Weeds are a major threat in crop production, and controlling them in modern agriculture is critical to preventing crop losses and ensuring food security. Intensive farming practices, climate change and natural disasters affect weed dynamics, requiring a change in management practices. Existing methods are no longer viable due to lack of manpower; chemical control methods are limited by health hazards and the development of herbicide resistance in weeds. This article discusses some potential alternative weed control strategies in modern vegetable production that are feasible and effective. Increasing the competitiveness of vegetable crops through proper planning of agrotechnologies system, preventive, cultural and mechanical methods, development of competitive varieties, allelopathy, biological control and reduction of weed seed production at harvest will be a major aspect in sustainable weed management. Improving tillage regimes has long been considered the main measure of weed control. Control of weed seed production and weed injuriousness have been shown as potential tools to reduce weed seed germination and retention in the soil. The development of allelopathy has led to the emergence of new methods of weed control. The use of the allelopathic potential of crops also deserves mention in modern weed control methods. Thermal weed control is seen as a useful method. The role of bioherbicides as an integral part of sustainable weed management is emphasized. All of these strategies are viable for modern agriculture; however, choosing a specific method and using the right combinations will be the key to success. No strategy is perfect, and therefore an integrated approach can provide the best results. The adoption of such practices can improve the efficiency of farming systems in sustainable agricul- ture. A comprehensive method for protecting vegetable crops from weeds and ways to reduce the potential contamination of fields with seeds and weed seedlings are described. The optimal norms and technological features, conditions for the effective use of modern herbicides on crops and plantings of vegetable crops are given.

Relevance. To create an effective technology for obtaining doubled haploids (DH-technology) of zucchini in unpollinatedseedpod culture in vitro it is necessary to select the optimal values of many factors, the degree of influence of each of which on gynogenesis can vary significantly. The aim of the study was to optimize the individual stages of the technology.Methods. Liquid and agarized (7 g/L) IMC medium with different sucrose concentrations (20 to 80 g/L) and different plant growth regulators (2 mg/L 2,4 D; 0.2 mg/L TDZ ; 0.8 mg/L 2,4 D and 1.2 mg/L NUC) were used for induction of embryogenesis.Results. Optimal for the studied zucchini genotypes was pre-isolated from the evening, plucked in the morning opened bud. Sterilization of zucchini ovaries by short-term burning after treatment with 96% alcohol, allows significant reduction of the time required for this step without loss of embryogenic potential. IMC nutrient medium with sucrose (20 to 40 g/l) can be used for induction of gynogenesis in the unpollinatedzucchini ovary culture. The use of nutrient media with 2 mg/l 2,4 D for most genotypes was more effective and resulted in higher number of embryoids compared to nutrient media containing 0.2 mg/l TDC and media with 0.8 mg/l 2,4 D and 1.2 mg/l NAA. Embryoid formation was observed after 5 weeks of cultivation.Conclusion. We were able to complete the full cycle of technology for obtaining doubled haploids in unpollinatedseedpod culture in vitro for 30 zucchini genotypes and obtain DHplants, which are valuable source material for both breeders and genetic research. Optimization of the individual steps of the technology made it possible to achieve the maximum result for individual genotypes – 55 embryoids per 100 cultivated ovules.

Relevance and methods. Chips are considered to be one of the most popular food products with high content of biologically active compounds. The aim of the present work was evaluation of quality and antioxidant self-life of beet chips from different cultivars. Effect of drying method (convection, freeze drying) and storage conditions (paper, vacuum plastic bags and aluminum foil) on beet root chips from 4 cvs self-life was investigated. Biochemical methods of analysis and tasting evaluation were used.Results. Beet intervarietal differences in self-life of chips fat soluble antioxidants were indicated. Paper bags were shown to produce the highest AOA and phenolics values of convection drying products contrary to freeze drying chips in vacuum plastic bags. Differences in AOA and phenolics self-life of products produced via convection and freeze drying are absent. Tasting evaluation (appearance, taste, texture, aroma) revealed the lowest score for Gaspadynya cv. The highest polyphenols loss in chips stored in aluminum foil was typical for Gaspadynya cv chips, while storage in paper bags – for chips from Dobrynya cv chips. In a whole, the results of the present investigation indicate the importance intervarietal differences in beet chips production, as genetic differences determine taste and storability of the product.

Common chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is widely known in traditional medicine of many countries, but in official medicine its use is limited as a part of biologically active additives. Despite the available information about pharmacological activity of leaf extracts, their use as a medicinal herbal raw material is almost not considered. The purpose of the work is to study the accumulation dynamics of phenolic compounds (PC) in the leaves of cultivated chicory to optimize the time of harvesting the above-ground mass. The article presents data on the accumulation dynamics of PC in the leaves of two varieties of cultivated chicory, and also compares the obtained data with similars of wild-growing chicory.Results. It was noted that the content of phenolic compounds in the leaves of cultivated chicory is 1,5-2 times higher in comparison with the raw materials of wild plants. The studied varieties differ in the content of PC by 8% in average. It has been established that the main phenolic compounds in the leaves of cultivated chicory are chicoric, chlorogenic and cafftaric acids; their total content in the obtained extracts is 55 %. It was noted that the period of maximum accumulation of PC in leaves falls on the end of september – beginning of october. The established chemical composition, a higher content of phenolic compounds compared to wild plants, as well as the coincidence of the maximum accumulation of PC in the leaves with the approximate date of harvesting chicory roots allows us to consider its cultivation in culture as a promising direction with the aim of the integrated use of the obtained raw materials for both food and pharmaceutical industry.

Actuality. The opposite arrangement of the first two leaves in cucumber seedlings can be attributed to undesirable morphoses. The task was set: "To find out how often this sign occurs in cucumber seedlings and whether it is transmitted in the next generations during seed propagation."Material and conditions. The research was carried out on the cucumber breeding material of the laboratory of selection and seed production of pumpkin crops (100-142 samples) on the basis of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center in 2019-2021 in the Moscow region in the conditions of the seedling department of the winter greenhouse. Sowing of cucumber seeds for seedlings was carried out on January 10-13, March 15 and May 5. Seedlings were grown on racks in plastic pots with a 0.7 l peat mixture in accordance with the generally accepted cultivation technology. In winter – with additional illumination, in spring – without artificial illumination.Results. From year to year, almost the same selection samples of cucumber had plants with the opposite arrangement of the first real leaves. These samples differed significantly in the number of plants with an unconventional arrangement of the first true leaves, but there were differences, sometimes very strong, between families of the same origin. All this suggests that the trait is genetically determined. When sowing cucumber seeds for seedlings on January 10-13, depending on the year of research and the genotype of the material used, from 18.3 to 25.6% of samples were identified that had plants with the opposite arrangement of the first and second true leaves. In seedlings for a spring heated greenhouse (sowing on March 15), there were about 15% of such samples, and 11.0% for non-heated ones (sowing on May 5). In general, the total number of plants with the opposite arrangement of real leaves in the first node was small and varied, depending on the growing conditions and the genotype of the studied samples, from 4.2 to 11.5% of the total number of studied plants. When sowing cucumber seeds at the same time, in the winter of 2019, compared to 2020 and 2021, there were 2.4 and 1.5 times more plants with the opposite arrangement of the first two real leaves. This can be explained by the fact that when planting seedlings, families with a large number of plants with opposite leaves were rejected. Weakened plants with opposite leaves within the family were also rejected. As a result, the material involved in further work had fewer plants with an unconventional arrangement of the first true leaves. It should be noted that plants with opposite leaf arrangement had only those F1 hybrids whose parent forms also differed in this disadvantage. It can be concluded that by selecting parent forms that do not have opposite leaf arrangement, it is possible to create hybrids that will not react sharply to the deterioration of growing conditions by laying opposite leaves.

Relevance. The studies are aimed at assessing the intravarietal allelic diversity of genes for resistance to fusariosis and cladosporiosis of tomato cultivars bred at the Michurinsky State Agrarian University using molecular markers.Methods. The biological objects of the study are tomato varieties bred at the Michurinsky State Agrarian University. A total of 10 varieties were analyzed. The assessment of intravarietal polymorphism was determined on a sample of 10 plants of each variety. DNA extraction was performed using a Quick-DNA Plant/Seed Miniprep Kit (Zymo Research, USA) for DNA extraction according to the manufacturer's protocol. The P7 DNA marker was used to identify the cladosporosis resistance gene Cf-19. The presence of the fusarium wilt resistance gene I-2 was determined using the marker I-2/5. Amplification results were visualized by electrophoresis in 2% agarose gel.Results. 10 plants of 10 varieties of Michurinsky GAU selection tomato were analyzed using molecular markers of genes for resistance to cladosporiosis and fusariosis. An assessment of intravarietal polymorphism was carried out. In most of the varieties studied, the genes analyzed are identified in a heterozygous state. Three varieties (Vivat, Carotinka, Krasavets) containing only alleles of susceptibility to the causative agent of the disease in the genotype I-2 identified by the gene. Individual samples were homozygous for the fusariosis resistance allele. Analysis of the gene for Cf-19 resistance to cladosporiosis showed that most of the varieties studied are heterozygous forms. In some varieties, all ten plants were heterozygous. These include Krasavets, Vivat, Orlik, Bui Tour. The remaining samples had different allelic compositions. The pathogen resistance allele has been identified in plants of the Nepryadva and Chernysh varieties. The dominant allele in the homozygous state was detected in the Japanese variety. At the same time, all the analyzed plants of this variety were monotonous.Conclusion. It has been established, but a significant part of the varieties of tomato selection of Michurinsky GAU is polymorphic in the genes for resistance to cladosporiosis and fusariosis. In this case, a significant part of the varieties can be used in selection during preliminary molecular analysis. According to the gene for resistance to fusariosis, the following varieties are identified sources of the resistance allele: Sokol, Nepryadva, Yaponchik, Orlik, Zolotnichok, Chernysh. In them, the gene is I-2 represented in a heterozygous state. Intraortic polymorphism was also noted for the Cf-19 gene. Most samples have two alleles. The exception is the Japanese variety, which is the dominant homozygote for this gene.

The morphometric parameters of the internal structure of seeds in seven representatives of the common chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium (L.) Hoffm.) were studied. The variability of the linear dimensions of the seed, endosperm and embryo, the values of the indices IZ/E, IZ/S and IE/S are shown. The analysis of correlation connections between them is given. The studies were carried out at VNIIO, a branch of the FGBNU FSVC. Seeds of the variety Aromatny (standard) had a length of 7.12±0.146 mm. Significantly smaller seeds had two accessions, variety Ogorodnik (6.56±0.158 mm) and No. 21, which is 8.0 and 27.0% less than standard. Seeds of a significantly larger size, including No. 24 and No. 22, respectively, by 3.0-18.0% higher than control. The endosperm length of the standard was 5.20±0.121 mm. The smallest size of the endosperm was noted in sample No. 21, which is 7.1% less than the control. Three samples significantly exceeded the standard (by 7.5-16.5%) in terms of the length of the endosperm, including samples No. 20 and variety Ogorodnik. The length of the embryo in the Aromatny variety is 1.54±0.119 mm. Samples of variety Ogorodnik and No. 21 had an embryo significantly less than the standard by 14.3 and 10.4%. Significantly larger embryos were found in samples No. 24 and No. 22, which is 17.5-44.2% higher than control. The coefficient of variation (V, %) for the parameter seed length varied from 9.17% to 12.3%, for the endosperm length from 8.35% to 14.6%, and for the embryo from 20.1 to 34.8%. The IZ/S index varied from 0.195 to 0.266. The IE/C index varied from 0.707 to 0.930. A close relationship (0.675-0.863) was noted between the length of the seed and the length of the endosperm, with downward deviations to a value of 0.265 in sample No. 21 and Dietichesky variety. The presented information on the example of chervil seeds indicates a significant variability of morphometric parameters. The data obtained can be used for an in-depth characterization of seed quality, substantiation of priming technology.

Relevance. The adaptive-integrated plant protection system is the basis of biologized protective measures against harmful organisms. This system provides for careful treatment of natural resources, prevents contamination of soil and water with pesticides and agrochemicals. In recent years, legislation and sanitary regulations have increasingly tightened the regulations governing the use of pesticides in crop production. Organic farming is becoming increasingly common. Leading global chemical companies are expanding their research on the biology of manufactured plant protection products: they give them a selective character, reduce the period of their inactivation, respectively, the waiting period. FMC manufactures and supplies to Russia new generation insecticides Verimark® and Benevia® from the chemical class of diamides compatible with the biomethode and having a short waiting time.Methods. In 2020-2021, in the greenhouse complex of the FSVC, an assessment of the biological effectiveness of the insecticides Verimark® and Benevia® on cucumber culture has been carried out. Verimark® was applied by shedding seedlings under the root and applying through a drip system, Benevia® was introduced by ground spraying of vegetating plants.Results. The most problematic cucumber pests in greenhouse are tobacco trips (Thrips tabaci) and greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporarium). As a result of successive additions of the Verimark® (for the root) and Benevia® (for the leaves), the number of tobacco thrips was reduced by 90,8-98,9%. Spraying the plants with Benevia® in admixture with Codacide oil also provided a high positive effect against the greenhouse whitefly. Already on the third day, the number of pests decreased by 90,3%. Protective measures made it possible to increase crop yield by 26.3% in the first turnover and 28.3% in the second. The highest rates of biological efficacy were observed in the use of preparations before the start of pest settlement, which is fully supported by the recommendations of the manufacturer.

The results are reflected, which confirm the effectiveness of foliar fertilizing with organic fertilizer Agrohelate for melon plants of early varieties Tamanskaya and Strelchanka. A single treatment of plants in the seed plots in the flowering phase and the beginning of the growth of the first ovary contributed to better pollination. More than half of the fruits with typical varietal characteristics were selected for seed extraction: Tamanskaya varieties – 51.4% and Strelchanka varieties – 51.0%. The mass of fruits in the Tamanskaya variety increased noticeably by 0.16...0.23 kg on average, in the Strelchanka variety – by 0.12...0.42 kg. The data on the increase in the content of dry soluble substances in the pulp of the fruits of the first two harvests of melon variety Strelchanka by 0.8 ... 1.6% are given. In the pulp of Tamanskaya melon fruits, there was a tendency to increase the content of dry soluble substances. Fertilizer Agrochelate had an impact on the seed productivity of melon varieties. In the fruits of the Tamanskaya variety, 122–145 more seeds were ripened, and the number of feeble and unripe seeds was 5.5–7.2% less than in the fruits of the control variant. The number of puny and unripened seeds in the fruits of Strelchanka melon variety was 10% less. In weight terms, on average, 2.6 g more seeds were isolated from each fruit of the Tamanskaya variety than in the variant without treatment. A noticeable increase in the yield of seeds in the variety Strelchanka was not observed. Application of foliar application with organic mineral fertilizer Agrochelate did not affect the mass of seeds. The indicators of sowing qualities of seeds were high in all variants of the experiment: germination energy – from 58.1 to 81.5% and germination - from 90.7 to 97.3%. The analysis of the obtained results substantiates the feasibility of applying top dressing with Agrochelate organic fertilizer.

In Uzbekistan, there is a demand of the population for fresh melon fruits during the off-season. In the Research Institute of Vegetable, Melon Crops and Potato for the first time studies were carried out, when grown in a greenhouse, on the vegetative grafting of melon’s Zarkhal variety on the vegetable marrow varieties used as rootstocks. The aim of the research was to study the effect of vegetable marrow rootstocks on the variability of economically valuable traits of the Zarkhal melon variety and to identify promising combinations of vegetable marrow rootstocks that increase the yield and quality of melon fruits.Methods. The studies were carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the World Vegetable Center. As a control, ungrafted plants of the Zarkhal melon variety were used. For comparison with the control, plants of this variety were grafted onto their own plants. Also, plants of the melon variety Zarkhal (scion) were grafted in combinations on 10 varieties of vegetable marrow, which served as rootstocks. Vegetative grafting of melon on vegetable marrow rootstocks was carried out “in a split” in the phase of the first true leaf when the stem diameter reached 4.1–4.3 mm and plant height 4.4–5.9 cm.Results. In comparison with the control, in combinations of grafting the Zarkhal melon variety onto the Grecheskiye 110, Unumdor, Delicates and Skvorushka varieties of vegetable marrow, the flowering of paternal and female flowers, the onset of fruit formation was observed 2 days earlier. In the same combinations, fruit ripening was observed on 81-82 days, which is 4-5 days earlier than the control (86 days). They also had the tallest plants (203-205 cm), the plants formed 2-4 leaves more than the others. Marketable yields between combinations ranged from 7.89 to 9.75 kg/m2 . The melon variety Zarkhal, grafted onto its own plants, lagged behind the control in all phases of development and yield. The early yield in combinations was from 3.95 to 5.75 kg/m2 and amounted to 53-59% of the yield. The average fruit weight varied from 785 to 810 g.