Rapeseed is a popular fodder crop with significant potential for cultivation in Russian regions, including Vologda Province. The growing economic value of rapeseed has led to increased interest in its seeds and processed products. Rapeseed green biomass and silage are used as animal feed. Rapeseed cake and meal (processed products) are added to animal feed as a source of protein and energy supplements. Despite the periodic fluctuations in the area of rapeseed cultivation in Russia and Vologda Province, there is a general trend towards increasing its production, both through expanding the cultivated area and raising the yields. This trend is driven by the high economic profitability of the crop and its significant agronomic role. Successful cultivation of rapeseed for seed requires a systematic approach that includes several key components: careful selection of cultivars adapted to local conditions, implementation and improvement of cultivation technologies, balanced mineral nutrition for plants, and an effective system for pest and disease control.

In 2024, as part of the efforts to expand the area planted with spring rapeseed in Vologda Province, two field experiments were conducted to study the effectiveness of growing various genotypes of the crop for seeds. The plot experiment was conducted in the experimental field of the North-Western Research Institute of Agricultural Production, and the production experiment was performed at a large agricultural enterprise in Vologda Province. The following spring rapeseed genotypes were studied in the experiments: cv. ‘Favorit’, and the Mirakl and Tsebra KL hybrids. For all variants of the experiments, a unified fertilizer pattern was provided (doses per 1 hectare): ammonium nitrate (0.2 metric tons), ammonium sulfate (0.1 MT), and NPK (15:15:15+S10) (0.15 MT). The studies helped to assess the adaptability and productivity of different spring rapeseed genotypes, both under controlled conditions and within the production cycle, with a single level of mineral nutrition. The studied spring rapeseed cultivar and hybrids can provide yields of 1.8–2.5 t/ha and 2.3–3.5 t/ha of seeds with a protein content of 23.8–27.1% and 22.5–23.5%, and a fat content of 36.2–38.4% and 38.5–41.6%, respectively, under plot-based and production conditions. The Miracle hybrid surpassed cv. ‘Favorit’ and the Tsebra KL hybrid in yield and seed fat content.

Background. In plant protection against pathogens and insect pests, great importance is attached to resistant varieties developed through effective breeding methods and proper selection of initial material. Research in this area is ongoing, as pathogen (pest) evolution usually outpaces breeding success.

Materials and methods. From 2015 to 2024, 500–1,000 barley collection accessions of various taxonomic affiliations, origins, and development types were studied annually at the Dagestan Experiment Station, a branch of VIR. Field trials employing winter sowing started in the second half of October. The high level of natural infection rates for a number of pests observed annually in the area allowed for a reliable assessment of plant resistance using scoring systems.

Results and conclusions. Long-term observations in southern Dagestan have shown that the growth and development of barley plants are negatively affected primarily by such fungal diseases as powdery mildew, barley leaf rust, and barley stripe, as well as by the insect pest, the frit fly. The long-term research has resulted in the identification of 25 resistance sources. Of these, 20 accessions exhibit resistance to one of these pests, three exhibit group resistance, and two accessions exhibit multiple resistance. The identified accessions are recommended for inclusion in breeding programs.

Background. Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is one of the major oilseed crops in Russia and around the world. An increase in soybean cultivation areas is possible through expansion of the crop to the north as well as to arid southern regions.

The purpose of the research was a comparative evaluation of soybean accessions from the VIR collection under irrigation in the Lower Volga region for the subsequent use in breeding work. The objectives included identifying promising donors of traits of economic and breeding importance, including the optimal duration of the growing season (90–110 days).

Materials and methods. Fifty-six early-maturing soybean accessions from the VIR collection have been selected for research The methodology for studying the VIR grain legume genetic resource collection was employed. The collection nursery was laid out in the experimental field of the All-Russian Research Institute of Organic Farming (Volgograd city) The HTC of the soybean growing season was 0.3.

Results. Under atypical conditions of 2024, the lengthening of the total growing season duration was noted for most accessions, to 109 days on an average, as well as of individual interphase periods, e.g. ‘flowering – filling’ and ‘filling – full ripeness’ periods. The longest inter-phase period  was up to 70 days. The total duration of the growing season of the studied accessions varied from 78 to 122 days. The dates of ripening corresponding to those of the early-ripening group were demonstrated by eight accessions, while thirteen accessions fell into the mid-early group.

Conclusion. In the soil and climatic conditions of the southern part of the Lower Volga region, 21 soybean accessions out of 56 studied ones were selected for further breeding for early ripeness.

Dedicated to the 75th birthday of Alla N. Brykova, Russian scientist. The article covers the key stages of her biography and scientific work.

Dedicated to the 80th birthday of Ellie Evartovna Eggi, Russian scientist, Candidate of Sciences in Biology. The article covers the key stages of her biography and scientific work.

Dedicated to the 80th birthday of Anida G. Khakimova, Russian scientist, Candidate of Sciences in Biology. The article covers the key stages of her biography and scientific work.