This article presents the results of the biomorphological structure study of wheat and oilseed flax cenofloras in Penza Oblast and Samara Oblast of the Middle Volga region. A comparative analysis of the weed life forms structure in the agrocenoses of these crops was conducted using the tools of the "Weed Database of Agricultural Crops of the Middle Volga Region," developed by the AllRussian Plant Quarantine Center. The data was collected from field surveys of 123 fields from 2019 to 2024. Developed input and query forms were used to store, organize, compile lists based on specified parameters, and analyze the information. The study revealed significant similarities in the biomorphological structure of the weed component in wheat and flax crops. In both cenofloras, herbaceous plants are completely dominant, with a nearly equal ratio of polycarpic and monocarpic plants. Among perennial polycarpic plants, rhizome and taproot life forms are most represented, while among monocarpic herbaceous plants, long-growing spring annuals predominate. Both crops included woody plants in the early ontogenesis stages, reflecting modern agricultural practices and the proximity of fields to areas with natural and artificial tree plantings. The authors acknowledge the effectiveness of specialized databases for reliably storing significant amounts of information on long-term research, quickly accessing it by generating queries based on various parameters, and using it for analysis.

Thrips (Insecta, Thysanoptera), like other sucking arthropods, have become important pests of agricultural crops, especially in protected areas. Due to their extremely small size, these insects are easily spread by produce, transport, and air currents over long distances. Once in new habitats, many of them become dangerous pests. This is facilitated by their short development time, the development of some stages in shelters, and the ability to reproduce parthenogenetically over several generations. A typical example is Frankliniella occidentalis (Perg.). Native to the United States, this species has spread to every continent and is an economically significant pest of many agricultural crops in both open and protected areas, as well as a vector of plant pathogenic viruses. The spread of invasive thrips species continues today. Thrips parvispinus (Karny) was first detected on the European continent in 1998 in Greece (after an initial misidentification). Its active spread across Europe continued in 2010–2020. This polyphagous pest can be introduced into the Russian Federation with various products, but due to the recent invasion of Europe, phytosanitary and agricultural specialists have no information about the pest. Previously, the species was not included in either Russian or European thrips identification guides, making it very difficult to identify on-site when detected. This paper presents comprehensive information on the diagnostic characters of T. parvispinus, accompanied by original microphotographs of these characters. It also provides information on the biology, harmfulness, and control measures of the pest, obtained from available sources.

Phytophthora are fungi-like organisms belonging to the oomycetes. Species of this genus cause diseases that lead to economic losses and have ecological impacts in nurseries, forests, and natural ecosystems. The genus includes a lot of species that cause root and basal rots, wilting, leaf and stem blight, cankers, and stem dieback, leading to economic consequences worldwide. Some species are particularly harmful plant pathogens and are therefore included in quarantine lists of various countries. This article provides a brief overview of quarantine species of the genus Phytophthora associated with trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants. Species of this genus regulated in various countries are listed. It gives a description of the host plants and morphological characters of the pathogens that cause late blight of ornamental plants and shrubs – Phytophthora kernoviae Brasier, Beales & S.A. Kirk, Phytophthora ramorum Werres, De Cock & Man in't Veld, as well as Phytophthora alni Brasier & S.A. Kirk. The global distribution of these pathogens, as well as their phytosanitary status and harmfulness, is described. Illustrations of symptoms and key morphological diagnostic characters are provided.

Wheat dwarf virus (WDV), or Mastrevirus hordei, is a harmful pathogen of wheat, barley, rye, triticale, oats, and numerous species of perennial cereal grasses. Wheat yield losses due to infection by this virus can reach 100%. WDV is transmitted by Psammotettix striatus L. Widely spread in the Russian Federation.
To develop guidelines for the detection and identification of WDV, a test system for ELISA by Loewe Biochemica GmbH (Germany), two test systems for real-time PCR and 7 pairs of primers for classical PCR were tested.
The WDV ELISA test system tested was found to be characterized by a sufficiently high specificity for the target and can be recommended for screening tests for this virus. A similar conclusion was reached regarding the RTIC-F/RTIC-R/RTIC-Probe primers and probe (Wang et al., 2016), which enable the diagnosis of WDVB and WDV-W isolates with high specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility. It was established that the WDV40F/WDV-806R and WDV-WFb/WDV-WRb primers enable the diagnosis of isolates of the WDV-W and WDV-B strains, while the WDV-F/WDV-R, WDV-TF/WDV-T-R and WDV-1F/WDV-WRb primers are characterized by specificity to the WDV-W strain, and the WDV-H-F/WDV-H-R and WDV-WFb/WDV-4R primers are specific to the WDV-B strain. To conduct confirmatory tests for the presence of WDV, classical PCR protocols with the WDV-WFb/WDV-WRb and WDV-F/WDV-R primers have been developed, ensuring high exclusivity, inclusiveness and sensitivity of tests.

Silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Genn.) is one of the key vectors of phytopathogenic viruses, primarily begomoviruses (family Geminiviridae), which include tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV).
Since TYLCV has phytosanitary status and is regulated in accordance with Decision No. 158 of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission dated November 30, 2016, it is particularly important to ensure its early detection and identification. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of isolating TYLCV DNA from silverleaf whitefly individuals stored in different ways — in a 70% ethanol solution and frozen. These individuals fed on TYLCV-infected tomato plants. DNA extraction using different commercial kits was compared, after which DNA concentrations were measured. Real-time PCR was then performed.
Additionally, to analyze the genetic sequence of the B. tabaci cytochrome oxidase gene fragment after total NC isolation, classical PCR was applied to the target fragment. The study demonstrated that the DNA product was detected using both isolation methods, and these methods are applicable in practice. Since inhibition of the reaction was observed with the ProbaNK kit for silverleaf whitefly samples stored in 70% ethanol, the FitoSorb kit is recommended for use.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of tank mixtures of herbicides and various growthregulating agents on spring wheat plants during the growing season. The pot experiment was conducted at the Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy. The spring wheat variety Lyubava was chosen as the object of the study. The test crop was treated with tank mixtures of herbicides and growth-regulating agents during the tillering stage. The herbicides used were Bomba, SE, and Ballerina, as well as VDG, which inhibit the formation of acetolactate synthase, an enzyme involved in the synthesis of essential amino acids. The growth-regulating agents used were Panch (amino acids), Potassium Humate (humic substances), Apasil (silicon), Aquamix, ST (microfertilizers), and Epin Extra (phytohormones). Herbicide application was found to reduce plant photosynthetic activity by an average of 43 units, or 13%, compared to the control. A critical period for the crop under herbicide stress was established one day after treatment, as evidenced by the lowest N-tester values obtained throughout the experiment. It was found that one day after treatment, photosynthetic activity in plants treated with the herbicide decreased by 20% compared to the untreated control. Adding growth-regulating agents based on humic substances, silicon, and phytohormones to the herbicides did not significantly affect the stabilization of plant production. The use of micronutrient fertilizers and amino acids in mixtures with herbicides had a positive effect on crop quality. In the amino acid treatment, grain protein content was observed at the control level, while in treatments with other growth-regulating agents, it was 1.8–2.3% lower. Thus, to support the production process and preserve the potential of plants under unfavorable conditions, it is recommended to add growth-regulating preparations based on amino acids and micronutrients in chelated form to herbicide treatments.