The review highlights the main trends in the use of achievements in plant physiology in breeding and the contribution of scientists from the Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics of the NAS of Ukraine to solving the problems of increasing plant productivity and stress resistance. In particular, as a result of many years of research into the genotypic features of morphology and functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus of a wide range of wheat varieties at the levels from chloroplast to agrocenosis, a number of physiological and morphological traits have been identified, which are recommended for use as phenotypic markers in the selection of this most important agricultural crop for productivity and drought resistance. A number of studies of the physiological and biochemical characteristics of genetically modified wheat plants with an increased proline content both under normal conditions and under the influence of drought were also conducted. A conclusion was made about the prospects of their involvement in breeding programs to increase resistance to abiotic stress factors. A wide range of highly effective strains of nodule bacteria, complementary to a number of leading legume crops, were selected, including using transposon mutagenesis. New technologies for their use in inoculums were developed, taking into account the genetic characteristics of the crop, which contribute to the maximum realization of the productivity potential of the legume-rhizobial symbiosis and protect against the negative effects of biotic and abiotic stress factors. Technologies for the use of mixtures of specially selected strains of associative and free-living nitrogen-fixing microorganisms to intensify the cultivation of various wheat varieties were also developed. It is known that in order to fully reveal the genetic potential of modern agricultural crops, it is necessary to develop new or significantly improve existing technologies for their cultivation and take care of protection against diseases, pests and weeds. Such technologies have been developed to increase the efficiency of nitrogen use by modern high-intensity wheat varieties. The use of tank mixtures for foliar feeding of plants together with protective agents and growth regulators has been scientifically substantiated and implemented in practice, which has a significant economic effect. Thus, plant physiologists and geneticists of the Institute closely cooperate both in fundamental scientific research and for the benefit of the agricultural sector of Ukraine and strengthening its food security.

Results of macro- and micromorphological studies of flowers and fruits of two subspecies of Valeriana stolonifera, subsp. stolonifera and subsp. angustifolia, are presented. Samples from Ukraine and Poland were studied. The structure of flowers and fruits is described, and their detailed characteristics are identified. Morphological structures were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). New micromorphological features of the fruit surface of the studied taxa have been revealed, including the characters of outer periclinal and anticlinal walls of exocarp cells, trichomes, and stomata. In flowers of both subspecies of V. stolonifera, an ovoid protrusion of the connective over the anthers of stamens is present. No significant differences between the studied taxa in their macro- and micromorphological features of fruits and flowers have been found. The obtained results, combined with the known characters of vegetative organs, can be used for more accurate identification of the subspecies of V. stolonifera and for resolving taxonomic issues within the group of V. officinalis aggr.

On June 6, 2023, the dam of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant was intentionally demolished by Russian troops, who detonated pre-deployed explosives, causing an environmental catastrophe in the Northern Black Sea region. Despite the severe environmental and socioeconomic repercussions, the disaster offered unique opportunities to study vegetation development in the long-flooded but now exposed area. The aim of the present study was to reveal and demonstrate the initial stages of formation of the flora and vegetation in the area of the former Kakhovka Reservoir, combining field research data (flora and vegetation surveys and observations, etc.) and remote sensing techniques (calculation of vegetation indices, supervised machine learning classification, etc.). We visited the area in June and October 2023 and in May 2024; during these visits we georeferenced and outlined various habitat types. These field data were used for geospatial modeling. Our studies found that the number of taxa of vascular plants in the area increased nearly 14 times during the year, thus contradicting initial pessimistic predictions and scenarios of desertification, ruderalization, and large-scale invasions of invasive alien species. We identified main types of newly formed terrestrial habitats, including willow and poplar thickets, marshy habitats, mud-, sand- and shell-covered areas with sparse vegetation. Remote sensing methods, augmented by machine learning techniques, complemented these findings, providing detailed habitat maps for the entire reservoir bed. This study contributes to our understanding of ecological successions and habitat dynamics in post-catastrophic landscapes, informing future management strategies for such areas.

Various options for generic delimitation in Maleae (Rosaceae), specifically the taxa earlier included in Sorbus L. s. l., are discussed. Following the positive decision of the General Committee regarding our recent proposal to conserve the name Aria (Pers.) Host against the earlier names Chamaemespilus Medik. and Torminalis Medik., we conclude that for simplification of the taxonomic schemes and nomenclature in the group of Sorbus and its relatives, an expanded circumscription of Aria (including Chamaemespilus and Torminalis) is desirable; in particular, for preserving numerous names already available in Aria, especially those used for better known species. The European taxa of Sorbus s. l. accepted by Sennikov and Kurtto (2017) and in Atlas Florae Europaeae mostly in hybridogenous genera Karpatiosorbus Sennikov & Kurtto (combining in their genomes the subgenomes of the segregate genera Aria and Torminalis) and Majovskya Sennikov & Kurtto (with subgenomes of Aria and Chamaemespilus) are here transferred to Aria s. l. The names applied to hybridogenous genera Normeyera Sennikov & Kurtto and Scandosorbus Sennikov (≡ Borkhausenia Sennikov & Kurtto, nom. illeg.) that supposedly emerged from hybridization events combining Aria × Chamaemespilus × Sorbus and Aria × Sorbus × Torminalis, respectively, are here treated as synonyms of the hybridogenous generic name Hedlundia Sennikov & Kurtto (Aria s. l. × Sorbus), and the taxa earlier treated in Normeyera and Scandosorbus are here transferred to Hedlundia. In total, 104 new species-rank combinations are validated: 91 in Aria and 13 in Hedlundia. Comments are provided on hybrids (but not for hybridogenous species) between Aria and Sorbus, for which the nothogeneric name ×Arsorbus Su Liu & Z.H. Feng was recently proposed.

Our herbarium inventory revealed that the collection of specimens of the genus Artemisia (Asteraceae) in the memorial collection of W.S.J.G. Besser (KW-BESS) at the National Herbarium of Ukraine (KW) contains at least 1186 herbarium sheets. The collection of specimens of Artemisia is stored in folders Nos. 234–249 of the Besser herbarium. Each folder contains individual paper folders (here termed taxon covers). In total, there are 217 individual taxon folders. Our analysis of protologues and herbarium labels demonstrated that the KW-BESS collection contains types and/or other original specimens in 118 taxon folders, but much more actual types of species-rank and infraspecific names. Additional analysis of their possible type status is needed for specimens in 28 taxon folders. The KW-BESS collection contains authentic and historical specimens of such famous researchers and collectors of the 19th century as A. Bunge, L.K.A. Chamisso, A.P. de Candolle, D. Douglas, J.F.G. Eschscholtz, F.E.L. Fischer, J.É. Gay, A. Gray, J.D. Hooker, V.V. Jacquemont, G.S. Karelin and I.P. Kirilov, K.F. Ledebour, A.F. Marschall von Bieberstein, C.A. Meyer, T. Nuttall, J.D. Prescott, Ch. Steven, N.S. Turczaninow, N. Wallich, etc. We present and discuss here some examples of labels written by Besser and several other famous botanists. Our preliminary assessment of this globally important collection established the foundations for further nomenclatural and taxonomic studies of Artemisia, in particular, those based on historical specimens at KW.

The article is a continuation of the study on ruderal vegetation of Kyiv City and provides summarized results of syntaxonomic research of the class Artemisietea vulgaris. We identified 14 associations and one derivative community belonging to three orders and four alliances. Using ordination and phytoindication analyses, the synmorphology of the communities, their ecological requirements, and habitat preferences were described. It has been shown that the vegetation of Artemisietea vulgaris is distributed throughout all districts of the city. According to ecological requirements, we found that main environmental gradients that determine the ordination of different types of stands of Artemisietea vulgaris within Kyiv City are thermoregime and light. The diversity of man-made habitats and regional environmental conditions appeared as the most important factors affecting the territorial differentiation of this vegetation type within the city. The contributed data can be used for strategic planning and practical implementation of measures for sustainable urban development and optimization of the urban environment.

The second record in Ukraine of a rare fungus Flammulina ononidis (Physalacriaceae, Agaricales) is reported. This species is known in 16 European countries but is rare in most of them. In Ukraine, it has not been found for more than 50 years. The article provides a complete description of the macro- and microscopic details of the collected fruit bodies, as well as distribution data. The differences from some related species are described and original illustrations of the fungus are provided.

The article contains data about the historical and current distribution patterns of Blechnum spicant (Blechnaceae) in Ukraine. This species is quite common in the Carpathian Mountains but is very rare in other regions of Ukraine. Until recently, there were only two known localities of B. spicant in the Western Forest-Steppe (within the Podolian Upland) and only one in Crimea. We discovered one new locality of B. spicant in the Polissian (Polesian) Lowland, in Volyn Region. The article provides phytosociological and topographic data on the Polissian population. This population consists of two sub-populations, which are located not far from each other. Both of them were found in an immature birch-pine forest aged approximately 20 years, in an area of former agricultural lands. We summarise the data on the general distribution of B. spicant in Ukraine. The article also provides phytosociological, biotopic and populational information on localities of B. spicant.