The phytocenotic potential of pasture ecosystems of the Tsimlyanskii sand massif using the ecological scales of humidity, soil reaction, and soil richness in mineral nitrogen of G. Ellenberg is studied. This work is based on landscape-bioecological and ecological-morphological research methods using methods for studying the structure, stability and development of plant communities. It has been established that the family types Poaceae, Fabaceae, and Asteraceae play the greatest role in projective coverage. The predominant life form of vegetation at all sites studied are is 40–71

The purpose of the study is to assess the potential effectiveness of phytomeliorative reconstruction of low–yielding hayfields in the system of forest-meadow floodplain ecosystems to protect farms from climate risks. The research methodology provided for the identification of the growth capacity of phytomeliorants with one- and two-axis use of the meadow, which was measured by the weight of biomass (g/m2) of meadow use. The correlation coefficient was calculated using the program STATGRAPHICS+5.0. Economic efficiency indicators were calculated according to the technological operations carried out for phytomeliorative improvement (ploughing, harrowing, sowing, rolling). According to the research results, it was revealed that phytomeliorative measures in the first 2 years of use can achieve an increase in the yield of hayfields (2–4 times) and a reduction in their ripeness (2–3 weeks). With the two–axis use of a seeded meadow in the first year, the profitability level is 148.8%, and the payback is 2.49 $/$. In the second year, the profitability level reaches 152.7–172.5%, the payback is 2.53–2.73 $/$ depending on the period of mowing.

The review highlights the issues of distribution, agroecology, comparative assessment of productivity of the main species of the genus Agropyron and their use as phytomeliorants in the south of Russia in arid climatic conditions. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that the experimental sites studied and established the timing of the phases of development of broad-leaved and narrow-leaved forms of the genus Agropyron. Discussed agroecological aspects of the cultivation of Agropyron species, which are widely used to restore the vegetation cover of degraded pastures and hayfields of arid zones, quickly take root, are preserved, provide soil stabilization and are a high-quality source of feed. To solve modern environmental problems and increase the efficiency of growing species of the genus Agropyron, new approaches are considered and practical recommendations for improving its forms in the future are proposed, based on the analysis of ecological, botanical, geographical and biological data.

The Volgograd right bank belongs to a very arid natural and climatic zone (HTC 0.3-0.7), the main limiting factor of which is the moisture supply of plants. Therefore, this study was aimed at establishing the influence of the moisture availability of the region and meteorological factors, as well as the timing and methods of sowing on the yield of Agropyron cristatum and Agropyron fragile in arid agro-climatic conditions on light chestnut salty soils of southern Russia. The research was carried out at the experimental production field of the Research Centre of Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the period from 2019 to 2022. Field experiments, records, analyses and statistical processing were carried out in accordance with the methodology of field and agrotechnical research with forage crops. Methods of mathematical statistics of the STATGRAPHICS program and the MatLab package were used to process and analyze the results obtained. A close correlation was noted between the yield of Agropyron and moisture reserves (r=0.935) at the autumn sowing period. A close positive relationship (r=0.859-0.856) was noted with the ordinary and cross-seeding method between the moisture reserves in the soil and the crop yield, which indicates a high value of moisture availability during the formation of the phytomass of the crop. Close links between the hydrothermal coefficient (HTC) of the growing season and the yield of Agropyron were noted in April (r=0.960), when plants grew intensively and required sufficient moisture. A promising species can be called Agropyron fragile, the yield of which is 5.0-8.4% higher than the yield of Agropyron cristatum. Moreover, Agropyron produces the highest yields in the third year of life (3.16-3.30 t/ha).

The study provides insight into the species diversity, productivity, proportional participation, and seasonal variability of species in natural and artificially created phytocenoses on sandy grounds in the south of the European Russia. Particular attention is given to the role of the effects of moisture condition on the formation of the species diversity in various communities. The Tsymlyansk and massif was monitored with ecological geobotanical surveys. The herbaceous plant–shrub layer comprises 183 plant species from 41 families. The Simpson index suggests that the dominance of species from family Poaceae is the most pronounced in the area of excessive moisture (II). Species from the families Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae are dominant in the area of sufficient and variable moisture (III), moderate moisture (IV), and the sites of insufficient complex moisture and the area of a severe lack of complex moisture under sandy hummocks and moderate in kolkas (birch and alder groves) and diffused sands (V). According to the Jaccard index, the similarity of the species composition is closest in terms of the species diversity between the areas of (Va) insufficient complex moisture and (Vb) a severe lack of complex moisture under sandy hummocks and moderate in kolkas (birch and alder groves) and diffused sands (90%); (IV) moderate moisture and (Vb) a severe lack of complex moisture under sandy hummocks and moderate in kolkas (birch and alder groves) and diffused sands (89%); (III) sufficient and variable moisture and (IV) moderate moisture (87%); (II) excessive moisture and (IV) moderate moisture (87%). In the area of moderate moisture (IV), most of the mass was comprised of the grasses Agropyron cristatum L., A. elongatum (Host) P. Beauv., Festuca valesiaca Gaudin, F. beckeri (Hack.) Trautv., and Poa pratensis L., while Artemisia campestris L. and Galium verum L were predominant among the forbs. On average, the grasses in the community accounted for 66.5%, and the forbs accounted for 33.5%. Similarly, in the area of sufficient and variable moisture (III), the phytomass was largely formed by species from the family Poaceae, such as, Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski and Agropyron elongatum (Host) P. Beauv. Agropyron cristatum L. The phytomass was considerably influenced by Artemisia campestris L., Artemisia vulgaris L., and Artemisia arenaria DC. Shifting sands should be stabilized and pastures should be restored with the selected polycomponent grass mixtures in order to halt degradation processes, to improve the economic state, and to increase fertility of pasture ecosystem across large territories. The experiment on the study of the productivity of artificially created phytocenoses for the purposes of restoration and an increase in the productivity of natural pasture ecosystems was conducted on vegetation plots of Hydrological Complex of the Federal Science Center of Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. A grass mixture with participation of Agropyron cristatum L., Artemisia arenaria D.C., and Medicaga sativa L. and a yield capacity of 228.6–246.7 g/m2 appears to be the most promising for sandy substrates, as well as a grass mixture with participation of Agropyron cristatum L., Agropyrom elangatum Host.P.B., and Bromus inermis Leyss., which has a yield capacity of 184.4 g/m2.

Green plantings in the urban environment form a natural carcass, increase environmental protection functions and create comfortable living conditions for the population. Research is relevant due to the fact that monitoring the state and conditions of green plantings growth is a prerequisite for timely adoption of measures to restore and maintain the proper functioning of urban natural-anthropogenic systems. The aim of the research is to assess the current state of landscaping objects in the city of Volzhsky. The plot with cadastral number 34:35:000000: 66118 has about 20% of dying trees, most of which are old-growth stands. Young and mature trees Populus nigra and Salix alba are in good condition. On the territory of the park (cadastral number 34:35:030121:201) >40% of trees are weakened or slightly damaged. The share of withering and withered trees reaches 27% of the total number of trees. Fraxinus excelsior is in the worst condition. 59% of Populus nigra trees dry up. In the park (cadastral number 34:35:030213:246) the forest stand and lawn cover are in excellent condition. The roadside forest belt (cadastral number 34:28:000000:2955) cannot fully fulfill its ecological functions and does not meet economic goals.

The aim of the work was to determine the influence of mineral nutrition on the growth, development and quality of lawn grasses of a football field in the southern regions of Russia. The experiment was carried out on the site of the VGAFK training ground (Volgograd). Water-soluble fertilizers were used: foliar dressing; instant: Urea + Potassium Magnesia, Fertika. The composition of the sown grass mixture: Lolium perenne variety Vesuvius (20 %), Lolium perenne variety Eurocurdus (20 %), Festuca rubra variety Dorianna (20 %), Poa pratensis variety Markus (20 %), Poa pratensis variety Limousine (20 %). Lawn quality was assessed using two methods: A.A. Lapteva and NTEP (National Turfgrass Evaluation Program). The frequency of mowing the lawn will vary depending on light conditions, soil temperature and humidity. But there is a clear dependence on additional mineral nutrition. When applying fertilizers, mowing the lawn should be done every 5-7 days. Without additional mineral nutrition, the haircut should be done once every 7-12 days. It is important that when cutting, 1/3 of the leaf surface is cut off. Recommendations of technological solutions for decompaction of the root layer of the soil of the lawn space, which occur due to intense loads, are presented. It was revealed that the use of the studied water-soluble and instant fertilizers in the conditions of the south of Russia reduces the weediness of the lawn, increases its projective cover and the productivity of shoots of lawn grasses, and increases the breaking load. At the same time, the lawn coverings that are most aligned in height are noted. As a result, the quality and decorativeness of the lawn improve.

Materials are presented on the enrichment of natural hayfields and pastures in the south of the European Territory of Russia (ETR) with valuable forage grasses by methods improvement. The work is based on modern methods of landscape-bio-ecological research using scientific and practical methods for restoring and prolonging the productive longevity of pastures. Effective measures to improve forage land provide an increase in productivity of 1.5-2.0 times compared with natural pastures. Agrotechnical methods are given, including soil preparation, norms and timing of sowing. Attention is paid to the selection of sown species, the composition of mixtures and the ratio of the life forms of herbs.

Remote monitoring and landscape–environmental profiling of the Archeda–Don sand massif made it possible to assess the state of the soil–vegetation cover and to determine the groundwater level and inclination. The degrees of soil salinity were identified for various sand types. The salinization of chernozem-like soils reaches 0.05%. The salinization of sand massifs with large amounts of litterfall is 0.05–0.07%. In open sands that formed in depressions as a result of blowing, the salinity does not exceed 0.001%. Pine outliers and planted stands are widespread throughout the sand massif. Natural forest stands consist of the following species: Betula pendula, Alnus glutinosa, Quercus robur, Populus tremula, and Salix spp. (S. fragilis, S. reptans, S. carpea, and S. rosmarinifolia). Pinus sylvestris plantings were introduced in the 19th century. The large number of forest sites and their outlier-based distribution are determined by the proximity of groundwaters. Black alder (Alnus glutinosa) stands reach the maximum productivity with a timber volume of up to 500 m3/ha. In areas with stagnant groundwaters, their height is 12–15 m. Birch (Betula pendula) outliers are located in depressions. Sparse European oak (Quercus robur) standing 8–12 m high occur on clayey sites. It is shown that Pinus sylvestris grows optimally on chernozem-like sandy loam soils and on single-phase, overgrown sands with thick, sod–steppe soils. Five dominant types of sands have been distinguished. The total area of forage lands within the sand massif is 171 536 ha; their herbage productivity is 370 700 t. The total area of forest sites is 50 584 ha. Overgrown hummocky–ridgy sands predominate. Overgrown closed depressions and ancient watercourses feature the highest productivity (3.0 t/ha). The results are essential for the development of a conceptual model for the optimal use of sandy lands.

The research was carried out in order to identify promising territories for the creation and operation of economically justified and environmentally friendly wind power plants in the south of Russia. The annual duration of winds with operating speeds in most of the studied area is 50-60 % of all winds, and only at the southernmost end of the territory the duration of winds with operating speeds decreases to 20-40 %. The predominant wind directions (52 %) in the Stavropol Territory are east and west. In the Rostov region, these directions dominate for 51% of the time of the year, in the Krasnodar region, 56 %. The prevailing wind direction in Kalmykia and the Astrakhan region is less pronounced. Here the east and west directions make up 30 %, southeast and northwest – 35 %. In the Volgograd region, all paired wind directions are equally probable and amount to 20-28 % in time. In almost 75-80 % of the territory, the specific power of the wind flow is 125-500 W/m2.

The article considers the set of water management problems that has formed in the Don Basin in the context of current changes in the hydrological regime of rivers and an increase in the demand for the reliability of water resources available for economic sectors. Despite the decline in production and water consumption, the ecological conditions of water bodies in the basin have not improved, many problems have become more acute, the overall environmental situation has deteriorated, and fish production in the Sea of Azov has decreased. Hydrochemical observations in the Don Basin demonstrate deterioration of water quality. Measures proposed to improve water management situation are discussed. It is shown that the forecasts of water use and changes in water environment made in the 1970s have not proved true. The ways to solving the problem of water supply in the Azov–Don Basin are considered.

Изучено влияние некорневых подкормок комплексным удобрением Плантафол и микроудобрением Бороплюс на биохимический состав ягод винограда столового назначения в аридных условиях Астраханской области в 2015 – 2019 гг. В опытах участвовали районированные сорта Кодрянка (раннеспелый) и Московский (позднеспелый), а также перспективный среднеспелый сорт Ризамат. Установлена неоднозначная реакция сортов винограда столового назначения на применение некорневого питания испытуемыми удобрениями. Некорневые подкормки способствовали существенному увеличению массовой доли сахаров у всех сортов до 0,8 – 4,4 % по сравнению с контролем. Применение Бороплюса отдельно и совместно с Плантафолом положительно повлияло на содержание витамина C в ягодах винограда — прибавка 2,2 – 11,0 % по отношению к контрольному варианту. Сахарокислотный индекс сортов Ризамат и Московский имел лучшие значения в варианте без использования удобрений — 29,8 и 28,1 соответственно, сорта Кодрянка — в варианте с совместным их применением (25,3).

Дана оценка современному состоянию отрасли животноводства Заволжья в границах Волгоградской области в 6 районах. Установлен прирост поголовья крупного рогатого скота (КРС) в 4 районах. Наибольшая численность поголовья КРС в Заволжье сосредоточена в хозяйствах населения и КФХ. Наибольшее поголовье овец и коз в районах Заволжья выявлено в Палласовском районе — 153,8 тыс. голов. Рост поголовья овец и коз отмечен в 5 районах. Наибольшее количество поголовья лошадей в хозяйствах всех категорий зарегистрировано в Палласовском (2,8 тыс. голов) и Ленинском (1,1 тыс. голов) районах. Отмечен большой процент поголовья лошадей в хозяйствах всех категорий в Заволжье в общем поголовье лошадей Волгоградской области — 51,15 %. Наибольшее производство КРС на убой в хозяйствах всех категорий выявлено в Палласовском районе — 5225 т. Основное производство молока сосредоточено в хозяйствах населения, особенно в Ленинском, Палласовском и Быковском районах. В Заволжье выращивают около 1/2 поголовья овец и коз на убой и производится около 1/2 объема шерсти в хозяйствах всех категорий от общего производства области.

ВласенкоФедеральный научный центр агроэкологии,

The nature of interaction between electric fields in convective cloud systems with the underlying surface is considered. Differences in charge potentials at different points of the Earth are indicated. Modern theories about the appearance of positive and negative charges in clouds, about the development of lightning and places of their destruction are presented. Data on the influence of cloud systems depending on the properties of the Earth’s surface are presented. It is established that the interaction of cloud systems with the earth’s surface depends on the electrical properties of clouds. This interaction depends on the following factors: humidity, density, temperature, chemical and mineralogical composition, soil particle composition, structure, nature and properties of the soil solution.

On the sandy tracts in the South of European territory of Russia there are 842 species of psammophytes, 25 % (209 species) are obligate forms. Many of them are endemics. Species composition, structure and productivity of plant communities depends on the degree of overgrowing of the Sands (open sands, medium-overgrown sands, overgrown sands). Their abundance varies depending on the exposure and the part of the slope. The existence of species occurs as a result of continuous and close interaction with each other and as a response to irritation of various environmental factors. The development of vegetation in this area is limited by the lack of precipitation, strong desiccation of the upper soil horizons due to high summer temperatures, low snow cover, low temperatures of air and soil in winter, the poverty of the sands with nutrients, their mobility, and occasionally strong salinity. The process of natural overgrowing of sand can last more than 50 years. Unorganized unsystematic use of pastures significantly increases these periods. Active use of pastures with low productivity destroys natural ecosystems and causes desertification. As a result, the area of full forage land is reduced, and environmental and socio-economic tensions are increasing. One of the methods for restoration and improvement of sandy areas is the regulated grazing of farm animals in accordance with the productivity of pastures.

is based on modern research methods using data from state statistical reporting. Water quality analysis was carried out using standards for maximum permissible concentrations (MPC). Results. The groundwaters of the Don basin are at constant risk of pollution. Their depletion and pollution due to abnormity are noted. The problem of reservoir eutrophication is relevant for all reservoirs of the Don basin, especially the Tsimlyansk one. Because of this, the sanita-ry-hygienic, hydro-chemical and fishery parameters of water resources are deteriorating. Water quality for municipal and amenity water use is unsuitable and hardly suitable by salt com-position in the Manych and the Big Egorlyk rivers. Here, the amount of sulfates reaches 6.5 MPC, the sodium content is 1.8 MPC, magnesium is > 2 MPC. BOD 5 is exceeded more than twice in the mouth reaches of the Kalitva and the Medveditsa rivers. Conclusions. The present-day drinking and household water quality of the Don basin is relatively favorable. For preven-tion the sanitary-epidemiological situations and the degradation of water resources, the surface and underground water quality control is recommended, especially in areas of their inten-sive use. To improve water quality and to solve the problems of accumulation of dead organ-ics of bottom sediments in reservoirs, it is necessary to carry out purification works in water intake basins and to use local mechanical treatment methods.

Изучено влияние некорневых подкормок комплексным удобрением Плантафол и микроудобрением Бороплюс на показатели экономической эффективности сортов винограда столового назначения в экстремальных засушливых условиях Северо-Западного Прикаспия. Представленные экономические расчеты 2015 – 2019 гг. по возделыванию сортов винограда столового назначения (раннеспелый Кодрянка, среднеспелый Ризамат, позднеспелый Московский) характеризуют отзывчивость винограда на агроприемы эффективной технологии возделывания. Применение некорневого питания удобрениями нового поколения Плантафол и Бороплюс на винограде способствует получению высоких урожаев с существенным экономическим эффектом. При использовании удобрения Плантафол повышается уровень рентабельности в опыте на 32,5 – 115,1 %, Бороплюс — на 54,6 – 110,3 %. Сочетание удобрений максимально повысило уровень рентабельности в опыте у всех трех сортов — на 87,6 – 150,0 % по сравнению с контролем.

Транспирационный коэффициент (ТК) меняется в процессе жизненного цикла растений и показывает отношение растительности к условиям водообеспеченности мест произрастания. Наиболее активно расходуется вода в период нарастания вегетационной массы. В период созревания репродуктивных органов ТК уменьшается. Объектом исследований являлись естественные и искусственные фитоценозы, произрастающие на гидрологическом комплексе ФНЦ агроэкологии РАН (г. Волгоград), а также на ключевых участках Арчединско-Донских и Усть-Кундрюченских песков. В 2016 г. на гидрологическом комплексе ТК определялся исходя из сформированной на лизиметрах естественной растительности. На песке: Agropyron repens L., Erigeron canadensis L., Polygonum aviculare L., Bromus arvensis L., Galium aparine, Chenopodium album L., Chenopodium album L., Lactuca serriola L.; урожайность при этом была 2,1 т/га. ТК в этом случае составил 610. На легком суглинке (каштановая почва) произрастали: Lactuca serriola L., Erigeron canadensis L., Polygonum aviculare L., Bromus arvensis L., Agropyron repens L., Chenopodium album L., Taraxacum officinale, Galium aparine; урожайность составила 4,2 т/га. ТК в этом случае – 498. ТК биомассы яровой пшеницы сорта Камышинская-3, посеянной в апреле 2017 г. на лизиметрах ФНЦ агроэкологии РАН с легким суглинком (каштановая почва) и мелкозернистым пылеватым песком, составили соответственно 493 и 515. Исследования показали, что транспирационные коэффициенты, рассчитанные по биомассе яровых культур, существенно выше озимых. Отсюда следует целесообразность по возможности смещать вегетацию культур в засушливой и острозасушливой зонах на осенневесенние периоды. Это позволяет в наиболее засушливые месяцы (июль-август) исключать вегетацию или экономить влагу, когда у растений минимальный вегетативный аппарат.