The review article analyzes the existing world experience in obtaining liposomes for targeted delivery of a medicinal substance potassium orotate to tissue macrophages to stimulate the immune system. The selection of literary sources was carried out on the basis of the relevance of the information and the depth of the research. It has been established that liposomes are nanocontainers, vesicles (vacuoles) formed by a two-layer lipid membrane in the inner space of which the active medicinal substance is enclosed. Liposomes are used in medicine, veterinary medicine and cosmetology for targeted delivery of substances to target cells. They can be obtained by convection method as well as the method of voicing, the method of dissolution and removal of detergent, the method of evaporation with phase reversal, etc. The search and analysis of literature sources and patent database showed that injection method and manual shaking method are widely used methods of liposome production. Another promising means of delivering active components are niosomes – vesicles based on surface-active substance. To obtain niosomes, the method of processing solutions in an ultrasonic disintegrator is used. The well-known immunostimulating agent potassium orotate was chosen as the active substance. The target cells for liposomes are tissue macrophages as the initial link in the immunological chain. In particular, they perform an antigen-presenting function, secrete a number of cytokines, etc. Testing of a drug containing liposomes with encapsulated potassium orotate in experiments on rats and pigs showed its high regenerative ability, antibacterial activity and anti-inflammatory effect. Based on the literature data, a scheme of action of liposomes with encapsulated potassium orotate is proposed.

   The continued spread of African swine fever (ASF) in Eurasia remains a global problem for the world pig industry. The disease is characterized by high mortality (up to 100 %) and acute course - domestic and wild animals die within the first two weeks after infection. However, active surveillance on ASF in Eastern Europe had been showing regular detection of seropositive susceptible animals, especially among wild boar populations which may indicate chronic, asymptomatic infection and even the survival of individual animals. At the same time, the persistence of the virus in the wild boar population creates constant risks of sporadic outbreaks of ASF in infected areas, and the infection can become endemic.

   The aim of the study was a systematic review of the available data on seroprevalence among wild boars in relation to the possible establishment of ASF endemicity in Eurasia.

   In these animals, there was a change in the dynamics of the disease, which is manifested by self-sustaining cycles of infection. Seropositive wild boars are being found in the Baltic countries, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Russia. Seroprevalence rates among wild boars hunted in ASF-infected areas of European countries range from 0.3 to 3.8 %. In the Baltic countries, the number of seropositive samples from wild boars exceeds the number of samples positive for ASF virus in polymer chain reaction (PCR). A similar trend persists in those regions where the ASF virus has been present for a long time (Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia), which may indicate the endemic nature of ASF. In the Russian Federation, ASF-endemic territories in the wild have not yet been registered, although isolated cases of seropositive wild boars have been detected in some regions since 2013. In the future, in order to understand the dynamics of the disease in the wild, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis of the ASF virus genome and antibodies in wild boar samples, which eventually will allow choosing the right strategy to combat ASF.

   The article presents the results of study of 73 varieties of soft spring wheat from the new samples in the world collection of the Federal Research Center "All-Russian Institute of Plant Breeding named after N. I. Vavilov" in order to include the productive, drought-resistant samples into the working collection on crop breeding in the conditions of the Kirov region. According to the results of the field assessment of 2019...2021, which includes an analysis of the elements of productivity and yield structure, 23 samples were identified as sources of breeding-valuable traits. According to the lowest depression of the
values of productivity elements in a dry year (2021, НTC = 1.07) relative to the optimal moisture supply (2019, НTC = 1.30), domestic medium-ripened samples RIMA (Moscow region, Ryazan region), Tobolskaya (Altai Kr.), Ulyanovskaya 105 and Ekada 70 (Ulyanovsk region) are classified as drought-resistant, which allows them to be included into breeding work for resistance to summer drought. Resistance to early spring drought was evaluated in the laboratory conditions under simulated drought (sucrose solution, osmotic pressure 6 atm.) and normal humidification conditions (distilled water, 0 atm.) according to the percentage of germination of seeds and the parameters of one seedling (the number of seminal roots, the mass of dry matter). As the result, 19 potentially drought-resistant samples of soft spring wheat were identified. For inclusion into breeding work for resistance to early spring drought, medium-early varieties Zauralochka (Kurgan region, Russia) and Chayka (Belarus), medium-ripened RIMA (Moscow region, Ryazan region, Russia) and Uralosibirskaya (Omsk region, Russia) are recommended.
Highly productive samples with complex drought resistance Ekada 109 (Tatarstan, Russia) and Ekaterina (Sverdlovsk region, Russia) have been identified, which provides them to be considered as universal donors for the creation of varieties of soft spring wheat adapted to the conditions of the Kirov region.

   Long-term results of the research on the influence of weather conditions on the formation of economically biological and technological characteristics of winter rye varieties are valuable for further use in practical breeding, as well as in solving the problem of realizing their biological potential in a wide range of soil and climatic factors.

   The aim of the research was to evaluate the influence of weather conditions on the variability of yield, economically biological characteristics and baking properties of 10 winter rye varieties of different geographical origin for the subsequent creation of varieties adapted to the conditions of Kirov region.

   As a result of eight years of research (2015-2022), the variability of 19 biological and technological characters was analyzed in different weather and climatic conditions (index of environmental conditions from +1.44 to -1.39). The highly stable characteristics were grain nature, ear density and relative ear productivity (CV = 1-8 %). The least stable traits were yield and winter hardiness (CV = 75-89 %). Analysis of variability of characteristics by varieties revealed the most adapted to changes in weather conditions varieties - Rushnik, Falenskaya 4, Flora, Alisa (from 2-3 to 38-42 %). The principal component method with visualization on a biplot chart was used to assess the influence of characteristics on yield formation. It was revealed that the yield was more dependent on the weight of 1000 grains, snow mold damage, winter hardiness, resistance to lodging, length and weight of the ear, number of spikelets and grains in the ear, weight of grain per ear and plant, relative productivity of the ear. These traits determined 65.9 % of yield variability. The second biplot chart allowed to identify the most stable varieties for 8 years of study – Rushnik, Falenskaya 4, Flora and Alisa. It was found that the variety of winter rye Alisa realizes its yield potential both in years with optimal conditions of vegetation and in conditions of excessive moisture, but differs from the varieties Falenskaya 4, Flora and Rushnik in high ear productivity and can be used as a source material for breeding.

   The analysis of experimental data on the evaluation of seed lots of fiber flax of domestic varieties for genetic uniformity by the method of soil control according to the trait "fiber content in the stem" for the period from 1953 to 2022 was carried out. Seed material for evaluation was obtained from breeding and seed-growing institutions in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

   The purpose of the research was to assess the level of variability of the trait "fiber content in the stems" of fiber flax and the effectiveness of domestic breeding in this direction for 70 years.

   Using the Svetoch variety as an example, it was shown that the differences between seed lots (from 4 to 11 lots of various scientific institutions were estimated annually) based on the results of 13 years of testing ranged from 0.4 to 2.5 abs. percent within one year, the coefficient of variation was from 0.52 to 3.14 %, which indicated the high stability of this trait. At the same time, the value of the trait in this variety, depending on the growing conditions for the period from 1953 to 1972 ranged from 27.9 to 35.4 %, the coefficient of variation on average over 20 years was 6.8 %, the average value of the trait was 31.7 %. In variety Tomsky 18, for the period of testing from 1993 to 2022, the value of the trait was in the range from 25.5 to 35.0 % (Cv = 8.4 %). The biological potential of modern varieties of fiber flax – Krom, A-29, Diplomat, Cesar, Visit and Tomsky 17 made it possible to obtain a fiber content in the stem in some years at the level of 38.1...39.8 %, with an average value of the trait – 32.8…35.2 % (Cv = 9.6…14.9 %). The highest and most stable fiber content in the stem of 36 studied modern domestic varieties of fiber flax was found in Sursky variety, in which the value of the trait on average over the years of testing was 34.5 %, the coefficient of variation was 6.4 %, which indicated a high level of adaptability.

   The purpose of the research is a comprehensive assessment of the main breeding valuable traits and properties of a new fiber flax variety Strizh on the basis of breeding variety testing.

   The studies were carried out on sod-weakly podzolic well-cultivated soil in the conditions of the North-West of Russia (Pskov region) in 2018-2020. The most favorable hydrothermal conditions of the growing season for the growth and development of fiber flax were in 2019 (HTC = 1.53; Ij = +1.57), unfavorable – in 2018 (HTC = 0.95; Ij = -0.80). The Strizh variety is a high-yielding in flax fiber early-ripening type (the growing season is 69 days) matures 2-3 days earlier than Dobrynya standard variety. The average yield of flax fiber over the years of the research is 18.6 c/ha, which significantly exceeds the standard variety by 2.3 c/ha or 14.1 % (LSD05 - 0.90 c/ha), maximum yield is 20.3 c/ha. In terms of seed yield, it was inferior to the standard (9.9 c/ha) by 1.8 c/ha or 18.2 %. The new variety is highly resistant to lodging (5 points) and fusarium wilt (85 %). It has a very high flax fiber content in the stems (40.0...40.6 %), which is 3.1...4.8 % (abs.) higher than the standard, and its better quality (strength and flexibility). In production conditions, it provided the production of 19.5 c/ha of flax fiber, that is 2.3 c/ha or 13.4 % higher than the standard (LSD05 = 0.96 c/ha). It has the highest yield under contrasting conditions (genetic flexibility) – 19.3 c/ha and higher stress resistance (-2.0). The Strizh variety and the standard are characterized by low variability of fiber flax yield (CV = 9.8-9.6 %), they are also distinguished by high plasticity (bi = 1.12-1.17), which indicates a good responsiveness of these varieties to improved environmental conditions. The Strizh variety has been in the state variety testing since 2021.

The article shows the results of a multi-environment trial which was conducted in 2022 to determine the adaptability of corn hybrids and identify genotypes which are better to choose for a short growing season. Ten new early-maturing (FAO 130-150) corn hybrids were studied in 6 plant breeding organisations – ecological sites in 4 soil-climatic zones of Russia such as the Central Black Earth region, North Caucasus, Urals, West Siberia. The corn hybrids were evaluated by plasticity (b_i), stability (σ_d²) and selection indices: the breeding value of the cultivar (S_vc), the selection index (S_i) and the selection value index of the cultivar (S_svi). Nalchik (I_j = +1.51), Belgorod (I_j = +0.18) and Voronezh (I_j = +0.04) had favourable environmental conditions, unfavourable environments were in Chelyabinsk (I_j = -1.09), Omsk (I_j = -0.56) and Pyatigorsk (I_j = -0.08). Hybrid 140/26 had the highest grain yield (6.50 t/ha) on average, it exceeded the best standard by 1.15 t/ha. The hybrids 140-28 had the highest mean yield (7.66 t/ha) and 140/24 (7.65 t/ha) under favourable conditions, hybrid 100/28 was the best (5.42 t/ha) in unfavourable environments. Hybrids 100/24 (18.7 %), 140/25 (19.0 %), 100/27 (20.5 %) had the lowest grain moisture at harvest. Hybrids 140/24 (b_i = 1.82, σ_d² = 0.08), 140/28 (b_i = 1.54, σ_d² = 0.09), 100/26 (b_i = 1.45, σ_d² = 0.17) with high ecological plasticity and stability were recommended to grow under intensive growing conditions. It was shown that the application of the technique for evaluating corn hybrids by selection indices makes it possible to identify regionally oriented genotypes. It is better to grow hybrids 100/28 (S_vic = 8.44) и 100/27 (S_vic = 8.26), which had an optimal balance of environmental stability, grain yield and grain moisture at harvest, in unfavourable conditions with a short growing season.

   The lands of the forest fund on the territory of the steppe Don region are distinguished by a significant spread over the area of the main melliferous plant Robinia pseudoacacia (R. Pseudoacaci L.), which has a high bioresource potential for the honey collection of the Rostov region. The objectives of the research included identifying the features of the honey productivity of R. pseudoacacia plantations, depending on the dynamics of taxation indicators and forest conditions in the steppe Don region. In order to study changes in the honey productivity of Robinia plantations, accounting work was carried out in pure and mixed stands in each age group. The relationship of the studied indicator of Robinia forest stand with taxation characteristics and growing conditions was revealed. The highest honey productivity (347.5 kg/ha) is observed in pure Robinia forest stands in the forest growing conditions of fresh glague - sedge oak groves, where at the age of 50 there is an intensive flowering of trees (80.060 thousand pieces) and active release of sugar in nectar (2.48 mg). According to the observations, the density of the forest stand decreases with age, and the number of flowers on the trees increases. The results of the research showed that at the age of 40 years, the honey productivity of a hectare of Robin plantations reaches its maximum (586.3 kg/ha). The equations for the dependence of honey productivity on the taxation characteristics of R. pseudoacacia plantations and the obtained high correlation coefficients indicate a close relationship between the studied indicators. The data obtained will make it possible in the future to calculate the honey productivity of Robinia forest stands more accurately, taking into account the dynamics of their taxation indicators.

   The existing problem of cotton import substitution ensures the relevance of modified flax fiber production. Modified flax fiber has potential uses in textile manufacturing when mixed with cotton or similar fibers in order to produce non-woven textile materials, as well as armature for biocomposite materials. As such, it is necessary to alter the existing methods of determining modified flax fiber quality in order to pick new quality metrics corresponding to the changes to fiber's structure during processing. In particular, average thickness and length of the modified flax fiber suffer a degree of reduction during fiber's preparation for spinning, which needs to be measured and taken into account. As the result of the research there was proposed the way to estimate the fractioning quotient of modified flax fiber via sliding bending against rounded edges imitating the effects of actual fiber processing. When working parameters and edge geometry are constant, fiber thickness is reduced by ∆ = Torig - Tres. For fiber with thickness Torig in range of 0.109 to 0.135 micrometers the value of ∆ differes from approximately 0.010 to 0.098 micrometers. It was suggested to estimate the fractioning quotient according to value of D = 100·∆ / Torig. During experimental testing of this method using various quality fiber produced in Tver region and Udmurtia Republic the value of D was varying from 0.10...0.15 % to 7.3...7.7 %. It has been established that the suggested method with the use of standard indicator «fiber thickness» enables to take into account the strength of inter-fiber connections according to the currently accepted theory of their formation. Applying this method makes it possible to differentiate full-scale shipments of modified flax fiber using sliding bending stress performed under identical conditions.

   The chemical composition and agrotechnical characteristics of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) determine the wide prospects for its use in various branches of the processing industry, including food biotechnology.

   The aim of the study was to determine the possibility to use Jerusalem artichoke processed products from various stages of alcohol production in native form without drying in the technology of extruded products and to assess the impact of the raw material selection stage on extrusion modes and quality indicators of the finished product.

   In the course of the experimental work, Jerusalem artichoke tubers were processed into alcohol, samples of the high-moisture dispersed fraction of Jerusalem artichoke were taken from different stages of the process. These fractions were added in an amount of 15 % without pre-drying into the mixture for extrusion based on rice groats. The obtained extrudates were dried and their structural-mechanical, color characteristics and nutritional value were determined. The control sample was without the addition of Jerusalem artichoke additives. It has been established that during the extrusion of test samples, compared with the control, the expansion index and the number of microfractures significantly decrease. These data show that with the addition of Jerusalem artichoke fractions, the samples become less porous, their crispness decreases. The expansion index of all experimental samples decreased by 42-49 %. The maximum hardness of 22.9 N, which is 56 % higher than the control value, was noted for a sample with a fraction taken after the fermentation stage. The use of food additives of Jerusalem artichoke from the stages of hydromechanical processing and after fermentation, added in the amount of 15 % to the mixture for extrusion, significantly, by 52-61 %, increased the content of dietary fiber. More promising is the use of Jerusalem artichoke as an ingredient after a full cycle of its processing into alcohol, which makes it possible to enrich the product with microbiological protein of alcohol yeast biomass and increase the total protein content.

   The paper presents the results of predicting the yield of oats in the conditions of abandoned lands of the former pilot production farm (PPF) of the All-Russian Research Institute of Reclaimed Lands, located in the center of the Tver region. There were used the data of long-term monitoring (1997-2020) of the yield of this crop in clean and cover crops (with under-sowing of grasses) on the agroecological transect of the Gubino agroecopolygon located within the PPF. With the help of statistical and mathematical modeling, regularities in the formation of oat yields within the transect were revealed. On the basis of these formulas, predicted oat yields were calculated for the entire territory of abandoned lands, and maps of its variability under the conditions of the protected area and measures for intensifying grain production were also created. It has been established that oats in pure crops react most strongly to the content of exchangeable potassium in soils, to water supply and humus content, while in cover crops the yield largely depends on mobile phosphorus in the soil and the degree of illumination and swampiness of the territory. More than 92 % of the PPF area is potentially capable of providing oat yield in clean crops from 2.7 to 3.1 centners/ha, and an increased oat yield (3.0-3.3 centners/ha) in cover crops can be obtained only on ≈ 44 % of the farm area. The main methods for increasing the yield of oats in pure crops are the application of potash and organic fertilizers, as well as the preservation of moisture in the soil, while expanding the area of cover crops involves the use of oat varieties that react poorly to excess phosphorus in the soil. Intensification of oat production in clean crops is possible on the area of 6026 ha, and in cover crops only 790 ha, since in the rest of the territory its productivity is limited by insufficient illumination and waterlogged soils.

In the conditions of the forest-steppe of the Middle Volga region (Republic of Mordovia) there was carried out the research on studying the effect of various technologies for the use of mineral fertilizers, with and without taking into account the intra-soil variability of soil fertility indicators in crops of spring barley of the Zazersky 85 variety. The experiment was carried out in 2012 and 2018 in two fields of grain-row crop rotation on leached chernozem (humus in the 0-25 сm layer – 5.3-6.9 %, nitrate and ammonium nitrogen 6.1-16.8 mg/kg of soil, mobile phosphorus 83-182 mg/kg of soil and exchangeable potassium 90-196 mg/kg of soil). The scheme of the experiment: control (without fertilizers); average dose of fertilizers (N₇₀P₃₄K₂₆ – in 2012, N₇₂P₃₆K₂₅ – in 2018); differentiated dose (N_53-80P_24-43K_17-34 in 2012 and N_56-80P_25-42K_20-27 in 2018). Fertilizer doses are calculated for the planned barley yield of 3.0 t/ha. The experiment was based on the principle of a split plot, where plots of the 1st order were reserved for variants with fertilizers, and plots of the 2nd order (5 plots in each repetition) were used to determine the variability of intra-soil fertility and fertilizer application. On average, for two fields of crop rotation, the highest barley yield (3.14 t/ha) was obtained in the variant with differentiated use of fertilizers, which was significantly 72 % higher than the control and 13 % higher than the variant with average doses. The application of fertilizers taking into account the heterogeneity of nutrients in the soil provided the smallest range of variation in yield (0.8 t/ha) across the plots of the polygon with an insignificant level of variation coefficient (V = 9.8 %). The use of fertilizers in the cultivation of barley had a statistically significant effect on the increase in the weight of 1000 grains, plant height, productive tillering coefficient and ear length. Differentiated doses of fertilizers compared with the averaged doses led to a noticeable increase in the values of productive bushiness of plants (by 8.3 %) and spike length (by 3.9 %). The technology of applying mineral fertilizers, taking into account the intra-soil variability of soil fertility indicators, was distinguished by the highest level of profitability in the production of spring barley grain (47.6 %) compared to traditional (26.2 %) and fertilizer savings (by 7.5-8.5 %).

   Sudan grass is characterized by drought and heat resistance and is the best among annual and perennial bluegrass feed crops by the content of the main nutrient element - protein.

   The aim of the research is to evaluate 200 accessions and varieties of Sudan grass according to productivity and quality of green mass, to identify the sources of valuable traits and their correlation.

   The study was carried out in the Rostov region on ordinary carbonate black earth (chernozem). The collection of Sudan grass was evaluated in 2016-2019, of which contrasting weather conditions were characterized by 2017 (HTC = 0.85) and 2018 (HTC = 0.34). There were identified varieties and accessions that exceeded the standard variety Alexandrina according to green mass yield by 17.0-56.3 % (K-311, V-51/2, Chernoplenchataya 10, Alisa, K-187, Gratsiya, etc.); in terms of dry matter content – above the standard by 4.0-8.3 % (K-141/1, K-348/2, Svetloplenchataya 1, ‘Chernosemyannaya 191) and dry matter yield – by 26.4-60.5 % (Chernoplenchataya 10, Alisa, K-187, etc.). The sources of high content of crude protein include samples of the collection K-237, K-349/1, Topolek, K-311, K-161ch, Sudanka 24, Rossiyanka (14.82-16.13%); fiber - K-176/2, Ozornitsa, K-265/2, K-10257, etc. (38.8-40.4 %). The identified samples have been recommended for use in hybridization to develop new highly productive varieties and hybrids with high quality green mass. As a result of correlation-regression analysis, a weak negative relationship was established between the yield of green mass of Sudan grass and the content of crude protein in it, with an increase in protein content by 1 %, the yield decreases by 93.8 g/m².

   The development of science-based technologies of cultivation makes it possible to reveal the productive potential of new varieties of perennial grasses. In 2021-2022 in the conditions of the Penza region, there were studied the seeding rates and methods of sowing of a new variety of awnless brome Udalets when cultivated for seed. According to the hydrothermal
coefficient, the growing season of 2021 was characterized as dry (HTC = 0.8), 2022 – as normal in terms of moisture supply (HTC = 1.0). The best indicators of the development of brome plants (mass of plants and roots) by the end of the first year of life were obtained using a wide-row sowing method with row spacing of 30 cm at a seeding rate of 5.0 million viable seeds per 1 ha. In terms of the yield of green mass and the collection of dry matter from 1 m² in the first year of life, the wide-row sowing method with a row spacing of 30 cm had an advantage. During the year of awnless brome grass use the best indicators of seed yield were obtained by wide-row sowing method with row spacing of 30 cm at a seeding rate of 5.0 million viable seeds per 1 ha. At the same time, the number of productive stems was 106 pcs/m², the length of the inflorescence was 19.0 cm, the number of spikelets in the inflorescence was 182 pcs., the weight of seeds from a productive shoot was 0.78 g, the weight of 1000 seeds was 4.26 g, which was 8.2; 8.0; 11.0; 13.0; 0.9 %, respectively, higher than the control variant with a row sowing method with row spacing of 15 cm at a seeding rate of 6.0 million viable seeds per 1 ha. The highest seed yield of awnless brome in the first year of use was formed with a wide-row sowing method with row spacing of 30 cm at a seeding rate of 5.0 million viable seeds per 1 ha (824 kg/ha), the increase over the control was 146 kg/ha, or 21.5 %. By a row method of sowing with row spacing of 15 cm, a high yield was obtained in the control variant (6 million viable seeds/ha) – 678 kg/ha. With a seeding rate of 5.0 million germinating seeds per 1 ha, the seed yield decreased by 7.6 %.

   There have been studied the influence of feeding plant raw material obtained from Hungarian sainfoin having an immunostimulating effect on the growth rate of dairy calves, as well as on morphological and biochemical blood parameters and natural resistance of the animal organism. Calves of the I and II experimental groups in addition to the main diet were fed a phyto supplement made of Hungarian sainfoin mixed with concentrates in doses of 150 and 300 g per head per day during 92 days. The use of herbal supplements in feeding calves ensured an increase in live weight in the animals of experimental groups by 11.0 kg (6.55 %) and by 11.7 kg (6.96 %) (p <0.05) over the period of scientific and economic experiment, compared with analogues of the control group. From the analysis of blood parameters, it should be noted that protein indicators were higher by 1.36 % (I experimental) and by 4.74 % (p < 0.01) (II experimental); there was an increase in hemoglobin at the end of the experiment - by 5.88 % (I experimental) and by 12.15 % (p ≤ 0.01) (II experienced). When determining the indicators of natural resistance, it was found that in calves of experimental groups I and II, the phagocytic activity of leukocytes was higher by 4.16 and 17.29 % (p ≤ 0.01), respectively, in comparison with control animals. Analysis of the data obtained showed that the most optimal dose for use in the diets of heifers is 300 g per head per day, fed to calves of the II experimental group. This is confirmed by the improvement of biochemical, morphological and immunological parameters of animal blood, as well as by higher values of their live weight gain.

   This article describes the process of creating a training sample of an artificial neural network (hereinafter – ANN) of a vision system. Training the ANN was carried out on the basis of annotated images of real apples containing a description of various defects in the form of separate polygons using the LabelMe program. On the image of the fruit, the apple itself and its pomological features, such as receptacle, stalk and leaf, were marked, as well as 10 different fruit defects, each of which was given an appropriate name: mesh, pressure, cut, rot, scab, hailstone, etc. The obtained labeled images of fetuses with defects formed a reference training set for the ANN. The performance of the ANN was tested by evaluating the correctness of recognition of fetal images when comparing them with reference images. Training the ANN for each of the defects in apples was stopped when 95 % of the probability of correct assessment of the defect was reached. The ANN trained on the created training sample was used in the vision system of the LSP-4 production line, which sorted apples into three commercial varieties by size and defects from mechanical damage, diseases, and pests. The accuracy of sorting by size was 75.4 %, and by the presence of defects – 73.1 %.

   The article proposes a method for improving the accuracy of diagnosing calcium deficiency in strawberry plants, suggests the use of machine learning algorithms, such as convolutional neural networks (CNN), which makes it possible to train a model on a data set for qualitative detection of signs of calcium deficiency in the leaves. A dataset of images of healthy leaves and leaves with signs of calcium deficiency was collected, the method of artificially increasing the volume of the training sample (image augmentation) was applied, by horizontal and vertical reflection of objects in the images, rotation by a given angle and random addition of «noise». To train a convolutional neural network, an algorithm for obtaining RGB images using a robotic platform is proposed. A modern model of the YOLOv7 neural network was used as a means of detecting the signs of calcium deficiency in the leaves of strawberry in the images. The configuration of the YOLOv7 machine learning algorithm for recognizing areas of damage to strawberry leaves caused by calcium deficiency has been determined. To train the YOLOv7 model, the Transfer learning method was used. To assess the quality of the object recognition algorithms, the metric mAP (mean average precision) – 0.454 was used, the metric F1-score (F-measure) – 0.53, the average absolute error (Mean Absolute Percentage Error, MAPE) of the analyzed model of the YOLOv7 neural network was calculated. The analysis of the results showed that the YOLOv7 model recognized the «Calciuemdeficiency» class, with a MAPE index equal to 7.52 %. The analysis of the research results showed that timely monitoring of the condition of garden strawberries on an industrial plantation carried out using a wheeled robotic platform with the use of the YOLOv7 convolutional neural network for processing the data obtained will allow to determine calcium deficiency in the leaves of strawberry plants with high accuracy up to 94.43 % at the early stages of pathology development.