The article provides the results of three year (2017-2019) study of the effect of pre-sowing treatment of seeds and foliar fertilizing on productivity and seed qualities of winter triticale varieties (×Triticosecale Wittmack.) Izhevskaya 2 and Zimogor. The research was carried out in the conditions of the Udmurt Republic. Pre-sowing seed treatment was done with fungicide Vial TT, compound fertilizer Agree’s Forsazh and plant growth stimulant Mival-Agro in their pure form, with tank mixtures containing Vial TT fungicide, and with mineral fertilizer Emix. Foliar feeding with Agree’s Nitrogen Potassi-um compound fertilizer was done once during the phase of spring tillering and twice - during the phases of spring tillering and full heading. Pre-sowing seed treatment combined with foliar fertilizing provided an increase in yield productivity of Izhevskaya 2 variety seeds by 0.07-0.55 t/ha (or 3-24 %), of Zimogor variety – up to 0.27 t/ha (or up to 11 %). The techno-logical practices promoted the increase in the laboratory germination of seeds by varieties – 1-2 % (control 91 %) and 2-3 % (control 88 %), respectively, germinative power – 2-4 and 1-2 % (control 93 %), respectively, degree of seedling development in both varieties – by 0.1-0.3 points (control – 4.5 and 3.7 points). The highest productivity of Izhevskaya 2 variety seeds (2.85 t/ha for 3 years on the average) has been obtained by pre-sowing treatment of seeds with Agree’s Forsazh and foliar fertilizing during the phase of spring tillering that is higher than in the control variant by 0.55t/ha (or 24 %). The increase in yield productivity of winter triticale Zimigor seeds up to 2.81 % (addition to the control is 0.24t/ha or 11 %) was promoted by pre-sowing treatment of seeds with Agree’s Forsazh regardless of multiplicity of foliar fertilizing. The seeds obtained were characterized by high sowing qualities of seeds: the germinating energy of Izhevskaya 2 variety seeds was 85 %, of Zimogor variety – 82 %, the laboratory germination – 93 % and 92 % , respectively, the germinative power – 97 % and 94-95 %. Double foliar fertilizing with Agree’s Nitrogen Potassium combined with pre-sowing treatment with Vial TT, Mival-Agro and their tank mixtures showed high effectiveness in Zimogor variety. Seed productivity in both of these variants was at the same level (2.73 t/ha). The above-mentioned practices can be successfully used when producing winter triticale seeds.

The aim of the research is the assessment of 10 varieties of spring soft wheat approved for use, and 5 promising varieties of spring durum wheat of Russian selection according to yield and adaptability parameters for 2015-2018 on the basis of the results of the test carried out in the southern forest steppe zone of the Tyumen region. Productive and adaptive potential of the varieties was determined by the method of L.A. Zhivotkov co-authored, the average yield in contrast conditions –by the equations of A.A. Rossielle, J. Hemblin, the yield variability – by the method of B.A. Dospekhov, the environmental condition index and ecological plasticity of varieties – by S.A. Eberhart, W.A. Russell, the general adaptive ability of the varieties – by the method of A.V. Kilchevsky, L.V. Hotyleva. The strongest variability of indexes of environmental conditions during the years of testing of the varieties was found in middle-early varieties of spring soft wheat, from -1.08 (2017) to 1.26 (2018). The varieties of spring soft wheat Tyumenskaya Yubileynaya (middle-early, 3.06 t/ha) and Aviada (middle-season, 2.86 t/ha), and of spring durum wheat – Omsky izumrud (3.52 t/ha) were recognized the best in terms of average yield. In the favorable conditions of 2018, on the basis of determination of the percentage of yield of varieties relative to the average among the varieties, the largest productive potential of spring soft wheat varieties was revealed in Tyumenskaya Yubileynaya (middle-early, 111.5 %), Aviada (middle-season, 108.9 %) and spring durum wheat – Omskaya stepnaya (105.7 %). In the unfavorable conditions of 2017, high adaptability was observed in spring soft wheat varieties Ekaterina (middle-early, 118.7%), Ikar (middle-season, 105.0 %) and spring durum wheat – Omskaya stepnaya (105.8 %). Regardless of the specie, all studied varieties had significant yield variability. The most of the varieties were characterized as plastic (bi is equal to or close to 1). Strong responsiveness to change of conditions is determined in spring soft wheat varieties Novosibirskaya 15 (middle-early, bi = 1.11) and Aviada (middle-season, bi = 1.21), and in spring durum wheat Omsky korund (bi = 1.14). The varieties of spring soft wheat Ekaterina (middle-early, Si2 = 1.20), Tyumenskaya 29 (middle-season, Si2 = 0.03) and spring durum wheat Zhemchuzhina Sibiri (Si2 = 0.84) were the best in terms of stability. The varieties of spring soft wheat Tyumenskaya Yubileynaya (midlle-early, GAA = 0.32), Aviada (middle-season, GAA = 0.07) and the spring durum wheat Omsky izumrud (GAA = 0.26) were the best according to the general adaptive ability. The varieties of spring soft wheat Ekaterina (midlle-early) and Aviada (middle-season) and spring durum wheat Omskaya stepnaya were recognized as the best on the basis of the complex assessment of yield and adaptability parameters.

The analysis of the phytosanitary situation in production, selection and seed crops of winter rye in Kirov region for the period from 1999 to 2018 was carried out in order to adjust the tasks of breeding for resistance to the most harmful diseases. The affection of the sowings (spread of the disease), the development of the disease and the area of the affected crops relative to the number of the examined ones were evaluated. The trend in the development of the diseases was established on the basis of a regression analysis of long-term data of the branch of the FSBI Rosselkhozcentr in Kirov region. The annual (100 %) manifestation of snow mold and ergot has been established. Next according to the frequency of manifestation there are root rots and brown rust – 95 %, powdery mildew – 75 %, sclerotinia – 70 %, Fusarium head blight – 70 %, and stem rust – 50 %. A relatively low frequency of manifestation has been observed with septoriose and rhynchosporium – 35 and 30 %. However, taking into account the development of winter rye diseases which exceed the economic threshold of harmfulness (ETH), the studied pathocomplexes have different levels of danger. Thus, the development of brown rust above ETH was diagnosed 13 times within 19 years. The most severe disease development (20.0-52.0 %) was in 2001, 2005, 2009, and 2010; weak - in 2007 (0.8 %), 2017 (1.4 %), 2015 (2.4 %), and 2011 (5 %). The manifestation of powdery mildew above ETH was observed 6 times within 15 years, disease development was at the level of 13.0-53.0 %. The development of septoriose above ETH was diagnosed 6 times within 7 years with the development of disease from 13.5 to 63.0 %. Development of stem rust above ETH was diagnosed 5 times within 10 years with the status of the sign of 15.0-20.0 %. The cyclicity of spread of the most harmful diseases and trends of their change in agrocenoses of winter rye are shown. Thus, the most epitphytotically dangerous diseases include snow mold, brown rust, stem rust, powdery mildew and septoriose. Constant control is also required in relation to ergot and Fusarium head blight. These diseases should be an object for breeding-and-immunological studies.

In conditions of vegetative trial carried out against selective backgrounds in 2017-2019 the response of 27 flax samples to a decrease in soil acidity to neutral pHKCl was studied. The scheme of the experiment was as follows: variant I (control) − pHKCl 5.3-5.5, P2O5 − 320-340 mg/kg, K2O − 81-92 mg/kg; variant II − pHKCl 6.2, P2O5 − 312-345 mg/kg, K2O − 84-98 mg/kg. It has been shown that during the «herringbone» phase in the majority of studied flax genotypes against the background of pH 6.2, the symptoms of “physiological oppression” of flax were observed: small spots developed on the upper leaves, the plants stopped growing, the stems thickened, and the tops of severely affected plants died off. As a result, at the beginning of the growing season at plant height of 7-10 cm, most of the samples were severely affected (from 69 to 100 %). The exceptions were varieties of fibre-flax Hermes (France), Vega 2 (Lithuania), Atlant (Russia) and linseed genotypes No. 3896 (Russia) and Norlin (Canada), which had a weak and medium degree of affection (8.3-45.5 %). Moreover, these genotypes showed a high level of both biological (75-90 %) and agronomic (77.3-85.6 %) resistance in the phase of "early yellow ripeness". The identified flax collection samples can be used as sources of resistance to flax «physiological oppression» caused by stressful edaphic factors in a neutral environment. On the basis of the analysis of the main elements of fiber productivity in studied flax genotypes, it has been established that against the background of pH 6.2 the reduce in plant height was from 11.4 to 52.1 % relative to the control, weight of the technical part of the stem − from 7.2 to 83.4 % , fiber mass − from 9.6 to 85.1 %. For the first time, on the basis of hybridological analysis, an assumption was done as to the pres-ence of a strong dominant gene, controlling the resistance to high soil pH values in the Hermes (France) flax variety and the linseed line No. 3896 (Russia).

The article presents the results of screening of 20 varieties of fiber flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) according to the yield of flax fiber and adaptability parameters in the conditions of the Northwestern region. The variety Dobrynya (Russia) zoned in the region was taken as standard. On average, over the years of research (2015-2017), the yield of flax fiber in varie-ty numbers varied in the range of 1.22-2.67 t/ha. According to the calculations of the environmental conditions index, the most favorable conditions for growth and development of fiber flax varieties were in 2016-2017 (Ij = +0.07-0.73), the worst in 2015 (Ij = -0.79). The highest yield of fiber (t/ha) was observed in varieties Y 51269 (2.67) (China), A-236 (2.66), Dobrynya (2.49), M-249 (2.48) and L 280-02 (2.38) (Russia), Glazur (2.48) (Ukraine), which exceeded the average among the varieties by 9.7-2.3 %. Among them, the varieties Y 51269 (China) and A-236 (Russia) exceeded the standard by 0.17-0.18 t/ha, in two years of three the growth was reliable. The studied varieties did not fully realize their relatively high yield potential and were characterized by a strong degree of variability. The best indicators of stress resistance (0.79-1.16) were observed in Vesnichka, L-2 (Russia), B-226 (Lithuania), Tyy (China) the varieties and lines Dobrynya, M-249, A-236, L-6, L-4, L-5, L 280-02 (Russia), Glazur, Vruchiy (2.34-2.32) (Ukraine) and Tyy (2.33) (China) were genetically flexible genotypes (2.56-2.23). Samples B-226 (Lithuania), Glazur (Ukraina), L-2-1, Vesnichka, and L 280-02 (Russia) had high homeostatic values and low coefficient of variation. Highly responsive to environmental conditions were samples L-5, L-3, L-4, A-236, M-249, Dobrynya, (Russia), Sxy20, Sxy, Y 51269 (China), Vruchiy (Ukraine); plastic ˗- varieties Glazur (Ukraine), L 280-02, L-5-1, 85-58-26-20 (Russia); weakly responsive − Lu-1, Tyy (China), L-2-1, L-205, Vesnichka (Russia), B-226 (Lithuania). According to the yield of flax fiber and the complex of adaptability parameters, the cultivars B-226 (Lithuania), Y 51269 , Tyy, Lu 1 (China), L 280-02, L-6, A-236, Dobrynya (Russia), Vruchiy and Glazur (Ukraine) were distinguished. They had high stress resistance, genetic flexibility, plasticity and stability. They can be used as sources of adaptability when creating new varieties of fiber flax.

The article presents data of studies carried out in the northwestern part of the Non-Chernozem zone (Tver region) in 2019. Studied were fodder mixtures based on meadow clover Kretunovsky, Green, Chance, Falensky 86 varieties mixed with variegated alfalfa Vega 87 variety and cereal components − timothy grass VIK 9 and meadow fescue Sakharovskaya varieties. The yield of dry weight of legumes and cereal grass stands of the first year of use during primary mowing in ferti-lized varieties was 4.4-6.9 t/ha at the height of grass stand of 66-77 cm and stalk density of 318-507 pcs/m2. The indicators in variants without fertilizers were lower, the height of the grass stand was 63-69 cm, the density was 334-595 pcs/m2 and the yield of fodder mass was 3.8-4.6 t/ha. Unfavorable climatic conditions during the period between mowings had a suppressive effect on growth and development of herbs, therefore, during the secondary mowing the height parameters of agrophytocenoses decreased by 1.2-1.3 times and did not exceed 32-44 cm against unfertilized background, 43-53 cm against a fertilized one. A decrease in shoot formation ability of herbs during the second mowing was not observed, the density of agrophytocenoses was at the level of 300-500 pcs/m. The yield of dry mass of the second mowing compared to the first mowing decreased by 1.3-1.7 times and was 2.2-5.4 t/ha. In the botanical composition of grass mixtures during the first mowing, leg-ume components prevailed − 35-65 %, during the secondary mowing the percentage of legumes did not exceed 15-30 %. The use of three-component grass mixtures in agriculture will make it possible to get from 6.7 to 9.3 tons per hectare of dry weight of complete feed for cattle for two mowings. Adaptation and cultivation on sod-podzolic soils in the humid zone of the Non-chernozem region of grass mixtures consisting of new-generation forage grasses is one of the reserves for increasing produc-tivity of forage crops by more than 10 %.

The studies on assessment of changes in the content and composition of soil organic matter under the influence of the systematic use of mineral fertilizers (NPK)1, (NPK)2, (NPK)3 against the background of the aftereffect of single liming in doses of 1.0 and 2.0 h. a. (control – variants without fertilizers and lime) were conducted in the conditions of the Nizhny Novgorod region in a long – term stationary experiment on light-grey forest soil. The research was carried out upon comple-tion of the fifth rotation of the eight-field crop rotation. The results of the study showed that for 40 years (from 1978 to 2018) the humus content in the soil (0-20 cm) decreased by 0.19-0.52 abs. % in variants as compared to the original (1.60 %); though, humus mineralization was less evident against the background of long-term use of mineral fertilizers compared to non-fertilized control. The higher humus content in the topsoil was noted in the variants with minimal (NPK)1 and increased (NPK)2 doses of fertilizer – 1.41 and 1.25 %, respectively. The humus content in non-fertilized soil and when applying high (NPK)3 doses of mineral fertilizers was almost identical – 1.08-1.09 %. The predominant group in the composition of humus were humic acids, the content of which in the experiment on average was 37.8 % of the total carbon with an evident decrease from 42.6 % in the control to 31.8% when applying increased doses of mineral fertilizers. The aftereffect of liming, carried out in 1978, was unstable and did not significantly affect the content and composition of soil organic matter.

Comparative studies of eight methods for evaluation of genetic differences by microsatellite (STR) markers (11 loci) DNA were carried out using the example of seven breed samples (N = 84) of dairy cattle. The range of indicators of genetic diversity of samples was as follows: the number of alleles per locus 3.5-6.2, the number of effective alleles per locus – 2.4-4.3, the Shannon index – 0.95-1.56, the observed and expected heterozygosity – 0.56-0.97 and 0.53-0.75. Evaluation summary of genetic differentiation by group A methods (FST, GST, and GST(NEI)) were 13.4, 10.3, and 11.8% (pperm < 0.001); the differences between the estimates were statistically insignificant. Estimates by group B methods (G'ST(HED), G''ST(HED), DEST) were 36.4, 37.5 and 29.2% (pperm < 0.001); differences between the estimates were also statistically insignificant. Estimates obtained by group B methods were statistically significantly higher than those obtained by group A methods by almost 3 times. Methods of groups A, B, and C (GDN and uGDN) were used to calculate paired genetic distances in the samples. Despite significant dif-ferences in estimates, the Mantel test showed a high degree of correspondence of the genetic distance matrices (RM≥0.97; pperm < 0.001), which was manifested in the projections of genetic relations of breed samples on plane 1 and 2 of the principal coordinates. The first two principal coordinates explained 97-99% of STR variation in the genetic distance matrices. It can be assumed that when assessing the actual differentiation of populations by STR-markers, the methods of group B should be used and among them the statistics of DEST as independent of the level of mean within-subpopulation heterozygosity. In the study of spatial ordination of gene pools of populations, in all probability, it is reasonably to use any method.

In recent years, along with the traditional technology of dry grain storage and grinding before feeding, the technology of preserving crushed grain at an early stage of ripeness is widely used. These technologies do not replace each other, but objectively complement each other, that is, they exist in parallel and require appropriate equipment for their implementation. To do this, it is necessary to use universal energy-efficient equipment for crushing feed grain with a high annual load. As such equipment, it is advisable to use roller crusher-grinders with individual electric drive of the rollers. The process of crushing and grinding grain is significantly affected by the physical and mechanical properties of the grain and the design and technological parameters of roller crusher-grinders. Analysis of the strength properties of the grain shows that in order to reduce the energy intensity the process of crushing the grain must be carried out at a higher moisture content and the deformation rate should be as high as possible. When a certain circumferential speed of the rollers is reached, the process reaches both maximum performance and minimum energy consumption. The control algorithm is based on changing the speed of the rollers stepwise from a lower speed to a higher one. In this case, at each stage a metered portion of grain is crushed between the upper and lower flaps of the vertical loading shaft, and the time by which this portion will have been worked out is measured. This procedure is carried out by changing the speed from lower to higher until the speed at which crushing of the portion will take the minimum time is determined. If the technological process requires a grain grinding mode, the speed of one of the rollers increases from the optimal crushing rate. The speed increase occurs as long as the recu-peration current in the parallel-connected DC buses of the frequency converters increases.

The article discusses the main directions of state support for technical and technological modernization of the agricultural sector in Russia: soft loans at a rate of no more than 5 %, subsidizing part of the capital costs (CAPEX) for the construction and modernization of livestock complexes and other projects, supporting the renewal of the agricultural machinery park. There have been identified their main disadvantages: limited number of supported projects, insufficient volumes and imbalances in the distribution of limits of support funds between regions and manufacturers, restrictions on the list of pur-chased equipment on preferential terms in the producing country. High efficiency of direct support tools for agricultural producers in the form of subsidizing part of the costs for purchase machinery, equipment and technologies with a high innovative component has been proved.