The amalgamation of mineral and targeted bacterial preparations represents a new generation of agricultural technology. Inoculation with combined preparations of microorganisms is more effective than inoculation with a single microorganism in stimulating plant growth by providing a more balanced diet for various crops. In this work, the effect of inoculation of 20 consortium variants on the yield indicators of three crops (wheat, buckwheat, corn) and the soil microbiome in the open field was investigated. The soil microbiome was defined by 16S rRNA sequences through NGS. The species richness of the soil microbial community (alpha diversity) was similar for all studied samples. A beta-diversity analysis revealed that the microbial diversity of three soil samples (C.bw, F.bw and Soil.bw) differed significantly from all others. At the phylum level, the number of Acidobacteriota and Firmicutes in these samples was increased. For the combination “Consortium C (Rothia endophytic GMG9 and Azotobacter chroococcum GMG39)—buckwheat”, a systemic positive improvement in all growth and yield indicators was observed. The soil of the site where buckwheat grew, inoculated by Consortium C, contained significantly more available phosphorus than all other soil samples. Such results can be explained both by the direct action of a consortium of phosphate-immobilizing and nitrogen-fixing bacteria and acidification of the medium due to an increase in phylum Acidobacteriota bacteria in the soil.

Beauveria and Metarhizium fungi are facultative plant endophytes that provide plant growth-stimulating, immunomodulatory, and other beneficial effects. However, little is known about the level of plant colonization by these fungi under natural conditions. We assessed the endophytic colonization of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) with entomopathogenic fungi at their natural load in soils (10²–10⁴ colony-forming units per g). Microbiological analyses of soils and plant organs, as well as a metagenomic analysis of potato roots and leaves, were conducted in three locations in Western Siberia, consisting of conventional agrosystems and kitchen gardens. The fungi were isolated at a relatively high frequency from unsterilized roots (up to 53% of Metarhizium-positive plants). However, the fungi were sparsely isolated from the internal tissues of roots, stems, and leaves (3%). Among the genus Metarhizium, two species, M. robertsii and M. brunneum, were detected in plants as well as in soils, and the first species was predominant. A metagenomic analysis of internal potato tissues showed a low relative abundance of Beauveria and Metarhizium (<0.3%), and the communities were represented primarily by phytopathogens. We suggest that colonization of the internal tissues of potatoes occurs sporadically under a natural load of entomopathogenic fungi in soils. The lack of stable colonization of potato plants with Beauveria and Metarhizium may be due to competition with phytopathogens.

Plant-growth-promoting bacteria are an important economic and environmental resource as biofertilizers that can stimulate plant growth and improve agricultural yields. In this study, potential plant growth-promoting bacteria were isolated from soil samples collected in Russia. Strains that manifested active growth on a nitrogen-free medium, the Pikovskaya medium (with insoluble phosphates) and CAS (Chrome Azurol S) agar, were selected for the study. All bacterial isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. Seventeen bacterial isolates of different species were purified and quantified for their ability to grow on nitrogen-free media; dissolve phosphate; and produce ammonium, indole-3-acetic acid, siderophores, and antifungal activity. Principal component analysis identified three groups of strains: one with the maximum signs of providing “plant nutrition”; one with signs of “antimicrobial activity”; and a group “without outstanding signs”. All 17 strains were involved in experiments involving growing inoculated wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum) in pots under natural environmental conditions, and were assessed by their effect on the wheat growth and yield as well as on the chemical composition of the soil. For the “plant nutrition” group, regression analysis revealed a connection between indicators of plant growth, ear length, and ammonium accumulation in the soil. However, in other groups, there were also strains showing a positive effect on plant growth, which suggests the necessity of involving additional factors to predict the ability of strains to affect plants when screened in the laboratory.

Red-leaf lettuces, rich in bioactive compounds like anthocyanins and flavonoids, offer health benefits by reducing oxidative stress and boosting immunity. This article provides an extensive review of the genetic, epigenetic, environmental, and technological factors influencing anthocyanin biosynthesis and leaf coloration in red-leaf lettuce, emphasizing its significance in agriculture and nutrition. The genetics of anthocyanin biosynthesis, environmental influences, practical applications, agronomic insights, and future directions are the main areas covered. Anthocyanin accumulation is regulated by structural, regulatory, and transporter genes, as well as the MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) complex. Mutations in these genes impact coloration and stress responses. Advances in genomic studies, such as GWAS and QTL mapping, have identified key genes and pathways involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis, aiding breeding programs for desirable traits. In addition, light intensity, stress conditions (e.g., drought, temperature), and phytohormones affect anthocyanin levels and photomorphogenesis in general. Controlled environments, like vertical farms, optimize these conditions to enhance pigmentation and phytochemical content. LED lighting and tailored cultivation techniques improve color intensity, antioxidant capacity, and yield in controlled settings. Sustainable production technologies for red-leaf lettuce in vertical farms are being developed to meet consumer demand and promote functional foods, integrating genetic, epigenetic, and environmental research into agronomy. This review highlights red-leaf lettuce’s aesthetic, nutritional, and functional value, advocating for innovative cultivation methods to enhance its market and health potential.

The goal of research: to describe fertility of Luvic Greyzemic Chernozems, Нaplic Chernozems, Luvic Greyzemic Chernozems and Colluvic Regosols in conditions of erosion dangerous slope in the south of Western Siberia; to evaluate the yield of a spring soft wheat and a quality of grain. The location and time of research. Research was conducted on soils of the three experimental plots. The study area was located in the southeastern part of West Siberia within the boundaries of the Bugotac Hills (called Predsalairye) and also it belongs to the right-bank of the Novosibirsk region. Plot 1 was located in the Iskitim district of Novosibirsk region on a slope of southern exposure with gradient of 0 to 6º and occupied by Luvic Greyzemic Chernozems with different degree of soil erosion. In the Toguchin district of Novosibirsk region two plots were located. Plot 2 was located on a slope of southeastern exposure with gradient of 0 to 6.5º and occupied by Нaplic Chernozems and stratified Colluvic Regosols. Plot 3 was located on a slope of northwestern exposure with gradient of 0 to 4.5º and occupied by non-eroded, slightly and moderately eroded Luvic Greyzemic Phaeozems. Cereal crops were spring soft wheat Novosibirskaya 29 (plot 1; 2010 and 2014) and Memory of Vavenkov (plots 2, 3; 2011). Metodology. Soils samples were selected in a field, two replicate samples were taken from the soil profiles on plots due to the soil erosion degree. Four plant samples were taken by special frame 50×50 cm. The main results. Content and reserves of organic carbon, total nitrogen decreased due to increase of soil erosion of Luvic Greyzemic Chernozems, Нaplic Chernozems and Luvic Greyzemic Phaeozems. Maximum values of these parameters were found in stratified Greyzemic Colluvic Regosols. Content of N-NO3 in soils was low; content of easy available phosphorus varied from a moderate level to a highest one; content of exchangeable potassium varied from low to increased level. In conditions of extensive land use and restricted water reserves wheat yield varied from 5 to 50 c/ha on non-eroded Luvic Greyzemic Chernozems located on southern exposure of a slope (plot 1). On eroded soils yield stayed at the same level as on non-eroded soil or even had tendency to increase on slightly and moderately eroded soils. The maximum value of wheat yield (33 c/ha) was obtained on stratified Colluvic Regosols. Between non-eroded Нaplic Chernozems, eroded and stratified soils of southeastern exposure of a slope (plot 2) distinguished difference there was no found, yield varied from 32 to 41 c /ha. On non-eroded Luvic Greyzemic Phaeozems of northwestern exposure of a slope (plot 3) wheat yield was 43 c/ha, on slightly and moderately eroded soils it decreased up to 11 c/ha. Mass of 1000 grains of wheat belonged to the group with high mass (>30 g). Content of nitrogen in grain and straw was low; content of potassium was below moderate level; content of phosphorus in a grain was optimal; in a straw it varied from high to low level. Content of raw protein was low (5-8%), proportion of grain relative to the total weight of the sheaf changed from 35 to 48%. Conclusion. Nutrient regime of eroded soils is determines of soil profile transformation and an intensity of soil erosion process and anthropogenic factors. Parameters of potential and active fertility of Нaplic Chernozems, Luvic Greyzemic Phaeozems are higher than Luvic Greyzemic Chernozems. Productivity of soft spring wheat depends on quantity of atmospheric precipitation, type and degree of soil erosion, slope exposure. Цель исследования: Охарактеризовать плодородие чернозема оподзоленного и выщелоченного, темно-серой лесной и лугово-черноземной почвы в условиях эрозионно опасного склона на юге Западной Сибири, оценить структуру урожая яровой пшеницы и качество зерна. Место и время проведения. Исследование проведено на почвах трех экспериментальных участков, расположенных на склонах Буготакского мелкосопочника, геоморфологически относящегося к Предсалаирской дренированной равнине (Предсалаирью) на юго-востоке Западной Сибири, в административном отношении – к правобережной части Новосибирской области (НСО). Участок 1 находился в Искитимском районе НСО на склоне южной экспозиции с уклоном от 0 до 6º и представлен черноземом оподзоленным различной степени смытости. В Тогучинском районе НСО были расположены: участок 2 на склоне юго-восточной экспозиции с уклоном от 0 до 6,5º с черноземом выщелоченным несмытым и слабосмытым, а также лугово-черноземной намытой почвой; участок 3 на склоне северо-западной экспозиции с уклоном от 0 до 4,5º с темно-серой лесной несмытой, слабо- и среднесмытой почвой. Выращиваемая культура – яровая мягкая пшеница сорта Новосибирская 29 (участок 1; 2010 и 2014 гг.) и сорта Памяти Вавенкова (участки 2, 3; 2011 г.). Методология. В полевых условиях отбирали почвенные образцы в двукратной...