The publication informs on the main stages of establishment and development of the scientific journal “Agricultural Science Euro-North-East” of the Federal Agricultural Research Center of the North-East named N. V. Rudnitsky over the 25-year period - from a regional edition to a highly rated open access scientific journal included in reputable Russian and international databases.

The article provides the results of research and production work of the team of scientists of Federal Agricultural Research Center of the North-East named N. V. Rudnitsky, starting from 1895, the date of establishment the Vyatka Zemsky Agricultural Experimental Station. There has been revealed the role of 18 directors in the establishment and development of the organization in different conditions of our country existence.

The article reviews the current state, problems, and main achievements of scientific agrarian institutions in the Russian Far East. The structure of the arable land area for the main agricultural crops in the Far Eastern Federal District over 1990–2024 has been described. Over this period, a rapid increase was observed in the area of the arable land sown by soybean (around 68 % of the total arable land) and by grain corn – 1251 and 165 thousand ha, respectively. Simultaneously, a decrease was observed in the area of the arable land planted by grain and forage crops, potato, and vegetables. The paper reviews the main problems of horticulture – failure to follow the crop rotation guidelines and climate change with an increased number of tropical cyclones (typhoons) in Primorsky Kray, which leads to soil saturation and waterlogging, crop lodging, and the development of fungal, viral and bacterial diseases, and pests. The article presents high-priority research dedicated to the breeding of soybean, potato, corn, rice, and buckwheat and aimed at achieving the goals of The Food Security Doctrine of the Russian Federation. Over the last years, Far Eastern breeders created fifty-two new cultivars of agricultural crops recommended to use in the regional agricultural production: soybean – 17, wheat - 3, oat – 4, barley – 3, rice – 2, potato – 3, buckwheat – 1, bean – 1, tomato – 3, cucumber – 3, perennial grasses – 2, and fruit and berry crops – 10. Special attention is given to high-priority research areas in veterinary medicine, biotechnology, zootechnics, digital technologies and technologies of precision agriculture, and land improvement in the conditions of climate change.

Experimental data of scientists of Perm Agricultural Research Institute – branch of PFRC UB RAS obtained for 2000–2024 are presented, scientific literature for 1990–2024 of Russian and foreign specialists on the study of soil organic matter (SOM) is summarized and analyzed. Multidirectional tendencies of organic carbon change in soil compared to the initial level at change of land use regime were revealed: decrease at intensive tillage and absence of fertilizers, preservation and increase – at input of large amount of organic matter with biomass of cultivated crops in crop rotation and organic fertilizers. The influence of land use practices on the content of different fractions of transformed organic matter is shown. It has been established that in soil-climatic conditions of the Middle Urals the losses of organic carbon in the process of mineralization during the vegetation period can potentially make from 2.37 to 3.21 % of its total content. High carbon sequestering potential of sod-podzolic heavy loamy soil was determined. Carbon sequestration by crops of crop rotation and perennial grasses was assessed. It was revealed that in the process of photosynthesis eastern galega converts from atmosphere to plant biomass more than 30 t/ha of CO2 or 8.4 t C/ha per year, safflower leuzea – 24.3–41.3 t/ha of CO2 (6.8–11.5 t/ha). Due to the large amount and favourable biochemical composition of crop-root residues of perennial fodder crops, accumulation and deposition of organic carbon in the soil is observed. The study of soil microbiome of sod-podzolic heavy loamy soils of the Middle Urals revealed 17 phylums consisting of Archaea (1 phylum) and Bacteria (16 phylums) domains. Differences in the composition of soil microorganisms in soils of different types of land use were found. Prospects for further study of SOM are outlined in connection with the problem of global climate change, as well as the development of instrumental high-precision methods of analysis.

The development of Siberian black-and-white Holstein cattle has been studied. The subject of the study was the history of the origin and domestication of the ancestral forms of Siberian black-and-white Holstein cattle, namely the Holstein, Soviet black-and-white breeds, indigenous cattle of Siberia and the western regions of Russia. It has been shown that cattle in western Russia most likely originated from wild auroch (Bos primigenius) that lived in North Africa or the Middle East. However, some records indicate the introduction of genes from the wild wisent (Bison bonasus). The Holstein breed originated from the European wild aurochs (Bos primigenius), but evolved without the influx of genes from Russian cattle. In turn, since the 18th century, Russian cattle have been periodically improved by producers of Frisian, Dutch, and then Holstein breeds. The origin of indigenous Siberian cattle is still a matter of debate. According to one hypothesis, the indigenous Siberian cattle are descendants of the wild aurochs (Bos primigenius), which was domesticated in North Africa and entered Siberia along with the migration of human tribes. Another theory attributes the indigenous Siberian cattle to the so-called TuranoMongolian group, the origin of which also raises questions. In the genome of modern representatives of Turano-Mongolian cattle, haplotypes peculiar to wild aurochs (Bos primigenius), zebu (Bos indicus), as well as markers not peculiar to any of these species were found. This may indicate the origin of Turano-Mongolian cattle from a separate wild ancestor, as well as the introduction of yak (Bos mutus) or another type of bull. Thus, the gene pool of Siberian black-and-white cattle is a unique genetic reserve that combines the adaptive qualities of local cattle and the high potential of dairy productivity inherited from the Holstein breed.

Fractionation of grain heap at the pre-cleaning stage reduces the total energy consumption for grain processing and its injury by reducing the number of cleaning operations required to obtain high-quality seed material. The purpose of the review is to analyze the design and technological process of grain cleaning machines operating on the pneumatic fractional technology in order to identify promising areas of research in this field. It was found that grain pneumatic separators have a simple design and high productivity, which does not depend on the contamination and humidity of the source material. However, their use in the preliminary cleaning mode is limited due to the low effect of cleaning grain from coarse and fine impurities due to the lack of appropriate sieve working bodies. Universal air-sieve grain cleaning machines are used to separate grain into fractions by air flow. These are high-performance double-aspiration machines, the first aspiration of which separates light impurities from the processed material, and the second removes the forage fraction, which includes puny, crushed and biologically defective grain. The use of these machines in the pre-cleaning mode will reduce grain injury, since after separation of the forage fraction, a cleaner material is obtained at the outlet, requiring fewer operations for further cleaning. When developing new air systems for grain pre-cleaning machines operating on the pneumatic fractional technology, it is necessary to take into account the use in their design of: cross flow fans, since they are well combined with other elements and create a uniform air flow across the entire width, which has a positive effect on the efficiency of material separation; aspiration channels with a developed lower part and optimal parameters corresponding to their specific load, contribute to achieving maximum efficiency in separating light impurities and forage grain. The separation of the forage fraction from grain before cleaning on sieves reduces the load on the sifting and grading sieves and improves the quality of the cleaned material at the outlet.

In 2022–2024, a comprehensive analysis of 10 cultivars of spring soft wheat approved for production in the Kirov region was carried out, as a result of which their features were identified, recommendations were made for efficient production, as well as use in breeding for high yields and grain quality. The ‘Iren’cultivar (Russia) with an average growing season of 77 days was classified as early–ripening, ‘Bazhenka’, ‘Nagrada’(Russia), ‘Likamero’ (France) were classified as medium-early (81 days), ‘Kamenka’ (Russia, Belorussia), ‘Margarita’, ‘Priokskaya’, ‘Yoldyz’ (Russia) ‘Triso’ (Germany) were classified as medium-ripening (83-84 days), ‘Ulianovskaya 105’ (Russia) was classified as middle-late (88 days). The maximum average yield among medium-early cultivars was shown by the ‘Nagrada’ (2.65 t/ha), among medium-ripening cultivars – the ‘Margarita’ (2.77 t/ha). In terms of yield stability, the ‘Priokskaya’ cultivar stood out (CV = 19.6 %), ‘Iren’ (CV = 42.9 %) and ‘Yoldyz’ (CV = 40.5 %) were characterized by a strong reaction to conditions. According to the intensity index, ‘Triso’ and ‘Licamero’ cultivars were distinguished (IIS = 0.32-0.33). The combination of yield, stability and intensity, according to the sum of the ranks, showed the cultivars ‘Nagrada’, ‘Ulianovskaya 105’ and ‘Priokskaya’. Grains with high technological quality (nature, protein content, gluten content and quality, number of drops) were formed by ‘Iren’ and ‘Triso’. Cultivars ‘Priokskaya’, ‘Margarita’ and ‘Likamero’ were distinguished by their propensity to germinate on the root and high amylase activity of the grain. On infectious backgrounds, the ‘Nagrada’ cultivar was characterized by resistance to dusty smut, ‘Bazhenka’ to hard smut, and ‘Trizo’ to leaf and ear septoria. Minimal damage to the ear fusarium was noted in the ‘Iren’ cultivar. On a natural background, ‘Iren’, ‘Bazhenka’ and ‘Yoldyz’ showed the best resistance to root rot.

Garden strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is one of the most common cultivated berry crops. Fungal diseases cause enormous damage to industrial plantings. The main task of modern breeding is to create strawberry cultivars with genetic determinants of resistance to various pathogens. The aim of the research was to identify the resistance loci of Russian and foreign strawberry cultivars to anthracnose (Rca2) and powdery mildew (08 To-f) using DNA markers. The objects of the study were 32 strawberry cultivars from the Udmurt Federal Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences collection, including 21 samples of Russian strawberry cultivars and 11 of foreign breeding. The dominant diagnostic DNA markers STS-Rca2_240 and IB535110 were used to identify the resistance genes of the strawberry. PCR monitoring was performed using the EMFv020 marker. As a result of molecular genetic screening, the anthracnose resistance gene Rca2 was detected in one Russian strawberry cultivar (‘Krasnaya pchelka’, Russia) and in one foreign cultivar (‘Malling Pandora’, Great Britain). QTL 08 To-f was detected in four cultivars of the collection: one Russian strawberry cultivar (‘Duet’) and three foreign cultivars (‘Malwina’, Germany; ‘Marmion’, Scotland; ‘Malling Pandora’). In total, among the analyzed strawberry genotypes, marker STS-Rca2_240 was detected in 6.3 % of the studied forms, and the marker IB535110 in 12.5 %. The complex source of Rca2 and QTL 08 To-f resistance alleles was only the ‘Malling Pandora’ cultivar. The identified promising genetic sources will be used in the breeding program for producing of fungal pathogens resistant garden strawberry cultivars.

The aim of the research was to study the main phenological phases passing by bird cherry tree samples, to evaluate them according to the complex of economically valuable traits and distinguish the best ones for non-professional horticulture in Kirov region. The objects for the study were 10 cultivars bred by the Central Siberian Botanical Garden of the Siberian Brunch of the Russian Academy of the RAS and 1 chokecherry form planted in 2016. On average during the years of the research, the vegetation period was 158 days that almost the same as the duration of vegetation period in Kirov (173 days). This indicated the maximum use of thermal resources of the region by the crop. On average for the years of evaluation, the sum of positive temperatures necessary for the beginning of vegetation was 84.2 ºС; for the beginning of phenological phase “floral initiation” – 232.2 ºС; for the beginning of phase “beginning of ripening” – 1170.0 ºС. On average for the period of study, the ‘Samoplodnaya’ cultivar was distinguished for productivity (4.70 kg/tree), that certainly exceeded an average result in collection. By the stability of fruiting there have been distinguished the ‘Sakhalinskaya Ustoychivaya’ (fruiting stability = 0.46) and ‘Avgustina’ (fruiting stability = 0.58) with average fruiting stability (0.40–0.75 according to Kashin). The analysis of large-fruitiness showed that 9 cultivar samples were referred to the group with an average size of a fruit (0.6–0.8 g) over the period of study. The studied forms showed stone content in a fruit on average from 13.7 % (‘Samoplodnaya’) to 28.4 % (‘Plotnokistnaya’) over the years of the research. By a combination of raceme length and amount of fruits in it (on average over the years of study) the ‘Samoplodnaya’ (13.4cm and 9.6 pieces) and ‘Mavra’ (13.7cm and 10.2 pieces) cultivars were distinguished. Among the studied samples 4 cultivars (36.4 %) with high fruit palatability (4.5–5,0 points) were distinguished: ‘Plotnokistnaya’ (4.7 points), ‘Mavra’ (4.7 points), ‘Pamyati Salamatova’ (4.7 points) and ‘Avgustina’ (4.5 points). The cultivars ‘Samoplodnaya’, ‘Plotnokistnaya’, ‘Pamyati Salamatova’, ‘Avgustina’ and ‘Mavra’ were distinguished by the complex of economically valuable traits and recommended for non-professional horticulture in Kirov region.

Snow mold is an economically important and progressive disease of winter rye caused by several species of low temperature fungi (ascomycetes and basidiomycetes) and fungal-like organisms (oomycetes), with yield losses of up to 30–50 %. The aim of this work is to improve methods for field evaluation of winter rye resistance to snow mold, both under artificial infestation and natural conditions. The research was carried out in 2019–2024 in the Republic of Tatarstan. Since 2021, the most aggressive strains of pink (Microdochium nivale), grey (Typhula incarnata) and speckled (T. ishikariensis) snow mold pathogens collected in the Volga Federal District have been used for artificial infection. The experiment involved 60 winter rye samples, including cultivars bred by Tatar Research Institute of Agriculture, FRC Kazan Scientific Center of RAS. For a more accurate assessment of the degree of damage and identification of resistant genotypes, a detailed 9-point scale was developed, with 1 − no damage and 9 − complete damage. Under natural conditions, the average damage point ranged from 2.41 to 5.15, while under artificial infestation it was significantly higher, from 4.48 to 8.40. Most winter rye cultivars showed a moderate to moderately susceptible type of reaction on a natural background in four out of 5 years of observation. The frequency of susceptible samples on the artificial infection background reached 96 % in 2024. The use of artificial infection backgrounds allows snow mold damage to be assessed independently of weather conditions and speeds up the breeding process, providing an objective assessment of genotype resistance. As a result of research, the methodology for establishing autonomous infection backgrounds has been optimized. It involves the selection of a site with a long snowmelt period and flat relief, the use of inoculum containing virulent strains of pathogens characteristic of the region and a special method of introducing the pathogen.

Based on the results obtained in this study, the taxonomic status of 11 fungal strains belonging to the Fusarium oxysporum species complex isolated from potato tubers with symptoms of Fusarium dry rot collected in three federal districts of the Russian Federation was clarified. The pathogenicity of strains to tubers of three potato cultivars and their sensitivity to fungicides recommended for the protection of this crop were characterized. The phylogenetic analysis of fragments of translation elongation factor (tef) and large subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2) genes allowed to identify the analyzed Fusarium strains as representatives of two species – F. oxysporum s. str. (4) and F. nirenbergiae (7). The F. nirenbergiae strains turned out more aggressive to tubers of potato cultivars ‘Gala’, ‘Impala’ and ‘Red Scarlett’ and caused on average 1.3–1.9 times more extensive damage of plant tissue (19.0–41.6 mm) compared to F. oxysporum strains (3.2–34.6 mm), which demonstrated high intraspecific variability in pathogenicity. Characterization of strain’ sensitivity to four fungicides containing active substances from different chemical classes revealed both interspecific and intraspecific differences of fungi. The strains of both species were the most sensitive to the benomyl-containing fungicide, which effectively inhibited fungal growth (EC₅₀ = 0.0003 % on average for each species). The lowest sensitivity of the strains, especially F. oxysporum, was found in relation to the fludioxonil-containing fungicide (EC₅₀ > 1 %).

The purpose of the research was to analyze the biotic resistance and stability of immunological parameters of 18 new cultivars and lines of filmy and naked oats created from 2005 to the present bred by the Federal Agricultural Research Center of the Nort-East named N.V. Rudnitsky. Field studies were carried out in 2020–2024 at the phytopathological site under artificial inoculation with pathogens of dusty smut, root rot and red-brown leaf spot and against the natural background of the development of crown rust. Тhe repetition in the experiments was two-fold. The area of plots was 1 m² . The modeling of infectious backgrounds and the accounting of diseases were carried out according to well-known methods. The hydrothermal conditions of oat vegetation in the most important periods of plant ontogenesis ranged from acutely arid (НTC = 0.64–1.00) to excessively moist (1.50–7.36). In comparison with the ‘Krechet’ cultivar (2005 year of zoning), the degree of root rot damage in individual lines decreased from 14.7 to 7.0 %, red-brown leaf spot – from 14.5 to 11.0 %, crown rust – from 24.5 to 6.5 %, dusty smut – from 19.8 % to immunity. In conditions of extreme instability of climatic factors during the growing season, five lines (91h18, 41h18, 50h18, 3h19, 42h12o) undergoing competitive testing and two cultivars (‘Percheron’ and ‘Nizhegorodets’) were characterized by a high enough resistance to 3-4 fungal diseases. Comprehensively and steadily resistant lines (b_i<1-2) were identified among them: 91h18, 41h18, 50h18, 3h19, 42h12o, of which 91h18, 3h19, and 42h12o were also characterized by a weak response to extreme vegetation conditions (at S_i²= 0.0–4.7). The identified genotypes can be used in oat breeding as sources of long-term nonspecific resistance to specific fungal diseases.

Interest in chitinolytically active microorganisms is related to the possibility of their participation in protecting plants from fungal infections, since chitin is a structural component of fungal cell walls. Among the bacteria, the most active chitinolytics include representatives of the genus Streptomyces. The use of streptomyces in the fight against harmful phytopathogens of agricultural crops is due to the ability to synthesize a wide range of biologically active compounds, as well as environmental safety, since streptomyces are a natural component of any agrocenosis. The paper studied the distribution of streptomyces chitinolytics among natural isolates from the soils of the Vyatka-Kama Urals. Chitinolytically active cultures were screened using functional (phenotypic) and genetic predictors. The assessment of functional activity showed that the proportion of chitin-actively decomposing strains with an enzymatic index of EI≥2 was about 40 % in the studied soils. Strains of S. griseoaurantiacus and S. thermocarboxydus species decomposed chitin most actively. The genetic determinants of chitinolysis – the genes of chitinase A, chitinase C, and chitin-binding proteins – were determined in the genomes of natural isolates using PCR using specially developed specific primers. It has been established that individual genetic determinants of chitinolysis (chiA, chiC, chb) are much more widespread in streptomyces than chitinolysis detected in functional tests. This is due to the inducible nature of the chitinase enzyme and the dependence of its activity on exogenous factors. Chitinolysis of local isolates was compared with the activity of strains isolated from the soil of the arid zone. On the 7th day of growth of local isolates in the immersed culture, chitinase activity varied from 15.83±12.01 to 50.63±38.81 U/ml, whereas in the strain isolated from arid soil, the enzyme activity in the same period was 76.46±42.12 U/ml. Evaluation of the antifungal effect of streptomyces chitinolytics against pathogens of alternariasis, helminthosporiosis and fusarium root rot of grain crops revealed local strains promising for use in agrobiotechnology.

The State Register of Breeding Achievements of Russia has added dozens of new potato cultivars over the period of 2015-2025. However, there is little information in the literature about their comparable quantitative and qualitative suitability for processing into chips. Especially when grown in the similar conditions. The aim of the study was to identify new domestic potato cultivars that are distinguished by high yield, marketability, yield of healthy tubers and suitability for processing into chips; identify factors influencing the quantitative and qualitative indicators of raw materials. The research was carried out in the Moscow Region in 2022–2024. Potatoes were grown on sod-podzolic sandy loam soil that was moderately rich in nutrients. In a two-factor experiment, the commercial yield of potatoes was studied taking into account the output of healthy tubers and the quality of chips. Factors: A – potato cultivar (58 pcs.); B – amount of precipitation in the 2nd half of the growing season (3 gradations – 57.5 mm in 2022, 83.4 mm in 2024, 135.2 mm in 2023). Potatoes were planted in the first decade of May, harvested in the first decade of September, planting density was 45 thousand tubers/ha, row spacing – 75 cm. Frying of potato slices 1.2 mm thick was carried out at a temperature of 170–180 ºС. It was found that the quantitative yield of raw material suitable for processing into chips was determined mainly by the amount of precipitation in the 2nd half of the growing season (the influence of the factor according to the results of the dispersion analysis was 56.3 %), and the quality of raw material was determined by the cultivar (59.1 %). From the 58 studied, 13 potato cultivars were chosen and recommended for production, because they combined high yields (28.8–37.7 t/ha), marketability (52.0–79.7 %), yield of healthy tubers (95.5–99.6 %), starch content (14.3–19.3 %), index of reducing sugars (2.0–3.2) and thus characterized by high suitability for processing into chips (6.0–8.3 points): ‘Aleksandrit’, ‘Arijel', ‘Shakh’, ‘Orlan’, ‘Rozovyj Charodej’, ‘Nika’, ‘Evpatij’, ‘Cavaler’, ‘Kashtak’, ‘Pechorskij’, ‘Princessa Natavan’, ‘Spyridon’, ‘Chajka’.

The paper presents a forecast of the winter rye yield on a farm of Tver region based on monitoring results and archival data. Long-term (1997–2022) monitoring of the yield of ‘Dymka’ winter rye cultivar and soil properties was conducted at the Gubino agricultural testing grounds within the terminal moraine hill, on an agro-ecological transect - production area intersecting its main landscape positions. Mathematical models of the dependence of rye yield on landscape factors under various weather conditions were calculated. Using a GIS system, the modeling data were transferred to the conditions of a farm genetically identical to the transect. The paper shows that the maximum rye yield (3.4 t/ha) was recorded during the drought in the year of harvesting, with optimal moisture it decreases to 3.1 t/ha, and with excess moisture – to 2.5 t/ha. In extreme climatic conditions (in years of drought or excess precipitation), the maximum impact on the rye yield is exerted by the variability of elevation marks within the field, whereas with optimal moisture, its productivity mainly depends on the agrochemical properties of the soil. The most important result of yield forecasting are synthetic maps that reflect the areas of different influence of agroclimatic conditions on crop yield. On the basis of these maps the land user can make correct conclusions about the suitability for growing rye in a particular area.

In 2017–2022 in the forest-steppe of the Euro-North-East part of the Russian Federation (the Republic of Mordovia) in a field crop rotation (spring barley with clover undersowing – first year clover – winter wheat – spring barley – sudan grass) on leached chernozem there was carried out the research to optimize the doses and ratio of NPK in fertilizers. In all years of research, nitrogen was the main element that determined the crop yield in the crop rotation. Its minimum inclusion in the fertilizer dose (N₄₅) increased the total grain harvest units for crop rotation by 25.8 % compared to the control (9.89 tons of grain units). The use of N₉₀ and N₁₃₅ increased productivity by 19.65 and 56.9 %, respectively, relative to the dose of N₄₅. Phosphorus and potassium in the fertilizer did not significantly affect the yield. On average, for two crop rotations, red clover and Sudan grass turned out to be the most productive (3.48–3.52 tons of crop units/ha). Of the grain crops, winter wheat achieved the highest productivity (on average 3.29 tons of crop units/ha). A study of the dynamics of agrochemical soil parameters relative to the initial determination showed that the use of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers in the dose of P₃₀ and K₃₀ maintained the concentration of P₂O₅ and K₂O at the initial level. The introduction of a dose of P₆₀ and K₆₀ increased the content of phosphorus and potassium by 3.5 and 4,0 %, respectively. In variants where phosphorus and potassium were not added, the concentration of P₂O₅ and K₂O decreased by 7 and 8 %, respectively. For nitrogen, only the N₁₃₅ dose, regardless of the ratio with phosphorus and potassium, increased its content in the soil by 9 %. Calculation of the efficiency of fertilizer application for yield increase of 1 ha of rotation area showed that high costs for the purchase of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers significantly reduced the efficiency of their use, especially against the background of N₄₅, where a negative level of profitability was obtained (up to minus 30 %). The greatest economic effect (143 %) was obtained by applying nitrogen at a dose of N₉₀. Among the options with complete mineral fertilizer, the maximum conditional net income (10750 rubles/ha) and the level of profitability (85.5 %) were obtained in the N₁₃₅P₃₀K₃₀ variant.

The aim of the research is to identify the influence of agrometeorological conditions, age of grass stand and sowing techniques (cover crop, sowing method) of variegated alfalfa Victoria on its seed productivity. The research was conducted in 2019–2023 on sod-podzolic medium loamy soil of the Udmurt Republic (Middle Cis-Urals). The meteorological conditions of the growing season in 2023 were characterized by significant dryness according to the hydrothermal coefficient (HTC – 0.63), in 2021 and 2022 – by dryness (HTC – 0.78 and 0.91), in 2020 – by slight dryness (HTC – 1.04) and in 2019 – by waterlogging (HTC – 1.73). The regrowth of alfalfa was noted during the years of research in the 2nd-3rd ten-day period of April; the vegetation period before harvesting the seeds lasted 124–142 days. Over four years of use, alfalfa has generated yields at a rather high level: in the first year of use – 570–759 kg/ha, in subsequent years – 234–309 kg/ha. On average, over the years of research, the highest yields were when alfalfa was sown in a wide–row (60 cm) manner under the cover of spring wheat or a vetch-oat mixture – 360 and 359 kg/ha, respectively. Agrometeorological conditions of the year influenced the yield of the crop (93.3 % of variability) and its structure indicators. In dry years, the height of alfalfa plants (88.5 % of variability) was 74–84 cm, in wetter years – 108–119 cm; the weight of 1000 seeds (84.8 % of variability) was 1.88–2.39 g and 1.57–1.75 g, respectively. With aging of the herbage, the density of seed grass decreased from 289-420 to 192–260 pcs/m², the number of pods per cluster from 8.6–10.2 to 6.3–8.0 pcs, the number of seeds in a pod (76.1 % of variability) – from 4.3–4.9 to 2.0–2.4 pcs. The number of clusters on a shoot and the number of pods in a cluster had an average positive effect on the level of seed productivity of alfalfa (r = 0.47 and r = 0.53, respectively).

The federal and regional state statistics services do not keep separate records of the number of animals in dairy and beef cattle breeding, as well as the breed structure of the livestock. However, based on official data on the volume of milk produced and productivity by category of farms in each region, the number of cows in dairy farming is determined fairly accurately by calculation. The last census of the breed composition at agricultural enterprises, conducted in 1990, recorded the uniqueness and originality of the gene pool of domestic cattle breeding. For several decades, breed transformations have been assessed based on the results of cattle breeding, which covers about 17 % of the livestock. However, due to the Russian specifics of breed accounting in breeding farms, it is necessary to conduct a breed inventory. Based on the new data, it has become possible not only to trace the evolution of breed populations, but also to obtain an objective assessment of the level of development and the state of breeding work in Russian cattle breeding. During the three years of the breed inventory, the most livestock (542.5 thousand head) were transferred to the Holstein (536.1 thousand head) and other breeds from the active part of the black-and-white population. As a result of the lack of a state policy in the field of breeding, judging by the active part of the royal stock, dairy cattle breeding in Russia is currently represented by 2/3 of the Holstein breed. The massive transition to monobred breeding and the granting of preferences to foreign producers of breeding material have become the main reasons for the deep stagnation of domestic animal husbandry. Based on a comprehensive assessment of Russian cattle breeding, proposals have been prepared to bring the industry into extended reproduction mode.

In recent years, there has been a massive loss of bee colonies in the Russian Federation, which is caused, among other things, by the appearance of a new disease, Tropilopsis. Previously, it was believed that a mite of the genus Tropilaelaps could not infect bee colonies in Eurasia, but in 2021, an infestation of bee colonies Tropilelaps mercedesae was discovered in the Krasnodar Region of the Russian Federation. The aim of the research is to study the features of the infestation of bee colonies by a mite of the genus Tropilelaps in Russia. In 2022–2024 studies were conducted in the Krasnodar Region, the morphometric characteristics of ticks were studied, and a comparison was made with mites from other populations: the Republics of Dagestan and Abkhazia, Georgia, China, and India (n = 200). A comparative analysis of diagnostic methods was carried out with the identification of reliable (n = 10). For comparative diagnosis, the following methods were used: visual, alcohol flushing, brood uncapping, natural mortality. It was revealed that more than 35 % of the infection rate is recorded in bee colonies from July to October, no mite was detected in the brood from February to April, and the number of mites in one cell varies throughout the year. An effective way to diagnose the infestation of bee colonies by a tick has been identified – uncapping of sealed brood, which makes it possible to diagnose the lesion of bee colonies at an early stage. The visual assessment method makes it possible to diagnose the disease when the brood is affected by more than 30 %. Mites from the Krasnodar Region differ in the size of the dorsal shield from other populations studied, their length-to-width ratio is on average less than 10 % compared with mites from Georgia, the Republic of Abkhazia, China and India. In order to identify the formation of individual populations adapted to certain natural and climatic conditions the further study of the Tropilelaps mercedesae mite is necessary.

A comprehensive study of the biochemical profile of wild and commercially bred foxes (Vulpes vulpes L., 1758) of different colors (silver-black and red Ognevka Vyatskaya) was carried out using the methods of principal components (PCA) and correlation analysis. The analysis revealed significant metabolic differences between the groups related to the effects of domestication and sexual dimorphism. The PCA method showed that the factor structure of biochemical parameters in wild foxes is more distributed (82.1 % of the variance is explained by three components), whereas consolidation of metabolic processes is observed in bred on industrial fur farms, especially red Ognevka Vyatskaya foxes (up to 70.1 % of the variance in the first component). Specific associations were found in wild individuals: positive AsAT loads with creatinine (rs = 0.823; p<0.01) in females and a strong positive correlation of AsAT with albumin (rs = 0.985; p<0.01) in males, reflecting adaptive mechanisms in natural populations. Foxes bred on industrial fur farms demonstrate a more orderly metabolism with strong correlations between liver enzymes (ALT-AsAT: rs = 0.975; p<0.01 in red females). The difference in nitrogen metabolism is particularly significant: in wild females, a unique negative correlation of urea with creatinine (rs = -0.891; p<0.01) was found, whereas in animals bred on animal farms, these parameters are positively related. The study confirms that the process of domestication leads to the reorganization of metabolic networks, reducing their variability and enhancing the integration of key physiological parameters. The revealed differences reflect the adaptation of wild foxes to changing natural conditions and the specialization of individuals bred on industrial animal farms in a stable environment of maintenance and feeding. The data obtained are important for understanding the physiological consequences of animal domestication and can be used in developing criteria for assessing the status of animals bred on specialized animal farms.

In greenhouse gas emissions a significant part is accounted for by livestock production. The largest amount comes from ruminants including the manure collection and storage facilities. As existing farms are modernized and new farms are built, the proportion of loose housing systems in them is increasing. They are characterized by a shift from solid manure to liquid manure production. The study is aimed at estimating the greenhouse gas emissions from different modern manure collection and storage systems on cattle farms. The estimation was based on data from one of the agricultural enterprises of the Northwestern Federal District following the Guidelines of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the developed national methodology for the inventory of greenhouse gas emissions. The study considered three most common manure handling technologies. The results showed that the transition to liquid manure production systems contributed to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions due to higher methane production. At the agricultural enterprise studied, methane emissions increased from 1894.17 kg/year to 36137.02 kg/year. The application of manure separation into solid and liquid fractions followed by their individual treatment, reduced methane emissions to 6269.70 kg/year. Nitrous oxide is released during the solid manure processing. It can be reduced by controlled aeration.

In the context of increasing external shocks and resource constraints, it remains urgent to clarify theoretical and methodological ideas about the mechanisms of sustainable adaptation of subjects of the agrarian economy to the emerging realities. Despite the significant number of publications on this issue in solving general planetary problems, it is necessary to move from studying issues of sustainable development on a global scale to considering them in a territorial and sectoral aspect. Therefore, the aim of the work was to substantiate methodological approaches to the study of sustainability in the development of agroindustrial production at the regional level, taking into account relevant UN documents, and partially test selected indicators and indicators in relation to the conditions of the Northwest. Based on the analysis of domestic and foreign works, it is concluded that there is a lack of unity of scientific views on the concept of "sustainable development", and that there are studies of agricultural problems without linking them to sustainable development goals, according to UN concepts. The author's definition of sustainable development of agro-industrial production is formulated and it is shown that of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, rural areas and agro-industrial production contribute to six of them. A set of principles aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the dynamics of processes in regional agro-industrial production is proposed. The sustainable development goals for regional agro-industrial production and relevant indicators of their implementation, coordinated with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, are considered. The theoretical and methodological provisions were tested on the materials of the North-West. Using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients, the indicators of the stability of the dynamics of the physical volume of GVA, the growth rate of agricultural production and the region's self-sufficiency in basic foodstuffs were determined. The positive and negative trends in the dynamics of sustainable development of agro-industrial production have been identified.