The effect of basic tillage systems on fertility elements and arable land productivity in the cultivation of crops was studied. Research took place in 2017–2019 in a stationary experiment on the dark grey forest loamy soil of the Northern Trans-Urals. The observations were carried out during the seventh rotation of the grain-fallow crop rotation, namely bare fallow – winter rye – spring wheat – spring wheat – spring barley, spread in time and space. Moldboard, non-moldboard, combined, differentiated, minimum combined, stubble-mulch and surface soil tillage systems were studied. Various basic tillage systems did not affect significantly the agrophysical properties of soil during the research period with favorable precipitation conditions. At a very low N–NO₃ content, tillage did not have a large effect on the availability of the arable layer. Favorable conditions for phosphorus nutrition in the soil layer of 0–20 cm were formed by combined and surface soil tillage systems. The Р₂О₅ content with these systems was higher than with moldboard tillage, in the spring by 20.6–24.4%, in the autumn by 6.6–14.3%. Non-moldboard and stubblemulch tillage systems reduced the content of Р₂О₅  compared to the moldboard by 19.0–23.3%. The most stable positive results for grain yield from 1 ha of crop rotation area without fertilizers were obtained with moldboard (1.88 t/ha) and combined (1.84 t/ha) tillage systems. The yield of grain with the use of resource-saving tillage systems and with fertilizers was almost equal to moldboard system. The difference in productivity generally did not exceed 5%. Moreover, grain yield was 0.03–0.17 t/ ha higher when applying minimum combined tillage alternated with plowing and disk plowing, or when using stubble-mulch tillage than with moldboard system.

The influence of agricultural methods and soil and climatic conditions on soybean cultivation in the southern regions of the Amur Region was researched. Schemes of two-factor experiments to study the effectiveness of deepening the arable layer of soil during crop cultivation in 2014–2016 included the following options. Factor A – tillage: autumn – disk plowing or cultivation; spring disk plowing or cultivation; summer – inter-row cultivation with or without para-plowing. The options were combined in different ways, whereby the option of soil tillage with a disc harrow in autumn and spring was taken as control. Factor B: sowing with seeders SZ-5.4 and SP-3.6 L with row spacing (options – 15, 45 and 60 cm) with various tillage systems. In 2017–2018 experiments were carried out according to the following schemes. Factor A – tillage: in autumn tillage depth at 0.12 m with a disc harrower PM-8; in spring, before sowing – at 0.10 m (cultivator Case Tiger Mate 225 – control); autumn – tillage depth at 0.28 m (cultivator Lemken Karat 9/400); spring, before sowing – at 0.10 m (Case Tiger Mate 225). Factor B – seeding units included Amazon DMC 9000 (control); Amazon DMC 1200, Case Pro Disk 500 AFS, John Deer 1890, Lemken Solitair 12, Horsch Pronto 9 DC, Tom’ 12, SP-3.6 L. Deep autumn cultivation, in contrast with disk plowing, ensures a more favorable waterair regime for plants and an increase in soybean yield. Seeding units Case Pro Disk 500 AFS, John Deer 1890, Amazon DMC 9000 and SP-3.6 L used in combination with Lemken Karat 9/400 + Case Tiger Mate 255 machines for deepening the arable layer provided an increase in soybean yield by 25.0–38.3% compared to soil tillage with discs. It is recommended to use wide-span seeding units for soybean cultivation in large and medium-sized farms in fields with subdued relief in accordance with high-intensity technology. It is advisable to use SP-3.6 L seeder with a seed shoe for organic crop production in small-scale agricultural enterprises.

The influence of abiotic factors and genotype on the quality of barley yield was studied. The research was conducted in various agroclimatic conditions at two state variety-testing sites in 2019. The first is located in the steppe zone of foothills on the ordinary and southern chernozems of the Republic of Khakassia, the second – in the forest-steppe soilclimate zone of the Republic of Tuva. During the experiment, a more contrasting difference in the daily temperature range in the conditions of Tuva was noted. The following varieties of spring chaffy barley of Siberian breeding were used as an object of the study: Uvatsky, Krasnoyarsky 91, Emelya (multi-rowed), Acha, Biom, Tanay, Buyan, Takmak, Abalak, Olenek (two-rowed). Production characteristics of the varieties (weight of 1000 grains, yield), the content of protein, sugars, fat and fiber in grain were determined by using standard methods. More stringent conditions for growing plants in the Republic of Tuva, compared to the Republic of Khakassia, caused a 20% decrease in the weight of 1000 grains and yield, a 47% decrease in protein content in grain, and an increase in the accumulation of fat and fiber in it (by 24 and 48%, respectively). When growing barley in Tuva, less significant intervarietal differences were noted in the production characteristics of the crop and in the content of valuable substances in the grain (except for protein). Varieties of barley with a high content of valuable substances in grain for cultivation in the Republic of Tuva in contrasting climatic conditions were determined. Variety Krasnoyarsky 91 was recommended (there was no decrease in the mass of 1000 grains and the level of productivity) and Biome (the smallest decrease in protein content, the largest increase in the content of fat and sugars in grain).

The results of the research into the yield of common hop varieties (Humulus lupulus L.) in the conditions of the southern part of VolgaVyatka region are presented. The study of adaptive potential and yield variation coefficient (V) was carried out on 250 hop samples from various regions of Russia and 17 foreign countries. The experiment was carried out in three layouts in 1989, 2004, 2018 (third year of life) and in 1990, 2005, 2019 (fourth year of life) in a collection nursery in Chuvash Republic. The plantations of the hop variety collection were located on the dark-grey forest heavy loamy soil with an average level of fertility. The soil of the nursery was weakly acidic, the feeding area was 2.5 × 1.2 m. The collection of hop varieties consists only of female plants and is kept in the live form. Weather conditions in the vegetation season of the growth and development of hop plants during the research period varied from year to year. The most favorable meteorological data for crop cultivation was recorded in 2019. The hop cultivation technology recommended in the region was used in the collection nursery. The study of varieties by ripeness groups was carried out as compared with the standard variety Podvyazny (Russia). Among the hop samples studied in three layouts, it was found that the mid-ripening variety Kruglyak-Seryak (Ukraine) (1.76) has the maximum adaptability, and Serebryanka Kalistovskaya (Russia) in the fourth year of life (V = 1.70%) has the best stability. These samples are recommended for breeding of environmentally sustainable varieties of hops.

The study was conducted in the Primorsky Territory in 2017-2018 in the corn crops of the hybrid population P 8521 for grain. The soil of the experimental plots was meadow-brown podzolized, containing 3.5% humus in the arable horizon. Agricultural technology used was based on non-moldboard soil tillage system. The predecessor was soya. Adengo herbicide was used before seedling, in phases of 2-3 and 5-6 leaves in corn. The experiment was carried out in two plots: the first grown with weeds, at a consumption rate of 0.5 l/ha, the second – clean from weeds with regular manual weeding, at a consumption rate of 0.5 and 1.0 l/ha (twice the recommended rate). The infestation of the first plot averaged 272–626 plants per 1 m 2 with a total above-ground mass of 4181–4305 g/m2 . About 80% of weeds were annual grasses and common ragweed. Adengo herbicide, applied after sowing and before seedlings of corn and weeds, prevented the germination of St. Paul’s wort, velvet leaf, lamb’s quarters and smartweed. Common ragweed, Asian copperleaf and annual grasses sprouted 96, 65 and 78%, respectively, less than in the control. When applying treatment in the phase of 2–3 leaves in corn, the herbicidal activity of the preparation increased compared to its preemergence application from 46 to 71%. When applied during these periods, Adengo did not affect perennial dicotyledonous weeds. The main advantage of the studied preparation, applied in the 5–6 leaf phase, was herbicidal activity against perennial dicotyledonous weeds – the creeping thistle and field sowthistle. When using Adengo in phases 2–3 and 5–6 leaves, 5.34 and 5.46 tons of grain/ha were saved, respectively, which was more than when it was applied before germination at 4.76 t/ha (in the control 0.76 t/ha). In the second weed-free experiment, the phytotoxic effect of the herbicide on corn plants, regardless of the timing of application during the growing season, reduced grain yield. In all variants with the use of the preparation, 0.08–0.78 t/ha less grain was received than in the control (without herbicides – 8.64 t/ ha). When Adengo was applied in the phase of 5–6 leaves at a consumption rate of 1.0 l/ha (twice the recommended value), corn plants significantly lagged in growth and development; the obtained yield was by 0.78 t/ha lower than the control variant. In practically all variants of the experiment, the weight, length of the ear and the number of grains from it, and the mass of 1000 grains were recorded significantly less than in the control.

Long-term studies (2012–2018) of cultures of microscopic fungi (dermatomycetes) isolated from clinically sick cats were carried out. Samples of biomaterial were taken from domestic animals with signs of skin and coat damage in veterinary clinics of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Molecular genetic studies, species identification and determination of the properties of selected cultures were carried out in accordance with the approved methodological recommendations and with the use of determinants of pathogenic and potentially pathogenic fungi. Cultural-morphological (phenotypic), keratinolytic, biochemical and molecular genetic properties of the main species of microscopic fungi that cause dermatomycosis – Microsporum canis were studied. As a result of research, four strains of the fungus Microsporum canis, 13 Kz, 376 Kz, 384 Kz, and 428 Kz, were obtained. The studied strains were characterized by a variety of phenotypic properties (they formed colonies with different morphology on nutrient media and had a different color of air and substrate mycelium), as well as similar microstructures (they had septate bamboolike mycelium with characteristic branching, bilayer spindle-shaped macroconidia), biochemical properties (the presence of high saccharolytic and urease activity) and keratinolytic activity. Phenotypic characteristics fully corresponded to the culture of the microscopic fungus Microsporum canis. Molecular genetic studies established the identity of the sequences of the obtained strains of the fungus Microsporum canis 13 Kz, 376 Kz, 384 Kz and 428 Kz with the sequences of strains EU181444.1, EF581130.1 and EF581129.1 published in GenBank. Molecular genetic studies made it possible to identify the cultures of dermatomycetes that were obtained as an anamorphic stage of Microsporum canis, as well as a teleomorph known as Arthroderma otae.

The indicators of productivity, survival rate and behavior of young bulls of Hereford breed were studied in a comparative aspect when they were raised in winter in the northern part of Kolpashevsky district of the Tomsk region. During the housing period, low average air temperatures were observed: from 20°С in October to –50°С in December – January and –49°С in February. Bulls of the control group were kept in a unit of the "three-wall" type during wintering, while bulls of the experimental group – in a lightweight unit. The increase in live weight of bulls of experimental group was 2.2 times higher than that in the control group, the slaughter weight was by 68.3 kg and the weight of internal fat was by 6.0 kg more than in the control. In the experimental group, the survival rate of bulls before slaughtering was 2 times higher than that in the control. In terms of live weight, experimental animals from the age of 15 months to slaughter exceeded the control group by 19%. Ethological studies showed that different types of housing units had a significant impact on animal behavior. The feed intake of the bulls of the control group was shorter by 54 minutes, (15%) than that of the experimental group. Animals also spent 95 minutes (20.21%) less on chewing cud compared to the experimental bulls. When kept in a lightweight type of unit, bulls were in motion for a longer time, as a result of which they rested 45 minutes less, which contributed to the increase in the metabolic processes in the body. The animals of the experimental group spent 50 minutes longer on eating food in comparison with the bulls in the “three-wall” unit. The air temperature in a unit of the "three-wall" type was close to the ambient air temperature, wherein the bulls spent most of their time lying down. The profitability of growing bulls in the experimental group exceeded the control indicator by 1.6 times. In the light-type premises, the housing conditions of bulls in the winter period at extremely low air temperatures were most favorable.

The paper presents of the results theoretical and field study of the ring of a ring roller when it slides across the field at the angle of attack. By calculation, the sliding speed of the roller ring is determined depending on the technical and kinematic parameters of the ring. The analysis showed that the sliding speed of the roller ring depends on the angular velocity of the roller, the diameter of the ring, the angle of attack of the ring and the depth of soil tillage. The sliding speed is also influenced by changes in soil moisture and hardness, its mechanical composition, speed of movement and the shape of the working bodies. Field studies were performed on medium loamy leached chernozem soil of Novosibirsk Region. The experiment was carried out with rings that are used on the Leader tillage units and ring harrows Leader BKM-3.6 and Leader BKS-8. The study was carried out in two periods. The first period was characterized by relative soil moisture of 19.4% and soil density of 1.0 g/cm³ , the second – by moisture content of 14.0% and density – of 1.35 g/cm3 . The slip coefficient was determined for rings with a diameter of 500, 600 and 700 mm at operating speeds of 2, 2.8 and 3.3 m/s, the angle of attack of the ring was set to 20, 25 and 30 degrees. The most rational parameters of rings for harrows were established: ring diameter – at 600 mm; angle of attack – at 25 degrees; working speed in soil with density of 1.0 and 1.35 g/cm³ – 3.3 m/s. For tillage machines with rollers with a diameter of 500 mm, it is recommended to set the angle of attack of 20 degrees. The working speed in the soil with density of 1.0 g/cm³ should be 3.3 m/s, with density of 1.35 g/cm³ – 2.8 m/s.

In order to solve the problem of the land agroecological estimation (natural resources potential) automation and artificial information system development, it is necessary to make the domain knowledge (DK) conceptualization, or conceptual modelling. The unified modelling language (UML) was chosen as a descriptive system. Three abstract objects (class, attribute and relationship) were selected to describe 33 concepts for land plot basic natural characteristics and 13 significant nature process aspects regulating changes of those characteristics. For 6 DK concepts abstract object “class” was chosen, for 27 DK concepts – “attribute”, for 13 nature process aspects – “relationship”. Class “land plot” is a central one interacting with the other 5 classes: “relief”, “agrometeorological resource”, “soil”, “erosion”, “vegetation”. All classes and attributes interdependencies are described by relationship classification of 3 types. The first type is dependency relationship showing on UML diagrams a directed connection between two classes towards the main class, which means that changing the main class properties implies changing the dependant class properties; the second type is association relationship, which is any relationship showing connection characterized by almost any verb of the Russian language; the third type is composition relationship showing connection between composite and its part and is always directed to the composite, where deletion of the composite class implies deletion of all parts. Optimization of the DK conceptual model described by means of UML diagram is a permanent process, thus new classes and concepts can be added to the model throughout the time.

The study was conducted to identify eight informative parameters of the electrical impedance of strawberry leaf tissue: active and reactive resistance in series and parallel circuits of the measurement object electrical model, phase shift, capacitance, loss tangent, impedance module. These parameters are associated with the action of fungi pathogens of garden strawberry spots Ramularia tulasnei Sass, Marssonina potentillae (Desm), Dendrophoma obscurans (Ell. & Ev.) Anderson). Diagnosis of diseases was carried out by visual analysis of symptoms and microscopic analysis of the sporulation of fungi pathogens. The study was carried out using a precision impedance analyzer WK 6505B in accordance with the developed technique. The bio-impedance parameters of the strawberry leaf tissue were measured using sensor electrodes placed on the upper side of the leaf with a constant clamping force. Each parameter of the tissue bio-impedance on the leaf surface was measured when electrodes were installed to the right and left of the central leaf vein. To reduce the contact resistance between the electrodes and the leaf surface, the electrodes were lubricated with a special electrode gel. There were 2624 dependences obtained of the bio-impedance parameters of healthy leaves and the ones affected with white, brown, and angular spots of three varieties of garden strawberry (Eliani, Tanyusha, and Darenka). The variance analysis of the average values of the data revealed that the most informative part of the changes in all parameters lies in the low-frequency region of α-dispersion of bio-impedance: from 20 Hz to 10 kHz. It is proposed to use reactive impedance measured in the low-frequency region of α-dispersion of bioimpedance as the main informative parameter of bio-impedance for detecting spots. With this reactive impedance, extreme values of its change appear for healthy leaves of garden strawberries and the diseased ones. The results of the research will be used to create a device for the early diagnosis of spots of wild strawberries.

The results of studying the genetic diversity of local breeds of farm animals are presented. The object of research is the Gorno-Altai mutton-wool breed of sheep, maximally adapted to the harsh climatic conditions of the Altai mountains, and year-round pasture use. The breed is rich in milk, which ensures high survival rate of young animals. The genes and their polymorphic variants associated with breeding traits of sheep were studied. The genes of Calpastatin (CAST), Somatotropin (GH), and differential growth factor (GDF9) are considered as promising genes marking qualitative and quantitative traits of meat productivity in sheep. The analysis of the DNA diagnostics results revealed that the polymorphism of the CAST, GH, GDF9 genes is represented by two alleles, M and N; A and B; A and G, respectively, and three genotypes – MM, NN, MN; AA, BB, AB; AA, GG, AG with different frequency of occurrence. The frequency of the desired N allele of the CAST gene was 27.5%, the B allele of the GH gene 37.5%, and the A allele of the GDF9 gene 45.0%. A comparative analysis of the level of actual and theoretical expected heterozygosity indicates the ambiguity of the nature of their distribution depending on the gene. The highest indicators of actual and expected heterozygosity were characteristic of the GDF9 gene, which amounted to 0.538 and 0.651, respectively, against 0.290 and 0.368; 0.290 and 0.445 for the CAST and GH genes. The highest (36.9%) degree of genetic variation (V) was characteristic of the GDF9 gene at 24.4%, and 28.3% for the CAST and GH genes. The variability of the heterozygosity test changeability in the studied genes was noted to be not significant: from minus 0.08 for the CAST gene to minus 0.15 and minus 0.11 for the GH and GDF9 genes, which indicates a certain lack of heterozygotes. The research results showed the prospect of including testing, selection and assortment of the studied genes into breeding programs for improving the Gorno-Altai breed of sheep.

The methodology for assessing levels of land productivity in terms of cost recovery is presented in theoretical and practical aspects. Based on the method for grading the yield of agricultural crops, methodological approaches have been proposed to substantiate the indicators of four productivity levels, which form four zones: unprofitable, moderate, rational and optimal yield. At the breakeven point, whereby revenue from sales and total production and sales costs are equal, the company does not incur losses, but does not receive profit either. After overcoming the breakeven point, the enterprise begins to make a profit with each subsequent unit of production. In the zone of moderate productivity, the company makes a profit which allows simple reproduction. In the zone of rational productivity of land, the profit of the enterprise provides for a partial upgrade of production, necessary in conditions of expanded reproduction. To conduct an extensive upgrade of the production base in conditions of expanded reproduction, the enterprise should reach the optimal level of yield. Formulas are given by which enterprises can forecast their profit per unit of area as a multiple of fixed costs. A number of examples for calculating different levels of crop yield based on a case study of a particular enterprise in 2018 are presented. The suggested method will allow researchers to substantiate economic evaluation of yield levels achieved for each type of crop cultivated at any given agricultural enterprise. This methodology will also provide specialists of agricultural enterprises, teachers and students of higher educational institutions with modern methodological tools for the economic assessment of yield levels for cultivated crops.