Wind resistance of southern carbonate and ordinary сhernozems in agroforest landscapes of the steppe zone of Russia

Relevance. The rate of destruction of chernozems in the steppe zone as a result of deflation is very high. There is a threat of their loss of the humus horizon. To optimize the complex of protective measures, it is necessary to establish the regularities of the formation of wind resistance of these soils.Methods. The seasonal dynamics of the structure of the upper layer (0–5 cm) of chernozems of the steppe zone of the Lower Volga region and the Central Pre-Caucasus in the network of forest belts is studied. The aggregate composition was determined by fractionation of an air dry sample. The wind resistance of the soil was assessed by the total content of particles with a diameter of less than 1 mm.Results. It has been established that the open surface of southern carbonate chernozems is deflationary dangerous at any time of the year. Two spraying peaks were revealed — in early spring and before harvesting grain crops. In the first period, the content of particles with a diameter of less than 1 mm was 33–47%, in the second — 60–61%. Shelter forest belts reduced soil spraying in the zone of effective influence. A change in the internal structure of the deflationally dangerous fraction was detected during the year. The disintegration of large aggregates and an increase in the volume of smaller ones were observed. By the harvesting period, the number of particles with a diameter of 0.5–1.0 mm decreased by 1.7–2.6 times compared to the spring. Number of aggregates with a diameter of 0.1–0.5 mm, most strongly blown by the wind, increased by 1.3–1.8 times. The total dispersion of ordinary chernozem is almost two times lower than that of southern chernozem. However, the amount of particles with a diameter of 0.1–0.5 mm in the deflationary dangerous fraction of southern carbonate chernozem in the spring period is 37%, during the harvesting period — 50–56%. And in ordinary chernozem, already since the spring, there are more than 55% of such particles, in the future their number increases to 60%. As a result, by the harvesting period, the danger of a fraction with a diameter of less than 1 mm becomes the same for both subtypes of chernozems. This requires adjusting the complex of protective measures.

Study of Hematological Characteristics and Mineral Metabolism of Moscow Black Chickens in the Process of Acclimatization in the Astrakhan Region

The study of indicators characterizing the processes associated with the acclimatization of birds in new biogeochemical conditions is of interest in connection with the prospects of the poultry industry in the Astrakhan Region, where the lack of important trace elements in soils and plant feeds: Se, I, Co, is observed. In the presented study, the main hematological and biochemical parameters of blood and mineral metabolism were determined in 2 groups of chickens of the Moscow black breed: imported to the Astrakhan Region from Moscow and kept in the Moscow Region. The analyses revealed strong differences (P<0.01) in indicators of two groups. The acclimatized birds were characterized by low levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood, as well as a higher content of white blood cells than in the second group. The chickens had impaired lipid and protein metabolism. A 71.3% increase in the level of total sugar most likely indicated a stress state of birds. Compared with the chickens in the Moscow Region, the level of calcium in their blood was 32.4% lower, phosphorus – 12.9%. To a large extent, a decrease in the levels of iodine and selenium – by 5.3 and 5.2 times, respectively, was observed. Thus, in the absence of external changes, acclimatized chickens are subject to a latent form of combined I- and Se-hypomicroelementosis. At the same time, a drop in egg productivity by 19% is the recorded fact. The necessity to adapt to the new climatic conditions of the Lower Volga region for birds, combined with a lack of important trace elements, can cause increased oxidative stress in acclimatized birds. Based on the results of the study, the use of feed additives that make up for the deficiency of necessary trace elements is recommended.

Redescription of Apomyelois cognata (Staudinger, 1871) (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae, Phycitinae) with first record from the South Urals

Until recently, Apomyelois cognata (Staudinger, 1871) was known only from the type series collected 150 years ago in the Lower Volga region, as well as old records from Iran and Cyprus (the latter unconfirmed). In 2011 and 2020, more specimens of this little-known species were collected in the South Urals (Russia), presenting a new record for the area. The species identity was confirmed via examination of syntypes preserved in the Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin. A lectotype designation for the species is made and a detailed redescription with illustrations of male and female genitalia is given.

Biological and economic evaluation of AMISTAR Gold fungicide against sunflower rust in the Lower Volga region

Rust is one of the most economically important foliar diseases of sunflower. The problem of sunflower disease control was considered. The article presents the results of a two-year experiment studying the efficiency of AMISTAR Gold fungicide, concentrated suspension (active ingredient: Azoxystrobin 125 g/L, Difenoconazole 125 g/L) in sunflower hybrids in the Lower Volga region. Flowerbud development stage was the best application timing for increasing productivity. Therefore, sunflower yield averaged 34 c/ha. The biological efficiency of the fungicide ranged from 85 to 90 %. The calculation of economic efficiency showed 145255 % profitability depending on the year.

Царицынская сторожевая линия и военно-политические изменения на юго-восточных границах России в 1720-х гг.

Introduction. The Tsaritsyn defense line has attracted the attention of historians since the 18th century, but so far, no special study of the history of the Tsaritsyn line in the 1720s has been undertaken. The period is of interest for its policy of strengthening the military-political influence of Russia in the Caspian region, with the Persian campaign undertaken and control over the movements of the Kalmyks increasing. The article aims to show the role of the Tsaritsyn defense line in these events. Materials and methods. The study intends to systematize and reconsider the information about the Tsaritsyn line presented in the historiography of the Persian campaign, in the history of the Kalmyks, and in the history of the regiments of the Russian imperial army, supplementing them with data of legislative acts and office documentation. Results. Tsaritsyn and the Tsaritsyn line were staging points on the path of the formation and movement of the Nizovoi (Lower), or Persian, Corps; practically all military units involved in the Persian campaign passed through the Tsaritsyn line, which was used for rear functions by the Corps as long as it existed. Tsaritsyn, the fortresses on the line, and the villages of the Don Cossacks closest to the line served as winter quarters for the Corps cavalry: here the dragoon regiments were re-equipped, and individual units were sent on missions along the southern borders of Russia. The Tsaritsyn line introduced serious changes in the life of the nomadic population of the Lower Volga region; passages through the line acquiring great military and political importance. Groups of Kalmyks who passed ‘inside’ turned out to be cut off from the Kuban and Crimeans and from other groups of Kalmyks. There was a symbolic meaning to the crossing of the Tsaritsyn line for Kalmyks who feared that their uluses would be taken away from them or they would be converted to Orthodoxy against their will. The study clarifies the data on the number of troops that served on the Tsaritsyn line in the 1720s. Constant was the presence of at least 500 Cossacks, sent on their mission by the Don army, as well as of several dragoon regiments. In the 1720s, units of the Kronshlots, Olonets, Vologda, Tobolsk, Moscow, Arkhangelsk, Dmitrov, and Saratov dragoon regiments served on the Tsaritsyn line from several months to several years. Conclusions. From the very first years of its construction, the Tsaritsyn line not only protected the southern borders of the Russian Empire, but also became an instrument of the imperial diplomatic and military-political influence on neighboring peoples and states.

Biochemical evaluation of grain quality parameters of soybean varieties from the world collection of VIR in the conditions of the Lower Volga region

In 2019-2020, biochemical evaluation of grain quality indicators of soybean varieties from the VIR collection by main groups of nutrients under the conditions of the Lower Volga region was conducted. The differences and peculiarities of the gross energy value of grain were revealed according to the results of the research. The samples with high content of protein and fat in the grain were selected for further use in various directions of selection work on this crop. The coefficient of variation of biochemical grain parameters in soybean varieties varied between 2.7-8.7 %, which indicates its low variability. Keywords: SOYBEAN, BREEDING, WORLD COLLECTION VIR, BIOCHEMICAL EVALUATION, GRAIN QUALITY, GROSS ENERGY VALUE

Influence of rootstock on the quality of sweet cherry fruits in the conditions of the Lower Volga region

Sweet cherry is a thermophilic and whimsical crop that reacts painfully to unfavorable meteorological conditions, such as frost, drought or high humidity in the air and soil. At the same time, this crop requires a uniform supply of heat and moisture during the growing season. In the climatic conditions of the Volgograd region, stressful situations often arise that can partially or completely reduce the yield of fruit crops, especially those introduced to our region from other regions. To reduce the risk of losing the yield of fruit plantations, including sweet cherry, it is necessary to pay special attention to the choice of the variety, as well as the rootstock on which this variety is grafted. The publication presents the results of studying the influence of rootstocks on the qualitative and quantitative indicators of sweet cherry fruits, such as taste, weight, uniformity, color, and productivity. According to the results of the study in the field (in the garden), varietal-rootstock combinations were identified that have one-dimensional, crack-resistant, large fruits, while maintaining high and stable productivity. According to the results of research, it was found that the rootstock affects not only the strength of growth and the shape of the crown, but also the quality of the fruit. The most dependent of the studied varieties on the type of rootstock is Euphoria, the lowest weight of berries was observed on the rootstock VSL-1. At the same time, this rootstock has a higher percentage of resistance to cracking of the fruit. Based on the conducted research, it can be concluded that with the help of rootstock, it becomes possible to influence the quality indicators of fruits.