Assessing the sustainability of agricultural ecosystems is of decisive importance in developing modern principles of agricultural land use. This paper highlights the main narratives regarding explic it epistemological assumptions, interdisciplinary theories, and epistemological interpretations of the term “sustainability.” Views on the concept of “sustainability of ecological systems” are systematized, and its applicability in agricultural ecosystems is examined in the context of the ecological and production aspects of agricultural land use. The concept of sustainability is discussed within the frame work of two paradigms of natural resource use: the constructive–biospheric and the anthropocentric. The terminology is defined, and the classification criteria are substantiated within which the concept of sustainability can be examined. The epistemological priority lies with the conceptual-categorical interpretation of the essence of the concept: “sustainability is the ability of a system to maintain its state, which can be called equilibrium.” From an ecological perspective, the sustainability of an agro ecosystem is realized through specific regimes of organic matter, the cycling of biogenic elements, the structural state and composition of the soil, heat and moisture supply regimes of the environment, soil biological activity, phytosanitary status, and a certain level of biological diversity, which ensures the provision of existing ecosystem services. A conceptual model of agricultural ecosystem that re flects the dynamics of processes in space and time, taking into account the long–term, uncertain, and nonlinear relationships between its structural and functional components, that determine its stability has been presented.  Prospects for the development of sustainable agriculture are linked to the ecological–economic optimization of agricultural land use based on a constructive–biospheric paradigm of land use, which involves the conservation of biodiversity, the preservation of existing ecological functions of the landscape, and the compensation for the lost ones. Determining acceptable ecological ranges of disturbance and the limits of critical loads within the framework of natural and anthropogenic evolutionary processes, using modern digital tools for comprehensive monitoring and systematic analysis of agrobiocenotic indicators, may be the key to understanding the fundamental aspects of the sustainability of agricultural ecosystems.

The use of a combined assessment of the informational significance of vegetation indices for predicting the yield of spring wheat, taking into account varietal specificity and agrotechnical factors, has been studied. The test site was the field experience in the forest-steppe zone of the Novosibirsk Priobye. In the experiment, spring wheat of the Suenga and Novosibirsk 41 varieties was cultivated using intensive agricultural technology. For the analysis, data obtained using the DJI Phantom 4 Multispectral Phantom unmanned aerial vehicle during the crop growing period in 2023–2025 were used. Vegetation index values were calculated using five spectral channels: blue (B, 450 ± 16 nm), green (G, 560 ± 16), red (R, 650 ± 16), red edge (RE, 730 ± 16) and near-infrared (NIR, 840 ± 26 nm). For the analysis of informational importance, the following indices were used as predictors of crop yield: NDVI, NDWI, GNDVI, LAI, CVI, GCI, and ChlRE. For assessing the informativeness of the indices, independent methods were used: the F-statistic of one-way regression (ANOVA F-test), evaluation of mutual information (Mutual Information, MI), and feature importance of the random forest algorithm (Random Forest, RF). Each of the scores was normalized in the range [0; 1] using the min-max normalization method, after which a combined score was calculated as a weighted sum. For the Suenga variety, the stable predictors regardless of the experimental variants were CVI (tillering) and ChlRE (stem elongation and heading), while for Novosibirsk 41, the set of informative predictors significant ly depended on the combination of plant protection and fertilizer systems. It was found that chlorophyll content indices (GCI, ChlRE) increased the predictive relationship with yield under fertilization, while the water status index (NDWI) lost informativeness when fertilizers were applied.

In the agricultural production of the Republic of Buryatia, the Bichursky District occupies the leading position, and its territory is highly developed. The structure of the soil cover of the region is determined by the presence of the most agronomically valuable soils, such as powdery-carbonate chernozems, gray non-saline forest soils and dark chestnut powdery-carbonate soils. Along with them, alluvial soils of river valleys and areas of saline soils are localized within the basin, forming a complex and mosaic soil pattern. Based on the conducted field and laboratory studies, a comprehensive assessment of the agroecological condition of soils was carried out, which made it possible to diagnose the intensity of the manifestation of degradation processes. It has been established that modern land use, including arable, haymaking and pasture areas, is associated with the development of a complex of negative phenomena. The key factors in reducing soil fertility are erosion processes (water erosion and deflation), secondary salinization, dehumification as a result of mineralization of organic matter, as well as anthropogenic lithification (over-compaction) of the arable horizon. The vegetation cover of the studied territory, represented by forest, steppe and meadow phytocenoses, is also undergoing transformation under the influence of these degradation factors. The soil cover of the Bichurskaya basin is very diverse. This is due to the unique ecological and geographical conditions that contributed to the formation of different types of soils on thick loose sediments in intermountain depressions. Differences in the structure and fertility of these soils directly affect the structure of local agricultural lands. Considering the fact that the soils of the basin are ecologically unstable and subject to degradation, it is necessary to develop measures for their protection, rational use and further monitoring studies.

The environmentally friendly use of plant residues is an extremely important way to replenish and maintain soil fertility. Microbial preparations are used to accelerate the breakdown of crop residues. Enzyme activity reflects the functioning of soil biota and its ability to accelerate the decomposition of organic matter entering the soil. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dynamics of changes in the enzymatic activity of meadow-chernozem soil after the addition of rice straw and a complex of microbial preparations containing cellulose-degrading microorganisms. Enzyme activity was assessed in 2026 under a series of model experiments in rectangular containers filled with 40 kg of meadow-chernozem soil from a rice paddy in the Krasnodar Territory. After chopping, rice straw was distributed among vessels containing soil and treated with a microbial preparation based on an association of microorganisms with high cellulolytic activity and bacterial strains with a complex of beneficial properties (CMP CM). The repetition was sixfold. The intensity of biochemical processes in the soil was assessed based on the dynamics of the activity of hydrolase and oxidoreductase enzymes: cellulase, invertase, protease, peroxidase, and polyphenoloxidase. The results of the study indicate an increase in enzymatic activity during the treatment of plant residues with KMP CM: protease (by 2–6%), cellulase (by 12–60%), invertase (by 9–96%), polyphenol oxidase (by 24–125%), and peroxidase (by 100–119%) compared to the control throughout the experiment. This indicates that the use of complex microbial preparations to accelerate the decomposition of rice straw contributes to an increase in soil bioactivity, intensification of organic matter transformation processes and is of practical interest for implementation in agricultural production.

Modern sugar beet seed production is largely determined by the level of implementation of optimized energy- and resource-saving technologies and innovative techniques adapted to a specific region. The article presents a description of an improved agrotechnical technique for accelerated production of sugar beet seeds by the planting method, which ensures optimal growth and development of royal beets and testes. The results of approbation of the modern techniques of cultivation of the mother beet, including the optimum time of sowing (the second ten-day period), the nutrition system (N_90–130P_90–140K_90–130), irrigation (5–6 irrigations 200–300 m³/ha) and protection from weeds, diseases and pests (the use of insecticide fungicide Cruiser KS (350 g/l) with a consumption rate of 8–14 l/t seeds, fungicide Maxim KS (25 g/l) – 5–10 l/t and other seed dressings), harvesting (starting in the period with an average air temperature of 6–8 °C in cool, frost-free weather). To preserve the genetic purity of sugar beet breeding materials, root crops with overgrown heads, atypical, with signs of fodder and table beet were culled. Mother beet root crops were planted and stored in stationary storage in containers at the temperatures from +2 to +3 °C and a relative humidity of the air of 94–96%. The developed system of mineral nutrition of mother beet and the planted seed plants provides optimal standards, the ratio of nutrients and the timing of mineral fertilizers. The developed and tested accelerated method for obtaining mother root crops (stecklings) in the year of their cultivation makes it possible to increase the yield of the planting material per unit area, ensure the yield of the steckling root crops of the required fraction (50–75 g) and reduce the cost of seed production.

The results of a research study carried out in open field conditions in the Novosibirsk region from 2019 to 2022 with 11 tomato varieties of different ripening groups, having various fruit weights, shapes, and colors, are presented. Variability in tomato yield and biochemical indicators in the fruits has been found depending on weather conditions (temperature fluctuations and uneven rainfall). Varieties with the highest yield of commercial fruits and excellent taste qualities have been identified. The lowest yield was shown in 2019 – 4.8 kg/m², but for biochemical indicators (the content of dry matter, sugars, ascorbic acid and carotene in fruits), these conditions are more optimal compared to subsequent years of research. The maximum yield was recorded in 2020 – 5.5 kg/m². Large-fruited medium-maturing varieties (fruit weight 200–750 g) delivered the highest yields (5.8–6.8 kg/m²). Early and late-maturing varieties with an average fruit weight of 15–200 g (depending on the variety) also had fairly high yields, exceeding 4.5 kg/m². Most of the biochemical indicators in tomato fruits in 2020 turned out to be lower, with a significant difference at LSD05 compared to 2019. The varieties Velmoza and Olesya had the lowest acidity (0.6% each) and the highest sugar content (6.8% each) – they turned out to be the sweetest in taste. All early- and late-maturing varieties had superiority in ascorbic acid content – 28.0 mg/kg – and carotene – 6.0–8.5%. The smallest-fruited varieties, Shalun and Shakhtyor, had higher dry matter concentrations (6.9% and 6.7%). In 2021–2022, yield and biochemical composition were at the four-year average. Tomato productivity and fruit quality indicators for all 10 studied varieties were equivalent to or exceeded those of the standard medium-maturing variety, Metelitsa.

The study was conducted in 2022–2025 in the conditions of Middle Siberia with the aim of determining, within the framework of competitive variety testing, the ecological plasticity and stability of barley varieties in terms of grain protein content, gross protein yield per unit area, and thousand-grain weight, as well as ranking based on adaptability indicators. Nine varieties and one line of barley of early and modern breeding were evaluated. The technological indicators of the grain were determined by standard methods. For each parameter, 3 parameters of environmental plasticity (coefficient of variation Cv, stress resistance d, environmental plasticity b_i) and 4 parameters of environmental stability (homeostaticity Hom, indicator of the level and stability of the variety (ILSV), environmental stability σd², selection value of the variety S_c) were calculated. The varieties Biom, Oplot, Abalak (sum of ranks 20.0–25.0) had the greatest stability in protein content in grain, and the Morion variety had the greatest ecological plasticity (b_i = 1.51). The Oplot variety and the D-59-7505 line were classified as highly adaptive in terms of gross protein yield, with a total rank sum of 19.5–23.5. The responsive varieties Takmak and Morion turned out to be environmentally adaptive (bi = 1,12–1,24). In accordance with the set of adaptive properties (Cv = 7.54–7.94%, Hom = 574–623, ILSV = 173.1–200.4, σd² = 0.15–1.28, S_c = 37,4–39,9, sum of ranks 19,0–33,0), the highest value in terms of 1000 grain weight was shown by the varieties Morion, Biom, Oplot and the D-59-7505 line, the Buyan variety was distinguished by the greatest responsiveness (Cv = 14.92%, d = –12.40, b_i = 1.53). A reliable higher association of the protein content in the grain, gross protein harvest per unit area, mass of 1000 grains with the parameters of environmental stability (13.0–19.0%) was established. Therefore, the improvement of the studied grain indicators in the selection of new varieties will be ensured due to their adaptability.

The article presents the results of the release of acariphage Amblyseius andersoni Chant in apple tree plantations in the fight against the European red mite Panonychus ulmi Koch. Herbivorous mites are the dominant pests in the fruit agrocenosis. A high density of phytophages contributes to a decrease in the level of photosynthesis, disrupts the process of fruit bud formation, and causes a reduction in yield by 30–60%. Under conditions of continuous use of insectoacaricides and a limited set of approved active substances, a decrease in the resistance of phytophagous mites to the used agents is observed. An alternative way to fight is to release acariphages. As part of the research in 2024, the release of the predatory mite A. andersoni was carried out in the Renet Simirenko apple orchards at the agricultural stock company "Novomikhaylovskoye" in the Tuapsinsky district of the Krasnodar Territory. The experiment included three options with the introduction of the acariphage (paper cones, plastic cups, flooding method; application rate 125,000 pcs. /ha) and a standard option with the use of acaricides (Oberon Rapid, SC; MatrinBio, WS; Bitoxibacillin, P). At the time of the release of the predatory mite, the population of P. ulmi was at the level of the economic threshold of harmfulness and amounted to 3.8–3.9 individuals per leaf (ETH 3–5 individuals per leaf). In the options with the introduction of A. andersoni, all insecticidal treatments were canceled after the "balloon stage" phenophase. A count conducted on the 14th day after the release of the acariphage revealed a decrease in the number of European red mites by 28.0–46.2%, on the 28th day – by 58.0–79.5%, on the 48th day – by 89.7–96.2%. By the end of the growing season, in the standard variant after triple acaricide treatment, the population of P. ulmi amounted to 53.1–80.4%. Single individuals of P. ulmi were found in the experimental plot, which indicates the effectiveness of using A. andersoni.

Currently, the avian influenza virus continues to pose a global biological threat, affecting populations of wild and domestic birds, as well as mammals (including humans). Circulating strains of the virus have a negative impact not only on natural ecosystems but also on the economic sustainability of the agro-industrial sector. The constant genetic variability of the virus requires effective, fast, and reliable laboratory diagnostic tools. Despite its high accuracy, the "gold standard" of diagnostics—polymerase chain reaction (PCR)—has limited applicability both in laboratories with limited resource equipment and in field conditions due to the need for complex equipment and high qualification of personnel. The presented review examines loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) as a promising alternative for avian influenza virus monitoring both in laboratories with a limited resource base and in field conditions. The specified method allows amplification of nucleic acids at a constant temperature (60–65 °C), ensuring high speed of analysis (15–40 minutes), sensitivity, and specificity. A key advantage is the possibility of visual interpretation of the results using colorimetric indicators, which minimizes equipment requirements. Special attention is paid to modern modifications: RT-LAMP for work with RNA, multiplex formats, and integration with microchip platforms. Practical validation of the method confirms its analytical characteristics, comparable to RT-PCR, and effectiveness in monitoring studies. Thus, LAMP represents a technologically mature tool for rapid screening, capable of increasing the effectiveness of epizootiological surveillance. For its widespread implementation, standardization of protocols and their integration into official guidelines for veterinary control are necessary.

The purpose of this work is to assess the nutritional value of corn silage under the conditions of the Vologda region. In 2024, laboratory studies were conducted aimed at a comprehensive examination of this aspect and the detailed chemical composition of corn silage. The analyses were carried out in a chemical laboratory using modern high-precision equipment. The data obtained indicate the following chemical composition of the corn silage samples: crude protein content varied within 7.50–8.51% (r = 0.13–0.16); intestinal digestible protein (nXP) – 130.13–139.11 g/kg DM (r = 0.89–1.15); starch – 23.98–25.99% (r = 0.73–1.74); crude fiber – 21.42–23.56% (r = 0.24–1.02); NDF – 46.74–48.17% (r = 0.46–0.90); ADF – 25.65–28.01% (r = 0.36–0.83). The concentration of butyric acid ranged from 0.034 to 0.075%, the concentration of digestible organic matter is within 597.00 g/kg (r = 0.06–0.14), the values of fermentable organic matter range from 430.77 to 440.53 g/kg (r = 0.96–1.74). The content of lactic acid in silage remains relatively stable in all classes and close to the average regional value. This indicates the dominance of lactic acid fermentation, which is a favorable factor for feed preservation. A detailed analysis of the chemical composition of corn silage is critical for developing optimal diets for feeding farm animals. Knowing the exact quantitative and qualitative composition allows for the most efficient use of feed resources, minimizing costs and, as a result, increasing the economic efficiency of livestock enterprises.

This article presents the characteristics of the new Uldurginskaya breed of herd horses, which is used for meat production, based on key economically useful traits, compared with the original breed. The Uldurginskaya breed of herd horses was developed using the gene pool of the Russian Heavy Draft, Russian Trotter, and Transbaikal breeds on native Buryat mares. The genealogical structure of the newly created breed includes four main stud lines (Solovya, Tomo-Alaga, Mongola, and Chizha), as well as three related groups (Aga-Alaga, Sookhora, and Sagaan-Dylgete). It has been established that mature males and females of the Uldurginskaya breed are characterized by high body weight and conformation parameters. Thus, males have an advantage over their counterparts of the original breed in body weight by 13.8% (p < 0.01), height at the withers – 2.3% (p < 0.05), chest girth – 5.3% and metacarpal girth – 13.8% (p < 0.05), females – by 15.5 (p < 0.001); 0.9; 4.8 (p < 0.05) and 4.5%, respectively. It was revealed that young animals of the Uldurginskaya breed in terms of slaughter qua- lities have a reliable advantage over their counterparts of the original breed at the age of 6, 18 and 30 months: in pre-slaughter live weight by 17.2% (p < 0.01); 13.3% (p < 0.001) and 20.6% (p < 0.001); in chilled carcass weight – by 19.6; 17.6 and 26.0% (p < 0.001), in terms of slaughter yield – by 1.1 (p < 0.001); 1.9 (p < 0.01) and 2.1% (p < 0.01), respectively. The colors of the Uldurginskaya breed of horses are varied, with the predominant ones being dun (21.3%), chestnut (18.5), gray (15.2%), piebald (13.1%) and bay (10.3%). Individuals of the Uldurginskaya breed, along with increased values of body weight and exterior features, have excellent adaptive features and reproductive qualities. As a result of the study of economically useful and adaptive qualities, evaluation of morphometric para-meters, the desired type of horses of the bred breed was determined.

A laboratory prototype of an improved potato digger, equipped with tools and devices for working on rocky mountain soils, is presented. The technology and design documentation have been developed, and a laboratory prototype of the unit has been manufactured. The subjects of the research were the technology, the design of the unit, and the working parts (the main elevator and the mounting of the digging ploughshares). Technical examination and testing of the unit and the technology of the laboratory sample of the potato digger were conducted in September at the experimental plot in the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania during potato harvesting. The tests were conducted at several speeds of the MTZ-82 tractor on two variants: without weed vegetation and with a high degree of weed infestation. The indicators of test conditions and the functional performance indicators of the unit have been determined. The novelty of the proposed technical solution lies in the fact that, for the first time, the rigid attachment of the digging ploughshares to the frame of the potato harvester has been replaced with a floating one, i.e., with rubber cushions, and the design of the main elevator has been changed to a chain separator consisting of round links connected to each other in the longitudinal and transverse directions. The laboratory sample of the unit meets the agrotechnical requirements and the technical specifications. The conditions for testing a laboratory sample of a potato digger, the degree of contamination of the plot with weeds and stones, and the depth of the ploughshares' travel have been determined. The laboratory prototype of the modernized potato digger ensures increased durability, reliability, and longevity of the working parts, labor productivity up to 1.25 ha/h due to the quality of harvest harvesting, and also reduces the metal consumption of components when working on heavy and stony soils. The profitability of agricultural production increases by 15–20%.

Pneumatic seeding systems are the most popular for sowing, providing higher productivity per shift compared to mechanical seeders. However, these systems exhibit highly uneven seed distribution across the coulters due to the imperfect design of the secondary seed distributor. In this regard, using the methods of experiment planning on a stand for aerodynamic testing of the pneumatic transport system of a seeding complex, the process of distribution of sown seeds along seed pipes was studied with varying seeding rates and air flow rates in the discharge pipe. The test bench used is equipped with a secondary seed distributor from the Agrator-8500 pneumatic seeding complex with a passive cone deflector of the collector head with a radius of 61.8 mm. The seed application rate was regulated by changing the rotation frequency of the hopper's reel dispenser; the air flow rate was set by a damper installed in the stand's discharge pipe. During the tests, the seeding rate varied in the range from 50 to 75 kg/ha (equivalent to 200–300 kg/ha for the Agrator-8500 seeding complex with four secondary distributors), and the air flow rate ranged from 20 to 30 m/s. The obtained array of experimental data was expressed in the form of regression equations. According to the regression and variance analysis, the obtained regression model corresponds to the real process. The graphical interpretation of the experiment results is presented in the form of a three-dimensional graph and a two-dimensional section. It has been established that the best uniformity of sowing with a secondary distributor with a passive cone deflector is achieved at an air flow rate of 25–30 m/s and a seed sowing rate of 50.0–62.5 kg/ha (200–250 kg/ha for the entire Agrator-8500 seeding complex). A secondary distributor with a passive cone deflector mounted in its head ensures satisfactory seed distribution through the seed tubes to the seed drill coulters. The coefficient of variation for seeding unevenness does not exceed 13.4%.

The article presents the results of a study on the process of chemical mutagenesis of Triticum durum Desf. using sodium azide. Wheat seeds were treated with a sodium azide solution at a concentration of 0.5–5.0 mM. The solution was prepared by dissolving sodium azide in a phosphate buffer. The treated seeds were kept in the solution for 2, 3, 4, and 5 hours. After the exposure time, they were carefully washed with distilled water and planted for germination in sterilized Petri dishes. The effect of the mutagen was assessed according to physiological parameters during the seed germination period under laboratory conditions. Photosynthetic pigments were determined in an alcohol extract (95%), lipid peroxidation – by the formation of malondialdehyde. The results obtained showed that different concentrations of sodium azide significantly affect the germination of wheat seeds. In the control variant, the germination was 98%. At a sodium azide concentration of 0.5 mM, seed germination reached 96%, at a concentration of 1.0–2.0 mM – 60%. In the variants with a concentration of 3.0–5.0 mM, a decrease in germination to 20% was noted. It has been determined that the content of photosynthetic pigments (carotenoids, chlorophyll a and b) in the experimental variants differs significantly from the control values. Chlorophyll a showed a high sensitivity to the action of the mutagen. Sodium azide had a significant effect on the content of photosynthetic pigments and carotenoids only at a concentration of 2.0–5.0 mM. The available data indicate that the ratio of carotenoids to chlorophyll a decreased as a result of the increase in mutagen dose and exposure time. The effective concentration of sodium azide for the studied wheat variety has been established (2–3 mM). It has been found that high concentrations of the mutagen contribute to lipid peroxidation activity. The results obtained indicate that sodium azide causes changes in the morphophysiological indicators of durum wheat and inhibits growth processes.