Abstract: The research subject is weed plants which are usually eradicated in vegetable gardens, but few people think about the possibility to use them in landscape gardening and agriculture. Nowadays unusual forms and varieties of plants which used to be considered as weed are becoming popular among the customers. Weed plants increase soil fertility and enlarge its active layer; they decorate gardens because of their wide range  of colours. Due to their tolerance to ecological factors, weed plants can be used in any part of the garden. The purpose of this research is the analysis of decorative value and ecological properties of 27 species of weed plants which can be used in landscaping, and the development of a project of an exhibition garden with them. The article represents the project of the “Second chance” garden which takes into account the combination of colours, the correlation of heights and the duration of decorative properties of plants. The scientific novelty of the research consists in the fact that at the moment, the use of weed plants as decorative elements in landscape gardening and agriculture is becoming a trend of landscaping. The exhibition garden with a total area of 426.6 square meters is designed in a landscape style. It is planned to set out plants on seed tapes and in containers which ensure the best visibility and are suitable for transportation. The authors suggest using red arches with local lighting which give the garden an aesthetic appearance. To contemplate such plants, foreign and Russian plant breeders breed new varieties. The article also contains the blooming schedule for weed plants and the summary of their ecological properties.   

Keywords: exhibition garden, project, environmental design, decorative floriculture, flowering calendar, ecology, ecological garden, weed plants, decorative terms, agriculture

Abstract: The subject of research is the experience of integration of scientific knowledge and interdisciplinary cooperation aimed at solving agro-ecological issues for the purpose of increasing economic effectiveness and making appropriate management decisions in the field of the agro-industrial complex. The author considers this problem using the example of Nizhny Novgorod State Agricultural Academy. To analyze the subject, the author studies the results of coordinated use of innovative solutions of different branches of scientific and practical knowledge for solving the vital agro-ecological problems and raising the effectiveness of intellectual resources management for the purpose of sustainable economic development of agricultural territories. The author considers theoretical and practical aspects of synthesis of scientific knowledge for solving the above mentioned problems and the prospects of integration of the contents of scientific and educational processes and field experience in agricultural educational institutions of Russia. The research is based on various types of analysis (typological and comparative) and the method of historical and philosophical reconstruction. The scientific novelty of the study consists in the fact that integration of scientific knowledge and interdisciplinary cooperation in solving topical agro-ecological problems are considered from the viewpoint of organic philosophy (using its methodological basis) and based on the scientific, educational and field experience of Nizhny Novgorod State Agricultural Academy.   

Keywords: Nizhny Novgorod State Agricultural Acad?emy, tradition,, agriculture, Paradigm of Organic Philosophy, science, culture, innovation, biogeocoenosis, agroecology, cost efficiency

Abstract: The research object is a green roof. The author reviews the modern tendencies and approaches to using accessible roofs which are developing concomitantly. The first approach focuses on studying the constructive peculiarities, organizational innovations, the existing systems, schemes and ways of arranging an accessible roof, as well as the problems caused by incorrect projecting and errors of construction. The second approach considers green roofs in terms of their possible good influence on the ecological situation in cities and notes their advantages both for people and the environment. This approach prioritizes not over technical arrangement but planting - the intensive one (the creation of landscaped recreational objects which involves significant financial expenses), or the extensive one (green planting). The research methods include the analysis of scientific works, generalization of data on green roofs, its analysis, detection of common tendencies, strengths and weaknesses. The author formulates the following conclusions: Nowadays, there are two types of accessible roofs usage: the traditional one and the inversive one; They differ in the order of layering: in the traditional organization of a green roof the heat-insulating layer is mounted under the water-insulating one, while in the inversive one - above; An inversive roof has several advantages including lifetime extension and the reduction of costs associated with its creation and maintenance; The problem of water collection organization can be solved by means of an external or internal downpipe, or a water collector with separate flowcups; Green roofs help mitigate unfavourable ecological situation in cities. The article describes the concept of a rooftop cafe developed within the project on the discipline “Ecological projecting in an urbanized environment” and the principles of landscaping elements selection.   

Keywords: extensive greening, bar concept, roof greening, green roofspace, green roof, traditional roof, inverse roof, rooftop, intensive greening, ecological situation

Abstract: Among fruit crops, Rowan is one of the most winter-hardy. In Russia, the predominant varieties are those derived from Sorbus aucuparia. Rowan fruits are used in fresh and dried form, they are valuable in food, dietary, and medicinal terms. The objects of this study were 7 Rowan varieties in the exposition «Wild fruit plants» of the Botanical garden-Institute of Volga State University of Technology (Yoshkar-Ola, Mari El Republic). The research was conducted in 2014–2019. The fruits were collected in the mass maturation phase and weighed in 3 samples of 100 pieces. The yield of air-dry fruits, expressed as a percentage, was obtained by the ratio of the mass of dried fruits to the mass of freshly harvested ones. It was found that the varieties ‘Alaya Krupnaya’, ‘Titan’, ‘Granatnaya’, and ‘Burka’ are characterized by large fruits. ‘Desertnaya Michurina’, ‘Nevezhinskaya’, and ‘Doch Kubovoy’ are small-fruited varieties. The most favorable for fruiting of most varieties were 2016 and 2019 with dry conditions of the growing season. Excessively moistened conditions in 2017 negatively affected the formation of Rowan fruits. The yield of air-dry raw materials was inversely correlated with the weight of fruits. The obtained data can be used in the organization of plantation cultivation of Rowan varieties in the conditions of the Volga-Vyatka region.

Keywords: variety, dry raw materials, mass of fruits, fruiting, Sorbus, rowan, Alaya Krupnaya, Titan, Granatnaya, Burka

Abstract: The article considers the system of scheduled preventive agricultural equipment maintenance, describes its purpose and organization, lists its strengths and weaknesses. To solve the current problems, the author suggests integrating the existing system into the new model of organization of agricultural industry Agriculture 4.0 which is becoming widespread in the world. Its peculiarity is the use of modern communication and big data technologies for the development of the most effective solutions both in the industrial process and in decision-making. The integration mechanism is based on the IoT systems projecting pattern. The author develops the system and defines the data to be collected, as well as the sources of information, communication technologies and the basic requirements to data processing algorithms. Taking into account the significant material costs associated with the integration of such systems, the author formulates supporting measures and comprehensive solutions for creating favourable conditions for agricultural enterprises development.   

Keywords: agricultural industrial complex, communication technologies, internet-service, Internet of Things, Agriculture four-zero, integration, preventive maintenance system, agricultural machinery, implementation, support measures