Soy is a highly efficient and promising legume crop. In new cultivation areas, the soils do not contain nodule bacteria Bradyrhizobium japonicum (Kirchner) Jordan for soybeans, so the issue of se lecting the most effective strains is very relevant. The work investigated the effect of 10 strains of nodule bacteria on the morphological and physiological parameters, productivity of 2 soybean varieties SibNIIK 315 and Omskaya 4. The strains were identified that were effective for both cultivars (634b, 626a, 640b), while other strains reduced the productivity of both cultivars (10k, BD32 and 605d). Some strains (MID10 and 71t) were effective in symbiosis with the cultivar Omskaya 4, but they re duced the yield and protein production per hectare in the cultivar SibNIIK 315. Both participants are involved in the development of a successful symbiosis. Analysis of the soybean yield structure showed that productivity depends most on the number of beans and seeds on the plant, i.e. the characteristics that are formed very early in the branching phase, when generative buds are laid. At this time, the sym biotic apparatus has not yet fully formed, so an ineffective strain may be an additional burden on the plant, which consumes its energy resources and reduces its productivity.  Other elements of productivity like the mass of 1000 seeds and the protein content are formed at a later stage, during seed filling, and they are positively affected by inoculation with almost any strain. Among all the variants, strain 402 contributed to the greatest increase in protein content in the seeds of both varieties, and strain 605d contributed to the least. The Omskaya 4 variety responded better to inoculation: most strains contributed to an increase in the weight and number of seeds per plant, the number of seeds in the bean and the mass of 1000 seeds compared to the control and the variant with nitrogen at a dose of 60 kg/ha.

Blackberries are a valuable berry crop. Currently, with the emergence of new varieties, interest in it has increased not only among amateur gardeners, but also among producers. Berries and planting material of this crop have mainly come and are coming to Russia from near and far abroad. Mass reproduction of high-quality planting material of blackberries is necessary for laying out plantings and studying new varieties, which requires the development of modern reproduction technologies using the in vitro tissue culture method. The purpose of the research was to study the morphogenetic potential of 10 modern varieties of garden blackberries at the stage of actual micropropagation. For this purpose, the DKW medium (Driver, Kuniyuki, 1984) was used in our modification containing various growth regulators – cytokinin 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) in a concentration of 2.5 and 3.0 μM and auxin indolyl-3-butyric acid (IBA) 0.25 and 0.3 μM and without auxin. The optimal composition of growth regulators (3 μM BAP without adding auxin) was established. The varieties were ranked by the main indicators: multiplication coefficient, proportion of shoots suitable for rooting, root formation, development of basal callus and vitrification of shoots. Blackberry varieties were divided into groups with high, medium and low levels of the main indicators. The multidirectional nature of the responses of the studied blackberry varieties to the cultivation conditions was shown. A statistically significant effect of the variety on all the studied morphogenesis indicators was established. The group of varieties Chester, Black Satin, Brzezina and Von stood out by the highest reproduction coefficient (12.5–9.5 pcs./explant). In terms of the yield of shoots suitable for rooting, the best varieties are Heaven Can Wait, Black Diamond, Black Satin, Bestberry (69.2–49.3%). The variety plays a key role in the nature and direction of morphogenesis, and the medium only allows its potential to be revealed.

Reproduction of highly productive potato planting material in a controlled environment creates the necessary conditions for good survival, growth and development, increasing the mass and number of mini-tubers, prolonging the effect of preventing re-infection, and helps reduce the costs of cultivation in open ground. The objects of the study were potato varieties bred by the Siberian Federal Scientific Centre of Agro-BioTechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences: Lyubava, Tanai, Kuznechanka, Tuleevsky, Kemerovchanin. The Nevsky variety was taken as the breeding standard. The reproduction of mini-potato tubers was carried out on special agrobiological installations equipped with two-tiered racks, as well as the systems for controlling light and heat conditions, time and volume of irrigation, composition and concentration of the nutrient medium. It was found that all the studied potato varieties are suitable for reproduction under controlled conditions and obtaining high-quality planting material for open ground. Using phenological observations, the fact of the identity of the process of potato reproduction under controlled environmental conditions was established. At the same time, the overall growth rates, duration of the growing season and the yield of varieties had different actual values. Based on experimental data, the duration of the growing season under controlled reproduction conditions was determined: for the Lyubava variety it is 55 days, for the Kemerovchanin, Tanai, Kuznechanka, Tuleevsky, Nevsky varieties – from 60 to 65 days. The height of plants, depending on the variety, reached 30–70 cm. Statistical indicators of the number of tubers, depending on the variety, varied in the range from 2 to 5 pieces, the average fractional composition of mini-tubers was 3–5 cm.

Recently, the production of grain corn has increased significantly in the Primorsky Territory. When growing corn, agricultural producers have noted the high harmfulness of the Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenee, 1854). This pest is polyphagous but causes the most damage to corn plants (Zea mays L.). The caterpillars feed inside the plant, which creates the problem of protecting the crop with insecticides. In this regard, one of the radical measures to combat Ostrinia furnacalis Gn. is the creation of resistant varieties, lines and hybrids of corn. Resistant varieties are able to contain the pest population and maintain productivity even when they are significantly damaged. The objective of this study was to establish the true resistance of the specimen against an artificial background of colonization of corn plants with phytophage eggs, since in selection the assessment of Zea mays L. for resistance to pests is carried out using provocative and artificial backgrounds. Evaluation of nine promising breeding samples of corn was carried out for their resistance to Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenee, 1854): 3015, 3016, 3019, 3092, 3147, 3195, 3271, 3274, 3278. These samples were previously isolated from the Zea mays L. breeding nursery as resistant to natural pest infestation. Two components of corn resistance to the Aisian corn borer were studied: plant antibiosis and their tolerance to damage. Each indicator of plant resistance to the pest is characterized. As a result of the studies, two lines of corn (3147 and 3271) with average stem resistance (2.1 and 2.9 points, respectively) and high tolerance were identified. Five hardy samples of Zea mays L. were also found. The studied material is recommended for inclusion in the selection process.

Microsatellite profiles and some reproductive traits of semi-fine-wool sheep of the Pechora population were studied. The purpose of the study was to identify possible relationships between STR markers and genes or their complexes that control genetic variability of adaptability traits in semi-fine-wool sheep in the Near Arctic. Genetic analyses were performed using the COrDIS Sheep reagent kit for 12 loci and the AMEL sex marker. The genotyping results were processed in the Structure Version 2.3.4 and GenAlEx 6.5 programs. The entire array of the genotyped sheep was divided into two groups by breed. The first group included crossbreeds of the ‘Pechora breed group × Romney Marsh’, the second group included three-breed crossbreeds of the ‘Pechora breed group × Romney Marsh × Kuibyshev breed’. The data array in the Structure Version 2.3.4 program was divided into four clusters with a probability threshold of ≥ 0.75. Animals whose probability of membership in one cluster did not reach the threshold level were combined into a "zero" (composite) cluster. The genetic distance between groups 1 and 2 was 0.015. The first group is represented by polylocus genotypes assigned to three clusters; the second group is represented by polylocus genotypes assigned to five clusters. The minimum genetic distances according to Wright and Nei (unbiased estimate) were established between the zero and first clusters. The value of these indicators for the first and second clusters was FST = 0.047, uDN = 0.354. Between the first and third clusters, the third and fourth clusters genetic distances were maximum. Within groups 1 and 2, no reliable differences in fertility indicators between individuals of different clusters were found. Differences between the individuals of the second group of the fourth cluster and the individuals of the first group of the first cluster in the age of first lambing, milk production, reproduction rate and intensity of lamb growth before weaning were reliable at p ≤ 0.001, p ≤ 0.01, p ≤ 0.01, p ≤ 0.05, respectively. Despite the low genetic distance between the first and second groups by microsatellites, the difference between them in the average age of first lambing, reproduction rate and intensity of offspring growth before weaning was reliable at p ≤ 0.05, p ≤ 0.01 and p ≤ 0.05, respectively. Crossbreeding of the Pechora population sheep with the Kuibyshev breed had a negative effect on some indices of sheep fertility and the intensity of offspring growth during the suckling period. To obtain more definite conclusions on the relationship between microsatellite polymorphism and some selective traits of sheep, it is necessary to increase the number of samples.

The article presents the results of the authors' own research and a review of literature sources on the issues of animal adaptation to environmental factors, particularly intensive animal farming methods, from the perspective of mitochondrial function, tissue free-radical oxidation, and energy metabolism. Based on fundamental studies of the biophysical potential state of living systems, the influence of lipid peroxidation on health status, productivity, and viability of animals is demonstrated, along with the role of antioxidants in their manifestation. The decrease in growth that occurs in piglets at weaning, associated with lipid peroxidation, can be eliminated with the help of various types of antioxidants. Doses of ultraviolet irradiation of pigs under the conditions of industrial technology have been developed, which make it possible to regulate the level of free-radical oxidation of tissues and enhance their antioxidant activity, allowing to improve the fertility of sows, the viability and intensity of growth of the offspring. For the first time, sharp differences in the most common breeds of pigs in the level of free-radical oxidation of their tissues have been found, associated with different content of fatty acids and cholesterol in intramuscular fat and lard. The dependence of the quality of meat products on the composition of their fatty acids has been shown. Antioxidants such as catalase and thiol compounds contained in the blood of boars and sows are able to counteract the destructive effect of reactive oxygen species during fertilization, affect fertility and the litter weight during farrowing. For the first time, in contrast to the stereotype about the harmfulness of EFAs and, in particular, pork lard, it has been experimentally proven that fat containing more EFAs, but less PUFAs, especially linoleic fatty acid and cholesterol, when included in animal feed, has a positive effect on productivity and the cardiovascular system, and reduces the atherogenic index. It has been proposed to introduce a special section of animal husbandry, "Energobiotest", which studies the ratio of oxidative and antioxidant reactions in the body, develops technologies for harmonizing life processes and improving the quality of livestock products.

The results of the study of associations of live weight and genotypic traits in agricultural populations of domestic reindeer in the Magadan region and the Chukotka Autonomous District are presented. The studies were conducted between 2020 and 2022 at four agricultural enterprises in Chukotka and the Magadan region. The study utilized zootechnical data from the annual reports of agricultural enterprises in the Chukotka Autonomous District and the Severo-Evensky District of the Magadan region. The study utilized the live weight of animals sold for meat, calculated as the 10-year arithmetic mean for each sex and age group. The material for genetic studies consisted of tissue samples (ear notches) from reindeer of different sex and age groups. A total of 925 samples were used in the molecular genetic studies. Individual genotyping of the animals was performed using the ISSR-PCR method. The relationship between ISSR marker polymorphism and productive traits in the Chukchi and Even reindeer breeds had not been studied prior to this research. Chukotka reindeer populations exhibited 12% lower average number of alleles per locus and 11.0% lower number of effective alleles per locus compared to Even breeds. The values of the correlation coefficient between the live weight and genetic diversity indicators in the populations of the Chukotka and Even breeds for all age and sex groups of reindeer were respectively equal to: for the average number of alleles per locus r = 0.347 and 336, the number of effective alleles r = 0.534 and 0.546; theoretical heterozygosity 0.570 and 0.538, respectively. The obtained data allow us to state the dependence of the live weight of reindeer on the genotypic diversity in the populations of the Chukchi and Even breeds.

The task of feeding ruminants is to create optimal conditions for the work of rumen microflora, a reserve for increasing productive qualities is the use of protected (transit) protein, which minimizes the load on the liver. In order to optimize protein nutrition of dairy cows, an experiment was organized on the use of protein feed additives. During the period of increasing the milking capacity of cows, three groups (control and two experimental) of 50 heads each were formed from the cows of the Red Steppe breed. Against the background of the farm diet (control), in the 1st experimental group, feed yeast was additionally used in the amount of 1 kg/head/day, and in the 2nd experimental group, high-protein concentrate Kaufit 60 was used in the amount of 850 g/head/day. The supplement Kaufit 60 is a mixture of plant, animal and synthetic components with a crude protein content of 60%. The studies showed that additional use of yeast contributed to an increase in crude protein in the diet by 7%, digestible protein by 5%, and the ratio of rumen and intestinal fractions was 65/35. The use of the protein supplement Kaufit 60 contributed to an increase in crude protein by 13%, digestible protein by 15%, the increase in the amount of transit protein in the diet was 40%, the SP/NSP ratio was 60/40. An increase in gross milk yield in experimental groups from 6 to 13% was noted. The balance of energy and protein in the feed in the group using Kaufit 60 contributed to a reliable increase in fat content and protein levels by 0.1 and 0.2%, respectively, the level of urea in milk was within the physiological norm. The use of protein feed additives in experimental groups led to an increase in feed costs, while the increase in revenue from milk sales amounted to 6 to 13%, and profit from 2 to 8%.

The article presents the results of parasitological studies of the Mongolian steppe antelope, or dzeren (Procapra gutturosa), in the Trans-Baikal Territory with the aim of determining the qualitative and quantitative composition of parasites as one of the factors limiting the increase in the population of these animals. Large-scale studies of parasitoses and parasitocenoses in dzerens living in the Trans-Baikal Territory have not been conducted to date. During the study, the dzeren was found to be infected with 20 types of parasites in the specified area – helminths, parasitic protozoa, insects. Analysis of the parasite fauna of the Mongolian steppe antelope population in the Trans-Baikal Territory showed that the animals are most widely represented by gastrointestinal tract helminths – nematodes of the Trichostrongylidae family and cestodes of the Anoplocephalidae family. The participation of the dzeren as an intermediate host in the life cycle of tapeworms Echinococcus granulosus and Taenia hydatigena, as well as protozoa of the genus Sarcocystis, which have not only veterinary but also epidemiological significance and pose a threat to human health, has been established. Parasitism of the trematode Dicrocoelium lanceatum in the bile ducts of the liver of one dzeren in the amount of 7 specimens was recorded. The unusual thing about this fact is that the Transbaikal Territory is considered to be free of dicrocoeliosis, and no cases of this invasion among farm animals have been recorded here. In one dzeren (EI = 3.8%), larvae of the nasopharyngeal gadfly Oestrus ovis, which also attacks sheep, were found in the nasal cavity. Sarcocyst cysts (8 specimens/head) were found on the esophagus and larynx of two dzerens, the species of which could not be determined. Eimeria oocysts were detected in 18 animals (EI = 21.4%). Simultaneous infection of the dzeren with several types of parasites, including different taxonomic groups (helminths, protozoa, insects) has been established, which indicates the existence of parasitocenoses in the dzeren population.

To assess the qualitative and quantitative composition of the fleet of grain harvesters in the Omsk region, studies were conducted to determine the number of grain harvesters, their grade composition and energy characteristics. Analysis of these data allowed determining the provision of agricultural producers with combines, the age composition of the machine fleet, energy supply of the sown areas, and the factors affecting the rate of renewal of the machine fleet. It was established that the number of main agricultural machines, except for grain harvesters, decreased (+1.0%). The fleet is dominated by grain harvesters from the “Rostselmash” (42.9%) and “Yenisei” plants (26.8%). More than 60% of grain harvesters are older than 10 years. The crop area load per combine harvester in the Omsk region is 64% higher than the Russian average, and energy supply is the lowest in the Siberian Federal District. A decrease in the level of mechanization of agricultural production leads to a loss of at least 10–20% of agricultural crop yields. The increased load on combines in some farms exceeds the standard by 5–7 times. To increase the rate of renewal of the machinery fleet, it is necessary to implement systemic measures, including: developing a market for outsourcing services for the performance of technological operations, developing a market for the rental of agricultural machinery, and improving state support programs for rural producers. To upgrade the combine harvester fleet in the Omsk region and bring its utilization rate up to national standards, at least 1,500 additional machines are needed. The modernization program will cost approximately 30 billion rubles.

Brief results of the study on the development of a gas-liquid heat exchange apparatus or exhaust gas heat recuperator for the D-242 diesel engine of the MTZ-82 tractor are presented. To achieve the goals and objectives of the study, an experimental setup was created, utilizing the specified engine as the power unit. A factorial experiment was conducted to study the thermal state of the engine under various operating modes, which revealed certain contradictions in the heat balance of the operating engine. Depending on the operating mode and ambient temperature, within 15 minutes of engine operation, the oil in the sump heated up to 62°C, while the coolant temperature reached a maximum value of 86°C, and the exhaust gas temperature reached 330°C. Formally, based on the coolant temperature, the engine reached the optimal operational temperature range (85–90°C). However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the oil had not yet reached its optimal temperature. This indicates that the temperature conditions in the friction units remained low, consequently, friction losses persisted, along with a high risk of scuffing. The developed recuperator is designed to capture a portion of the waste heat from the engine, which is dissipated into the atmosphere with the exhaust gases, for its subsequent use in the components and assemblies of the machine to maintain the specified temperature regime, including the machine's engine. Looking ahead, the recuperated heat could potentially be utilized for generating cooling and electricity to provide these resources for necessary technological operations performed by the machine-tractor unit.

Based on a review of published data, the article refines the understanding of the influence of granulometric composition on winter moisture migration in soils of the steppe and forest-steppe regions of Siberia. It establishes quantitative proportionalities between environmental parameters and the cryogenic accumulation of moisture in soils with different granulometric compositions for the purpose of forecasting this element of the soil water regime. The particle size distribution predetermines the water yield of soils and the volume of mobile moisture at humidity levels below the field capacity. Soils with a heavy particle size distribution (heavy loamy and light clayey) are characterized by low water yield (the water storage coefficient is 0.06). This is due to the high water content of micropores with difficult-to-move moisture and the increased hydro-adsorption capacity of highly silty soils (more than 15% of the mass). The content of mobile moisture remains high even at humidity levels below the field capacity. Therefore, in heavy soils with shallow groundwater, the freezing accumulation does not exceed 50 mm, while with deep groundwater, it reaches 25 mm. Under such soils, during the redistribution of part of the groundwater into the cryogenic accumulation layer, their level may drop by 0.9 m from October to March, and the thickness of the freezing layer can reach 1.1 m. Light (sandy and sandy loam) soils are characterized by the predominance of large and medium pores, as well as low hydro-adsorption capacity (2–3% of the mass). Therefore, light soils are characterized by high water storage (the water storage coefficient can reach up to 0.5). The content of moisture capable of movement at humidity levels below the field capacity is low in light soils, since moisture in medium and large pores is predominantly in a disconnected state. For this reason, in light soils with shallow groundwater, up to 100 mm of moisture can freeze, while with deep groundwater, less than 10 mm freezes. Due to the high water storage, the drop in groundwater level in light soils from October to March barely reaches 0.2 m, and the vertical thickness of the freezing layer does not exceed 0.5 m.