The research is devoted to the issue of improving the resource support for the development of agrarian science in Ukraine, in particular its information field in the segment of historical heritage. The peculiarities of the source study studio and some of its theoretical and methodological aspects, first of all historicism, objectivity, comprehensiveness, systematicity and critical approach are substantiated. From the time of the Enlightenment, Ukrainian source studies have accumulated considerable experience in finding, identifying, researching and publishing historical sources. History emerged as a science and separated into an independent system of knowledge, expanded understanding of the concept of "source", its relationship with the historical fact. Considerable experience in source studies has domestic scientists, taking into account new methodological approaches in the conditions of independence and state building.

Using the subject-chronological and comparative-historical methods, the work of the Institute of History of Agrarian Science, Education and Technology of the National Academy of Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine during 2006-2018 on the formation of a source base for the study of the evolutionary progress of domestic agricultural science and research was revealed. Typical editions of the National Agrarian Science Series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» are characterized - collections of archival documents, materials and reprints that reproduce the various stages of formation and further development of scientific-organizational, theoretical and methodological foundations of functioning of sectoral experimentation in Ukraine. A characteristic feature of the prepared works is the disclosure of the contextual background, in particular, the coverage of socio-political and socio-economic factors of the development of domestic agrarian science.

The basis for filling such publications is retrospective documentary information stored in the funds of the state archives of Ukraine. Documents are organized in a chronological principle, which is based on the date of drafting the document. Most of the documents have been published in full. The processing of documents takes into account the inadmissibility of interference with the lexical, word-forming, phonetic and grammatical subsystems of the language.

The source complex is annually updated, since 2006 a considerable array of archival sources has been processed and 19 scientific publications have been published, which is about 600 printed sheets. Their critical analysis, disclosure of certain aspects of information potential and became the purpose of this publication.

1. Kalakura, Ya. S. Dzhereloznavstvo istorychne [Historical source study]. Entsyklopediia Suchasnoi Ukrainy [Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine]. Data onovlennia : 2007. http://esu.com.ua/search_articles.php?id=23981 (last accessed : 15.05.2019). [in Ukrainian].
2. Bohdashyna, O. M. (2005). Dzhereloznavstvo istorii Ukrainy : teoriia, metodyka, istoriia [Sources of the history of Ukraine : theory, methodology, history]. Kharkiv. 192. [in Ukrainian].
3. Verhunov, V. A. (2017). Natsionalna naukova silskohospodarska biblioteka NAAN : istoriia ta suchasnist. Do 100-richchia vid dnia stvorennia [NAAS National Agricultural Library : History and Modernity. To the 100th anniversary of its creation]. Kyiv : Ahrar. nauka, 464. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 100) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 100]. [in Ukrainian].
4. Verhunov, V. A. (2018). Istoriia silskohospodarskoi doslidnoi spravy v Ukraini : u 3 ch. [History of agricultural research in Ukraine : in 3 parts]. Kyiv : Ahrar. nauka, Ch. 3 : Uriadovi postanovy. Vidomchi rishennia. Arkhivni materialy [Part 3 : Government regulations. Departmental decisions. Archive materials]. 504. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 106) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 106]. [in Ukrainian].
5. Verhunov, V. A., Bilotserkivska, A. S., Supikhanov, B. K. and Kovalenko, S. D. compls. ; Zubets’, M. V. and Melnyk, Yu. F. eds. ; Verhunov, V. A. sc. ed. (2006). Sil’skohospodarskyi naukovyi komitet Ukrainy (1918–1927 rr.) : zb. dok. i materialiv. Do 75-richchia stvorennia Ukr. akad. ahrar. nauk [Agricultural Scientific Committee of Ukraine (1918–1927) : Coll. dock. and materials. To the 75th anniversary of the creation of Ukr. Acad. agrarian. Sciences]. Kyiv. 526. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 14) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 14]. [in Ukrainian].
6. Verhunov, V. A., Hrynyk, I. V. and Kirpal, Z. P. etc. compls. ; Melnyk, Yu. F. ed. ; Verhunov, V. A. sc. ed. (2006) Vseukrainska Akademiia Silskohospodarskykh Nauk (1931–1935 rr.) : zb. dok. i materialiv. Do 75-richchia stvorennia Ukr. akad. ahrar. nauk [All-Ukrainian Academy of Agricultural Sciences (1931–1935) : Coll. dock. and materials. To the 75th anniversary of the creation of Ukr. Acad. agrarian. Sciences]. Kyiv. 311. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 15) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 15]. [in Ukrainian].
7. Verhunov, V. A., Shchebetiuk, N. B. , Supikhanov, B. K. , Bakumenko, O. B. compls. ; Zubets’, M. V. and Melnyk, Yu. F. eds. ; Verhunov, V. A. sc. ed. (2006). Ukrainska akademiia silskohospodarskykh nauk (1956–1962 rr.) : zb. dok. i materialiv. Do 75-richchia stvorennia UAAN [Ukrainian Academy of Agricultural Sciences (1956–1962) : coll. dock. and materials. To the 75th Anniversary of the UAAS]. Kyiv : Ahrar. nauka, 377. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 16) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 16]. [in Ukrainian].
8. Verhunov, V. A. and Pyltiai, O. M. compls. ; Verhunov, V. A. ed. ; Verhunov, V. A. sc. ed. (2007). Ahrohruntoznavstvo v Ukraini (1930–1941 rr.) : zb. dok. i materialiv [Agro-soil science in Ukraine (1930–1941) : coll. dock. and materials]. Kyiv. 1 : (1930–1935 rr.). 200. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 18) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 18]. [in Ukrainian].
9. Verhunov, V. A. and Pashkivska, O. A. compls. ; Verhunov, V. A. ed. (2008). Ahronomichne gruntoznavstvo v Ukraini (1918–1930 rr.) : zb. dok. i materialiv [Agronomic Soil Science in Ukraine (1918–1930): Coll. dock. and materials]. Kyiv. 222. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 23) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 23]. [in Ukrainian].
10. Verhunov, V. A., Kirpal, Z. P. and Semchuk, N. I. etc. compls. ; Zubets’, M. V. sc. ed. (2008). Viddil silskohospodarskykh nauk AN URSR (1945–1956) : zb. dok. i materialiv [Department of Agricultural Sciences, USSR Academy of Sciences (1945–1956) : Coll. dock. and materials]. Kyiv : Ahrar. nauka, 348. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 21) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 21]. [in Ukrainian].
11. Verhunov, V. A., Chernysh, O. O. and Kirpal, Z. P. etc. compls. ; Zubets’, M. V. and Melnyk, Yu. F. eds. ; Verhunov, V. A. sc. ed. (2010). Naukovo-konsultatsiina rada Narodnoho komisariatu zemelnykh sprav USRR (1927–1930 rr.) : zb. dok. i materialiv [Scientific-advisory council of the People’s Commissariat of Land Affairs of the Ukrainian SSR (1927–1930) : Coll. dock. and materials]. Kyiv. 600. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 41) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 41]. [in Ukrainian].
12. Verhunov, V. A. , Kirpal, Z. P. and Kucher, V. I. etc. compls. ; Bezuhlyi, M. D. sc. ed. (2011). Pivdenne viddilennia VASHNIL (1969–1990) : zb. dok. i materialiv. Do 80-richchia stvorennia NAAN [Southern Department of VASGNIL (1969–1990) : Coll. dock. and materials. To the 80th anniversary of the creation of NAAS]. Kyiv. 544. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 47) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 47]. [in Ukrainian].
13. Prysiazhniuk, M. V. compl. ; Verhunov, V. A. sc. ed. (2011) Sorto-nasinnieve upravlinnia Tsukrotrestu (1921–1927) : zb. dok. ta materialiv [Variety and Seed Management of Sucrotest (1921–1927) : Coll. dock. and materials]. Kyiv. 259. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 55) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 55]. [in Ukrainian].
14. Prysiazhniuk, M. V., Verhunov, V. A. and Chernysh, O. O. etc. compls. ; Prysiazhniuk, M. V. ed. ; Verhunov, V. A. sc. ed. (2012). Silske hospodarstvo URSR ta yoho naukove zabezpechennia u 1940–1946 rokakh : zb. nauk. dok. i materialiv [Agriculture of the USSR and its scientific support in 1940–1946 : coll. sciences. dock. and materials]. Kyiv. 756. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 62) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 62]. [in Ukrainian].
15. Kovalenko, N. P. ; Verhunov, V. A. sc. ed. (2012) Sivozminy v systemakh zemlerobstva Ukrainy (1958–1984 rr.) : zb. dok. i materialiv [Crop rotation in agricultural systems of Ukraine (1958–1984) : coll. dock. and materials]. Kyiv : Nilan-LTD, 573. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 67) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 67]. [in Ukrainian].
16. Verhunov, V. A. sc. ed. (2013) Ahrohruntoznavstvo v Ukraini (1930–1941 rr.) : zb. dok. i materialiv [Agro-soil science in Ukraine (1930–1941) : coll. dock. and materials]. Kyiv : FOP Korzun D. Iu. 2 : 1936–1941 rr. 368. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 71) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 71]. [in Ukrainian].
17. Verhunov, V. A. , Chernysh, O. O. and Kucher, V. I. etc. compls. ; Petrychenko, V. F. ed. ; Verhunov, V. A. sc. ed. (2014) Naukovo-orhanizatsiini zasady rozvytku ahrarnoi nauky ta yii upravlinnia v URSR (1962–1968 rr.) : zb. dok. i materialiv [Scientific and organizational principles of development of agrarian science and its management in the USSR (1962–1968) : Coll. dock. and materials]. Vinnytsia : TOV «Nilan-LTD», 1464. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 72) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 72]. [in Ukrainian].
18. Verhunov, V. A., Kucher, V. I. and O.O. Chernysh etc. compls. ; Hadzalo, Ya. M. ed. ; Verhunov, V. A. sc. ed. (2014). Orhanizatsiia naukovoho zabezpechennia silskohospodarskoi haluzi URSR u 1946–1956 rokakh : zb. dok. i materialiv [Organization of scientific support for the agricultural sector of the USSR in 1946–1956 : coll. dock. and materials]. Vinnytsia : TOV «Nilan-LTD», 886. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 75) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 75]. [in Ukrainian].
19. Verhunov, V. A. and Shchebetiuk, N. B. compls. ; Verhunov, V. A. sc. ed. (2015). Kyivske tovarystvo silskoho hospodarstva ta silskohospodarskoi promyslovosti (1876–1919) : zb. dok. i materialiv [Kiev Society of Agriculture and Agricultural Industry (1876–1919) : Coll. dock. and materials]. Vinnytsia : FOP Korzun, D. Iu., 644. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 83) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 83]. [in Ukrainian].
20. Verhunov, V. A., Kucher, V. I. and Chernysh, O. O. etc. compls. ; Hadzala, Ya. M. ed. ; Verhunov, V. A. sc. ed. (2015). Derzhavne rehuliuvannia silskohospodarskoi nauky v USRR/URSR u 1935–1940 rokakh : zb. dok. i materialiv [State regulation of agricultural science in the USSR / USSR in 1935–1940 : coll. dock. and materials]. Vinnytsia : TOV «Nilan-LTD», 474. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 88) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 88]. [in Ukrainian].
21. Verhunov, V. A. , Kovalenko, N. P. and Kucher, V. I. etc. compls. ; Hadzalo, Ya. M. ed. ; Verhunov, V. A. sc. ed. (2016). Kolhospna doslidna sprava v USRR/URSR u 1934–1956 rokakh : zb. dok. i materialiv [The collective farm research case in the USSR / USSR in 1934–1956 : coll. dock. and materials]. Kyiv. 461. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 96) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 96]. [in Ukrainian].
22. Verhunov, V. A., Kovalenko, N. P. and Kucher, V. I. etc. compls. ; Hadzalo, Ya. M. ed. ; Verhunov, V. A. sc. ed. (2018). Orhanizatsiia naukovo-osvitnoho zabezpechennia ahrarnoi haluzi u roky Ukrainskoi revoliutsii (1917–1921). Do 100-richchia Natsionalnoi akademii ahrarnykh nauk Ukrainy : zb. dok. i materialiv [Organization of scientific and educational support of the agricultural sector during the Ukrainian Revolution (1917–1921). To the 100th Anniversary of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine : Coll. dock. and materials]. Vinnytsia : FOP Korzun, D. Yu. 380. (Ist.-bibliohr. ser. «Ahrar. nauka Ukrainy v osobakh, dokumentakh, bibliohrafii» ; kn. 102) [Historical and bibliographical series «Agrarian Science of Ukraine in Persons, Documents, and Bibliography» ; book 100]. [in Ukrainian].