In the Western region of Ukraine, one of the main factors influencing the ecological safety of agricultural landscapes is anthropogenic pressure. Based on monitoring studies, ecological and agrochemical assessment of the state of agrolandscapes of IvanoFrankivsk region is conducted, in particular in residential areas. The state of soils, natural waters and crop production was studied by the method of route monitoring. Chemical and analytical studies were carried out using methods of chemical, physical and chemical analysis using modern methods of atomic absorption spectrophotometry, flame photometry, in accordance with the requirements of the quality management system, according to methods that meet the regulatory framework of Ukraine. It was determined that some of the studied soil samples had very low acidity and high content of biogenic elements (especially phosphorus and potassium) and pollutants. The quality of natural waters in some cases did not meet the regulatory requirements. This is due to both natural factors — features of the hydrological regime, and anthropogenic — violation of sanitary rules for the development of the territory, the introduction of high doses of mineral and organic fertilizers, noncompliance with manure storage technologies, the maintenance of domestic animals and poultry, and the disposal of livestock and household waste. Some samples of crop products did not meet sanitary and hygienic standards for the content of lead, cadmium, nickel, copper and iron. Studies indicate a significant impact of the anthropogenic factor on the change in the quality of soil, natural waters and crop production. Conducting an ecological and agrochemical assessment of the state of agricultural landscapes in the Western region, including residential areas and establishing the features of migration and accumulation of biogenic elements and ecotoxicants, is a promising area of research to develop measures to prevent pollution of soil, groundwater, open reservoirs and plant products.

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of retrospective prerequisites for the restoration of radioactively contaminated lands in Ukrainian Polissia on the basis of sustainable development principles. The research methodology is based on a systemic approach, which involves the use of modern and classical scientific methods: general scientific methods (analysis and synthesis of data); retrospective and comparative analysis (identification of cause-and-effect relationships); analytical-synthetic (study of scientific and statistical data, archival materials, legislative and founding documents, etc.); mathematical (mathematical processing of obtained results). The research is based on official statistical data from the main statistical offices in Volyn, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Rivne, and Chernihiv regions. The aim of the study was to outline the socio-economic prerequisites for sustainable development of radioactive contaminated territories in Ukrainian Polissia. The study analyzed the state of economic development in Ukrainian Polissia, including the agricultural and forestry sectors, as well as the social component as a factor and indicator of sustainable regional development. Additionally, the study analyzed the housing conditions and income level of the population in the radioactive contaminated territories of Ukrainian Polissia. It has been established that the ecological factor has a significant impact on the socio-economic situation in Ukrainian Polissia, particularly when analyzing the impact of the radiological factor. The study shows that despite the leading positions of the agricultural and forestry sectors in the region, they have not been able to fully recover after the Chornobyl disaster and the post-Soviet economic crisis, which has led to negative social consequences. To address existing problems, the state employment policy should be focused primarily on preventing crisis situations and stimulating the return of migrants. Additionally, reform of economic specialization should be envisaged, taking into account regional specificities and introducing innovative technologies and solutions that would enable the attraction of investments.

Seed storage is the final stage of the technological process of its production, the purpose of which is to ensure the preservation of seed quality from its collection to use. At the same time, the loss of seeds in the process of storage of sowing conditions can cause significant losses both to the direct subjects of seed production of medicinal crops and to producers of medicinal raw materials. At the same time, questions regarding the storage terms of the seeds of sickle-leaved astragalus (Astragalus falcatus Lam.) and the rates of their loss of sowing conditions during storage remain insufficiently defined. The aim of our research was to establish the objective terms of storage of astragalus seeds with maximum preservation of their sowing qualities. The research was conducted for nine years. It was found that the surface gloss is a stable feature for the seeds of astragalus, which was not lost during storage, while the color of the seeds is a relatively unstable feature. During the first two years, no noticeable changes in the color of the seeds were noted. During storage for more than 9 years, the seeds gradually acquired a uniform reddish-brown color from greenish-yellow. The rate of loss of sowing conditions of the seeds of astragalus was determined. Freshly collected seeds were characterized by the maximum germination and hard seed rate, respectively — 84 and 14%. At the same time, the germination energy was 72%. The highest rate of germination energy of few seeds of the second year of storage is 78%. At the same time, the content of hard seeds decreased to 10%, germination decreased to 83%. Therefore, the effect of hard seed on the germination energy indicator is clearly observed, which was 7% lower immediately after harvesting and finishing the seeds compared to the seeds after a year of storage. During four years of storage, the seed germination rate decreased by only 21%, which indicates its gradual loss. The general regularity of the decrease in germination energy is also gradual. Starting from the fifth year of storage, the seeds of the studied sample began to rapidly lose their sowing qualities. Its similarity to the ninth year of storage was only 3%. It was found that the hard seed indicator was completely lost after five years of storage. It was determined that the economic durability of the seeds of the sickle-leaved astragalus is at least four years, and the biological durability lasts for nine years.

The article presents the advantages of vertical greenery to create urban development and improve the ecological condition of urban areas. The possibility of using spicy-aromatic crops in vertical greenery, which is an effective way of urban farming. The classification of vertical landscaping by types of plant placement is given and it is determined that modular phytowalls are the most suitable type of vertical plant placement according to the morphological features of spicy-aromatic plants. It is noted that additional research is needed on the possibility of growing perennial aromatic plants in light and relatively inexpensive hydroponic panels — Vertical garden system technology, developed by French designer Patrick Blanc. The technology of creation and functioning of spicy-aromatic phytowalls with the help of container and modular systems of vertical landscaping such as Cascade Wall and Pixel Garden PG14 is described. Attention is focused on the importance of the correct selection of the species composition of aromatic plants to create vertical compositions. The morphological and ecological features of the most common spicy-aromatic plants of the Lamiaceae family are characterized, which are the key parameters that determine the suitability of the described plants for use in vertical greenery. To create phytowalls outside and indoors, it is recommended to use rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), plants of the genus Thymus, Salvia, Mentha, as well as Cymbopogon citratus family Poaceae, Levisticum officinale Koch family Apiaceae and others. Attention is paid to mineral nutrition and protection of spicy-aromatic plants in closed soil conditions. Improvement of vertical landscaping systems and simultaneous search for adaptation of spicy-aromatic plants to the conditions of modular cultivation are relevant research topics for the further spread of this type of landscaping in temperate climates.

The problem of food security in Ukraine and in the world in general has become especially relevant due to the growing population on the planet, depletion of natural resources, declining soil productivity, climate change and military conflicts. The number of countries with existing food security problems has increased in recent years. Different views on food security, state of food security in Ukraine are analyzed and comparisons with the countries of Europe and the world are made. According to statistics, in 2020 the caloric content of the Ukrainian diet was only 7% higher than the threshold level of 2.500 kcal/day, but less than the minimum WHO physiological standard (3.000 kcal/day) while the caloric content of the Ukrainian diet in 1990 was 3597 kcal/day. In addition, the diet of the population of Ukraine remains unbalanced with a predominance of plant products. The most critical is the state of consumption of complete protein foods (meat, milk, fish) and vitamin products (fruits). Ukrainians consume even less than the minimum norm for fish and fish products, as well as fruit. The indicator of import dependence is calculated, according to which as of 2020 it was the highest for fish and fish products — 82%, which is 52% above the threshold level of 30%. The predominant share of imported supplies falls on fish species that are caught exclusively in the waters of maritime economic zones of other countries, while the consumption of fish and fish products by the population of Ukraine remains below the recommended dietary norms. It is established that due to domestic production more than 90% of our country meets the necessary consumer needs of the population for most foods. The analysis and comparative assessment of the structure of total consumer expenditures of households in 2016 and 2020, as well as comparisons with EU countries. According to the State Statistics Service, consumer spending of Ukrainian households is 91.4% of income. The largest share of their income (48.1%) Ukrainians spent on food, housing and utilities — 14.4%. In the EU, housing, utilities and fuel rank first in the structure of household consumption expenditures — 25.7% of total expenditures. Citizens of Slovakia and Finland spend the most on this item — 30.7% and 30.5% of all expenses, respectively. The lowest one is 15.5% in Lithuania. Europeans spent on food and non-alcoholic beverages on average 14.8% of the total consumer spending structure, second only to utilities.