The studies were carried out in the European part of Russia in the steppe zone. The response of five Zea mays L. hybrids from different maturity groups to the spatial variability of regional conditions (climate, soil quality, agricultural technology) was studied. The obtained data are necessary for scientifically substantiated selection of agro-ameliorative measures and schemes for managing the production processes of agricultural plants in the context of changes in the boundaries of agro-climatic zones under the influence of global warming. It has been established that the limiting factor in the sustainable production of corn grain in areas with insufficient heat supply is the short duration of the growing season, therefore, earlier sowing dates for early ripening and cold-resistant hybrids are necessary. For areas with insufficient moisture supply, the conditions of moisture deficiency in the summer months reduce the yield of corn grain, so it is necessary to combine the early sowing of mid-season hybrids and the methods of moisture-saving technologies.

Представлены результаты исследований влияния кремниевого удобрения Силиплант на поступление и деградацию протравителя Престиж; фунгицидов Акробат МЦ, Пеннкоцеб и инсектицида Шарпей в посадках картофеля. Установлено, что Силиплант активизировал поступление действующих веществ имидаклоприд и пенцикурон в семенные клубни при обработке Престижем, увеличивая их содержание на 20,6 и 6% соответственно. В период бутонизации растений имидаклоприд в основном был обнаружен в ботве картофеля. Его наибольшее количество выявлено при обработке клубней смесью Престиж 0,6 л/т+Силиплант 60 мл/т, оно было на 45% выше, чем при обработке клубней только Престижем в норме 0,75 л/т. Содержание имидаклоприда в столонах было значительно ниже, меньше всего его поступило в молодые клубни. Престиж обеспечивал защиту растений от колорадского жука, тли и других вредителей до фазы бутонизации. Силиплант также активизировал поступление циперметрина при опрыскивании растений инсектицидом Шарпей. Содержание циперметрина в ботве было на 46% выше при опрыскивании смесью Шарпей 0,07 л/га+Силиплант 1 л/га, в сравнении с применением только Шарпея в дозе 0,1 л/га. На содержание действующих веществ фунгицидов (Акробат МЦ и Пеннкоцеб) Силиплант существенно не повлиял. Основное количество диметоморфа обнаружено в надземной части растений, в столоны его поступило меньше, и еще меньше во вновь сформировавшиеся клубни. Снижение нормы расхода препарата Акробат МЦ в два раза привело к значительному сокращению его содержания во всех частях растения. Совместное применение его меньшей дозы в сочетании с препаратом Силиплант не привело к заметному изменению его содержания в растении. Аналогичные результаты получены по содержанию манкоцеба при использовании фунгицидов как Акробат МЦ, так и Пеннкоцеб. На фоне снижения норм расхода препаратов Престиж, Акробат МЦ, Шарпей и Пеннкоцеб в смесях с препаратом Силиплант получен наибольший урожай картофеля. The article presents the results of research on the effect of Siliplant silicon fertilizer on the intake and degradation of Prestige mordant, Acrobat MC fungicides, Penncozeb, and Sharpey insecticide used in potato planting. It was found that Siliplant activated the intake of imidacloprid and pencycuron in seed tubers when treated with Prestige, increasing their content by 20.6 and 6% respectively. During the budding period of plants, imidacloprid is mainly found in the tops of potatoes. Its maximum amount was found when treating tubers with a mixture of Prestige 0.6 l/t+Siliplant 60 ml/t, it was 45 % higher than when treating tubers with Prestige alone in the norm of 0.75 l/t. The content of imidacloprid in stolons was significantly lower and less of it was received in new tubers. Prestige protected the plants from the Colorado potato beetle, aphids, and other pests until the budding phase. Siliplant also activated the intake of cypermethrin when spraying plants with the insecticide Sharpey. The cypermethrin content in the tops was 46% higher when sprayed with a Sharpey mixture of 0.07 l/ha+Siliplant 1 l/ha, in comparison with the use of one Sharpey at a dose of 0.1 l/ha. The content of the active substances of the fungicides: Acrobat MC and Pennkozeb, Sililant did not have a significant effect. The main amount of dimethomorph was found in the aboveground part of the plants, less of it was received in the stolons and even less in the newly formed tubers. Reducing the consumption rate of the MC Acrobat by 2 times led to a significant reduction in its content in all parts of the plant. When combined with a lower dose of the drug with Siliplant, it did not lead to a noticeable change in its content. Similar results were obtained for the content of mankoceb both when using the MC Acrobat and Pennkozeb. Against the background of a decrease in the consumption rates of Prestige, Acrobat MC, Sharpey and Penncozeb in mixtures with Siliplant, the greatest yield of potatoes was obtained.

Throughout years-long observation, the properties of cultured soils in European Russia were studied (including the geographical location, physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils, the composition and structure of bacterial communities in them, etc.). Groups of microorganisms with various reactions to anthropogenic impacts were analyzed. Biological and fermentation power indicators manifest the ongoing soil-forming processes. The increase in the numbers of microorganisms of their biological activity (denitrification) is observed along the North-South line with the maximum values in the steppe zone. For acidic soils, the following indicators and susceptible soil microorganisms were determined: Actinomadura roseola, Methylococcus sp., Nocardia carnea, Sphingomonas capsulata, as well as for alkaline soils: Rhodococcus equi, Streptomyces sp. The following dominating species were found in the microbial consortium of the taiga zone soils: – Rhodococcus rhodochrous, and the dominant species for the wooded steppe, steppe, and dry steppe zones is the association of anaerobic Ruminococcus sp. with vesicular-arbuscular micromycetes. The data obtained are crucial for environmental monitoring and the development of nature protection actions to support soil fertility.

Among the arguments in favor of new crop production technologies are the need for improvement of regional ecology and biodiversity, and high-quality biological products. Methods for reducing crop losses caused by air and soil droughts in the central and southern regions of Russia were analyzed. Field observations (2010-2016) were carried out using a crop rotation scheme of experimental fields with a wide range of crop varieties: wheat, barley, corn, sunflower, peas, chickpeas, alfalfa, and flax. The purpose of the article is to assess regional characteristics of effective soil fertility using different resource-saving technologies. Biological productivity (regional, local) was used as an integral indicator of effectiveness of agricultural technologies and crop yields. High effective fertility was observed when using a zero agrotechnology in Volgograd region and minimum tillage method in Stavropol region. The need for the control of soil fungistasis as a basis of biological activity of the soil and long-term improvement of effective fertility of the arable land was emphasized.

An assessment of the effectiveness of herbicides is given for different technologies of cultivation of spring wheat. Based on the results of experimental studies, the effectiveness of herbicides was determined, and it was 95-98%, which significantly affected the yield with different technologies for growing spring wheat.