The article provides a comprehensive assessment of the habitat capacity and packing density, which characterizes the position of plantings on the gradients of environmental factors, indicating mainly the stability of the adapted composition of the majority of the cultural phytocenosis of the park "Gurzufsky". The sections reflecting the most characteristic ecological conditions of the park territory are highlighted. Graphs of the position of plantings on the gradients of environmental factors by allotments are given. Three zones are identified depending on environmental conditions and groups of plants are proposed that can realize their capabilities on the gradients of environmental factors.

The estimation of the modern state of arboreal plants of the dendropark of the Lugansk State Agrarian University was first given. It was set that now 5712 copies of trees, bushes and lianas, related to 104 species from 63 genus and 29 families, sprout on this territory. Dominant position is occupied by trees - 55.6%, bushes - 37.0% and lianas - 7.4%. The conditions of Aesculus hippocastanum L., Betula pendula Roth, Populus alba L. and Populus nigra L. are caused an alarm. The arboreal planting on territory of university can served as basis for organization of a botanical garden.

On the basis of generally accepted and modern methods and approaches, the age structure of the coenopopulations of Berberis aquifolium in semi-natural and natural communities in Protected Areas of the Southern Coast of the Crimea with different categories of protection ("Yalta Mountain Forest", "Cape Martyan", "Nikita Botanical Gardens") has been studied. It was found that the species in the surveyed territories occurs in different types of relatively closed (0.6-0.8) tree-shrub communities, at an altitude of 120 to 530 m above the sea level, on the slopes of different exposures, with a steepness from 5 to 45°. All the described coenopopulations are normal, incomplete, with a left-hand spectrum, in three of them the absolute maximum falls on young generative (g₁ - up to 38%), in two - on virginal (v - 25-53%), in one - on middle-aged generative (g₂ - 25%) plants. The ontogenetic structure of the studied coenopopulations is represented by two types: single-vertex and bimodal, according to the A.A. Uranov's, O.V. Smirnova's classification; by three types: maturing, transitional and mature, according to the "delta-omega" classification. Three coenopopulations belong to the group of unstable, with a weak degree of self-support, two ones - to promising, with a moderate degree of self-support, one - to promising, with effective self-support. The values of the recovery index (1.0-2.5) in promising coenopopulations indicate a sufficient potential of the species to maintain its structure by seed reproduction.

The paper presents the results of studying the decorative species Crocus speciosus. Some features of the formation and development of male and female generative spheres are presented. It is shown that the formed anther wall is generated by the epidermis, endothecium, middle layer and tapetum. The wall of the mature anther is formed by the epidermis, fibrous endothecium with fibrous thickening, and a tapetal spathella with sporopollenin orbicles. Analysis of mature pollen grains showed a rather high proportion of normal pollen grains (80%), which under favorable conditions indicates a high ability to effectively pollinate. The characteristics of the female generative sphere are also shown: three-celled ovary; anatropic, bitegmal, funicular, crassinucellate ovule; linear tetrad of megaspores; Polygonum-type of embryonic sac development. The processes of flowering, pollination and seed formation are described.

Studies of the natural reafforestation of pine forests (Pinus silvestris. L.) on the territory of the southern brae of the Russian Plain, as well as the foothill and mountain-forest Crimea (Pinus pallasiana D. Don), carried out by us during 2003 - 2021, allowed us to put forward an assumption about the general features of the spatial structure of the undergrowth of species of the genus Pinus. The uniformity of the structure of coenopopulation fragments and coenopopulation of undergrowth can be equally observed in different ecological conditions, for example, under the forest canopy, as well as within the boundaries of existing breaks in the canopy of forestry shelterwood, on burnt forests along the linear contours of forest tracts, on lands taken out from under agricultural use, etc. In each specific case, the invariance and, at the same time, the different scale of the structure of coenopopulations of undergrowth is explained by the complementarity of bioecological properties of seedling growth and undergrowth capacity of existing ecological niches, autoregulation of the cenopopulation structure in accordance with the dynamics of changes in ecological factors limiting the process of natural renewal of pine forests. Similarity of the spatial structure of coenopopulations of P. silvestris undergrowth. and P. pallasiana and its constituent elements is an argument in favour of the assumption of the fractal nature of the process, which makes it possible to explain the mechanisms of stability of forest ecosystems in accordance with the principle of invariance of the spatial structure of the formed cenopopulations. The established structural and functional features serve as the basis for deepening the theory of natural regeneration and improving the complex of reforestation measures aimed at preserving biological diversity and forest sustainability with the dominance of species of the genus Pinus.

The results of studies of Corydalis marschalliana (Pallas ex. Willd.) Pers. in the Easten part of the Donbass (Lugask and Donetsk regions) are provided in the research. The fact that in the Easten part of Donbass region C. marschalliana grows in 60 locations (33 locations are in the Lugansk region and 27 ones are in the Donetsk region) was established. 19 of them were discovered by the author of the research. Environmental conditions in the studied region were described. Corydalis marschalliana biomorphological characteristics, area and growth conditions are given. Environmental history was studied, map charts and species distribution lists on the territory of the Easten part of Donbass region were made. Cenopopulation studies of Corydalis marschalliana were carried out. The article gives the data about studied species protection on the specially protected natural territories of the Easten Part of Donbass region, the ways of possible rational usage of this species are indicated. It was concluded that C. marschalliana does not need personal protection on the territory of the Easten part of Donbass region.

The article presents the results of a study of the biological activity of the sap of the needles of Norway spruce ( Picea abies L.), Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) and Japanese yew ( Taxus cuspidata Siebold et Zucc. Ex Endl.). The highest antimicrobial activity of the Japanese yew’s needle sap against human pathogens and phytopathogens was established: the values minimum inhibitory concentration, the minimum bactericidal concentration and the minimum fungicidal concentration were 0.0313 and 0.0078%, respectively. Expressed antioxidant properties and membrane-protective activity of Scots pine needles sap were revealed in comparison with Norway spruce both in winter and in summer. The Japanese yew needle sap had the most pronounced antioxidant properties. With a decrease in the concentration of Japanese yew needle sap, its ability to protect membranes from peroxide hemolysis increased. Its high cytotoxicity and lack of selectivity in relation to tumor cells have also been established.

Antioxidant status and selenium accumulation by 18 macromycetes species of the Mountainous Crimea was investigated. Total antioxidant activity of 5 families’ representatives composed ranges of 23.9 - 43.3 mg GAE/g d.w. for Boletaceae, 13.0-25.0 mg GAE/g d.w. for Russulaceae, 13.5-20.9 mg GAE/g d.w. for Tricholomotaceae, 13.8-38.0 mg GAE/g d.w. for Agaricaceae. Selenium accumulation levels reached 423-3352 µg/kg d.w. (Boletaceae), 236-1076 µg/kg d.w. (Russulaceae), 664-1213 µg/kg d.w (Tricholomotaceae) and 289-2392 µg/kg d.w. (Agaricaceae). High antioxidant activity (39.2 mg GAE/g d.w.) and specific carotenoid composition including 9-cis lycopene (1.8 mg/g) and beta-carotene (0.2 mg/g) were recorded for Clathrus ruber for the first time. The results indicate high significance of macromycetes investigated as powerful sources of antioxidants and selenium.

For Quércus pubéscens Willd. the zones of optimum and threshold values of soil moisture, temperature, illumination, limiting photosynthesis and transpiration, were determined. The dependences of the rate of net photosynthesis (P_n) and the intensity of transpiration (E) on stomatal conductance (g_s), leaf temperature (T_l) and soil moisture (W_s) are shown. The relationship between the speed of the xylem flow in the plant shoot (Sf, Rel. units), the change in the diameter of this shoot (d, mm) and soil moisture has been determined. The relationships between the processes of photosynthesis and respiration under the influence of soil drought made it possible to determine their optimal values: Ws = 26 - 28%, P_n = 16 - 18 µmol/m²s, P_t = 2 - 4 μmol/m²s. Changes in the ratio between the components of total respiration (P_t, R_d, R_ph) under the influence of soil drought were studied. The relationship between the rate of net photosynthesis, total respiration and leaf temperature made it possible to determine the temperature maximum of net photosynthesis (thermal compensation point): P_n = P_t = 2.0 μmol/m²s, at T = 37^°C. It was found that in the absence of soil drought, the share of respiratory expenditure (R_t/P_g) from true photosynthesis is 20 - 23%, and at soil moisture of 8-10% it increases to 55-58%. The obtained research results made it possible to determine the optimal and limiting conditions for the growth of this species and the possibility of its introduction to other regions.

Numerous collections of flower plants are collected in the Nikitsky (Nikita) Botanical Gardens - National Scientific Center (NBG - NSC). Among them, a special place belongs to the garden chrysanthemum ( Chrysanthemum × morifolium (Ramat.) Hemsl.), since its quantitative and qualitative composition has no analogues in the territory of the Russian Federation. Currently, the collection includes 529 cultivars and forms of domestic and foreign breeding, of which 350 cultivars and forms belong to the small-flowered garden group. The article considers the studied and selected promising assortment of small-flowered chrysanthemum for landscaping the Southern Coast of the Crimea and the Russian South, which for successful implementation in urban landscaping is divided into groups according to the timing of flowering, the height of flowering shoots, color and types of inflorescences.

The article provides a general brief information about the genus Geranium L. and modern data on the state of the world assortment of this genus based on the register compiled in 2015 at the initiative of the International Geraniaceae Group. The assortment of geraniums is analyzed by origin, types of use in landscaping as perennial herbaceous flowering and decorative deciduous plants. The species that are the maternal forms of the largest number of cultivars created as a result of intra- and interspecific hybridization have been identified. These are Geranium pratense , G. × oxonianum (in 12-14% of cultivars), G. cinereum, G. phaeum, G. sanguineum (in 6-8% of varieties) and G. × antipodeum, G. x cantabrigiense, G. clarkei, G. harveyi, G. macrorrhizum, G. maculatum, G. nodosum, G. psilostemon, G. sylvaticum, G. wallichiabum (in 2-4% of the world assortment of geraniums). In accordance with world practice, the grouping of species and cultivars by habit is given, with their subdivision into groundcover, spreading, mound-forming or upright. The timing of flowering geraniums and the prospects for their use in Russia are reflected.

Melon, as a melon crop, is cultivated in many countries of the world, and is highly valued for its dietary and nutritional qualities. Melon's susceptibility to fungal diseases drastically reduces the yield and taste of the melon. In the zone of the Volgograd Trans-Volga region, melon is mainly affected by anthracnose and powdery mildew. Obtaining samples with complex resistance to these diseases solves the problem of production and product quality. Complex resistance was determined by artificial infection of melon plants, as well as in natural conditions. 4 hybrid combinations of melons were studied against the background of the standard cultivar Osen. As a result of the research, a hybrid combination of melon Dune × Ponap (Japan) F1 was isolated, which showed complex resistance both under artificial infection and in natural conditions.

In the modern world, the storage and processing of data with the help of computer technology is of great importance. This is especially true for scientific activities. However, the level of implementation varies greatly from area to area. Specialized software is designed to solve this problem by simplifying the use of computer methods for storing and processing data for specific areas... One of such software systems, which allows to systematize data in the field of plant protection, is considered in the article. The developed specialized software allows you to work with databases in the field of biology. The article presents the program and database structures, their brief characteristics, lists the implemented functions and outlines the ways of further development. The importance of the program for systematization and storage of data in the field of plant protection is determined.

The results of the analysis of data on the taxonomic structure of the microbial community of the rhizosphere of three cultivars of winter wheat under the conditions of the use of microorganisms strains with high associative potential are presented. The aim of this work was to study the effect of the introduction of associative bacterial strains into the rhizosphere community of winter wheat on changes in the taxonomic structure of the microbiome.312 and 422 OTUs were determined at the genus level as a result of studies of the rhizosphere of winter wheat in the conditions of 2019 and 2020, respectively. The share of unclassified Chitinophagaceae was the highest among all representatives of the genera attributed to the family. The greatest positive effect of the use of associative strains on the representation of their share was observed on ‘Ermak’ cultivar under the conditions of 2019 by 14.9-22.1% in comparison with the variant without treatment (6.8%). Principal Coordinate Analysis made it possible to reveal significant differences between the majority of variants with inoculation by associative strains and control.

Morphological features were revealed and the seed quality of samples of shrubby perilla ( Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton) was determined when introduced to the Southern coast of the Crimea in a subtropical climate of the Mediterranean type. It is shown that samples of various geographical origin under the conditions of introduction undergo all cycles of development, are characterized by high variability of morphological parameters and aroma; form full-fledged seeds with high laboratory (79-92%) and field (75-90%) germination. The application of the X-ray method showed that the seeds have a high degree of completion (57-95%), correlated with germination. The mass of 1000 seeds of the studied samples varies from 1.25 to 1.86 g. The use of light microscopy methods allowed us to study the size, shape, color and surface pattern of the seeds, and to establish that the length of the seeds of shrubby perilla of its own reproduction varies within 1.44-2.23 mm, width - 1.33-1.89 mm. It was found that the seeds of the studied samples have a similar plan of structure: they are characterized by a rounded or oval shape, the surface of the shell has a cellular structure, is colored brown in various shades.

The article presents data on the effect of massage with the inclusion of essential oils (EO) in the composition of the massage mixture on the psychoemotional state of a person. Facial and neck massage with the use of EO of citrus plants in comparison with massage without the use of EO generally increases the effectiveness of this procedure in terms of self-assessment indicators of psychoemotional state. EO increases the psychological tone of the subjects, and the most effective are the EO of bitter orange and lemon.