The aim of our research was to study the endosphere of four halophytic plants: Salicornia europaea L., Salsola australis (R.Br.), Bassia sedoides (Pall.) and Kochia prostrata (L.) Schrad. from arid and saline areas of the Stavropol Territory, Russia. In total, 28 endophyte strains were isolated from the roots and stems of these halophytic plants. Most of the isolates (23 out of 28) were identified as Bacillus sp. while others belonged to the genera Oceanobacillus, Paenibacillus, Pantoea, Alcaligenes and Myroides. Three strains of Bacillus sp. (Se5R, Se1-1R, and Se1-3S), isolated from the S. europaea were capable of growth at 55 °C and in 10% of NaCl. Strains Se1-4S, Kp20-2S, and Bs11-2S Bacillus sp. (isolated from the S. australis, K. prostrata and B. sedoides, respectively) demonstrated strong plant growth promoting activity: 85–265% over control lettuce plants and a high degree of growth suppression (59.1–81.2%) of pathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum, Bipolaris sorokiniana and Rhizoctonia solani. Selected strains can be promising candidates for the development of bioinoculants to facilitate salt soil phytoremediation and be beneficial for mitigating the salt stress to the plants growing in salt-affected habitats.

The aim of this research was to study the effect of plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) isolated from the drought-tolerant plants camel thorn (Alhagi pseudoalhagi (M.Bieb.) Fisch) and white pigweed (Chenopodium album L.) on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants cv. Lenigradskaya 6, growing under hydroponic conditions and osmotic stress (generated by 12% polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG)). Based on the assumption that plants create a unique microbiome that helps them overcome various stresses, we hypothesized that bacteria isolated from drought-tolerant plants may assist cultivated wheat plants in coping with drought stress. PGPB were isolated from seeds and leaves of plants and identified as Bacillus spp. (strains Cap 07D, Cap 09D, and App 11D); Paenibacillus sp. (Cap 286); and Arthrobacter sp. (Cap 03D). All bacteria produced different phytohormones such as indole acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), and gibberellic acid (GAS₃) and were capable of stimulating wheat growth under normal and osmotic stress conditions. All PGPB reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, increased the total chlorophyll content by increasing chlorophyll a, and modulated wheat hormone homeostasis and CAT and POX activities under osmotic conditions. Selected strains can be promising candidates for the mitigating of the drought stress of wheat plants.

It is possible to increase the accuracy and objectivity of monitoring the state of natural grass stands, the vegetation features of grassy vegetation of the steppe phytocenoses, and their feed potential using remote sensing data from the Earth. The purpose of the work is to obtain data on the state of natural phytocenoses, the characteristics of vegetation of wild vegetation in various soil and climatic conditions using data from remote sensing of the Earth. Methods. Geobotanical studies were carried out at registration sites (landfills) measuring 10×10 m, in accordance with the requirements of methods and state standards generally accepted in phytocenology. Description of vegetation was carried out according to the system of O. Drude, with a mark of the abundance of the species, projective cover, and height of the grass stand. Assessment of the state of vegetation was analyzed by the values of the normalized relative vegetation index (NDVI), which was obtained using the service “Vega” IKI RAS. The objects of study are the natural communities of wild-growing flora located in the arid zone (ZZ) and the zone of unstable moisture (ZNU) of the Stavropol territory. Results. The current ecological state and composition of the steppe vegetation of the studied zones has been established. Both the anthropogenic factor and the climatic conditions in which natural grass stands grow strongly influence the vegetation features, species composition, productivity and quality of feed. The analysis showed that the heat supply of the vegetation period of the arid zone is 5 % higher than the zones of unstable humidification of the Stavropol territory, and the annual rainfall in PYE is 32 % higher than in the western zone. All this affects the course of vegetation of natural forage land in these regions. So, in the arid zone and in the zone of unstable humidification, the average dynamics of the vegetation indices NDVI have a completely different look: there are different levels of maxima, their onset and growth rate and decrease in NDVI. In the arid zones, a pronounced second maximum is observed at the end of November, and in the zone of unstable humidification there is only a tendency for the vegetation index to increase in the autumn period.

The purpose is to assess the current state of steppe ecosystems of the arid zone of the Stavropol Territory, using the example of a natural plant community exposed to anthropogenic, including technogenic effects. Methods. Geobotanical studies were carried out in 2022 on accounting sites of 100 m2 and 0.5 m2. Vegetation was described according to the O. Drude system with a note of the abundance of species, the projective coverage of the soil surface by plants, the state of vegetation cover at the time of the survey. Results. It has been established that in the studied territory, under the influence of anthropogenic impact on the vegetation cover, there was a significant destruction of steppe vegetation of pasture lands of the arid zone, and man-made impact aggravated an already difficult situation causing additional damage, in particular, additional loss of local flora, and, accordingly, the existing at that time (albeit not so significant) pasture feed. This led to the emergence of Russian tristle-glasswort vegetation, not eaten by animals. Of the 31 species of wild flora noted throughout the survey, only 7 (22 %) species are not weeds quantitatively in the herbage, but their number does not play a decisive role in the formation of the fodder mass. It is quite obvious that over the entire area of the study, the vegetation cover of pasture lands in its present form is of little use for effective agricultural production. Scientific novelty. New data have been obtained on the modern phytocenotic diversity of steppe communities of the arid zone, the transformation of vegetation cover taking into account the influence of anthropogenic, including man-made impacts.

The work purpose – to get information about the modern state of natural lands (rural pastures) which a cattle and sheep of individual sector are based on and to offer measures on renewal and maintainance of natural vegetation. Technique and objects of a research. The statistical analysis in dynamics of number of cattle and sheep, including on categories of farms is made. The geobotanical description of the vegetation is carried out on registration platforms of 100 m² to the O. Drude’s system. Determination of biological productivity of a vegetable cover was carried out by a hay crop in the same place (from 0.5 m² in sixfold frequency). The objects of our research are the village pastures. Results and practical importance. The analysis of a livestock of animals on categories of farms of Stavropol region is shown. For the last 18 years population in an individual sector, including peasant (farmer) farms and farms of the population increased by 1.6 times. Within the studied communities vegetation modifications with the dominating plant species are revealed: Achillea setacea, Artemisia austriaca, Poa bulbosa, etc. They are spatially unhomogeneous, on specific composition poor. The quantity of types on the registration square (100 m²) averages 24, with fluctuations from 17 to 28. An assessment of fodder potential of natural grass stand degradaded, extents of their degradation is given. Grass stand degradaded, has poor quality of a forage. In its structure up to 74 % of the not virgin land species which do not have feeding value: Artemisia austriaca, Convolvulus arvense, Erodium cicutarium, etc. Scientific novelty. Negative consequences of unsystematic pasturage of the cattle on the limited area of the rural pastures which are under authority of municipal units are shown. Restoration of the degradaded areas of rural pastures by method of agrosteppes is recommended. In its basis – use of seeds of wild-growing steppe herbs.