The article presents materials on the introduction and breeding of barberry Thunberg varieties (Berberis thunbergii DC.) in the soil and climatic conditions of the Stavropol Territory. The novelty of the research lies in the mobilization of the source material of ornamental barberry varieties that had not previously been studied in the area, with their subsequent use in breeding work. The purpose of the study is to select the most stable ornamental forms of barberry and breed new, zoned varieties to expand the range of ornamental shrubs used in landscaping. As a result of the introduction study, eight cultivars of Вerberis thunbergii have been identified, adapted to local conditions and possessing valuable economic and biological characteristics. Based on them, the author created two new varieties — Ruslan and Stepka, which have high decorative qualities, adaptive capabilities, frost resistance and increased heat and drought resistance. The method of vegetative propagation of introduced and new varieties by green cuttings using an auxin-type growth regulator (4-(indol-3-yl) butyric acid) was studied. Most varieties showed good rooting results and high-quality cuttings in the experiment (80–95%). The varieties of their own breeding Ruslan and Stepka had a high percentage of rooting both with the use of a root growth stimulator and in the control (97–99%). All varieties are classified as promising (above 85 points) and, in addition to their high decorative value, they are characterized by a good shoot-forming ability, they bloom and bear fruit annually, and they easily reproduce vegetatively. The new Ruslan and Stepka varieties are suitable for widespread use in urban landscaping in the Stavropol Territory and other regions of the Russian Federation.
The productivity of the progeny of Stavropol sheep from parental pairs of different ages was studied. To obtain offspring, 4 groups of parent pairs of 1.5- and 2.5-year-olds were formed. Offspring from pairs of “1.5-year-old uterus × 2.5-year-old sheep”, “2.5-yearold uterus × 2.5-year-old sheep” prevailed in live weight over analogues of “1.5-year-old uterus × 1.5-year-old sheep”, “2.5-year-old uterus × 1.5-year-old sheep” by 8.23; 3.23% and 6.29; 1.38% (p ≥ 0.99). Young animals from pairs of “2.5-year-old uterus × 1.5-yearold sheep” outperformed animals from combinations of “1.5-year-old uterus × 1.5-yearold sheep”, “2.5-year-old uterus × 1.5-year-old sheep”, “2.5-year-old uterus × 2.5-yearold sheep” by 5.26% (p ≥ 0,95), 3,77%, 2,08% (p ≥ 0.95), 4.04% (p ≥ 0.95), 2.39% and 2.8%. Young animals from pairs of “2.5-year-old uterus × 1.5-year-old sheep” had a higher wool yield than from pairs of “1.5-year-old uterus × 1.5-year-old sheep”, “1.5-year-old uterus × 2.5-year-old sheep”, “2.5-year-old uterus × 2.5-year-old sheep”, by 0.1%, 0.8% and 1.2% (p < 0.95). In the Volga region, for the productive use of Stavropol sheep, it is advisable to combine parental pairs of “1.5-year-old uterus × 2.5-year-old sheep” and “2.5-year-old uterus × 2.5-year-old sheep”.
The aim of this study was to investigate the polymorphism of the growth hormone GH, calpastatin CAST, growth and differentiation factor 9 GDF9, and keratin associated protein 1.3 KAP1.3 genes in a local indigenous sheep breed from Dagestan using polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis PCR RFLP. The material comprised blood samples from 59 animals collected in compliance with ethical standards. Laboratory analyses were carried out in an accredited laboratory, where genomic DNA was extracted by phenol chloroform extraction followed by purification and spectrophotometric quality assessment. Genotyping was performed using gene specific primers and restriction endonucleases followed by electrophoretic separation of the reaction products. A predominance of homozygous genotypes at the GH, CAST and GDF9 loci was observed, which was associated with high homozygosity and low polymorphic information content PIC for these loci. In contrast, the KAP1.3 locus showed an increased level of genetic diversity and moderate polymorphism with PIC equal to 0.375. These findings provide a basis for refining approaches to the use of these genetic markers in breeding programmes without reducing the genetic diversity of the population.
The method for disposal of freshly obtained by-products of animal husbandry consists of separating fresh manure and/or droppings into liquid and solid fractions by preliminary dilution with water, followed by homogenization and separation. The liquid fraction was used as a liquid bioorganic fertilizer. The solid fraction was used as a substrate for breeding earthworms of the family Lumbricidae with subsequent production of organic fertilizer vermicompost and earthworm biomass. Initially, the method is aimed at reducing the toxicity of freshly obtained animal by-products by diluting them with water in the ratio from 1:1.5 to 1:2.5 m 3 and homogenizing them to a homogeneous state. As a result, the hazard class is reduced to V (virtually no harm to the environment). At the same time, the ballast foreign mechanical inclusions with high (stones, rubble, metal, etc.) and low (twine, ropes, wood chips, sticks, etc.) specific mass are cleared, the former of which settle to the bottom of the tank, and the latter float to the surface, after which they are removed mechanically. The homogenized substance is then fed into a press, where squeezing and separation of the liquid fraction from the solid fraction takes place, which are collected in a separate container. The solid fraction is used as a substrate for vermicompost production by earthworms of the family Lumbricidae. The agrochemical composition of liquid and solid fractions met the GOST requirements for organic and mineral fertilizers. Toxicological characteristics of the liquid fraction indicated that it was harmless to biological objects of the environment.
