Vol. 28 No. 4 (112) (2026): Research, results

Introduction. Artificial insemination in beef cattle breeding is one of the most effective methods for genetic improvement of livestock. Over the past 10 years in Kazakhstan, artificial insemination of beef breeds has been widely used to enhance the genetic potential of commercial herds. Materials and methods. This article presents a comparative analysis of productivity and slaughter performance between Hereford bulls obtained through natural mating and those produced by artificial insemination. Results and discussion. The results of scientific studies demonstrate the influence of genetic and reproductive factors on live weight, pre-slaughter weight, meat productivity, carcass yield, as well as morphological and genetic parameters. Particular attention is paid to evaluation and selection methods, as well as to the relationship between reproductive technologies and meat quality traits. The findings indicate that artificial insemination of Hereford cows and heifers of breeding age has a positive effect on the slaughter and meat performance of their offspring. Improvements in pre-slaughter weight, carcass yield, and overall meat productivity can be achieved through the use of artificial insemination combined with optimal sire selection and effective breeding programs. Conclusions. Genetic parameters confirm the possibility of rapid genetic progress in traits that are important for meat production.

The Adai horse represents one of Kazakhstan’s valuable local genetic resources; however, molecular genetic data on the genetic diversity and population structure of individual farm populations remain limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the genetic diversity of three Adai horse populations and characterize their genetic structure using microsatellite markers. A total of 166 horses from the Mukhit (n=67), Darkhan (n=56), and Islam (n=43) farms were genotyped at 17 STR loci. Genetic diversity parameters were calculated using GenAlEx, while genetic relationships among the populations were assessed using factorial correspondence analysis (FCA) and Bayesian clustering. All investigated STR loci were polymorphic; the mean number of alleles was 8.510±0.298, the mean effective number of alleles was 5.008±0.209, and Shannon’s information index was 1.750±0.040. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.746 to 0.805 across populations, whereas expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.772 to 0.784. The overall FIS value indicated no pronounced heterozygote deficiency, while FST=0.018 indicated a low level of genetic differentiation among the populations. A total of 29 private alleles were identified across the three populations. FCA and STRUCTURE analyses revealed weak genetic substructure among the populations; in the STRUCTURE analysis, K=3 was identified as the most likely model, with shared genetic components and Admixture observed in all populations. The results indicate that a high level of genetic diversity and a shared genetic background are maintained in the studied Adai horse populations, while local genetic characteristics have also developed. These findings may be used to support the conservation of Adai horse genetic resources, monitor genetic diversity within populations, and facilitate scientifically informed breeding programs.

The study was conducted at the “Merey” farm in the Almaty region on South Kazakh Merino sheep. The main objective of the research was the early prediction of the breeding qualities of sire rams and the determination of their breeding value based on the productive traits of their offspring. In modern sheep breeding, the selection of highly productive animals with high genetic potential is one of the key directions of breeding work. In this regard, the early evaluation of young rams makes it possible to determine their breeding value in a timely manner and improve the economic efficiency of sheep farming. During the study, the live weight, wool length, fleece weight, growth intensity, and meat productivity of offspring obtained from 7-month-old rams used for early mating with ewes were investigated. The breeding value of the rams was assessed based on the productivity indicators of their offspring at 4.5 and 7 months of age. In addition, slaughter yield, carcass quality, meat-to-bone ratio, wool productivity, and technological properties of wool were determined. The research results showed that the offspring of rams No. 101200, No. 102255, and No. 205060 exceeded the average values in live weight, wool length, fleece weight, and meat productivity, and therefore these rams were classified as improver sires. The offspring of rams No. 103099 and No. 204001 showed lower productivity indicators for several traits and were classified as neutral or deteriorating rams. The evaluation of meat productivity demonstrated that lambs at 7 months of age had high slaughter yield and good carcass quality characteristics. The obtained results indicate that the early evaluation of rams based on the quality of their offspring makes it possible to determine their breeding qualities two years earlier. 

At present, traditional conformation assessment of replacement bulls in foreign countries is gradually being replaced by a linear scoring system for individual traits, which is an effective method within modern animal phenotyping systems. At the Dauren farm, conformation type of replacement bulls was assessed using an international scoring system when the animals were removed from their own-performance testing. Eleven conformation traits were evaluated for each animal. Subsequently, some of the traits were combined into different functional groups (body, muscling, and feet and legs), which were then integrated into an overall conformation type. The results showed that individual conformation traits exhibited considerable variability, ranging from 3.5 to 50.6 %. The mean score for the “Body” functional group was 79.7 points, with a coefficient of variation of 20.3 %; the score for “Muscling” was −75.6, while the score for “Feet and Legs” was 86.2 %. When all functional groups were combined into an overall conformation type, the score was 75.3 points. Of the six conformation-type categories, 81.2 % of the animals were classified as “Good+,” “Excellent,” or “Superior.” The largest proportion of animals (47.8 %) belonged to the “Good+” category. It was also established that the live weight of the bulls increased with increasing conformation category. Thus, the findings demonstrated that the application of a linear conformation scoring system for replacement bulls provides a more comprehensive and objective characterization of their conformation. In the long term, this approach may contribute to accelerating genetic progress in beef cattle herds, increasing productivity, and improving regulatory and methodological frameworks in the field of beef cattle breeding.

In urban and industrial landscapes, soil degradation directly affects the quality of agricultural land, ecosystem sustainability, and infrastructure. Therefore, mapping soil erosion and quantitatively assessing its intensity are important components of land resource management. Soil erosion is one of the major environmental processes leading to land degradation in urbanized and industrial areas. This paper examines the spatial distribution and intensity of soil erosion within the territory of Ust-Kamenogorsk, East Kazakhstan. Objective. To assess the spatial patterns and intensity levels of soil erosion in Ust-Kamenogorsk using the RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) model. Materials and Methods. 1) calculation of R, K, LS, C, and P factors based on remote sensing and open spatial data; 2) modeling of average annual soil loss for 2014 and 2024; 3) analysis of the spatial distribution of soil erosion categories (0–75, 75–150, 150–225, 225–300, and ≥300 t/ha/year); 4) assessment of temporal changes in erosion processes and identification of erosion-prone areas. Results and Discussion. The modeling results showed the predominance of low soil erosion rates: the proportion of areas belonging to the 0–75 t/ha/year category was 68 % in 2014 and 64 % in 2024. Significant changes were observed in the medium and high erosion categories: the share of the 75–150 t/ ha/year category slightly decreased (from 19 % to 18 %), whereas the 150–225 t/ha/year and 225–300 t/ha/year categories increased from 6 % to 7 % and from 3 % to 4 %, respectively. The most significant changes were observed in high-risk erosion zones: the proportion of areas with soil losses ≥150 t/ha/year increased from 13 % in 2014 to 18 % in 2024, while the highest category (≥300 t/ha/year) increased from 3 % to 7 %. Conclusion. 

Introduction. Sustainable agriculture in the grain-producing regions of Kazakhstan requires a transition from generalized technological solutions to agroecologically differentiated land resource management. In this context, verification of productivity zones identified by NDVI is of particular importance, since remote sensing indices reflect the spatial heterogeneity of crops but do not always explain its soil-landscape and biological causes. Materials and methods. The aim of the study was to perform agroecological verification of NDVI-based productivity zones through the analysis of microrelief, soil agrochemical status, and phenological indicators of agricultural crops. The study was conducted in 2024–2025 on the territory of Olzha-Sadchikovskoye LLP, Kostanay District, Kostanay Region, covering an area of 1,500 ha, including fields No. 18, No. 33, No. 67–71, and No. 90. The study used soil-landscape survey materials, SRTM data, NDVI images, satellite images with a resolution of 2.44–30 m, results of agrochemical analysis of the 0–20 cm soil layer, and field phenological records. Results and discussion. A three-level verification scheme was proposed: the remote sensing level — NDVI; the soil-landscape level — microrelief and agrochemical indicators; and the biological level — plant density and plant height. It was established that stable productivity zones are associated with relief, moisture availability, particle-size composition, and nutrient supply. The stable area of the zones was 72% in field No. 67–71, 43% in field No. 18, and 58% in field No. 90. The content of available potassium increased from slopes to depressions, from 650 to 950 mg/kg. Conclusion. NDVI zones should be considered as a diagnostic layer requiring soil-agroecological and biological verification to substantiate differentiated crop management.

In response to modern demands, agriculture has begun to explore new directions. The production of bananas, which are in high demand on the global market, is a striking result of this search. Bananas are often seen as a gift from distant lands, and yet we have begun to grow them ourselves. This is a new milestone, a new breath of fresh air for the country’s agro-industrial complex. Therefore, in recent years, the domestic agricultural sector has seen a growing stream of bold and new initiatives. Bananas, which are plants native only to tropical countries, are now grown in greenhouses in southern Kazakhstan – in the Turkestan and Kyzylorda regions. This is not only experience in the agricultural sector, but also a bold and ambitious vision for a strategic step aimed at ensuring the country’s food security. Today, such innovative projects demonstrate concrete results of policies to diversify agriculture, reduce import dependence, and develop domestic production. In principle, this process - growing bananas in a greenhouse – requires a special approach and knowledge, as the tropical plant requires favorable growing conditions in an unfamiliar climate. Modern research is also aimed at adapting bananas to artificial conditions. Of course, introducing banana plants and incorporating new elements into their cultivation technology requires considerable thought and effort. Furthermore, the primary material plays a major role in this process - the correct selection of banana varieties suitable for greenhouse cultivation. Academician N.I. Vavilov once said that the success of selection depends on the source material.

This article examines the prevalence and biological development of the oriental codling moth (Grapholita molesta (Busck)), a quarantine pest that causes significant damage to plants in southeastern Kazakhstan. Field observations and analysis of the phytosanitary condition of plantings revealed that in southeastern Kazakhstan, the pest can develop up to five generations during the growing season, damaging the shoots and fruits of stone and pome fruits. The most vulnerable fruit crops are peach (Prunus persica), plum (Prunus salicina), apricot (Armeniaca vulgaris), and, to a lesser extent, apple (Malus domestica). The highest prevalence of the oriental codling moth was observed in peach and plum plantings, where an average of 25–35 males were caught per trap per week during their mass flight period. It was noted that shoot damage leads to drying out and reduced growth, while fruit damage causes a loss of marketability and premature fruit drop. Shoot damage by the pest reached 18.2 %, and fruit damage reached 22.8 %. It was established that increased air temperature leads to earlier phenology of G. molesta, which may contribute to the significant spread of the pest and lead to increased damage in the future. The obtained results allow for the adjustment of the timing of measures depending on objectively changing annual conditions and the development of an effective pest protection system for trees. Despite its focal distribution, the oriental codling moth requires systematic population monitoring, the use of integrated plant protection methods, and enhanced quarantine measures to prevent its further spread in Kazakhstan. The practical significance of these results lies in their potential use in developing regional fruit crop protection systems.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a strategically important crop for global food security, particularly under increasing climate variability and drought frequency. Identifying genotypes that combine high productivity, disease resistance, and environmental adaptability remains a key objective of modern breeding. The aim of this study was to comprehensively evaluate spring wheat varieties and lines from the international KASIB nursery to identify promising genotypes with high yield potential and drought tolerance. The research was conducted in the Kostanay region at the Karabalyk Agricultural Experiment Station. Phenological observations, morphometric analysis, NDVI assessment, phytopathological screening for leaf rust resistance, and determination of the drought tolerance index (DSI) were applied. Statistical methods were used to assess trait variability and identify adaptation patterns. The results revealed significant phenotypic variability among the studied accessions. Thirty-six genotypes exhibited high NDVI values (0.55–0.67), indicating intensive biomass accumulation. The 1,000-kernel weight ranged from 24 to 57 g, with 27 accessions exceeding 40 g, reflecting high productivity potential. Phytopathological screening identified 59 genotypes with an immune response to leaf rust. Morphometric analysis showed that the length of the last internode (15–47 cm) is a key adaptive trait associated with both productivity and drought tolerance. Grain yield varied from 17.7 to 53.9 c/ha. The drought tolerance index (DSI) ranged from 0.26 to 1.17, with 23 genotypes classified as drought-tolerant (DSI ≤ 0.50). These findings confirm the high genetic and phenotypic diversity of the KASIB collection and demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating morphological, physiological, and phytopathological traits for identifying adaptive and high-yielding genotypes for breeding programs.

Introduction. Increasing climate variability and the growing frequency of drought events have intensified the need to develop effective approaches for improving the productivity and grain quality of spring wheat. The application of modern foliar biostimulants and plant growth regulators capable of enhancing plant tolerance to abiotic stresses represents a promising strategy. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted in 2025 at Olzha Sadchikovskoye LLP, Kostanay Region, Kazakhstan, using the spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Kanyuk. A large-scale strip-trial experiment covering 794.1 ha was established to evaluate the effects of «Zeromax Phos» (0.3 L ha⁻¹), an enzyme-based biostimulant (0.25 L ha⁻¹), and MEGAVit (2.0 L ha⁻¹). Grain yield was assessed by whole-plot harvest accounting and sample sheaf analysis. Agroclimatic conditions were characterized using ERA5-Land data. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were applied. Results. The highest agronomic performance was achieved with «Zeromax Phos», which increased grain yield to 35.4 c ha⁻¹, exceeding the control by 1.7 c ha⁻¹ (5.0 %), while improving grain test weight by 34 g L⁻¹. The highest biological yield (61.07 c ha⁻¹) was recorded in the «MEGAVit» treatment. A strong positive correlation was identified between plant height and biological yield (r = 0.929, p < 0.001). Discussion. The results indicate that anti-stress foliar treatments have considerable potential under conditions of periodic water deficit. However, the findings should be confirmed in randomized experiments with an adequate number of replications. Conclusion. Under the agroclimatic conditions of the 2025 growing season, «Zeromax Phos» proved to be the most promising treatment for practical agricultural use, providing higher grain yield and improved grain quality. «MEGAVit» demonstrated a high potential for enhancing biological productivity and warrants further evaluation in multi-factor experiments with sufficient replication.

Background and significance. The effective management of irrigated agricultural land in arid areas depends on timely spatial information on crop condition and economic performance at the level of individual cadastral parcels. In practice, conventional land administration systems usually do not contain such operational data. As a result, decisions on irrigation scheduling, fertiliser application, and land reclamation are often made uniformly across fields, despite substantial spatial differences in land quality and productivity. This reduces both agronomic and economic efficiency. Methods. The study combined Sentinel-2 satellite imagery with digital cadastral boundaries to evaluate irrigated farmland in the Saryagash district of Turkestan Region, Kazakhstan, during 2023–2024. NDVI values were derived from Sentinel-2 imagery acquired on 14 June 2024 under cloud cover below 5 %, using bands B8 and B4 with a spatial resolution of 10 m. The processing and spatial analysis were carried out in QGIS 3.28. Two composite indicators were applied across ten irrigated farms with a total area of 371 ha. The Estimated Sowing Potential Coefficient (ESBK) was used to characterise land suitability by integrating soil quality, moisture availability, and salinity risk. The Farm Decision Efficiency Index (FDEI) was used to assess the economic viability of production by comparing gross revenue with total production costs per hectare; values above 1.0 indicate profitable farming. Results. The analysis showed considerable spatial variation among the studied farms. NDVI values ranged from 0.36 to 0.82. Two farms were identified as priority areas for reclamation, with ESBK values of 0.11–0.13, while three farms demonstrated relatively high land potential, with ESBK values of 0.50 and above. Farms with NDVI values of at least 0.70 consistently showed stronger economic performance, with FDEI values between 1.47 and 1.60 and net profits of 400–560 thousand KZT per hectare. 

Introduction. The effective use of agricultural land is a key factor in ensuring sustainable agricultural development and food security. In the context of increasing anthropogenic pressure and climate variability, there is a growing need for modern tools to assess land-use efficiency. Geoinformation technologies and remote sensing provide reliable methods for monitoring vegetation cover and analyzing spatial patterns of land productivity. Materials and methods. This study is based on the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and satellite imagery (Landsat) for the years 2015, 2020, and 2025. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was calculated to assess vegetation condition and land productivity. Spatial analysis was carried out using ArcGIS Pro, including classification and comparative analysis of NDVI maps. Results and discussion. The analysis revealed significant spatial differentiation of vegetation cover across the Almaty region. High NDVI values are observed in mountainous and foothill areas, while low values dominate in arid and semi-arid zones. The comparison of NDVI data showed an increase in vegetation density in 2020 compared to 2015, followed by a more heterogeneous pattern in 2025, indicating both improvement and degradation processes. Conclusions. The results confirm that NDVI is an effective indicator for assessing agricultural land use. The integration of GIS and remote sensing technologies allows for objective monitoring of vegetation dynamics and provides a scientific basis for improving land-use efficiency and sustainable land management.

The increasing water shortage caused by climate change, rising water consumption, and uneven distribution of surface runoff necessitates the implementation of effective groundwater management methods in arid regions. For Central Kazakhstan, characterized by a sharply continental climate, a limited river network, and high seasonal runoff variability, Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) technologies are one of the most promising approaches. The objective is to substantiate standard MAR technological schemes considering the region’s physiographic, hydrogeological, and hydrological conditions. A regional zoning assessment was conducted based on a set of criteria, resulting in the identification of four groups of areas: areas suitable for the development of large, medium, and small groundwater reservoirs, as well as areas considered unsuitable for MAR implementation. River valleys, buried valleys, and carbonate structures were identified as the most promising settings for MAR. It was established that up to 80–90 % of the annual river runoff occurs during the spring period, providing a substantial seasonal water resource for aquifer recharge. Infiltration basins were identified as the primary technology for shallow unconfined aquifers, while infiltration wells and recharge wells were recommended for deeper and fractured-karst aquifers. The MAR technological schemes developed in the study, including both open and closed systems, allow engineering solutions to be adapted to specific natural conditions. The use of infiltration basins, regulated water-intake structures, and recharge wells can not only increase groundwater reserves but also provide effective control over groundwater levels and flow regimes.

Introduction. Climate change is one of the development issues. Carbon neutrality principles to mitigate the impact of human activities on climate change by controlling carbon dioxide emissions aim to create critical and innovative technologies by replacing non-renewable energy sources with renewable energy sources. In this context, lithium-ion energy storage systems are currently playing a key role in reducing carbon emissions worldwide due to their long lifespan and high efficiency. The uneven distribution of Li resources along with the growing demand have prompted the world to explore, mine and produce lithium. In recent years, the lithium industry has reached new heights as many countries have increased lithium production for batteries in addition to switching to renewable energy sources. Materials and methods. The paper reviews methods for extracting lithium from water lithium resources with relatively low lithium content, such as solvent extraction, adsorption, membrane technologies, electrochemical methods and/or a combination of these. These technologies show certain potential for sustainable recovery of Li⁺ from low Li⁺ concentration water solutions or seawater. However, further research and development are needed to scale up laboratory experiments to commercial production. Results and discussion. The analysis of published scientific papers, the relatively low lithium content (from 7 to 55 mg / l) in the studied Kazakh hydromineral springs, even with large volumes of extraction of such waters, indicates the need for more advanced approaches, optimization of technologies, creation of new materials for sustainable and efficient production of lithium compounds. Conclusions. Extracting lithium from aqueous solutions with low lithium concentrations, while technically feasible, is often not economically feasible due to the high cost and complexity of the process. Developing and optimizing technologies and new materials could lead to more sustainable and efficient lithium extraction, which is essential for the production of lithium-ion batteries and other products.

Well water is widely used as a primary source of drinking water in rural and remote settlements. However, the quality of such water often does not meet sanitary and hygienic standards due to the presence of dissolved iron, manganese, nitrates, and microbiological contaminants. In this regard, the application of effective technologies for sanitary purification is required to ensure the safety of well water for human consumption. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of technologies for the sanitary treatment of well water using physicochemical methods. The research analyzes modern approaches to groundwater treatment and considers the possibilities of their application for improving the quality of well water. Particular attention is paid to such methods as coagulation, filtration, and adsorption, which allow the removal of suspended solids, dissolved impurities, and organic contaminants. The results of the analysis show that the efficiency of water treatment technologies depends on the nature and concentration of pollutants as well as on the specific conditions of the treatment process. The combined use of physicochemical methods significantly reduces the concentration of contaminants and improves the sanitary quality of water. The study concludes that the application of integrated treatment technologies can effectively improve the quality of well water and ensure its compliance with drinking water safety requirements. The obtained results may be used in the development of local water treatment systems for rural settlements and individual water supply sources. In addition, the study revealed that the applied technologies are economically efficient and accessible for use in rural areas. The proposed methods make it possible to organize local water treatment systems and contribute to solving the problem of providing the population with safe drinking water.

Currently, one of the urgent issues in environmental and social terms is the provision of small settlements with high-quality drinking water. The absence or insufficient development of a centralized water supply system in many rural areas of Kazakhstan requires the use of simple, reliable and cost-effective water treatment technologies. One of these technologies is the method of slow sand filtration. The simple structure of this technology, low energy costs and reliability in use make it possible to use it in small settlements. The purpose of this work is to study the design features of the installation of a slow sand filter used to provide drinking water to small settlements, substantiate the methodology of experimental research and analyze the scientific foundations of the use of quartz sand and natural zeolite as filter materials. In the course of the study, two experimental installations of a slow sand filter based on quartz sand and natural zeolite were considered. A layered arrangement of filter materials was formed, and their physico-chemical properties were compared. In order to prepare the installation for experimental studies, the filter materials were pre-washed and hydraulic tests were carried out. The analysis of domestic and foreign scientific literature on the use of slow sand filters in the purification of natural water sources in small settlements is also carried out. As a result of the study, the structure of the experimental installation of a slow sand filter was described, and it was found that it is ready for subsequent comparative studies. An analysis of the literature has shown that the use of quartz sand and natural zeolite as a filter material can improve the physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of water.

The article explores and substantiates the operating modes of container-modular equipment with active ventilation, such as the actual capacity, power consumption for the grain movement process, as well as the use of a progressive method for controlling the humidity and temperature of soybeans during storage. An experimental mock-up installation has been developed that adequately simulates the proposed technology for storing soybeans with active ventilation, for subsequent verification of the calculated data. The experiments have confirmed that the proposed experimental setup makes it possible to adequately simulate the process of grain storage in containers with active ventilation and to conduct experiments with the regulation of basic parameters such as productivity, energy consumption, humidity, etc. using modern methods, devices and digital technologies. The experimental results are presented. Along with this, using the “Straj Climate Control” program humidity and temperature were monitored during the experiment. Experimental data have been obtained on which it is possible to establish the dependence of the lifting height on the velocity of the air mass.

Pre-sowing soil tillage under irrigated agriculture conditions is characterized by high energy intensity and significant mechanical impact on the soil structure of the southern region. The soil cover of Southern Kazakhstan is predominantly represented by dark chestnut, chestnut, as well as brown and grey brown soils located south of the chestnut zone and occupying about 120 million hectares (44 % of the republic’s territory). The low humus content (1.0–2.0 %) determines their weak structure and increased sensitivity to intensive mechanical treatment; therefore, efficient farming in this zone is mainly possible under irrigation and the use of resource-saving technologies. The paper presents the results of engineering optimization and experimental studies of a rotary unit designed to simultaneously perform pre-sowing soil tillage and seed sowing in a single technological pass. The study includes analytical modeling of the interaction between working bodies and soil, optimization of geometric parameters of rotary blades, and comparative field tests of an experimental prototype (FS-2.1). A rational blade installation angle of 54–56° has been established, ensuring a reduction in the specific cutting area by approximately 22 % and a decrease in soil resistance to tillage. Field tests demonstrated the formation of a high-quality seedbed: the content of aggregates smaller than 25 mm reached 85.2 %, while the deviation in surface leveling did not exceed 5 mm. Compared with the conventional multi-pass technology, reductions in draft resistance, fuel consumption, and total energy costs by 38 %, 43 %, and 54.5 %, respectively, were recorded. The obtained results confirm that optimization of the parameters of rotary working bodies and the integration of tillage and sowing operations ensure improved energy efficiency of the technological process without deterioration of agrotechnical indicators.