In recent years, drought and high temperature stress have caused a decrease in the adaptive and productive potential of stone fruit crops in the south of the Russian Federation. The results of a comprehensive assessment of the drought resistance of common cherry varieties (Cerasus Vulgaris Mill.) of different origins in the conditions of the Prikuban horticultural zone of the Krasnodar Territory are presented. The studies were conducted in 2021–2023. The objects were 10 cherry varieties: Krasnodarskaya Sladkaya, Ivanovna, Khodosa, Feya, Timati, Prizvanie, Tamaris, Assol, Svetlaya, Pamyati Evstratova. The planting pattern was 5x3 m, the rootstock – Mahaleb cherry seedlings. The control – Krasnodarskaya sladkaya, a drought-resistant cherry variety of domestic selection. The main physiological indices of cherry varieties were analyzed against the background of stress factors exposure: content of total water, dry matter and water loss in leaves. During the years of research, the cherry varieties were in conditions of insufficient moisture, confirmed by a low hydrothermal coefficient, varying from 0.4 to 1.2 over the years. The average water content of the leaves across the varieties was 60.0%, varying slightly within the range of 57.2 – 62.7%, as evidenced by the coefficient of variation (Cv = 3.5%). Water loss was high, at the level of 11.4%, and varied significantly (Cv = 26.3%) among the varieties from 8.1 (Svetlaya) to 17.0% (Krasnodarskaya sladkaya). The content of dry matter, indicating a certain degree of resistance of the plants to lack of moisture, was 39.9%, while their dynamics by variety depending on the conditions of the year was not significant (Cv = 5.3%). Based on a set of optimal physiological indicators confirming a sufficiently high drought resistance, domestic cherry varieties were identified – Ivanovna, Khodosa, Feya and Prizvanie, which are recommended for creating stable and productive cherry agrocenoses in the southern regions of the Russian Federation.

The publication provides information on the distribution of the aphidofauna complex on potato plantings in the southern part of the Arkhangelsk region. The studies were conducted in 2018–2023.The objectives of the research included studying the species composition, abundance, flight activity of winged aphids and assessing the prevalence of aphids-potential carriers of potato viruses. It was revealed that potato plantings are visited by 13 species of aphids capable of transmitting viral infection – Acyrthosiphum pisum Harr., Aphis fabae Scop., Aphis nasturtii Kalt., Aulacorthum solani Kalt., Brachycaudus helichrysi Kalt., Brevicoryne brassicae L., Cavariella aegopodii Scop., Hyperomyzus lactucae L., Lipaphis erysimi Kalt., Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thomas, Metopolophium dirhodum Walk., Rhopalosiphum padi L., Sitobion avenae F. These species were caught and identified in the plantings throughout the entire potato growing season in numbers from 91 to 197 individuals in different years, which is 71–92% of the total aphid fauna. It should be emphasized that no representatives of Myzus persicae Sulz. species, which is the most harmful to potatoes, were present in the catches. During the observation period, the number of aphid carriers per 1 water trap ranged from 24–50 individuals per year, which characterizes the study region as an area with a low prevalence of aphids capable of carrying potato virus infections. The low prevalence of aphid vectors indicates a favorable phytosanitary situation regarding potato viral infection, but does not completely exclude the possibility of the spread of viruses. Therefore, the potato plant protection system in this region should include both preventive and exterminatory measures.

Soybean is the most important protein and oilseed crop of world agriculture, grown in more than 80 countries. The purpose of the present research was to study the bioecological features of lima bean pod borer and the biological efficacy of entomopathogenic biopreparations. The studies were carried out on soybean crops of mid-season ripening varieties Vilana, Vilana Beta and Veda. The studied preparations were Biostop, L, Akkar, L; Bioslip BV, L; Lepidocid, SC. The damage to beans by the pest was recorded in the period from the beginning of bean formation to full seed ripening, for which 100 beans were sampled from different tiers three times. The production evaluation was carried out on an area of   10 hectares twice using the preparation Akkar, L. The timing of treatment was determined by catching lima bean pod borer males with pheromone traps. It was found that the greatest harm to the crop was caused by caterpillars of the second and third generation of the pest beginning from the first ten days of August until the end of soybean vegetation. Lima bean pod borer begins to damage soybeans from the lower tier with further colonization of the middle and upper tiers, while the age composition of the caterpillars change from younger, middle, to older. It was established that the biological efficiency of biopreparations lima bean pod borer, on average over two years, was as follows: Bioslip BV, L – 65.1 – 68.8%; Akkar, L – 77.5– 80.6%; Biostop, L – 71.9 – 74.1%, Lepidocide, SC – 72.0 – 73.0%. Production tests with the biopreparation Akkar, L showed that it effectively suppressed the number and harmfulness of the lima bean pod borer during soybean ripening. As of 19.08.2023, the percentage of bean harmfulness by caterpillars in the control option was 14.6% per 100 beans, in the experimental one – 2.1% per 100 beans, in 2024 it was 9.4% – 1.8% per 100 beans, respectively.

The results of three years of research (2021–2023) conducted in the forest-steppe zone of the Novosibirsk region aiming at a comprehensive (phytosanitary, technological, economic) evaluation of the efficiency of pre-sowing seed treatment and application of different predecessors in spring wheat cultivation. The studies were conducted using a two-factor experiment scheme and according to the generally accepted methodology. Dividend Star, SC (application rate – 0.9 l/t) and its tank mixture with an insecticide Kontador Maxi, SC (application rate – 0.5 l/t) were used as the dressing agents. Spring wheat of the Novosibirskaya 31 variety was sown after three predecessors: black fallow, vet- choat mixture for green mass, winter rye for grain. In each year of the study, damage to spring wheat crops by seedling pests (cereal flea beetle and corn flies) exceeded the threshold values. The use of an insecticidal disinfectant showed a biological effectiveness of up to 73.1% against cereal flea beetle and up to 42.7% against corn flies. Analysis of the yield structure elements showed that statistically significant differences in the control variants statistically reliable differences were observed in productive bushiness and number of grains per ear. Dressing had a significantly significant effect only on the number of productive ears (+ 43–49 pcs/m2 or 9.2–10.5%). The highest biological yield of the control variants was obtained with the fallow predecessor – 2.86 t/ha. On average over 3 years, the grain in all the experimental variants (except for the control for winter rye) in terms of quality indicators corresponded to class III grain. On average over 3 years, the highest profitability for the control options was identified when cultivating spring wheat with annual grasses (48.5%). Pre-sowing seed treatment for all the options increased both production profitability and profit per 1 hectare.

The article presents the results of studying the spread of root rot and wilting diseases caused by fungi of the genus Fusarium in lupine crops. The purpose of the research was to study the influence of meteorological factors of the Bryansk region on the damage of lupine by fusarium root rot and wilting of plants, their harmfulness and to develop proposals to control them. The work was carried out in 2019–2023. The object of research was the plants of narrow-leafed lupine variety Belorozovy 144 in the sowing with application of protection means and in the control sowing (without application of protection means). Identification of the pathogens was carried out by morphological signs of sporulation during the vegetation period using humidified chambers and light microscope. It was found that root rot of narrow-leafed lupine is caused by the fungus F. avenaceum, and tracheomycosis wilt of plants by F. oxysporum. The intensity of their development was determined by the amount of precipitation and the air temperature during the growing season. Tracheomycosis wilt caused the greatest damage to narrow-leafed lupine crops. During the years of research in the control crop, its affection of plants during vegetation varied from 9.1 to 29.0%, and root rot – 4.6...8.3%. In sowing with application of means of protection plant damage by these diseases decreased by 6.3...19.6% and by 4.5...7.2%, respectively. The average number of preserved plants with beans (5.8 beans/plant) increased by 33.4 units/m2 in relation to the control crop. At the same time, the mass of 1000 seeds increased by 17.1 g and the seed yield increased by 0.97 t/ha. A reliable inverse correlation relationship (r = –0.89, p = 0.039) between narrow-leafed lupine seed yield and plant infestation by fungus F. oxysporum was found. A high significant inverse relationship (r = –0.89, p = 0.039) between the average daily air temperature in July and seed yield was found. Thus, to reduce the number of diseased narrow-leafed lupine plants affected by fusarium root rot and wilting, as well as to reduce seed yield losses, it is ne- cessary to conduct seed dressing and treatment of crops in the phases of 2–3 true leaves and budding beginning of flowering with fungicides with high efficacy against pathogenic fungi F. avenaceum and F. oxysporum.

Factor and opportunistic diseases without trivial sources of infection, trizal epizootic chain transmission and other trivial attributes of “old” epizootology remain in its modern competence, contributing to the progress of opposite directions in this field of science and practice. Their substantive and semantic definition implies the unacceptability of outdated ideas and dogmas regarding the epizootic process as the only possible form of existence of infections. The priority paradigm formulated by Charles Nicolle (1930) and I.V. Davydovsky (1956) in the context of prophetic postulates regarding the evolution of infectious pathology, in the very idea disavows the archaic nature of the still dominant key provisions of epizootology. In case of factor infections, ubiquitousness of habitat of abiotic and biotic pathogens puts all phenomena in the category of accidental; factor causa prima and consequences are not predictable, not controllable and not manageable in principle. As such, medical and veterinary provision options are very limited. Solely specific prophylaxis and vaccination as its predominant element in veterinary medicine by its palliative nature do not achieve eradication of infection. Against the background of total application of the measures, such unfavorable epizootic phenomena as vaccine dependence, proepizooticization and evolution of pathogens adapting to persistence on an immune background occur. The present paper discusses a group of infections characterized by non-epizootic causes, severe, idiopathically exacerbated, but without the attributes of epizooticism mastitis, strangles, necrobacteriosis, paratuberculosis, and “new” non-canonical clostridioses. Critical factors of their etiology and pathogenesis are absolutely unexpected in canonical pathology “coordinated” processes and mechanisms from conditional pathogenicity of microorganisms-commensals to normal physiological departures and even direct harm of etiotropic therapy.

The article provides historical information about the origin of specialized beef cattle breeding in Russia, in particular, the results of world leaders in the formation of the industry, the state and prospects of development of beef cattle breeding, by regions of the Russian Federation, the breed composition of meat cattle in Siberia. The material contains data on the abundance and biological characteristics of each beef breed of cattle: Aberdeen Angus, Hereford, Kazakh white-headed and Black-and-White breeds. The breeds are raised in the region and form the bulk of the beef produced in the region. Photos of the bulls of meat breeds of cattle are presented. The results obtained by the scientists from the Orenburg Region, Stavropol Territory, Moscow Region, Gorny Altai and Novosibirsk regions are discussed. Depending on the breeding regions, which differ in contrast in relief, climate, and feeding conditions, new combinations of Siberian Hereford types with Canadian, Finnish, and American ecotypes using embryos, breeding animals, or their seeds were evaluated. The new hybrid combinations differ significantly from each other. Despite the available research by scientific institutions, there is a lack of understanding of the issue of beef quality, in particular its relationship with the fatty acid composition and other factors that determine the taste of this valuable food product. We present data on the live weight and average daily gain of experimental animals of four breeds: Blackand–White, Aberdeen-Angus, Hereford and Kazakh white-headed, in which the biochemical and fatty acid composition of meat will be further studied. An organoleptic evaluation of boiled meat and broth will also be carried out.

The effect of plant composition of common wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) alone and in combination with cobalt (II) chloride in chelate form (CoCl₂ l) on the changes in the taxonomic profile of rumen microbiome of ruminants in the in vivo experiment was evaluated. The studies determined the changes in the bacterial composition of rumen fluid by using the sequencing method on the MiSeq device. The object of the research were young bulls (n=4) of the Kazakh White-headed breed at the age of 12–13 months with an average live weight of 336–340 kg. During the study, animals in the experimental groups were given Artemisia absinthium herbal (A. absinthium) and cobalt (II) chloride (CoCl₂ l): experimental group I – A. absinthium at a dose of 2.0 g/kg dry matter, experimental group II – A. absinthium in dose of 2.0 g/kg DM with additional CoCl₂ l (1.5 mg/kg/DM), experimental group III – only CoCl₂ l (1.5 mg/kg/DM). The preparatory period lasted for 14 days; the main period was 7 days. At the end of the baseline period, rumen contents were sampled through a fistula to analyze fatty acid concentrations. Samples of intestinal contents were taken into sterile containers by rectal palpation, and for metagenomic sequencing – into 1.5 ml Eppendorf microtubes. Data analysis showed that administration of A. absinthium and cobalt (II) chloride in the form closest to the natural one was able to modulate the intestinal microbial community, affecting the concentration and assimilation of fatty acids. The results obtained indicate the potential of using A. absinthium and (CoCl₂ l) compositions in cattle nutrition as a natural alternative to improve ruminant production systems.

In modern realities the idea of healthy nutrition is of particular importance, this interest increases the demand of consumers for products that are ecologically clean and complete in their composition. In this regard, reduction of antibiotic use frequency and active application of probiotic additives in the main feed rations are becoming topical issues of livestock breeding. Also integral to the industry are the preservation of young stock and increasing the productivity of the herd. The most important step in creating a probiotic is choosing its composition. The most common components of probiotic supplements are lactobacillus and propionic acid bacteria, as these microorganisms have the necessary set of technologically valuable properties. Propionic acid bacteria are producers of vitamin B₁₂ , which has a positive effect on protein metabolism and increases feed digestibility. Animals do not fully cover the need for vitamin B₁₂ , so it becomes necessary to include it in the composition of the feed additives. Lactobacillus have high biological and antagonistic activity and exert immunostimulatory effect. During previous and current studies conducted on the basis of the Siberian Research Institute of Cheese Making, the optimal nutrient medium for accumulation of biomasses of the above microorganisms was selected, as well as the optimal dose of their introduction into the probiotic preparation. Based on these data, three experimental samples of biopreparation for farm animals have been formulated. Both co-cultivation and separate cultivation were applied in the process of specimen creation. The study also determined the active acidity and vitamin B₁₂ content of all the samples. Vitamin B₁₂ content ranged from 0.70 ± 0.01 to 0.82 ± 0.03 μg/ml. As a result of the work done, it has been found that sample  No. 1 is the most optimal in terms of processability, as well as the quantitative content of vitamin B₁₂ .

The materials on the assessment of the quality of the distribution of liquid mineral fertilizers over the working area during their surface application, taking into account the installation of sprayers at various levels relative to the distribution rod, are presented. It has been found that the unevenness expressed by the coefficient of variation can reach 20% or more, which reduces the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers to 45–50%, phosphorus fertilizers to 15–20%. One of the main reasons for its appearance is the installation of sprayers at the same level in the horizontal plane. It has been determined that when using large-droplet sprayers of the deflector type, the spray flares that occur at the same level create additional volumes of the sprayed preparation at the place of their docking, exceeding the main background by 25–70%. As a result, a highly concentrated nitrogen-phosphorus content of the batteries strip that does not meet the basic agrotechnical requirement for uniformity of distribution of the sprayed preparation over the working surface is formed. The step of placement of the deflector sprayers for the introduction of the press is justified – 0.5; 0.75  and 1.0 m at a pressure of 0.1; 0.2 and 0.3 MPa in the system. In this case, an overlap of the interacting spray patterns at a level exceeding 50% of their capture width, and the uneven application of fertilizers is minimal (not higher than 7%) using a multi-level installation of sprayers relative to the distribution rod is formed. It has been found that the quality of the distribution of the working fluid largely depends on the step of the arrangement of the sprayers on the rod and to  a lesser extent on the pressure in the system and the diameter of the sprayers. While, the quality of distribution will increase if the system pressure and the diameter of the holes of the sprayers are simultaneously at the upper or lower levels of their values.

With the intensive development of agriculture, unfavorable environmental effects are actively manifesting themselves. In particular, significant financial resources are allocated to solve the problems of livestock complexes in some regions of the Russian Federation. The paper provides an overview of the approaches to numerical modeling of processes occurring during anaerobic fermentation and aimed at obtaining biogas (methane) and organic fertilizer. In recent years, there has been an increase in the interest among foreign and Russian scientists in the problem of modeling the technological process of bioreactors due to the development of computing power and the ability to take into account in the model the factors affecting the efficiency of fermentation, increasing the yield of biogas or the quality of fertilizer. The trends and shortcomings of individual areas, as well as approaches that allow taking into account biochemical processes in the reactor volume and on the surface of substrate particles, are identified. The relevance of searching for methods for assessing the dynamics of the number and the factors on which the diversity of microbiological consortia depends is shown. The most promising for practical application in the production of biofertilizers should be considered the models based on machine learning and allowing to predict the development of microbiological communities, verified on semi-industrial experimental data under the conditions of fermentation of specific substrates, as well as numerical models and software tools, including the calculation of hydrodynamic parameters, temperature fields during mixing and feeding a new portion of the substrate into the reactor and some of the most important biochemical processes leading to the formation of limiting products of the acidogenesis and acetogenesis stages. Based on the obtained array of information, the problems of numerical modeling of mixing conditions in the reactors of the operating complex were formulated.