The paper presents the results of the studies to assess the prevalence of root rots and yields of spring wheat in the forest-steppe zone of the Irkutsk region in field crop rotations on different back-grounds of fertilization and tillage practices. The experiment scheme: forecrops – fallow in crop rotation (fallow – wheat – oats), pea-oat mixture and corn in crop rotation (pea-oat mixture – wheat – corn – wheat); tillage methods – plowing with PLN-5-35 plow to a depth of 20-22 cm, BDT-3 disking to a depth of 12-14 cm; fertilization - no fertilizer, complete mineral fertilizer N45P45K45. The prevalence of root rot decreased on average for 3 years in the crop rotation with 33 % saturation of wheat and its sowing on a fallow forecrop in comparison with 50 % saturation in pea-oats by 6.1 %, in corn by 0.9 %; disc tillage compared to plowing in fallow forecrop by 11.8 %, in pea oats by 4.7 %, in corn by 9.2 %; on fertilized background in three-field crop rotation in fallow by 4 %, in pea oats by 1.9 %, in corn by 4.8 %. Statistically reliable highest yield of spring wheat was observed in three-field crop rotation with 33 % saturation of wheat on fallow at soil plowing, which is higher than similar soil treatment in crop rotation with 50 % saturation of wheat at sowing on pea and oat mixture by 31.3 %, on corn by 23.8 %. Application of mineral fertilizers N45P45K45 increased the yield, while tillage with discing and the forecrops such as pea and oat mixture and corn decreased the yield. Over the rotation, root rot incidence decreased from baseline with a concomitant increase in yield – with 33 % wheat saturated in the rotations by 9.0 % and 35.0 %, and with 50 % wheat saturated in the rotations by 6.6 % and 45.7 %. 

   The results of a comparative evaluation of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties obtained by different methods on control and provocative soil background for cadmium are presented. A total of 10 varieties were studied: Rodnik Prikamya, Novichok, Dina, Zazersky 85, Triumph, Tallon (hybridization and selection); Forward, Bionic, Vitrum (cell selection); In memory of Dudin (mutagenesis). The studies were carried out in 2021 under the climatic conditions of the Kirov region. Seeds of the plants of each variety were sown in vegetation containers filled with soddy-podzolic soil. Cadmium provocative background (6.4 ± 0.5 mg/kg) was created by adding cadmium acetate to the soil. The average yield of barley varieties in the control (soil background without cadmium) was 279 g/m²; against a provocative background – 216 g/m². Under the conditions of cadmium stress, the yield of hybrids decreased compared to the control by 12.2 %, regenerants – by 29.6 %, mutant – by 42.4 %. Among the studied varieties, the Bionic variety, which has a regenerated origin, showed a consistently high yield both on the control (334 g/m²) and cadmium background (263 g/m²). Productive bushiness of hybrid barley varieties against the control background varied from 2.8 to 4.1; in regenerants – from 3.4 to 4.8; mutant varieties – 4.3 pieces. Under the conditions of cadmium stress, productive bushiness decreased by an average of 2.7 – in hybrids; for 3.4 – for regenerants, for 2.6 pieces – a mutant. Bionic, regardless of the soil background, compared with other varieties, had the highest productive bushiness. Significant differences in the content of polyphenols in the grain of the studied varieties on the control and provocation soil background for cadmium were not revealed. Under the conditions of cadmium stress, a decrease in the content of flavonoids in grain was noted, as well as the accumulation of cadmium (0.29–0.92 mg/kg). Varieties of hybrid origin showed the ability to accumulate cadmium in grain to a greater extent.

   The results of the study of economically useful features of the plants of the semi-naked emmer wheat breeding lines (Triticum dicoccum (Schrank) Schuebl.) with purple pericarp coloring of grain are presented. Seven breeding lines F9, created by two-step hybridization of the purple-grain durum wheat with naked and awnless emmer, and five breeding samples of seminaked emmer wheat were studied. In the field experiments, plants were selected for selection valuable traits. Phenological observations, structural analysis, and evaluation of the quantitative traits of the plants of emmer wheat breeding forms with purple grain coloration were carried out from 2020 to 2022. Two-way analysis of variance showed significant factors - the breeding lines and the years of study. In the course of the study, it was found that for further breeding work, emmer wheat lines carrying a combination of economically important traits are of value. Short-stalked purple-grain form 27-1 is resistant to lodging, the yield of the grain - 80 %, the weight of 1000 grains – 34–37 g. Line 27–12 has grains with purple color, high grain-unit value of about 800 g/l and good grain productivity for emmer wheat reaching 400 g/m². Purple emmer line 31–16 has a good bushiness (3–4 pieces), short stalk (71–74 cm), high lodging resistance (4–5 points) and grain threshing capacity (80 %). From 2021 to 2022, the same studies were conducted with emmer wheat from the collection of the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR). The selection line of emmer wheat 41/14 was distinguished by the high indicator of threshed grains (85 %). The main disadvantages of the established forms of emmer wheat with purple-colored grains still remain relatively low grain yield, insufficiently strong ear shank, not complete grinding of the grain from the flowering glumes and husks. However, further breeding work can improve these traits, as well as increase the grain yield, the weight of 1000 grains and a more complete release of the grain from the chaff during threshing.

The results of the study of the adaptation potential of perennial fruit crops depending on climatic changes are presented. The physiological state of some pear varieties during summer periods in 2021, 2022 in the fruit plantations of the Krasnodar Territory were evaluated. Two Russian varieties (Flamenko, Luberskaya) and two European varieties (Conference, Williams) were studied. An experiment on artificially drying freshly harvested pear leaves at constant room temperature was conducted to amplify the negative effects of summer stressors. The relative water content of leaves and electrolyte leakage were determined before and after the stress according to generally accepted methods. It was found that relative humidity is an important factor for normal leaf development, and the change in its values in the summer months correlated with the variability of values of the stress parameter of pear leaves - electrolyte leakage. It was found that the widespread European variety Conference was the most susceptible to the effects of artificial stress. After a short drying period, this variety was characterized by a sharp increase in the electrolyte leakage to ~36 % on the background of a significant decrease in the relative water content in the leaves (71–73 %), due to the development of oxidative processes, leading to a violation of the integrity of cell membranes. Russian varieties Flamenko and Luberskaya, as well as the European variety Williams, on the contrary, by the studied physiological parameters had no strong differences (the change of physiological parameters was from 1.1 to 1.3 times), which allowed them to be identified as more resistant varieties to this type of stress exposure.

   The results of the study of the adaptation potential of perennial fruit crops depending on climatic changes are presented. The physiological state of some pear varieties during summer periods in 2021, 2022 in the fruit plantations of the Krasnodar Territory were evaluated. Two Russian varieties (Flamenko, Luberskaya) and two European varieties (Conference, Williams) were studied. An experiment on artificially drying freshly harvested pear leaves at constant room temperature was conducted to amplify the negative effects of summer stressors. The relative water content of leaves and electrolyte leakage were determined before and after the stress according to generally accepted methods. It was found that relative humidity is an important factor for normal leaf development, and the change in its values in the summer months correlated with the variability of values of the stress parameter of pear leaves - electrolyte leakage. It was found that the widespread European variety Conference was the most susceptible to the effects of artificial stress. After a short drying period, this variety was characterized by a sharp increase in the electrolyte leakage to ~36 % on the background of a significant decrease in the relative water content in the leaves (71–73 %), due to the development of oxidative processes, leading to a violation of the integrity of cell membranes. Russian varieties Flamenko and Luberskaya, as well as the European variety Williams, on the contrary, by the studied physiological parameters had no strong differences (the change of physiological parameters was from 1.1 to 1.3 times), which allowed them to be identified as more resistant varieties to this type of stress exposure.

   Immunological assessment of winter barley varieties sown in the south of Russia in relation to leaf net blotch infestation for further use in agricultural production has been carried out. Barley net blotch is dominant in the pathologic complex of barley diseases worldwide. The pathophysiological processes of infection development depend on the type of resistance of the variety. Net blotch on resistant varieties is noted as small dark rounded spots. Infection often occurs as a result of mechanical damage to the leaf plate. The symptoms of net blotch disease on a susceptible variety have a characteristic reticulate pattern with pronounced necrosis and extensive chlorosis. One of the main ways to protect crops from the disease is the cultivation of resistant varieties. The study was conducted during the  growing seasons of 2020–2022 on artificial infectious background in the sprouting phase phase of the vegetation experiment and in the adult plant on the natural infectious background in field conditions. 10 varieties of winter barley of domestic and foreign selection were selected. Immunological assessment in the sprouting phase revealed two varieties resistant to leaf net blotch, score: Vivat (1.7) and Kvant (1.6); the varieties Artel (3.8), Fox-1 (2.3) of domestic selection and Carioca (2.7) of foreign selection showed moderate resistance. Field moderate resistance was detected in four winter barley varieties, %: Vivat (18.3), Kvant (26.6), Marusya (19.9), Fox-1 (24.9). Immunological assessment of barley varieties recommended for sowing in the south of Russia is one of the main components in the strategy of increasing the efficiency of plant protection measures and improving the ecological component of crops.

   Monitoring of phytophages of corn crops in the conditions of Kabardino-Balkaria in the steppe arid zone for 2000–2021 was carried out in dynamics. It was noted that climate change in the direction of warming and significant increase in the areas of corn crops changed the phytosanitary situation, which led to the formation of foci of high numbers and harmfulness of cotton budworm. Control agents against cotton budworm and corn borer from different groups of chemical and biological compounds were studied. Protective measures were planned and implemented based on the predicted and actual phytosanitary situation in order to obtain ecologically cleaner and biologically nutritious grain products. Based on long-term observations, the outbreak of cotton budworm and corn borer was found to be periodic for 5 ± 1 years. This will allow timely spraying in years of maximum outbreaks of these pests. Determination of biological efficacy and competent rotation of the group of chemical insecticides will reduce their resistance to progressive pests on corn crops. Values of biological efficiency of insecticides in the variants of Voliam Flexi, SC and Avant, EC preparations corresponded to 97.1 and 95.6 %. The economic efficiency of the insecticides was evaluated by grain yield increment, where Voliam Flexi, SC, Avant, EC and Lepidocid, SC and had the values of 1.1; 1.0 and 0.5 t/ha, respectively. Long-term studies have established that yields depend on the degree of damage to cobs and corn grain by cotton budworm caterpillars. The reserve of significant increase of corn grain yield by 0.5–1.1 t/ha is the use of effective insecticides of chemical origin with low rates of consumption (Voliam Flexi, SC, Avant, EC). It has been revealed that 2-fold spraying with bioinsecticides Lepidocid, SC and Bioslip BT, P on the beginning and mass hatching of caterpillars significantly reduced the harmfulness of these pests, the biological efficiency of which amounted to 77.9 and 73.5 %, respectively.

   Sensitivity of weeds to Lumax herbicide under growing conditions with pre- and post-emergent application was studied. Evaluation of biological and economic efficiency of Lumax herbicide at different terms of use was given. The studies were conducted in 2020–2022 in the Primorsky Territory. The soil of the experimental plots is meadow-brown podzolized, containing 3–4% of humus in the arable horizon. The agricultural technique is based on no-tillage technology. The forecrop was soybeans. The hybrid population P 8521 was used in the field experiments. The sensitivity of 16 weed species was studied when used in pre-emergence applications and 18 when used on vegetative plants in the early stages of their development. Visual observations of plant development after treatments with Lumax herbicide were made. At soil application, the preparation inhibited the germination of lamb’s-quarters, pigweed, hemp nettle, barnyard grass, bur beggar-ticks, yellow-foxtail grass and green bristle grass, field milk thistle and yellow thistle. Sprouts of China jute, common persicaria and copper leaf were completely dead by the 7^th day. Moderate sensitivity was shown by ragweed, hairy cupgrass, and dayflower. Trailing hollyhock proved to be resistant to this herbicide. When using Lumax on vegetating plants, 17 species were highly sensitive, with only hairy cupgrass being relatively sensitive. In field experiments in the grain maize crop, weed infestation averaged 531 plants/m² with a total above ground mass of 3279 g/m². The herbicide was applied at three times: before sprouting, in the phases of the 2-3^rd and 5^th-6^th of corn leaves. There were advantages and disadvantages with each term of its use. At preemergence, it more actively suppressed annual grasses, while at late (the 5^th-6^th leaf phase) it suppressed perennial dicotyledons. Application of the herbicide in the 2^nd-3^rd corn leaf phase showed approximately equal effect on the weeds. Lumax effectively eliminated dayflower and annual dicotyledonous weeds. Regardless of the timing of application, it contributed to saving 29.8-36.7 co of corn grain/ha.

   The domestication of the American mink (Neovison vison) leads to the manifestation of such a trait as “tame” behavior. The selection of animals on this basis seems to be very attractive from the standpoint of commodity production. Since work with predators is rather complicated, selection for the “tame” behavior of animals seems relevant. Assuming that the genes that control behavior, due to their pleiotropic action, can be involved in the synthesis of digestive enzymes, which can lead to a decrease in productivity characteristics. In this respect, experiments were carried out to determine the enzymatic activity of proteases, lipases, and α-amylases in aggressive and tame animals. It has been established that the activity of proteases and lipases is higher in aggressive lines of American mink males than in the tame ones, while the amylolytic activity in tame animals is higher than in the
aggressive ones.

   The findings showed that weather conditions have a decisive influence on the intensity of bee colonies development and the yield of marketable honey. The study was conducted in the apiary located in the Kaluga region. Ecological conditions in the productive summer zone of bees are assessed as favorable. All bee colonies in the apiary were representatives of the Carpathian breed recommended for breeding in the Kaluga region. The data obtained for two adjacent seasons (2021 and 2022) indicate that the honey harvest conditions of 2022 were much more favorable compared to the previous year in terms of temperature and precipitation. Despite a significant difference in minimum and maximum temperatures during the day, there were no sharp temperature fluctuations during the spring-summer period of 2022, precipitation was frequent, but short-lived. On average, there were only 2 days of precipitation between March and August 2021. During the honey harvest period, there was prolonged dry weather, which had a negative impact on nectar production by plants, the development of bee families, and their productivity. Bee colonies developed more intensively in the spring of 2022; one month after the spring inspection, bee family strength averaged 9.27 beeways, an increase of 0.57 beeways over the previous year. At the end of the season, the total number of the apiary’s bee colonies increased by 11.7 %. The yield of marketable honey for the 2022 season reached 990 kg, which is 2.3 times higher than in 2021. There was 2.2 times more marketable honey received per bee family. The value of marketable products of the apiary increased by 2.35 times.

   Materials on the formation of a conceptual model of the process of applying liquid forms of mineral fertilizers into the soil are presented. The basis of this model is the scheme of interaction of the processes in the agroecosystem of wheat at the level of the conceptual model of the resource cycle. Mineral nutrition of vegetative plants and corresponding ordering of internal relations of the system are introduced into it as an additional block. It has been found that given the specifics of scientific research and technical capabilities, it is appropriate to use the “black box” model for further consideration. This model is based on practical human activity aimed at transforming used objects by means of material, energy or informational influences. The main interacting blocks of the system of crop production process management related to the provision of vegetative plants with the main factors of their development at the levels of above-ground and root-inhabited parts of agroecosystem, spatial distribution of liquid mineral fertilizers in the zone of their application in accordance with agrotechnical requirements, including simultaneously with grain sowing, have been determined. The block of nitrogen-phosphorus nutrition for vegetative plants is presented, which is realized through the application of technological and technical support for the main methods of liquid mineral fertilizers application using a set of trailed, mounted and mounted technological machines on the basis of existing tillage and sowing working bodies. The principle of formation of machine-tractor aggregates at its initial stage on the minimum of energy costs for their production and operation is recommended. The prospect of using pneumatic systems for delivery and distribution of liquid mineral fertilizers in the zone of their application has been established.

   The influence of varietal specificity and the seeding rate on the formation of leaf surface of plants, elements of the yield structure, number of generative traits, and the yield of soybean varieties were studied. The research was carried in the Moscow region in 2021, 2022. 12 variants were planted in the experiment: four seeding rates (400, 500, 600 and 700 thousand pieces/ha) for three varieties (Bara – standard, Hidaka, Sibiryachka). In 2021, leaf apparatus development was more intensive on Hidaka plants, and the leaf area increased with a decrease in the seeding rate. On average for 2021 and 2022, the maximum leaf area of the Bara variety was formed in the variant with a seeding rate of 600 thousand pieces/ha – 33.09–40.81 thousand m2/ha. The maximum number of flowers was recorded in all the variants with a seeding rate of 400 thousand seeds/ha. In the Bara variety, the flowers were formed uniformly across the variants relative to the year of the study. Differences by 2–3 pieces per plant were noted in the variants with seeding rates of 500 and 700 thousand pieces/ha. In 2022, the number of beans in the plants of the Bara variety exceeded the index of 2021 by 6.9 % at a seeding rate of 600 thousand pieces/ha, by 28.8 % at a seeding rate of 400 thousand pieces/ha. Excess weight of 1 thousand seeds in the Hidaka variety relative to the standard amounted to 43.2–48.4 %. Maximum weight of 1 thousand seeds was obtained in both years of the study in the variant with a seeding rate of 400 thousand seeds/ha – 220.5 and 218.9 g, respectively. The maximum yield was observed in the variety Hidaka at a seeding rate of 400 thousand pieces/ha – 4.18 tons/ha. The gain compared to the control amounted to 18.75 %. As a result of the research it was found that the seeding rate of 400 thousand pieces/ha had a greater positive effect on soybean productivity indicators.