trace the evolution of approaches to state support for land users, identify doctrinal gaps between existing mechanisms and the objective needs of the agricultural sector, propose an author’s periodization, and formulate specific legislative amendments. The methodological framework is based on formal-legal, comparative-legal, economic-statistical, and systemic methods. Based on the analysis of statistical data from Rosstat, program documents of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, and regional practices, the transformation of approaches has been identified: from compensatory subsidies to investment-oriented instruments with mandatory agroclimatic zoning. The necessity of agroclimatic zoning as a legally significant factor for subsidy differentiation is substantiated, since the difference in production costs between favorable and depressed zones reaches 2.5–3 times. The author’s concept of “efficiency of state support for land use” in the context of economic instability is formulated. The author’s periodization of the development of the support institution is proposed: compensatory (2013–2020), transitional (2021–2023), and zonally differentiated (2024–2026) periods with the introduction of increasing coefficients of up to 2.0 for depressed zones. Specific legislative proposals have been developed: enshrining the concept of “agroclimatic zone” in Federal Law No. 264-FZ and the mandatory application of zonal coefficients; concluding agreements on achieving a minimum yield increase (at least 3% per year) for depressed zones; supplementing the Food Security Doctrine with an indicator of subsidy payback.

The current development of the agricultural sector in the Russian Federation is accompanied by a high level of uncertainty, driven by the volatility of the macroeconomic environment, fluctuations in market conditions, and the need for enterprises to adapt to the requirements of sustainable development. Under these conditions, there is a growing demand for tools that allow for a rapid and objective assessment of the actual financial position of enterprises. One of the key indicators reflecting the long-term operational capacity of an enterprise is net assets, the dynamics of which serve as an important criterion of financial sustainability. The aim of this study is to develop and test a model for assessing net asset sustainability of in agricultural enterprises, taking into account industry affiliation, geographical location, and company age. In contrast to universal methodologies traditionally used in industry and the financial sector, the proposed approach is tailored to the specific characteristics of the agro-industrial sector, thereby enhancing the accuracy and practical relevance of the analysis. The developed model combines accessibility and ease of application with the ability to identify key risks and potential imbalances in the structure of assets and liabilities. It is based on a set of financial indicators (net profit, revenue, liabilities) and non-financial parameters (enterprise age, regional specifics), allowing for an integrated sustainability assessment. The results of the testing demonstrate that the model reliably performs the function of rapid diagnostics, enabling the classification of agricultural enterprises by sustainability levels and the identification of groups with elevated risks. Its application offers opportunities for both internal management decisions within companies and for government authorities and credit institutions interested in an objective assessment of the financial position of the agricultural sector.