Russian Agricultural Sciences

The research was conducted in 2022–2024 in the Kirov region in order to identify a new source material for breeding based on the study of genotypic features of collectible samples of spring barley, manifested in the reaction of morphological features to changes in crop density. The object of study was 31 samples of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The scheme of the experiments: crop density 5.0 million pcs./ha (control) and 7.0 million pcs./ha. The observations and accounting of the harvest were carried out in accordance with the Methodological guidelines for the study and preservation of the world collection of barley and oats. The registered area of the plot is 1.35 m², the repeat rate is twofold. The soil is sod-podzolic medium loamy. Weather conditions ranged from arid (HTC = 0.73) in 2024 to excessive moisture (HTC = 2.03) in 2022. On average, over the years of study, 411 pcs./m² (93 %) remained in the control for harvesting, 585 pcs./m² (92 %) in the experiment. Meteorological conditions affected the change in yield, ear length, quantities grain of the ear, productivity of the ear and the plant (contribution share 43.6–69.3 %), the density of the crop affected the number of plants preserved for harvesting and productive stand (16.8–27.9 %). On average, over the years and in the sample, with an increase in crop density, there was a significant decrease in general (by 0.16) and productive (0.11) bushiness, ear length (0.2 cm), number of spikelets (0.8 pcs.) and grains (0.7 pcs.), grain weight per plant (0.06 g). Selected samples Salair, Radegast, L-223/15 and L-209/11 which significantly increased yields by 165…243 g/m², grain weight from the plant by 0.28…0.68 g, and thousand-kernel weight by 2.4…4.0 g with an increase in crop density.

The aim of the study was to identify the developmental features of lavender cultivars and samples explants during long-term in vitro storage under different conditions (in the dark or in low light) and subsequent regrowth, as well as to assess their genetic stability. The following cultivars and samples of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. were used as the source material: Stepnaya, Sineva, Vdala, Volna, Krymchanka, Galleya, No. 12-95, No. 372-44, D-356. An analysis of the development of explants (stem segments with a node) after 6, 9, 12 months of storage at 6…8 °C in the dark and with illumination of 150–300 lux, as well as after their regrowth under in vitro conditions at 24…26 °C and illumination of 2–3 klux was carried out. It was found that after a year of storage under illumination, the number of viable explants (20.8…63.3 %, depending on the genotype) was higher than in the dark (16.3…38.9 %). Significant variability of the analyzed parameters depending on the cultivar and sample was shown. During the deposition process, up to 44.5…49.8 % of developing explants were noted, in which shoots were formed. Analysis of regrowth at 24…26 °C and illumination of 2…3 klx showed that the number of viable explants after a year of storage under illumination in the first subculture reached 85.5…98.5 %, and without illumination – only 30.0…60.0 %. At the same time, restoration of morphometric parameters and multiplication index comparable to those in clonal micropropagation was revealed. Using the example of the Stepnaya, Sineva, Vdala cultivars with the use of 7 molecular genetic markers (RAPD and ISSR), the absence of genetic divergence after a year of in vitro storage compared to the original plants was established. As a result, lavender storage conditions (lighting, storage duration and subsequent regrowth) were optimized and the preservation of genetic stability was shown.

The investigation was performed at a cattle breeding reproducer and was aimed to study of dairy productivity of red steppe cows from different genealogical lines as well as qualities of obtained milk and produced fermented dairy product to future using in breeding work, improving the efficiency of milk production. For experience three groups (ten head in each) of first-calf cows from three linear origins were formed: Andalusian 578, Cirrus 16497 and Frem 17291. The dairy productivity of cows from the Frem 17291 line was the highest, than in over groups (6537 kg of milk over 305 DIM). Content of protein and lactose content in milk, obtained from cows of the Cirrus 16497 line, were higher, than in others; and dry matter as well as DSMR (dry skimmed milk residue) were higher in animals of the Frem 17291 line. The highest total milk fat and total milk protein was obtained from cows of the Frem 17291 line, which is by 1.7 % and 1.9 % more, than in animals of the Andalusian 578 line, respectively, and by 3.9 % and 3.6 %, than in the Cirrus 16497 line. By traditional technology the fermented dairy product were produced from the milk of the studied cows. In the study of physicochemical parameters a high content of fat (3.9 %) and protein in the samples (3.21–3.23 %) were revealed, due to the characteristics of the raw materials used. The analysis of the amino acid composition of the samples showed the absence of limiting amino acids in all of each, which indicates the high balanced and nutritional quality of milk protein. The highest amount of essential amino acids (1,542 mg/100g) was found in a sample, produced from the Frem 17291 line cow’s milk.