The authors propose a method for the assessment the energy efficiency of soil cultivation machines for forming seedbeds and ridges when growing potatoes, Jerusalem artichoke and other vegetables, taking into account the relationship between agrotechnical and energy indicators. The paper describes the results of comparative field tests of tillage machines with different working tools for the same type of technological processes. It is advisable to use the indicator of the unit power consumption, referred to the average diameter of soil clods. The indicator of specific power per average clod diameter for the FGF-1 rotary tiller amounted to 4.0...4.3 kW/mm, for the GPK-2 rotary tiller - 3.3...4.3 kW/mm, and for the KG-1 ridge cultivator - 2.6...3.2 kW/mm. The required power for operation of the cultivator with passive working tools at the maximum possible speed is 5...15% lower, however, the GPK-2 and FGF-1 tillers with active working tools demonstrated higher agrotechnical indicators. For cutting ridges on pre-planting treatment of loamy soil of a medium and heavy mechanical composition, it is recommended to use a rotary cultivator FGF-1, for cutting ridges - a rotary tiller GPK-2. On pre-planting ridging and post-planting inter-row cultivation of light loamy soil the KG-1 tiller with passive working tools is a more preferable solution.

Improving the traction properties of mobile power tools is one of the most important tasks of modern tractor construction. The use of transport-technological modules (TTM) helps to solve this problem, but to ensure the best indicators of fuel economy and stabilization of a machine-and-tractor unit (MTU), the TTM driving wheels should be driven individually, which can be ensured by a microprocessor control system. Therefore, the study goal is to make an algorithm for controlling the driving wheels of the TTM, which will ensure the best characteristics of a MTU. To achieve this goal, the authors used mathematical modeling and graph-analytical methods. They are necessary for stating the main relationships and setting algorithm conditions that will optimize a tractor's traction force and power consumption, as well as stabilize its movement trajectory. The operation of the microprocessor system consists in obtaining data from external sensors and determining the actual speed, skidding and direction of travel. The microprocessor system compares these parameters with ideal conditions, described with mathematical relationships, and based on the developed algorithm, corrects the rotation speed and power distribution between the driving wheels of a TTM.

In changing climate conditions, an important component of potato cultivation technology is the establishing of a stable environment-forming space, in which the tuber bunch develops due to the compaction of the upper layer while maintaining the optimal density inside the ridge. The authors propose to form a multi-layer variable-density ridge that is resistant to internal and external destruction in the process of potato cultivation. The ridge has a dense surface layer and an optimal internal density. The technology implies the local use of moisture-saving superabsorbents as a dampener of internal stresses appearing during the development of tuber bunches, stems and root system, leading to the destruction of ridges and tuber greening. To solve this problem, the authors used the methodology of system analysis, classical mechanics, the theory of soil mechanics, and methods of laboratory and field research. Comparative production tests of a potato cultivation technology using ridge and seedbed technologies have shown that the quality of potato harvesting in terms of the main indicators: heap cleanliness, losses, damage and green tubers significantly exceeds the quality of cultivation using the ridge technologies. The formation of a multi-layer ridge with a damping environment caused by increased width of the rows allowed growing higher-quality potatoes with a low content of green tubers.

The paper presents the results of long-term research on the influence of pinching of Northern ecotype soybeans (Okskaya variety) on yield, protein, and oil productivity in high latitudes (57°), a long day, a limited amount of active temperatures (1700...2000 °C) on sod - podzolic soils of the Non-Chernozem zone of the Russian Federation. The authors determine the prospects of using the method for varieties of an indeterminate type of growth. The pinching of crops was carried out three times: at the beginning of the flowering phase, in the middle of the flowering phase, and at the beginning of the bean formation phase. It was found that the pinching of crops carried out at the beginning of the bean formation phase, reduces the duration of the growing season by an average of 15 days. The technique ensures a more than double increase in the number of side shoots. The share of the coarse fraction of seeds was about 89%, the yield of seeds reached up to 2.00 t/ha, the protein content in seeds - up to 42.2%, fat - up to 19.1%, protein collection from the seed yield - up to 0.834 t/ha, essential amino acids in protein - up to 0.459 t/ha, fat - up to 0.380 t/ha, collection of unsaturated fatty acids - up to 0.228 t/ha. It is shown that the technique allows optimizing the ripening processes without reducing the productivity and quality of the crop, while the costs of pinching are paid off by reducing the costs of harvesting. The obtained data can be used to optimize soybean growing technologies at the northern border of the soy cultivation.

The problems of the digitalization of livestock enterprises are closely related to the construction of models and algorithms describing the functioning of individual technological processes and subsystems united by a common control system. Based on the cluster approach, three groups of tasks for the intellectualization and digitalization of objects in livestock breeding are formulated: 1) recognition of images of biological objects and models of their group and individual behavior, 2) genomic assessment of farm animals, prediction of their genetic potential, with the possibility of better adaptation to technologies and specific economic conditions, 3) multi-agent management of automated and robotic technical means. The authors initialized the video images of biological objects, developed a structural and functional model of a complex biotechnical system "Man-Machine-Animal", including automated workstations of key specialists, signal receiving-and-transmitting base stations, technological modules for animal service (feeding, watering, milking, microclimate, etc.), representing local biotechnical systems. The paper presents a structural-and-logistic "funnel" model of a livestock farm functioning. The model includes vectors of incoming material flows, outgoing production flows and outgoing byproducts (production waste) described using appropriate formalizations. The authors provide the structural typification of technological modules and subsystems for their mathematical analysis and subsequent digital transformation of livestock farms.

The paper discusses the problems of further improving the design of drainage and irrigation systems in the Non-Chernozem zone, taking into account the great variety of its natural-climatic and reclamation conditions. The authors propose some new ways of developing advanced technical solutions based on the division of the zone into reclamation subzones: mid-taiga, south-taiga, deciduous-forest and forest-steppe ones. In the mid-taiga subzone, where the amount of precipitation exceeds that of evaporation, the main trend is the development of methods for accelerated diversion of excess moisture, improving the thermal regime of the soil and maintaining the groundwater level within the drainage limits. In the south-taiga zone, the amount of precipitation on average corresponds to that of evaporation, but years with excessive moisture tend to alternate with the years characterized with insufficient moisture. During the crop formation, it is necessary to improve the drainage and irrigation systems in order to expand their functional capabilities in terms of the economical use of precipitation, the accumulation of drainage water and the reduction of irrigation rates by applying low-volume irrigation methods, as well as regulating the water-air regime of the soil and the surface air layer. In deciduous-forest and forest-steppe zones, preference should be given to the development of stationary irrigation systems and recycling of drainage water, based on new designs for its accumulation, as well as to the use of advanced irrigation systems, drip irrigation and micro sprinklers.

The paper considers the prospects of using nano-crystalline ceramic coatings on internal combustion engine parts obtained using microarc oxidation (MAO) technology. The authors reveal an engine development tendency to replace cast-iron blocks and liners with aluminum ones with special coatings obtained by electroplating methods. It is noted that this method does not involve the use of repair technologies, which significantly affects consumer costs. The paper shows the prospects of using MAO technology both in the manufacturing of engine parts and restoration operations. To assess the effectiveness of the proposed technology, practical study was performed on covering the working part of the cylinder used in small-size agricultural machinery. The engines were tested at 5.1 kW at 3,600 rpm for 300 hours. After testing, no defects or wear were found on the cylinder face. Preliminary test results of the assembled engine showed no loss of power over 10,000 hours of car mileage, which indicates that the geometric parameters of the parts are preserved. The authors emphasize that the most optimal combination is the friction pair of two parts with an MAO coating. It has been established that the introduction of nano-additives in a MAO-coating leads to a decrease in the coefficient of friction between the cylinder and the piston ring and reduces the wear of piston rings and the cylinder face in more than 10 times. A conclusion is made about the feasibility of introducing the considered technology into the mass production of engines and pistons, as well as developing a set of repair equipment.

Different power supply systems with hydraulic, electric and mechanical drive are used in sprinklers for watering crops of the same type. Depending on the agrotechnical operating conditions of sprinklers, the systems differ from each other in terms of energy and operating costs in 1.5...4.2 times. The paper considers a problem of choosing the optimal power supply system for a sprinkler unit working under specific conditions. The author has examined power supply systems for sprinklers: a hydraulic drive with a rotating hydraulic motor; a hydraulic drive with a reciprocating hydraulic motor; a mechanical drive; an electric drive powered by a cable line, an overhead line, a portable generator or accumulator batteries, which are all characterized by an individual resulting quality indicator. This indicator can be represented by any parameter of the system. Applying the theory of vector synthesis, he has chosen the efficiency criterion as an indicator that takes into account the system parameters: specific power, energy losses, reliability indicator, operating costs, cost and mass of the system elements; as well as agrotechnical conditions: inlet pressure, distance from the water reservoir and centralized energy supply system, investments in sprinklers, irrigation rate, irrigation area and irrigation profit. According to the efficiency criterion, a graphical solution to the problem has been presented and it has been established that systems with an electric drive and various power sources are feasible for areas of more than 40 hectares, those with a hydraulic drive - for an irrigated area of less than 40 hectares, and those with a mechanical drive - less than 6 hectares.

The first-order model of chemical kinetics was applied for an analytical description of the destruction of vitamin C content during the infrared (IR) drying of plant materials. In this model, the authors used the Arrhenius equation to describe the temperature influence on the speed of the simulated processes. The coefficients of the model were determined by the experimental data for IR drying of raspberries and sliced apples. The authors found the relationship between the temperature of raw materials, the time of heat exposure and destruction of vitamin C in fruit and berries during IR drying. The study determined the requirements for maximum preservation of the native properties of raw materials during their drying in a multilevel drying machine. They include minimizing the contact of the raw material surface with an oxidizing environment; carrying out drying at a minimum temperature irregularity of raw materials and over a short time at the maximum permissible temperatures of raw materials under atmospheric pressure in the drier unit.

The paper reveals specifi c features of WorldSkills standards and their role in the process of improving the system of secondary professional education, which resulted in the development of new Federal State Educational Standards for the TOP-50 of the most sought-after and promising professions and specialties requiring secondary professional education. The authors have made a comparative analysis of the main distinctive features of the demo exam and the traditional form of State Final Assessment. The demo exam contains criteria for assessing the quality of training college graduates based on international requirements and the needs of enterprises. This exam includes tasks modeling real production conditions to check the skills of solving practical professional problems in accordance with the best world and national practices. The options for introducing WorldSkills standards into the study process of the automobile college are proposed and described. The fi rst option is characterized by a dispersed introduction into the study process, theoretical and practical training in all subjects, aimed at the development of the corresponding WorldSkills competences. The second option provides for a concentrated penetration into the study process, requiring changes in syllabi and curricula, while targeted training is carried out according to each competence. In order to strengthen the advantages and level off the disadvantages of these methods, a combined version is proposed. This version involves the development of each competence within all subjects, as well as the introduction of a subject course or an interdisciplinary course into the study process to provide for “full immersion”, develop skills and abilities in accordance with the WorldSkills standard specifi cation for the competence, including the use of modern information and communication technologies. This will provide optimal conditions for college students to successfully pass the State Final Assessment in the form of a demo exam.

Current urgent issues in highr education research include the adaptation of first-year students to study activities at the university, the search for a model to form an environment that can help students to adapt more successfully to conditions when they needs to show such qualities as independence, an ability to organize their time, communication, an ability to learn and self-study. The paper presents a "two-dimensional model of mentoring", in which relationships are built between mentored student (mentees, i.e. first-year students) and mentor-students (senior students), as well as between student-mentors and the teacher-mentor. The conducted studies revealed a number of didactic features of the implementation of mentoring in a non-humanitarian university, namely: reliance on subject-subject relations between all interaction participants, special competences of a teacher-mentor, compulsory procedures that provide reflection of activities, etc. The proposed "two-dimensional model of mentoring" specifies the goals of interaction, organizational and activity measures in the practice of mentoring, formulates the methodological principles of mentoring, and clarifies the implemented didactic approaches. The paper presents the tasks of the mentoring subjects, the conditions that ensure a more effective implementation of mentoring, and the main provisions of the mentoring practice. The approbation of the practical aspects of the proposed model has proved its effectiveness: more successful involvement of first-year students in the extracurricular activities of the university and better learning outcomes. The authors show the expediency of using the proposed model for the development and implementation of mentoring practice in a non-humanitarian university.

The paper describes the results of assessing the technological infrastructure and profitability of farm enterprises in the Moscow region. The research involved the use of retrospective, analytical, comparative, statistical, and graphic research methods. The author has determined the main factors hindering the achievement of financial stability of the Moscow regional farm enterprises, as well as the role of technical re-equipment in reaching the break-even threshold by enterprises. Key measures for improving state support for leasing as a fundamental condition for stabilizing the financial situation of the regional agriculture have been offered. 1) an effective monitoring system and economic rationale for the feasibility, necessity and possibility of using a leasing financing scheme by farm enterprises; 2) optimization of state support mechanisms for agricultural leasing; transition to agro-industrial hybrid leasing with mixed financing; 3) improving the mechanism for the agricultural leasing development at the legislative level; 4) development of the secondary market for agricultural machinery. The author proposes that a study should be conducted to analyze the international practice of leasing activities, the main aspects of optimizing the contractual terms of agricultural leasing, the issues of innovative development of agriculture in the Moscow region and discussing the feasibility of different proposals for reducing the cost of agricultural leasing.

In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing danger of the global economic crisis, the world economy has actually failed to ensure the global food security. The number of the world's inhabitants at risk has increased by tens of millions after the pandemic. The task of each country is to make every effort to eliminate the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic and to ensure maximum food security for its citizens. Israel has recently made significant achievements in the field of innovative agriculture, so it offers to implement its effective techniques on a wide scale. Cooperation between Israel and Russia, as well as mutual assistance in food production can make a significant contribution to the solving strategies of the global food problem.