Issue 3 (13)-2026

The healing properties of plants play a significant role not

only in the therapeutic effect on pathological conditions, but also in preventive

measures. However, the domestic pharmaceutical industry faces a significant

shortage of raw materials. The key factor for achieving consistently high yields is the

ability of plants to withstand adverse environmental conditions, including drought.

The purpose of this research was to identify the source material for further selection

to enhance stress tolerance in simulated drought conditions.

Methodology. The assessment of drought resistance was carried out according to the

method proposed by G.V. Udovenko et al. 50 milk thistle seeds were placed in Petri

dishes and germinated for three days in distilled water in a thermostat at a

temperature of 25°C. Then they were transferred to a solution of sucrose with

different osmotic pressures (6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 atmospheres), while the control

group of seedlings was left in distilled water. On the seventh day, the length of the

sprout and root was measured. Results. As a result, a differentiated reaction of varieties to physiological drought in

laboratory conditions was established. The number of germinated seeds on the 7th

day averaged from 36.1 pieces. in the Start variety to 47.2 pieces. in the

Molodezhnaya 40 variety. The most intensive growth of seedlings and roots in the control variant was distinguished by the Start variety of milk thistle. The average length of seedlings and roots was reduced when seeds were germinated in hypertonic solutions of sucrose with increasing osmotic pressure.

Conclusion. It was found that different varieties have different degrees of drought resistance. Experiments with osmotic solutions showed that increasing their concentration leads to a reduction in the length of seedlings and roots compared to the control. The varieties Molodezhnaya 40, Debyut, and Start were the most resistant to drought.

The effect of growth regulators on the biochemical composition of various onion varieties cultivated in the southern forest-steppe of the Republic of Bashkortostan was examined.

The problem and purpose. The level of substance accumulation in bulbs depends not only on the variety's genotype but also on the use of agricultural practices, particularly the use of growth regulators. Currently, there is no unified system for selecting optimal products for specific varieties, and data on their impact on key biochemical parameters are often contradictory. This complicates targeted crop quality management. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of various growth regulators (Epin Extra, Zircon, Heteroauxin) on the biochemical composition (dry matter, sucrose, and ascorbic acid content) of different onion varieties. Methodology. The research was conducted in 2021–2023. The field experiment was conducted in experimental fields of the Department of Plant Growing, Plant Breeding, and Biotechnology of the Scientific Research Center of Bashkir State Agrarian University. Different onion varieties were studied.

Treatment options included the use of growth regulators: Epin Extra, Zircon, and Heteroauxin; control - no treatment or standard water treatment. Laboratory analysis - in the Biochemical Analysis and Biotechnology Laboratory of the Scientific Research Center, dry matter content, sucrose content, and ascorbic acid concentration were determined using traditional methods. The data were processed statistically to compare treatments for each variety.

Results. Dry matter content was for Iglinsky 2 variety - maximum 18.35% (Epin-Extra variant); Strigunovsky local (st) variety - 17.03% (Zircon variant); Red Baron variety - 16.81% (Epin-Extra variant). Sucrose content was for Red Baron variety - 2.60% (Epin-Extra variant); Iglinsky 2 variety - 2.46% (Zircon variant); Strigunovsky local (st) variety - 2.00% (Heteroauxin variant); Ascorbic acid content was for Iglinsky 2 variety - 19.40 mg% (Epin-Extra variant); Red Baron variety - 16.43 mg% (Heteroauxin variant); Strigunovsky Local (ST) variety - 11.8 mg% (Heteroauxin variant). The effect of growth regulators was found to be specific to each variety. Conclusion. The highest values for individual components (dry matter, sucrose, ascorbic acid) were achieved with the individual selection of the product for a specific variety. A promising area for further research is the combined use of growth regulators with mineral nutrients for comprehensive improvement of the biochemical composition of bulbs.

This article presents results of a study examining pea seed protein content

in relation to slope steepness.

The problems and purpose. Protein content in pea seeds is an important

economically valuable trait, determining the nutritional and feed value of the crop.

The patterns of change in seed protein content across a wide range of pea varieties

depending on the location of the crop on a slope remain insufficiently studied, which

was the purpose of this study.

Methodology. The study was conducted in 2023-2024 at the Educational and

Scientific Center of the Aksenovsky Agro-Industrial College named after N. M.

Sibirtsev (Southern Cis-Urals, Republic of Bashkortostan). The study subjects were

12 pea varieties. Plots were established in three slope zones: the upper, middle, and

lower parts. The protein concentration was determined by standard laboratory

methods (Kjeldahl; rapid methods on an IR analyzer) followed by statistical analysis

of data by year and on average.

Results. A clear correlation between pea seed protein concentration and slope

location was revealed: protein content was highest at 22.1–25.4% on the upper

slopes; in the middle slopes, it decreased to 20.1–23.8%; and the lowest protein

concentration, 19.3–22.2%, was recorded in the lower portions of the fields.

Conclusion. The highest protein content was found on the upper slopes, and the

lowest at the lower slopes. This trend was consistent across different weather

conditions, suggesting that topography was a key parameter when planning crop

placement for high-protein grain.

The article examines the Zn balance in gray forest soil after application of

fertilizer based on waste from a seed cleaning plant in a lysimetric experiment with

double-cut perennial grasses.

Problem and purpose. According to Professor Yu.A. Mazhaisky (2010), one of the

priority heavy metals in the region is zinc. This metal is considered a biogenic metal,

as it performs vital functions in plants. At the same time, zinc in concentrations

exceeding the standard leads to reduced yields and deterioration in product quality,

and can enter the food chain and accumulate in bodies of farm animals and humans.

The introduction of this metal into the agroecosystem is associated with precipitation,

fertilizers, and other factors. We calculated the zinc balance in gray forest soil after

applying a fertilizer based on seed cleaning plant waste in a lysimetric experiment,

which was the purpose of our study.

Methodology. The studies were conducted at the Polkovo lysimetric station. The

fertilizer was developed by VNIIGiM staff and applied to the soil at various doses.

The research methodology was standard. Results. The main input of Zn was associated with atmospheric precipitation, and a

lesser amount with the applied fertilizer. The content of gross Zn forms in the 0-25

cm soil layer was 78.6 mg/kg, while in the 25-50 cm layer it was 7.4% lower; mobile

forms were 21.0 and 19.0 mg/kg. The application of a fertilizer led to a slight shift in

gross Zn by 2.3 and 1.3% and mobile forms by 11.0 and 4.0%, respectively, in the

soil layers. The conducted cluster analysis of the dependence of Zn content in the

soil, both gross and mobile forms, on the fertilizer dose established a direct

relationship between these two factors. The yield of grasses during the growing

season was quite high: 6.6-9.2 kg per lysimeter, depending on the fertilizer application dose. The Zn content in plants in the first cutting was 39.5 mg/kg dry matter, while in the second it was 12% lower.

Conclusion. The prognosis is unfavorable, meaning that Zn concentration in the soil increases annually due to the metal's influx with precipitation and subsequent sedimentation.

The article presents a classification of vegetable plants based on

biological and economic characteristics.

Problem and purpose. The diversity of vegetable plants and their heterogeneity in

biological and economic characteristics complicates a unified approach to

agricultural practices. Different crops have different requirements for heat, light,

moisture, soil fertility, and acidity, and also differ in propagation methods,

ripening times, and sensitivity to external factors. Without systematization of these

characteristics, crop rotation planning, calculating fertilizer rates, selecting

sowing dates, and choosing plant protection methods become less effective, and the

risk of yield reduction increases. The purpose of the study was to summarize

biological and economic characteristics of vegetable crops and, based on this,

develop a scientifically sound basis for classification and technological solutions

in vegetable growing.

Methodology. V.I. Edelshtein's production classification of vegetable crops and

traditional methods were used as the methodological basis.

Results. Patterns of vegetable plant classification were established based on the

crops' geographic origin and conditions of their wild ancestors' primary habitats.

Ontogenesis stages, critical development periods, and characteristics of

vernalization and the light stage were analyzed. Reproduction methods (seed and

vegetative), the specifics of seed structure and germination, and factors affecting germination were studied. Soil nutrition requirements were assessed based on the rate of removal of essential elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and sensitivity to soil acidity. Practical methods for regulating growing conditions (in open and protected ground) were systematized, taking into account zonal characteristics and economic feasibility.

Conclusion. Grouping vegetable crops by biological and economic characteristics is a prerequisite for scientifically sound agricultural planning. V. I. Edelstein's classification remains relevant because it allows grouping crops with similar cultivation methods and environmental requirements, simplifying the development of standard process charts.