Vol 21, No 2 (2026)

The study presents the technological methods of growing sainfoin (Onobrychis) in the arid conditions of the Northern Caspian region. This crop is characterized by its undemanding nature and, at the same time, high forage value. Due to its long productive period, excellent forage qualities, ability to improve soil fertility and high adaptability, sainfoin remains a promising and popular crop in the forage production system, therefore the research is relevant for this region. The aim of the study was to introduce sainfoin, study its biological characteristics, forage value and adaptive potential, as well as technological methods of cultivation for use in phytomelioration of arid degraded pasture ecosystems of the Northern Caspian region. The object of the study is sainfoin growing in semi-desert and desert natural and climatic zones. The methodologies of A.I. Ivanov et al. (1985), B.A. Dospekhov (1985), G.V. Udovenko (1988), A.A. Kutuzova et al. (2015), and others were applied. Statistical processing of experimental data was performed using analysis of variance method according to the methodology of B.A. Dospekhov (2014) in Microsoft Excel. Based on three-year (2023-2025) research data under the soil and climatic conditions of the Northern Caspian region, it was established that the optimal cultivar among those studied for this region is sand sainfoin cv. Step, with fallow land as the preceding crop.

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is a major source of high-quality protein for food and feed. The seed storage proteins, glycinin (11S) and β-conglycinin (7S), differ in amino acid composition and functional properties, and their ratio is a key determinant of soybean quality. This study aimed to analyze the differential expression of glycinin and β-conglycinin genes in European and Canadian soybean varieties to assess their storage protein profiles. Six European and Canadian soybean varieties (ESG 1813, RTZh Spida, Me 5, Mu 5 - France; N.S. Katya - Serbia; Сassidy - Canada) were grown in 2023-2024 at All-Russian Research Institute of Soybean, Amur region. Total RNA was isolated from mature seeds, cDNA was synthesized, and expression levels of Gy1-Gy5, Gy7, Cg1, Cg3, and Cg4 genes were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. The Tubulin gene was used as an internal reference. Relative expression was calculated using the 2^-ΔΔCt method. All primers showed high specificity confirmed by single melting peaks. Gy7 gene expression was not detected in any variety, consistent with its loss or suppression during breeding. Most varieties displayed conserved expression profiles for Gy1, Gy2, and Gy3. Two varieties exhibited unique expression patterns: Cassidy (Canada) showed significantly increased Gy4 expression, and Mu 5 (France) showed significantly increased Gy5 expression (p < 0.05). RTZh Spida (France) demonstrated significantly elevated Cg3 expression. Based on total glycinin/β-conglycinin transcript ratios, varieties were clearly divided into high-glycinin (Mu 5 - 86%, Cassidy - 82%, Me 5 - 64%) and high-β-conglycinin (N.S. Katya - 67%, RTZh Spida - 63%, ESG 1813 - 53%) groups. The observed 11S/7S ratio range (0.5-6.1) substantially exceeded previously reported values for American and Brazilian cultivars. The identified donor varieties (Cassidy - high Gy4 expression, Mu 5 - high Gy5 expression, RTZh Spida - high Cg3 expression) represent valuable genetic resources for Russian breeding programs. They can be used to introgress regulatory alleles for targeted manipulation of storage protein composition, enabling the development of new soybean cultivars with optimized protein quality and technological properties adapted to agroclimatic conditions of the Russian Federation.

The problem of translocation of the systemic pesticide imidacloprid in potato plants is addressed. The aim of the study was to investigate the pathways of movement, the dynamics of accumulation, and the degradation of the active substance in different plant parts. The field experiment was conducted in the Leningrad Region on the potato variety Udacha, with sampling of aboveground biomass from different parts of whole plants and tubers after treatment. Chemical analysis was performed using an in-house method based on the QuEChERS methodology with HPLC-UV detection. The results confirmed the predominantly xylem-mediated transport of imidacloprid, with maximum concentrations found in the upper foliage. A retrograde redistribution of the active substance downward along the foliage was observed 24 hours after treatment, which may be attributed to reverse flow in the xylem associated with nocturnal root pressure and guttation. Accumulation of imidacloprid residues in tubers was detected, with a peak concentration of 0.074 mg/kg on day 7, exceeding the established maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.05 mg/kg. This finding suggests a possible downward (basipetal) transport, which is atypical for classic xylem-mobile compounds. The novelty of this study lies in the comprehensive experimental identification of the possible translocation pathways of imidacloprid and the assessment of its redistribution and degradation within the plant. The practical significance is demonstrated by the proven need for strict adherence to the pre-harvest interval for this pesticide on potatoes, as a temporary but significant exceedance of the MRL poses a potential toxicological risk.

6-benzylaminopurine is a synthetic analogue of the natural phytohormone of the cytokinin group. A number of studies have shown that its use has a positive effect on plant development in conditions of soil salinization. Meanwhile, the authors have not found any field studies on the effect of 6-benzylaminopurine on the development of winter grain crops in the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of foliar treatment on productivity of winter grain crops with 6-benzylaminopurine under soil salinization conditions. The study was conducted on irrigated areas in the Republic of Uzbekistan (Republic of Karakalpakstan). Based on the results of the 2023-2024 experiment, it was found that when using the agent on the studied crops, spike weight and average grain weight per spike improve. As a result of the field experiment of 2024-2025, it was shown that phytohormone treatment of winter wheat and barley improves overall and productive tillering, which is reflected in increase in yields of the studied crops: 14 % for winter wheat and 9 % for winter barley.

Silage is used as a major part of fodder all over the world. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play a critical role in silage production from legumes, grains, and other plants, lowering the pH by producing different kinds of organic acids during ensiling, which inhibits undesirable bacteria that decrease the quality and shelf life of the inoculated product. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei and Enterococcus faecium inoculated together and separately on the bacterial community, fermentation quality and metabolic pathways of legume-cereal silage after 30 days. We conducted a model ensiling of legume-cereal crops of the first harvest cut in the Leningrad region at the booting stage. Three experimental groups with different bacterial strains were added during ensiling (LE: L. paracasei and E. faecium; LP: L. paracasei; and EF: E. faecium). The microorganisms in the silage were counted at 0 and 30 days of ensiling, using Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing to determine their composition. The DNA of the silage microbial community was isolated, amplified, sequenced, and processed, then used to predict functional metabolic pathway abundances based on 16S rRNA marker gene sequences using the database MetaCyc. LAB genera were presented as minor taxa pre-ensiling, while Weissella, Lactobacillus, and Pediococcus were the dominant genera after 30 days of silage. Overall, LE had the most desirable bacteria and metabolic pathways for silage. LP also performed favorably. EF had undesirable bacteria and metabolites, showing the worst fermentation quality. Our results found important differences in predicted carbohydrate and biogenic amine metabolism between the different groups as well. To our knowledge, little information is available regarding the dynamics of bacterial community succession and metabolic pathways of silage prepared with L. paracasei and E. faecium.

Within the framework of the study, the effect of crossbreeding Romanov and Edilbaev sheep breeds on the quality characteristics and energy value of meat was investigated. The research subjects were purebred wethers of the Romanov breed (group I), their first- and second-generation crossbreeds with the Edilbaev breed (½ Romanov × ½ Edilbaev - group II; ¼ Romanov × ¾ Edilbaev - group III). Analysis of the obtained data revealed a significant crossbreeding effect on the studied parameters. In particular, crossbred individuals from groups II and III substantially outperformed purebred animals from group I in terms of dry matter content in muscle tissue - by 41.56 and 54.48%, respectively; protein yield - by 39.42 and 50.45%; extractable fat level - by 52.80 and 76.06%. Furthermore, purebred wethers from group I showed lower values compared to the first- and second-generation crossbreds (groups II and III) in energy concentration per 1 kg of muscle tissue (by 172 and 328kJ); energy yield in carcass tissue (by 23.93 and 32.03 MJ); maturity level (by 0.55 and 1.02%). At the same time, the protein-to-fat ratio remained nearly identical across all groups. The second-generation crossbreds (Group III) demonstrated the highest values across the entire set of analysed parameters.

During the development of local and systemic infections of humans and animals, phytopathology, degradation of natural and synthetic polymers, residential and industrial structures, the adaptive potential of pathogens is inhibited by QS molecules that block the synthesis of intercellular communication inducers. The aim of the study was to analyze the dynamics of changes in morphofunctional parameters during the initiation, development, and dispersion of Aspergillus spp. fungi. To study the phenotypic characteristics and take into account the morphometric parameters of biofilms, microorganisms were cultivated at 35 ± 2.0°C for 168 ± 1h. Cultures of A. flavus, A. fumigatus, and A. niger microorganisms are fast-growing; depending on the composition of the nutrient media and the cultivation time, they differed both in the volume of aerial mycelium and in the staining of the reverse side. During the implementation of intercellular communication processes at the early stages of development, adhesion of conidia to the substrate surface was initiated. Due to the apical growth of germinal tubules, filiform structures - hyphae - subsequently differentiated. As cultivation time increased, areas of significant hyphal consolidation emerged, and conidiogenic structures differentiated. General patterns of heterogeneous biofilm development during the representation of QS signaling molecules are mediated by growth cyclicity and population adaptation to environmental factors. Understanding the mechanisms of initiation, persistence, and dispersion during adventitious sporulation and filamentation of micromycetes will facilitate the optimization of long-term retrospective mycological studies, the development of effective methods for biofilm eradication, and the rationalization of the use of fungal biosynthetic activity in biotechnology and bioremediation.

The present review provides a comprehensive analysis of the scientific literature concerning the genetic variability of canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2). This mutational variability increases the incidence of parvoviral enteritis among dogs and poses an exceptional threat to unvaccinated puppies, requiring the close attention of the veterinary community and the development of effective preventive measures. Haemorrhagic diarrheal is more likely to affect purebred puppies under the age of six weeks. Viral aetiologies of canine diarrheal are carnivorous distemper, coronavirus infection, parvovirus enteritis and other viral diseases. Parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), which emerged in the 1970s, is particularly dangerous, causing severe gastroenteritis and, occasionally, myocarditis. The CPV-2 virus has several genetic variants, including CPV-2a, CPV-2b, and CPV-2c. CPV-2 was initially recognized in China, and the CPV-2c variant was first detected in Vietnam, then it spread worldwide. Within the Russian Federation, parvoviral enteritis constitutes a considerable proportion - up to 37% - of all infectious diseases diagnosed in dogs, particularly affecting individuals under six months of age. CPV-2 exhibits a remarkably high mutation rate, warranting ongoing molecular monitoring to evaluate and preserve the protective efficacy of currently available vaccines. he substantial genomic flexibility of CPV-2 facilitates immune evasion, which explains the insufficient effectiveness of existing vaccines. The optimal vaccination schedule provides for a triple injection of the vaccine, starting at the age of 4 weeks. Notably, the post-vaccinal humoral response is influenced by factors such as age, body weight, and the titres of maternally derived antibodies. Complications after vaccination are extremely rare. Vaccines developed based on the CPV-2 virus provide reliable protection against various strains of parvovirus.

The aim of the study was to determine the content of heavy metals in native propolis and its extracts: alcoholic extracts (5%, 20%, and concentrated 70%) and aqueous extracts of propolis prepared via different methods, in order to optimize production technology and minimize the transfer of toxic metals into the final product. The concentrations of three toxic metals (Cr, Cd, Pb) were determined in native propolis samples from the Ryazan region and in the indicated extracts. The content of these pollutants was assessed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results showed the presence of all analyzed metals in native propolis samples. The concentrations of elements ranged from 0 to 0.92 mg/kg for Pb, from 0 to 0.2 mg/kg for Cd, and from 0 to 1.54 mg/kg for Cr. Native propolis can be considered an indicator of toxic metals in the environment. For all analyzed metals, a significant decrease in their concentration was observed upon transfer into ethanolic and aqueous propolis extracts, making the product safe for consumption. The presence of toxic heavy metals necessitates quality control of bee products before their use as food additives. Given that bee products are highly heterogeneous and vary in elemental content depending on environmental factors, standards should be developed to regulate permissible levels of inorganic pollutants.