The geomorphometric analysis of a relief was used to create a GIS database of farmlands by way of example of Omsk Region. The main sources of information on relief features were M 1:100000 and 1:50000 topographic maps. By the method of interpolating ANUDEM was developed a topologically correct digital model of a relief (DEM). The DEM contains the appropriate cards for the territory studied: hypsometric card; maps of the steepness and exposure of slopes; maps of plan, profile and general curvatures of the earth surface; cumulative runoff. The geomorphometric parameters characterizing the intensity of erosion processes (SPI index) and moistening of the territory (TWI index) were calculated. These geomorphometric parameters were used for the creation of the GIS database of farmlands. In terms of architecture, the database is a set of relational tables connected among themselves by “one-to-many” communications. Systematization of information on the relief was carried out in the GIS database with respect to the elementary surface topography. Elementary surfaces of the relief possess common properties of distribution of substance and energy flows over the earth surface, as they are selected taking into account characteristic lines and contrary flexure points in the relief. In the structure of the table of elementary surfaces of the relief, the fields that include quantitative and qualitative descriptions of geomorphometric parameters; data on soil types, free soil strata and the groundwater depth are defined. The unique identifier corresponding to the number of the elementary surface is used for implementing requests to attribute data of the tables.

The humus state of common chernozem in the pure and binary melilot crops was studied. The field experiment was carried out in 2013–2015 in the Krasnoyarsk forest steppe area. The effects of the pure and binary melilot crops on the humus state of soil were studied in the following crop rotations: barley – fallow + winter rye – winter rye; barley + melilot – melilot + winter rye – winter rye; melilot – melilot + winter rye – winter rye. The agroecosystems of crop-fallow and crop-grass rotation links functioning on the soil with high humus content determine varied replenishment of humus reserves. The binary crops of melilot and barley determine the increase in total carbon reserves by 4 per cent (111 t/ha) as compared with the pure melilot crops. The multidirectional character of water-soluble humus carbon dynamics is determined by the structure of a crop rotation, the amount of plant residues and hydrothermal conditions. Increased moisture reserves in common chernozem contribute to the enhancement of humus mineralization and decrease in its amount in soil. The seasonal dynamics of water-soluble humus in the arable layer of chernozem under the pure and binary melilot crops by 52–46 per cent is connected with the soil moisture dynamics. The melilot lifetime termination determines a relative increase in the water-soluble humus carbon content by 17–31 per cent. The pure melilot crops of the second year of lifetime form a pool of C_H2O reaching 0.51–0.59 tonnes of carbon per ha in the 0–40 cm layer of chernozem. 

Data are given from experiments on studying 16 breeding lines of pea of different morphotypes. There was studied relationship between yielding capacity and protein content in pea breeding lines of different morphotypes – leafy, leafless and chameleon. Investigations were carried out in 2012–2014 under conditions of West Siberian forest-steppe areas according to recommended techniques. Pea was sown at the optimal dates by the continuous drill sowing method. The placement of plots was systematic. The pea cultivars Novosibirets and Rus recognized for this agricultural area were taken as standards. It has been found that the current modified forms as a whole are not inferior to leafy samples in yield and protein content, and in some cases exceed them. When determining the protein content in grain, a tendency towards its reduction with the growth in productivity was revealed. There were selected the lines TM-1560, TM-1505, TM-1383, TM-1507, Titan x Taezhny combining high productivity (2.4–2.9 t/ha) and higher grain protein content (23.9–27.7%). The line TM-1505 (chameleon) with layered heterophylly is distinguished by higher parameters of the production process and increased biological potential. These lines are of practical value in breeding work for developing genotypes combining high levels of productivity and protein content under conditions of West Siberian forest steppe. The correlation analysis has revealed significant negative relationship (-0.72) between yield and protein content in lines with the usual type of the leaf in 2012. In the remaining years of study, no significant relationship between these traits was found.

Three variants of mountain ash (Sorbus sibirica Hedl.) seeds storage have been studied: air-dry seeds at room temperature; air-dry seeds in the thermostat at 1–3oC; and seeds dried up to 25% moisture in the thermostat at 1–3oC. The part of the seeds from each category was treated with phytohormones, gibberellic acid and kinetin solutions, the control seeds with distilled water. The freshly isolated (non-dried) seeds were used in the variants without storage. Continuous stratification at 1–3oC in the laboratory was used for seed germination. The seeds were germinated at 25oC in the intervals of 45, 75, and 105 days in cold stratification with the number of germinated seeds to be counted. It has been found that during the first 45 days of dry storage the seeds stopped responding positively to the treatment with phytohormones but showed the positive response to cold stratification. At further dry storage, sensitivity of seeds to phytohormones was gradually recovering but the reaction to cold stratification did not change. The freshly isolated (not dried) S. sibirica seeds treated with phytohormones have shown the highest percentage of germination of 87% with 105 days of stratification. To keep high sensitivity of S. sibirica seeds to phytohormones, they need to be stored moistened to 25% water content at 1–3oC. Under these conditions, the seeds were observed to show gradually increased sensitivity to cold stratification and reduced sensitivity to phytohormones. Storing seeds in these conditions for more than a year reduces sensitivity to phytohormones and cold stratification.

Results are given from theoretical and experimental studies on the effectiveness of forming a drill furrow at furrow band sowing of grain crops. The basic geometrical parameters of the drill furrow were determined depending on soil moisture and operating speed of a seeding unit. As the operating speed of the unit and soil moisture increase, the top furrow width (breakdown of the furrow) increases in a linear way practically, with that, the bottom furrow width decreases in a linear way as well. As the operating speed of the unit and soil moisture increase, the height of soil layer from the furrow bottom (presowing soil treatment depth) to the surface has a tendency to decrease. The maximum depth of seed placement was observed at the operating speed of the unit of higher than 8 km/h and soil moisture of more than 21 per cent. At soil moisture of 13–24 per cent and operating speeds of the unit of 6–10 km/h, the anchor openers together with cutout disks provide the realization of furrow band sowing against the mulched backgrounds with the following parameters of the drill furrow: the up furrow width of 147–175 mm, the bottom furrow width of 78–94 mm. With these values of operating speeds and soil moistures, the height of mulching layer above seeds made up 32–57 mm with the complete absence of seeds above ground. There is substantiated the use of the engineering tool with anchor-disk openers entering the soil at an acute angle and with diverse structural elements for placing seeds into the moistened soil horizon.

Results are given from multicriterion evaluation of using machine-and-tractor fleet of an agricultural enterprise when choosing its optimal structure. By way of example of a model farm located in Novosibirsk Region, there was carried out a calculation of the machine-and-tractor fleet structure by using the method for looking through the options of annual complex of operations. To carry out multicriterion evaluation, the following indicators were selected: costs for purchasing machinery, the number of machine operators and direct operating costs. To take into account these three indicators when evaluating the efficiency of options, an additive criterion was selected. The objective function is formed by adding the normalized values of the particular criteria multiplied by the significance coefficients. Since the particular criteria have varied physical nature and accordingly different dimensions, then when forming a generalized index we operate with not “natural” criteria but their normalized values, i.e. each parameter varies from zero to one. In order to determine the generalized index, expert assessments are used. Experts in assigning significance coefficients are heads of agricultural enterprises. An option, the objective function of which is minimal, is considered to be optimal. It has been established that the selection based on several indicators (criteria) and priorities makes it possible to choose the best option of using machinery and resources for a particular agricultural enterprise. The proposed method for multicriterion evaluation of the machinery use options combines expert technical and economic approaches.

Resulting from spring triticale breeding research under conditions of West Siberian forest-steppe areas near the Ob for the period of 2009–2013, a computer database containing information on productivity, product quality, resistance to diseases and pests, and other traits was formed. The initial material for breeding were intervarietal hybrids of hexaploid-based spring triticale derived from diallel crossings among the four spring triticale varieties from the collection of the N.I. Vavilov Research Institute of Plant Industry (Sokol Kharkovskiy, Ukro, Gabo, K-3881) as well as these varieties with Sirs 57 cultivar of winter triticale bred at the Siberian Research Institute of Plant Production and Breeding. A model of software algorithmic complex on triticale breeding was experimentally developed. Complex operation results allowed us to evaluate collection samples and select parental forms of spring triticale for hybridization when developing breeding material with a required combination of economic characters. The use of the software algorithmic complex made it possible to select the following initial forms of spring triticale: line K-3881 having the maximum value of total combining ability as to the trait of “the number of kernels per main spike”; intensive variety K-3881; plastic variety Ukro of the extensive type, which gives stable high yields under different conditions, and Sirs 57 x Ukro combination of breeding value.

There is given a mathematical model developed to form the optimal structure of machine-and-tractor fleet in an agricultural enterprise taking into account limitations in the number of machines and machine operators. There was developed a web complex PIKAT based on the mathematical model and intended for decision-making and on-line control of an agricultural enterprise. The structural arrangement of the web complex is given. This complex implements the following functions: calculates economic showings according to process charts with different initial data; checks the dates of process charts and availability of machine operators having appropriate qualification; evaluates the usable machinery to perform the predetermined tasks; chooses the optimal structure of machine-and-tractor fleet with the limitations of work fulfillment dates; compares the decision variants; responds on-line to changes in the enterprise’s activity conditions. There was created a database containing information on agricultural crops, tariff rates of machine operators, taxes and additional payments, fuel and lubricant prices, electrical energy cost, tractors, combines, agricultural machinery and units, machine operators, process charts, process operations, fertilizers and plant protection means. The approbation of the web complex was carried out at the farm “Elitnoe”, Novosibirsk Region. There were calculated the variants of the optimal structure of machine-and-tractor fleet as to direct costs and the number of machine operators. It is concluded that the web complex PIKAT makes it possible to carry out the necessary calculations in accordance with the demands.

Results are given from long-term studies on developing a non-waste technology for processing antlered deer products. The patented production process makes it possible to produce powders, water and water-alcohol extracts, and more high-tech bio-substances possessing properties of native raw materials. The dry matter yield from raw materials to bio-substances made up 40–94% with practically full solubility. There were examined biochemical and biological properties of the skin, antlers and hide of the antlered deer. The biological activity of the deer hide makes it possible to consider it as additional raw material when produced bio-substances. There has been developed and patented a technique of whole blood dispersion, which allows us to eliminate the processes of blood defibrination and finished product pasteurization. In order to expand a spectrum of functional nutrition products based on antlered deer raw stock, a study into the combination of hydrolysates and deer blood was carried out. Six new products have been developed and patented, the compositions of which include hydrolysates from deer raw stock in addition to whole blood. The pre-clinical studies of experimental substances on animals have shown the expressed tonic activity and high wound healing effect. The result of processing of antlered deer products is pomace, which is 1.3 times as high in protein content, 4.3 times as high in fat content and by 16.9% in amino acid content as the antlers. This raw material can be considered as a new easily digestible foodstuff. For the first time in the industry, the average weight of by-products, the yield of cured material after vacuum and infrared drying and losses of raw material due to its grinding were determined. The introduction of the results obtained into practice made it possible to produce and sell the eight new names of functional nutrition products based on antlered deer raw stock.

There is given a new technological decision for a farm producing beef for dietetic nutrition. Approaches, from the point of view of technology, to providing uniform deliveries of dietetic beef to consumers have been developed. In the primary stage of research efforts was carried out a comparative analysis of production performance in Hereford and Aberdeen Angus cattle from birth to weaning at the JSC Zaprudikhinskoe, Krasnozersk District, Novosibirsk Region. Such criteria as liveweight dynamics, average daily liveweight gain and conformation characteristics were used to assess animals. It was found that the average live weight of Hereford bull calves at 7 month of age made up 209.7 kg, that of Aberdeen Angus bulls 246.5 kg that exceeded the breed standards by 7.5 and 33.2%, respectively. The parameters of Aberdeen Angus cattle distinguished by precocity, the early formation of beef-making qualities and high slaughter yield were used as primary indices for calculating the technology. The herd turnover and structure in a new technological decision for 1000 Aberdeen Angus cows with a trail were calculated. There was suggested a movement cyclogram of cattle population by three-round calving during a year. The number of winter and summer feeding days and the amount of feeds annually required were determined. There was calculated the meat yield and deliveries depending on parameters of the technology to evenly supply consumers with dietetic beef under conditions of Siberia.

The effects of key factors of agricultural production and human capacity on the effectiveness of the agricultural sector were assessed. The choice of factors influencing sustainability and efficiency of agricultural production was substantiated. The multiple correlation and regression analysis of data from 43 municipalities of the Republic of Tatarstan for 5 years was carried out. Strong relationship between the factor indicators selected and the effective basis was found as evidenced by the coefficient of multiple correlations equal to 75.7 per cent. To expand possibilities of the economic analysis, the elasticity coefficients for each factor indicator were calculated. It is shown that the efficiency of the agricultural sector is greatly influenced by the indicator of personnel potential. In particular, the 1 per cent increase in average monthly wages of workers results in increasing gross product costs by 0.86 per cent. The indicators of agricultural production have a significant impact on the efficiency of the industry as well. The increases in harvesting areas and energy capacities by 1 per cent result in increasing gross product costs by 0.58 and 0.42 per cent, respectively. The results obtained could be used in strategic and on-line planning of agricultural production.

Based on archival records from Federal Security Service Administration for Novosibirsk and Omsk Regions, there are shown repression actions of the Soviet Party apparatus towards research workers of Western Siberia in the thirties. There are given facts unknown before, which allow us to discover the extent and character of prosecutions of agricultural scientists of that period, when a lot of them were declared participants of the counter-revolutionary conspiracy responsible for failures in socialist agriculture re-construction. Research activities in a number of agricultural research fields stopped conducting for decades. The names of scientists wrongfully subjected to repression, who were rehabilitated in the fifties and later because of failures to prove their faults, have been recovered.

The matters of red clover cultivation and breeding in Russia and Siberia from 1908 to 2015 were studied. There were developed new diploid- and tetraploid-based red clover varieties by using modern breeding methods such as induced mutagenesis, polyploidy, polycross method, ecological breeding and selections. The new varieties of early and late types are distinguished by winter hardiness, high productivity, and resistance to extreme environmental conditions of Siberia. The use of native varieties in the heterosis breeding of red clover allows developing diploid-based, winter-hardy and late-ripening high-yielding cultivars SibNIIK 10, Rodnik Sibiri, Atlant. The collection sample N 880 (USA) served as a basis for developing the cultivar Ogonek by the method of selection by correlated traits. By the method of ecological breeding (within the CBT Program “Klever”) were developed the eight genotypic mixtures of different maturity and ploidy. A new tetraploid-based, early-ripening, high-winter-hardy red clover cultivar Pamyati Lisitsyna has been developed, which exceeds the standard in dry matter yields for two cuts in total by 17 per cent. Resulting from the combination of mutagenesis, polyploidy, hybridization and selection methods, a tetraploid-based, early-ripening, two-cut cultivar Meteor was for the first time developed in Siberia. The yield of green mass for two cuts of this cultivar can be up to 70 t/ha. The use of modern breeding technologies makes it possible to highly effectively realize the genetic potential of red clover when developing new varieties under extreme conditions of Siberia.