The article presents the results of the study of growth-stimulating and antifungal activity of strains Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. fukuokaensis ssp. morrisoni, ssp. toumanoffi, ssp. dakota and ssp. amagiensis. The positive effect of all studied strains on morphometric parameters of spring rape and spring wheat seedlings was revealed. Treatment of spring rape seeds with spore-crystal mixtures of B. thuringiensis contributed to a significant increase in the length of roots by 1.93.4 times and sprouts – by 1.3-1.9 times, depending on the strain. Stimulation of plant growth was also observed in the inoculation of spring wheat seeds with suspension strains of B. thuringiensis. However, a significant positive effect was revealed only in the variant with the use of the strain of B. thuringiensisssp. fukuokaensis. There was a downward trend in the number of spring wheat seedlings affected with root rot when the seeds were treated with the strains of B. thuringiensisssp. morrisoni, ssp. dakota, ssp. amagiensis. In the experiments with pure cultures it was found that all tested strains of B. thuringiensis showed a high degree of antagonistic activity to two types of phytopathogens. The inhibitory activity of the strains of B. thuringiensis on the 10th day of the experiment with regard to Fusarium oxysporum ranged from 68 to 83%, Alternaria alternata – from 71 to 89%. The analysis showed that all studied strains of B. thuringiensis stimulated the growth of plants of spring rape and spring wheat and showed antifungal activity. The obtained data are of interest for further research in order to create multifunctional biological preparations for plant protection.

The studies were conducted in the northern forest-steppe of the Baraba lowland on the territory of Novosibirsk region. The genetic profiles of crusty solonets on virgin soil and arable land were analyzed. Soil samples were selected in 2015-2016 from genetic soil horizons on the depth of 100 cm, then drilling every 20 cm to the groundwater. The effect of long-term application of agrobiological soil reclamation method on solonets profiles was studied on the experimental site. The stationary experiment was laid in 1987. The study of the morphological structure of soil profiles and the physicochemical properties of crusty solonets subjected to long-term agrobiological reclamation showed that certain changes occurred in the soil profile. The columnar structure of the solonets (illuvial) horizon was destroyed by agro-technical treatments and plant roots. In addition, under the action of agrobiological soil reclamation, the physicochemical properties of the soil changed. It was established that the concentration of calcium ions in the soil absorbing complex of the solonets (in the illuvial) horizon increased from 27.1 to 64.5%, and the content of sodium and magnesium cations decreased from 38.2 and 26.4 to 32.4 and 1.1% respectively. Solonets turned into residual type from the multi-sodium one. The effect of agrobiological soil reclamation became evident in the change of the overall medium reaction. On the virgin soil, the pH value in the solonets horizon (45-60 cm) was 9.1, while on the arable land it was only 6.5. The agrobiological method of soil reclamation not only increased the productivity of agrolandscapes, but also had a positive impact on the physicochemical properties of the solonetz soils of Baraba lowland and their genetic profile.

The paper presents the results of research (2015– 2018) into the main factors affecting efficiency of agrocenosis of spring common wheat, cultivar Siberian Alliance, with various systems of soil tillage and renewable bio-resources in a grain-fallow rotation. The research was conducted in the northern forest-steppe of Kuznetsk Depression in a threecourse grain-fallow crop rotation (fallow-wheatpeas-barley, barley intercropped with melilot) in a long-term stationary experiment. Various soil tillage systems were applied (deep moldboard, deep combined, minimum combined, minimum moldboard) preceded by bare fallow and green-manured fallow with rape and melilot. The soil of the experimental plot was leached chernozem. Crops of spring common wheat were sown with all types of soil tillage systems by the tillage and sowing machine Tom’5.1. It was revealed that the main factor influencing the yield of spring common wheat is water availability in the planting periods – full tillering, (r = 0.9579), beginning of earring – yellow ripeness, (r = 0.9611; R = 0.9500). A positive effect on wheat productivity was made by cellulosolytic activity and soil structure. The direct correlation between these factors and the crop yield was established, r = 0.6366 – 0.7298 and r = 0.6343 – 0.7103 respectively. A negative effect on the yield of wheat was made by the development of root decay (Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoem), (r = – 0.4808). It was established that alongside the above-mentioned fac tors, the significant effect on productivity of spring common wheat was made by the systems of soil tillage (72.4%,) and the predecessor (22.0 %). The optimum conditions in agrocenosis of spring common wheat for formation of its yield during the years of research proved to be created by green-manured fallow (with rape) with minimum moldboard and deep moldboard soil tillage (2.72 and 2.78 t/ha respectively), which is 0.55 and 0.51 t/ha higher compared to analogous soil tillage systems preceded by bare fallow – control. Minimum moldboard soil tillage has an economic advantage over others with profitability of 193.6% and production cost at 5,000 rubles per 1 ton of grain.

The paper presents the results of research into complex effect of organic fertilizers (decomposed cattle manure) in different doses with the biological preparation Flavobacterin on agrochemical parameters and biological activity of permafrost soils in the cultivation of the recognized potato variety Varmas. Field experiments were carried out in 2016–2018 on permafrost chernozem-meadow light-loamy saline soils of the Central Yakut lowland of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The yield of potatoes increased with the application of manure in the dose of 60 t/ha and biological preparation Flavobacterin by 61.4%, control (without fertilizers) – 9.7 t/ha. In the variant: manure 40 t/ha + biopreparation Flavobacterin, the yield amounted to 13.0 t/ha; when treating with the biological preparation – 10.7 t/ha. The use of organic fertilizers in different doses in all studied variants increased the content of phosphorus, potassium and total nitrogen in the soil compared to the control. Combined application of organic fertilizers and biological preparation Flavobacterin increased the biological activity of permafrost soils by 2.9–4.7 times. The intensity of the biological activity of permafrost soils in all years of research was observed during the growing season of crops. The number of soil microorganisms reached its maximum in July and decreased at the end of the growing season (early September), due to the peculiarities of the hydrothermal regime of the soil under study. To preserve soil fertility, it is recommended to use organic fertilizers in combination with the biological preparation based on agrochemical parameters of permafrost soils.

The results of research into the creation of a new cultivar of spring common vetch Obskaya 16 are presented. The work was carried out in the period 2014-2017. The goal was set to create a new earlyripening variety with а high fodder and seed productivity, high protein content, and an even ripening of seeds. The vetch cultivar Obskaya 16 was created by the method of hybridization on the basis of genetically different and ecologically-distant genotypes with subsequent multiple selection according to the specified parameters from the Kamalinskaya 611 × Novosibirskskaya hybrid populations. The vetch cultivar Obskaya 16 combines early ripeness with high fodder and seed productivity. The length of the growing season of the new cultivar is, on average, 81 days, which allows for the production of certified seeds annually. During all the years of testing in breeding nurseries, the new cultivar surpassed the standard Kamalinskaya 611 in green mass by 41%, in dry matter by 40%, and in grain by 27%. This cultivar is of mowing type, its average seed yield is 2.43 t/ha, green mass 28 t/ha, dry matter – 5.82 t/ha. The main economic and valuable characteristics of the Obskaya 16 cultivar are as follows: the height of the stem is 85-120 cm, the number of internodes is 19-25, the height of attachment of the lower seed pods is 78 cm. The average number of seed pods per plant is 24, the maximum is 46, the average number of seeds per a seed pod is 7-8. The mass of 1000 seeds is 72.6 g. The colour of the seed coat is mainly black velvet (92%) and brown (8%). Crude protein content is 25.3–30.5%. In 2016 the cultivar of spring common vetch was passed to the state variety testing under the name Obskaya 16. The newly created cultivar surpasses the previously recognized varieties in the region by early ripeness, fodder and seed productivity, as well as high fodder quality.

The paper presents biological, economic and technological characteristics of the new spring common wheat cultivar Sibirskaya 21. Breeding work on the creation of the cultivar was carried out in Novosibirsk region on chernozem soils of the forest-steppe zone in 2004-2012 preceded by bare fallow. Observations and studies were carried out according to the conventional methods in comparative analysis with the standard cultivar Novosibirskaya 31. Cultivar Sibirskaya 21 was created by a single individual selection from a hybrid population (Novosibirskaya 67 × Udacha) × Sibirskaya 17, obtained as a result of intraspecific hybridization by the Tvel method and the estimation of recombinants in yield, intensity of plant productivity elements, flour-baking qualities of grain and resistance to the fungal pathogens on a provocative background to artificial infection. Cultivar Sibirskaya 21 is a variety of Lutescens. It is a mid-early cultivar, with the growing period of 72-82 days. Plant height is 95-105 cm. The average yield in fallow over the years of competitive variety testing amounted to 3.27 t/ha, which is 0.57 t/ha higher than the standard. The maximum yield was 6 t/ha. The cultivar is characterized by high drought resistance. In the highly arid year 2012, the yield was 1.97 t/ha, which is higher than the standard by 0.59 t/ha. Baking qualities of grain are average. The weight of 1000 grains is 29.0-37.0 g. The nature of the grain is 750-800 g/l. The content of crude gluten is 28.0 – 36.0%. The volume output of bread is 500-640 cm3/100 g. The total baking score is 3.7-4.2 points. The cultivar is resistant to covered and loose smut, slightly susceptible to powdery mildew, and moderately susceptible to leaf brown rust. The cultivar is included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements for the West Siberian region. It is recommended for cultivation in different areas of the Altai territory, Novosibirsk and Omsk regions.

The paper presents the results of breeding work (1996-2017) on creation of the highly adaptive, polyvitaminic variety of sea-buckthorn Yakhontovaya. The variety testing was carried out in typical climatic conditions of the forest-steppe of Priobye of Novosibirsk region on medium-textured medium-humus medium-loamy leached chernozem. The sea-buckthorn variety Yakhontovaya was obtained as a result of free pollination from a selected form of the Katun population and was passed for the state variety testing in 2004. The plant is characterized by high adaptive capacity, winter hardiness, stable yield (> 8 t/ha), and wiltresistance. Berries are only slightly damaged by seabuckthorn fly (Rhagoletis batava obscuriosa Kol.). They have a late term of ripening with dry separation from branches. Due to the high content of sugars, carotenoids and good technological properties, berries are suitable for processing, freezing and fresh consumption. The berry pulp may contain oils up to 4.2%, carotenoids 45.5 mg%, sugars 7.9%, vitamin C 222.7 mg%. A distinctive feature of the variety is the compactness of the crown, which provides for the high density of the yield (1.32 kg/m3) and the possibility of using compact space for planting in the garden of 1.5 (1.2) x 4.0 (3.0) m. The high coefficient of productivity (36 g/10cm) makes it possible to recommend the Yakhontovaya variety for semi-mechanical harvesting – selective cutting of branches with berries. According to the assessment results of distinctiveness, homogeneity and stability, the variety was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements in 2013. According to the results of the state variety testing in 2017, the variety Yakhontovaya was acknowledged as suitable for cultivation in the West Siberian region.

The urgency of introduction of a new fodder crop, Festulolium, into the agricultural production of Western Siberia is substantiated. Festulolium (Festulolium Aschers F.. et Graebn.) is a new fodder crop in domestic feed production developed in the All Russian Williams Fodder Research Institute. It was obtained by hybridization with the genera Festuca – fescue, and Lolium – ryegrass. The external characteristics of the new crop are given. On the basis of the literature data, the main morphotypes of Festulolium are analyzed and identified. They are the morphotypes of Italian ryegrass, pasture ryegrass, reed fescue and meadow fescue. Fescueryegrass hybrid (Festulolium) is currently a valuable fodder crop, which, when harvested for feed in the early phases of vegetation, is characterized by a high content of exchange energy, protein and fat in the green mass. Good leafiness of this crop ensures high nutritional value of the feed. In 1 kg of dry matter, Festulolium contains 0.82 feed units, 12-18% crude protein, as well as all the necessary amino acids. Water-soluble carbohydrates are mainly fructose. High efficiency of cultivated pastures on the basis of Festulolium is noted. Festulolium in mixtures with red clover provides up to 7.2 t/ha of dry matter and the collection of protein up to 1.27 t/ha. For early green feed in the pasture conveyor system, the use of Festulolium also proved to be effective. Festulolium is well ensilaged, the feed from this crop can be successfully used in diets of all animal groups. The energy value of properly prepared feed from Festulolium is 10.1 to 10.7 MJ of metabolizable energy in 1 kg of dry matter. Feed prepared from Festulolium has a high coefficient of digestibility.

Feed acidifiers are used in animal diets for the prevention of proliferation of intestinal pathogenic microorganisms and resulting gastrointestinal digestive disorders. These additives, containing organic acids, have also been found to improve productivity and feed efficiency in poultry. There is information about correlation between digestive enzymes’ activity and intestinal microbiota of meattype chickens. However, the exact mechanism of the beneficial impact of organic acids on the digestion system still remains understudied. The paper presents the results of experiments conducted on Hisex White chicken with chronic fistulae of the main pancreatic duct, fed on a diet supplemented with an acidifier containing 2-furoic acid. No significant effect of this acidifier was found on the digestive pancreatic function. The dynamics analysis showed that the chickens’ secretion rate of pancreatic juice after postprandial 30 minutes dropped by over two times in the testing period when using acidifiers in their diet. After 150 minutes this rate was lower by 27.3% compared to the control group, which corresponds the neurochemical phase of secretory regulation. Analysis of enzyme dynamics (amylase, lipase and protease) showed a slight increase in the activity of proteases in pancreatic juice (by 1.2- 12.4%), compared to the control group, in the phase of complex-reflex regulation of pancreatic secretory activity related to the recognition of the taste qualities of the feed. Feed conversion ratio in the test group of broiler chickens increased by 1.52% when using acidifiers in the diet. The result of the study showed that the use of acidifiers has a beneficial effect on chickens’ gastrointestinal digestion as well as an inhibitive action on intestinal pathogens.

The evaluation results of velvet antler productivity of Altai-Sayan maral breed brought to the Tuva Republic from the Altai breeding plant Abaiskiy are presented. Antler yield of marals of the Altai-Sayan breed was studied in connection with its acclimatization in the new habitat conditions. The studies were carried out in the maral breeding farm of the Republic of Tuva. Velvet antler productivity was determined during the cutting of stags’ antlers aged from 2 to 11 years old. Antler cutting on this farm is held for 6o days during a year. The first two cuttings of antlers were carried out in the last ten-day period of May in 2016 and 2018, which accounted for 0.54-0.87% of the total number of stags. The largest number of cuttings, namely 299, was done in 2016, which was 31.6% of the total number of stags. The average weight of antlers of the imported Altai-Sayan maral breed in the conditions of the Republic of Tuva in the first year of adaptation was as follows: at the age of 3 years old – 3.91 ± 0.13 kg; 4 years – 2.25 ± 0.11 kg; 5 years – 1.54 ± 0.08 kg; 6 years – 3.20 ± 0.17 kg; 7 years – 3.30 ± 0.12 kg; 8 years – 4.42 ± 0.23 kg; 9 years – 4.47± 0.11 kg; 10 years – 5.20 ± 0.28 kg; 11 years and older – 5.00 ± 0.21 kg. In the next three years, the weight of marals’ antlers gradually increased and by 2018, it was higher than that in 2015. Higher yield was observed from stags aged 7 to 10 years. The study showed that the average antler weight of the imported maral population was inferior to the indigenous Altai population of marals. The superiority of indigenous marals of Altai-Sayan breed compared to the population of marals imported from Altai at the age of 2 years old amounted to 1.1 kg (2 times); 4-5 years – from 0.9 to 1.3 kg (1.2 and 1.3 times); 6-7 years – from 3.1 to 1.8 kg (1.8 and 1.3 times); 8-9 years - from 2.7 to 1.6 kg (1.5 and 1.2 times); 10-11 years - from 2.5 to 3.4 kg (3.4 and 1.6 times). Despite the fact that marals brought to the Republic of Tuva were inferior to the indigenous Altai ones in their antler yield, their adaptation was successful. In most cases the differences in the weight of antlers were not significant and did not cause the decrease in the subsequent productivity of marals brought to Tuva. These data may serve as a criterion for evaluating the results of breeding work on increasing velvet antler productivity of imported marals.

Nowadays multi- and hyperspectral data of remote sensing is widely used in many countries worldwide for agricultural lands monitoring. The issue of their application for detection and assessment of infestation of agricultural crops, damage from diseases and weeds is understudied both in Russia and abroad. Early detection and accurate diagnosis of various wheat diseases are key factors in crop production, contributing to the reduction of qualitative and quantitative crop losses, as well as improving the effectiveness of protective measures. The paper presents a review of up-to-date methods for detecting diseases and assessing the extent of crop damage by remote sensing of wheat using optical imaging systems, the most promising of which is hyperspectral imaging equipment. The identification spectra of healthy plants and the ones with signs of damage from the main fungal diseases as well as the correlation of spectra with the degree of damage are shown. To be able to effectively use the results of diagnostics and detection of diseases, the informational value of the spectral indices of vegetation in the detection of diseases is presented. A table of vegetation indices is given, calculated from the values of reflection coefficients in wide and narrow spectral ranges when determining wheat diseases. The use of optical methods in the monitoring of the main fungal diseases of wheat will accurately identify lesions of crops, reliably diagnose diseases and the extent of plant damage from diseases, and thereby provide support to agricultural producers in decision-making on timely and effective crop protection measures. The results of the review will be used to develop digital technology of early detection and lesion focalization of spring wheat and other agricultural crops.

This article presents strategic goals of sustainable development of agriculture sector in Mongolia. It outlines relevance of application and implementation of advanced technologies in agricultural production, including smart farming, geo information systems and satellite navigation. In recent years, the researchers of Mongolian University of Life Sciences are actively working on developing climate adaptation technologies with regard to agricultural crops, as well as application of the latest achievements of biotechnology and genetic engineering to breeding of highly productive livestock. The first results have already been achieved. The urgent and current objectives of agriculture sector development of Mongolia involve application of certain elements of the Fourth industrial revolution to livestock and plant production sector of Mongolia, and implementation of a well-thought policy and measures on introduction of new technologies aimed at increasing production of environmentally-friendly organic product and its export, as well as protection and conservation of the environment.