The chemical composition of the fruits of elderberry Sorbus sambucifolia (Cham. et Schlecht.) M. Roem. harvested in 2024 was investigated, trees growing in Dudino village (Dolinsky district) and Ozerskoye village (Korsakovsky district) on Sakhalin Island. It was found that the raw and dried fruits of Sorbus sambucifolia contain, respectively, 1.79 and 8.74 percent of crude protein, 2.81 and 13.09 of fiber, 0.31 and 1.43 of total nitrogen, 0.93 and 0.93 of fats, 3.39 and 4.79 of sugars, 3.64 of acids, 36.18 mg/% of vitamin C, 17.30 and 76.38 mg/kg of carotene; macronutrients and trace elements; 16 amino acids. Elderberry fruits are a promising multivitamin source for food industry in Russia and for export to neighboring foreign countries.

The article presents the results of studies on the content of nitrate and nitrite forms of nitrogen in agricultural soils of the Donetsk People’s Republic, which made it possible to identify patterns of nitrogen distribution along the soil profile. The smallest amount of both nitrite and nitrate nitrogen was recorded under grain crops, which indicates non-compliance with land use measures, the maximum – in areas under vegetable crops, in compliance with the standard regional agricultural technology for growing crops and using the necessary doses of mineral fertilizers. A close correlation has been established between different types of acidity and the content of both forms of nitrogen.

The content of nitrates, chlorides, and sulfates in the substrate of three model landscaped landfills and a self-grown rock dump was determined. The total content of the studied salts is: for the dump of mine 6/14 – 0.79 % on the northern slope and 0.82 % on the southern slope; for the dump of mine 5/6 – 0.84 % on the northern and 0.69 % on the southern; for the dump of the Zaperevalnaya mine – 0.74 % on the northern and 0.79 % on the southern; for the dump of mine No. 9 Capitalnaya – 0.75 % in the north and 0.73 % in the south. The substrates of the dumps belong to the category of medium-saline. Due to the differences in the composition of the composing rocks and the species diversity of vegetation growing on the dumps, differences in the percentage of salts on the northern and southern slopes of the dumps are statistically significant at a low level of significance (p = 0.29–0.5).

The results of a long-term experiment to create a nature-like meadow-steppe community on overburden dumps by applying a grass-seed mixture are presented. For the experiment, soil and loam-like loams were applied to the overburden, and a landfill site without soil or loam application was used as a control. Areas without the introduction of a grass-seed mixture are at the pioneer and group-overgrown stage of syngenesis. The use of a grass-seed mixture significantly contributes to a change in the direction of syngenesis towards the formation of a nature-like community, while there is a constant decrease in the number and proportion of weed species in the projective cover both when applying soils and when applying loams.

The article discusses the Hydrangea arborescens L. variety range and the prospects for its use in urban landscaping, as a promising solution to improve the environmental situation and the quality of life in urban conditions. A biometric analysis of the varieties was carried out, their ecological and aesthetic advantages being assessed. Varieties suitable for single, group and row plantings have been identified. Low-growing varieties with a compact bush shape can be recommended for growing using container technology. The results obtained allow us to recommend Bella Ragazza Mauvette and Candybelle Bubblegum varieties for container cultivation, Bounty variety for single plantings, White Ball, Pink Cisco and Radiata varieties for ordinary and group plantings.

The data on the ontogenesis of Dianthus plumarius L. are presented for three years (2022−2024) of observations at the South-Ural Botanical Garden-Institute of Ufa Federal Research Center of Russian Academy of Sciences. Such characteristics of the latent period as seed size and germination of freshly harvested seeds were studied in detail. Three age periods (latent, pregenerative and generative) and 6 ontogenetic states (seedlings, juvenile, immature, virginile, young and middle-aged generative) are described. It is shown that the above-ground type of seed germination is typical for the species. Indicator signs of different age states are determined (for sprouts it is the presence of two oval-shaped cotyledons and a thin embryonic root; for juvenile individuals, it is the appearance of the first true leaves and thin lateral roots; for immature individuals, it is the beginning of lateral branching of shoots, growth of the root system, etc.).

Based on literary sources and author’s own herbarium materials, information on the growth of Amur lovegrass Eragrostis amurensis Prob. in Donbass is presented. The contemporary data on the spread of this species in Eurasia is shown. The morphological characteristics of the individuals collected in the territory of Lugansk (LPR) are given. To clarify the spread of E. amurensis in Donbass, it is necessary to continue field research, as well as to review critically the herbarium materials of Eragrostis pilosa (L.) Beauv. s. str. stored at the Donetsk Botanical Garden (DNZ).

Based on the analysis of density, age composition, spatial distribution of individuals and demographic indices, the current state of populations of a few species from the genus Stipa L. was assessed in natural plant communities, being links in various successions of steppe vegetation. It was found that coenopopulations of feather grass, especially those of S. capillata L., are the most stable in conditions of slope habitats in slightly disturbed steppe and petrophyte-steppe phytosystems. These are normal, mature and complete, self-regulating systems with high density. The most favorable growing conditions for these species are formed typically on the slopes with exposure characterized by the greatest xerophyte nature: southern and southeastern, southwestern, where often S. grafiana Steven, S. lessingiana Trin. & Rupr. are dominants and subdominants in sparse grass stands.