The aim of our study was to assess the complex phytosanitary activity of spring wheat predecessors against root rot pathogens and weed seeds as well as their effect on improving soil microflora diversity and attracting useful entomofauna to agrocenoses of the southern forest steppe in Novosibirsk Region. Investigations were carried out in Krasnozersky District of Novosibirsk Region in 2011-2013. Predecessors (fallow, yellow sweet clover, spring wheat) improved the phytosanitary condition of soil by decreasing population densities of phytopathogens - agents of common root rots. Biological effectiveness of sweet clover in purifying soil from phytopathogens averaged 35.5 percent across yearst, that of fallow 41.8 percent, from weed seeds 2 and 5.2 times, respectively. The stimulating effect of predecessors on microbial activity of soil and entomophage populations was found out. Depression of root rots development by sweet clover during the growing season was 16-69 percent, by fallow 11-34 percent towards the end of the growing season. Spring wheat yield after phytosanitary predecessors was 1.4-1.7 times higher as compared with continuous growing.

Results are given from investigations carried out in the forest-steppe zone of Transbaikalia into the effect of various fallow types on changes in water-physical properties, nutritive regime and biological activity of soil, and productivity of crops in crop rotation. Under conditions of Transbaikalia, the most efficient methods for improving soil fertility and productivity of arable land can be solved using soil-protective technologies: use of conservation tillage techniques, introduction of full fallows and perennial grasses to crop rotations and application of cereals straw. It has been established that these technologies contribute to increasing organic matter in soil by 0.34-0.58% and coefficient of structural properties by 0.13 - 0.31 units, create favorable conditions for activation of biological processes, provide higher characteristics of productivity and cost effectiveness (1.58-2.07 tons per ha of feed units, net income of 243-570 rubles per ha, profitability of 7-18%).

Agro-ecological effectiveness of reduced tillage techniques using tillage-and-seeding machine “Ob-4-ZT” was assessed in a crop/fallow rotation in the northern forest steppe areas of Western Siberia. Results are given from investigations into spring wheat productivity for the period of 2002-2011 against the background of 2.4-D group herbicides (Amine Salt 2.4-D, Luvaram, BP, Esteron KE, and others), and without herbicides in the absence of fertilizers. Under conditions of reduced tillage without herbicides against the background of the absence of fertilizers, the yield of second wheat made up 1.84 tonnes per ha and third 1.42 tonnes per ha that was 0.22 and 0.23 tonne per ha, respectively, more than those at conventional technology. No significant correlation between spring wheat yields and precipitations during summer period was found. At conventional technology using 2.4-D group herbicides, the increase in yield of second wheat was 0.24 tonne per ha and third 0.36 tonne per ha. In the variant of reduced tillage technique, the increase in yield owing to the use of herbicides made up 0.17 tonne per ha on second wheat and 0.29 tonne per ha on third. Due to the adoption of reduced tillage technique with the absence of herbicides, the yield of second wheat crop after fallow made up 113.6%, third 119.3% as compared with conventional technology. Against the background of 2.4-D group herbicides, the index considered was less, i.e. 108.1 and 110.3%, respectively.

Results are given from an investigation into application of herbicides on perennial grasses cultivated under conditions of monsoon climate in Sakhalin. To carry out scientific-production experiment on 15-year-old perennial grasses, there was applied Magnum, pure (10 g/ha) and in tank mixtures with Herbitox (0.6 l/ha) and Dialen Super (0.4 l/ha), against the background of water-soluble complex mineral fertilizer Aquarin-5 in a dose of 1.5 kg/ha. Weed plants were represented by field buttercup, orange-red hawkweed, yellow bedstraw, dandelion, germander speedwell (144 pieces per square metre on the average). It was found that the application of Magnum, pure and in tank mixtures, significantly reduces infestation of old-aged herbages. The maximum effectiveness of 91% in weed control was reached, when the tank mixture of Magnum and Dialen Super was used. With that, green mass yields of perennial grasses increased by 8.1 centners per ha. In the variants with herbicides applied, feed mass of perennial grasses was observed to contain less ash by 0.6-1.2%, sugars by 1.1-1.8%, fiber by 2.1-4.1%, nitrates by 31-54 mg/kg and more carotene by 2.1-6.3 mg/kg as compared with the control.

Results are given from long-term field experiments on studying the effect of mineral and organic-mineral fertilizer systems on the balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in meadow-chernozem soils of Eastern Transbaikalia in a fodder crop rotation. It has been found that the positive balance of key nutrient elements in arable deep-frozen meadow-chernozem soils for cultivating fodder crops in a rotation was provided by an organic-mineral fertilizer system with the application rate of 80 tonnes of manure for a rotation + N240P180K180 kg of active ingredient. With this fertilizer system, the soil was enriched by 399 kg of nitrogen, 211 kg of phosphorus and 142 kg of potassium. The recommended fertilizer system provided the increase in crop rotation productivity by 36.5%, contributed to increased organic matter in the topsoil by 0.11% for ten years of experiments. Without manure application, none of the mineral fertilizer systems studied provided the deficit-free balance of nitrogen and potassium. In the variant without fertilizers, the deficit of key elements made u 280 kg of nitrogen, 90 kg of phosphorus and 381 kg of potassium.

Results are given from long-term field trials on studying the effect of hydrothermal conditions on variation and correlation between agronomic characters in chick pea (Cicer arietinum L.) under conditions of the steppe zone of Western Siberia (Bagan, Northern Kulunda). As a result of studying features of yield formation in Krasnokutskiy 123 cultivar of chick pea were revealed close direct correlations between moisture availability in July and the height of plants (r = 0.97), the height of lower beans (r = 0.90), the number of empty bean pods (r = 0.81). Excessive moistening adversely affected seed formation, because such a character as thousand-kernel weight inversely correlated with the hydrothermic coefficient of July (r = - 0.86). There were established stable positive correlations between the weight of seeds in the plant and the number of pods (r = 0.78-0.97) and the number of seeds (r = 0.95-0.98) with no reliable correlations with the height of plant. Economic characters of chick pea are characterized by significant variation across years, where the number of empty bean pods and the number of affected seeds are the most variable characters: variation coefficients were 105.7% and 98.4%, respectively. Breeding of chick pear under conditions of Western Siberia for increasing resistance to excessive moistening during the flowering stage in July will contribute to improved seed setting and large size of seeds.

Results are given from studies of oil crops and varieties. Their comparative evaluation for sustainable high-quality oilseed production is presented. As a result of study and comprehensive evaluation of oil crops and varieties as to economic characters under extreme conditions of Transbaikalia, those have been selected that are characterized by stable yields of oilseeds, resistance to lodging, shattering and diseases: Shpat cultivar of spring rape, Iskra and Novinka cultivars of summer bird rape and Yenisei-503 cultivar of sunflower. These variety provide, even in severe droughty years, yields of 0.61-0.78 tonnes of oilseeds per ha, fat harvest of 232-286 kg per ha, protein harvest of 174-238 kg per ha. The optimum sowing and harvesting dates to cultivate summer bird rape for oilseeds under conditions of the forest-steppe zone of Transbaikalia have been determined. The highest productivity of summer bird rape, i.e. oilseed yield of 0.63-0.67 tonnes per ha, fat harvest of 239 kg per ha and protein harvest of 186-201 kg per ha, was provided, when it was sown in the second ten-day period of May and harvested, when one third to two thirds of pods became yellow.

Results are given from studies of winter triticale collection samples during the period of 2010-2013 at the Siberian Research Institute of Plant Production and Breeding. There were selected the samples with a number of economic traits. Of particular interest are those that have an index of productivity elements exceeding three-fold standard deviation (X + 3s). Of 120 winter triticale samples studied, 16 had high productivity, 8 - the largest number of spikelets per ear, 13 - high grain content, 17 - high ear productivity, 14 - high thousand-kernel weight. Seven triticale varieties characterized by a complex of economic traits have been selected. The winter triticale collection forms identified can be used in breeding programs for developing high-productive varieties with high yield potential to be cultivated under conditions of Western Siberia.

Under conditions of Primorye Territory was established a positive effect of presowing treatment of soybean seeds with biological agents on soybean productivity and resistance to diseases. According to research findings, the cultivar Primorskaya 69 turned out to be most responsive to biopreparation application. Seed treatment jointly with preparations Mizorin and Rizotorfin contributed to the minimal development of Septoria disease, mildew and cercosporosis. Affection rates of the crop decreased by 5.3; 7.1 and 2.5 percent, respectively, as compared with the control. Seed treatment with biopreparations had a positive effect on all yield structure elements and productivity of soybean. The maximum increase in yield was obtained, when seeds were treated with Mizorin and Rizotorfin jointly: 1 tonne per ha in Primorskaya 13 cultivar of soybean and 0.7 tonne per ha in Primorskaya 69. Joint application of preparations Mizorin and Rizotorfin for seed treatment was found to be an effective technique having a stimulating effect on soybean plants and productivity. Low consumption rates and relatively low costs of the preparations make their application highly profitable.

The dynamics of animal husbandry developed in 1928-1938 has been analyzed. Structural changes occurred in this sector are shown. Veterinary management, as one of the basic factors of animal husbandry development, has been considered. It has been shown that collectivization caused crisis of animal husbandry, and adversely affected a state of veterinary management. Restoration of the industry and veterinary service system began in 1933. However, efforts to overcome crisis occurrences in the late thirties failed.

The influence of -824 A/G polymorphism in the TNF-a gene on milk performance traits in Red Steppe cattle was studied. The tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) gene encodes a pleiotropic cytokine that plays a critical role in immune response and mammary gland development. Recently, it was found that TNF-a -824 A/G gene polymorphism in cattle is associated with recovery of ovarian activity postpartum and with the reproductive efforts of cows over the course of lactation events depending on the sex of progeny. Among the 148 animals sampled, genotype frequencies of G/G, G/A, and A/A were 56, 38, and 6%, respectively, where frequency of allele G was 75%, and frequency of allele A was 25%. Milk yield, milk fat yield, and milk protein yield for third lactation were significantly higher in heterozygotes G/A compared to G/G homozygotes (10%, 9%, and 11%, respectively). No significant associations were found for other milk performance traits (milk yield, milk fat yield, and milk protein yield for first lactation, highest lactation, and average yield for all lactations).

Subchronic toxicity parameters of the silver-containing drug Argovit were determined in laboratory animals. The study was conducted on male and female outbred albino mice (n = 70) weighing 18.0-20.0 g, and male and female albino rats (n = 70) weighing 180.0-200.0 g. The drug was administered to white rats, and immunobiochemical investigations of their blood serum were conducted in 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, 20th, 24th and 28th days after drug administration for determining total protein, glucose, cholesterol, total lipids, phosphorus, calcium, globulins (a, b, g). During 29 days, white mice (n = 10) and white rats (n = 20) of the control group were orally administered with 0.85% aqueous solution of sodium chloride at a dose equal to administered drug Argovit. In white mice, the cumulation coefficient (Kc) made up 24.15, in white rats 16.1, which allowed attributing the drug tested to non-cumulative ones. Long-term administration of increasing toxic doses of the drug Argovit to white rats did not result in true significant changes in immunobiochemical parameters of their blood serum. During the whole studying period, deaths of laboratory animals, as well as dysfunctions of their gastrointestinal tracts, were not revealed.

Results are given from an investigation into concentrations of Al, Co, Cu, Ni, Ti and Fe in hair of Hereford bull calves at 17 to 18 months of age raised under conditions of Western Siberia. Seventeen samples of animal hair were selected for analysis. Concentrations of chemical elements in the hair were determined by atomic emission spectrometry. The analysis was conducted by using the two-jet arc plasmatron “Fakel” and multi-atomic emission spectrometer “Grand”. The study has determined a selective character of accumulation of chemical elements in the animal hair. Heavy metal levels in the hair can be represented as a range: Co

A new ELISA test system for diagnosis of brucellosis in animals has been developed. Results obtained from studies demonstrate that this test system can be employed in many animal species, including sheep and cattle, even when used live vaccines against brucellosis derived from weakly agglutinogenic and agglutinogenic strains. It has been found that the new ELISA test system absorbs readings of the indirect agglutination test, relating to rapid methods, as well as of formal classical diagnostic complex (agglutination test, AT, + complement fixation test, CFT), is not inferior to them in specificity and superior to them in diagnostic activity. Advantages have been revealed associated with reducing time for research, recording and interpretation of results, with simplifying these processes and increasing their objectivity, reproducibility and safety. Introduction of the new test system to practice of screening tests for brucellosis was proved to greatly simplify mass diagnosis of this disease, since the AT+CFT complex and additional differential postvaccinal diagnosis should be employed only in a case of detecting positive or doubtful readings.

Results are given from investigations into nonspecific mastitis in lactating ewes. Manifestation types and etiological role of opportunistic microflora at mastitis are discribed. Mixed microbial composition prevailed over monocultures (88.96 and 11.04%, respectively) and consisted of two, rarely of three, species of microorganisms. No agent having specific properties to cause one or another type of mastitis has detected. Blue pus bacillus is the most common monoculture isolated from 46.15% cases of mastitis. Then, monocultures of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis prevailed as to degree of pathogenicity - 20.37 and 19.44%, respectively. The Streptococcus uberis and colon bacillus in the monovariants were identified in 19.04 and 18.18% of the cases from the number of isolated cultures.

There was investigated the effect of newly developed experimental complex probiotic drug Vita-Plus on rehabilitation of metabolic processes in the organism of Black-and-White first-calf cows. The drug is a liquid form containing Russian-produced multi-strain starter and enzymatic agent Glucolux F. The storage time of the drug is established based on enzyme activity indices, and was found to make up not less than 1 month after preparation. It has been revealed that the drug positively influences the biochemical characteristics of blood serum in first-calf cows, i.e. improves digestion of feed carotene, increases alkaline reserve and rehabilitates phosphorus-calcium ratio that is indicative of normalization of metabolic processes in the cows’ organism.

Multi-year histological observations have revealed that Nedosyagaemaya and Raiskoe Naslazhdenie varieties of remontant raspberry, cultivated under conditions of Novosibirsk Region, form periderm in the annual replacement shoots, which is 1.3-1.9 times weaker as to the total number of layers and maturity degree than that in Zorenka Altaya variety of the common genotype. During the first half of the growing season, remontant varieties do not have closed suberized periderm layer in the lower tier of shoots. Under conditions of artificial infection through epidermal wounds in June, the fungus Fusarium sambucinum causes necrosis of internal tissues of shoots in Nedosyagaemaya variety in 60 percent of cases, necrotic area on the shoot cross-section making up 30 percent. It indicates lack of immunological factors in the replacement shoots of Nedosyagaemaya variety of raspberry, including poor development and ripening of periderm as an immunological barrier. Additional measures should be taken to protect this variety against raspberry gall midges and midge blight.

Results are given from economic assessment of environmental factors affecting land use in the territory of Ordynskiy District, Novosibirsk Region. The assessment involved arable and hay lands of the two key areas of 3291.74 hectares in Kozikhinskiy and Berezovskiy municipalities. The investigation has shown that land use in the territory studied is complicated by the great number of ravines, and characterized by high level of involvement of land resources in turnover that contributes to development of erosion processes. It is shown that the most significant damage to agricultural land use is caused by decrease in humus reserves in the topsoil, reduction in depth of soil horizon and ravine formation. The conclusion has been made about reasonability of projects aimed at minimization of negative consequences from environmental impacts on land resources. A land-use eco-efficiency indicator is considered as a basis for making decisions about feasibility of the projects. Damage cost estimates per unit of land area are justified to be used as an essential part of eco-efficiency criteria system.