Vol 44, No 4 (2018)

In the conditions of Primorye krai, the Fagopyrum esculentum Moench cultivars of different ecological and geographical origin were studied in terms of their productivity and fruit biochemical composition. The cultivar Bashkirskaya krasnostebelnaya was found to be of interest for the purposes of breeding buckwheat for higher content of flavonoids: it exceeds the reference cultivar Izumrud by 7.5 mg/100 g. The cultivar Demetra is richer in essential amino acid content (arginine, lysine, phenylalanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, and tryptophane) in its fruits. The studied cultivars had more potassium (1.41–1.49) than phosphorus (0.54–0.55) in their fruits. As a result, the promising cultivars were selected as follows: the indeterminate ones—Zemlyachka, Inzerskaya, and Bashkirskaya krasnostebelnaya; the determinant ones—Demetra and Dikul with a high content of flavonoids, protein, fat, and essential amino acids in their fruits. Using the adaptability parameters, we identified the determinant cultivars Dikul and Dialogue as highly adaptable and stable; their average productivity reached 1.5 t ha^–1 and exceeded the reference cultivar by 5–18%.

This paper presents history and ways of creating triploid apple cultivars differing from common diploid ones by less pronounced fruiting periodicity by years, higher marketability and weight of fruits, and self-fertility. In the search for an effective method of mass production of triploid seedlings, crosses of the type 4x × 4x, 4x × 3x, 4x × 2x, 3x × 4x, 3x × 3x, 3x × 2x, 2x × 4x, and 2x × 3x were studied. The most effective way of mass production of triploid seedlings was the 2x × 4x cross (diploid × tetraploid). In the group of 2x × 4x crosses, more than 9000 seedlings from different families were subjected to cytological analysis. The ratio of hybrid progeny in terms of ploidy levels was as follows: 30.3% diploids, 69.5% triploids, 0.2% tetraploids, and 0.04% aneuploids. It was established that triploids can also be obtained in 4x × 2x crosses; however, it is necessary to castrate the flowers in the maternal parent, since all apple tetraploids have high self-fertility. For the first time in the world, a series of triploid cultivars (approximately 20) was obtained from intervalent crosses of the diploid × tetraploid type in the All-Russia Research Institute of Fruit Crop Selection. Particularly interesting are triploid cultivars that have immunity to scab, which include nine cultivars, of which Aleksandr Boiko, Vavilovskoe, Maslovskoe, and Yablochnyi Spas are included in the State Register of breeding achievements allowed for use.

Water chest nut Trapa is a minor fruit crop and potential carbon sequester of atmospheric carbon. Mass production of water chest nut using a vast number of unused small water bodies and derelict waters is a win-win-win-win strategy toward mitigation of global warming, nutritional security, empowerment and resource utilization. Growth performance of Trapa was conducted in small culture units using different CNP ratios (25:02:01; 101:08:01; 290:01:01) at a fixed dose (0.2 kg/tank) of mixed manure with different doses (100, 200, 400, 600 g) of optimal CNP ratio (101:08:01) during the life cycle of Trapa. The total number of fruits and the wet weight of Trapa in different dose treatments ranged from 56 to 192 and from 258 to 379 g/tank. Yield of Trapa remained maximum when CNP ratio was 101:8:1 at 200 g/tank and the dosage was 200 g/tank with the optimal CNP ratio (134 g) and then declined with further rise in fertilizer dose. The proximate analysis of Trapa revealed the highest phosphorus content in all the tissues (fruit, leaf, and root) of Trapa grown in the CNP ratio of 101:08:01. Of the total amount of carbon in Trapa, contribution was maximum by the fruit (38–41%), followed by leaf (27–35%) and root (23–32%) in different ratio treatment. The C content of harvested Trapa grown in different CNP ratios (Table 4) was higher in fruit (38–41%) followed by leaf (27–35%) and root (23–32%) among tissues. The amount of C observed in control (32%) increased by 6% in 25:02:01 (34%) which was higher than remaining two treatments (31%). Dry weight or total carbon content of water chestnut tended to rise with increasing levels of phosphate of water from the dosage of 100 to 200 g with optimal CNP ratio and declined thereafter. A direct relationship between the dry weight or carbon content of Trapa and the total carbon content or phosphate to total carbon ratio of water was established. However, the carbon content remained between 27–32% in all the three tissues of Trapa culture when cultured in different dose treatments. It is reasonable to conclude that water chestnut may be promoted for mass cultivation using the recommended culture protocol that would help trapping atmospheric carbon, provide nutritional security and employment generation and resource utilization.

Phytoplasmas from the apple proliferation (AP) group collected and isolated from the territory of the Russian Federation and some European countries have been studied, including their detection and identification. Analysis of 67 samples of fruit crops by nested PCR using universal primers for 16–23S ribosomal RNA regions has shown the presence of the AP group phytoplasmas in some samples. Candidatus Phytoplasma mali, a causal agent of the apple proliferation disease, has been revealed in samples from Spain; Ca. Phytoplasma pyri (pear decline disease) was found in samples from Italy, Spain, and the Republic of Dagestan; and Ca. Phytoplasma prunorum (European stone fruit yellows disease) was found in samples from the Czech Republic. Data on the DNA sequencing of the identified pathogens have been deposited into the database of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).

The prevalence of viruses in honeysuckle plants depends on the location of the plantation and the variety composition. TBRV virus had the maximal prevalence (28–60%) in most blue-berried honeysuckle stands. Prevalence of the ArMV virus ranged from 0 to 26%, that of the RpRSV virus ranged from 6 to 17%, and that of the SLRSV virus ranged from 7 to 25%. Most varieties of honeysuckle (67%) were infected with a complex of viruses, whereas no viruses were detected in certain varieties. The varieties produced at the Lisavenko Research Institute for Selection and Seedage had a higher degree of viral infection than those produced at the All-Russia Vavilov Research Institute of Plant Breeding. The viruses found in blue-berried honeysuckle plants were mostly in the latent form, but green leaf mottle and interstitial chlorosis were observed on individual bushes from a number of varieties. A tendency for virus infection accumulation with the extension of plant life was observed. TBRV and SLRSV transmission through seeds was registered, which is indicative of the need for improvement of the hybrid forms involved in the breeding process. The duration of dry air thermotherapy of honeysuckle plants should not exceed 30–45 days. Combined use of thermotherapy and meristem culture provided for an 80% yield of healthy plants.

Sea buckthorn fly Rhagoletis batava Hering (Diptera; Tephritidae) was first recorded in the Central Non-Chernozem Region of Russia in the early 21st century. The pest adapted in a short time and there are periodically massive outbreaks of reproduction. In some years, this phytophage damages more than 80% of susceptible sea buckthorn cultivars’ fruits. However, the bioecology of R. batava in the specified area has not been studied, which hampers the timely implementation of protective measures and ensuring of their high efficiency. The beginning of flight of flies, oviposition, and larval hatching strongly depend on weather conditions and they occur with a difference in the calendar period up to 25–30 days in different years. In the years of research, the sum of effective temperatures above 10°C at the beginning of flight of flies ranged from 252.1 to 319°С, from 339.5 to 390.3°C at the beginning of oviposition, and from 428.3 to 471.0°C at the beginning of larval hatching. The duration of the summer period in the exploration area ranges from 48 to 57 days. To track the dynamics of the summer and to more accurately determine the beginning of the individual phases of development of the pest, it is necessary to use yellow two-sided glue traps and fruit inspection under a microscope.

Substandard sunflower seeds surpass the sunflower meal and oil cake by their level of metabolic energy by 1.2–1.5 times and can replace these high-calorie feed materials in the rations of cattle. In mixed feed, whose structure includes the substandard sunflower seeds (5% in mass), the share of the cleavable protein decreased by 1.3% and digestibility of the dry matter increased by 2.3% as compared to mixed feed, whose structure includes sunflower cake (8% in mass). Both variants of the mixed feeds were used in the experiment on cows of the white-and-black breed with the live weight of 600 kg and average daily milk yield of 25–28 kg within the first lactation phase in the structure of the total feed mix ration. The metabolism and digestive processes in the rumen of the animals fed with the substandard sunflower seeds proceeded without any disturbances. In the ruminal fluid, the concentration of the ammonia nitrogen was lower by 6.75 mg % on average. Furthermore, in the milk of the cows, the content of the milk fat increased by 5.2% and the urea content decreased by 9%.

Assisted reproductive technology plays a key role in bovine reproduction in herds. Different media, including the milk-based medium, are used for bull semen cryopreservation. The objective of the survey was to develop a method for assessing sperm motility in frozen-thawed semen of the bull sires with the use of the vital stains added to the milk-based medium. It has been proven that vital staining with the use of Hoechst 33342 Dye in the milk-based medium is the most efficient in order to assess the motility of the frozen-thawed semen collected from the bull sires. The current method for semen detection can yield 100% accurate results.

The survey focused on studying the dynamics of the morphological and functional parameters for calves with the intestinal diseases. The data on the quantity and species composition of the intestinal microbiota were compiled; the haematological, biochemical, and immunological parameters were measured. In case of domination of the pathogenic microorganisms in the intestinal microbiocenoses, the serous edema and the leukocyte infiltration into the epithelial layer and the lamina propria of intestinal mucosa could be observed; multiple embolizations caused by bacteria in the blood vessels were revealed. Multiple small necrotic foci infiltrated with leukocytes in the liver were recorded. Extensive haemorrhage of blood vessels, cyanosis, hyperaemia, multiple blot haemorrhages, and dystrophic and necrotic processes were found in all the segments of the intestine. Therefore, the above-listed symptoms represent the risk factors for toxemia and bacteremia.

The cytokine levels in the blood of sows during the gestation and lactation periods have been defined in an experiment with 20 healthy animals that were at risk of progressive inflammatory processes in the reproductive organs. The sows were divided into two groups of ten each. Significant differences between the levels of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the sows exposed to the inflammatory risk factors when compared with that in the control animals were revealed. The cytokine profiles in sows during early gestation and in the second half of pregnancy were characterized by the predominance of producing IL-1α and IL-4 and the reduction in producing IFN-γ. In late pregnancy, the increased syntheses of IL-1α, IL-4, IL-6, and IFN-γ were observed. With respect to the third to fourth day of lactation, the cytokine stimulated the IL-1α, IL-4, and IFN-γ production. Before weaning the piglets, the production of IL-1α, IL-4, IL-6, and IFN-γ was enhanced. The ascertained values for the cytokine levels are recommended to be used for risk predicting and diagnosing the inflammatory disease processes in the reproductive organs.

Dynamics of processes of moisture redistribution in water balance of agrolandscapes was studied with the use of analytical modeling. Water balance is represented as the result of changes in its components with time. Atmospheric precipitation and its interception on the surface by plants, water accumulation in depressions on the slope, infiltration, and slope runoff are simulated in combination with the processes of vertical water flow to groundwater in the context of system dynamics. Analytical modeling is used as a basis for the representation of the system dynamics in the mode of a simulation modeling of hydrological processes of soil moisture accumulation. Modeling of vertical water flow is based on the semiempirical description of moisture conductivity and retention in the aeration zone.

The design analysis of pneumatic sowing machines operated under excessive air flow pressure has revealed several weak points in their work: using metal pushers fixed in the bottom part of the sowing disk for removing excessive seeds involves the risk of damaging these parts; there is a 5% possibility that the directed air flow for removing excessive seeds from cone cells (except for the flow stipulated according to the instructions) will blow out all the seeds, including caryopses from these cells. In this case, the sown row will have gaps, which reduces the fertility level. This study is about resolving the above-indicated issues by means of newly developed design parts that will exclude any possibility of damaging seeds and seeding gaps’ formation when using pneumatic sowing machines under excessive air flow pressure. The developed design also makes it possible to modify sowing patterns without replacing sowing disks. The sufficient condition for improving the process is to fit cone cells with plugs from an elastic material (PVC) that contain spring-driven claws with a removal ring.

According to the analysis of published materials, the design with an attachable chisel has enjoyed the broadest use because it has a monolithic nose part with an additional component (chisel) that provides extra strength to this area. The force impact of the soil environment on the facial surface of the plowshare nose is analyzed. In most cases, the plowshare fails by breakdown and deformation in the zones of the nose and the first fastener hole. According to the theory of elasticity, this hole is the point of support for the cantilever beam with an arm extended from the first fastener hole to the blade perpendicular to the weak section line. The cantilever beam with regard to the plowshare nose is a triangle with a continuously increasing cross section from the blade to the first fastener hole; that is why failures may occur in any point along the arm line, whatever the arm length. It has been established that, when the chisel is mounted on the plowshare with side faces made parallel to the landward edge line, the strength of the tip increases on the plowshoe with all the fastener holes arranged in a single line, but the zone of the first fastener hole becomes weaker because extra force is generated that produces the bending torque and the rotational torque under the soil pressure. It has been shown that the plowshare strength in the zone of the first fastener hole is increased by mounting the attachable chisel so that the line along the side faces of the chisel splits the chisel into two equal parts by form and area and passes through the first fastener hole perpendicularly to the weak section and crosses the holes for fastening the chisel to the plowshare frame. Thus, the forces that cause the bending torque in the cantilever beam fastening point, i.e., in the first fastener hole, will be active only along one line perpendicular to the weak section line. This way the strength in the weak section zone close to the first fastener hole will increase because the impact of other extra soil forces will be minimized.