The main periods of scientific research development in the Allelopathy Department of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, from its establishment to the present day, are considered. The significance of allelopathy for modern science and its place among other scientific fields are revealed. The most important achievements of Academician A.M. Grodzinsky, as well as those of his students and followers, are highlighted. The directions of promising research of the Allelopathy Department are shown. The cooperation of scientists of the Allelopathy Department with other Departments of the M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden and institutions of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine is emphasized. Particular attention is paid to the current direction of restoring soils disturbed by military operations.

A comprehensive study of the impact of Solidago canadensis on the soil ecosystem using the example of monodominant communities of this species located on the exposition plot ‘Steppes of Ukraine’ of the M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine (Kyiv) is presented. The research was conducted during the growing seasons of 2023–2024. The content of macro- and microelements, secondary metabolites in leaves and soil, allelopathic activity, organic and mineral carbon content, and laccase activity were assessed, and the functional structure of soil microbial communities was determined. It has been established that S. canadensis actively regulates the absorption of nutrients, which serves as an adaptive mechanism to environmental changes. The capacity of S. canadensis to reduce soil contamination with toxic metals such as Mn, Zn, Co, Cr, Fe, Pb, and Ti has been shown. For Mn and Zn, S. canadensis acts as a phytoextractor, and for Co, Cr, Fe, Pb, and Ti, it acts as a phytostabilizer. Significant phenological fluctuations in allelopathic activity, the content of biologically active secondary metabolites, and the functional structure of the rhizosphere microbiota in S. canadensis have been shown. The successful spread of S. canadensis outside its natural range may be associated with the ability of this plant to produce and release into the environment a number of secondary metabolites of phenols, terpenoids, saponins, etc., which are responsible for its high resistance to abiotic and biotic stress factors, allelopathic activity, inhibit the development of harmful bacteria and stimulate the development of actinomycetes, which participate in the restoration of soil fertility and are antagonists of phytopathogens.

The accumulation of photosynthetic pigments, biogenic elements and amino acids in the leaves of A. argute (kiwi berry) and S. chinensis (Chinese magnolia vine) during their cultivation in the same vegetative containers was studied. Different ratios of the number of plants in the containers were used, namely 50%:50%, 33%:67%, and 67%:33%. Single-species plantings were used as a control. Research demonstrated that the ratios between co-planted plants can impact the levels of photosynthetic pigments, biogenic elements, and amino acids in their leaves. Mixed planting was found to decrease the concentration of photosynthetic pigments in A. argute leaves under these conditions. The chlorophyll a content showed significant changes, decreasing by 6.7–18.7% with S. chinensis ratio in the container and by 31.3–33.8% with M. domestica ratio compared to mono-planting. Chlorophyll b also showed differences, ranging from 1.2–8.6% and 9.7–29.7%, respectively. Additionally, certain features were observed in the distribution of mineral nutrition elements in plant tissues of A. arguta. In mono-planting conditions, the leaves of plants showed an increase in magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus content. When actinidia is grown together with Chinese magnolia vine and an apple tree, especially with an apple tree, the supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium to the plants is sharply reduced. By the end of the growing season of plants, the total content of free amino acids in A. arguta leaves increased in mono-planting conditions. Actinidia plants exhibited a disturbance in phosphate metabolism in mixed plantings, as evidenced by elevated levels of arginine and histidine, as well as altered nitrogen metabolism indicated by decreased concentrations of glutamic acid in the leaves. The competitiveness analysis, using the Vanderbeng and Ennik method, showed that A. arguta plants are more compatible with S. chinensis than with M. domestica. The productivity and sustainability of crops can be significantly increased by using the method of mixed crops in agrophytocenoses. However, it is necessary to consider the bioecological features of plants and their tolerance to root secretions of other species. A. arguta and S. chinensis are forest lianas that are a unique part of forest ecosystems. They grow in multispecies groups in natural conditions, so it can be expected that they will show tolerance in mixed plantings.

The article presents the results of a study on the content and dynamics of the accumulation of biogenic elements and brassinolides in plants of Adonis vernalis, Allium ursinum, and Leucojum vernum in Kyiv, Ukraine. Data is provided on allelopathic activity, content of macro- and microelements, phenolic compounds, and laccase activity in plants and the rhizosphere soil under the conditions of the M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NBG). The plants from the collection of the NBG were used as objects of study in field experiments. The content of biogenic elements in plant tissues and soil was analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma spectrometer. The allelopathic analysis of soil was conducted using a direct bioassay method with Lepidium sativum seedlings as the test object. Phenolic compounds were extracted from the soil using the ion exchange (desorption) method. The content of brassinosteroids was measured spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 450 nm. The content of laccase was measured spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 530 nm. The results demonstrate that model plant species employ a wide range of physiological mechanisms throughout the vegetation period to enhance their resistance to abiotic factors. These mechanisms include maintaining potassium and calcium balance and utilizing hormonal compounds. Plants have been proven to have compensatory mechanisms in response to stress factors, substituting one biochemical marker of resistance with another. Both, brassinosteroids and silicon, contribute to the adaptive capacity of organisms.

У статті проаналізовано та описано біолого-морфологічні особливості видів тропічних та субтропічних рослин родини Euphorbiaceae Juss., які є складовою колекцій ботанічних садів України.Висвітлено історію їх створення.Ботанічні сади України -це основні установи, які здійснюють збереження та реінтродукцію тропічних рослин, що є національним надбанням, досліджують біологічні особливості, систематику, напрямки еволюції та екології, структурні адаптації, розвиток та розмноження рослин in vivo та in vitro, здійснюють освітні та природоохоронні заходи на національному рівні.Рослини Euphorbiaceae є цінним генофондом промислових, енергетичних, харчових та лікарських видів, базою для дослідження біолого-фізіологічних та лікувальних особливостей з метою відновлення втрачених популяцій цих рослин у природніх умовах та використання на користь людині.За літературними даними встановлено характерні ознаки рослин родини: наявність латексу, характерного суцвіття типу циатій, плоду -тригніздної коробочки (тригорішка), що розпадається на 3 однонасінні горішки.Морфологія колючок рослин має два типи: утворення епідермісу та безплідні генеративні пагони.Відомо про три центри видового різноманіття та походження сукулентних рослин: Американський, Африканський та Євразійський

Leaves of Actinidia arguta Lindl. (A. arguta) are a promising raw material for pharmaceutical production. Actinidia is cultivated in Ukraine, and its homeland is China, so raw materials may have different origins. Hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) are one of the important biologically active substances of A. arguta leaves, which provide the pharmacological action of this raw material. The aim of the study was to identify and compare the quantitative content of HCAs in the leaves of A. arguta harvested in Ukraine and China in different phases of the growing season. Microscopic and phytochemical studies of the leaves of A. arguta are conducted. After histochemical reaction with the nitrite-molybdenum reagent, idioblast cells with НСАs in A. arguta leaves are stained on brick-red color. The amount of the sum of HCAs was determined by absorption UV-spectrophotometry in terms of rosmarinic acid at wavelength 505 nm after reaction with a nitrite-molybdenum reagent. It was found that the A. arguta leaves contain high levels of HCAs (to 2.69%). The highest HCAs level was recorded in July, which was decreased somewhat in August. Histochemical reactions for the detection of HCAs in fresh A. arguta leaves can be used to identify plants of the genus Actinidia Lindl., which are potential sources of HCAs. The content of HCAs is independent of the region of plant growth, but its quantity varies during the growing season. So, during July, the leaves can be collected from male plants, and during the end of August and start of September, leaves can be collected from both male and female plants. This indicates the prospect of using the leaves of A. arguta as a source of raw materials for pharmacy and medicine.

The effect of nighttime lighting on the anatomical and morphological structure and the content of photosynthetic pigments in the leaves of Tilia cordata, Aesculus hippocastanum, and Platanus acerifolia was estimated on the example of garden-park and street plantings of Kyiv. At the experimental sites, the level of illumination and the soil surface temperature during the day and night periods were examined. The anatomical and morphological structure of the leaves was studied using transmission electron microscopy. The content of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids) in tree leaves was determined spectrophotometrically.The analysis of variance revealed that nighttime lighting significantly affected the anatomical structure and the content of photosynthetic pigments in the leaves of T. cordata and P. acerifolia. In A. hippocastanum, only parameters of stomata and palisade parenchyma showed a significant reaction to this stress factor.

Peculiarities of soil ecosystems (algae, microbiocenosis, agrochemical and agrophysical characteristics) of the Uholsko-Shirokoluzhanskyi beech relict forests of the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve, as well as artificial European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) plantations located on the botanical and geographical plots "Ukrainian Carpathians" of the M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of NAS of Ukraine. Soil samples were collected from May to September during 2020–2021. The species composition of soil microalgae, the number of ecological and trophic groups of microorganisms, agrophysical and agrochemical characteristics of soils were analyzed. The predominance of green algae with a significant diversity of green flagellates and the complete absence of cyanobacteria are typical features of forest soils. The small number of detected species (12 in beech relict forests and 15 in artificial beech plantations) indicates shaded forest ecosystems which are typical for beech forests. Despite common features, the species composition of soil algae of both phytocenoses is quite different. The soils under the beech relict forests are characterized by a significant predominance of green algae, among which essential number of Trebouxiophyceae representatives with aerophytic ecology were found. It indicates the mountainous nature of the soil algal flora. Soils under artificial beech plantations are characterized by a richer species diversity and predominance of Chlorophyceae representatives, which is typical for lowland forests. A characteristic feature of protected and artificially created beech forests was the relative high number of micromycetes. Correlation analysis of research results showed a positive relationship between algal diversity and the abundance of two eco-trophic groups of microorganisms: actinomycetes and ammonifiers. In addition, the growth of algal diversity was positively correlated with the content of Ca and Mg, and negatively with the content of P.

The hermetic condition is the least studied factor associated with the spaceflights. Phalaenopsis pulcherrima is promising for space farming as it can be cultivated in small substrate blocks, and its photosynthetic apparatus is well adapted to elevated CO2 concentrations and temperatures. Three-year-old meristematic P. pulcherrima plants were planted into plastic (acrylic) vessels filled with fibrous substrate. In control, vessels had an open top. The hermetic conditions were reached by sealing the vessels’ covers with a parafilm. Both control and hermetic vessels were placed in a plant growth chamber where test plants were cultivated under controlled conditions of air temperature, illumination, air humidity, and soil moisture. After 6 and 24 months of cultivation, the CO2 concentration in the hermetic and control vessels was measured, and the physiological characteristics of each test plant, such as the content of macro- and micronutrients, photosynthetic pigments, free amino acids, and content of labile carbohydrates (%) in the leaves of the test-plants were determined. It was revealed that cultivation of P. pulcherrima in hermetic conditions affected its basic physiological processes such as photosynthesis, mineral nutrition, carbohydrates, and amino acid metabolisms. The effect size of this stress factor depended on the duration of exposition period. Long-term cultivation of P. pulcherrima under hermetic conditions promoted the accumulation of nonenzymatic antioxidants (viz. chlorophyll b, carotenoids, and amino acids), which contributed to the adaptation of this orchid species to oxidative stress caused by hermetic environment.

In summer 2021, six varieties of peony plants exhibiting severe leaf rolling and deformation, as well as severe plant dwarfism and mosaics were observed in Kyiv region of Ukraine. Using DAS-ELISA, these plants were tested for the presence of 12 viruses (bean yellow mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus, tobacco mosaic virus, alfalfa mosaic virus, tobacco ring spot virus, raspberry bushy dwarf virus, strawberry latent ringspot virus, raspberry ringspot virus, cherry leaf roll virus, tobacco rattle virus, tomato spotted wilt virus, and wheat dwarf virus). The DAS-ELISA tests showed the absence of the above viruses. Using TEM, filamentous viral particles of 1200 ± 50 × 12 nm were revealed in leaf sap of peony plants of the variety Zhemchuzhnyi Rozsyp with symptoms of dwarfism, leaf rolling and deformation. Using DAS-ELISA and real-time PCR, grapevine leaf roll-associated virus-3 (GLRaV-3) was detected in these plants. This is the first report of GLRaV-3 on peony plants in Ukraine and, to our knowledge, in the world.

Introduction. The global climate change has caused uneven rainfall that impairs the hydro-physical properties of the soil and disrupts the microbiological processes. As a result, allelopathic soil sickness may occur. Problem Statement. The search for and implementation of new effective and safe techniques to regulate the physiological, biochemical, allelopathic, and microbiological state of the plant-soil system are an urgent need in unstable ecological conditions. Purpose. The purpose of this research is to optimize the physiological, biochemical, allelopathic, and microbiological properties of the plant-soil system under conditions of moisture deficiency and soil sickness, with the use of siliceous mineral analcite. Materials and Methods. The effect of siliceous mineral analcite at a concentration of 0, 100, 200, and 300 mg per 200 ml soil substrate on the growth, moisture water regime of wheat and maize plants in model vegetation experiments under different moisture conditions (20%, 40% and 60% of full moisture capacity) and soil substrate type has been studied. In the field experiment, analcite is applied at a rate of 50 kg/ha before planting sugar beet seeds. The redox conditions, the content of phenolic compounds, and soil microbiological parameters in mo del and field experiments have been analyzed. Results. The use of analcite has been established to optimize the growth, moisture regime of plants, as well as the allelopathic properties of the plant-soil system by reducing the content of free phenols, activating the development of microbial coenoses and redox processes. No phytotoxic manifestation of analcite has been noted. Conclusion. The application of analcite to improve the physiological, biochemical, allelopathic, and microbio-logical properties of the plant-soil system has been proposed. The prospects for the use of this mineral to improve the adaptability of plants in conditions of drought and soil sickness have been outlined.

Peculiarities of accumulation of nutrients in the leaves of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. and rhizosphere soil under the conditions of its continuous monoculture have been studied. Comparative analysis of the distribution of nutrients in the leaves of plants under different soil and climatic conditions revealed significant differences. It was found that plants grown on podzolic chernozem of Kolomyia State Forest Fund (Otyniia, Ukraine) were characterized by more intensive absorption of such nutrients as Ca, Si, P, Cu, Zn and Mg. The content of P, K, S, Mn was much higher in the foliar tissues of S. chinensis plants cultivated on the territory of the M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden (Kyiv, Ukraine) in the conditions of dark grey forest soil. The high ability of plants to accumulate and release Mg into the rhizosphere soil was revealed, which is fully consistent with the selective ability of plants to release mineral elements into the soil environment in accordance with their ecomorphotypes. At the same time, the amount of Ca in the rhizosphere soil decreased significantly at the end of the vegetative period, which could be explained, on the one hand, by the intensive influx of Ca into plant tissues and, on the other hand, by participation in chemical balancing processes to reduce manganese and nitrogen mobility in the soil. Barrier-free accumulation of Fe, Ca, Mg, Al elements in S. chinensis leaves was revealed, which should be taken into account when developing plant cultivation technology. The studies of allelopathy activity of vegetative and generative organs of plants and rhizosphere soil have shown that phenolic substances accumulate in small amounts in the soil under S. chinensis, which is a prerequisite for successful cultivation of this fruit vine in the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine under conditions of continuous long-term cultivation. The largest amount of phenolic substances was in the upper soil horizons, which gradually decreased with depth, which is consistent with the course of redox processes for the studied soil profiles. The pool of free amino acids of S. chinensis plants growing in different soil and climatic conditions was analyzed, the concentration of amino acids in the leaves was the most indicative. Evaluation of the quantitative and qualitative distribution of free amino acids in plant tissues serves as a diagnostic sign of plant sensitivity to soil and climatic conditions.

The combined effect of green microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and siliceous organo-mineral fertilizer (analcite + peat (pH 5.8) in a ratio of 1 : 3) on the characteristics of growth, development, photosynthetic productivity, yield and fruit quality of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L., variety "Bieloziorka"), as well as microbiocenosis, allelopathic and agronomic characteristics of the soil was studied in pot experiments. The microalgae culture medium was applied in a volume of 10 mL per a pot (0.7 L) with sifted and sterilized gray podzolic soil. Plants were grown in a phytochamber under controlled conditions of light, temperature and soil moisture. The vitality of the pepper plants was assessed by morphometric growth characteristics (shoot height, stem diameter, leaf surface area, length of roots, shoot and root dry weights, quantity and weight of fruits), content of photosynthetic pigments in leaves, protective antioxidants (carotenoids, flavonoids and anthocyanins) in fruits. At the end of the experiment, the content of phenolics, electric conductivity, redox potential, pH, the content of NH4+, NO3- and HCO3- in the soil solution were determined. A synergistic enhancement of the positive effect of microalgae and siliceous organo-mineral fertilizer on the growth, development, productivity and yield quality of sweet peppers has been established. The combined application of chlorella culture medium with siliceous organo-mineral fertilizer more effectively improved agronomic and allelopathic characteristics of the soil, stimulated the development of agronomically useful ecological and trophic groups of microorganisms, the intensity of mineralization and transformation of organic matter compared to control and treatments in which microalgae or fertilizer were applied separately.

Diabetes mellitus can result in hyperglycemia caused by insufficient insulin secretion or insulin resistance. As such, plant extracts that exert a hypoglycemic effect with limited side effects are of interest to the medical and healthcare fields. The hypoglycemic effect of polysaccharides extracted from the branches of Actinidia arguta was explored in mice in this study. Sixty male Kunming mice were subsequently randomly assigned to one of six groups. The body weight, fasting blood glucose level, serum lipids, and oxidative stress parameters were assessed weekly during the 28-day study period. Pancreatic tissue from sacrificed mice was harvested at the end of the study and dissected for analysis. Polysaccharide AABP3 prevented body weight loss and decreased the fasting blood glucose level in diabetic mice compared with control mice. It also had a beneficial effect on serum dyslipidemia and oxidative stress parameters and was comparable in its protective effect to metformin. Histopathological examination of the pancreas revealed that AABP3 could protect and ameliorate pancreatic damage that may occur in diabetes mellitus in mice. AABP3 may be considered a potential candidate for developing a functional food or natural product for treating diabetes and its complications.

The methods of microclonal propagation of Actinidia arguta (Siebold et. Zucc.) Planch ex Mix. (cv. ′Oryginalna′ and cv. ′Don-Juan′) plants by leaf tissues morphogenesis has been proposed. Leaves of aseptic actinidia plants from in vitro culture and leaves of plants grown in the garden were used as explants. When introduced into aseptic culture, the optimal period for the isolation of stem explants was the phase of active growth of actinidia shoots, and the medium - ½MS + 2 mg l-1 IBA and 0.5 mg l-1 BAP. The best culture medium for the morphogenesis of shoots from leaf explants of actinidia was a ½MS nutrient medium with the addition of 3.0 mg l-1 of BAP, В1, В6 vitamins and 12 mg l-1 of iron sulfate Fe2(SO4)3х9Н2О. It was set that the frequency of shoot regeneration depends on the cultivar, plant sex, condition of their cultivation and the part of leaf from which the explant was taken. The maximum regeneration efficiency was 83% with the formation of an average of 4–6 shoots and was achieved for leaf explants of actinidia from aseptic culture. Perlite-based substrate was used for the adaptation of the obtained plants and the efficiency of plant adaptation was 65–80%.

The peculiarities of the accumulation of polyphenolic compounds and free proline were investigated in the leaves of Actinidia arguta and Shisandra chinensis during their cultivation in vegetation containers with different ratios of the number of plants, namely 1 : 1, 2 : 1, 1 : 2. Monocultural (single-species) planting was used as a control. The content of free proline in plant leaves was carried out according to the method, which is based on the interaction of proline with a ninhydrin reagent, forming a pink-red color. The amount of polyphenolic compounds was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. It was found that the ratio of plants grown together significantly affects the accumulation of primary and secondary metabolites in their leaves. Under conditions of mixed planting, more proline and phenolic substances are accumulated in plant leaves compared to monoculture. The maximum proline content, 19.44 ± 0.91 mg/g of dry weight (DW), was observed in the leaves of A. arguta in the experiment combination with a prevailing number of schisandra plants at a ratio of S. chinensis and A. arguta plants of 2:1. In the same combination, the leaves of actinidia contained the highest amount of phenolic compounds (36.87 ± 2.22 mg/g DW). The studied root exudates of the experimental plants had an allelopathic inhibitory effect on the test culture. The exudates caused 12.0 % average decrease in root growth of A. arguta test objects, and 30.0 % average decrease in root growth of S. chinensis test objects compared with the control. This allows us to conclude about the high activity of schisandra’s allelochemicals, which negatively affect the development of actinidia plants. The optimal ratio of plants A. arguta and S. chinensis when grown together is 2 : 1, since a higher concentration of schisandra plants in a container more stress in actinidia plants, expressed as an increased accumulation of phenols and prolines in its leaves. The result of a comparative analysis of the amount of proline and phenolic compounds can be used to assess the mutual influence of plants in mixed plantings to optimize their growing conditions, which confirms the diagnostic significance of these metabolites for indicating the stress state of the studied plants.

Creation of plant-based bioregenerative life support systems is crucial for future long-duration space exploring missions. Microgravity is one of the major stresses affecting plant growth and development under space flight conditions. Search for higher plant genotypes resilient to microgravity as well as revealing of biological features which could be used as markers of such resilience is rather urgently needed. The objective of this study was to analyze physiological and biochemical responses of three orchid species representing different life forms (terrestrial and epiphytic), growth types (monopodial and sympodial) and pathways of CO2 fixation to long-term (24 months) clinorotation which modeled the combined effect of two stress factors: hermetic conditions and microgravity. Three years old meristematic orchids Cypripedium flavum, Angraecum eburneum, Epidendrum radicans, representing different life forms, types of branching shoot system and pathways of CO2 fixation, were used as test-plants. The microgravity was simulated using three-dimensional (3-D) clinostat equipped with two rotation axes placed at right angles (rotation frequency was 3 rpm) in controlled conditions of air temperature, illumination, air humidity and substrate moisture. The control plants were grown in the similar plastic vessels but not hermetically sealed and without clinorotating in the same environmental conditions. The vital state of the test plants was assessed using characteristics of mineral nutrition, content of photosynthetic pigments, free amino acids, soluble proteins, DNA and RNA, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. The results of this study confirmed that orchids grown under simulated microgravity and kept in hermetically-sealed vessels were subjected to oxidative stress, which could be responsible for the observed inhibition of basic physiological processes such as mineral nutrition, metabolism of aminoacids, protein biosynthesis and photosynthesis. Monopodial orchids C. flavum and A. eburneum demonstrated better adaptation to prolonged clinorotation as compared to sympodial E. radicans. In particular, the latter demonstrated some stimulation of mineral nutrition processes (i.e. K, N, Fe, Mn, Zn accumulation), content of photosynthetic pigments, proline and superoxide dismutase activity. Long-lasting clinorotation induced adaptive changes of antioxidant systems in the studied orchids (e.i. increase in carotenoids and proline content and stimulation of superoxide dismutase activity), which helped to maintain the main physiological functions at stable level in the above-mentioned stressful conditions. The following biochemical characteristics in the studied orchids could be considered as markers of resilience to simulated microgravity and hermetic conditions: 1) an increase in the accumulation of non-enzymatic (proline, carotenoids) and enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase); 2) ability to maintain stable balance of mineral nutrients; 3) increase in the content of photosynthetic pigments; 4) increase in the content of proteinogenic amino acids and soluble proteins; 5) increase in the DNA content or RNA/DNA ratio. Our studies have also demonstrated a correlation between orchid ecomorphological characteristics such as type of branching with their adaptive responses to prolonged clinorotation. We observed no correlation between the studied life form of orchids, ecotype or the pathway of CO2 fixation and their resilience to prolonged clinorotation. This research can be a starting point for studying the relationships between ecomorphological features of various orchids and their resilience to microgravity conditions in the search for biological markers of microgravity tolerance in species of higher plants.