In order to solve the set of acute problems and for transition to sustainable development of hunting economy of Russia it is necessary to increase the accuracy and objectivity of data on number of hunting animals. Existing methods of accounting are based on direct recounting or analysis of certain indirect evidence of their vital activity, and are mainly developed during the Soviet period of development of hunting science, i.e. are irrelevant. In this research, a descriptive analysis of existing (traditional) methods of accounting for hunting animals (aviation, ground accounting) was carried out. The results of the study have revealed the main advantages and limitations of traditional methods. Restrictions are most often associated with both "human factor"and theoretically and methodologically outdated databases. In order to eliminate existing shortcomings, fundamental innovations in the accounting of hunting animals are necessary. In current conditions, these are primarily digital technologies. The review deals with digital modifications to the main accounting methods, including the use of GPS systems, the use of camera traps and the equipping of aircraft with cameras. The method of improving standard air accounting has become one of the most demanded digital methods of accounting for hunting animals. Thus, the expensive traditional aviation has been replaced by unmanned aerial vehicles (aircraft-type drones, quadrocopters), which have lower flight costs and lack shortcomings of standard aircraft accounting (restriction of human eye viewing, unsuitable weather conditions, biological features of animals, etc.). These new improved methods allow to study hunting grounds and obtain reliable information on the state of forest resources.

Copy number variations (CNVs) are repetitive genome segments, ranging from one thousand to several million base pairs and varying between individuals in a population. Due to a larger genome coverage compared to SNP markers, CNVs are important sources of genetic variation and are currently considered as an alternative type of DNA markers. The identification of CNV regions (CNVRs) which overlap with genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in livestock genomes are of the greatest interest. In the review, the results of studies on CNV in various livestock species, are summarized and analyzed including the identification of candidate genes whose loci overlap with CNV regions. In addition, the methodological approaches for detection of copy number variations are briefly described. The number of identified CNVRs and a genome coverage ratio were 51-1265 and 0.5-20 % in cattle, 565 CNVRs and 5.84 % in pigs, 978 CNVR and 8.96 % in goats, 3488 CNVR and 2.7 % in sheep. Loci of functional candidate genes associated with economically significant traits overlap with CNVR in all livestock species. There were identified genes associated with growth and development indicators (MYH3 and GBP4 in cattle; ANP32B, GYS1 and CAV1 in pigs; MYLK4 in goats; SHE, BAG4, PIGY and ORMDL1 in sheep); affecting the reproductive traits and fertility (PRP1 and PRP6 in goats; PTGS1 in sheep); associated with meat productivity (KDM5B, ADAM8 and SHH in goats); responsible for various coat and skin colour phenotypes (KIT in pigs; ASIP, AHCY and ITCH in sheep and goats) and involved in the regulation of metabolic processes (PPARA, RXRA, ADD1, FASN and PPP1CA in sheep). The analysis of international experience showed that identified CNVs could be proposed as potential candidates for selection according to economically significant traits in livestock.

Manganese belongs to the group of heavy metals, which at high concentrations can have a negative effect on plant development. Typical soils of the Kirov region are acid podzolic and sod-podzolic soils, which are characterized by high content of manganese compounds available for plants. Studied was the effect of manganese(II) ions at the concentrations of 30.0, 60.0 and 90.0 mg/l on the growth and antioxidant activity (AOA) of the superoxide dismutase enzyme (SOD) in the organs of 7 and 14-day-old barley plants grown in aquatic culture. Varieties and forms of barley 346-09, 29-11, Farmer 198-12, Forward and Bionik, resistant to acidic soils (Al^{3 +}, H⁺) served as objects for the research; Belgorodskij 100 variety was used as standard. When manganese was added to the solution for growing, a decrease in root length and an increase in AOA of SOD in plant roots were noted. It was concluded that increased concentrations of manganese had an effect on the morphometric parameters and on AOA SOD of barley seedlings. It has been established that increasing the dose of manganese in the solution for growing leads to a decrease in the length of the roots. AOA SOD varied in different organs of plants of some varieties, and its more significant change in the experiment compared with the control was revealed in the roots. Judging by morphometric indicators, the Belgorodskij 100 variety was the least resistant to Mn²⁺ ionic toxicity, the root length of which in the control was 15.7±0.4 cm, and in the experiment 13.2±0.3; 12.2±0.1; 11.5±0.3 cm in accordance with the dose of manganese 30, 60 and 90 mg / l. According to the level of AOA SOD, the most sensitive variety was Farmer 198-12, its change of AOA SOD in the roots (% of control) was 158.8; 167.2 and 169.4% in accordance with the dose of manganese 30.0; 60.0 and 90.0 mg / l (AOA SOD in the control was 52.4±0.4%; in the experiment 83.2±2.2; 87.6±2.0 and 88.7±0.6, respectively), and in the shoots ˗ 121.0; 128.3 and 125.6 %, respectively (66.7±7.9 % in the control and 80.7±0.5; 85.6±1.4; 83.8±0.6 % in the experiment in accordance with the dose of Mn ²⁺).

The article provides the results of studying the varieties of spring soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) of various ecological and geographical groups in the conditions of the Chuvash Republic for 2016-2019. The objects of the study were presented by 72 varieties and variety samples of spring soft wheat of Russian and foreign selection (Belarus, Canada, USA, Kazakhstan, Germany, Poland, Ukraine and Australia). The Simbircit variety zoned in the Volga-Vyatka region (Russia) was used as standard. Low adaptability of most of the studied varieties to the soil and climate conditions of the region due to the strong variability of yield was established. Two Russian varieties Arhat and Icarus with a relatively high coefficient of adaptability (0.71-0.72) exceeded the standard variety in yield by 0.68 and 0.67 t/ha or 18.2 and 18.0 %, respectively. By productive bushiness (53.8-61.5 % higher than the standard), Binni (Australia), Mercana and Omskaya 41 (Russia) were distinguished; by plant height (10.6-14.7 %) – Ekada 113, Mercana and Yulia (Russia); by ear length (13.4-22.0 %) – Mutant ostistyj (Belarus), Raduga and Mis (Russia); by the number of grains in the ear (25.3-34.3 %) – Icar, Ekaterina and Agata (Russia); by weight of grains in the ear (14.8 %) – Arhat and Ekada 113 (Russia); by weight of 1000 grains (4.5 % higher than the standard) – Margarita (Russia). Twelve varieties with strong relation between yield and elements of productivity (R ˃ 0.7) have been selected.

In the field studies of 2018…2019, the influence of macronutrients and weather conditions on pigment complex of leaves of meadow clover (Trifolium pratense L.) Dymkovsky variety was assessed. The study was carried out in grainfallow-grass crop rotation in the conditions of Kirov region. Leaf samples (fully developed second or third leaf from above) were taken in the flowering phase, and the chlorophyll and carotenoids content were measured spectrophotometrically under laboratory conditions. It has been found that the content of pigments in the leaves of meadow clover depended mostly on weather conditions of the year of cultivation. The concentration of green pigments (Chl a+b) in clover leaves was in the range of 15.34...19.05 in the conditions of warmer and dry 2018 and 11.47...14.10 mg/g dry matter in colder and humid year of 2019. Chl a accounted for 9.64...11.36 and 6.67...7.98 mg/g (2018 and 2019, respectively). Colder conditions promoted an increase in the ratio of Chl a associated with light-harvesting complexes (from 69…78 up to 89…96 %). Weight content of carotenoids was 2.69...3.12 and 1.52…1.88 mg/g in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and correlated with the content of a total chlorophyll (r = 0.53…0.82). The weight ratio of chlorophylls a/b (1.54... 1.75 in 2018 and 1.18... 1.47 in 2019) indicates a lack of insolation in the conditions of mutually shading of leaves of the created phytocenosis. However, the weight ratio of the sum of chlorophylls to carotenoids (5.7... 6.7 in 2018 and 6.86... 9.65 in 2019) suggests that this abiotic factor has not led to disorders in the structure of the photosynthetic leaf apparatus. Weather conditions considerably modified influence of fertilizers on pigment synthesis: in 2018, nitrogen fertilizers reduced the content of chlorophylls by 11…22 %, full mineral fertilizer on acid soil background led to decrease in the content of pigments by 6.7…11.7 %. In colder conditions of 2019 nitrogen fertilizers did not influence the content of pigments, full mineral fertilizer increased the content of Chl a by 14.1…17.8 %, carotinoids – by 18.2…25.4 %. In the conditions of 2019 the content of Chl a significantly depended on nitrogen content in leaves (r = 0.52…0.92) and correlated with phosphorus level in the soil: for Chl a – r = 0.74 and 0.54, for Chl b r = 0.73 and 0.75 (acid soil background and soil background with lime application, respectively).

The article presents the results of research work on the assessment of general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) in 14 varieties of meadow clover (Trifolium pratense L.) of various ecological and geographical origin (Russia, Belarus). The study was aimed at identifying the best varieties according to productivity indicators for inclusion into the breeding process in the conditions of the Volga-Vyatka region. The study of initial cultivars and their hybrid forms F1 was carried out in the field experiment of 2009 with two-year use of grass stand (2010, 2011). The characteristics of cultivars according to the main morphological and biological characteristics (winter hardiness, length of the vegetative period, plant height, grass stand vigour) and economically significant indicators (collection of raw and dry phytomass, seed yield) in comparison with the zoned Dymkovsky variety are given. All varieties showed high winter hardiness in the conditions of the Kirov region (more than 79 %). By productivity of green mass the varieties Karmin, Trio, Stodolich (Russia) were selected. They provided significantly high productivity for 2 years of grass stand use (5.52-5.81 kg/m², +2.01-2.30 kg/m² to standard) and were characterized by medium value of GCA (104.2-109.6 %) and very high SCA (123.7-139.3 %). According to the total collection of dry phytomass, the best varieties were Karmin and Gefest (Russia) with a significantly high level of productivity (1.28; 1.29 kg/m², +0.49; 0.50 kg/m² to standard), medium GCA (102.4; 103.2 %) and very high SCA (133.3; 134.4 %). By seed yield, the most productive Russian varieties are Stodolishchensky, Trio and Svetlyachok (74.2-82.6 g/m², +8.8-17.2 g/m² to standard) with very high GCA (125.5-139.8 %) and SCA value of medium and high level (106.6-118.7 %). According to the results of the study, for further breeding work the following meadow clover cultivars of Russian research institutes breeding were included as components of new polycross populations: early-matured Karmin and Trio, late-matured Gefest and Svetlyachok.

The article provides the results of the experiments on determination of optimal parameters for obtaining isolated proteins from grains of cultivated and wild pea for use in breeding for quality. The flour of pea varieties Sophia, Rodnik and wild accession k-3370 (Pisum sativum L. ssp. Elatius) were used in the experiment. Isolated pea proteins were obtained based on alkaline extraction and isoelectric precipitation. The experiments were carried out with the use of complete and fractional factorial plans with two levels of factors. Extraction and precipitation of protein were conducted in two stages. One hundred grams of flour were used for extraction. Influence of factors (variety, pH, duration of extraction) on the yield of isolated protein, extraction efficiency, crude protein and fat content in protein isolates was studied. All isolates were characterized by high content of crude protein (90.2-93.1 %). It was determined that increase of pH higher than eight led to enhancement of protein yield and decrease of crude protein content. The results obtained raise the possibility of effective extraction at decreased level of pH that prevents the formation of toxic chemicals. Increase of pH promoted fat accumulation in protein isolate especially at the second stage of extraction. Thus, obtaining protein isolates for evaluation of pea genetic resources should be conducted during a single cycle of extraction and precipitation. The experiments have not revealed significant differences between cultivated and wild pea as to the technology of extraction. The results of the studies are important for evaluation of pea genetic resources according to functional properties of protein isolates.

The article presents the results of research performed in a field stationary experiment on leached chernozem. In soy sowings of the Mageva variety, studied was the effectiveness of joint and separate application of various doses of mineral fertilizers and chelated form of microfertilizers (ZhUSS-2) in variants with soil previously limed in 0.5 and 1.0 h.a. The analysis of crop yield showed that the value of this indicator was significantly influenced only by mineral fertilizers, which provided an increase from 0.05 to 0.37 t/ha. as compared to the variant without fertilizers (0.89 t/ha, LSD₀₅ 0.05 t/ha). An increase in the level of nitrogen nutrition from 45 to 60 kg a. i. / ha did not contribute to a significant increase in soybean productivity and reduced the payback of 1 kg of a. i. nitrogen by grain from 7.11 to 5.44 kg. The content of crude protein in soybean grain significantly increased as the result of the aftereffect of liming of the soil in 0.5 h.a. by 0.79 % (LSD05 0.33 %), of ZhUSS-2 preparation use ˗ by 0.19 % (LSD₀₅ 0.16 %) and of mineral fertilizers use – by 0.26-4.02 % (LSD₀₅ 0.22%). When full mineral fertilizer was applied, the concentration of crude fat decreased by 0.53-0.62 abs. %. Considering unfavorable weather conditions for sowing soybean crops on leached chernozem it is possible to recommend the application of mineral fertilizers in doses of N30P50K80 and N45P50K80 together with treatment of crops with ZhUSS-2 preparation.

Increase of solubles concentration in processable liquid media is one of the trends of technological development of starchy materials bioconversion. It promotes the reduction in operating costs, in heat and energy consumption and increases the efficiency of using capacitive equipment. The use of thermoplastic extrusion in the bioconversion processes as a pretreatment stage is perspective. Extrusion provides intensive gelatinization of starch with a moisture content of 15-30 % that has become a prerequisite for the development of extrusion-hydrolytic technology for obtaining of concentrated hydrolysates from starch-containing raw materials. As a part of the technology development, the effect of the key factors of biocatalysis on the formation of hydrolysis products and the rheological properties of highly concentrated hydrolysates of corn starch has been studied. The dosage of thermostable α-amylase and the concentration of the medium were taken as independent variables. The ranges of variation of the factors were set in the range of 5-13 units of amylolytic activity per 1 g of starch and 40- 60 % soluble concentration in accordance with the central orthogonal second-order design of the experiment. The value of dextrose equivalent in the area of the studied factor space varied from 23 to 40. Dynamic viscosity values were in the range from 89 to 2219 mPa·s. The analysis of the results and the mathematical model showed that an increase in the dextrose equivalent in the hydrolysis products was facilitated by a decrease of the concentration of the medium and an increase in the dosage of α-amylase. The growth dynamics of the dextrose equivalent value decreased with an excess of the dosage of the enzyme preparation of 9 units of amylolytic activity per 1 g of starch. Rheological studies have shown that a dosage of α-amylase of 1- 13 units of amylolytic activity per gram of starch at 40 % concentration of the medium provided dynamic viscosity values in the range 89-780 mPa·s, which is sufficient for the subsequent stages of hydrolyzate processing. Increasing the concentration to 50-60 % requires the introduction of α-amylase at a dosage of more than 5 units of amylolytic activity to ensure a rheologically safe process.

The article presents the results of the research on the comparative study of the main economically valuable traits of dairy cattle of various origin. The population of Holstein cows of black-and-white breed was taken as the object of the study. Source material for the research was provided by data of breeding records (n = 4848) of cows from breeding plant "Semyonovsky", Medvedevsky district, Mari El Republic. The breeding stock of the herd was presented by four lines: Vis Bek Idial 1013415 – 55.6 %, Reflection Sovering 198998 – 36.9 %, Montvik Chieftain 95679 – 6.7 % and Siling Trijun Rokit 252803 – 0.3 %. Animals of V. B. Idial line were most productive. They were superior to the representatives of other lines: in milk yield by 448-891 kg of milk (7.1-15.2 %) (p>0.99), in milk fat yield – by 17.5-35.0 kg (7.3-15.7 %) (p>0.99), in milk protein – by 4.7-28.6 kg (7.4-15.5 %) (p>0.99) and they had a high coefficient of milking capacity of 1323 kg. Animals of all lines except S. T Rokit line were characterized by a uniform (stable) lactation curve, the coefficient of lactation stability was 93 %. The lowest age of the first calving was observed in animals of the R. Sovering line (26.5 months), the highest – in the S. T. Rokit line (30.7 months). The duration of the service period in the V.B. Idial line was 129.4 days, that was higher than this indicator for other lines by 8.3-11 days (6.8-9.3 %) (p>0.95-0.99). The duration of the calving interval in all studied lines exceeded the optimal one (365 days) and changed in accordance with the change of the service period. A high index of fecundity was in cows of V. B. Ideal line (45.3), a low index - in S. T. Rokit line (37.2). In the studied lines, the coefficient of reproductive ability that characterizes the fertility of cows was 0.90-0.92, in S. T. Rokit line – 0.84.

There are hypotheses that crossbreeding increases precocity, milk production and fertility of ewes, improves quality of wool with decrease in the amount of wool clip and shearing frequency from two to one time a year, and increases the growth rate of young sheep. Thus, the direction of sheep productivity turns towards increasing lamb production. Studied were quantitative and qualitative changes in the production character of Pechora-Ostfriesian crossbreeds for justification of their breeding and further use in the selection process. The objects for the study were ewes, suckling lambs and growing young sheep of the Pechora breed group and Pechora-Ostfriesian crossbreeds of the first generation of the experimental herd of L. A. Kaneva peasant farm in the Ust-Tsilma district of the Komi Republic. For the comparative analysis, data from primary zootechnical record and valuations for 2016-20 years were used. All measurements were performed in accordance with approved conventional methods. Crossbred sheep of the first generation were significantly more precocious, they had their first lambing 164 days earlier. The wool fineness of crossbreeds has increased to 56-60 quality, and the fleece evenness to 100 %, while twice reducing the cost of shearing. There is a tendency to increase the average daily gain in live weight of Pechora-Ostfriesian young sheep at the age of three to seven months by 17.4 g, or 18.1 %. The studies have shown that crossbreeding had not led to increase in the fecundity and milk production of ewes. However, the production of live weight gain per ewe per year was higher in crossbreeds by 4.4 kg, which suggests the prospects of crossing.

Searching for biomarkers of high productivity in chickens is currently one of the relevant tasks facing poultry farming. Thus, the research was aimed at studying genetic traits of laying hens. The hens belonged to parental stock of the «Arbor Acres Plus» hybrid cross and varied according to the productivity abilities. The study was carried out in 2018-2019 at the PRODO Tyumen Broiler factory located in Tyumen, Tyumen region on three groups of chickens numbering from 6000 to 6085 bird units. Raising and evaluation of laying hens were carried out in accordance with the «Arbor Acres Plus» guidelines and standards for breeding of the parental generation and the regulations for the technology of the parent stoсk management and bird weighing which were developed on the basis of those guidelines and standards and adopted at the factory. The practice of raising the «Arbor Acres Plus» hybrid cross revealed a distinct differentiation of laying hens by body weight during the growth period. There were distinguished fast-growing «large» individuals, «small» individuals and «medium» individuals occupying an intermediate position. At the beginning of the experiment, during the 18th week of age the average mass of «small» chickens was 106 g less than that of chickens from the «medium» group. The average mass of chickens from the «medium» group was 139 g less than the indications in the «large» group, and the differences between the «large» and the «small» hens amounted to 245 g. Such differences remained until the 35th week, and then they leveled out substantially. The differences between groups of chickens were observed also in egg production rates, which decreased with increasing the age of laying hens (by 31-33 weeks). The amount of eggs per layer per week averaged out at 71.1 % for “small” hens, 72.8 % for the «medium», and 74.4 % for the «large» ones. To assess the genetic polymorphism of chickens the ISSR-PCR method was applied. Seven primers were used to study the genetic polymorphism of laying hens: (AG)₈G, (AG)₈T, (CA)₈G, (GT)₈C, (AC)₈T, (TC)₈C, (TG)₈A. The experimental groups of laying hens differed both in the frequencies of ISSR bands and in the average indicators of polymorphism. Higher parameters of the proportion of polymorphic bands (P), genetic diversity (h), apparent (ne) and effective number of alleles (na) were observed in the group of «large» laying hens, while the «medium» and «small» groups had lower rates and did not significantly differ in the level of polymorphism among themselves. Higher rates of ISSR polymorphism observed in the group of fast-growing («large») laying hens could be a marker of a higher level of genetic diversity in this group compared to chickens from the other two groups. The conducted studies showed that ISSR markers can be recommended as a simple tool for monitoring the genetic diversity of stocks of laying hens.

The article presents the results of the systematization of the scientific foundations for developing rural development strategies. The theory, methodology and methods of solving this problem have been merged into a single whole. Grouping of the scientific aspects of strategies in the context of key issues of their development is given. The choice of the paradigm of rural development is justified. In relation to the development of rural territories, the essence of the concept of “strategy” is formulated. The definition of the essence of the strategy reflects multifunctionality, goals and objectives, resource potential and the socio-economic environment for the development of rural areas. The approaches to assessing the conditions and factors of endogenous rural development are established. To evaluate internal and external factors, it is recommended to use SWOT analysis, for external ones - PEST analysis. The methods of goal-setting and assessment of priorities in solving the problems of rural development are proposed. Targeting is recommended based on the decomposition of the general goal of the strategy. The general goal is defined as the transition of rural territories from an exogenous to an endogenous path of development while increasing the competitiveness of the rural economy and increasing the quality of life of the rural population. The set of strategic goals and objectives in the strategy is proposed to be directed to the restructuring of the development of rural areas with a focus solely on the dominance of external support to the maximum possible use of internal potential. It is recommended that prioritization of the solution of tasks to achieve the general goal of the strategy be carried out by the method of expert evaluations using the constructed “goal tree”. It is proposed to build the mechanism for the implementation of strategies within the framework of the paradigm of endogenous development of rural territories on the widespread use of “rural networks”. Networks in this case are considered as a hybrid form of coordination of the development of rural areas lying between the hierarchy and the market.