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Energy crops make modest but not negligible demands on soil nutrients. In grey forest soils in the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine and compared to rotational grain, legumes and oilseeds, 20-years cultivation of miscanthus brought about a decrease of 2.8 times of boron and 3.6 times of magnesium in the top 20 cm soil layer but an increase of 3.4 times in cobalt, 1.9 times in iron and 3 times in exchangeable calcium. Under Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita L.), a reduction of boron by 1.4 times and 1.15 times of iron was found compared to soil under arable crops. The least difference between macro- and microelements was found under cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, energy crops that are undemanding to soil fertility are increasingly used for the production of biofuel, electricity, and heat. Favorable climate, large areas of agricultural lands of Ukraine create the necessary conditions for growing the most popular energy crops, which will be able to supply the domestic market, as well as export. The article is aimed at studying the accumulation of chemical elements phosphorus (P), potassium (K), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) in the vegetative mass of Miscanthus, Silphium perfoliatum L. and Sida hermaphrodita L. Rusby for their cultivation in the conditions of the Western Forest Steppe of Ukraine on gray forest soils. The article presents the results of own field and laboratory research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soils of agricultural lands of Ukraine have different features of use for growing agricultural crops. In particular, under the conditions of homesteads in urbanized areas, the use of soils is observed mainly for monoculture (extensive agriculture). Usually, such soils are used primarily for the cultivation of potatoes and a small amount of vegetable crops: beets, cucumbers, cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, parsley, dill, etc. Organic fertilizers and a small amount of mineral fertilizers are used to fertilize the soils of homestead plots. Polycultures (intensive agriculture) such as: sunflower, winter rapeseed, winter wheat, corn, barley, sugar beet, peas, etc. are grown under the conditions of field crop rotation. With the creation of conditions for obtaining the maximum yield, mainly mineral fertilizers and a small amount of organic fertilizers are used. That is, these features of soil use can be reflected to one degree or another in the level of accumulation of heavy metals and trace elements in them. The content of heavy metals and trace elements in black soil typical medium loamy, sod-podzolic sandy loamy and gray medium loamy soils were investigated for their use in homestead plots and field crop rotation for growing various agricultural crops. A higher content of mercury, lead, cadmium, zinc and copper was found in black soil typical medium loamy, gray forest medium loamy and sod-podzolic sandy loamy soils under the conditions of homesteads compared to the soils of field crop rotations. The highest difference in the content of Pb, Hg, Cd, Zn, and Cu in the soils of homestead plots and field crop rotations was found in sod-podzolic sandy soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uptake of heavy metals from the soil by perennial legumes was measured over two- and four-year periods, and their accumulation measured in succeeding crops of winter wheat. Of the legumes tested: lucerne, red clover, sand sainfoin, white sweet clover, bird's foot trefoil, and eastern goatweed, sainfoin exhibits the greatest bioaccumulation over 2 years but all the studied legumes are effective. Moreover, we observe optimisation of the environment for the following crops, including the conversion of mobile forms of heavy metals in the soil into hard-to-reach forms that cannot migrate into the plant under simultaneous influence on the biological and mineral components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on 26 April 1986 contaminated tracts of Europe with radionuclides. In Ukraine, two million hectares with radiation levels greater than 5.55 × 1011 Bq/km2 were removed from agriculture and 137Cs, with a half-life of 30 years, is still with us. Phytoremediation by vegetation that accumulates toxic elements has been widely applied. White sweet clover (Melilotus albus) accumulates caesium and heavy metals in its biomass but, at the same time, produces nectar and pollen of a safely low level of 137Cs; so this culture is safe for beekeeping in the Chernobyl contamination zone. Growing M. albus over two years (2021–2) on a sandy sod podzolic soil within the Zhytomyr region increased the soil's easily-hydrolysable N by 29.9%, decreased mobile phosphorus by 18.2%, and mobile forms of Cd by 38.5%, Hg by 25%, Pb by 24.5%, Cu by 18.5%, Zn by 14.9%, 137Cs by 8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The man-made activity of mankind has led to the emergence of many global problems and caused the deterioration of the quality of the natural environment (air, water, soil). Of particular concern is the contamination of agricultural land with toxicants, in particular, radionuclides, which, entering the soil – plant – human body food chain, can reach toxic levels. Therefore, an important task is the removal of hazardous substances from the soil. Phytoremediation can be one of the effective methods for reducing its pollution. The article examines the effectiveness of phytoremediation of soils contaminated as a result of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in certain territories of Polissia of Ukraine (Korosten district of Zhytomyr region). Nectar-pollinating plants were selected for the research, which was carried out for two years: great globe-thistle (Echinops sphaerocephalus), milk thistle (Silybum marianum), and white melilot (Melilotus albus). The results of the research showed that in the dry vegetative mass of milk thistle, great globe-thistle, and white melilot, the specific activity of 137Cs over the two years of research was in the range from 30.8 Bq/kg to 238.5 Bq/kg, the accumulation coefficient – from 0.135 to 0.985, and the hazard coefficient – from 0.055 to 0.395. The highest indicators of specific activity and accumulation coefficient of 137Cs were observed in the vegetative mass of the white melilot, which amounted to 238.5 Bq/kg and 0.96, respectively, comparatively lower values – 2.3 times and 2.3 times were found in the vegetative mass of milk thistle, 2.8 times and 7.1 times – in the vegetative mass of the great globe-thistle. At this level of accumulation of 137Cs in the vegetative mass of nectarine plants from the soil, on average, over two years of research, 1130550 Bq of this radionuclide was removed from the soil per hectare of agricultural land with milk thistle, 621250 Bq with great globe-thistle, and 2851650 Bq with white melilot. The removal of 137Cs with the vegetative mass of nectarine plants reduced the content of this radionuclide in the soil per 1 kg – from 3.4% to 8% on average over two years of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aimed to study the radioprotective and sorption properties of beespine, which refers to the bodies of bees that die during the winter season. The goal was to expand the range of applications for beespine by exploring its potential as a source of radioprotective and sorption properties. The study found that beespine contains biologically active substances, including melitin, melanin, and sulfur-containing amino acids. These substances exhibited radioprotective and sorption properties, which could potentially be beneficial when ingested by quails as part of their feed mixture. Overall, the research suggests that beespine has the potential to be used in various applications beyond its current use as a waste product from beekeeping. Its radioprotective and sorption properties could have practical uses in areas such as animal feed and potentially even in human medicine. In particular, it was observed an increase in the lifespan of quails from 1.5 to 2.2 times with a content of 2 to 7.5% of beespine in the form of a powdered biological mass in the feed mixture after their fractional local irradiation of gamma rays with a total dose of 90 gr, compared to the poultry, in the diet of which there was no beespine. It was also determined that the removal from the bodies of quails with indigestible feed remains (droppings) of 137Cs by 6.6 p.p., 90Sr by 18.7 p.p., Pb by 15.3 p.p. and Cd by 34.6 p.p., respectively, was observed to be higher when adding the beespine (3%) in their diet. It was found a lower level of 137Cs by 32.7%, Pb by 53.2% and Cd by 20.0% in their muscle tissue, compared to their analogues that were not fed beespine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the mineral content of polyfloral honey produced by bees in the conditions of the northern Polissia of Ukraine (the zone affected by the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident) on the level of accumulation of 137Cs, Pb and Cd in it was studied. It was established that the specific activity of 137Cs and the concentration of Pb and Cd in polyfloral honey depended on the content of mineral substances (ash) in this product. In the polyfloral honey produced by bees from the nectar of autumn pollinators (heather, various grasses), a higher specific activity of 137Cs and the concentration of Pb and Cd were found in comparison with the same products obtained from spring nectar pollinators (apple, cherry, cherry, white acacia, spring rhinoceros ). At the same time, it was found that the content of mineral substances in polyfloral honey produced by bees from autumn honey combs was 64.7% higher compared to this product produced from spring nectar pollen cones. The artificial reduction of ash content in polyfloral honey by 2.4 times due to its processing using sorption technologies contributed to the improvement of the quality of this product. In particular, a decrease in the specific activity of 137Cs by 47.5% and the concentration of Pb by 59.5% and Cd by 41.2% was observed in the processed honey. At the same time, a decrease in sucrose by 1.18 pp, ash by 2.4 times and an increase in the content of amino acids by 58.8% was observed in honey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was aimed at developing a comprehensive approach and identifying criteria for assessing the quality of monofloral linden honey based on the determination of its organoleptic, physicochemical indicators, pollen analysis and establishing compliance with the requirements of quality standards. 32 samples of honey labeled as linden honey were analyzed. Evaluation criteria for monofloral linden honey in Ukraine have been established. The degree of monoflorality of linden honey can be from 30.0% of linden pollen and higher. According to organoleptic indicators, honey from linden is characterized by a peculiar delicate aroma of linden flowers, mainly has a color from light yellow to white shades, consistency depending on the season (liquid, viscous, very viscous, dense). According to physical and chemical parameters: moisture - 18.5%, proline - 308.12±34.18 mg/kg, electrical conductivity - 0.35± 0.04 M/cm, fructose to glucose ratio - not lower than 1.2, diastasis not less than 11.0 units. Gote, the content of reducing sugars is 85.6±2.47%; sucrose in the range of 2.8-3.9%. It has been established that the quality indicators of monofloral linden honey meet the requirements of the national standard of high-grade honey and the existing EU requirements; the content of dominant linden pollen should not be lower than 30%. It has been proven that the ratio of fructose to glucose for monofloral linden honey should not be lower than 1.2, the proline content is not less than 300.0 mg/kg, and the electrical conductivity is 0.63Ms/cm. A comprehensive approach to the identification and evaluation of the quality of monofloral linden honey has been developed and the main criteria for the degree of monoflorality, organoleptic and physicochemical indicators have been determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural use of the land fund requires monitoring of its fertility, degree of erosion, and level of pollution. The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate the main agrochemical parameters of the soil, as well as the most dangerous heavy metals on agricultural land, which were used for perennial plantations (an intensive apple horticulture). The use of soils for intensive gardening for 14 years (2008-2022) led to an increase in exchangeable potassium by 6.58 times, mobile forms of phosphorus by 14.6 times, calcium by 31.1%, exchangeable magnesium by 18.8% %, molybdenum by 11.2%, sulfur by 46.3%, zinc by 18.4%, lead by 3.1%, cadmium by 2.5%, mercury by 34.5% and a decrease in easily hydrolyzed nitrogen by 12, 9%, humus by 0.06%, boron by 8.6%, iron by 17.9% and copper by 6.8% compared to fallow soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to the study of the intensity accumulation of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu) by vegetables in agricultural lands. Vegetable products play important role in human nutrition and requirements for quality and safety are very strict. The study was conducted on dark gray podzolic soils in the Tyvriv district of the Vinnytsia region. The fruits of the cucumber variety Dzherelo, the zucchini variety Chaklun, and the pea variety Geneva were used for the research. It is noted that the main indicators of climatic conditions during the study period were favorable for growing vegetables. It was determined that among vegetables (food peas, zucchini, cucumber) the highest content of heavy metals was observed in pea fruits. At the same time, it was found that the Cd content in pea fruits exceeded the PL (permissible level) by 1.61 times at a concentration of heavy metals in the soil below the TVL. Among heavy metals (Pb, Cd) higher migration and translocation were observed in the studied vegetables according to Cd, and among heavy metals-trace elements (Zn and Cu) - according to Cu. It was found that pea fruits were characterized by the highest coefficient of accumulation of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu). The risk factor for heavy metals in the studied vegetables was lower than the threshold level of 0.1, except for Cd in peas, where this figure was 1.61 times higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peculiarities of Cd, Zn and Cu accumulation in wheat and barley grain depending on their vegetation period have been studied. A certain influence of the vegetation period of cereals (winter, spring) in the natural and climatic conditions of the right-bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine on the intensity of accumulation of heavy metals in grain has been established. In particular, it was found that in the grain of winter wheat and barley there is a lower concentration, accumulation coefficient, risk factor Cd, Zn and Cu compared to similar spring cereals. Some exceedances of the admissible norm of Cd according to GOST (national standart of Ukraine) 26932 in grain of spring wheat and barley are revealed. The concentration of Zn and Cu in the grain of both winter and spring wheat and barley was lower than the norm compared to the maximum allowable norm (GOST 26932). The grain of winter cereals of wheat and barley was characterized by a lower coefficient of accumulation of heavy metals, and a relatively higher coefficient of accumulation of spring cereals. The risk factor Cd exceeded the normative limit of 1.0 only in grain of spring wheat and barley. Exceedances of the normative indicator (hazard coefficient 1.0) of Zn and Cu in wheat and barley grain of both winter and spring crops were not observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]