Abstract: The yield potential of a plant is of great importance in the characteristics of the variety and is usually identified as the main factor among the selection tasks. Net yield potential depends on a combination of genetic and environmental conditions. Success in selection work largely depends on the quality of the source material. The paper presents the evaluation of selection lines of soft spring wheat in the control nursery and the selection of the most promising samples for further selection work. In the control nursery of the third year of study and evaluation of selection lines of soft spring wheat, 11 numbers most promising for selection work were selected. The evaluation of the lines was carried out according to the following main indicators: the duration of the growing season, the earliest ripening numbers were identified, the selection lines were evaluated for resistance to diseases and lodging, adaptation of soft spring wheat plants to growing conditions, and the elements of productivity and yield in the studied samples were also studied. According to the length of the growing season, there were no lines with a longer period than that of the control variety. All but two lines were not affected by dust smut and leaf rust. The lesion of the lines and standard with septoria was within the normal range. Such indicators as the number of productive stems, the number of grains, grain weight per spike, grain size allowed us to identify nine samples exceeding the standard. The assessment of the adaptability of selection lines shows that the studied variants are a valuable source material for the selection of soft spring wheat in Irkutsk region.

Keywords: soft spring wheat, control nursery, line, early maturity, disease resistance, grain, productivity.

Abstract: The paper presents the results of the studies on the germination of seeds of coniferous introducents. The studied plant species, depending on the depth of seed dormancy, were divided into 2 groups. The first group includes plants in which dormancy is absent or dormancy is short; the seeds of these species do not need stratification. The second group includes plants whose seeds may not germinate for several years. The seeds of plants in the first group are characterized by morphological dormancy lasting from several days to several months or shallow physiological dormancy; their germination begins only after the final formation of the embryo. Seeds Picea obovata, Picea pungens, Pinus sylvestris, and Thuja occidentalis do not require stratification. Seeds Thuja occidentalis have a waterproof dense shell and germinate faster after scarification. Seed germination of plants of the first group ranges from 42.25% (Thuja occidentalis) to 98.00% (Pinus sylvestris). Pinus sibirica was attributed to plants whose seeds may not germinate for a long time from 1 to 4 years. As a rule, seeds of long-term non-germinating species are in a state of deep physiological or morphophysiological dormancy. Introducents of the second group are the most difficult to study since their seeds can belong to different variants of very deep dormancy when the physiological immaturity of various structures of the embryo is combined with incomplete morphological maturity and with exogenous dormancy. The germination rate of seeds of the same species is not constant. The results of the studies of the variability of the germination of seeds of coniferous introducents depending on the storage time showed that the seed storage period of Picea obovata, Picea pungens, Pinus sylvestris is 4-5 years, the maximum percentage of germination is observed in the first three years.

Keywords: seeds, germination, coniferous introducents, dormancy of seeds

Abstract: The southern Pre-Baikal region is inhabited by more than twenty species of closed-nesting birds, most of which can be attributed to hollow-nesting birds. One of them is a great tit (Parus major L., 1758). The object of this study was the process of growth of the beak of great tit chicks at the nesting stage of post-embryogenesis. We examined two nests located in artificial nests (nest boxes), hung on the territory of the “Molty” hunting base of the “Goloustnoe” training and experimental farm of Irkutsk State Agrarian University. It was found that the increase in the size of the chicks' beak occurs throughout the entire nesting period of ontogenesis (20 days). The length of the beak on the day of hatching of the chicks varies from 3.1 to 3.8 mm; on the day of departure from the nest it varies from 8.7 to 9.9 mm. The variation remains throughout the entire length of the nesting developmentThe average growth of the beak over the entire nesting period of development is 6 mm. The average daily growth rates of the beak differ slightly in different nests. In the first nest, this indicator was 0.32±0.12 mm, in the second it was 0.34±0.15 mm. The rate of daily growth is related to meteorological conditions and the amount of food received by the chicks. Periods of stabilization of beak growth indicators are observed in both nests on the 13-14 day of post-embryogenesis. Comparison of statistical parameters of beak growth in great tit chicks from the Southern Pre-Baikal region and two regions of the European part of Russia (Moscow region and Tambov region) revealed a number of small differences. The beak length of the great tit chicks in our region at the time of hatching is 0.6-0.8 mm longer; the total beak growth for the entire nesting period is 0.2 mm less. The stabilization periods of the growth of the beak of chicks from our region almost coincide with those in Tambov region (13-14 days – the Southern Pre-Baikal Region, 12-14 days - Tambov region); in Moscow region they are observed much earlier (8-10 days).

Keywords: Southern Pre-Baikal Region, Parus major L., 1758, chicks, features of the structure of the beak

Abstract: The data on the study of the structure and state of the living ground cover (LGC) in the pine forests of Northern Kazakhstan depending on the forest conditions (on the example of the Shchuchinsko-Borovsk resort zone, which is part of the state national natural park “Burabay”) are presented. This study is an integral part of comprehensive study of the patterns of growth, development and assessment of the state of recreational pine forests in Kazakhstan. The studies were carried out on the temporary test areas laid in the functional zone of conditional control in very dry, dry, fresh, and humid pine forests. For each species, the projective cover of the LSC was determined. The main influence on the floristic composition and projective cover of the living ground cover is exerted by forest conditions. For this purpose, the composition and structure of the living ground cover have been analyzed. Indicators of growing conditions that are characterized by an identical ratio to soil moisture and are assigned to the same ecological group are determined. The total projective cover of LGC in all studied groups of forest types is within 85-95% with the predominance of forest species - up to 85-95% of the total projective cover. The special feature is the ratio of certain types of LGC depending on the forest conditions. With the improvement of forest growing conditions, a decrease in the projective cover of lichens and mosses and an increase in the projective cover of grass vegetation are noted. Taking into account the indicator of the projective cover, the number and floristic composition of LGC, the studied pine forests can be divided into two conditionally generalized groups according to forest conditions. The first group includes very dry and dry pine forests, the second group – fresh and wet pine forests. The data obtained can be used in the design of various forestry activities in the protective pine forests of Northern Kazakhstan.

Keywords: pine plantations, forest conditions, living ground cover, ecosystem groups.

Abstract: Judging by the results of hunting in the seasons of 2017-2020, hunting for sable and squirrel did not go beyond the limits of norm removal with a relatively low state of their numbers. The accounting areas, as well as the territory of the “Molty” hunting base, can be attributed to the optimal (best) habitats of roe deer and red deer (Manchurian deer) and suboptimal habitats of sable, squirrel, musk deer, and hazel grouse. For large predators in general, these are also suboptimal habitats. This may contribute under similar other conditions to approximately the same number of sable individuals in the 2021-2022 hunting season and possibly a significantly larger number of squirrels. The number of wolves on the territory of the base according to the data for the observed period was about 4 individuals, similarly to the lynx. Moreover, the prey averaged three wolves per year and one lynx, which was far from being hunted every year. The use of the resources of the red deer also did not go beyond the permissible limits at a high state of its numbers. The number of this species under the current circumstances, taking into account the annual winter feeding and sowing of forage fields, can remain high. The state of the number and prey of the wolf and lynx is relatively stable. Judging by the results of hunting and the proportion of individuals remaining on the territory in 2020, hunting for hazel grouse with an average state of its numbers, was moderate. This allows us to assume no less autumn number of individuals in the hunting season 2021-2022 with relatively identical other conditions.

Keywords: hunting resources, ungulates, fur-bearing mammals, large predators, wild game, habitats, population state

Abstract: Studies were conducted to determine the dependence of the stability of the development of Populus balsamifera L. in Irkutsk on the level of exposure to road transport. To assess the condition of the trees, we used indicators of fluctuating asymmetry of leaf blades taken at 18 accounting sites: 11-along transport highways with different traffic intensity, 3 - in residential areas, 4 – in recreational areas at the end of their growing season (the third decade of August-September 2018-2020), where 50 leaves were collected. The greatest asymmetry is shown by the feature that characterizes the distance between the bases of the first and second veins of the second order; on most accounting sites, it has the highest level of variability. As a result, this marker can be used as an indicator when assessing the stability of the development of this species. The factor of influence of emissions from road transport with the help of fluctuating asymmetry of leaves on P. balsamifera is not observed. The coefficient of linear correlation between the indicators of developmental stability and the distance of the growing areas to the roads r=+0.17, proves the absence of the influence of the technogenic factor. The value of the correlation ratio η = 0.71 on the Chaddock scale showed a noticeable relationship between the intensity of traffic flow and the state of development of P. balsamifera. The change in the integral indicator of developmental stability is 49.85%, the coefficient of reliability is F = 2.29. The value of the residual dispersion - 50.15% indicates a significant weight of unaccounted factors of influence, first of all the age of the stands, which has a significant and in some cases primary, influence on the physiological state of the trees. It is unreasonable to recommend P. balsamifera as a bioindicator for environmental monitoring.

Keywords: Populus balsamifera L., fluctuating asymmetry, developmental stability, correlation, road transport

Abstract: The main objective of these studies is to study the territorial grouping of the osprey and its nesting sites within the boundaries of the Sayano-Shushensky Nature Reserve and its protected zone for more than 240 km of the reservoir coastline, identify nesting sites and determine the success of the nesting of the species. The article presents materials on the nesting and abundance of the osprey on the territory of the Sayano-Shushensky Biosphere Reserve and its protected zone before the flooding of the Yenisei river valley and in the first years of the reservoir's existence, as well as the analysis of the nesting process in the period 2012-2019. Separately, the results of the field work in 2019 and 2020 on the characteristics of nests and the assessment of the species number on the study territory are presented. Nine nesting sites were recorded; from 1 to 3 nests were found these sites. A nesting site is an area occupied by an individual, married couple with offspring, family group or flock. In 2019, out of 12 nests discovered, birds were noted in 9 and in 2020 - in 7. The number of osprey during the years of observation was 24 individuals (12 pairs of adult birds). In addition to counting adults, the number of chicks in residential nests was noted. In 2019, the presence of offspring was registered in 6 nests, the total number of chicks was 15 individuals (an average of 2.5 individuals per nest); in 2020, 16 chicks were counted in 7 nests (2.3 individuals per nest).

Keywords: osprey, Sayano-Shushensky Nature Reserve, nesting sites, nesting

Abstract: The associative relationship of the genotypes of the Kappa-Casein gene (CSN3) of breeding bulls with their breeding value in terms of the milk productivity of female ancestors was studied. The studies were carried out on the basis of JSC “Breeding enterprise“ Barnaul ”of Altai Territory on a sample of 45 black-and-white bulls belonging to three lines - Vis Back Ideal 1013415, Reflection Sovering 198998 and Montvik Chieftain 95679. The polymorphism of the CSN3 gene in bulls of the studied lines is represented by three genotypes - AA, AB and BB and is registered only in bulls of the Vis Back Ideal 1013415 line. The BB genotypes are absent in Reflection Sovering 198998 and Montvik Chieftain 95679 lines. The dominant genotype of the CSN3 gene in the studied bulls is the AA genotype (57.8%). Bulls with this genotype had the highest PSI in milk yield (10,032 kg), amount of milk fat (422.8 kg) and protein (323.8 kg). The higher potential for fat and protein content in milk was in bulls with the desired genotype of Kappa-Casein BB – 4.26% and 3.44%, respectively. The differences obtained between the bulls of the studied lines according to PSI in terms of milk productivity except for milk yield (between the producers of the Vis Back Ideal 1013415 line with the AA genotype and the Montvik Chieftain 95679 line with the AA genotype for 1401 kg at p <0.05) were statistically insignificant. At the same time, the highest genetic potential in terms of milk yield (10267 ± 600.6 kg), the amount of milk fat (429.0 ± 29.84 kg) and protein (342.7 ± 26.75 kg) had bulls of the Reflection Sovering 198998 line with the genotype AB for the Kappa-Casein gene. The greatest genetic potential in terms of fat content was in bulls of the Montwick Chieftain 95679 line with the AB genotype for the CSN3 gene-4.44±0.037% and in erms of protein content in milk – in bulls of the Vis Back Ideal 1013415 line with the BB genotype (3.44±0.183%).

Keywords: parental sire index, genotype, kappa-casein gene polymorphism, sires, lines, black-and-white breed

Abstract: Transmissible venereal sarcoma (TVS) is a tumor of the external genitals of dogs. Its unique feature is the ability to be transmitted by contact, which causes its widespread distribution. It is noted that the disease can be complicated by a violation of the microbiocenosis up to the development of a septic process. The drug “Vincristine” is successfully used for the treatment of TVS; its use in the recommended doses allows a high therapeutic effect to be achieved. The microbial composition of the external genital organs of dogs suffering from TVS and its dynamics during the treatment of the disease with this drug is practically not described in the available literature, which to a certain extent reduces the quality of treatment of this disease. Our studies are aimed at determining the composition of the microflora of the genitals of conditionally healthy dogs and dogs with a diagnosed venereal tumor, as well as its dynamics during treatment with the drug “Vincristine”. It was found that the microflora of the genital organs in conditionally healthy and sick animals is represented by both normal and opportunistic microorganisms. In dogs diagnosed with a transmissible venereal tumor, there was a significant imbalance in the microbial composition with a predominance of opportunistic microflora in the biological material. Therapy of a tumor with the drug “Vincristine” in mono-mode does not have a pronounced effect on the qualitative composition of the microflora of the genital organs. An increase in the number of representatives of normal microflora is observed. The number of opportunistic microorganisms decreases, while remaining higher than in healthy animals. To normalize the microbial composition of the genital organs, antibiotics of the cephalosporin group were used, to which the representatives of the opportunistic microflora turned out to be the most sensitive.

Keywords: dogs, vector-borne venereal tumor, vincristine, therapy, microbiocenosis, dynamics