Insects Diversity In Soybean Crops Under Organic And Conventional Farming

In the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine (Kyiv region), diversity of entomocomplex in organic soybean fields was investigated. Biodiversity indexes (Shannon’s and Simpson’s) were calculated. It was found that the total number of individuals, species and families was higher in organic fields on 88.5, 68.0 and 122.2%, compared to conventional respectively and on 33.3, 9.1, 20.7% in the protective forest plantations adjacent to the organic fields compare to conventional, respectively. Pests from 13 families were identified. On fields with conventional technology pests from 9 families were found (on 2.3% less from all individuals). It was investigated that the share of insect pests in protective forest plantations adjacent to organic fields was on 16.9% lower than in those adjacent to conventional fields. The values of biodiversity indexes in organic landscapes are greater

What are the organizational and economic principles of organic farming in the context of sustainable development? Case of Ukraine

The development of organic agriculture is a long-term global trend; with different local factors that affect the development rate. Ukraine is one of the largest food suppliers in the world and this also applies to organic production. The evaluation of organic production at Skvyra Organic Research Station was conducted in 2015-2020 on 40 ha land; focusing on the economic performance of the enterprise and the specialization of production. The systematic approach and dialectical method of cognition were used to identify the key factors in the development of organic farming. The purpose of the study is an organizational and economic analysis of a state enterprise that is making a gradual transition from intensive to organic production, in order to determine the main principles that stimulate the development of organic production, and to overcome the challenges faced by the enterprise on the way to the introduction of organic production. The results indicate that the enterprise is profitable but does not operate up to its potential. The key issues were identified in the lack of focus on marketable crops, efficiency of labour, crop production, and management. The enterprise is negatively affected by the current legal framework and insufficient financial stability. The enterprises income consists of selling crops (i.e. cereals, legumes) and service-to-business (i.e. laboratory testing), with no state funding. Further results show the relation of the production and specialization with climatic, natural, biological and socio-economic factors. To improve the organisational and economic framework for the development of organic production, Ukrainian enterprises should focus on cost-effective products. Furthermore, competition between agricultural enterprises should support deeper specialization and production of competitive products, contributing to the profitability and economic stability of producer

Invasion of Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch in the forest-steppe of Ukraine

Research needs of adaptation mechanisms of invasive alien species arises in connection with the naturalization of species of the genus Parthenocissus Planch in forest ecosystems of Ukraine. The results showed that P. quinquefolia has a wide range of values of edaphic and climatic factors. The populations of P. quinquefolia differ according to the degree of anthropogenic transformation of the ecotope, the ecological conditions formed, and the allocation of coenotics. The biomorphological characteristics of the species variability are shown on the gradient of anthropogenic transformation. Diagnostic parameters of P. quinquefolia under the conditions of anthropogenic transformation are the number of crotches of the tendrils and the length of the tendrils. The number of flowers per plant is characterized by the highest level of variation and belongs to the V class of variability. The smallest plasticity is characterized by the diameter of the stem. Vitality analysis indicated that cenopopulations of P. quinquefolia belong to the equilibria or prosperous population types, regardless of the intensity of the anthropogenic factor

Manifestation of Heterosis and Degree of Phenotypic Dominance by the Number of Grains from the Main Ear in the Hybridisation of Different Early-Maturing Varieties of Soft Winter Wheat

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the main food crop on a global scale, in the growth and stabilisation of yields, of which varietal resources are a significant factor. In practical breeding work, an essential role is played by a variety of thoroughly investigated source material. The purpose of this study was to determine hypothetical and true heterosis and establish the nature of inheritance of the number of grains from the main ear in hybrids of soft winter wheat. In 2018-2020, 45 combinations of cross-breeding of soft winter wheat varieties obtained from hybridisation of different growing season periods were investigated in the experimental field of the Research and Production Centre of the Belotserkovskyi National Agrarian University. Generally accepted methods were used to determine the hypothetical and true heterosis and the degree of phenotypic dominance by the number of grains in the main ear. Studies indicate that the number of grains in the ear of the main stem of the parent components of hybridisation is determined by genotype and considerably depends on the hydrothermal conditions of the year. The author of this paper established the influence of maternal cytoplasm on the manifestation of the trait under study. Thus, when used in hybridisation of early-maturing varieties with the mother form, the largest average number of grains in the main ear for hybrids (63.3 pcs.) was formed in 2019. At the same time, for the use of medium-early, medium maturing, and medium-late varieties in hybridisation, the maximum number of grains (64.8 pcs.) was marked in 2018. Therewith, all hybrids formed the minimum number of grains in 2020. The obtained experimental data indicate the influence of parental genotypes and year conditions on heterosis indicators and the degree of phenotypic dominance in first-generation hybrids. It is determined that the most common type of inheritance (85.6%) of the number of grains from the main ear is positive overdomination. Practical value for the selection of soft winter wheat are the selected cross-breeding combinations: Myronivska early / Zolotokolosa, Myronivska early / Cherniava, Bilotserkivska semi-dwarf / Cherniava, Bilotserkivska semi-dwarf / Antonivka, Kolchuha / Antonivka, Zolotokolosa / Charniava, Zolotokolosa / Yednist, Cherniava / Vidrada, Cherniava / Stolychna, Shchedra Nyva / Dobirna, Antonivka / Stolychna, Dobirna / Pyvna, which significantly exceeded the average number of grains from the main ear for F1 in the changing fields under hydrothermal conditions the years of researc