Plant varieties studying and protection

Purpose. The morphological characteristics, physiological properties, leaves, yield and quality characteristics of three­year­old energy biomass from six foreign­bred varie­ties of basket willow, grown on leached chernozems, were compared in order to select the most promising varieties for establishing energy plantations in the Right­Bank Forest­Steppe region. Methods. The morphological and physiological characteristics of the leaves, as well as the quality parame­ters, of three­year­old energy biomass from several foreign willow varieties (including ‘Wilhelm,’ ‘Inger,’ and ‘Tordis’ from Sweden and ‘082,’ ‘1047,’ and ‘1057’ from Poland) were stu­died using traditional methods employed in plant cultivation and agronomy, including field, laboratory, analytical, and statistical techniques. Results. The studies conducted indicate significant variability in the morphometric parame­ters of the leaves of the varieties under study. In particular, the ‘1057’ variety (from Poland) exhibited the largest leaf blade dimensions, as well as the highest efficiency in utili­sing photosynthetically active solar radiation (60%). Plants of the ‘Inger’ variety had the highest average leaf mass, while those of the ‘082’ (‘Warm­Maz’) variety had the lowest. Significant differences were found between varieties for many of the examined morphological and physiological parame­ters, indicating varying levels of adaptability and producti­vity. Chemical analysis of the three­year­old biomass of the studied varieties revealed high levels of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. This confirms their suitability for energy use. Among the cultivars examined, the highest cellulose content was observed in ‘082,’ while the biomass of ‘Wilhelm’ was characterized by low ash content, which is an advantage for its use as a solid fuel. Plants of the ‘Inger’ variety were distinguished by elevated lignin and ash content, which may increase their calorific value but at the same time complicate the use of the biomass. The mineral composition of the biomass showed relatively low variability among varieties in terms of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, chlorine, and sulfur levels. However, certain differences of practical significance were identified. For example, the lower concentrations of chlorine and sulfur in plants of the ‘1057’ and ‘1047’ varieties reduce the risk of equipment corrosion and the formation of harmful emissions during combustion. At the same time, the higher content of most elements in the ‘Inger’ variety may affect the environmental aspects of biomass use. Conclusions. Almost all of the varieties studied show promi­se for cultivation as energy crops in Ukraine. However, their effectiveness depends on various factors, such as producti­vity levels, biomass quality and environmental characteristics. Of the varieties studied, ‘1057’ (‘Marzencinski’) is one of the most promising for establishing energy plantations as it combines high productivity with favourable physiological and biochemical characteristics.

Purpose. To determine the impact of various organic fertilisation systems on the yield of crops in a short-rotation crop rotation system and on the economic and energy efficiency of their cultivation in the subzone of variable moisture conditions of the Left-Bank Forest-Steppe. Methods. The study was conducted between 2023 and 2025 in the subzone of unstable moisture conditions of the Left-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, on typical low-humus chernozem at the Panfilov Research Station of the National Research Center “IA NAAS”, (Kyiv region). The following methods were used: field methods (determining the interaction of the study objects with natural and agronomic factors), laboratory (determination of the content of major nutrients in soil and plants), computational and comparative (assessment of the economic efficiency of growing agricultural crops in a short-rotation crop rotation under different organic fertilisation systems), statistical and mathematical (conducting analysis of variance) and statistical processing of the results obtained. Results. Results from a stationary field trial indicate that organic fertilisation systems significantly impact the yield and productivity of crops in a short-rotation organic crop rotation involving soya, spring wheat and buckwheat. The greatest effect was achieved by using a combination of by-products from the previous crop, green manure and biofertiliser. Using this fertilisation system resulted in yields of 1.84 t/ha for the ‘Muza’ soybean variety, 3.83 t/ha for the ‘Rannia’93 spring wheat variety and 1.70 t/ha for the ‘Syn 3/02’ buckwheat variety. These fi­gures exceeded those of the control by 29%, 33% and 31%, respectively. The highest crop rotation productivity was also recorded with the integrated fertilisation system. The yield of forage units ranged from 2.54 to 4.68 t/ha, grain units from 2.38 to 3.83 t/ha and digestible protein units from 0.19 to 0.53 t/ha depending on the crop. An economic assessment showed an increase in notional net profit to 40.4 thousand UAH/ha, as well as a rise in the energy efficiency ratio to 3.42. Conclusions. The complex use of by-products of the predecessor crop used in crop rotation, green manure crops and biofertilizers is the most effective fertilization system for short-rotation organic crop rotation in conditions of unstable moisture in the Left-Bank Forest-Steppe. Such a system ensures an increase in crop yield, arable land productivity, economic and energy efficiency of production.

Purpose. To determine the effectiveness of a plant growth regulator on hydrangea seed germination. Methods. The study was conducted from 2020 to 2024 at Uman National University of Horticulture and the National Dendrological Park “Sofiivka” of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, involving three hydrangea cultivars: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nikko Blue’, H. paniculata ‘Grandiflora’, and H. arborescens ‘Annabelle’. The experimental design included treating the seeds with the universal growth regulator “Nasinnia”. Results. It was found that among the hydrangea varieties studied, the seeds of H. macrophylla ‘Nikko Blue’ and H. arborescens ‘Annabelle’ exhi­bited the highest germination rates; in the control group (without growth regulator treatment), these values ranged from 81.2–83.8% and 82.6–84.2%, respectively. Germination of H. paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ remained the lowest, at 63.0% and 69.4% before and after treatment, respectively. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the ‘hydrangea varieties’ factor had the greatest influence, accounting for 92.17%, whereas the ‘seed treatment’ factor had a consi­derably lower effect, at 7.17%. Conclusions. Seeds treated with a plant growth regulator showed a statistically signi­ficant increase in laboratory germination compared to the control group. On average, over the course of the study, pre-sowing treatment with the growth regulator increased seed germination by between 4.8% and 6.4%, depending on the hydrangea variety. The highest germination rate was observed in H. arborescens ‘Annabelle’, while the lo­west rate was recorded in H. paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ in both experimental variants.

Purpose. To evaluate the ornamental and biological cha­racteristics, as well as the seed production, of local wild species and cultivars of the Festuca genus; and to identify the most promising species and plant forms for creating highly ornamental and adaptive lawns that are resource­efficient for various functional purposes. Methods. The study was conducted from 2021 to 2023 in the Right-­Bank Forest­-Steppe region of Ukraine, focusing on grey podzolic soils. The subjects of the study were the local wild species Festuca pallens, F. heterophylla, F. glauca and F. curvula, as well as the cultivars F. valesiaca ‘Ateia’ and F. pseudovina ‘Inhela’, and the standard cultivar F. rubra ‘Yanka’. A comprehensive assessment of ornamental value, biological characteristics and seed yield was conducted in accordance with a methodology previously developed and approved by the Ukrainian Institute for Plant Variety Examination. This methodology used the NTEP (National Turfgrass Evaluation Program) system (9­point scale). The following parameters were determined: duration of the ‘sowing to emergence’ period; shoot formation intensity; ornamental value during different growing seasons; leaf colour and fineness; and seed yield. Results. Significant interspecific differences were observed across the set of studied parameters. Plants of the varieties F. valesiaca ‘Ateia’ and F. pseudovina ‘Inhela’ demonstrated the highest ornamental value throughout the growing season (8 points), retaining their intense green colour during the summer and exhibiting high drought tolerance. These same specimens were noted for their superior ability to produce shoots (up to 115–117 per m2; 8 points), ensuring the formation of dense, highly ornamental turf. The narrowest leaves were found in representatives of the species F. valesiaca, F. curvula and F. pseudovina, enhancing their ornamental value. In terms of seed productivity, the best results were obtained for F. pseudovina plants, with an average seed yield of 1.04 t/ha and minimal productivity loss during dry years (3.8%). Plants of F. curvula also exhibited high stability in terms of seed yield, with an average yield of 0.82 t/ha. The other species studied had lower ornamental value or were inferior in terms of seed yield stability. Conclusions. The plants belonging to the species F. valesiaca and F. pseudovina are the most promising for creating highly ornamental lawns in the Right­-Bank Forest-­Steppe region of Ukraine, based on a combination of ornamental, biological, and valuable agronomic characteristics. They combine high ornamental value with vigorous shoot formation, narrow leaves, persistent green colouring, drought tolerance and high seed production. The other species stu­died are best suited to creating standard lawns in gardens, parks and meadows, as well as specialised turf cover.

Purpose. To determine how spring barley varieties of different geographical origins respond to changes in day length, and to establish how differences in photoperiodic sensitivity affect the time of heading, 1,000­grain weight and grain yield in steppe conditions in the Northern Black Sea region. Methods. The plants were grown in the field and in a vegetation site under natural and artificially shortened day lengths of 10 hours. Phenological observations were carried out and the 1,000­grain weight and yield were determined. The study employed variational statistics, correlation analysis and one­ and two­factor analysis of variance methods. Results. Significant differences were found between spring barley varieties in the duration of the period before heading under conditions of shortened and natural day on the growing site and during spring sowing in the field. A significant difference was also found in the weight of 1000 grains and grain yield. The studied varieties were differentiated into two groups depending on their photoperiodic sensitivity. Namely: medium­sensitive to the photoperiod with a delay in heading under shortened day within 18–21 days and highly sensitive with a delay of 22–29 days. A positive relationship was established between photoperiodic sensitivity and the duration of the period before heading under shortened day and a negative one under natural day. It was found that the timing of heading under natural day length at the experimental site and in field conditions was determined not only by the photoperiod sensitivity level of a particular variety, but also by the action of genetic systems that regulate plant development rates. Under field conditions with natural day lengths, the earlier heading, increased 1,000­grain weight and yield observed in highly photoperiod­sensitive varieties, compared with moderately sensitive genotypes, are likely to be associated with the influence of early­maturing genes per se. In most years of the study, such differences between groups of cultivars were statistically significant. Conclusions. The results obtained demonstrate the complex and multifactorial nature of growth rate regulation in spring barley. Average sensitivity to photoperiod does not guarantee earlier maturity or higher yields. Genes from other genetic systems that regulate plant development rates are likely to play an important role in shaping the observed patterns. Under conditions of a long natural day, the effects of these genes may outweigh the influence of photoperiodic sensitivity genes.