Potential seed yield of the modern oil flax varieties is equal to 2.5–3.0 t per ha, and its real meanings in 2019 in average in Russia was 0.83 t per ha, in the Southern federal region – 0.77 t per ha. One of the reasons of such low productivity of the crop is poorly effective measures of weed control. We studied the methods of herbicides application to select the most effective ones in 2019–2020 in a zone of unstable moistening (Krasnodar) on leached black soil and in a zone of insufficient moistening of the south of Russia (Oporny settl., Rostov region) on typical black soil in sowings of oil flax varieties FLIZ and Raduga bred at VNIIMK. We established the best way of a chemical plant protection of oil flax against weeds is a separate application of the herbicides Secator Turbo, MD (0.1 I per ha) and Miura, EC (1.2 l per ha). This variant did not demonstrate a negative effect of preparations on the crop and caused yield increase up to 0.20 t per ha. Also the high flax productivity, at the level of control variant with hand weeding of crops, were stated under separate application of the herbicides Magnum and Miura, Tifi and Miura. We recommended using these methods of herbicides application in zones of unstable and insufficient moistening of the south of Russia. We do not recommend to treat the crops with the herbicide Tifi after before-soeing application of Frontier Optima or Dual Gold and with tank mixture Magnum + Miura, Tifi + Miura, Secator Turbo + Miura due to their phytotoxic impact on the crop and negative effect on the indicators of plant productivity.

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Oil flax is still commercially successful crop at the market, its seeds demand is going up, and export of agricultural production is rising. Production scale-up and seed qualities improving require for introduction of new highly productive varieties adapted to a local cultivation conditions. Environmental testing of varieties allowed estimating a potential of productivity and reaction of oil flax varieties in zone of insufficient moistening (Oporny settl., Azov district, Rostov region) at the different conditions of the moisture supply, selecting the most adaptive genotypes possessing breeding value. As object of the research we used 12 varieties of oil flax. The years of the research (2016– 2018) were differed with contract weather conditions; hydrothermal coefficient is equal to 1.30; 1.38; 0.30, respectively. As favorable for the crop development 2016 and 2017 were noted. Maximal seed yield in 2017 was showed by the following varieties: Avangard (2.42 t per ha), Raduga (2.37 t per ha), VNIIMK 622 (2.33 t per ha) and Sapphire (2.30 t per ha), reliably exceeding the standard variety VNIIMK 620. The variety Avangard formed the highest seed yield increase – 0.21 t per ha in average for three years. We revealed the highest compensative ability in the varieties Avangard (1.46) and Raduga (1.47). We noted as the most adaptive to the different cultivation conditions varieties Sapphire, VNIIMK 622 and Avangard, which variation coefficient was 60.7– 69.5%. A positive correlation between seed and oil yield per a hectare (r = 0.90 ± 0.17) is fixed. Due to our results the varieties Raduga and Avangard combined high seed yield and oil yield per a hectare and are differed with high economic efficiency of production, clear profit 21650 and 21078 RUR/ha, respectively, and can update agricultural production. Studying of oil flax varieties in the contrast conditions showed their wide environmental plasticity that allows recommending them for production in the different regions.

We carried out the research in 2018–2020 to identify effective herbicide tank mixtures on oil flax under conditions of zones of unstable and insufficient moistening of the Western Ciscaucasia and to determine their impact on productivity and economic effectiveness of crop cultivation. We used established procedures of carrying out field agrotechnical experiments with oil crops. The object of research was oil flax varieties of breeding of V.S. Pustovoit All-Russian Research Institute of Oil Crops: in the zone of unstable moistening on leached chernozem (Krasnodar) FLIZ, in the zone of insufficient moistening on ordinary chernozem (vil. Oporny, Rostov region) Raduga. In the research years, the average yield of oi flax in the zone of unstable moistening was 1.29 t/ha, in the zone of insufficient moistening – 1.09 t/ha. The ap-plication of tank mixtures Miura, EC (1.2 l/ha) + Tifi, WDG (0.025 kg/ha) and Miura, EC (1.2 l/ha) + Magnum, WDG (0.01 kg/ha) reduces crop productivity, so they are not recommended for use in oil flax cultivation. We established the best effectiveness in the zone of unstable moistening with application of the tank mixture Miura, EC (1.2 l/ha) + Herbitox, SC (1.0 l/ha), in the zone of insufficient moistening – Miura, EC (1.2 l/ha) + Sekator Turbo, OD (0.1 l/ha).

Creation of a new safflower variety is due to the need an unpretentious oilseed crop introduction into the agriculture of the Southern region in connection with climate aridization. Weather conditions are becoming more arid every year in the Rostov region. Meteorological data was recording during the years of research which confirm this trend. Soil condition is becoming worse on the background of a moisture deficit, this leads to a decrease in the productivity of main crops cultivated in the region and crop losses. Biology of safflower is completely corresponds to arid conditions of steppe areas. Safflower is widely used in many industries as an oilseed, dyeing, and forage crop. The safflower oil is practically indistinguishable from sunflower; its taste is softer and indifferent. This crops cultivation is allowing farmers to profit without special methods of farming using. In recent years, the cultivation areas of safflower in Russia have increased tens of times is indicated the need to conduct selection work and educate agricultural producers about the possibilities and properties of this almost forgotten agricultural crop. A variety of safflower Almaz was created by the breeders of the "L.A. Zhdanova Don Experimental Station VNIIMK" by the method of six-fold induction of an elite plant, isolated from the collection. A new early-ripening variety is characterizing the alignment of plants, amicable maturation and short stature, the absence of spines on the leaves and resistance to conditions of insufficient moisture. The potential yield of seeds is 2,0-2,5 t/ha in the Rostov region conditions. The flowers of the variety have an orange color of the corolla. Variety Almaz is listed in the Russian Federation State Register of Selection Achievements and is allowed to be used on all regions of culture cultivation from 2017.