Issue 4 (10)-2025

Abstract. This article presents results of an analysis of chickpea collection samples, including phenological monitoring, morphotypic assessment of bush shape, biometric analysis of plant height, and lower pod parameters.

Problem and purpose. The genetic and breeding significance of high-yielding varieties, taking into account the agroclimatic specifics of the region, determines the priority of breeding research. An integrative approach to the use of genetic resources in the breeding process facilitates the creation of phytoadaptable varieties characterized by increased stress tolerance and optimized production potential. The purpose of the research was to develop and expand the chickpea gene pool through the introduction of new samples, their comprehensive evaluation, and the identification of promising sources for inclusion in the breeding process.

Methodology. Field trials were conducted within the 2025 crop rotation program of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Rossorgo Scientific Research Institute of Seed Crops (Rossorgo) according to "Methodology for State Variety Testing of Agricultural Crops." Zonal cultivation practices were used. The collection material was sown in single-row plots (plot area 3.5 m², row spacing 70 cm) using the standard, with randomized placement. Phenological observations included recording the crop's vegetation phases and growth indicators. Statistical processing of the experimental data was performed using AGROS 2.09 software package and analysis of variance. The significance of differences between the obtained data was assessed using the least significant difference (LSD05).

Results. Data processing revealed different variability among the chickpea samples of the varieties used in the experiment for the studied traits. Phenological phases occurred within 3-4 days of each variety. Full maturity occurred with a difference of up to 11 days. Average ripening times were 98 days (including the standard), with the most common number of days being 100 (in 36.4% of samples). Samples K-990, K-2616, and K-1712 (9.1% of the studied variants) were considered mid-season. A statistical analysis of the interphase periods revealed a negative asymmetry in the distribution of values, confirmed by negative asymmetry coefficient values. This indicated a statistically significant predominance of forms with a slower development rate in the analyzed set of samples. Bush shape, branching, plant height, and the height of the lower pod served as fundamental selection markers. The studied traits were also variable, and only a comprehensive assessment allowed the selection of optimal varieties.

Conclusion. An integrated analysis of chickpea collection samples identified promising source material for implementing breeding programs in the following areas: shortening the growing season, technological adaptability to mechanized harvesting, wind resistance, and reducing the risk of lodging. Analyzing the response of different varieties across a range of traits, the Voronezh, K-1917, and Avatar sampless demonstrated the greatest adaptability.

silage corn yield at Moskovskoye JSC, Ryazan District, Ryazan Region, on two plots of alluvial soil in the central floodplain of the Oka River.

Problem and purpose. A characteristic feature of the alluvial soil is flooding during the flood period.

The purpose of the study was to ground the efficiency of fertilizers for corn yield alluvial soil nutrients of the central floodplain of the Oka River.

One of the objectives of the study was to assess the potassium supply of the alluvial soil of the Central Floodplain of the Oka River during corn cultivation.

Methodology. The study began in 2024 at Moskovskoye JSC, Ryazan District, Ryazan Region. The soil was alluvial and of medium fertility (humus content 3.2–3.6%). The main crop used in the study was silage corn. This crop requires fertile soil and takes a large amount of nutrients, especially potassium, with the harvest. To obtain experimental data on the research topic, we used small-plot field experiments and laboratory methods for studying soil and corn plants.

Results. The conducted studies revealed a negative trend in the accumulation of exchangeable potassium during corn cultivation in NI plot. A decrease in NI1 plot was 4.1%, which was due to the depletion of this element in a plant-available form. In other options, the decrease was 2.7-3.2%. NII plot had the same changes and in options NII3 and NII4 the exchangeable potassium content decreased more due to the increase of corn biomass and greater nutrient removal from the soil.

The highest yield was obtained in NI3 option – 42.1 dt/ha in the first plot and 44.7 dt/ha in NII4 option second plot. The higher yield in NII plot of NII4 option (44.7 dt/ha) compared to NII3 option (43.5 dt/ha) indicated faster turf decomposition and higher exchangeable potassium content under the influence of the humic preparation. The obtained research results are preliminary, and the experiment is ongoing.

Conclusion. The research results after the first year indicate the need to refine fertilizer application rates for the planned yield due to the negative exchangeable potassium balance.

Abstract. The article presents the results of research on the effect of pre-sowing treatment of carrot seeds on the yield and quality of root crops.

The problem and the goal. Currently, the application of fertilizers and the use of pesticides have been drastically reduced, and the cultivation of carrots has deteriorated, resulting in a decrease in carrot production. The purpose of this research is to study the impact of pre-sowing treatment of carrot seeds on the yield and quality of root crops.

Methodology. To solve the set tasks, a field experiment was conducted in four repetitions on gray forest soils. The object of the study was the Vitamin-6 carrot variety, the Ekoryst humic fertilizer, and the Emistim growth regulator, R. All studies were conducted using standard methods.

Results. It was found that pre-sowing treatment with Ecorost and Emistim, P preparations had a significant impact on the sowing qualities and their field germination of carrot seeds. It caused a noticeable growth and development of plants in the studied variants compared to the control. In the experimental versions, the above–ground mass was higher, the indicators were the diameter of the root crop, the mass of the tops, the length of the root crop, and the number of leaves per plant was greater. Crop growth was mainly due to an increase in the mass of root crops. The greatest marketability of root crops is noted in the variant with the humic fertilizer Ecorost. Pre-sowing treatment of seeds with Ecorost and Emistim, P preparations had a positive effect on the quality of carrot root crops: increased the content of sugars, dry matter and reduced the content of nitrates.

Conclusion. Based on the conducted research, it has been established that the treatment of carrot seeds before sowing with the humic fertilizer Ecorost and the growth regulator Emistim, P is an environmentally safe technique that increases the yield of root crops and their quality, therefore this technique can be recommended for production. At the same time, according to the results of the experiment, the option treated with Ecorost humic fertilizer at a dosage of 0.2 mg/ton turned out to be the most productive.

Abstract. This article presents the results of an analysis of meteorological conditions in Ryazan Region from 2019 to 2025. These results were used to calculate the key indicators of the regional agroclimatic potential during this period and demonstrate the relationship between these indicators and soybean plant growth and development, including crop yield.

Problem and purpose. Soybeans are susceptible to stress factors that arise from changing weather conditions during crop formation. At the same time, modern soybean varieties possess adaptive capacity, meaning they can adjust to changing weather conditions in a specific region. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the main agroclimatic factors in Ryazan Region on soybean growth and development to improve the efficiency of crop production in the region.

Methodology. To achieve this purpose, meteorological observations for seven years, from 2019 to 2025 were analyzed, phenological observations of the main growth and development phases of soybean plants were conducted according to the Methodology of State Variety Testing of Agricultural Crops (1989), and the research results were processed using correlation and regression analysis.

Results. When cultivating soybeans, the total precipitation from April to September did not fully reflect the meteorological conditions of a given growing season, which directly influenced soybean yield formation. The correlation between crop yield and total precipitation during the growing season was weak (r = 0.234). Soybean yield in Ryazan region directly depended on precipitation during July-August (r = 0.950), which corresponded to the seed formation and filling phase, when soybeans require up to 70% of their moisture requirements. High levels of moisture during the growing season, combined with daylight hours exceeding 16-17 hours, prolonged the soybean growing season. Therefore, if the wrong varieties are selected for cultivation in Ryazan region, soybean plants do not have enough time to fully complete the growing cycle, resulting in reduced productivity.

Conclusion. The research has shown that sustainable soybean production in Ryazan region depended primarily on the correct selection of crop varieties, taking into account the regional soil and climate conditions, the biological characteristics of the varieties, and their potential.

Abstract. This article briefly describes the life of Alexander von Humboldt, an outstanding scientist with an extremely broad range of interests, but primarily as a biologist, botanist, founder of plant geography, and one of the founders of modern agricultural chemistry. It describes the fateful decisions that led to events that laid the foundations for modern agricultural sciences.

Problem and purpose. The current high level of development in various fields of science, including earth science, can sometimes give the false impression that all the mechanisms of interaction at various levels of matter organization have already been thoroughly studied and that there is no space for new discoveries in biology, chemistry, soil science, or agricultural chemistry. However, as the evolution of scientific knowledge demonstrates, there is always space for new discoveries. The purpose of this article was to use Alexander von Humboldt's research as an example to examine the methods of studying living things characteristic of the scientific community more than 200 years ago, as well as the preconditions for the development of modern agricultural theories.

Methodology. This work utilized the works of foreign and Russian authors, as well as translations of A. von Humboldt's letters.

Results. The stages of A. Humboldt's immense and perilous life presented in this work provided insight into the material foundations of the emergence of the most important postulates in biology, botany, chemistry, geography, soil science, and agricultural chemistry. They demonstrated the advancement of modern biological sciences and the efforts required to demonstrate new, significant results in these fields.

Conclusion. Alexander von Humboldt was an outstanding scientist with encyclopedic knowledge in various fields of science, who dedicated his entire long life to studying and generalizing the laws of nature for the purpose of advancing human progress.