Solving the issues in studying the soil cover at the institutions for plant varieties examination

Purpose. Considering ways to solve issues related to soil cover study at the institutions for plant varieties examination. Methods.Fieldandanalytical ones. Results. Issues are identified that arise during soil sampling at institutions for plant varieties examination within the state system of plant varieties protection. The author considered in detail the current soil sampling techniques for agrochemical tes­ting for humus, nitrogen (compounds to be easily hydrolyzed), mobile P2O5, exchangeable K2O, hydrolytic acidity and others. Attention was paid to violation of methodological requirements concerning the time of soil sampling and number of samples for agrochemical testing at the experimental field, to the lack of devices for meteorological observation and appliances for soil and leaf diagnostics. The article also touches upon the issues associated with the study of soil cover at fields with scientifically-based crop rotation that belong to institutions for plant varieties examination within the state system of plant varieties protection. Conclusions. It should be necessary to follow recommended practice when sampling at elementary sites for agrochemical testing and performing all operations in accordance with crop cultivation flowcharts. General recommendations for agrochemical testing of fields in case of conventional crop rotations in farms are not suitable for fields with scientifically-based crop rotations at institutions for plant varieties examination.