Ural State Agrarian University

Continuing a series of studies on the analysis of the publication activity of the “Agrarian Science” journal, this paper presents the results of a comparative analysis of data over a two year period (2023–2024). The study was conducted using statistical data from the scientific electronic library eLIBRARY.RU. Key metrics characterizing the authors were analyzed: the average Hirsch index, the average age of authors, and the number of unique and new authors. A comparative ranking of the “Agrarian Science” journal within the reference group “Agriculture and Forestry” was performed, and its position among various journal groups (the Russian Science Citation Index core, RSCI, White List, and the list of the Higher Attestation Commission) was assessed. Co-authorship indicators were examined in detail, and top-10 author rankings based on various scientometric criteria are presented. Based on the findings, the strategic necessity of targeted involvement of highly qualified research and teaching staff for publishing in the journal is substantiated. This is identified as a key factor for further enhancing the scientific level of publications, strengthening the journal’s reputation, and improving its bibliometric indicators.

Relevance . The breeding of Holstein cattle has revealed problems: reduced reproductive function and shorter productive longevity, often associated with metabolic disorders due to poor diet balance and high productivity. Studying the possibility of long-term productive use of Holstein cows in the region is relevant for improving dairy farming efficiency. The aim was to evaluate the variability of dairy characteristics of cows depending on lactation duration. Methods. The study object was cows that completed lactation, grouped by lactation number. Data from the IAC “SELEX-Dairy Cattle” database and own research were used. Herd structure was studied, average milk yield per lactation was established. Productivity was monitored via control milkings. The coefficient of variation was calculated. Results . The main part of the herd (44.8%) consists of 1st and 2nd lactation cows. Productivity stabilizes from the 3rd to the 6th lactation. The difference between minimum and maximum milk yield exceeds 200%. The coefficient of variation for milk yield (>10%) indicates herd heterogeneity, especially among 1st and 8th lactation cows, due to the mass introduction of replacement heifers without selection. Fat and protein content indicators are stable, their coefficients of variation are within normal limits. Holstein cows can be effectively used up to the 6th–7th lactation. To improve herd uniformity, it is necessary to optimize the selection of replacement young stock.

The analysis of the publication activity of the section “Animal Science” of the journal “Agrarian Science” for 2025 has been carried out. The main results of the analysis: The composition of the Editorial Board: the editorial board consists of 15 experts from different regions of Russia and 6 foreign countries. Structure of scientific publications: 74 research articles, 4 scientific reviews, and 2 short communications were published; ü the highest number of authors (207) who published research are affiliated with scientific institutions; distribution of publications by type of research team: 43 intra-organizational teams (authors from a single institution) and 37 extra-organizational collaborations (authors from various institutions); the majority of publication authors are Candidates of Sciences (40%). The average number of bibliographical references used is 28.88 per article, confirming the thoroughness of the scientific works. Geography of the authors: the Moscow Region (94) and Orenburg Region (62), St. Petersburg (55), Sverdlovsk Region (48) and Moscow (34) are the leaders in the number of authors. Research funding: 77.5% of the publications were supported by grants and government subsidies.

Analysis of publication activity in the “Agronomy” section of the “Agrarian Science” journal for 2025. Key findings: Editorial board composition: the editorial board comprises 10 experts from various regions of Russia and 4 foreign countries. Structure of scientific publications: 59 research articles and 1 scientific review were published; the majority of authors (71%) are affiliated with research institutions; ü distribution by team type: 53 intra-organizational teams (authors from a single institution) and 7 extra-organizational collaborations (authors from multiple institutions); ü the most common academic degree among authors is candidate of sciences (44%); the average number of bibliographic references per article is 19.03, indicating a high degree of research thoroughness. Author geography: the Rostov (24) and Tver (20) regions and the Republic of Tatarstan (19) are the leaders in the number of authors. Research funding: 59% of the publications were supported by grants and state subsidies.

Scientific research on potato breeding is aimed at increasing crop yields and the resistance of cultivars to diseases and pests, as well as improving product quality. Based on the results obtained, statistical models are developed that allow not only to create a system for forecasting the parameter under study, but also to explain the contribution of individual traits that form this parameter. The aim of the study is to determine the optimal model for forecasting potato yield based on the analysis of agronomic traits (average tuber weight per a potato plant; the number of tubers per a plant; content of starch, protein, total and reducing sugars, vitamin C and nitrates in tubers) of 100 potato cultivars harvested in 2024 (Sverdlovsk Region). In this work, a linear regression model of potato yield (t/ha) was developed with three predictors: average tuber weight (g), the number of tubers (units) and natural logarithm of nitrate content in tubers (mg/kg). The resulting model was able to predict 77.9 % of the data dispersion (R 2 = 0.785, R 2 adj = 0.779, p<0.001), by this the degree of model fit was ideal, since the mean absolute error MAPE was less than 10%. The regression model assumptions were tested using the LINE algorithm: linearity, independence, normality, homogeneity. This algorithm proved the adequacy of the obtained model. Using the linear regression method, it was shown that with an increase in the average weight of marketable tubers by 1 g and the number of tubers by 1 unit, potato yield increased by 0.314 and 2.386 t/ha, respectively. However, with an increase in nitrate concentration per unit of natural logarithm, the yield decreased by 3.63 t/ha. While tuber weight and tuber number had a functional relationship with the yield, nitrate content had only an indirect relationship. According to the literature, the nitrate concentration in potato tubers at the end of the harvest represents a «final assessment» of the efficiency of nitrogen use by a particular cultivar throughout the growing season. The model obtained determines the selection criteria for breeding high-yielding potato cultivars: selection of genotypes with a large number and weight of tubers, low residual nitrate content in tubers under standard nitrogen nutrition conditions.

Modern animal husbandry requires the preservation of genetic diversity to ensure the absence of mutations and diseases caused by the accumulation of unwanted recessive genes, adaptation to climate change, and maintenance of productivity. The study conducted a comparative analysis of the genetic structure of two key breeds of Russian dairy cattle—Holstein and Simmental—using 11 microsatellite markers. From farms of the Ural region, 702 individuals of the Holstein breed and 271 of the Simmental breed were studied. The results showed high genetic diversity in both breeds. The highest observed heterozygosity (Ho) was recorded in the Holstein breed (0.57–0.94); the minimum was in the Simmental breed (0.52–0.89). The number of alleles per locus in cattle of the Holstein and Simmental breeds ranged from 4 to 16, with maximum values in the Simmental breed. Highly polymorphic loci have been identified: TGLA 53, ETH 225, and BM 2113, which are the most informative for monitoring the genetic structure. The level of inbreeding turned out to be low (Fis is close to zero), which confirms the effective management of breeding. However, a deficiency of heterozygotes was found in individual loci, such as SPS 115 in the Simmental breed. Comparison with data from other regions has shown that the Ural populations have a wider allelic pool. The practical significance of the work lies in the development of recommendations for minimizing inbreeding and optimizing breeding programs. The study contributes to understanding the importance of preserving the genetic resources of Russian cattle and offers tools to improve the efficiency of breeding.

In this study, the effect of crop rotation structure and cereal saturation on winter wheat productivity under semiarid conditions of Uzbekistan was analyzed. The research was conducted over a 20‐year period (2002–2022) at the Samarkand branch of the Research Institute of Agriculture and Agro‐Technologies. Ten rotation schemes were examined. The experiment included three‐field and four‐field short crop rotations with different levels of cereal saturation (33.3%–100%) and contrasting predecessor crops, including legumes, cereals, row crops, and bare fallow. Crop rotation systems with varying levels of cereal saturation and diverse precursor crops were investigated. Winter wheat yield data were statistically analyzed using one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s HSD test ( p < 0.05), allowing the assessment of both productivity and interannual yield stability under contrasting rotation systems. It was determined that rotations incorporating legumes significantly improved grain yield and marketable output. It was established that the highest yields were observed in four‐field rotations with chickpea as a precursor and full cereal saturation. It was revealed that continuous winter wheat cultivation resulted in the lowest yields due to soil fatigue and disease accumulation. Integration of legumes improved soil nitrogen availability and resilience to climatic stress. Diversified rotations provided better interannual yield stability. Optimizing rotation structure is critical for sustainable wheat production in arid environments. It was proposed that legume–cereal rotations with ≥ 75% cereal saturation represent a viable model for semiarid farming systems.

Introduction . The inclusion of various plant-derived components in food formulations has become a relevant area of research, driven by the need to diversify product ranges, enrich food products with biologically active substances and enhance their organoleptic characteristics. The use of plant components derived from marigold ( Tagetes patula L ) and calendula |( Calendula officinalis L ) as an analogue of dried saffron stigmas ( Crocus sativus L .) in confectionary products, specifically in butter shortbread moulded cookies, is scientifically novel, as prior research has focused exclusively on bakery products, bread and candies. Objective : To develop plant-based recipe components derived from the ligulate flowers of pot marigold ( Calendula officinalis L .) and French marigold (Tagetes patula L .) and to compare the effect of their powders on the quality of rich shortbread cut-out cookies. Materials and Methods . The research objects include plant-based recipe components derived from dried ligulate flowers of Calendula officinalis L . and marigold Tagetes patula L. and a flour confectionery product – rich shortbread cut-out cookies. Standard methods were used in the study, including organoleptic evaluation, determination of moisture content and assessment of dry matter loss from the product. Results. The application of plant components demonstrates that marigold spice leads to significant changes in the dough color. The tasting did not reveal any significant differences between confectionary products containing different plant ingredients. From the economic perspective the cultivation of this plant (Tagetes patula L.) appears to be more profitable than the cultivation of Calendula. Marigolds are characterized by higher productivity and form larger inflorescences, which facilitates their harvesting. The final product yield (powder from crushed ligulate flower) from dried inflorescences is 46.7 %, which is higher than that of calendula 40.0 %. Conclusion. The findings from the discussion of the results confirm the feasibility of using powders from dried and crushed French marigold and Calendula officinalis flowers as ingredients in bakery products. Their use is justified by their coloring capacity due to the content of xanthophylls, the increase in the biological value of the final product, and the improvement of the organoleptic properties characteristic of the finished goods.

Relevance. Probiotic-based starter cultures are used to improve the quality and safety of whole-grain bread. The aim of the study is to use plant substrates with prebiotic properties as fermentation media. Whole-grain buckwheat flour, rich in antioxidants, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals, can serve as such a substrate. Fermentation using probiotic starter cultures in whole grain bread technology increases the bioavailability of active compounds, nutritional value and microbiological safety of the product. Methods. Experimental data are presented on the effect of whole-milled buckwheat flour on the growth of lactic acid bacteria and a probiotic yeast strain during the production of thick starter cultures. The antagonistic properties of starter microorganisms against Bacillus subtilis and mold fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Mucor, and Rhizopus were studied, along with the fermentative activity of the starter. The optimal dosage of thick buckwheat probiotic starter for whole wheat bread production was determined, along with the amino acid composition and antioxidant activity of the resulting bread. Results . It was found that starter strains developed better in a medium made from the Bashkir Red-Stem buckwheat variety. Antagonistic activity of the studied lactic acid bacteria and yeast strains was observed against Bacillus subtilis VKM-B-501 and certain mold strains of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Mucor, and Rhizopus. The most promising lactic acid bacteria strains were selected for creating a thick buckwheat probiotic starter. The starter was deemed suitable for baking applications. The optimal amount of thick buckwheat probiotic starter was 40% of the mass of dispersed wheat grain. Using this starter in whole wheat bread technology resulted in bread with enhanced antioxidant activity and a more balanced amino acid profile.

The work is devoted to studying the current economic problems faced by agricultural enterprises in the modern economic environment. The main reasons for the low efficiency and profitability of agricultural enterprises are investigated, and key economic threats and risks are identified. Special attention is paid to issues of financial sustainability, insufficient investments, high operating costs, and low product prices. The existing government programs for agricultural support are analyzed, and mechanisms for improving the economic stability and competitiveness of agricultural enterprises.