Vol 43, No 6 (2017)

The genetic polymorphism of 62 genotypes of spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) of different ecological and geographical origin has been studied for 13 microsatellite loci using SSR-markers. A cluster analysis has revealed samples for use in hybridization that are most genetically distant from the varieties of selection in Primorsky krai. Lines 161 and 168, which combine the resistance to spike and grain fusarium with a high productivity, were developed with the involvement of the selected varieties, Long 98-4081 (China) and Primorskaya 39 (Russia, Primorsky krai).

The article discusses the results of the evaluation of combining the ability of forage sorghum varieties in test-crosses with CMS-lines of grain sorghum A2 O-1237, A2 AGS, and A2 KVV114. The experiment included forage sorghum varieties (11), CMS-lines (3), and tester hybrids (33) of F₁ generation. The differentiation of varieties and hybrids based on sugar content in the stem juice and protein, fat, fiber, ash and NFE in biomass and grain was performed using statistical methods, and GCA and SCA parameters were calculated. The use of forage sorghum varieties in breeding programs for the improvement of the biochemical composition of grain and biomass hybrids of the F₁-generation and synthetic varieties-populations was considered. GCA and SCA variability of the content of sugars in juice of the stem detected in genotypes allows using them in breeding programs. Chayka, k-592, and k-2963 varieties are effective in breeding for the production of synthetic varieties and unsuitable for the production of hybrids with high-sugar content, since they are characterized by high GCA but relatively low variance of SCA. In breeding for heterosis by sugar content in the stem juice, most promising were L-2, L-10, and L-69 lines. Varieties k-6 and L-7 with high values of GCA effect and variances of SCA were suitable for the use in breeding of synthetics varieties and F₁ hybrids. It was demonstrated that, in breeding of sorghum varieties, the test cross method allows identifying GCA and SCA indexes of the best lines and providing a more rigorous analysis of experimental data.

Apple cultivars from the VNIISPK breeding program are characterized for sugar content in fruit. It is shown that many VNIISPK apple cultivars exceed widespread control cultivars in the studied trait. The results of studies for the development of apple cultivars with higher content of sugar in fruit are given. The features of domination and transgressions have been studied for the content of sugar and soluble dry substances in fruit of hybrid apple seedlings.

The aim of the study was to breed a salt-tolerant cultivar of annual forage halophyte Suaeda altissima L. under irrigation with 8–10 g L^–1 saline waters. The field trials took place at the Astrakhan Experimental Reclamation Station on light-chestnut soil. The breeding stock was formed of 19 samples collected from the saline soil of the Astrakhan and the Volgograd oblasts, Stavropol krai, and the Republic of Kalmykia as well as in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Promising Suaeda altissima L. specimens were selected from a collection of different ecological and geographical populations and were evaluated by their salt tolerance and forage and seed productivity. They were assessed in a competitive variety trial for a complex of biological, ecological, and commercially valuable traits. Finally, a promising specimen K-227 (the Volga region of the Astrakhan oblast) was selected, resulting in a new cultivar Zemfira enlisted into State Breeding Register. The cultivar yields 12 t ha^–1 dry mass and 8 dt ha–1 seeds under saline water irrigation in the Northwestern Caspian Region.

The research shows that overgrowing of agricultural soddy-podzolic soils in the taiga-forest zone leads to differentiation of the arable layer into two sublayers. Sod pedogenesis is superimposed on its upper part, which leads to an increase in its humus content and total exchangeable bases and a decrease in soil fertility. A podzolic process is imposed on its lower part, which causes a reduction in its humus content and an increase in the acidity of the entire postaprogenic layer. After 40 years of overgrowing, these sublayers become close to the horizon AY (soddy horizon) and to the EL (eluvial horizon) of virgin soils in a set of their properties.

The drainage system designs and their function principles at the experimental production plot for the siphon- and vacuum-assisted drainage in the Mugan-Salyan massif characterized by the nongradient area have been described. The surveys are carried out in the natural environments during the vegetation period for the irrigation of cotton occupying the entire area of the experimental plot. A high efficiency of the siphonand vacuum-assisted drainage system has been calculated. In addition, the drain discharge and the discharge module are closely connected to the existing water pressure value in the interdrain. In the vegetation period, the maximum and minimum water discharges comprised 11.1 L/sec and 2.8 L/sec, respectively. The drainage module value varied from 0.14 to 0.55 L/sec hectare. It has been ascertained that the drainage system operation provides the opportunity to lower the depth of the groundwater table within the interdrain up to 250–280 cm (the initial depth is 120–150 cm). The possibilities of significant increases in the flushing intensity and the reduction of the terms of the regulated ameliorative activities within the certain hydrogeological regime have been proven.

Two successive genotypings (in 2014 and 2017) of the leptin gene (LEP) by the R25C and Y7F loci were conducted in the herd of the Ayrshire cattle of the Niva Farm of Krasnodar Krai in order to study the influence of polymorphism of these loci on the duration of the economic use. DNA samples (n = 154) isolated from blood of animals with different periods of economic use have been analyzed. The need for genotyping in 2017 arose because of the ambiguous interpretation of the findings obtained in 2014. A higher frequency of occurrence of the RR genotype of the LEP in the group of long-livers could be explained both by better preservation of animals with the RR genotype and by random gene drift (in particular, by larger share of breeder bulls, the carriers of the R allele). It was found that, as in 2014, a group of long-liver cows genotyped in 2017 differed from the group of young cows genotyped in 2014 in the occurrence frequency of the RR genotype, which was doubled. Consequently, regardless of the experimental conditions, animals of this particular group may have a longer productive life. It has also been established that the polymorphism at the Y7F locus does not have a significant effect on the duration of the economic use of the Ayrshire cows.

A method of increasing cow milk production using new-type polymer additives has been tested. The objective of this research was to study the influence of a high-molecular water-soluble polymer with a molecular weight of 1 × 10⁷ Da, a linear molecular structure, and a viscosity of 20 to 100 mm²/s on cow milk production. The polymer was introduced into the diet together with concentrated feed during the dry and postcalving periods. The additive increased the cow milk productivity by 9% and insignificantly increased the density of milk and the content of fat, protein, and some macro- and microelements.

One of the main goals of the Russian agro-industrial complex is striving to achieve world indices. To achieve this, the fundamentals of the Russian grain economy have been revised; elevator farming and forage production are brought to the modern level. Russian production of grain-forage has been improved: the content of food grains in it is reducing and the content of barley, leguminous, and corn is increasing. These lead to cropping increasing of the mentioned crops. As a substitution for soy protein, protein of lupine and peas are offered. This protein is almost equal in quality to soy protein but is much cheaper. Further investigations on the cattle physiology will help to reveal the genetic potential of calves and cows.

The article represents the study of the effect of chronic intoxication with T-2 toxin on the antioxidant status of albino rats under their vaccination against salmonellosis. It is stated that the intensity of lipid peroxidation (LPO) processes increased under the action of toxin and led to increased content of toxic product, malonic dialdehyde (MDA), in blood and decreased indices of antioxidant protection (AOP), activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPO) and catalase enzymes and level of vitamins E and A, in liver and nitric oxide in blood serum. The application of aminoseleton promoted the lower level of LPO, decreased MDA in blood, and increased potential of enzymatic and nonenzymatic components of AOP.

A method of comparative evaluation of a centralized ventilation system using and not using an ejection unit is developed. The aerodynamics fundamentals are used to substantiate the efficiency of the ventilation with the use of the ejection unit as well as to substantiate its parameters. It is specified that the main parameter of the ejection unit is the ejection coefficient defining the rate of an increase of the air supply due to ejection or the same amount of the ejected air. The structural parameters of the unit, its components, depend on this parameter: nozzle, pressure, mixing chambers, and supply shaft. The analysis of the standard designs of the livestock houses shows that the total resistance of the network of the supply ventilation system makes 600–800 Pa. That is why the ejection coefficient of the units can be assumed to be equal to three. Furthermore, the energy costs are reduced 2.4 times. It is specified that the best conditions for admixing the warm air are created at the smallest angle between the ejecting and ejected air, i.e., with the following motion of the flows.