Russian Agricultural Sciences

A tissue culture method has been used for the breeding of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) in the presence of high concentrations of heavy metal ions in a nutrient medium as selective factors. Based on the Izumrud (Russia) and Kitawase (Japan) varieties and their hybrid (Izumrud × Kitawase), some copper- and zinc-tolerant regenerant lines have been derived. The negative effect of copper ions in the form of chlorophyll mutants has been observed starting from the second generation of regenerant plants. A positive effect of heavy metals on the increase of a rutin content in regenerants has been observed under in vitro conditions. The field evaluation of heavy metal-tolerant samples has allowed us to select lines highly adapted to the monsoon climate of Primorsky krai and to combine such features as large grain size (thousand kernel weight is equal to 36–38 g), high seed productivity (1.9–3.2 g), and high rutin content in green mass (2.8–4.3%).

The variability in the main indicators of the technological qualities and the range of variability (min–maх) has been established for the different fractions of grain of brewing barley varieties Bios 1 (bred in the Podmoskovie Science and Production Association) and covered oats Argamak (bred in the Rudnitsky Northeast Agricultural Research Institute) and their (quality indicators) dependencies between themselves and the yield value. The 1000-grain mass and the protein content vary to the maximum extent (the largest coefficient of variation–V, %) during the fractionalization of grain of brewing barley and covered oats. The grain unit of both crops, the extractivity of barley, and hoodness of oats vary to the minimum extent. A wide variation in the mass of 1000 grains and the protein content of the grain during fractionalization makes it possible to significantly regulate them in the desired direction compared to such indicators as grain unit, extractivity, and hoodness. The relationship between the main indicators of the technological qualities of brewing barley and covered oat grain fractionated on standard sieves with oblong holes are presented and discussed. A significant negative relationship between the extractivity and the protein content in the grain of different fractions of brewing barley was found. However, neither studied crops had any statistically significant dependencies of the test mass of the grain on the protein content in the grain of different fractions. It was shown that the dependences between the content of extractives in barley grain, protein content in grain, and grain nature in both crops and the mass of 1000 grains have a complex, nonlinear character. In most cases, the dependences between the main indicators of the technological qualities of barley and oat grains are most accurately (by the value of R²) described by second-order equations with clearly defined extremum points that are within the limits of the obtained experimental data. Regardless of the emerging hydrothermal conditions of the growing season, no statistically significant dependences between the protein content in the grain of various fractions of brewing barley and covered oats and the value of their yield were found.

The Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding (VNIISPK) is the main supplier of new apple tree cultivars for the central part of Russia. Fifty-four zoned apple cultivars with different dates of maturing have been created at the institute and included into the State Register of Breeding Achievements. The reasons for a very long period from the beginning of the breeding process (hybridization) to the wide introduction of a cultivar into broad production are considered in this study. Examples of acceleration and intensification of the breeding process are presented. While it took 39–49 years (43 on average) from hybridization to transfer a cultivar to the State Register in the 1950s at VNIISPK, it took just 18–23 years (21 on average) in the 1980s–1990s. The techniques and methods for reducing this period are provided in this study. It was shown that the same period often passes from the inclusion of a cultivar into the State Register (zoning) until the introduction of a cultivar into wide production. For the reduction of this period, it was proposed that plots of small production will be made in the originating institution to test cultivars of 20–30 trees in each of three replicates (60–90 trees), including a new and control cultivar, while the cultivar it is simultaneously transferred to the State Register.

In the northwest region of the Russian Federation, studies of the biological effectiveness of combined preparations against wireworms and aphids—carriers of potato viruses—were performed. The effectiveness of new products not yet included in the State Catalog of Pesticides, Bombarda, SC (130 + 90 + 60 g/L), Vibrance Max, SC (262.5 + 25 + 25 g/L) as well as combined insecticides Dekster, SC (115 + 106 g/L) and Eforia, SC (106 + 141 g/L), applied by spraying during the growing season was studied. These preparations provide effective protection of potatoes against wireworms and aphids and can be recommended for use after their state registration and inclusion into the State Catalog of Pesticides and Agrochemicals Approved for Use on the Territory of the Russian Federation.

The All-Russia Research Institute of Reclaimed Lands has a long and fruitful history in development of biofertilizers and multifunctional biopreparations using directed bioconversion. This paper describes innovative elements of a fundamentally new technology for the production of a promising biofertilizer. The development of a new algorithm for bioconversion of peat–manure mixes is required for production of a competitive biofertilizer characterized by favorable acidity and a high content of beneficial microorganisms and bioavailable nutrients as well as for the choice of the most efficient bioconversion process. Three processes differing in their parameters have been compared in three repetitions via evaluation of the content of ammonifying and amylolytic microorganisms, sanitary microflora (enterobacteria), fungi, and actinomycetes in the initial peat–manure mixes and final products (variants of new biofertilizers); additionally, the activity of oxidoreductases and some agrochemical parameters have been compared. The algorithm of a fermentation process includes acid hydrolysis of the initial mix and two thermal stages. At the first stage (55–60°С for 24 h), the required ecological compatibility of a biofertilizer, characterized by the minimum presence of a sanitary microflora and spoilage fungi, is achieved. The second stage (36–39°С for 96 h) is characterized by an active development of microflora involved in the formation of the soil structure and fertility. In the course of the study, the optimum fermentation variant characterized by the maximum content of beneficial microflora, minimum content of enterobacteria, and a high content of key nutrients required for the plant growth (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) has been chosen.

The pot experiment was conducted at Agronomy Farm of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar during winter 2015–2016 to study the impact of Fertilizers management for improving water use efficiency in winter cereals. The experiment was laid out in CRD having four replications. The experimental treatments consisted of crops (wheat and oats), fertilizers sources T₁ (control), T₂ (NpK @ 90 : 60 : 0 Kg ha^–1), T₃ (FYM @ 10 ton ha^–1), T₄ (biochar @ 10 ton ha^–1), T₅ (FYM @ 10 ton ha^–1 + biochar (@ 10 ton ha^–1) and three stages (5th Jan, 12th Jan, 19th Jan). Different fertilizer sources had significantly affected all parameters except days to emergence. Fertilizer NPK had significantly increased emergence m^–2 (1133.45 m^–2), plant height (22.2 cm), leaf area plant^–1 (58.4 cm²), LAI (6.6), root fresh weight plant^–1 (127.9 mg), root dry weight plant^–1 (22.5 mg), shoot fresh weight plant^–1 (748.8 mg), shoot dry weight plant^–1 (131.7 mg), biomass plant^–1 (154.2 mg), Soil pH (8.16) and water use efficiency (20.1 kg ha^–1 mm^–1), whereas FYM + biochar had maximum root length (9.8 cm). In crops Oat had significantly more emergence (1037.24 m^–2), plant height (23.3 cm), root to shoot ratio (2.7), root fresh weight plant^–1 (110 mg), root dry weight plant^–1 (20.1 mg), shoot fresh weight plant^–1 (778.7 mg), shoot dry weight plant^–1 (138.5 mg), biomass plant^–1 (158.5 mg) and WUE (18.7 kg ha^–1 mm^–1), while higher, root length (9.4 cm), leaf area plant^–1 (46.6 cm) and LAI (4.8) was recorded from wheat. Stage three (19th Jan) had significantly more plant height (22.4 cm), root length (9.9 cm), leaf area plant^–1 (62.5 cm²), LAI (6.5), root fresh weight plant^–1 (133.3 mg), root dry weight plant^–1 (27.8 mg), shoot fresh weight plant^–1 (803 mg), shoot dry weight plant^–1 (163 mg), biomass plant^–1 (190.8 mg) and WUE (18.4 kg ha^–1 mm^–1). In C × S, oats at stage three produced higher root fresh weight (153.8 mg), root dry weight (33.1 mg), shoot fresh weight (1091.3 mg), shoot dry weight (225.2 mg), biomass (258.3 mg) and WUE (25.1 kg ha^–1 mm^–1). The interaction of with C with T, oats treated with NPK produced maximum shoot dry weight (164.9 mg), biomass (188.2 mg) and WUE (22.8 kg ha^–1 mm^–1). In S × T, at stage three (19th Jan) with the application of NPK had produced more leaf area plant^–1 (90.7 cm²), LAI (10.3), biomass (215.8 mg). Based on the results oats treated with inorganic fertilizer have higher WUE. Inorganic fertilizer improves plant WUE.

The results of 3-year studies on the influence of water and nutrient regimes of the soil on the formation of the root system of aerobic rice cultivated with a drip irrigation system are presented. It was shown that, when maintaining the water regime of the soil at not lower than 80% HB in the 0.6-m layer, the root mass is 4.96 in the 0.4-m layer and 5.64 t/ha in the 0.6-m layer. In variant two, where soil moisture was maintained at 80% HB until the end of the tillering phase in the 0.4-m layer and from the booting phase to grain ripening in the 0.6-m layer, the plants were characterized by maximum foliage and habitus, which contributed to an increase in their root mass in the 0.4-m layer to 5.40 t/ha and to 6.14 t/ha in the 0.6-m layer. In variant three, where the water regime of the soil was maintained at 80% HB in the 0.4-m layer from sowing to the end of the tillering phase, then in the 0.6-m layer, and from wax to full ripeness of grain at 70% HB, the root mass was less than in variant two by 0.18 t/ha in the 0.4-m layer and by 0.20 t/ha in the 0.6-m layer but greater than in variant one (80% HB during the entire life cycle) by 0.26 in the 0.4-m layer and by 0.30 t/ha in the 0.6-m layer. Fertilizer doses also had a great effect on the root system of plants. Thus, the root mass was minimal (5.46 t/g) when N₉₅P₆₂K₇₅ (5 t/ha) was introduced, while it increased in the N₁₁₄P₇₄K₉₀ variant (6 t/ha) by 0.48 t/ha compared to the value at a dose of N₉₅P₆₂K₇₅ (5 t/ha) and was less than when introducing N₁₃₇P₉₀K₁₀₈ (7 t/ha) by 0.60 t/ha. The maximum grain yield (6.95 t/ha) was obtained at the soil water regime of 80% HB in the 0.4-m and 0.6-m layers when introducing N₁₃₇P₉₀K₁₀₈ (7 t/ha), and the minimal grain yield (4.88 t/ha) was obtained at the soil water regime of 80% HB in the 0.6-m layer when introducing N₉₅P₆₂K₇₅ (5 t/ha).

The ion-exchange properties of an enterosorbent based on the modified glauconite concentrate (50%) produced from the Bondar deposit have been studied under the conditions of passage through the gastrointestinal tract in calves. Chemical modification of the mineral was performed to transfer it into the Na-form. The experimental calves were daily provided with enterosorbent at a rate of 0.2 g/kg of bodyweight for 6 and 9 days. The characteristics of releasing the metal ions accumulated on the glauconite active surface and removing them via fecal excretion are analyzed. The results of the evaluation for its sorption capacity towards Ni (a toxicant), Cu (a micronutrient), and Ca (a macronutrient) are present. The sorbent manifested a high capacity towards nickel since up to 60% of its total amount was removed from the organism. Its capacity towards copper was assessed as moderate (13%). The sorbent was accumulated in the animal digestive tract for 3–4 days, which contributed to the better copper absorption from inorganic forms under the conditions of its deficiency in the dietary feeds. Providing the animals with enterosorbent at the indicated dose did not cause the loss in calcium absorbed by their bodies.

The efficiency of concentrated, unhydrolyzed feed protein granules included in the diets for sucking and weaned pigs has been studied. The granule’s effects on the dynamics of production performance and product quality are analyzed. The concentrated, unhydrolyzed feed protein granules represent a soy protein concentrate of a new type, which is free of antibiotics, hormones, and genetically modified organisms. This additive may be included in the basal diet either separately or in a feed mixture as a source of an easily digestible protein with an original amino acid composition. The survey results have proven that the dietary granules contribute to increasing the average daily liveweight gain in piglets by 2.0–2.7%, reducing the feed costs per kg of liveweight gain by 2.2–6.6%, and producing additional total liveweight gain from 8.2 to 14.6%.

Endogenous intoxication indices in late-pregnancy cows have been analyzed. The possibility for the use of these indices as predictors of bronchopulmonary pathology in the newborn calves has been identified. Overall, 29 Red-and-White Holstein cows checked on day 239–262 of gestation and 29 newborn calves were examined. Bronchitis occurred in all the calves within the first month of their life. In addition, it developed into pneumonia in seven newborn calves. The markers of endogenous intoxication in cows were analyzed. The total and effective albumin concentrations, the concentration of medium molecular weight peptides (MMWP) in the blood serum, the leucocyte intoxication index (LII) by the Kalf-Kalif formula, the toxicity index (TI), and the intoxication coefficient (IC) were determined. The MMWP level in the cows with calves unaffected by pneumonia comprised 0.408 ± 0.152 c.u. The cows with calves affected by pneumonia showed a higher MMWP content (0.615 ± 0.197 c.u., p < 0.05). A correlation between the MMWP concentration and the predicted probability of pneumonia was revealed (r_s = 0.536, p < 0.005). The leucocyte intoxication index by the Kalf-Kalif formula and the toxicity index in the cows of both groups significantly varied. However, no reliable difference between the groups was revealed. The intoxication coefficient in the cows with calves affected by pneumonia was 26.5 ± 8.4, while a statistically reliable (p < 0.05) high IC value was recorded in cows that had offspring affected by uncomplicated bronchitis (IC = 17.2 ± 6.8). A correlation between the IC value in cows and the incidence of pneumonia in their offspring was revealed (r_s = 0.568, p < 0.001). The MMWP concentration in blood serum of the pregnant cows may serve as a predictor of pneumonia in the newborn calves (AUC = 0.782, susceptibility – 85.71%, specificity – 81.82%, and critical value > 0.547 in conventional units). The diagnostic value of the IC predictor is rated as very good (AUC = 0.812, susceptibility – 71.43%, specificity – 86.36%, and critical value > 22.5 in conventional units). The concentration of medium molecular weight peptides and the intoxication concentration in cows in the period of gestation can allow us to make predictions for bronchopulmonary pathology development with high predictive accuracy in their offspring.

The aim of this work was to estimate the effect of vaccinating stallions against anthrax on the sperm quality and its criostability. Vaccination of stallions against anthrax led to a decrease in the sperm quality. During the first week after vaccination, the sperm productivity decreased by 10%. In freshly diluted sperm, the sperm motility decreased by 12%, survival by 38% (Р > 0.99), and membrane integrity by 20% (Р > 0.95) on average. Their recovery was observed not earlier than 28 days after vaccination. Vaccination had an especially strong effect on sperm quality after cryopreservation: sperm motility decreased by 35% (P > 0.99), survival by 45% (P > 0.99), and membrane integrity by 46% (P > 0.99) on average, and these parameters remained low for 1 month. Rejection of sperm doses in the postvaccination period was 50% because of the decrease in quality below the standard level. The amount of pathological types of sperm increased 45 days after vaccination: by 27% (Р > 0.95) in fresh sperm and 34% (Р > 0.99) in deconserved sperm. In the case of cryoconservation of stallions' sperm, it is necessary to take into account the recovery period after antiepizootic measures.

The quality of seeds is the most important factor in increasing the yield of agricultural crops, including soybeans. However, on average, up to 20–25% of soybean seeds sown in the Amur oblast are substandard. At the same time, one of the main reasons for the decline in the quality of seed material is significant crushing and damage of soybeans during harvesting and processing. Up to ten different brands of combines, which allow a high degree of crushing of bunker grain, are used in harvesting soybeans in the Amur oblast. The crushing of grain by combines of different brands varies in the range from 6.9 to 15.1%. Combines of Russian and foreign production are mainly single-beater drum by design and collect the threshed soybean grain in one bunker, while they do not separate seeds according to the biological diversity inherent in soybeans. As a result, soybean yield losses reach 2.7–3.3 c/ha. In order to reduce grain losses from the crushing and obtaining of high-quality seeds, a new device based on a two-stage threshing combine with double-flow cleaning and with two bunkers was developed. The study of the operating modes of the threshing and separating device for threshing, separation, and damage of soybean seeds along the length of the combine thresher was carried out. The goal of this study was the selection and preservation of the part of the biologically valuable and high-quality soybean seeds from the crushing during combine harvesting of soybean with reduced grain moisture (less than 12%). The conducted research with the use of the complete factorial experiment method and processing the results allowed creating mathematical models of separation and seed damage. Based on this model, a nomogram for determination of separation and the content of damaged soybean seeds was constructed. Damaged seeds were obtained in the zone of the first beater drum, depending on the technological adjustments of the threshing apparatus, grain feed, and grain moisture.