The breeding scheme is designed for improvement and differentiation of short-stem rye population varieties for obtaining progenies of different goal directions. The scheme includes testing and selection of inbred progenies originated from self-pollination of annually produced backcrosses. The source of the self-fertility is a line of long-stem genotype carrying mutation of self-fertility marked with isozyme locus. The best in vegetative traits short-stem plants of the initial population are involved in direct and back crosses. The selection is carried out among the inbred progenies constant for the traits determining productivity, lodging and diseases resistance, and goal direction in successive generations of backcrosses. A cross pollination of pre-selected plants heterozygous on self-fertility is carried out at accumulation of progenies having characteristics which meet requirements for selection of forming varieties. In the obtained offspring self-incompatible plants are selected by marker. Cross-pollination of these offspring permits to get heterotic sub-populations constant for short-stem, differentiated for quality, characterized by ecological plasticity and improved performance of resistance and productivity. Simultaneously self-fertile analogs of open-pollinated sub-populations are created in which concentration of genes responsible for selected traits is increased owing to selection as well as in initial sub-populations. These analogs could be used at repeated cycles of selection and as initial material for breeding of hybrid varieties. For test of efficiency of the scheme the analysis of biochemical characters determining grain quality is carried out in 122 inbred progenies produced on the basis of variety Snezhana. Seventeen genotypes are selected having increased protein content, 20 - having highest starch content, 14 - having highest content of soluble pentosans among all nursery, and 18 - having lowest content of soluble pentosans. The part of progenies combines the characters meeting requirements of breeding for baking and forage.

The result of seven years of research conducted on 322 collectible varieties of spring wheat in conditions of Kirov region shows the influence of meteorological conditions on the elements of productivity in the individual phases of the growing season. There was close positive correlation between yield and amount of precipitations during active plant growth - phase of elongation - earing (r = 0.87). The limits of variation of yield (148 - 500 g/m²) and its structural elements are determined; the regularities of variability of the traits in years favourable and unfavourable by heat and humidity. Within deteriorating conditions and a decrease in the average level of productivity a coefficient of intervarietal variation was increased significantly by 22 to 40 %. Unstability is shown of the values of pair correlations between productivity and its structural elements and accordingly the change in contribution of individual traits into yield depending on change of the limiting environmental factors. With a decrease in the total level of productivity its association with length of growing season and productivity of the main spike was intensified. In a comfortable growth conditions correlation between productivity and productive tillering and mass of 1000 grains was increased. Correlation of productivity with plant height was consistently high regardless of the year conditions. According to the results of the multiple regressions analysis the most informative traits were identified: plant height, the duration of the period from germination to ear emergence, length of growing season, length of spike, mass of grain per ear. Recommendations are given for selection that will improve the efficiency of breeding for environmental stability of the most limited traits.

The most important task for maize breeding in the Russian Federation is breeding on drought tolerance. The location of All-Russian Research Institute of Grain Crops (ARRIGC) in the area of unstable humidity gives an opportunity to select some water stress tolerant genotypes in the conditions of natural drought. Forty-two new lines of maize, some introduced middle-early and middle maturing self-pollinated lines of maize and eight simple hybrids as testers have been studied for drought tolerance. There have been identified middle-early lines DS 257/85-1, КУ 334, DS 498/217-1 and DS 257/85-3 with low values of residual water deficit (RWD) in the flowering stage (7.0-11.3%) and its slight increase (0.6-2.1%) during drought increase in a milk wax maturity phase. The middle-early new line DS 257/85-4 showed a negative dynamics of RWD, the value decrease of the index during the vegetation was 2.2%. There have been obtained middle maturing self-pollinated lines DK 257/85-5, DS 498/203, DS 498/217-3, КУ 262, DS 217/498 with high ability to adapt to water stress. They are characterized with low values of residual water deficit in the flowering stage (8.9-9.4%) and low values of RWD in the milk wax maturity phase (9.4-11.7%). The negative selection has been carried out that allowed to reject lines S 207, S 232, DS 768/85, SP 246/276 and the lines of the world collection RG 213, TVA-173, DK 64/123 which did not possess drought tolerance. All studied testers were characterized with water stress tolerance, while the testers ‘Krucha M’, ‘Karolina M’, ‘Kr 640 UM’ showed the best values of RWD, with 8.9-9.3% in the flowering stage and 9.3-12.3% in the milk wax maturity phase. The obtained self-pollinated lines and testers are going to be used in the programs of hybridization to breed middle-early and middle maturing drought tolerant hybrids of maize.

Results of perennial (1991-2016) experimental work carried out in Kirov region on creation of new breeding material and varieties of red clover combining aluminum tolerance and high productivity and other valuable parameters under conditions of North-east of European Russia are presented in the article. Methods are presented of creation of breeding material with tolerance to ions of aluminum and hydrogen. Characteristic of provocative edaphic background is done. Aluminum tolerant variety Grin is created with method of multiple two-stage selection of genotypes resistant to H⁺ and Al³⁺ (in laboratory towel culture and on hard field background). The variety is included in State Register of breeding achievements of Russian Federation in 2010 for 4 regions. As a result of selection in vitro for resistance to toxic ions of aluminum and hydrogen in combination with selection on field provocative background 60 breeding lines were obtained having value for creation of aluminum- and acid-resistant varieties of red clover. High resistance is revealed to edaphic stress-factors in perspective clone population P-15: in nursery of preliminary test on aluminum acid background under drought of 2016 the population statistically exceed standard variety Dymkovsky and early variety Trio on productivity of green mass on 6.5 and 9.5 t/ha or 23.0 and 37.7%. 79 breed- ing lines were created by the method of direct selection of genotypes on hard aluminum acid field background, 20 perspective lines were chosen combining resistance to edaphic stress factors with winter hardiness and high productivity of green mass (17.5-64.1% higher than variety Grin).

The pasture management of livestock shows the close correlation between the quality of forage and the quality of animal products. The increase in the content of toxicants in the environment leads to their accumulation in plants. The total content of heavy metals in the diets of cows for lead during the grazing period is 2.2 times higher than that during the winter-stall period. It is established that soil pollution with heavy highly hazardous metals as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and moderate hazardous metals (for example copper (Cu)) leads to their increased mobility in the food chain and accumulation in animal products. The aim of the current study was to conduct environmental monitoring of grazing area by a bioassay for the use in rapid assessment of environmental state of the territories for creation of pastures. The bioassay was performed at using of sexually mature aquatic organisms. Bioindicators were freshwater mollusks of the family orb snails (Gastropoda Pulmonata Planorbidae) Planorbarius corneus L. or Planorbis planorbis L. which were fed for 30 days long with leaves of Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) collected at the beginning of the leaf fall and soaked in the distilled water at a temperature 20-25°C for 3-5 days. At the death of 30% or more of the snails, the absence or cessation of egg laying and termination of development of embryos in the eggs the level of pollution is estimated as high, at the death of less than 30% of snails, cessation of egg laying and termination of development of embryos in the eggs - as medium, at the absence of death, maintenance of egg laying band development of embryos in the eggs - as low. The accuracy of the assessment was justified by chemical analysis on the content of heavy metals Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu which are among the priorities for both the background environmental monitoring as well as for environmental assessment of the territories.

The experiments were carried out in the southern part of the Rostov region in 2007-2015 on usual heavy loam chernozem. Three methods were used: moulded ploughing on 20-25 cm with plow PN-5-35; unmoulded ploughing on 20-25 cm with unit KAO-2; surface ploughing on 8-12 cm with disker AG-2.4. It was revealed that a long-term surface tillage resulted in the increase of soil density. At the beginning of the crop rotation the soil density was 1.21 g/cm³ in the layer of 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm after surface tillage, but it was 1.07 and 1.14 g/cm³ respectively after plowing. To the end of the crop rotation the soil density was 1.11-1.09 g/cm³ after deep tillage and 1.31-1.32 g/cm³ in the layer of 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm after surface tillage. Height of sunflower plants was 1.35 m and diameter of a sunflower head was 128 mm after surface tillage; sunflower plant height was 1.39 m and diameter of a sunflower head was 149 mm after deep tillage (moldboard plowing). Height of maize plants was 2.15 m after moldboard plowing and 2.00 m after surface tillage. The productivity of sunflower was 1.64 t/ha after surface tillage and 1.88 t/ha after moldboard plowing. The productivity of maize after moldboard plowing was 5.35 t/ha on average in 2014-2015 and was only 4.06 after surface tillage that was on 1.29 t/ha less. The maximum average profitability of sunflower production was 148.9% after moldboard plowing that surpasses this index on 32.8% at a long-term surface tillage. The profitability of maize production was 175.1% after moldboard plowing and only 117.3% after surface tillage.

Most (73%) of the land fund of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO) is occupied with reindeer pastures. At the same time, the NAO is one of the most perspective regions for oil and gas. Large areas of pasture are drained under field development and exploration which after completion of construction and operation should be reclaimed and returned to the main landuser - herders. In disturbed areas where no remediation processes overgrowing were observed. One of these areas is considered in the article - sand quarry of mineral soil in the Shapkina basin area of 15 hectares, located on the lands of the largest deer farm NAO. The purpose of the study is to assess the restoration potential of vegetation by overgrowing on the disturbed tundra lands. As a result of observations of the re-vegetation on the tundra lands after technogenic impact and summarize the data three stages of re-vegetation were selected: 1 -pioneer species; 2 - grass, sedge community; 3 - shrubs. Despite a long period after the end of anthropogenic impact (over 15 years) a quarry is not completely overgrown. Re-vegetation speed is different for different parts of the quarry. In the central part it is self-overgrowing on the first stage, while at the periphery - on the second and third stages. To return the disturbed grasslands to agricultural use it requires work on the re-cultivation.

In the period 2001...2012 in the experimental field of Mari Agricultural Research Institute the productivity of three fodder crop rotations, galega-bromopsis herbage was evaluated and their effect on soil fertility was determined. The main difference between rotations was in a different saturation with perennial legumes and grasses (I rotation -16,6%, II - 33,0, III - 50,0%) at the application of recommended for the central zone of the Republic of Mari El (N₆oP₆oK6₀) and increased (N₉₀P90K₉₀) doses of mineral fertilizers. The results showed that the fertilizer application in crop rotation for 12 years contributed to the increase in the percentage of humus content in soil by 0.4-0.6 %. Оп noncrop rotation area it is observed the largest increase in content of humus in soil; this area was constantly cultivated with herbage of galega-bromopsis grass mixture in the background of recommended and high doses of PK fertilizers. The same increase was in rotations I and III on the background of high doses of NPK. The relationship between the saturation of crop rotations with perennial grasses and a mass fraction of humus in soil were not detected. The acidity of the topsoil in two of the rotation fof odder crop rotation tended to increase by 0.1...0.3 units of pH, significant differences between variants were not detected. The content of phosphorus mobile forms in soil increased by 40-170 mg/kg (5.9 20.2 %) in two rotations and sowing of galega with bromopsis over the study years. A slight downward trend is marked in the potassium content in the soil up to 15 mg/kg (8 %). Increasing the proportion of legumes-cereal grasses to monoculture in the structure of the rotation from 16.6 to 50 % of feed units per unit area on average within 12 years increased to 3.6 %. Input of higher doses of mineral fertilizers over the recommended one leads to increase in productivity by 200.445 fodder units per ha (4.7.11.2%); less addition was obtained at existence of two or three fields of perennial grasses in crop rotation. Use of highest doses of PK-fertilizers in perennial sowing of galega-bromopsis grass mixture allowed highest addition of productivity - 613 fodder units per ha (14.1%).

The article presents options of the control of bovine leukemia virus infection in dairy cattle depending on the character of the epizootic situation and economic opportunities of agricultural enterprises. When the within-herd BLV prevalence in breeding stock ranges from 2.5% to 10% it is recommended to slaughter all infected animals and to test all seronegative animals with 1-3 month intervals which should be slaughtered until the results of last two successive serological examinations are negative. When the within-herd BLV prevalence ranged from 10 to 30-40% all infected animals should be isolated by grouping them in separate groups; sick animals should be culled and slaughtered. Seronegative animals were tested serologically every three months; when the BLV prevalence decreases to 1% serological testing was carried out monthly. Seropositive cows should be replaced by seronegative heifers. The herd can achieve BLV free status in 4-4.5 years. When the within-herd BLV prevalence was more than 40% all animals was tested haematologically every 6 months, seropositive heifers were selected for fattening. Seronegative heifers were used for replacement of seropositive animals in large farms. Seronegative cows were isolated from seroreagents by grouping them in a separated area of the same barn. The herd can be given official BLV-free status in 1-1.5 years if testing intervals in 1-3 months are respected. When economic opportunities allowed it was recommended to eliminate the livestock and to replace it by animals imported from BLV-free farms. The effectiveness of eradication programme can be improved when using highly sensitive methods of diagnostics of leukemia polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and biologically active substances with immunomodulating activity (T- and B-activins, Ligfol, phosprenil and others).

Industrial test for comparative evaluation of methods for the treatment of acute endometritis in cows using the wombs beside cortex in combination with endometrium-bio and gamavit carried out on cows of black-motley breed in the Chuvash Republic. For experiments 2 groups of cows 90 animals each were formed: experimental and control, with clinically severe signs of postpartum purulent-catarrhal endometritis acute flow at 3-5 days after birth. In the experimental group of cows endometritis treatment was performed using wombs beside cortex at 11 BAP (№ 17, 18, 22, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 29, 50, 51) in combination with antimicrobial drug endometrioma-bio in a dose 150 ml per 1 head, intrauterine, with an interval of 48 hours to recover, and the drug gamavit in a dose of 0.05 ml per 1 kg of animal weight, intramuscularly, with an interval of 48 hours, three times. In the control group uteroton were appointed at a dose of 10 ml per 1 head, intramuscularly, daily, five times, ichglukovit at a dose of 10 ml per 100 kg of live weight, every 48 hours three times, and acidific at a dose of 10 ml per head intramuscularly, with an interval of 3 days, five times. The effectiveness of the treatments showed that the best results were obtained in the experimental group. Recovery was 90%, which is higher compared to the control at 20%, the impregnation rate of the cows higher by 21%, reduced the time duration of infertility at 16.20±4.02 (p<0.01), fertilization index 0.67±0.20 (p<0.01), between the period of 16.20±2.65 (p<0.01) increased average milk yield at 6.0% of the calf crop 21.0%.

The researches were organized with animals of Kostroma breed in “Experimental farm “Karavaevo”. We analyzed productivity of inbred animals which were getting by selection within lines, crossing lines and family groups, complex inbreeding. The estimation of using inbred bulls on breeding stock in breeding families is done. We marked high rates of milk productivities of animals which were getting in crossing lines and animals which were getting in complex inbreeding in the degree of III-IV, III-IV. However, animals, which were getting in crossing lines exceed outbred animals on highest lactation on 260 kg (р < 0.01) of milk, and animals in complex inbred III-IV; III-IV on first lactation on 648 kg (р < 0.05) of milk and on 729 kg (р < 0.01) of milk and 0.18% of fat (р < 0.05) in highest lactation.We made analysis of getting animals with productivity more than 8000 kg of milk for 305 days of lactation. From 160 high productive animals of matrix families - 42 cows (26%) were getting by related recruitment. Their evaluation showed that 64.3% of cows were getting in selection within lines on bulls related groups of Master 106902, Meridian 90827 and line Ladka KTKS-253. The greatest number of high productive animals (33.3%) in crossing lines was getting in combination groups Master 106902 and Meridian 90827. The daughters of inbred bulls using in livestock of cows in purebred families were evaluated on productivity. We noted high breeding value of bulls which were getting by close inbreeding.We made the conclusion of effectiveness of using inbred in breeding families in Kostroma breed.

The paper presents the assessment of the state in numbers, distribution on the territory and trends of the dynamics at the turn of XX-XXI centuries of the most economically important species of hunting resources in Russia. Materials were obtained on the basis of data questionnaire of «harvest» Services of VNIIOZ which has no analogues in the world on the scale of the covered by territory and the duration of observations (over 80 years) and the analysis of cause-effect relationships of population dynamics. The distribution is shown of the hunting resources by the Federal districts of the country. Predictions of further changes in the number are given by separate species. In the period 1996 to 2015 in Russia it was observed a significant increase in resources of moose, wild boar, roe deer, fox, beaver, a slight increase - in bear, sable, hazel grouse. Reduced in resources is observed in hare, lynx, and in the last five years - in martens. Relatively stable populations are remained in wolf, marmots, wood grouse. Among the ungulates state is alarming in resources of wild boar on some territories in connection with the African swine fever (ASF). The number of wild boar is decreased catastrophically in the Southern and North Caucasian federal districts in connection with the ASF. The current unfavorable situation caused by the ASF may lead to decrease in the number of specie in large parts of the country. Recently, it is observed decrease in interest to hunting on the fur species. The only species which enjoys demand on the international market is sable whose resources over the last two decades remain high with the trend of short stature as a result of ongoing relocation of species. The largest resources of most species of game animals possess the Siberian, Far East and North-West federal districts of the country.

Prototype of the machine for extraction and scarification of clover seeds КС-0.2 was tested. The machine is used for extraction of seeds from the wad of clover and scarification of hard grass seed. The purpose of the test -determination of agro-technical, operational-technological, economic performance of machines; safety indicators, ergonomics and reliability of the machine. Verification of its conformity to requirements of the technical specifications (TS) and normative documentation (ND). Wad of clover Kirovskij-159 was used for extraction of seeds. Seeds of Galega orientalis were used for scarification of seeds according to requirements of State standard 52323-2005. The test results revealed that the machine is functioning and efficiently performs processes of extraction of seeds from the wad of clover and scarification of hard grass seed. The machine complies with the basic requirements by assignment, reliability, security, and parameters of operation and technologies. The machine provides degree of seeds extraction 97.5.94.4 %, crushing of seeds 0.82.0.31% with productivity 0.16.0.38 t/h; degree of scarification of seeds 98.7.99.1%, crushing of seeds 1.2...1.6 % with productivity 0.19.0.33 t/h. Machine fits into the technology of seed production of perennial grasses and is recommended for use in agricultural production.

Modem technologies of cultivation of agricultural crops have high requirements for planting of seeds, the quality of which is largely depended on the design of opener groups. The design of opener group is developed for unit for cultivation and sowing APPN-2. I which efficiently prepares soil for sowing through cultivation and milling followed by surface flattening. The application of shoe openers allowed to use their single-row installation which together with the consolidation of functions of attachment, protection from damage and the irregularities of the relief in one constructive element - the torsion spring with trailers in the form of opener levers, reduced metal consumption of opener group compared with the classical layout and increased compactness. To determine parameters of the shoe opener group the results of the calculation according to the conditions of stability of its movement it is necessary to match the power load on a bar mount shoe openers for maintaining the optimum metal consumption and compact design of the unit. For this purpose a calculation is done of traction resistance of shoe opener and the total reaction forces acting on it at the point of attachment to the frame. For the proposed design of the opener group, placed on the rail fastening from the corner 50x50x5 with a span of I.2 m, which has seven shoe openers with a row spacing of 0.I5 m, the optimal parameters of the opener group, in accordance with the carried out calculations for a range of speed of 2.05-7,60 km/h at the depth of stroke of the opener of 40-60 mm are: a torsional spring constant c = 220-230 N/rad., length of levers opener l = 0,22-0,25 m, the angle of inclination levers opener а_к = 50-55°.

Agriculture of the Republic of Komi is quite a contrast. It varies geographically: in terms of technological development, the volume of production and willingness to innovate. The innovative development of agriculture of the Northern region of Komi Republic is characterized by low level of innovative activity at significant scientific potential. The objective necessity of intensification of innovation processes is evidenced by the fact that for 20132015 the pace of decline in physical volume of machinery and equipment intensified; energy consumption decreased by 5%; primitive methods and technologies is dominated in agriculture; outdated varieties and breeds of cattle, imperfect forms of organization and management are used. The regulatory framework is not resolved until the end for innovation in agriculture of the Republic; there are no scientific-production association, innovation centers and agrotechnopark. Scientific-production association in the agricultural sector should be organized on the basis of Agricultural research institute of Republic of Komi. For innovative development of the Republic of Komi it is necessary to implement the strategy of innovative development of agribusiness. Firstly, used information-analytical system should be built on the basis of GIS technologies and digital maps componentwise: geomorphological, climatic, soil, farmland and derivatives thereof. Also, the set of digital maps is necessary that characterize the social conditions of agricultural production and consumption of agricultural products, infrastructure, power, process industry. This information-analytical system should provide the ability to perform scenario forecasts, and update data from different sources. Secondly, in the Strategy of economic and social development of Republic of Komi till 2020 agriculture is considered as an industry, development of which governs the economic and social welfare of the region as a whole. One of the most important tasks of development of the industry is the sharp increase in the volumes of production, which is possible through the expansion of cultivated land and parallel introduction of more advanced technologies. Thirdly, it is necessary to take into account the need for innovation of the area of main settlement and peripheral regions of the Republic of Komi.