ВПЛИВ МЕТАБОЛІЧНО АКТИВНИХ РЕЧОВИН ТА ЇХ КОМБІНАЦІЙ НА АСИМІЛЯЦІЙНІ ПРОЦЕСИ ПРОРОСТКІВ GINKGO BILOBA L.

Global soybean production is continuously increasing, as it remains one of the most in-demand crops on the global food market. At the same time, climate changes, manifested through rising temperatures and precipitation deficits during the crop's vegetative period, significantly affects its yield. This necessitates the implementation of new technological solutions that ensure the efficient use of production resources and the safety of the final product. One of such promising methods is the pre-sowing treatment of soybean seeds with biopreparations, which enhance plant resistance to stress factors and contribute to achieving potential yields with high quality. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of presowing inoculation and treatment with a phytohormonal preparation on the content of photosynthetic pigments and yield of soybeans in organic farming system in challenging climate conditions. Field experiments conducted in 2022–2024 in Poltava region investigated the effect of pre-sowing seed treatment of the «Horol» soybean variety with the inoculant Legume Fix and the phytohormonal preparation «Violar» on leaf area, photosynthetic pigment content, and yield under various weather conditions within an organic farming system. The results showed that pre-sowing seed treatment contributed to an increase in leaf area by an average of 13.4 % with «Legume Fix» and 19.3 % with «Violar». It was established that treatment with «Violar» led to an increase in the concentration of Chl a, Chl b, and total Chl (a+b) compared to the control by an average of 18.9 %, 13.3 %, and 17.2 % respectively, whereas inoculation with «Legume Fix» increased these indicators by 7.4 %, 3.4 %, and 6.2 % respectively. It was also determined that pre-sowing seed treatment with «Legume Fix» and «Violar» resulted in an average yield increase of 13.2 % and 20.6 % respectively, compared to the control plants. A strong direct correlation was calculated between leaf area, Chl (a+b) content, and yield levels across all study variants: control (0.990; 0.986), «Legume Fix» (0.996; 0.983), and «Violar» (0.986; 0.988) respectively. Key words: Glycine max L. Merr., organic farming, inoculation, leaf area, photosynthetic pigments, weather conditions.

Phytopathogenic bacteria and phytoplasmas, in particular Pseudomonas syringae pv. atrofaciens and Acholeplasma laidlawii var. granulum are causative agents of cereal crops diseases. Nanoparticles and biologically active compounds created with the use of nanotechnologies are considered as alternative modern measures to control phytopathogenic microorganisms. Antimicrobial activity is already established for gold, silver, copper, magnesium, iron, zinc, aluminum, cerium, titanium, cadmium, nickel and vanadium. At the same time, antimicrobial activity of germanium and its citrates as well as citrates of others nanoparticles, including vanadium, are studied insufficiently. The physiological effect of vanadium and germanium nanoaquacitrates on wheat plants in vivo, both on state and photochemical activity of the photosynthetic apparatus and activity of superoxide dismutase of plant tissue are poorly known too. Aim. The aim of our work was to study the antimicrobial activity of vanadium and germanium nanoaquacitrates in vitro and their physiological influence on wheat plants in vivo. Methods. A. laidlawii var. granulum 118 (UCM BM-34) was cultured in the liquid nutrient medium CM IMV-72 (pH=7.8) in thermostat at 320 C for 72 hours. P. syringae pv. atrofaciens D13 was cultured on potato agar in thermostat at 26–280°C. For artificial infection a bacterial suspension with a density of 1×109 CFU/ml according to the turbidity standard was prepared. Nanoaquacitrates of V (30 mg/dm3) and Ge (5 mg/dm3) were used in our study. After a short-term (15 minutes) action of the test compounds, morphological features of A. laidlawii var. granulum and P. syringae pv. atrofaciens were studied using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) JEOL JSM 1400 (Zabolotny IMV NASU). The plants of wheat of Pecheryanka variety were grown in field condition on 50 m2 area plot. Pre-sowing treatment of spring wheat seeds before sowing was carried out with solutions of V (30 mg/dm3) and Ge (5 mg/dm3) nanoaquacitrates according to the experimental scheme. The experiment was carried out in three repetitions. In addition, biological preparation (B.P.) Extrakon, which consists from natural consortium of beneficial microorganisms inoculated into a peat-like substrate, was applied into the soil before sowing. Artificial inoculation by phytoplasma A. laidlawii var. granulum 118 was performed using Clement`s method (subepidermal injection into the stem) in the tillering phase of wheat plants growth. Artificial infection of wheat plants with P. syringae pv. atrofaciens D13 was performed by injecting a bacterial suspension into the stem in the booting phase of plants growth. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was determined by the ability of the enzyme to inhibit the photochemical reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium. Changes in the following fluorescent parameters were analyzed: Fv/Fp and Rfd. For statistical processing of data, calculations of the arithmetic mean and its standard error were performed. Results. It was shown using electron microscopy that contact of Ge and V nanoaquacitrates with P. syringae pv. atrofaciens D13 and A. laidlawii var. granulum 118 resulted in cytomorphological changes of cells, homeostatic disruption and death. It was found in the field studies that SOD activity level increased in the tissues of wheat leaves to different values in plants infected with phytopathogenic microorganisms without any treatment and in cases of pre-sowing treatment with Ge and V nanoaquacitrates and B.P. Extrakon. Field investigations showed that combined use of consortium of soil microorganisms (B.P. Extrakon) and pre-sowing treatment of wheat seeds with V and Ge nanoaquacitrates decreased negative impact of infection caused by A. laidlawii var. granulum 118 and P. syringae pv. atrofaciens D13 on the state and photochemical activity of the photosynthetic apparatus of Triticum aestivum: the level of quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) and the assimilation activity coefficient Rfd increased. This effect of studied biologically active substances is due to both antimicrobial action and activation of the antioxidant defense system of plant cells. Conclusions. It was shown in our investigations that SOD activity increased in leaf tissues after application of biologically active agents in the next order: pre-sowing treatment with Ge nanoaquacitrates < pre-sowing treatment with V nanoaquacitrates < biological product (B.P.) Extrakon + pre-treatment with Ge nanoaquacitrates < B.P. Extrakon + pre-sowing treatment with V nanoaquacitrates. A significant increase of SOD activity of wheat leaves (in the tubing phase) was noticed at both types of infection – caused by phytopathogenic bacteria and phytoplasma, especially for the last one. A significant increase in the surface area of assimilation apparatus of wheat plants (in the tillering phase) in cases of wheat seeds pre-sowing treatment with Ge and V nanoaquacitrates before planting was observed. Pre-sowing treatment of wheat seeds with Ge and V nanoaquacitrates in combination with B.P. Extrakon use on wheat plants infected with A. laidlawii var. granulum and P. syringae pv. atrofaciens improved photosynthesis and status of photosynthetic apparatus of plants.

Low seed productivity of parentalal lines (sterility fixers and fertility restorers) hinders the rapid introduction into production of competitive simple sunflower hybrids. The purpose of this study was investigate the effects of combinations of growth regulators and microfertilizers of different origins on the growth, development, yield and sowing quality of new sunflower lines and to develop effective methods for their improvement. The study was conducted in the fields of the Yuriev Рlant Production Institute of NAAS in 2021-2024 were applied. The parental components of simple sunflower hybrids ‘Skh66A’, ‘Skh588A’, Kh1814V’, and ‘Kh2283V’ were studied; growth regulators AKM, Endophyte L1 and Antistress as well as microfertilizers Raycat Start, Microcat Oil Crops, Aminocat 30, Atlante, and Endobor. Pre-sowing treatment with AKM and Raycat Start was carried out simultaneously with seed dressing. Plants were sprayed with combinations of agents in the phases of 4 or 4 and 6 sunflower leaf pairs. It was found that, depending on combinations of agents and methods of their application, the leaf area in line ‘Skh66A’ increased on average by 1,500-3,600 m2/ha and the pre-harvest plant density – by 700-1,800 plants/ha; in line ‘Skh588A’, these parameters increased by 1,500-4,300 m2/ha and 1,5-2,6 plants/ha, respectively; in line ‘Kh1814V’ – by 2,000-4,100 m2/ha and 700-1,800 plants/ha, respectively; and in line ‘Kh2283A’ – by 400-1,700 m2/ha and 1,500-3,300 plants/ha, respectively. Pre-sowing treatment of seeds with AKM and Raycat Start increased the yield of the sunflower lines on average by 9-13%; pre-sowing treatment and subsequent spraying with combinations of agents in the phase of 4 leaf pairs – by 8-16%; and pre-sowing treatment with subsequent spraying in the phases of 4 and 6 leaf pairs – by 11-18%. Lines ‘Skh66А’ and ‘Kh1814V’ yielded the most when treated with AKM 0.2 L/t, Antistress 1.7 kg/ha, Endophyte L1 0.2 L/ha, and Endobor 0.48 kg/ha in two or three stages (0.84 and 0.72 t/ha, respectively). The yield of line ‘Skh588А’ reached the maximum after the application of AKM 0.2 L/t, Antistress 1.7 kg/ha, Endophyte L1 0.2 L/ha, and Endobor 0.48 kg/ha in three stages (1.26 t/ha); the yield of line ‘Kh2283V’ was maximal (1.19 t/ha) when Raycat Start 2.5 L/t, Microcat Oil Crops 0.5 L/ha, Atlante 0.5 L/ha, and Aminocat 30% 0.5 L/ha were used in three stages.

The use of physical methods for pre-sowing treatment of grain crop seeds helps to improve productivity and is an economically justified and environmentally friendly approach. One of these methods is pre-sowing treatment of seeds with an electric field of alternating voltage of industrial frequency (EFAV). There has been proposed an optimal scheme for treating barley seeds with EFAV, which increases their laboratory germination and forms more powerful sprouts, but the effect of this method on productivity has not been studied. The purpose of the current study was to establish the effect of pre-sowing seed treatment of the spring barley variety ‘Vakula’ with the EFAV in the field trial on vegetation, productivity, and yield structure elements. The study was conducted on the experimental plot of the ABEI in 2018–2020. The objects of the study were the seeds of the spring barley variety ‘Vakula’, reproduced in 2017–2019. The seeds were treated with an EFAV with a strength of 0.5 kV/cm on an experimental device for 20, 40 and 60 seconds, and then they were sown on the fifth day after treatment. The plot area was 100 m2 , with a threefold repetition and systematic placement of plots. The harvesting was carried out by direct combining, the harvested crop was immediately weighed in the field and brought to 100% purity and 14 % humidity. It was found that all tested variants of the time of pre-sowing seed treatment during all years of testing resulted in productivity improvement by 6.9–13 %. The maximum yield increase was identified in the 40-second variant in the extremely arid year. The greatest yield increase (11.2 %) was recorded with treatment for 40 seconds on average over three years. Grain productivity has improved due to an increase in the number of plants per 1 m2 , 1000-grain weight and productive tillering. 1000-grain weight increased by 0.7–4.2% in 2018, by 0.35–1.53 % in 2019 and by 3.2–3.9 % in 2020.

Studies of physiologically active agent effects on the white mustard plant performance and sowing qualities are topical. The assortment of physiologically active substances approved for use in mustard cultivation has expanded recently. However, the effects of these substances on the white mustard yield and basic sowing qualities have not been studied. Aim and tasks of the study. To determine the white mustard plant performance indices, yield and sowing qualities, depending on pre-sowing treatment of seeds with physiologically active substances. Materials and methods. The study was carried out in the experimental field of Kharkiv National Agricultural University n.a. V.V. Dokuchaev in 2014–2016. The experiments were laid out in accordance to B.A. Dospekhov’s requirements to experimentation. Seeds were treated with physiologically active substances right before sowing. Results and discussion. It was found that pre-sowing treatment of white mustard seeds of variety Talisman with Baikal EM-1U and Vympel enhanced the germination energy by 2.5–2.9%, laboratory germinability – by 3.7–3.9% and field germinability– by 2.6–6.8% compared to the control. In the Baikal EM-1U and Vympel experiments, the plant weight was higher than the control value by 11 and 24 %, respectively. At the same time, the pod number per plant increased by 9 and 29 %, respectively. The physiologically active substances positively influenced the plant density, which increased, however, the 1000-seed weight slightly decreased. The highest white mustard yield (12.1 cwt/ha) on average throughout the study years was achieved with Vympel. Seed treatment with Vympel increased the yield by 2.7 cwt/ha, and with Baikal – by 1.5 cwt/ha compared to the control. It was shown that the positive effects of Terralit Plus on the plant density, plant performance and yield were insignificant. It was found that in Vympel- or Baikal-treated seeds the germination energy and the laboratory germinability were higher by 2–4 % and by 2.0–2.5 % than the control values. Conclusions. It was found that it was expedient to conduct pre-sowing treatment of white mustard seeds of variety Talisman with physiologically active agents Baikal EM-1U and Vympel in order to improve the laboratory and field germinabilities, to augment the vegetative mass and plant survival and to boost the plant performance.

The problem of food security due to extreme climate change is critical in Europe and globally, and its solution is one of the sustainable development goals, as the amount of precipitation decreases annually, and the average annual temperature increases, which leads to the spread of droughts, lengthening rainless periods, and complicates the cultivation of crops. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of structured graphene oxide nanoparticles during pre-sowing treatment of winter barley seeds (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties ‘Dostoynyi’ of morphometric parameters of plants in conditions of water deficiency. Chemical, physical, and physiological methods were applied. The effect of graphene oxide at concentrations of 5, 10, 20, and 50 micrograms/ml on the morphometric parameters of winter barley was studied 17 days after seed treatment under conditions of regular watering and water stress. No phytotoxic effect of graphene oxide on barley seedlings with regular watering was detected. Pre-sowing treatment of seeds with graphene oxide at a concentration of 5 micrograms/ml showed a maximum increase in root length (by 35%) and plant height (by 23%) with water deficiency compared to the control. At other concentrations studied, plant growth was also stimulated, but the effect was less pronounced. The weight of plants at optimal concentrations of graphene oxide increased slightly, and with water deficiency, the increase was minimal. Graphene oxide effectively improved the development of the barley root system in conditions of water scarcity, which is important for plant adaptation to drought. The practical significance of the study lies in the fact that the results obtained substantiate the feasibility of using nanoparticles as an effective agricultural technology to increase the stress resistance of agricultural crops to water scarcity

The article provides the results of three year (2017-2019) study of the effect of pre-sowing treatment of seeds and foliar fertilizing on productivity and seed qualities of winter triticale varieties (×Triticosecale Wittmack.) Izhevskaya 2 and Zimogor. The research was carried out in the conditions of the Udmurt Republic. Pre-sowing seed treatment was done with fungicide Vial TT, compound fertilizer Agree’s Forsazh and plant growth stimulant Mival-Agro in their pure form, with tank mixtures containing Vial TT fungicide, and with mineral fertilizer Emix. Foliar feeding with Agree’s Nitrogen Potassi-um compound fertilizer was done once during the phase of spring tillering and twice - during the phases of spring tillering and full heading. Pre-sowing seed treatment combined with foliar fertilizing provided an increase in yield productivity of Izhevskaya 2 variety seeds by 0.07-0.55 t/ha (or 3-24 %), of Zimogor variety – up to 0.27 t/ha (or up to 11 %). The techno-logical practices promoted the increase in the laboratory germination of seeds by varieties – 1-2 % (control 91 %) and 2-3 % (control 88 %), respectively, germinative power – 2-4 and 1-2 % (control 93 %), respectively, degree of seedling development in both varieties – by 0.1-0.3 points (control – 4.5 and 3.7 points). The highest productivity of Izhevskaya 2 variety seeds (2.85 t/ha for 3 years on the average) has been obtained by pre-sowing treatment of seeds with Agree’s Forsazh and foliar fertilizing during the phase of spring tillering that is higher than in the control variant by 0.55t/ha (or 24 %). The increase in yield productivity of winter triticale Zimigor seeds up to 2.81 % (addition to the control is 0.24t/ha or 11 %) was promoted by pre-sowing treatment of seeds with Agree’s Forsazh regardless of multiplicity of foliar fertilizing. The seeds obtained were characterized by high sowing qualities of seeds: the germinating energy of Izhevskaya 2 variety seeds was 85 %, of Zimogor variety – 82 %, the laboratory germination – 93 % and 92 % , respectively, the germinative power – 97 % and 94-95 %. Double foliar fertilizing with Agree’s Nitrogen Potassium combined with pre-sowing treatment with Vial TT, Mival-Agro and their tank mixtures showed high effectiveness in Zimogor variety. Seed productivity in both of these variants was at the same level (2.73 t/ha). The above-mentioned practices can be successfully used when producing winter triticale seeds.

The results of three-year studies of the effect of presowing seed treatment on field germination and plant survival of common bean plants in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine are presented. The study determined the patterns of the effect of presowing seed treatment on the change in these indicators in 2014-2016. It was established that the field germination of seeds and the survival rate of the studied varieties of common beans depending on the presowing treatment with different nitrogen-fixing strains of Rhizobium phaseoli microorganisms together with the biological preparations Regoplant and EPAA were slightly different. To a certain extent, the variability of indicators of field germination and survival of common bean plants was influenced by weather conditions. The best conditions for obtaining friendly shoots of common bean are the highest field germination established in the variant Rhizobium phaseoli (F-16) + Regoplant + EPAA and amounted to 95,2% for the Galactica variety, 97,3% for the Slavia variety, respectively. The lowest rates were observed in the variant without seed treatment, in the Galactica variety – 89,4%, and in the Slavia variety – 91,5%. The survival of common bean plants also depended on the presowing treatment of seeds and was high in the Galactica variety in the Rhizobium phaseoli (657a) variants – 90,5%, and Rhizobium phaseoli (657a) + Regoplant + EPAA – 90,2%. In the Slavia variety, in the variant with presowing seed treatment of Rhizobium phaseoli (F-16) + Regoplant + EPAA – 83,1%. The results of analysis of variance of the data obtained confirm that, to the greatest extent, field germination, over the years of research, was influenced by presowing treatment of seeds (B) - 70% and variety (A) - 25%. The interaction of factors (AB) - 1% and other factors - 4%, practically did not affect the change in field germination.

Ritha (Sapindus mukorossi) is an economically and ecologically valuable multipurpose tree species which is widely distributed across the tropical and subtropical regions of South and Southeast Asia. This species is gaining commercial significance due to its multi-utility for natural detergents, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, biofuel, Ayurveda and traditional medicine. Despite its wide-range uses, large-scale plantations of Ritha are constrained by poor and inconsistent seed germination which is caused primarily by a hard and impermeable seed coat that induces physical dormancy. The present study was conducted to investigate fruit and seed morphology as well as to evaluate the efficacy of different pre-sowing treatments on seed germination and early seedling growth under greenhouse conditions during 2024-2025 at Tree Propagation Nursery, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh. Six pre-sowing treatments viz., untreated seeds (control), concentrated H₂SO₄ (20 min), GA₃ (1000 ppm), PEG (10%), hot water (80 °C for 2 h) and cold water (48 h) were employed. Fruit length ranging from 24.40–27.62 mm, seed length from 13.24–16.22 mm and seed weight from 1.48–1.98 g was observed in Ritha seed morphology. Germination response varied significantly among treatments and the highest germination percentage (87.50%) was observed in concentrated H₂SO₄ seed treatment which representing a 21% increase over the control. Seedling growth parameters viz., seedling height, collar diameter, root length and leaf area were also maximized under H₂SO₄ treatment followed by hot water treatment. Acid scarification proved most effective in breaking hard-seeded dormancy in Ritha by enhancing water permeability which improving germination kinetics and seedling vigour. Standardizing pre-sowing treatments can substantially improve nursery propagation and promote wider adoption of Ritha in agroforestry and plantation programmes in the subtropical region of Himachal Pradesh.

Abstract. For the further intensification of the processes of agricultural crop production, the permanent development of new preparations with effective growth-regulating activity in relation to crops and exhibit the ability to suppress phytopathogens and improve the quality of economically valuable products is required. The purpose of the investigation was to study the effect of pre-sowing treatment of wheat seeds with calcium polysulfide (CaS4) preparations on germination, plant productivity parameters, and grain quality. Methods. In laboratory conditions, the effect of calcium polysulfide on the germination of wheat plants was investigated. 0.1; 0.5 and 1 % of CaS4 solutions for incubating the seeds during 1, 2 and 3 hours were used. Fresh and dry mass, shoot and root lengths, as well as the rate of formation of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide content, were determined, peroxidase and catalase activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration ware detected. Infield studies seeds were treated with CaS4 solution at a rate of 0.6 l/t, followed by determination of the number of seedlings affected by root rot. Results. As a result of one-hour presowing treatment of seeds with a 0.1% solution in six-day-old seedlings, an increase in leaf length was observed, as well as a beneficial effect of the drug on the redox system of root tissues. The use of CaS4 solution for pre-sowing treatment and during heading in the field increased the yield by 3 quintals/ha and increased the protein content in wheat seeds by 8–9 %. A conclusion is drawn on the effect of calcium polysulfide on the germination of wheat seeds depending on the concentration and time of pre-sowing treatment.

A field experiment was carried out in 2019/2020 growing season in Wasit governorate to study the effect of soil mulching with wheat crop residues (control and mulch), three levels of phosphorus (0, 120 and 240 kg ha-1) and four concentrations of humic acid (0, 1000, 2000, and 3000 mg l-1) and their interaction on vegetative growth and green pods yield of broad beans. Split-split plots arrangement within a randomized complete block design with three replications was used. The experimental unit was 6 m2 with a length of 2 m and a width of 3 m. The seeds of broad bean (Semillas Fito variety) were seeded in hills 25 cm apart on lines 50 cm apart, on October 5, 2019. The results showed that soil mulch and the addition of the phosphorus level (240 kg ha-1) led to a significant increase in all characteristics studied (plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area index, number of branches, pod weight, and green pods yield) compared to the control treatment. Humic acid spraying at 2000 mg l-1 caused a significant increase in plant height, leaf area, and leaf area index. The interaction between the factors also caused a significant increase in leaf area, leaf area index, plant branches number, pod weight, and green pods yield to 2108 cm2, 1.687, 11,300, 17.99 g, and 15.13 t ha-1, respectively, compared to the control treatment.

For most studies involving the response of plants to future concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), a current concentration of 360–370 μatm is assumed, based on recent data obtained from the Mauna Loa observatory. In the present study, average seasonal diurnal values of ambient CO2 obtained at ground level from three global locations (Australia, Japan and the USA) indicated that the average CO2 (at canopy height) can vary from over 500 μatm at night to 350 μatm during the day with average 24‐h values ranging from 390 to 465 μatm. At all sites sampled, ambient CO2 rose to a maximum value during the pre‐dawn period (03.00–06.00 hours); at sunrise, CO2 remained elevated for several hours before declining to a steady‐state concentration between 350 and 400 μatm by mid‐morning (08.00–10.00 hours). Responses of plant growth to simulations of the observed variation of in situ CO2 were compared to growth at a constant CO2 concentration in controlled environment chambers. Three diurnal patterns were used (constant 370 μatm CO2, constant 370 during the day (07.00–19.00 hours), high CO2 (500 μatm) at night; or, high CO2 (500 μatm) at night and during the early morning (07.00–09.00 hours) decreasing to 370 μatm by 10.00 hours). Three plant species − soybean (Glycine max, L (Merr.), velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) − were grown in each of these environments. For soybean, high night‐time CO2 resulted in a significant increase in net assimilation rate (NAR), plant growth, leaf area and biomass relative to a constant ambient value of CO2 by 29 days after sowing. Significant increases in NAR for all three species, and significant increases in leaf area, growth and total biomass for two of the three C3 species tested (velvetleaf and soybean) were also observed after 29 days post sowing for the high night/early morning diurnal pattern of CO2. Data from these experiments suggest that the ambient CO2 concentration experienced by some plants is higher than the Mauna Loa average, and that growth of some agricultural species at in situ CO2 levels can differ significantly from the constant CO2 value used as a control in many CO2 experiments. This suggests that a reassessment of control conditions used to quantify the response of plants to future, elevated CO2 may be required.

Relevance. The potential to enhance the stress resistance of plants in a changing climate underpins the improvement of modern agricultural technologies. Understanding the role of micro- and macroelements in the growth and development processes of plants allows for the regulation of their resilience to various stresses, among which water deficit is one of the most significant. Long-term global research has identified the stress-protective function of selenium, confirming the importance of this element in enhancing the life functions of organisms and its high effectiveness in plant survival under stress conditions. However, information regarding the effects of selenium on different plant species, the forms of selenium-containing preparations and fertilizers, and their concentrations varies. Consequently, research aimed at identifying the influence of selenium-containing preparations on the growth of plants in the Asteraceae family (Asteraceae) under conditions of water deficit is highly relevant. Methods. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of a selenium-containing preparation on the growth of common species in the Asteraceae family: Аnnual aster ( Callistephus chinensis ), Tagetes patula (Tagetes patula ), and Hybrid dahlias ( Dahlia × hortensis ) under water deficit conditions in a controlled environment. Biometric parameters were evaluated for the studied plants: stem height (cm), number of leaves (pieces), and leaf area (cm²), which affect their ornamental quality. Measurements were taken on the 7 th day after stress exposure. Results. Specific reactions of the studied species of Asteraceae family plants to the effect of a selenium- containing preparation under conditions of water stress were revealed. It was found that the use of the studied preparation during the drought period promotes the growth of shoots in Аnnual aster, Tagetes patula, and Hybrid dahlias plants, the preservation of existing leaves and the growth of new leaves in Аnnual aster and Hybrid dahlias plants, and the increase in leaf area in Аnnual aster plants, which generally affected the greater vitality of the plants, their faster recovery after drought, and the preservation of their decorative properties. It was noted that Tagetes patula showed the highest resistance to water stress among the studied species of the Asteraceae family. Conclusion. The use of the selenium-containing drug had a positive effect on plant growth in the studied species of the Asteraceae family ( Asteraceae ): Аnnual aster ( Callistephus chinensis ), Tagetes patula ( Tagetes patula ), and Hybrid dahlias ( Dahlia × hortensis ) in conditions of water scarcity, contributing to the preservation of vitality and decorative properties.

Vital characters of seed material are important for obtaining predicted yields of marketable grain. Electrophysical methods of pre-sowing treatment are considered to be environmentally friendly and effective ways to increase seed germination. The findings of an experiment on pre-sowing treatment of cereal seeds in an ultrahigh frequency electromagnetic field (UHF EMF) are discussed. The research targets were seeds of spring and winter cereal crops: spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) of the Nikita variety; spring oat (Avena sativa L.) (Fobos variety); winter soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (Novosibirskaya 2 variety); winter triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus) (Omskaya variety). We studied UHF EMF with a power of 0.14; 0.42; 0.70 kW, with exposure of 1; 11; 21 sec. After sprouting of the treated seeds, laboratory germination was determined. For Nikita spring barley seeds, it was possible to increase germination 2.33 times compared to the control values; that made 93.33%. The germination rate of spring oats of the Fobos variety was increased from 66.67% to 90.00%, i.e. 1.35 times. The stimulation of sprouting of winter crop seeds (wheat and triticale) under the action of an ultrahigh frequency electromagnetic field led to germination increase by 3.33% compared to the initial level. Pre-sowing treatment of cereal seeds leads to increased germination through stimulating the germination of those seeds that normally do not germinate or germinate later. The nature of the effect of the ultrahigh frequency electromagnetic field on spring crop seeds (barley and oats) refers to hormesis, i.e. the two-phase response of a living organism to a stressor.

The operating parameters for spray drying play a significant role in determining the properties of the dried product. Ginkgo biloba (GB) seeds are a popular food and additive in the food and medicine market; in this study we spray dried these seeds. According to the L1644 orthogonal experimental design, a total of 16 tests was performed in a compact spray dryer. Parameters, i.e., inlet air temperature, air flow rate, outlet air temperature, and feed concentration, were selected as affecting factors. The dried product was evaluated with respect to residual moisture content, color difference, mean particle size, and protein content. The effects of these four parameters on the product properties were investigated. The experimental results showed that operating air temperature, especially the outlet air temperature, significantly affected the residual moisture and protein content in the dried product. High outlet air temperature can reduce the product quality. On the other hand, the mean particle size of GB powder was mainly affected by the feed concentration. Increasing feed concentration increased mean particle size. Color difference of GB seed powder was significantly affected by the inlet and outlet air temperatures and feed concentration. Furthermore, the optimal conditions of GB seed spray drying, i.e., inlet air temperature 190°C, air flow rate 120 m3/h, outlet air temperature 110°C, feed concentration 10%, were obtained from an L1644 orthogonal experiment. At last, correlation equations for GB seed powder properties with operating parameters were obtained using multivariable regression analysis.