Under the conditions of constantly changing industry demands and worsening of ecological situation, models of agricultural crops varieties must be regularly modernized. While creating a varietal model it is necessary to do the genotyping of parental plants (at the first stage of model design) and most suitable plants from hybrid segregating populations (at the third stage). MAS-breeding allows to reduce significantly time and labor cost of this work as compared to the traditional technology of genotype evaluation by phenotypic display of a trait. Different markers of trait existing today desired to be introduced into newly created varieties are considered in the review: morphological markers, physiological-biochemical (allozime) markers and different types of molecular markers (microsatellites and quantitative trait loci). The characteristics is given to the most widespread methods of marker-assisted selection; reasons of MAS-breeding popularity within private and public breeding companies are considered; examples of successful use of molecular markers in programs on increasing the resistance of cereal crops to drought, heightened acidity and content of aluminum ions are presented. Reasons of relatively low success in creation of varieties resistant to abiotic stresses as compared to breeding for disease resistance are observed separately. Special attention is paid to genetic complexity in control of quantitative traits; to the influence of environmental factors on display of link between quantitative trait loci and genes marked by them. Conclusion is made on high perspective in use of molecular markers in investigation projects on development and creation of varietal models of agricultural crops which combine high productivity and product quality with resistance to stress abiotic environmental factors.

The article focuses on the problem of studying the antibiotic resistance of microorganisms inhabiting the natural environments of the human and animal organism. It analyzes some data published in Russian and world literature on the importance of this problem in the field of public health, veterinary medicine, the existing mechanisms of the emergence of antibiotic resistance in pathogens and forms of acquired resistance. Widespread use of antibiotics in medicine and veterinary led to the emergence of highly resistant pathogens thus creating both an epizootic and epidemiological problem (A.N. Panin et al., 2017). Extensive use of antimicrobials resulted in the selection of resistant strains among the species of commensal, saprophytic and opportunistic microflora. While resisting the effects of antimicrobial agents, bacteria use different sets of defense mechanisms simultaneously and create new counteraction strategies during the evolution (M.A. Shkurat, I.O. Pokudina, D.V. Battalov, 2014). On the one hand, this is due to the evolution of antibiotic resistance genes determining the formation of new molecular mechanisms of resistance, and, on the other hand, to the formation of new mechanisms of adaptation and maintenance in microecosystems. The latter led to the evolution of microbial communities and the emergence of new nosological units. Microbial communities, interacting with each other, create a barrier (biofilm) as a protective factor against antibacterial agents (D. Hughes, D.I. Andersson, 2017). Currently, the microbial communities of the potentially pathogenic microflora, which are stable by species composition, are widely spread, which is manifested by the occurrence of mixed infections. That raises new problems of ensuring the health of animals and humans.

The article covers information on the evaluation of winter rye varieties by productivity and parameters of adaptability as the result of 2015-2017 testing in the sub-boreal forest and northern forest-steppe of the Tyumen region. The index of environmental conditions and ecological plasticity of varieties was determined using the method of S.A. Eberhart and W.A. Russell. The realization of the productivity potential - according to the method of E.D. Nette-vich. The scope of productivity was determined by the method of V.A. Zykin et al., and the general adaptive ability of varieties - according to the method of Kilchevsky A.V, Khotyleva L.V. Significant variability of the environmental conditions index regardless of the climatic zone has been recorded (sub-boreal forest - from -1.04 to 1.87; northern forest-steppe -from -0.74 to 0.64). The variety Petrovna (Russia) was characterized by the highest average productivity in the sub-boreal forest - 3.15 t/ha, in the north forest-steppe zone it was Su Forsetti (Germany) - 3.56 t/ha. Realization of productivity potential of varieties was low, especially in the sub-boreal forest. Its highest value, regardless of climatic zone, belonged to Petrovna variety (61.4 % in the sub-boreal forest; 82.2 % - in the northern forest-steppe). The variety Petrovna was the best (3.33 t/ha) in average yields in 6 environments (3 years x 2 STP). All varieties were characterized by a wide range of productivity from 57.9 % (Petrovna) to 73.8% (Su Performer (Germany)). Three groups of varieties were noted according to ecological plasticity: strongly responsive to changing conditions (b>l -Su Forsetti), poorly responsive to changing conditions (b < 1 - Petrovna) and plastic (fi is equal or close to 1 - Ducato (Germany), Su Mephisto (Germany), Su Performer (Germany), Jantarnaya (Russia)). The varieties Ducato (S@1.59) and Su Forsetti (S_i²=3.18) were characterized by the greatest stability, the lowest stability was shown by Petrovna (S_i²⁼34.40) and Jantamaya (S_i²=26.97). The varieties Petrovna (GAA = 0.35) and Jantamaya (GAA = 0.19) were identified by the highest general adaptive ability. On the basis of complex assessment of productivity and parameters of adaptability in 6 environments the perspective variety Su Forsetti was recognized the best.

The research was done in 2015-2017 in Kirov region. The article provides data on productivity, structure, sowing qualities of seeds and susceptibility to root rot, net blotch and dark-brown blotch of a new spring barley variety Rodnik Prikamiya. The technology of its cultivation included the use of growth regulators Emistim R, and Albit TPS. Preparations were used both alone (treatment of seeds and sowings in tillering stage, once and twice) and in tank mix at seed treatment with fungicide Bunker VSK. The highest productivity of the variety (average in variants - 654 g/ m²) was obtained in relatively favorable growth conditions of 2015; the least one (average 399 g/m²) - in 2017 at over moistening (LSD₀₅ on the “year” factor - 60). It has been established that productive potential of the variety and 1000 grain mass were largely determined by climatic conditions of the growing season especially at the most important periods of ontogenesis (the part of influence 59.8 and 88.7% relatively). Use of growth regulators Emistim and Albit in barley cultivation technology is more effective in years with lack or surplus of moisture during the growing season. Under conditions favorable in heat and moisture the role of genotype in production process rises but the effect of preparations decreases. On the average for 3 years the highest productivity was obtained at sowing treatment with Albit preparation as well as at complex treatment of seeds with tank mix of growth regulators Albit and Emistim with fongicide Bunker and following treatment of sowings with regulators. This productivity was 561 g/m², 550gr/m² and 552 g/m² that is 23-34 g/m² higher than control. The preparations under study decreased the development of root rot independent of environmental factors of the year and plant resistance to net blotch was better under sufficient moistening.

Potato is one of the most important foodstulfs for wide layers of population in the Russian Federation. Materials of 2014-2017 competitive testing investigation of potato varieties by productivity and basic biochemical parameters of tubers (the content of dry matter, starch, protein, vitamin C, and reducing sugars) in Kirov region are presented in the article. The objects of study are 9 varieties of two maturity groups: early and middle-early, mid ripening and middle-late. Perspective potato varieties of different terms of maturity combining high productivity and tuber quality have been selected. Within the first group the variety samples bred in Falenki breeding station are chosen: an early sample 179-10, which has an average productivity of 34.8 t/ha, addition to the standard Udacha (All-Russia Research Institute of Potato Farming) is 3.1 t/ha, addition to the standard Nevsky (North West Research Institute of Agriculture)- 8.8 t/ha, tubers are round, of white color, noted for uniformity in nest and good taste; a middle-early sample 90-09 with productivity of 30.6 t/ha and starch content 15.4%. In the second group - a middle sample 109-09 with productivity of 27.9 t/ha, maximum starch content 17%. Within recognized varieties, Chaika (Falenki breeding station) had a higher concentration of starch; a higher content of vitamin С was recorded in Viza (Falenki breeding station) and Nevsky; Viza and Gloriya (Falenki breeding station) have good taste. Varieties Virazh (Falenki breeding station), Nevsky, and sample 34-07 are good for chips production because of high content of dry matter and low content of reducing sugars. It has been established that higher humidity during the period of active tuber formation had a negative effect on the content of dry matter and protein in potato tubers (r = -0.88 and -0.89 respectively).

Cultivated common flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a traditional Russian technological crop of complex usage. Estimation of seasonal effects in economically valuable traits (productivity of straw and seeds; content of fiber and its quality) of long-fiber flax under conditions of Volga-Vyatka region (Kirov region) in 2014 - 2017 is presented in the article. Objects of study - 140 varieties of long-fiber flax different in ecological and geographic origin. Stable and plastic traits are selected according to correlation coefficient. Strong “genotype - environment” interactions were expressed by seed productivity, number of bolls and seed per plant; moderate interactions - by productivity of straw and fiber; weak interactions - by plant length, fiber content, 1000-grain mass. Strong correlation is pointed out between straw productivity and total and technical plant height (r = 0.71±0.09.. ,0.78±0.08) in average for years of study. Sources are selected for most important directions of long-fiber flax breeding: for straw productivity - Sinel, Vizit (Russia). Merilin (The Netherlands Soglasie (Belarus), Heiya 11, Heiyal2 (China); for seed productivity - Priboj, Sinichka, Er-27 (Russia), Ottawa (Canada), Soglasie (Belarus), Belinka, Merilin (The Netherlands); for fiber content- Mirazh, Peresvet, Tverskoj, Pskovsky-93, Dobrynya (Russia); Merilin (The Netherlands); Charivny, Zaryanka (Ukraine); for fiber durability - Soglasie (Belarus), Sinel, Pskovsky-93 (Russia), Kamenyar, Baltuchaj (Ukraine), B-179 (Lithuania); for fiber flexibility - Flax of Heilonjiang № 7, Huaguang 2, Heiya 11, Heiya 13 (China); Honkei-25 (Japan), Kamenyar (Ukraine), Priboj (Russia). By a complex of economically valuable traits the following genotypes are selected: Sinel, TOST 3, Peresvet (Russia), Flax of Heilonjiang № 13 and Heiya 12 (China), Merilin (The Netherlands).

The article provides the results of breeding work fulfilled by the FSB SI Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”, in the course of which the new productive varieties Virasan and Pimet well adapted to the climate and soil of the south of the Rostov Region were successfully developed and handed over for the State Variety Testing. The early ripening rice variety Virasan was developed from the hybridization of the early ripening variety Virazh and the average ripening, energetically growing variety Kuban 3. The vegetation period of the variety is 110 days. The plants are of low height (76 cm). The compact erected panicles are 14 cm of height with 112 kernels of 7.5 mm length and 4.0 mm width on average. 1000 kernels weight is 31.4 g. In the competitive testing, the average productivity of Virasan during 3 years was 6.66 t/ha, which is 0.50 t/ha more than the standard variety Kontakt. The medium-ripening variety Pimet is developed from the crossing of the hybrids C101-A-51« Boyarin and C101-Lac x Virage. With the help of marker selection, it was possible to obtain forms having three blast resistant genes Pi-1, Pi-2, Pi-33 in the homozygous state. The vegetation period from sowing to maturation is 124 days. The variety is of medium height with 88 cm. A panicle of 17.5 cm length forms 162 oval kernels of 8.9 mm length and 3.7 mm width on average. 1000 kernels weight is 31.6 g on average. The productivity of the variety ‘Pimet’ was 9.57 t/ha in the competitive variety testing on average, which exceeded productivity of the standard variety Yuzhanin by 1.13 t/ha.

The research was conducted in 2011-2015 in Kirov region. Three-time cutting use of trefoil-timothy mix while harvesting at branching, bud formation and flowering stages of trefoil development had been planned. Possibility of durable (up to 5 years) growing of this grass mixture has been established. The productivity of lotus-timothy grass mixture depended largely on weather conditions. Under favorable weather conditions of 2012 the productivity of lotus-timothy grass mixture reached 115.4 GJ/ha; under dry conditions of 2013 it was lower than 41.8 GJ/ha. The best mode of grass mixture use is two-cutting at the first and the second hay cutting harvesting at lotus flowering stage when output of exchangeable energy equals to 65.3 GJ/ha in average for 2...5 years of life; as a variant - the first hay cutting - at flowering stage, the second one - at budding stage - 69.5 GJ/ha. Productivity of grass mixture was significantly lower at early harvesting of the first and the second hay cutting; the same is true for three-cutting use in some years. Meadow timothy as a moisture-loving crop fell out of the grass stand by the fourth year of life because of drought in all variants of the experiment. Infestation of crops with dandelion was marked since the fourth year of life in all variants of the experiment; its portion in the yield increased by the fifth year of life; the least infestation was noted in variants with two-cutting mode use.

The paper provides the results of 2012-2017 studies on the formation of bioproductivity of sown pasture grass stands from perennial legume-grass grasses. The research was carried out at the agroecological section of the FGBNU VNIIMZ according to the methodological guidelines on the forage production. The aim of the research was to study the formation of the productivity of pasture grass stands on the basis of perennial ryegrass VIC 66 and festulolium VIC 90 on drained lands, depending on the combination of species in grass mixtures. Along with the traditional for the non-chernozem zone grass mixtures, studied were grass mixtures from perennial ryegrass and festulolium with the addition of red fescue, alfalfa variable and birds-foot trefoil. Two, three and four-species grass mixtures with various legumes and grasses were studied with regard to their qualitative role in the grass stand. When analyzing the results of phenological observations, a high adaptive potential was revealed in representatives of the legume component - alfalfa variable, birds-foot trefoil and cereal - fescue red - when cultivated on drained land under these conditions. The reactions of pasture grasses to the phytocenotic factor have been studied. Fescue red had a high competitive ability and stability in the studied grass mixtures. Over the years, the index of cenotic activity increased in the fescue red, alfalfa variable and birds-foot trefoil but decreased in the rest herbs studied. As a result of the research it was revealed that high yields were provided by grass mixtures, which additionally included the 2nd bean component: alfalfa variable Nakhodka, birds-foot trefoil Solnyshko, which significantly increased the yield of green mass by 1.90-5.98 tons per hectare. It has been experimentally established that the determinative condition for obtaining high and stable productivity of sown pastures on drained soils is the targeted selection of grass mixtures with regard to the compensatory variability of the phytocoenosis composition by years. It is determined that in the composition of grass mixtures during the creation of sown pastures it is necessary to include, along with traditional types of grasses, the new and most competitive species and varieties of grasses with a higher and stable level of yield and nutrition resistant to intensive use.

The research was conducted in the Nizhny Novgorod region in 2015-2016 on light gray forest soil in the link of crop rotation “winter wheat-soybean”. The scheme of field experiment included 5 soil treatment systems: 1. Traditional moldboard tilling based on autumn plowing with PN-3-35 at 20-22 cm (control); 2. Nonmoldboard “deep” cultivation - autumn plowing with PN-3-35 (without moldboard) at 20-22 cm; 3. Nonmoldboard “shallow” tilling with the stubble cultivator Pöttinger at a depth of 14-16 cm; 4. The minimum machining with the disc harrow XM 44660 NOTHAD at a depth of 10-12 cm; 5. Zero tilling (No-till) with the Sunflower 9421-20 drill. For each soil treatment system, the effectiveness of the action of mineral fertilizers (N60P60K60) and straw in combination with the bio-preparation Stimix®Niva (21/ha) and mineral nitrogen (10 kg a.i. per 1 ton of straw) was studied. By the time of soybean sowing, only mechanical treatment provided favorable conditions for germination of seeds in the 0-10 cm soil layer (volumetric soil weight 1.25-1.30 g / cm3). The technology of direct seeding led to an increased compaction of the soil already in the initial period of vegetation (1.43 g / cm3). The variants of treatment systems didn’t have a significant effect on the soil moisture. By the time of soybean sowing the moisture content in 0-20 cm soil layer was 14.7-15.5%, and in 0-50 cm layer -16.4-17%. According to the soil treatment systems studied, the highest yield of soybean Svetlaya was obtained on the background of mineral fertilizers (N60P60K60) and straw as well as in variants with bio-preparation Stimix®Niva or mineral nitrogen for plant matter decay. Soybean cultivation by mechanical treatment systems provided grain yields of 1.64-1.761 / ha, and no-till technology reduced it to 0.61 t/ha.

The article provides the results of the research carried out in 2012-2017. Studied was the elfect of drainage and various rates of mineral fertilizers on the productivity of spring wheat, the water-physical properties of the soil, the nutritive regime, biological activity, photosynthetic activity, payback from 1 kg of active ingredient by increase in the yield in the Tver region. The experiment is laid on drained soil with closed drainage and non-drained sod-podzolic light loamy soil in three variants: 1 - without fertilizers, 2 - N₄₅P₄₅K₄₅, 3 - N₉₀P_9QK₉₀. The greatest differences in the water-air regime on these soils were observed in the moisture content of the arable layer and the porosity of aeration. On the average, for 6 years of vegetation on the drained soils they accounted for 65% of the field moisture capacity and 28% of the soil volume, on non-drained soils - 85 and 21% respectively. The use of fertilizers and the increase in their rates had a positive effect on the content of nitrate and ammonia nitrogen in the plow layer of the soil in both areas without distinct differences in them. Dehumidification and application of fertilizers had a favorable effect on the photosynthetic activity and, in general, on the formation of the crop. Leaf area in the 1st and 3rd variants of the experiment, the photosynthetic potential differed 2.3-2.9 times on the plots. On the drained lands, on the average, by the variants of the experiment they were higher by 28 and 31% respectively. In terms of fertilizer options, on the average, the yield of spring wheat in the drained area was more than 0.61 / ha. In the second variant of fertilizers, compared to the background without using them, the yield increased by 60% in the drained area, and by 57% in the non-drained area, and the increase in the fertilizer rate ensured an increase on the plots by 16% and 21%, respectively. The largest payback from 1 kg of active ingredient by the yield was recorded on both plots as the result of N₄₅P₄₅K₄₅ application - 9.8 kg of grain on drained plot and 7.9 on non-drained one.

The Romanov breed is the most interesting local Russian sheep breed with unique biological traits (out-ofseason breeding ability, prolificacy). Conservation of genetic resources of the breed requires constant careful monitoring using DNA markers. In this regard, the aim of our work was to compare the parameters of the allele pool and genetic diversity, as well as to assess genetic similarity of regional populations of the Romanov breed in comparison with archetypal animals. Tissue samples were selected in different regions of Russia (Yaroslavl, Ryazan and Tula regions, Republics of Khakassia and Komi). Polymorphism of 11 microsatellites was studied with the genetic analyzer АВІЗ 130x1. We estimated an average number of alleles (Na), effective number of alleles (Ne), number of informative alleles (Na>5%), observed (Ho) and expected heterozygosity (He), fixation index (FIS), constructed Neighbour-Net and carried out PCoA and cluster analyzes. The Khakass population was characterized by the greatest allelic diversity: Na = 11.30; Ne = 5.99 and Na>5% = 5.50 alleles, while minimal Ne (3.95) and Na>5% (4.30) were detected for the first and second Yaroslavl populations, respectively. Deficiency of heterozygotes from 6 to 19.5% was observed in all groups, except for the Tula population. Based on the results of Neighbour-Net, PCoA and cluster analysis, genetic isolation of three Yaroslavl populations was found. Also, a certain genetic detachment of the Ryazan population (Fst from 0.038 to 0.059) was revealed. Thus, we demonstrated that the parameters of allele pool and the indices of genetic diversity can vary greatly within the breed. In addition, it has been established that the Yaroslavl populations of the Romanov breed still represent a separate group.

The article provides the results of identification of morphological features of worker honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) on apiaries of the Republic of Chuvashia. Selection of bees of summer generation served as the material. Sample number was 640 from 16 bee-families of three districts of the forest-steppe and steppe bee pastures (Margaushsky, Krasnoarmeysky - a forest-steppe zone; Batyrevsky district- a steppe zone). Assessment was carried out by the standard technique during which 15 characteristics were measured. The research has revealed the presence of potential for preservation of the Central Russian breed of bee population in Chuvashia. The decrease in the minimum indicator of the tergite length (4.10 - 4.84 mm) registered in Morgaushsky district beyond the bounds of the standard (4.5-5.1 mm) of the Central Russian breed doesn’t demonstrate the processes of hybridization as this fact is the only one and, perhaps, is explained by some random factors influencing biophysiological processes. The presence of diversity (within the Apis mellifera mellifera L. breed standard) by the coefficients of variation distinguishes the bees of this population by heterogeneity and, evidently, characterizes the presence of a subpopulation structure in a given territory.

The article presents an improved experimental-theoretical method for calculating the particle trajectory in a pneumatic separating channel. Mathematic simulation of the velocity field of the air flow in the longitudinal-vertical plane of the pneumatic separating channel is made on the basis of measuring their actual magnitude and direction at the nominal grain load. Calculation and construction of particle trajectories is performed with regard to their ricochet from the channel walls. The improved method includes three stages. At the first stage, the vector field of airflow velocity in equal rectangular centers located in the separation area throughout the height and depth of the pneumatic separating channel are determined experimentally. At the second stage, on the basis of particular values of velocity vectors in the rectangular centers the systems of math equations are made. They describe the vertical and horizontal components of these velocities in the corresponding sectors of coordinate axes. At the third stage, the system of differential equations of particle motion in a pneumatic separating channel relative to a Cartesian coordinate system is made and their trajectories are calculated. This improved method raises the accuracy of calculation the particle trajectory inside the pneumatic separating channel and aerodynamic parameters of particles when leaving it. It results in speeding up the process of optimization of the design parameters of the channel and the attached elements of the pneumatic system.

In the article an attempt to develop the classification of agricultural technologies by criterion of intensification level has been made. The model is described in the context of adaptive-landscape fanning system. Some technological modules were created within base technologies. Theoretical research was illustrated by the results of experiments, conducted in Verhnevolzhsky Federal Agrarian Research Center and by the experience of individual agricultural organizations. Development of the agricultural technologies classification in regional aspect allowed to formulate the directions for future research works in the field of technology management theory. The main ones are as follows. 1. The need to develop a system of flexible technology management, taking into account weather, environmental and economic risks. Within this direction it was necessary to work out a mechanism of technologies adaptation to a complex of “local” conditions on the basis of technology modules and adapters. 2. The need to verify the obtained experimental data in production conditions. This is due to the fact that during the economic evaluation of agricultural technologies within the experiment, conducted on the territory of the research field, it turned out that the payback on technological costs with higher level of intensification decreased sharply. This does not meet the requirements of scientific and technological progress as well as production and economic feasibility, so it should be checked in production conditions. 3. A program of gradual transition from extensive and normal to intensive technologies should be created for the Upper Volga region. 4. Based on the above we should create a system of agricultural technologies management at the regional level and at the level of the business entity. In addition, a business proposal was given in order to improve the efficiency of intensive technologies - the organization of their own grain processing by agricultural producers. For this purpose, a suitable organizational and legal form is «consumer cooperative», which meets the economic interests of agricultural producers themselves.