Purpose. To study the history of zoning and registration of walnut varieties in Ukraine. Results. The walnut has occurred in the zoned assortment of 1937 with recommendations for growing in the favourable conditions of the sou­theast of Ukraine. Due to the absence of approbated walnut varieties it was not discussed about varietal culture. For the first time the walnut variety of national breeding has been zoned only in 1954. In Soviet period walnut varieties were recommended for cultivation in 7 western and southern regions of Ukraine. In the end of ?? century 4 varieties of H. M. Vysotskyi Ukrainian Research Institution of Forestry and Sylvicultural Reclamation breeding and 9 varieties of Prydnistrovska Experimental Station of Horticulture bree­ding have been zoned. To boost up the registration of new walnut varieties it have started to carry out according to the applicant’s data, supposing after-registration tests under conditions of various horticultural regions. At this time 10 varieties of the Nikitskyi Botanical Garden bree­ding and a number of varieties of both the Moldavian (7) and the French (6) breeding have been registered in the State Regis­ter of plant varieties. Mass reproduction of new walnut varieties and use them in industrial plantations in the regions without preliminarily tests, have led to a frost-killing of some plantations. Process of registration of new walnut varieties of both national and foreign selection is procee­ding and their list will be increase. Conclusions. 52 walnut varieties were zoned or registered in the Ukrainian State Register, including 34 varieties of national selection within 1954–2018. The State Register of plant varieties of Ukraine (on the date 2018) comprises 33 walnut varieties, including 16 varieties of national breeding and 17 varieties of foreign breeding. 19 varieties were excluded from the Register because they were not maintained by their applicants. Geographical dilating for walnut industrial cultivation demands corresponding after-registration testing for reception of authentic results concerning their behavior in the conditions which are distinct from where they have been originated.

Purpose. To make comprehensive assessment of introduced samples of soft winter wheat from the 20TH FAWWON-SA international nursery of various eco-geographical origins under the conditions of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine according to the indices of productivity and adaptability in order to define the most valuable samples and describe them. Methods. Field study, laboratory analysis, generalization. Results. The authors presented results of the study, evaluation and description of 90 new soft winter wheat samples of various eco-geographical origins by productivi­ty and adaptability traits during 2013–2016 implemented by the V. Ya. Yuriev Plant Production Institute of NAAS on the base of Ustymivka Experimental Station for Plant Production. In field and laboratory conditions, the following indicators as yielding, productivity, thousand/kernel weight, early ripe­ning, height of plants, length of the ears and lod­ging resistance were studied. Conclusions. A series of stu­dies of new soft winter wheat samples under various weather conditions allowed to identify plants with increased parame­ters of economic and biological characters. During studies, it was found that ‘06325G1-1’, ‘06325G4-1’, ‘Nikifor’ (Romania), ‘Aniya’ (Kazakhstan), ‘AR800-1-3-1/WX03ARS0047’, ‘GA951079-3-5/WX03ARS0256’, ‘BC01007-7’, ‘BC01131-24’, ‘OK055511’, ‘SD06069’, ‘NE06545’ (USA) were the high-yiel­ding varieties. The samples of soft winter wheat as ‘Derbes’, ’Zhadyra’ (Kazakhstan), ‘CHAM6//1D13.1/…’ (IU061757), ‘DORADE/ALTAY2000…’ (IU062123), ‘GANSU-1/MEZGIT-4’, ‘CHAM6//1D13…’ (IU061757) (Turkey), ‘SERI.1B*2/3/KAUZ*2/BOW//…’ (IU062150) (USA) contained a large mass of grains (more than 3.5 g), plant productivity in these samples was rather high due to increased amount of grains and the “thousand-kernel” weight. Summarizing analysis showed that introduced soft winter wheat samples of various eco-geographical origins were adapted to the Southern Forest-Steppe and can be recommended as an initial material in breeding to increase productive and adaptive capacity.

Purpose. To analyze the varietal diversity of the ornamental Poaceae collection introduced in the M. M. Hryshko National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, to determine its morphobiological potential. Methods. Introduction studies, phenological observations, morphometry, statistical processing. Results. The cultivars diversity of ornamental grasses in the M. M. Hrysh­ko National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine has been studied. Groups of cultivars for the seasonal rhythm of development (spring growth beginning, flowering and the beginning of the fruiting phase) have been selected. The study of morphological parameters of ornamental grasses made it possible to distinguish low, medium and tall cultivars in height. Among the low grasses, cultivars groups with spring and summer flowering can be identified. Medium grasses are represented by cultivars with spring, summer and autumn flowering period. Flowering shoots of more than 200 cm produce tall varieties of the genus Miscanthus. Plants of Arundo donax ‘Versicolor’ produce shoots 220.6±6.5 cm in the conditions of introduction. Tall cultivars with a spring flowering period are absent in the collection of ornamental grasses. Conclusions. Cultivars with early (late March – early April) and medium (mid-April) period of growth are characterized by spring and early summer flowering period. Plants with late (late April – early May) period of growth are blooming in late August – early October. It was found that cultivars of genus: Festuca, Melica, Miscanthus, Molinia, Stipa, Panicum have a high ability to form shoots in the Forest-Steppe and Polissya of Ukraine. High flowering productivity was recorded for M. sinensis ‘Kleine Fontane’, M. sinensis ‘Kleine Silberspinne’, M. sinensis ‘Zebrinus’, M. sinensis ‘Apache’, Melica altissima ‘Atropurpurea’, M. altissima ‘Alba’, Molinia caerulea ‘Nana Variegata’, Stipa calamagrostis ‘Lemperg’. The selected assortment of low, medium and tall grasses with different periods of flowering and coloring of the leaves allows them to be recommended for various types of landscaping in the conditions of Ukraine.

Purpose. To study the response to vernalization and to identify Vrn-1 genotypes of modern alternate soft wheat varieties of various origins. Methods. Temporal vernali­zation, hybridological analysis of the development type according to the Vrn-1 gene system, dispersion and correlation analyses, criterion c2 for assessing the correspondence of the actual splitting results to the theoretical hypothesis. Results. Alternate varieties vary considerably in the length of the period before earing under field conditions of autumn sowing and under plants cultivation after 10–40 days vernalization and without it on the growing area under the natural day. The varieties ‘Shestopalovka’ and ‘Demir 2000’ for the transition to generative deve­lopment (earing) require 30 and 40 days vernalization of green sprouts at +2 °?. The varieties ‘Solomiia’ and ‘Khutorianka’ did not react to a prior vernalization during both years of study. The control line ‘Mironovskaya 808 Vrn-B1a’ and the ‘Zimoiarka’ variety responded with a reliable reduction of the duration period before earing on the vernali­zation – 10, ‘Afina’, ‘Lastochka’, ‘Pallada’, ‘L897Y23’ – 10–20 and ‘Yara’ – 10–30 days. Comparison of split in spring and winter genotypes of the F2 populations of diallele and test-cross interbreeding allowed identifying of five groups of Vrn-1 genotypes with different genetic control type of development. The varieties ‘Shestopalovka’ and ‘Demir 2000’ are carriers of only the recessive alleles Vrn-A1b, Vrn-B1b, Vrn-D1b. In the genotype of the varieties ‘Zimoiarka’ and ‘Khutorianka’ there are two dominant genes Vrn-A1a and Vrn-B1a. Other varieties carriers of only one gene Vrn-1: ‘Solomiia’ – Vrn-A1a gene, ‘Pallada’ and ‘Yara’ – Vrn-B1a, ‘Afina’, ‘Lastochka’ and ‘L897Ya23’ – the Vrn-D1a gene. Conclusions. The varieties ‘Shestopalovka’ and ‘Demir 2000’ are of winter genotypes. Varieties ‘Afina’, ‘Lastochka’, ‘L897Ya23’, ‘Zimoiarka’, ‘Solomiia’, ‘Khutorianka’, ‘Pallada’, ‘Yara’ are spring and they achieve earing under spring sowing without vernalization. From the view point of genetic control of development type the varieties ‘Pallada’ and ‘Yara’ correspond to the “typical” alternate criteria, but the final conclusion can be made after studying the photoperiod reaction of these genotypes.

Purpose. To determine the peculiarities of the chlorophylls a and b biosynthesis in the leaves of lavender over the stages of organogenesis under the conditions of the Right Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. The subject of the study was eight varieties of lavender of Ukrainian and foreign breeding: ‘Feuervogel’, ‘Livadia’, ‘Orion’, ‘Vostok’, ‘König Humberg’, ‘Maestro’, ‘Veseli Notky’ and ‘Richard Walls’ from the collection of ornamental and medical plants of the Institute of Horticulture of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Samples of vegetative material were taken at experimental stock sites during a period 2015 to 2017 at the following stages of organogenesis: the beginning of vegetation, the complete formation of leaves, the formation of buds, the beginning of flowering and full flowering. The content of chlorophyll in the leaves was determined by the Godnev’s method modified by Osipova (1947). Results. A positive dynamics of chlorophyll types a and b accumulation in the leaves of lavender plants over the stages of organogenesis under the conditions of the Kyiv region was found. At the flowering stage, the total content of these pigments in the leaves of varieties under investigation reached a maximum and ranged from 1.8 to 2.0 g/dm2, which was 18.8 to 25.0% higher than the values of the previous stage of development. Variety-specific relations in biosynthesis in chlorophyll a and b was revealed. The highest chlorophyll a content at the flowering stage was recorded in ‘Vostok’ and ‘Maestro’ varieties (1.64 g/dm2), while chlorophyll b in ‘Orion’ (0.64 g/dm2) and ‘König Humberg’ (0.52 g/dm2). Conclusions. The peculiarities of the changes in the chlorophyll content of lavender plants over the stages of organogenesis are determined, that allows evaluating the effect of growing conditions on the state of plantations of various lavender varieties and can be used to optimize the techno­logy of lavender cultivation.

Purpose. To study introduced soybean samples and to find out genetic sources of main biological and economically valuable attributes for further use in the selection process. Methods. The laboratorial, field, statistical. Results. The study allowed to determine the samples, which are characterized by the set of valuable features. So, ‘Staroukrainka’, 014728 (RUS) is characterized by ultra-early ripening and high seed yields. The samples ‘B 44/22’, 02625; ‘B 4/411’, 02624 (KAZ) have got long stems and high seed yield. ‘? 14/253’, 02636 (KAZ) combines high rates of the stem length and lower pod location above the ground with resistance to drought and infestation. ‘? 14/23’, 02635 (KAZ) is characterized by high seed yield and drought resistance. The samples ‘? 16/145’, 02637; ‘? 16/145’, 02637 (KAZ) are resistant to drought and infestation. Five-year study of the introduced soybean samples allowed to highlight standard samples by the features: duration of the “seedling-ripening” period is very short (90–100 days) – ‘Aktai’, 0142258 (HUN), ‘? 9/562’, 02633 (KAZ); lower pod location above the ground (16,1–20,0 ?m) – ‘? 16/145’, 02637; ‘? 14/253’, 02636 (KAZ); high seed yield (116–135%) – ‘B 46/6-1’, 02643 (KAZ); high 1000 seeds weight (191–250 g) – ‘B 19/622’, 02639 (KAZ); low 1000 seeds weight (71–130 g) – ‘B 19/622’, 02639 (KAZ). After comprehensive assessment in a collection nursery and competitive variety testing, best by the complex of practically valuable features varieties and lines have been planted to hybridization nursery and will be used for creation of new soybean varieties. Conclusions. The introduced samples by the complex of valuable attributes and standard samples are recommended for use in the selection process for creation of new soybean varieties on a genetic basis adapted to the irrigated conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine.

Purpose. To study the adaptive signs of varieties and breeding material of winter wheat developed at the Institute of Irrigated Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Methods. Field, laboratory (determination of the water-holding capacity of leaves at major phenological stages), structural analysis, drought tolerance estimation (the method is based on the seed ability to germinate in sugar solution with high osmotic pressure), qua­lity analysis, and statistical analysis. Results. Having a high-yiel­­ding potential, modern varieties of winter wheat realize only 45–50% of their yield potential as their adaptability is still insufficient to ensure guaranteed stable yield. Therefore, to create highly adaptive varieties and to search me­thods of evaluating breeding material in terms of adaptability remains a challenge for modern practical breeding. Among the studied in rainfed conditions winter wheat varieties of the Institute of Irrigated Agriculture which are adaptable in terms of plant height and yield, there is a genetically determined difference between drought-resistant genotypes, which makes it possible to select the best of them. These genotypes are 80–90 cm tall, they ensure a yield potential of 10.5 t/ha and the following quality indicators of grain: protein content 14%, sedimentation 55–75 ml, kernel hardness 95%, gluten content 32%, gluten quality I–II group Conclusions. The research on the drought and heat resistance of winter wheat carried out in the most important ontogenetic periods against two backgrounds – irrigated and rainfed – in conditions of climate change of the steppe zone served a basis for new breeding material and varie­ties. The Institute of Irrigated Agriculture’s varieties that have complex adaptive capacity have passed state variety examination and recognized as suitable for introduction in the farms in the South of Ukraine.

Purpose. To give comparative estimation of yield productivity and adaptability of spring barley varieties, deve­loped at the V. M. Remeslo Institute of Wheat of NAAS and included to the State Register of Ukraine during 1995–2017. Methods. The study was carried out at the V. M. Remeslo Institute of Wheat of NAAS during 2013–2017 according to accepted methods. Objects of the research – 19 Myronivka spring barley varieties, registered in Ukraine during 1995–2017. To characterize the “genotype–environment” interaction and varieties differentiation according to productivity and stability, a number of the most used approaches were applied: S. A. Eberhart, W. A. Russel (1966); G. Wricke (1962); C. S. Lin, M. R. Binns (1988); M. Huehn (1990); A.V. Kilchevskiy, L.V. Khotyleva (1985); V. V. Khan­gildin, N. A. Litvinenko (1981); J. L. Purchase et al. (2000); AMMI; GGE biplot. Results.The share of year’s conditions in the common variation was 83.40%. Reliable, but significantly lower values were calculated for genotype – 10.65% and “genotype–environment” interaction – 5.95%. The first two principal components of the GGE biplot explain the slightly higher percentage of the “genotype–environment” interaction (85.58%) in comparison with the AMMI model (80.90%). Correlation analysis revealed above-ave­rage positive interrelation of average productivity (Mean) with the maximum (Max) (r = 0.69) as well as the minimum (Min) (r = 0.72) levels. The strong positive correlation was peculiar to Mean with parameters SVGi (r = 0.88), Hom (r = 0.86), Sc (r = 0.82). The strong negative correlation was registered for Mean with Pi (r = -0.96). For Max only average negative correlation with Pi (r = -0.60) was found. M?n strongly correlated with Sc (r = 0.96), SVGi (r = 0.87) and Hom (r = 0.84). The strong negative correlation Min with Sgi (r = -0.86) was observed. Between the some indices correlation varied from functional and very strong positive: d2SAAi and ?gi (r = 1.00), Wi and Lgi (r = 0.98), SVGiand Hom (r = 0.98), SVGiand Sc (r = 0.96), S2diand Wi (r = 0.96), WiandASV(r = 0.94), Sc and Hom (r = 0.94), d2SAAi and bi (r = 0.93), S2diandASV (r = 0.93) to strong negative: SgiandSVGi (r = -0.94), Sgiand Sc(r = -0.92), Sgiand Hom (r = -0.91), PiandSVGi (r = -0.83), Piand Sc (r = -0.80), Piand Hom (r = -0.79). Conclusions. The systemic comparative estimation with statistical and graphical approaches shows that new spring barley varieties ‘Virazh’, ‘Talisman Myronivskyi’, ‘MIP Myrnyi’, ‘MIP Saliut’, ‘MIP Sotnyk’, ‘MIP Azart’, ‘MIP Bohun’ included to the State Register of Ukraine during 2016–2017 have advantages over older varieties by both productive and adaptive potential.

Purpose. To determine the best parthenocarpic cucumber hybrids of gherkin-type by the level of economic value in the conditions of protected ground during the spring-summer period. Methods. During the years 2015–2017, in the conditions of greenhouse (protected ground) a comprehensive evaluation of 18 genotypes of cucumbers selected at the Institute of Vegetable and Melon of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine was implemented. Plant materials were obtained as a result of artificial hybridization of breeding cucumbers during the previous years. Characteristics of domestic hybrid ‘Nadiia F1’ served as a standard (refe­rence) set of economic indicators. Results. According to the results of the evaluation seven F1 hybrids were selected as a group of valuable economic characteristics among the promising genotypes. The samples of parthenocarpic type (58.7–79.5%), of early maturing (from mass germination to the beginning of the fruiting – 51–53 days) with the female type of flowering (80–100%) and the bouquet arrangement of female flowers (by 3–5) were distinguished. The period of fruiting is about 40–45 days. The total yield of these hyb­rids ranges from 16.2 to 21.2 kg/m2 (5–37% more compared to standard figures), with the product marketability 82–90%. The average weight of the commercial unit was 91–100 g (standard – 88 g). F1 hybrids are resistant to root rot and relatively resistant to mildew. Tasting score of fresh fruits – 4.6–4.9 points, canned – 4.4–4.5 points. According to the study of heterosis level of genotypes on the basis of ‘parthenocarpia’ index, four hybrids have shown a positive over-domination. On the basis of ‘yield’ index, three hybrids had a positive super-domination with the effect of hete­rosis 126–142%. Five hybrids have shown negative dominance and negative over-domination that determines their early maturity. Positive domination and over-domination with the effect of heterosis 101–113% were peculiar to five hybrids according to ‘merchantability’ index. Conclusions. As a result of selection the new competitive parthenocarpic genotypes of gherkin-type cucumber were created for greenhouse (protected ground) growing during the spring-summer period. New cucumber hybrids will be tested in the previous and competitive variety tests and the best samples will be sent to qualification examination.

Purpose. Assessment of the collection of early-maturing constant lines of ‘Ayodent’ germplasm in terms of the key indicators of yield components. Methods. Field, mathematical, and statistical. Results. Over the years of experiment, the ave­rage grain yield varied from 3.36 t/ha in 2014 to 4.24 t/ha in 2013. In 2015, the yield amounted to 3.63 t/ha. The maximum average yield was obtained from lines ‘DK555’ and ‘DK744’ (5.35 and 5.22 t/ha, respectively). Lines ‘DK237’ and ‘DK1274’ demonstrated the most stable grain yield over the years of research with the fluctuation of 0.33 and 0.36 t/ha, respectively, at a mean square deviation equal 0.06 t/ha. The variation coefficient of the yield components of self-pollinated lines ranged from 9.1% (number of kernel rows in an ear) to 13.2% (100-kernel weight). The average number of kernels in a row over the years of research was 18.3, with a range from 15.7 to 21.9, which was 11.6% less than in the standard line ‘DK744’ (20.7). The average grain yield amounted to 74.0% (with a range from 53.6 to 81.7%. The highest grain yield marked the following lines: ‘DK1274’ (79.6%), ‘D?213’ (79.9%), ‘D?744’ (81.2%), and ‘D?155’ (81.7%). The most stable in terms of 100-kernel weight were ‘DK216’ (24.1 g) and ‘DK237’ (27.0 g), with the mean square deviations (s) being 0.7 and 3.1, respectively. Close correlations between the grain yield, the number of kernels in a row and the grain output were found: 0.85 and 0.83, respectively. Conclusions. The maximum manifestation of grain yield sign was recorded in ‘DK555’ (5.35 t/ha) and ‘DK744’ (5.22 t/ha) lines; the number of rows in an ear ‘DK744’ (17.0) and ‘DK1274’ (15.5); the number of kernels in a row ‘DK555’ (21.9) and ‘DK744’ (20.7); 100-kernel weight ‘DK213’ (28.2 g) and ‘DK1274’ (27.7 g). The lines ‘DK1274’ and ‘D?237’ had the smallest fluctuation of grain yield over the experiment years (4.39 and 3.39 t/ha, respectively).

Purpose. To identify the productivity formation peculiarities of certain soybean varieties as affected by organic fertilizer, plant growth regulators, and moisture retainer application under the conditions of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Soybean varieties ‘Ustia’, ‘Kano’, and ‘Hieba’ served as the object of the study. Moisture retainer ‘Aquasorb’ was introduced a month before sowing soybean in 10-cm strips in the zone of rows at the application rate of 300 kg/ha. Organic fertilizer ‘Parostok’ (mark 20) was applied twice: at the 3–5 leaf stage and at the 9–11 leaf stage. Growth regulators ‘Vermystym D’ and ‘Ahrostymulin’ were applied at the stage of budding at the recommended by producer dose. Results. The formulations under investigation did not affect the duration of phenological stages, and development of soybean plants occurred in accordance with their varietal characteristics and weather conditions of the year. The vegetation period of the varieties under study ranged from 109 to 117 days, which was typical of a mid-ripe­ning soybean group. Pre-sowing introduction of the moisture retainer ‘Aquasorb’ provided an increase in the soil water storage. As of 20 May 2016, the soil water storage in the 0–20 cm soil layer was 42 mm, while in the treatment with a moisture retainer it was 46 mm; in 2017, the values were 31 and 36 mm, respectively. On average, the plant density (per 1 m2)in ‘Kano’ sowings was 60.6, in ‘Hieba’ 58.5 and in ‘Ustia’ 59.2. The moisture retainer ‘Aquasorb’A provided a significant influence on the plant density formation, while organic fertilizers and growth regulators had almost no effect. The minimum yield of soybean grain in the control treatment (no formulations applied) was as follows: 3.99 t/ha in ‘Kano’, 1.72 t/ha in ‘Hieba’, and 2.43 t/ha in ‘Ustia’. All investigated agronomical practices ensured a significant increase in grain yield. The maximum yield in the experiment (4.74 t/ha) was provided by ‘Kano’ variety in the treatment with the complex application of moisture retainer ‘Aquasorb’, organic fertilizer ‘Parostok’ and growth regulator ‘Vermystym D’. The content of crude protein in soybean seeds in the control treatment varied from 35.2 to 36.6%. Application of the moisture retainer did not have any significant effect on this indicator. Top dressing with fertilizer increased the content of crude protein by 0.2–0.7% in different varieties. The maximum content of crude protein was obtained in the treatment with combined application of organic fertilizer and plant growth regulators. Conclusions. Integrated application of moisture retainer, organic fertilizer and plant growth regulators in soybean sowings is an important and effective factor in the realization of the crop yield potential. The quantitative and qualitative parameters of the crop productivity formation determined in the research can be used to improve the crop cultivation technology under the conditions of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine.

Purpose. To study the adaptive ability and to determine the main criteria for adaptability assessment of potato varie­ties selected at the Institute for Potato Research of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences under the conditions of Ukrainian Right-Bank Polissia for use in seed potato production. Methods. Ten potato varieties of different maturity groups were examined in field conditions. The productive potential was analyzed by the yield indicator to determine the general specific adaptive response. The coefficient of adapta­bility (CA) for each variety was calculated as the ratio of productivity in the year of cultivation to the average yield of all the varieties under study. Results. In the years of research (2015–2017), almost all varieties had their CA equal 1.0 and above, which indicated their high adaptive capacity to the soil-climatic zone of growing under variable weather conditions. In particular, ‘Lietana’ variety had its annual CA varied within the range of 1.06–1.24 at the yield of 13.3–29.8 t/ha, ‘Hurman’ 1.0–1.02 and 11.6–25.5 t/ha, ‘Sluch’ 0.96–1.13 and 13.1–24.6 t/ha, ‘Strumok’ 0.98–1.09 and 12.3–26.1 t/ha, ‘Zlahoda’ 0.98–1.09 and 11.7–26.2 t/ha, ‘Partner’ 0.96–1.25 and 11.1–29.9 t/ha, respectively. The high general adaptive capacity and increased yield (compared to the long-term average variety index of 20.2 t/ha) was marked by ‘Lietana’ (absolute CA of 1.15 and yield increase of 3.0 t/ha), ‘Partner’ (1.10 and 2.0 t/ha), ‘Kniahynia’ (1.05 and 1.1 t/ha), ‘Feia’ (1.09 and 0.8 t/ha), ‘Strumok’ (1.04 and 0.8 t/ha), ‘Zlahoda’ (1.03 and 0.6 t/ha), and ‘Sluch’ (1.02 and 0.4 t/ha). The most expressed positive response to the favourable growing conditions and realization of its genetic potential (i.e. high yield) was typical of ‘Lietana’, ‘Partner’, and ‘Kniahynia’ varieties, which are attributed to the varieties with a specific adaptability. In particular, in the favourable for weather conditions years (2016 and 2017), the yield increase of these varieties to the average yield of all the varieties (26.6 and 25.1 t/ha, res­pectively) was as follows: in ‘Lietana’ 1.5–2.3 t/ha, ‘Partner’ 0.4–3.3 t/ha, ‘Kniahynia’ 0.7–1.7 t/ha. Thus, the specific adaptive ability of a variety is more evident at a high value of the average yield of all the varieties. Conclusions. The use of high adaptable potato varieties for cultivation in certain climatic zones will allow increasing production of high-quali­ty seed material for variety rotation. These varieties for the conditions of Ukrainian Right-Bank Polissia include ‘Lietana’, ‘Partner’, ‘Kniahynia’, ‘Zlahoda’, ‘Feia’, ‘Sluch’, ‘Strumok’, ‘Ariia’, and ‘Hurman’.

Purpose. To examine the feasibility of using certain foreign cultivars of willow for energy plantations under the conditions of the Volyn Opillia. Methods. Field, laboratory, analytical, and statistical. The objects of research was energy plantations of four Swedish willow cultivars (‘Tora’, ‘Tordis’, ‘Inger’, and ‘Wilhelm’), three Polish varieties (‘1047’, ‘82’, and ‘1057’) and one Hungarian variety (‘Express’). The plantations were established in 2012/13 yrs on the old-arable lands in Volyn Opillya. Results. Biological characteristics of the cultivars under study and planting density significantly affect the survivability of cuttings, their bushiness, a number of sprouts per hectare, plant height, the average diameter of sprouts and energy biomass productivity. After the first year of cultivation, the highest yield of dry mass was obtained in variants with the highest planting density (22500 plants/ha). During the second growing season, a significant increase in biomass yield was observed in all variants. It was especially intensive at a planting density of 16400 plants/ha. After the third year of vegetation, the highest yield of ‘Tora’, ‘Inger’ and ‘Tordis’ cultivars was reached at the density of 16400 cuttings per hectare. Conclusions. Under the conditions of Volyn Opillya, the highest dry biomass productivity over the three-year harvest cycle of growing Swedish cultivars was as following: ‘Tora’ 25.72–28.12 t/ha, ‘Inger’ 26.71–30.27 t/ha, and ‘Tordis’ 21.58 to 27.56 t/ha. The conducted hierarchical cluster analysis of the studied cultivars for the survivability of cuttings, a set of biometric indicators and productivity showed that they are combined into 2 clusters. The first cluster includes cultivars of Swedish selection – ‘Tora’ and ‘Inger’, which have the highest rates for all the characteristics of growth and productivity. The second variety includes the remaining varieties, which are, to varying degrees, promising for cultivation in Volyn Opillia. This is especially true for the ‘Tordis’, ‘Wilhelm’ and ‘Express’ varieties located on the right side of the second cluster and are characterized by high performance. Energy plantations of willow should be established with an initial density of 12000–15000 plants per 1 hectare under the conditions of the Volyn Opillia.

Purpose. To conduct a comprehensive agrobiological assessment of broccoli hybrids Brassica oleracea L. convar. botrytis (L.) Alef. var. ?ymosa Duch. in terms of the key agronomic traits under the conditions of the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. The object of the study was the following foreign broccoli hybrids: ‘Lucky F1’ (reference), ‘Batavia F1’, ‘Belstar F1’, ‘Monaco F1’, and ‘Rumba F1’. Phenological observations, biometric measurements, and records were conducted in accordance with the Methodology of Experiments in Vegetable and Melons (2001). Results. On ave­rage over the years of research, the highest yield was obtained from hybrids ‘Monaco F1’ (41.2 t/ha) and ‘Rumba F1’ (38.0 t/ha). A slightly lower yield was in ‘Belstar F1’ (32.3 t/ha) and ‘Batavia F1’ (29.6 t/ha). In general, all hybrids under investigation provided a significant yield increase (6.3–17.9 t/ha) compared to reference ‘Lucky F1’ (23.3 t/ha). The largest diameter of the main head was recorded in the hybrids ‘Rumba F1’ (19.7 cm), ‘Monaco F1’ (20.5 cm) and the smallest in ‘Lucky F1’ (14.3 cm). The weight of the main head of all hybrids was significantly higher than that of reference (295 g): ‘Batavia F1’ 451 g, ‘Belstar F1’ 477 g, ‘Rumba F1’ 514 g, and ‘Monaco F1’ 542 g. The weight of the side heads of the broccoli ranged from 328 g (‘Lucky F1’) to 807 g (‘Monaco F1’). The highest biochemical indicators of commodity product were provided by hybrids ‘Rumba F1’ and ‘Monaco F1’: the total dry matter content was 11.3 and 11.6%, soluble solids 6.4 and 6.7%, sugars 3.5 and 3.8%, and vitamin C 89.3 and 98.7 mg/100 g, respectively. Conclusions. Under the conditions of the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, it is recommended to grow new foreign broccoli hybrids ‘Rumba F1’ and ‘Monaco F1’, which ensure high yield and quali­ty of commodity product. According to the results of the agrobiological assessment, a typical model of broccoli variety is proposed, which may serve as a project for the development of the evaluation form for ability indicators of Brassica oleracea L. convar. botrytis (L.) Alef. var. ?ymosa Duch. for distribution inUkraine.

Purpuse. To develop scientific and methodological principles of legal protection of plant varieties in Ukraine in accordance with the requirements of the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) and the European Union (EU), to analyze the relevant methodological and legal norms and approa­ches aimed to improve the system of legal protection of plant varieties as intellectual property objects identified during the expert determination the criteria for distinctiveness, uniformity and stability (DUS-test). Results. Determination of the criteria for distinctiveness, uniformity and stability implies the plant varieties identification by the method of phenotype morphological description (the signs of vegetative and generative organs). The morphological code formula of the variety consists of the corresponding codes of the sign and the degree of its expression that is formed according to the technical documents and DUS methods in all countries of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) and CPVO. Methodological provision for the protection of breeder’s rights and new plant varieties in the EU and the CPVO protocols were analyzed by the comparative method of the general parts and the tables of signs of DUS techniques for the botanical taxons of 4 plant groups: agricultural, vegetable, fruit and decorative. Conclusions. As a result of comparative assessment of DUS methods for plant varieties (CPVO – Protocols, UPOV – TG, Ukraine – UATG) was found that the morphological des­cription of plant varieties during the field trials (qualitative (QL), quantitative (QN) and pseudo-qualitative (PQ) signs of phenotypes ) is the basic technique for conducting DUS testing according to the international UPOV requirements as well as to CPVO requirements. National Methods for Plant Varieties Examination for Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability are developed under mandatory requirements of the DOCUMENT TGP 7/3 DEVELOPMENT OF TEST GUIDELINES adopted by the Council at its forty-eighth ordinary session on October 16, 2014. The CPVO and EU methodological bases at the 2015 research stage included protocols for 160 botanical taxons, represented by four plant groups: agricultural (18); vegetables (46); fruit (30) and decorative (66). The CPVO protocols for 122 botanical taxons, namely: agricultural (18), vegetable (44); fruit (28) and decorative (32) are of great value for the application’s scientific and technical examination for plant variety registration inUkraine. Field tests of plant phenotypes in accordance with morpho-descriptive method for variety identification by the relevant features and their degree of expression for harmonized description of plant varieties is practically brought to the UPOV international requirements and partly to CPVO protocols of the European Union.