Agrarian Bulletin of the North Caucasus

The role of internet in disseminating modern agricultural technologies related to yellow corn crops from the perspective of agricultural employees in Al-Alam District / Salahaddin Province in Iraq

Ahmed Hamad Al-Dokhi — 2026-08-03

Introduction. The internet has become an important tool for disseminating agricultural information and modern technologies, contributing to the improvement of agricultural extension services and farmers’ access to knowledge.
Aim. To determine the role of the internet in disseminating modern agricultural technologies for yellow corn from the perspective of agricultural employees in Al-Alam District, Salah al-Din Governorate. It also sought to identify variations in the perceived role of the internet according to age, gender, years of service, participation, and attitude.
Materials and Methods. The research population consisted of all 31 agricultural employees working in the Al-Alam Agriculture Division, Hamrin Agriculture Division, and Agricultural Research Station. A questionnaire was developed comprising two parts: personal characteristics of respondents and 19 agricultural practices related to yellow corn cultivation. A three-point scale (high, medium, low) was used to assess the role of the internet in disseminating agricultural technologies. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS through descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Results. The findings revealed that the role of the internet in disseminating agricultural technologies for yellow corn was perceived as moderate. Among the internet platforms, YouTube ranked first in disseminating modern agricultural technologies.
Conclusion. The study concluded that agricultural employees in Al-Alam District require additional training in the use of e-extension tools to enhance the dissemination of agricultural technologies for yellow corn. Encouraging agricultural staff to follow official YouTube channels of governmental and agricultural extension institutions may further improve access to reliable agricultural information.

The importance of contract pollination in ensuring food security and sustainability of agroecosystems in southern Russia

Grigory V. Komlatsky — 2026-08-10

Introduction. Pollination activity by honey bees is a critical factor in ensuring food security and the resilience of agroecosystems. Over the past thirty years, Russia has experienced a negative trend in honey‐bee colony numbers, resulting in a pollination deficit. There is therefore an urgent need to develop an organizational and economic framework for the effective management of bee pollination services.
Aim. To provide a scientific justification and to develop organizational and technological solutions for the expansion of contract‐based bee pollination of entomophilous crops in areas of intensive agricultural production.
Materials and methods. Using monographic and statistical methods, we analyzed scientific sources and temporal trends in crop areas and honey‐bee colony numbers. A comparative geographical approach was employed to synthesize regional patterns in apiary placement and contract pollination practices across the constituent territories of the Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts. Economic and statistical techniques were applied to assess the cost‐effectiveness of contract pollination. A system analysis was carried out to identify the factors affecting pollination efficiency and to determine avenues for improving the performance of contracted pollination services.
Results. The study offers a comprehensive rationale for the transition from the current practice of spontaneous, non‐contractual pollination towards an institutionalized service‐based model. Systemic barriers to the development of contract pollination are identified, and mechanisms for overcoming them are proposed. In addition, principles are elaborated for the integration of mobile pavilion‑type bee colonies and digital platforms into the pollination management system, and the scaling parameters for the contract model at the macro‑regional level are defined.
Conclusion. The proposed contract pollination model was validated in six regions of southern Russia. The approaches developed allow the pollination deficit to be alleviated, contribute to additional crop yields, and enhance the sustainability of agroecosystems across the macro region. To further advance contract pollination, it is recommended to establish regional digital platforms, scale up the production of mobile bee units to reduce labor inputs, and incorporate bee pollination services into the state support system for the agricultural sector.

Understanding sustainable organic food repurchase through behavioral and health factors

Michael Christian — 2026-08-20

Introduction. Concerns about food quality, food safety, and sustainable agricultural production have increased interest in organic food consumption. However, limited research has examined the factors influencing repurchase intention among Gen Z in urban markets.
Aim. This study examines the effects of perceived behavioural control, subjective norms, and health consciousness on organic food repurchase intention and their moderating roles.
Materials and methods. A quantitative approach using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 120 Gen Z respondents who had recently purchased or consumed organic food and were analysed using SmartPLS.
Results. Perceived behavioural control (p = 0.001), subjective norms (p < 0.001), and health consciousness (p = 0.005) significantly affected repurchase intention. However, the moderating effects of subjective norms (p = 0.710) and health consciousness (β = 0.046, p = 0.384) were not significant. The model explained 69.9% of the variance in repurchase intention (R² = 0.699).
Conclusion. Personal capability, social influence, and health consciousness are important drivers of continued organic food consumption, with practical implications for organic food supply chains, digital distribution platforms, and sustainable agricultural products.

Study of activity antioxidant enzymes in several of maize genotypes

Nagham Majeed Al-Azawi — 2026-09-02

Introduction. Iraq is suffering from severe drought, exacerbated by climate change. Genetic patterns and timing of planting are of critical importance to improve water use efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production.
Materials and methods. A field experiment was conducted at the Al-Jadriya field, Baghdad University, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences. Six maize genotypes (G1-Agr183, G2-PAN466, G3-Ly55, G4-OH40, G5-Xq880, and G6-IK58) were planted on three dates (1 August, 7 August, and 15 August) during the fall season of 2023–2024. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Leaf samples were analyzed in the laboratories of the Department of Field Crops, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences. The least significant difference (LSD) test at the 0.05% probability level was used for mean comparisons, and statistical analysis was performed using the GenStat statistical software.
Results. The results indicated that genotype G6 exhibited higher catalase (CAT) activity across all three planting dates, while genotype G2 showed higher peroxidase (POD) activity during the same period, suggesting superior adaptive efficiency of these two genotypes. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity also varied among genotypes, with the highest levels observed on D3 (third planting date) and D1 (first planting date) for G6, and on D2 (second planting date) for G5, indicating a response due to genotype × planting date (G × D) interaction. Regarding planting date, CAT activity was highest on D3, whereas POD and SOD activities peaked on D1, reflecting the influence of planting date on the regulation of the antioxidant defense system.
Conclusion.The results demonstrate that enzyme activity and maize response to planting dates vary significantly depending on genotype. Therefore, selecting an appropriate planting date is essential for optimizing crop growth under specific light, humidity, and temperature conditions.

Evaluation of plasticity and stability in winter barley varieties in the agrobiocenosis of Kabardino-Balkaria

Aminat Kh. Malkanduyeva — 2026-09-09

Introduction. Against the background of increasing climatic instability in southern Russia, characterized by growing aridity and temperature anomalies, there is a need to cultivate winter barley varieties with high adaptability. For the steppe zone of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, where this crop occupies significant areas, the breeding and introduction of varieties characterized by high adaptability to abiotic stress factors of the environment are relevant.
Aim. To study the adaptability of winter barley varieties under the steppe conditions of Kabardino-Balkaria in order to determine their potential and to formulate scientifically based recommendations for cultivation in the region.
Materials and Methods. Field experiments were conducted during 2023–2025. The research material comprised seven winter barley varieties bred by the P.P. Lukyanenko National Grain Center in collaboration with the Institute of Agriculture of the Kabardino-Balkarian Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Plasticity and stability of the varieties were determined using the Eberhart–Russell method, while stress tolerance and genetic flexibility were assessed according to the Goncharenko procedure.
Results. In 2025, under optimal conditions (Ij = +0.72), the yield of winter barley varieties ranged from 6.3 to 8.1 t/ha. A linear regression coefficient bᵢ > 1 was recorded for Kladenets (1.47), Mir (1.52), and Insar (1.21 indicating high plasticity and a positive response to improved agronomic background. Madar (σ²d = 0.002) and Vasya (0.088) were recognized as stable. Iosif, Vasya, and Saturn stood out in terms of stress tolerance, while Kladenets (6.65) and Insar (6.55) – in terms of genetic flexibility.
Conclusion. The conducted studies made it possible to identify winter barley varieties with potential for cultivation under conditions of deficient and unstable moisture supply, demonstrating consistently high yields regardless of climatic features.

Biochemical composition of cornelian cherry fruits in natural populations of Dagestan

Leila A. Gabibullaeva — 2026-09-30

Introduction. Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruits are valuable food and medicinal raw materials. However, their biochemical composition in relation to contrasting growing conditions remains insufficiently studied. The Republic of Dagestan, characterized by pronounced altitudinal zonation and diverse climatic zones, is of particular interest for assessing the influence of environmental factors on the accumulation of biologically active compounds in the fruits of wild populations.
Aim. To determine the content of the main groups of biologically active substances in the cornelian cherry fruits from five natural populations in Dagestan and to identify its dependence on environmental factors along an elevational gradient from −2 to 1030 m above sea level.
Material and methods. Fruit sampling was carried out in 2024–2025 in the piedmont areas of Dagestan. The content of moisture, total ash, extractive substances, tannins, flavonoids, anthocyanins, organic acids, ascorbic acid, and carbohydrates was determined according to the methods specified in the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation.
Results. The content of biologically active substances was found to vary within wide ranges: organic acids – 2.1–3.1%, vitamin C – 5–12 mg/g, carbohydrates – 13.6–19.1%, tannins – 1.7–4.6%, flavonoids – 4–10 mg/g, anthocyanins – 1–5 mg/g. The content of flavonoids and ascorbic acid varied almost twofold depending on the growing site conditions. Correlation analysis revealed positive relationships between the concentration of anthocyanins (0.57) and organic acids (0.69) with temperature indicators, as well as negative correlations between tannins and ascorbic acid (-0.56) and organic acids (-0.60).
Conclusion. An increase in temperature parameters is accompanied by a rise in the content of flavonoids and anthocyanins, thereby enhancing the protective mechanisms of cells. The obtained data indicate the high breeding potential of natural cornelian cherry populations in Dagestan and can be utilized for the selection of economically valuable forms for introduction in the piedmont zones of the North Caucasus.

Impact of agro-climatic factors on the formation of grape quality indicators during the ripening process

Evgeniy A. Rybalko — 2026-09-30

Introduction. Improving the efficiency of viticulture remains a priority for the industry. Achieving high grape quality, and consequently high‑quality wine products, is possible only when optimal growing conditions are provided for specific cultivars, taking into account agroecological factors. Determining the intensity of impact of individual environmental factors and the nature of their interactions is of fundamental importance from both theoretical and applied perspectives.
Aim. To obtain analytical data on the degree to which agroclimatic factors affect the formation of grape quality parameters during ripening.
Materials and methods. The work studied climatic data from the Yalta weather station (2022–2024) and quality parameters of grapes from various varieties grown in the vineyards of the test site located in the southern coastal zone of Crimea. The research was carried out at the Department of Agroecology of the National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”. The study employed the indices recommended by the MOBB (RESOLUTION OIV‑VITI 423‑2012 Rev1) for the terroir‑based specialization of the viticulture and winemaking sector.
Results. The agroclimatic indicators that exert the most significant influence on the mass concentration of sugars and titratable acids in grapes were identified within the southern coastal zone.
Conclusion. The analytical data obtained will enable the optimization of the placement of commercial vineyards and enhance production efficiency through the most rational utilization of natural resources.

Improving cultivation technology for a new maize hybrid in the steppe zone of Kabardino-Balkaria

Hasan Sh. Tarchokov — 2026-09-30

Introduction. In the Russian Federation, and particularly in the North Caucasus, maize (Zea mays L.) occupies a special place in field cropping systems due to its diverse application. The main factors enhancing maize grain yield are weed‑free crop stands and resource‑ and energy‑saving tillage practices.
Aim. To evaluate the effects of primary tillage methods and herbicide regimes on the grain productivity of a new maize hybrid, and to assess the influence of weather and climatic factors on the abundance and harmfulness of the weed community in grain maize crops under the conditions of the steppe zone of the Kabardino‑Balkarian Republic.
Materials and methods. The study was conducted on the Atlant SV maize hybrid. Phenological observations were carried out according to standard procedures. Weed counts were performed three times using the quantitative method (individuals per m²) at the 3‑ to 5‑leaf stage of maize, repeated 28–30 days after the first count, and finally by the quantitative‑weight method just prior to grain harvest.
Results. A complex pattern of weed infestation was recorded in the maize stands. The weed community included annual grasses: Alopecurus agrestis L., Echinochloa crus-galli L., and two bristlegrass species: Setaria glauca L. and Setaria viridis P.B., as well as dicotyledonous weeds: Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Fumaria officinalis L., and Chenopodium album L.. To a lesser extent, perennial grass‑dicotyledonous weeds were present, namely Sorghum halepense L., Cirsium arvense L., Sonchus arvensis L., and Convolvulus arvensis L. Weather conditions had a significant impact on maize grain yield. In 2023, which was characterized by abundant precipitation (509.6 mm, exceeding the long‑term average by 39.6 mm), grain productivity was the highest across all experimental treatments, reaching 6.9 t ha⁻¹. In 2022 and 2024, with total rainfall of 348.8 and 360.2 mm, respectively, grain yields did not exceed 6.53 and 6.70 t ha⁻¹.
Conclusion. The obtained results indicate the necessity of developing and applying a system of herbicides with different selectivity spectra for weed control in crops of the new Atlant SV maize hybrid, combined with resource‑saving primary tillage methods, under the steppe zone conditions of Kabardino‑Balkaria.

Effect of Lignohumate AM on morphology, yield and commercial quality of Citrus reticulata var. unshiu ‘Kowano Wase’ fruits under the subtropical conditions of Russia

Vyacheslav M. Gorshkov — 2026-09-30

Introduction. Against the background of declining soil fertility and increasing abiotic stressors, the use of environmentally safe biostimulants, including humic preparations, represents a promising approach to enhance crop productivity and stress tolerance. Of particular interest is their application in citrus cultivation, given the high sensitivity of these crops to environmental conditions. The humid subtropics of Russia are characterized by considerable variability in temperature and moisture regimes, which significantly affects the growth, development, and fruiting of mandarins. Therefore, the search for agronomic practices aimed at increasing the adaptive potential of plants and stabilizing yields is of high relevance.
Aim. To evaluate the effect of fivefold foliar treatment with the preparation Lignohumate AM on the productivity and commercial fruit quality of mandarin (Citrus reticulata var. unshiu ‘Kowano Wase’) under the humid subtropical conditions of Russia.
Materials and methods. Field experiments were conducted in 2023–2025 at the Subtropical Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Sochi). The work studied mandarin plants grafted onto Citrus trifoliata rootstock, planted at a spacing of 4 × 1.5 m. Treatments were applied during key phenological stages of plant development.
Results. It was established that the application of Lignohumate AM consistently increased yield throughout all study years. The greatest effect was observed in 2025, when the average yield reached 12.8 kg per tree (212.1 dt/ha), which was 20–25% higher than the control. Under stressful weather conditions (hot and dry summer), the preparation contributed to reducing yield losses, indicating enhanced adaptive potential of the plants. An improvement in commercial fruit quality was also recorded, manifested as an increased proportion of large-sized fruit (≥60 mm) and a decreased share of small-sized fruit.
Conclusion. Thus, fivefold application of Lignohumate AM is an effective agronomic practice that ensures increased yield, greater fruiting stability, and improved fruit quality of mandarin under subtropical conditions.

Effect of a humic preparation on spring barley plants under elevated lead stress

Olga S. Bezuglova — 2026-09-30

Introduction. Numerous studies indicate the adaptogenic role of humic substances, which allows their application to reduce the negative consequences of not only weather disasters but also to decrease stress from pesticide application and the presence of toxic compounds in the environment, including heavy metals. However, there is insufficient knowledge regarding the mechanisms of their impact on agricultural plants, including plant cellular structures.
Aim. To demonstrate the effect of a humic preparation on the growth of common barley under stress conditions caused by lead pollution.
Materials and Methods. Under laboratory experiment conditions, environmental pollution with lead acetate was simulated, and an attempt was made to neutralize the toxic effect of lead on common barley plants by introducing a humic preparation into the medium. The pot experiment was modeled using the hydroponic method of plant cultivation. Silt-washed and calcined quartz sand was used as a substrate, and Pryanishnikov's nutrient mixture was used as a nutrient solution. Plants were grown for 14 days (which corresponds to the beginning of tillering for barley). Subsequently, morphometric measurements were performed, and cytomorphometric parameters were measured.
Results. Substrate pollution with lead causes changes in the size of the root system and the aboveground part of barley, and reduces plant weight. Microscopic analysis revealed changes in the cytomorphometric parameters of roots and leaves, which were expressed in an increase in the root cross-sectional size compared to the control and the proportion of conducting tissues within it, as well as damage to leaf chlorenchyma cells and a decrease in the number of plastids inside them.
Conclusion. The application of the humic preparation allowed for a partial compensation of the negative effects, promoting plant adaptation to the pollutant action due to the optimization of root formation processes and the restoration of the number of plastids in the cells of leaf blades.