Raisa A. Vozhehova

Acting Director of the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute — National Center for Seed and Cultivar Studies, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences (Plant Breeding), Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine (NAAS), Honored Worker of Science and Technology of Ukraine. A leading scientist in plant breeding, seed science, crop production, agriculture, agricultural melioration and agroecology.

Education and Academic Qualification

• 2020 — Academician of NAAS of Ukraine in Agronomy (Diploma A No. 0149).
• 2016 — Corresponding Member of NAAS of Ukraine in Agronomy (Diploma Ch No. 0208).
• 2013 — Professor in Agricultural Melioration, Institute of Irrigated Agriculture of NAAS of Ukraine (Decision of the Attestation Board of 10 October 2013, Protocol 7/01-P).
• 2010 — Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Institute of Irrigated Agriculture of NAAS of Ukraine.
• 1996–1999 — PhD in Agricultural Science, Institute of Irrigated Agriculture of NAAS of Ukraine.
• 1982–1987 — Specialist degree in Fruit-growing and Viticulture, Crimean Agricultural Institute.

Employment History

Currently — Acting Director of the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute — National Center for Seed and Cultivar Studies, and Chair of the Institute's Academic Council. Prior professional experience:

• 2022–2026 — Director, Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture of NAAS.
• 2010–2022 — Director, Institute of Irrigated Agriculture of NAAS.
• 2010 — Deputy Director for Scientific Work, Institute of Irrigated Agriculture of NAAS.
• 2005–2010 — Deputy Director for Scientific Work, Institute of Rice of NAAS.
• 2001–2005 — Head of the Department of Plant Breeding, Institute of Rice of NAAS.
• 1995–2000 — Researcher, Crimean Research Station of the Ukrainian Academy of Agrarian Sciences.
• 1987–1995 — Junior Researcher, Crimean Research Station of the Ukrainian Academy of Agrarian Sciences.
• 1982–1987 — Junior Specialist, State Farm "Mayak".

Research Interests

• Environmental sustainability and resource-saving technologies for irrigated agriculture under global climate change.
• Plant breeding for irrigated and non-irrigated (rain-fed) agriculture.

Professional and Organizational Activities

• Editor-in-Chief of the peer-reviewed scientific journal "Agrarian Innovations".
• Full member of the Center for Ukrainian-European Scientific Cooperation and Head of its Kherson Regional Branch.
• Full member of the M. I. Vavilov Ukrainian Society of Geneticists and Breeders.
• Full member of the Ukrainian Society of Soil Scientists and Agrochemists.
• Full member of the Council of Botanical Gardens and Arboretums of Ukraine and the "Ukrainian Seed Society" Association.
• Head of the Center for Scientific Support of Agro-Industrial Production in Kherson Oblast.
• Head of the "Pivdennyi" Scientific-Educational-Production Consortium of research institutions, agrarian higher education establishments and enterprises of Ukraine.

Teaching Experience

• Professor, Department of Plant Breeding, Genetics, Selection and Seed Production (2014–2020, Kherson State Agrarian University, Ukraine).
• Professor, Department of Agriculture (2023–2025, Kherson State Agrarian and Economic University, Ukraine).

Scientific Achievements

Author of more than 1,200 scientific publications, including 110 books and 50 articles in journals indexed in the international scientometric databases Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection. With her direct participation, 3 rice varieties, 5 winter wheat varieties, 3 alfalfa varieties, 1 white sweetclover variety, 1 edible tomato variety, 1 soybean variety, 13 maize hybrids and their parental components, and 3 common almond varieties have been developed — all characterized by high yield, adaptability and strong demand in production.

Under her supervision, 10 Doctors of Science, 17 Candidates of Science and 3 Doctors of Philosophy (PhD) have successfully defended their theses.

Selected Publications

Monographs

• Vozhehova R.A., Lykhovyd P.V., Kokovikhin S.V., Biliaieva I.M., Markovska O.Y., Lavrenko S.O., Rudik O.L. Artificial neural networks and their implementation in agricultural science and practice. Warsawa: Diamond Trading Tour, 2019. 108 p.
• Vozhehova R.A. Scientific and practical aspects of the formation of ecologically safe systems of irrigated agriculture in the conditions of the south of Ukraine. Natural sciences and modern technological solutions: knowledge integration in the XXI century: collective monograph. Lviv-Toruń: Liha-Pres, 2019. P. 201–215. DOI: 10.36059/978-966-397-154-4/201-215
• Vozhehova R.A. Peculiarities of growth and development of rice plants depending on biological properties of varieties and cultivation conditions. Theoretical analysis and natural science research in the XXI century: collective monograph. Lviv-Toruń: Liha-Pres, 2019. P. 122–140. DOI: 10.36059/978-966-397-187-2/122-140
• Vozhehova R.A., Hranovska L.M. Value of forest shelter-belts in the Steppe of Ukraine. Scientific developments of Ukraine and EU in the area of natural sciences: collective monograph. Riga: Baltija Publishing, 2020. P. 53–66. DOI: 10.30525/978-9934-588-73-0/1.4
• Vozhehova R.A. Scientific base of forming climate-smart crop rotations on irrigated soils. Climate-smart agriculture: science and practice: scientific monograph. Riga: Baltija Publishing, 2023. P. 36–58. DOI: 10.30525/978-9934-26-389-7-3

Scopus and Web of Science articles

• Vozhehova R., Balashova H., Boiarkina L., Yuzyuk O., Yuzyuk S., Kotov B., Kotova O. The efficiency of different moisture and nutrition conditions in early potato growing under drop irrigation in southern Ukraine. Journal of Agricultural Sciences (Belgrade). 2021. Vol. 66, No. 1. P. 1–16. DOI: 10.2298/JAS2101001V [Scopus]
• Vozhehova R., Lykhovyd P., Biliaieva I., Shebanova V., Rudik O., Sinhaievskyi A. Modeling stevia yields depending on plant density and mineral fertilizers rates. Modern Phytomorphology. 2021. No. 15. P. 91–94. [Web of Science, Q4]
• Vozhehova R., Marchenko T., Piliarska O., Lavrynenko Yu., Halchenko N., Lykhovyd P. Grain corn product yield and gross value depending on the hybrids and application of biopreparations in the irrigated conditions. Scientific Papers Series Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development. 2021. Vol. 21, Issue 4. P. 611–619. [Web of Science, Q4]
• Vozhehova R., Tyshchenko A., Tyshchenko O., Dymov O., Piliarska O., Lykhovyd P. Evaluation of breeding indices for drought tolerance in alfalfa (Medicago) genotypes. Scientific Papers Series A. Agronomy. 2021. Vol. LXIV, No. 2. P. 435–444. [Web of Science, Q4]
• Vozhehova R., Marchenko T., Lavrynenko Yu., Piliarska O., Zabarа P., Zaiets S., Tyshchenko A., Mishchenko S., Kormosh S. Productivity of lines — parental components of maize hybrids depending on plant density and application of biopreparations under drip irrigation. Scientific Papers Series Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development. 2022. Vol. 22, Issue 1. P. 695–704. [Web of Science, Q4]
• Lykhovyd P., Vozhehova R., Lavrenko S., Lavrenko N. The study on the relationship between normalized difference vegetation index and fractional green canopy cover in five selected crops. The Scientific World Journal. 2022. Vol. 22. ID 8479424. DOI: 10.1155/2022/8479424 [Scopus]
• Lykhovyd P., Vozhehova R., Lavrenko S. Annual NDVI dynamics observed in industrial tomato grown in the south of Ukraine. Modern Phytomorphology. 2022. Vol. 16. P. 160–164. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.200121 [Web of Science, Q4]
• Vozhehova R., Lavrynenko Yu., Marchenko T., Piliarska O., Sharii V., Tyshchenko A., Drobit O., Mishchenko S., Grabovsky M. Water consumption and efficiency of irrigation of maize hybrids of different FAO groups in the southern steppe of Ukraine. Scientific Papers Series A. Agronomy. 2022. Vol. LXV, No. 1. P. 603–613. [Web of Science, Q4]
• Vozhehova R., Borovik V., Kokovikhin S., Biliaieva I., Kokovikhina O., Boiarkina L., Shkoda O. Evaluation of cotton gene pool samples in different years of heat supply in the conditions of the southern steppe of Ukraine. Scientific Papers Series A. Agronomy. 2022. Vol. LXV, No. 2. [Web of Science, Q4]
• Lykhovyd P., Vozhehova R., Fedorchuk M., Fedorchuk V., Kobelev M. A case study on the use of hydrogen peroxide as an agent for radish seeds germination promotion. Modern Phytomorphology. 2022. Vol. 16. P. 213–216. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.200121 [Web of Science, Q4]
• Vozhehova R., Lykhovyd P., Ushkarenko V., Lavrenko S. Drip-irrigated sweet corn water use depending on the depth of plowing, mineral fertilization rates and crops density. AgroLife Scientific Journal. 2022. Vol. 11, No. 2. DOI: 10.17930/AGL2022232 [Web of Science, Q4]
• Vozhehova R., Tyshchenko A., Tyshchenko O., Piliarska O., Konovalova V., Sharii V., Fundirat K. Economic feasibility of application of bacterial and fungal drugs on seed-used alfalfa. Scientific Papers Series Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development. 2022. Vol. 22, Issue 4. P. 827–834. [Web of Science, Q4]
• Vozhehova R., Zaiets S., Rudik O., Borovyk V., Holoborodko S., Marchenko T., Yuziuk S., Onufran L., Fundyrat K., Boiarkina L. Formation of phytocenosis of winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) depending on hydrothermal conditions of the autumn period and agricultural technological measures. Scientific Papers Series Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development. 2022. Vol. 22, Issue 4. P. 817–826. [Web of Science, Q4]
• Vozhehova R., Marchenko T., Lavrynenko Yu., Piliarska O., Sharii V., Borovik V., Tyshchenko A., Kobyzieva L., Gorlachova O., Mishchenko S. Models of quantitative assessment of the influence of elements of technology on seed yield of parental components of maize hybrids under irrigation conditions. Scientific Papers Series A. Agronomy. 2023. Vol. LXVI, No. 1. P. 623–630. [Web of Science, Q4]
• Vozhehova R., Borovyk V., Stepanov Yu., Bidnyna I., Boiarkina L., Piliarska O., Sharii V., Khomenko T., Drobit O. The response of the medium fiber cotton variety Pidozersky 4 to the seeding rate and row width under different conditions of soil moisture in the Southern Steppe of Ukraine. Scientific Papers Series Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development. 2023. Vol. 23, Issue 3. P. 923–938. [Web of Science, Q4]
• Hadzalo Ya., Likar Ya., Vozhehova R., Marchenko T. Economic and energy efficiency of the use of biologized agrotechnologies for corn cultivation. Scientific Papers Series Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development. 2023. Vol. 23, Issue 4. P. 375–382. [Web of Science, Q4]
• Vozhehova R., Marchenko T., Lavrynenko Yu., Piliarska O., Sharii V., Tyshchenko A., Borovyk V., Mishchenko S., Kobyzeva L., Khomenko T. Strategy for the development of corn growing technology under climate change. Scientific Papers Series Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development. 2023. Vol. 23, Issue 4. P. 927–937. [Web of Science, Q4]
• Lykhovyd P., Vozhehova R., Averchev O., Rudik O., Hranovska L., Lavrenko S., Avercheva N., Latiuk G. Using regional normalized difference vegetation index for the large-scale yield prediction of potato, vegetables, fruits, and berries, cultivated in Kherson region of Ukraine. Modern Phytomorphology. 2023. Vol. 17. P. 118–124. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.200121 [Web of Science, Q3]
• Vozhehova R., Borovyk V., Zaiets S., Serhieiev L., Kohut I. Ecological plasticity and sustainability of cotton in the Southern Steppe of Ukraine. Scientific Horizons. 2024. No. 27(2). P. 43–53. DOI: 10.48077/scihor2.2024.43 [Scopus]
• Lykhovyd P., Vozhehova R., Hranovska L., Averchev O., Tomnytskyi A., Avercheva N., Nikitenko M., Haievskyi S., Shalar O. Remote sensing data and machine learning to predict yields of major crops on regional scale. Modern Phytomorphology. 2025. Vol. 19. P. 141–146. [Web of Science, Q3]
• Vozhehova R., Hranovska L., Tomnytskyi A., Lykhovyd P., Bidnyna I. Productivity and profitability of short grain crop rotation depending on tillage systems. Scientific Papers Series Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development. 2025. Vol. 25, Issue 1. P. 997–1002. [Web of Science, Q4]
• Vozhehova R., Borovyk V., Ubaydullaev J. Inheritance of yield and fiber length in hybrids cotton of the first generation F1. BIO Web of Conferences. 2025. Vol. 151. 04001. DOI: 10.1051/bioconf/202515104001 [Scopus, Q4]
• Vozhehova R., Vlashchuk A., Drobit O., Vlashchuk O., Marchenko T., Borovyk V., Valentiuk N., Shablia O., Ivanov H. Formation of vegetative mass by white sweetclover (Melilotus albus Med.) annual plants. Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science. 2025. Vol. 31(3). P. 488–496.

Scientific Profiles

• ORCID: 0000-0002-3895-5633
• Scopus Author ID: 37089878800
• Web of Science ResearcherID
• Google Scholar

International Engagements

• 3rd UNCCD Scientific Conference "Combating desertification/land degradation and drought for poverty reduction and sustainable development", 9–12 March 2015, Cancún, Mexico.
• International Training Course within the USAID Educational Program Framework "Improvement of Agricultural Sector Efficiency Through Efficient Irrigation System Management", 6–20 April 2016, Davis, California, USA.
• International Training Course on Combating Desertification, 22–26 May 2017, Turkey.
• International Training Course MASHAV "Efficient water resource management and use", 27 August – 15 September 2017, Shefayim, Israel.
• International Training Course on clean-burning technologies for modern rural areas in developing countries, 16 April – 15 May 2018, Yuan Longping High-Tech Agriculture Co., PRC.
• Business trip to Columbus, Ohio, USA, 14–25 April 2019 — knowledge exchange with American colleagues and state farmers under CDFA grant contract No. FSA3-18-63886-0 dated 22 March 2018.
• Business trip to Nur-Sultan and the Shchuchinsk-Burabay resort area, Akmola Oblast, Kazakhstan, 6–9 August 2019 — participation in the III International Youth Forum "Burabay Forum: International Cooperation of Kazakhstan".
• Business trip to Diyarbakır, Republic of Turkey, 28 October – 1 November 2019 — visits to the leading seed company Meya Tohum; agreement on cooperation in plant breeding, seed production and variety testing, with subsequent registration in Turkey's State Register.
• Participation in the international summit COP-27 under the auspices of the United Nations and FAO, 11–17 November 2022.
• Working seminar on preparing a project proposal for the First Call of the INTERREG VI-B NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme, N. Dymo Institute of Soil Science, Agrochemistry and Soil Protection, Chișinău, Republic of Moldova, 3–6 July 2023.
• Participation in the scientific-practical seminar "Modern approaches to growing hazelnuts", Research Institute of Fruit Growing and Tea Growing, Guba, Republic of Azerbaijan, 24 August – 1 September 2023.

Awards and Honors

• Honored Worker of Science and Technology of Ukraine — Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 500 of 24 August 2012.
• Order of Princess Olga, 3rd Class — for a significant personal contribution to Ukraine's socio-economic, scientific-technical and cultural-educational development, exemplary performance of official duty and long years of dedicated work (Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 71/2020 of 6 March 2020).
• Personal award, Order "Scientist of the Year 2020" — for significant achievements and personal contribution to the development of Ukrainian science (Certificate No. 131 of 20 November 2020).
• Wristwatch award of the Odesa Regional Council — for long-standing dedicated work and a significant personal contribution to the development of national agricultural science under martial law, and high professionalism, on the occasion of an anniversary (Order No. 318/2025-OR of 2 June 2025).
• "Cross of St. Nicholas" award of the Mykolaiv Regional Council — for a significant personal contribution to the development of national agrarian science, the implementation of state agricultural policy, long-standing dedicated work and high professionalism (Order No. 172-r of 18 June 2025).
• Honorary Diploma (2014), Medal (2014) and Letter of Gratitude (2024) of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
• Honorary Diploma of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (2015).
• Letter of Gratitude from the Prime Minister of Ukraine (2023).
• Honorary Diplomas of the Presidium of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine (2010, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2025).
• Honorary Award of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine (2018).
• Award of the International Academy of Rating Technologies and Sociology "Golden Fortune".
• Medal "People's Honor to Ukrainian Scientists 1918–2018".
• Honorary Award of the Odesa Regional Council (2024).
• Laureate Diploma of the "Outstanding Achievement in Agrarian Science" Award (2024).
• Diplomas and letters of gratitude from the Kherson Regional State Administration, Kherson Regional Council, Odesa Regional State Administration, Odesa Regional Council and other institutions.