Abstract. The purpose of the research was to investigate the effectiveness of the necrotic protective barrier in creating resistance to the Colorado beetle in potatoes. Methods. The research was carried out in a field experiment according to the accepted methodology for 3 years. The research involved 30 different potato varieties grown in conditions of the Cis-Ural forest-steppe of the Bashkortostan Republic. The analysis was focused on the correlation between the leaf blade hypersensitive response intensity on the Colorado potato beetle egg clutch on the one hand, and the level of plant resistance to the pest and loss of tuber yield from damage by parasite on the other side. Results. There was observed a strong association between the resistance of potato tops and the plant yield (the correlation coefficient is 0.763–0.804) when potatoes are grown without the control of the phytophage number. When growing potato varieties with insecticide application, the productivity of plants practically did not depend on their resistance level to phytophage. There has been found a strong positive correlation between the hypersensitive reaction of the leaf blades to Colorado beetle egg disposition and the resistance of different potato varieties to the pest (correlation coefficient 0.568–0.671). On the contrary, the relationship between the hypersensitive response of the leaf blades to the egg clutch and the decrease in yields was negative (correlation coefficient –0.646...–0.763). Based on the analysis of the obtained data, it is concluded that the stability of potatoes and the reduced loss of tuber yields from pest damage are closely related to the potato leaf response against the Colorado beetle clutch. The use of a necrotic protective barrier is a promising direction in breeding potato varieties resistant to the Colorado potato beetle. The scientific novelty lies in the study of the possible application of a new type of resistance and creating on this basis potato tolerance donors against the Colorado beetle.

Background Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the most important forage crops, but its seed productivity varies from year to year due to weather conditions. Alfalfa is a forage crop rich in nutrients which makes it valuable. The present 5-year study aimed to identify the promising alfalfa varieties based on their economic and biological characteristics, such as high seed productivity, a high yield of forage mass, good quality, and stress resistance. Results The study contributes information about the promising varieties of alfalfa characterized by high biomass and seed productivity. Varieties such as P-88044, U-73+149 and S-302 had stable seed/green mass yields regardless of climatic conditions; hence, they may be used for alfalfa selection in the southern forest-steppe regions of Bashkortostan. Conclusions The present findings can be used for alfalfa selection in the Republic of Bashkortostan (Russia). In addition, the results will be of interest to crop breeders across the globe.

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Abstract. The aim of the research is to create source material for breeding forage rye that combines stable productivity over the years, high protein content in the grain, and low content of water-soluble pentosans. The object of research was winter rye. Research methods Research on these tasks was carried out in 2016–2018 in the conditions of the South-Western Urals using generally accepted methods. The predecessor is dead fallow. Soil is chernozem with a predominance of leached, typical and carbonate varieties with the following agrochemical indicators: humus content in the topsoil – 7–9 %, pH value – 7.2–7.6, total nitrogen in the arable layer of the soil – 0.4 %, mobile potassium and phosphorus (according to Machigin) – respectively 20.5 mg/100 g and 10.2 mg / 100 g of dry soil, calcium – 5.6 %. The recommended rate of mineral fertilizers is N60P60K60. Scientific novelty. For the first time, 3 promising winter rye varieties selected in the Bashkir scientific research Institute and 2 samples of the All-Union Research Institute of Plant Breeding were studied in climatic conditions of south-western Cis-Ural. The content of water-soluble polysaccharides (WSP) and the water extract viscosity (WEV) were evaluated. The breeding value of plants was studied. Results The main indicators of the nutritional quality of winter rye grain are found to depend on both the variety (genotype) and the influence of external conditions (phenotype). It was detected that the content of water-soluble polysaccharides and the dynamic viscosity of the grain meal water extract are in a linear relationship (r = 0.98). They are unstable indicators and have a variable character. There are two varieties (Kombaynnyay 3 i Krupnozernaya 2) with the lowest WSP and WEV values and a high protein content in the grain. They can serve as source material to develop fodder crops in conditions of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The rye WEV was found to increase significantly in dry years, and decrease in wet years. The comparative evaluation of grain crops showed that the WEV of winter rye exceeded that of winter wheat by 3.5 times, spring wheat by 3.7 times, and winter triticale by 3.1 times. It was found that the samples with lower WSP and WEV indicators had small grains, low grain unit and higher protein content.

Producing high-quality fodder is one of the most urgent priorities in agriculture of the Bashkortostan Republic. The Sudangrass cultivation can address the issue of getting high-quality animal feed in the region. The given paper presents the results of experimental studies on improving the Sudangrass growing technology in the conditions of the Bashkortostan's Cis-Ural steppe, based on the best possible and scientifically proven sowing time, methods and seeding rates. Previous studies have established the way these factors affect the productivity of Sudangrass variety Demskaia. It was found that the Sudangrass variety Demskaia requires a seeding rate of 2.5–3.0 million fertile seeds per 1 ha to realize the productivity potential. The best time for sowing Sudangrass is late May when the soil steadily warms up to +14° - +18°C. The highest crude protein content was observed at earlier sowing with the seeding rate of 2.5-3.0 million fertile seeds per hectare. The higher seeding rate results in the increased leaf area and photosynthetic potential but cuts the net productivity of photosynthesis. The leaf surface area reaches its peak in the "full emergence" phase in the trial with a 15-cm row-width spacing at the seeding rate of 2.5-3.0 million fertile seeds per hectare.