Purpose. Create a collection fund and highly adaptive cultivar of the little common plant Nepeta mussinii Spreng. ex Henckel (Lamiaceae Lindl.), suitable for growing in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine and using as an essential oil, medicinal, food and decorative culture. Methods. Common methods in the introduction of plants in the study of generic complexes and multiple individual selection, which is involved in the selection process. Results. The results of the use of essential oil plants after successful introduction in the conditions of the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NBS) on the example of a species of foreign flora N. mussinii, which today is an unconventional plant in Ukraine. The key stages of the complex scientific and applied research of the plant, from mobilization and accumulation of collection material, through introduction tests and selection process to the creation of high quality material and its use in applied innovative developments are shown. On the basis of studies conducted in the period of 2005–2018 in Ukraine, the Methodology for the examination of cultivars N. mussinii for distinctness, uniformity and stability was developed and the domestic cultivar N. mussinii ‘Posviata Meisu’ was created. The article presents the morphological features and technical characteristics of the cultivar, which ensure the recognition of plants among foreign varieties and promote its further multifunctional use – as an essential oil, medicinal, food, decorative culture. Considering the quantitative composition of individual biologically active compounds, the raw materials of plants of this cultivar are used in the recipe of the herbal tea “Rankova uvertiura” (Mor­ning Overture), recommended by the authors of the development as a restorative tonic with an antioxidant effect on the human body. This product is an intellectual development of the NBS. Conclusions. Comprehensive studies of rare ether-oil plants in the NBS have shown that their collection and introduction are a source for further selective and applied use of these plants. The example of N. mussinii demonstrates the stages of work – from the mobilization the original collection material to creating a cultivar and innovative developing.

Purpose. To assess the genetic diversity of rapeseed varieties using SSR markers in order to create breeding material and use that material in complex in vitro selection for drought and salt tolerance. Methods. PCR analysis, cluster analysis. Results. The results of analysis of rapeseed varieties polymorphism based on molecular-genetic markers is presented.As a result of the analysis of rapeseed varieties, 41 alleles were detected using the studied markers, that is, an average of 10.3 alleles per marker. The number of polymorphic loci identified by four microsatellite markers (Ra3-H09, Na12-A02, FITO-063 and Na10-B07) was 24. The polymorphism level of the studied varieties was 51% on average and varied between 33% (identified by FITO-063) and 87% (identified by Na12-A02). According to the frequency distribution of the obtained alleles, the highest frequency by SSR marker Ra3-H09 had a 117 bp allele identified in three varieties: ‘Senator Liuks’, ‘Danhal’ and ‘Chornyi Veleten’. It was found that the unique alleles identified by Ra3-H09 were the alleles at a frequency of 0.06 and size of 135 bp (variety ‘Aliot’) and 156 bp (variety ‘Kliff’). FITO-063 marker identified the smallest number of alleles (5) at a frequency distribution ranging from 0.11 to 0.33. The unique alleles identified by FITO-063 marker were the ones at a frequency of 0.1 and size of 258 bp (variety ‘Geros’) and 273 bp (variety ‘Chornyi Veleten’). The maximum number of alleles was obtained using Na12-A02 marker. The distribution showed the highest frequency (0.11) for the 158 bp and 192 bp alleles. Using Na10-B07 marker, three alleles were identified at a frequency of 0.04. These 144, 156 and 194-bp alleles were found in varieties ‘Kliff’, ‘Geros’ and ‘Nelson’. Cluster analysis revealed four variety clusters: ‘Senator Liuks’ and ‘Danhal’, ‘NK Technik’ and ‘NK Petrol’, ‘Geros’ and ‘Aliot’, ‘Kliff’ and ‘Nelson’. ‘Chornyi Veleten’ variety did not enter any cluster. The most distant varieties are ‘Kliff’ and ‘Nelson’ with a genetic distance value of 3.32. Foreign varieties ‘NK Technik’ and ‘NEC Petrol’ with the value of genetic distances between them equal 1.41 appeared to be the most similar by the four studied SSR markers. Other varieties differed by at least one marker. Conclusions. Consequently, using the set of four microsatellite markers provides an assessment of rapeseed varietal diversity that can be used in complex in vitro selection for drought and salt tolerance.

Purpose. To develop the method of direct induced androgenesis of sugar beet in culture in vitro. Methods. Biotechnological, cytological, breeding, statistical. Results. Specific for sugar beet components of the method of direct induced androgenesis in culture in vitro was developed, in particular, the phase of development of microspores, optimal for initiation of androgenesis, the temperature mode of explants pretreatment, conditions of anthers cultivation were determined. According to the results of cytological analysis of microspores and sugar beet pollen, it was determined that the single-nucleus stage of the vacuolized microspores is optimal for inoculation of anthers on the nutrient medium, and pre-treatment of explants using low-temperature stress (4–8 °?) for 3–15 days is a necessary factor that initiates the transition of microspores from gametophytic to sporophytic pathway of development. The composition of nutrient media, different in content of macroelements, amino acids, vitamins and growth regulators, for the cultivation of anthers, the initiation of processes of direct androgenesis and the formation of embryos have been developed. The modified Murazig-Skoog medium – 0.5 doses of macroelements with the addition of vitamins: B1 – 10.0 mg/l; B6 – 1.0 mg/l; PP – 1.0 mg/l; C – 1.0 mg/l and amino acids: glutamine – 250.0–500.0 mg/l, asparagine – 1.0–10.0 mg/l, arginine – 2.0–10.0 mg/l, tyrosine – 1.0–10.0 mg/l, hydroxyproline – 2.0–4.0 mg/liter was used as a basis. According to the results of research, three most effective nutrient media with different content of growth regulators have been determined: polystimulin A-6 – 1.0–3.0 mg/l for the active substance + 6-BAP – 0.3–0.8 mg/liter; 2.4-D – 1.0–2.5 mg/l + 6-BAP – 0.3–0.8 mg/l + ABK – 0.3–1.0 mg/l or 6-BAP – 0.1–0.6 mg/l. Cultivation of sugar beet anthers on the developed nutrient media allowed to obtain 0.15–1.32% of various types of androgen embryos and microclones of androgenic origin. Conclusions. The method of direct induced androgenesis of sugar beet is developed: the optimal stage of development of microspores for inoculation of anthers, the mode of temperature pre-treatment of explants, the composition of nutrient media for the initiation of direct in vitro androgens and the obtaining of various types of androgenic embryoids have been determined. The results of this work are important for the creation of haploids and homozygous double-haploid lines, which will accelerate the breeding process for obtaining new varieties and hybrids of sugar beet.

Purpose. To reveal the peculiarities of determining the criteria of distinctness, uniformity and stability of new varieties of romaine lettuce by identifying the phenotype of Lactuca sativa var. longifolia L. in accordance with international requirements and establish the morphological code formula of the official description, according to which the state registration of the variety was carried out. Methods. Field identification method – morphological description of qualitative (QL), quantitative (QN) and pseudo-qualitative (PQ) characters, laboratory, statistical. Experimental stu­dies were performed during 2015–2017. Field experiments were conducted in the vegetable crop rotation of the Yakimovska variety research station in the Zaporizhzha region under drip irrigation conditions in accordance with the Research Methodology in Vegetable Growing and Melon Growing and the Lactuca sativa L. seed lettuce varieties for distinctness, uniformity and stability. Results. The article presents the results of field and laboratory studies on the identification of varieties of romaine lettuce Lactuca sativa var. longifolia L. The varieties of this type form a productive organ head with elongated solid leaves and a distinct central vein, the predominant form in cross section is elliptical, the head height is predominantly more than 1.5 times its diameter. Insofar as the vegetative and generative organs of romen lettuce plants varieties were the subject of morphological description of identification signs with the subsequent establishment of a manifestation code. A comprehensive assessment of new varieties of romain lettuce according to morphobiological and economically valuable characteristics is substantiated. For the grouping of varie­ties, characteristics that do not vary or slightly vary within the variety were used: seed color, anthocyanin leaf color, the start time for the formation of flowering shoots, resistance to downy mildew (Bremia lactucae): Isolate – Bl:16. These signs are used alone or in combination with others. Conclusions. It was revealed that new varieties of romaine lettuce differed in their morphological characteristics by one or more identifying signs from the well-known varieties ‘Sovskyi’ and ‘Skarb’, which for the period of research represented a collection of varieties of var. longifolia L. New varieties of romaine lettuce ‘Aivona, ‘Batsio, ‘Viktorinus’, ‘Halateia’, ‘Kvintus’, ‘Klaudius’, ‘Korbana’, ‘Maksymus’, ‘Ovired’, ‘Oktavius’, ‘Rafael’ were uniform and stable, as evidenced by the morphological code formulas that made up the official description of the variety, according to which the state regi­stration of the variety was carried out and it was included in the Register of Plant Varieties of Ukraine.

Purpose. Evaluate the genotype–environment interaction and identify the spring barley breeding lines with a combination of yield performance and stability in the multi-environment trials. Methods. Twelve barley breeding lines and standard variety ‘Vzirets’ were tested in three different ecological zones of Ukraine: Central Forest-Steppe, Polissia and Northern Steppe. To characterize the genotype–environment interaction and differentiate of breeding lines for yield and adaptability, a number of the most used methods 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). Graphical analysis was performed with the AMMI model. Results. The high variation in the yield performance of spring barley breeding lines was revealed, which was determined both by the ecological and the weather conditions of the years of the research. The ANOVA revealed reliable contributions from all three source of the variation: genotype, environment and genotype–environment interaction. The part of influence for environment was the highest – 93.17%. The correlation between yield and individual stability indices was determined. Some indices estimated the stability only, without considering yield level. Other indices were related with the mean yield, with the maximum or minimum its limits. The breeding lines ‘Nutans 5152’, ‘Nutans 4982’, ‘Nutans 5069’ and ‘Nutans 5093’ with the optimal combination of yield performance and stability were identified. These breeding lines were transmitted to the Ukrainian Institute of Plant Varieties Examination for the qualification examination as new spring barley varieties ‘MIP Sharm’, ‘MIP Deviz’, ‘MIP Tytul’ and ‘MIP Zakhysnyk’, res­pectively. A number of breeding lines can be used in hybridization as a source of high adaptive potential for the suitable environmental conditions: Polissia – ‘Nutans 5061’, Polissia and Forest-Steppe – ‘Nutans 5081’ and ‘Nutans 4966’, Nor­thern Steppe – ‘Deficiens 5145’. Conclusions. Conducting multi-environment trials and processing experimental data in combination with statistical indices and AMMI promotes an in-depth assessment of the genotype–environment inte­raction and the identification the best of the best genotypes at the final stages of breeding process.

Purpose. To compare scales of grain crops growth and development. Results. Based on the generalization of the well-known scales of grain crops growth and development –Feekes scale, Haun scale, Zadoks scale, ????, Kuperman and Semenova, Keller-Baglioni – comparative tables and correspondences between physical and biological time of plant development were worked out. The obtained information is of great importance for the creation of effective technological maps of growing crops, because it is the application of theoretical knowledge that helps in a timely and accurate manner to identify the stages of plant deve­lopment and timely perform the appropriate agrotechnical methods. In scales, standardized numerical designations are used for phases or stages of growth and development that have the same meaning, regardless of the year, region, or type (subtype, variety) of a grain crop. Digital signs have advantages over descriptive when entering information into a computer. The most common are the Feekes scale, Haun scale, Zadoks scale, and the unified extended BBCH scale. Conclusions. The Feekes scale is particularly useful between stages 6 and 10.5, which corresponds to the period from the appearance of the first node at the beginning of the stem elongation (stage 6) to the end of flowering (stage 10.5). The Haun scale is useful for the classification of the vegetative growth stages of grain crops. For the creation of precision farming systems and the actual computerization of cereal production, the unified extended BBCH scale is most suitable

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to investigate mineral composition of new varieties of plants Salvia verticillata L. ‘Musketeer’ and S. patens ?av. ‘Maestro’ selected by Gryshko National Botanical Gardens of NAS of Ukraine in order to determine the suitability of their use in the food and pharmaceutical industries of Ukraine. Methods. X-ray fluorescence method was applied for determining the elemental composition of plant tissues. Results. Mineral elements content in the soil, grass and roots of plants S. verticillata L. and S. patens ?av., are given in the phases of regrowth, budding and flowering. Ability to accumulate elements in the soil, grass and roots was presented. It was established that the aboveground part of the plants contains all 5 of the most important elements in the plants – K, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn. The rather high content of mesoelements Ca and S were determined. Plants need them in more significant amounts than trace elements. The toxic and potentially toxic elements Pb, Sr and Zr were determined in plants. It has been revealed that despite the high concentration of Si in the soil, this element gets into the plants in insignificant quantities. Other elements on the contrary were accumulated in grass (Mn, K, Sr). The dynamics of elements accumulation and distribution in the soil-roots-grass system (Fe, Pb, Na, P, Al, Mg, Cu) were demonstrated. In the leaves of S. verticillata elements were determined and arranged according to the gradient of accumulation in the following order: K>Ca>Si>Mg>Fe>P>Na>Al>Zn>Mn>Cu, and in S. pa­tens – K>Si>Ca>Mg>P>Fe>Na>Al>Zn>Mn>Sr>Cu. The content of technogenic elements of Zn and Pb in the plants was determined within the limits of the MPC requirements for plant raw materials and food. Conclusion. For the first time in the conditions of introduction in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, for the varieties of species S. verticillata and S. patens, the content of macro- and microelements was determined, which are directly related to biologically active compounds. The features of their cumulativeness du­ring transportation in the system soil-roots-leaves, as well as the dependence of their content on the phase of plant development, were clarified. Trace elements Pb, Ni, Mo, Co, Cd, As and Hg were found in insignificant amounts harmless to the human body. The obtained results can be used in the chemotaxonomy of the genus Salvia, in assessing and comparing the quality of fresh and dry sage plant raw materials, further studying the pharmacological properties of these plants and use of them in medicine and food industry. The obtained data have of both scientific and practical importance for the selection of economically valuable species, in the breeding of new varieties and enrichment of the flora of Ukraine.

Purpose. To find out the specifics of cannabidiol and other cannabinoid compounds accumulation during the ontogenesis of industrial monoecious hemp (i); to determine the optimal phenological stage of harvesting for the purpose of obtaining cannabidiol for pharmaceutical purposes (ii); to find out the prospects of using hemp for the needs of pharmaceutical industry (iii). Methods. Field, labo­ratory (thin-layer chromatography), statistics (correlation and regression analysis). Results. The results of three-year research on the dynamics of biomass accumulation in the ontogenesis of hemp plants of the ‘Hliana’, ‘USO 31’ and ‘Zolotoniski 15’ varieties are presented. The manifestation of the content of cannabidiol, tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabinol is given not in terms of their maximum content (using the analysis of apical parts of plants or female flo­wers) but using a weighted average sample of the vegetative mass from all live leaves and inflorescences. Conclusions. The presence and intensity of certain cannabinoid compound accumulation are the hereditary signs. A small number of cannabinoids in hemp can be identified already at early stages of development, in particular at the 1–3 true leaf pairs stage. On the basis of theoretical calculations and in accordance with the described research methodology, it was found that the optimal period for harvesting biomass of pharmaceutical hemp with subsequent release of cannabidiol is the period from full flowering to the stage of biological maturity. Certain families of the ‘Hliana’ variety involved into selection for increasing cannabidiol content can produce about 5.808 g/m2 of the active substance. The families of variety ‘USO 31’ can produce 1.528 g/m2 and the ‘Zolotoniski 15’ 1.563 g/m2 of the active substance. Inflorescences of hemp contain much more cannabinoid compounds compared to leaves; however, taken into account their shares in the total biomass of plants, it can be argued that inflorescences and leaves are equally suitable for use as a source of cannabidiol. The use of industrial hemp in the pharmaceutical industry is promising but on the assumption of the target breeding

?urpose. The determination of the quantitative and quali­tative content of higher fatty acids, aminoacids, macro- and migroelements in Actinidia arguta (Siebold et Zucc.) Planch. ex Miq) seeds. Methods. The qualitative and quantitative composition of higher fatty acids (HFA) was determined on a chromatograph “HP-6890”. The standard set of HFA was used to identify them. The quantitative and qualitative content of aminoacids in actinidia seeds was determined by ion exchange liquid-column chromatography method with an automatic aminoacid analyzer T339 (Czech Republic). The investigation of seeds mineral composition of was carried out using an “ELVAX-MET” X-ray fluorescence analyzer. Results. The content of biological active compounds of A. arguta seeds of ‘Kyivska krupnoplidna’ cultivar was determined. It was revealed that actinidia seeds contain a significant amount of fatty oils (34.9±0.55% based on dry weight). Almost 90% of the total fatty acid content is unsaturated fatty acids – linolenic (64.55%), linoleic (9.96%) and oleic (15.4%). The qualitative composition of the aminoacids of actinidia seeds is represented by 19 compounds (7 essential: valine, leucine, isoleucine, threonine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and 12 replaceable) with a total content of 15731 mg/100 g of dry weight. The highest content among the replaceable amino acids was determined for monoamino-dicarboxylic acids-aspartic and glutamic with a content of respectively 2060 mg/100 g and 424 mg/100 g. As a result of the study of the elemental composition of actinidia seeds by the X-ray fluorescence method 14 macro- and microelements were found, the main of which are potassium, calcium, sulfur, iron and zinc. Conclusions. The A. arguta seeds are a valuable source of biologically active substances and may be considered as a promising raw material for the creation of therapeutic and prophylactic products and phytopreparations in the pharmaceutical, food and perfume industry

Purpose. To determine optimal combination of ferti­lizing doses, plant density for eight studied hybrids with forming economically valuable part of yield by harvest index calculating. Methods. During 2015–2017, multifactor field experiment was laid and carried out on typical chernozems (Zikrachi village, Kagarlyk district, Kyiv region, Right Bank Forest-Steppe): factor A – hybrid ‘Dniprovskyi 257 CB’, ‘Sigma’, ‘Ragt Alexandra’, ‘Garant’, ‘Kubus’, ‘Moskito’, ‘Sensor’, ‘K?? 381’; factor B – seeding rate 60 and 90 thousands of viable seeds per hectare; factor C – fertilizing doses: N60P45K45; N90P60K60; N120P105K105; N150P135K135. Corn was sown in the period from April 30 till May 4. Accounting of yield was carried out by plots with using a combine. Pre-selected control samples of plants – 10 pieces from two non-adjacent lines in different places of registration area, from two repetitions. Selected plants were analyzed by their structure, determined the mass of by-products and grain. Harvest index was calculated for each option by results of data. Results. A significant variation in the harvest index (HI) depending on weather conditions of the year has been revealed. 2015 was unfavorable for provision of moisture and high temperatures, which led to violation of flowering, fertilization and grain formation. Generative organs were not formed on some plants or significant partial grain forming was observed. That’s why, in terms of low yields and a disproportionately high biomass, HI in 2015 was the lowest compared with other years – 0.36–0.43. In the favorable year 2016, high yield of grain and biomass was formed – HI and its variation was highest compared to other years for all combinations of variants and hybrids – 0.40–0.52. 2017 was also generally characterized as unfavorable in terms of moisture conditions – yield of grain and vegetative mass were rather low, but proportional – harvest index was 0.39–0.44. Conclusions. Harvest index varies significantly in growing of corn hybrids with different standing density, varying doses of fertilizers and weather conditions – 0.36–0.52. Under favourable weather conditions, the index has a significant range of variation. Total mass of plants and yield of grain, even for a certain hybrid, varies significantly depending on fertilizing doses and seeding rate in wet years, and in dry years variation is insignificant. Hybrids ‘Sensor’, ‘Mosquito’, ‘??? 381’ has a fairly high and stable index over the years. Harvest index is lower for all hybrids and doses of mineral fertilizers with standing density 90 thousands plants/ha compared to 60 thousands plants/ha, excluding hybrids ‘Sensor’, ‘Mosquito’. Harvest index for introduction of high doses of fertilizers, was lower in all years and for all hybrids, with some exceptions.

Purpose. Analyze the trends of soy bean production in the world and identify their impact on the soybean market in Ukraine. Identify the dynamics of submission and registration of applications for inclusion in the State Register of Plant Varieties, suitable for distribution in Ukraine. Compare soybean yields to the leaders of the global soybean market with the yield of soybeans in Ukraine. To highlight information on the best yields of new soybean varieties that are included in the State Register of Plant Varieties, suitable for distribution in Ukraine. Methods. Analytical, mathematical, statistical, graphic. Results The significant influence of trends on the global soybean market on the dynamics of this crop production in Ukraine and the reduction in the backlog of soybean production in Ukraine in dozens of times in comparison with the leaders in this field (USA, Brazil, Argentina, China and India) was discovered. Trends in production growth coincide with the trends of the global soybean market leaders in the USA, Brazil and Argentina. In the period from 2000 to 2014, the trend of the dynamics of production growth is of an expositional nature. The influence of production growth on the process of registration of soybeans new cultivars in the Re­gister of Plant Varieties of Ukraine was revealed. The growth trend in the number of submitted applications is positive. The largest number of soy bean varieties that passed the qualification examination was of Ukrainian descent. Among the varieties of foreign origin are varieties from Canada, France, Austria, USA, Germany, Argentina, Cyprus, Poland, Republic of Serbia, Romania, Croatia, Czech Republic, Switzerland. The new soybean varieties showed the highest yield during the period of qualifying examination in the period from 2010 to 2018. Conclusions. The growth rates of soybean production inUkraine have a similar tendency to growth rates among the leaders of this crop production. The Ukrainian varieties register is dominated by varieties of Ukrainian origin. The average level of yield of soybean cultivars in 2010–2011 corresponds to the average global yield of this crop in the world. The highest yields among the varieties that passed the qualifying exa­mination of plant varieties in the period from 2010 to 2018 were: ‘Silesia’ of French origin, ‘Relay’, ‘Terek’, ‘Avanturine’ of Ukrainian and a Canadian variety of ‘Kofu’.

Purpose. Analysis of winter rye varietal resources formation for Ukrainian producers. Results. Rye varieties (Secale cereale L.) were analyzed for a number of economically valuable traits and resistance to abiotic factors. Accor­ding to the yield data in the zones of Steppe, Forest-Steppe and Polissia, one can see that the variety of foreign selection occupies the leading place. The analyzed cultivars are early maturing, what allows to get crops in a shorter time. The State Register of Plant Varieties includes plants which were 100–140 cm in height. The mass of 1000 grains of all analyzed varieties was 32–34 g. The protein content in grains of varieties ranged from 9 to 12%. High rates of resistance to abiotic factors, such as droughts, and undesirable events like lodging and shedding, allow growing these varieties in all soil-climatic zones on the territory of Ukraine. It is worth noting that the varieties have a high resistance to powdery mildew and snow mold. The State Register of Plant Varieties includes 43 varieties of winter rye as of August 10, 2018. Varieties that are listed in the State Register of Plant Varieties suitable for distribution in Ukraine have high rates of resistance to abiotic factors, what is the basis for their inclusion in the Registry. Conclusions. A detailed study and analysis of the resistance of plant varieties to stress factors allows us to assess them thoroughly. In addition to the assessment of frost and winter resistance, drought and heat resistance of field crops, it is necessary to assess the cold resistance, resistance to winter thaws, asphyxiation, ice crust, rotting and other adverse factors. Such analysis will allow a better description of new varieties and the selection of those that in addition to high yields, are resistant to abiotic factors. In climate changes it will allow obtaining high yields of winter rye.