Relevance. Currently, the relevance of studying to identify the ability of many micromycetes to synthesize phytotoxic substances that reduce seed germination and lead to huge losses in the yield of strategic agricultural crops is increasing. To solve the problem, the development of new methodological approaches is required, which is significant for immunologists and phytopathologists.The purpose of this work is to determine the phytotoxic activity of micromycete strains from the genera Fusarium, Alternaria, Bipolaris, parasitizing on all agricultural crops cultivated in Russia.Materials and methods. The strains, the methods of their cultivation, the bioassay method were used, and the statistical processing of the results obtained was carried out. A modification of some methodological approaches for assessing the phytotoxicity of micromycetes has been carried out. The selection of representative concentrations of culture fluid filtrates (FCF) of strains for phytotoxicity evaluation was carried out.Results. A correlation was established for all variants of the experiment between two independent parameters: the development parameters of wheat seedlings and the concentration of cultural liquid filtrates. New results have been obtained on the study of the phytotoxic activity of 70 strains of hemibiotrophic micromycetes and the optimal concentrations of fungal FAs for classifying fungal strains into toxicity groups have been established. The most variable toxicity values were found when using a 40% solution of FCL. It was shown that, under these conditions, fungal strains can be divided according to the degree of toxicity into significantly different groups. This circumstance is an important reason for including strains of micromycetes with certain toxicity properties in the State Collection of Phytopathogenic Microorganisms. Fungal strains are necessary and appropriate for use in breeding to create resistant and tolerant varieties to phytopathogens from the genera Fusarium, Alternaria, Bipolaris.Conclusion. New methodological approaches have confirmed that the most variable toxicity values were found with the use of FCF in a ratio of 2:3. This concentration of FCF strains are divided into 4 groups with characteristic differences in the degree of toxicity, which is an important reason for including such strains of micromycetes in the State Collection of Phytopathogenic Microorganisms and will be further used in breeding to create resistant and tolerant varieties of agricultural crops.

Relevance. A mathematical model of the distribution of the leaf area of a cucumber plant has been developed. On this basis, it is possible to determine the area of the leaf surface of the plant without removing them from the plants. By measuring the minimum number of parameters: the length and width of the largest leaf and the number of leaves on the plant.Methods. We determined the area by two methods: using scales and by scanning the leaves in black-and-white image mode. We present here a step-by-step instruction on determining the area of the sheet in both cases: by weighing and by using graphic editor (program) for his scan file. The accuracy of determining the area is ± 2%.Results. We have developed and practically tested a system for mass determination of the area of cucumber leaves. It includes the development of a mathematical model of the distribution of leaf area by plants at the time of accounting. For practical use of the obtained formulas, it is enough to measure only three parameters on each plant: the number of leaves, the length and width of the largest typical leaf. A typicality criterion based on the ratio of the length and width of the sheet was proposed. The model coincides with the actual plant area with a typical distribution of ±5%. This allows two people to account for up to 500 plants in one working day. The proportion of plants with a typical leaf area distribution ranges from 90% at the beginning of the growing season to 80-85% at its end. This allows relatively accurate calculation of the total area in agrotechnical experiments at minimal cost. The leaves of the plant do not receive any impact and continue to grow at the same time.Conclusion. The developed method allows taking into account the area on the same plants repeatedly, at different phases of ontogenesis and in different periods of vegetation.

Relevance. Gender phytoregulators occupy an important place in the seed production of parental forms of cucumber, they allow you to shift the sex of the plant in the right direction, increase the intensity of selection, obtain purely female lines, and increase the efficiency of hybrid seed production.Results. The paper presents the regulations for the use of Esfon on the breeding line ZhL 24, which is the mother form of the hybrid Rich garden F1. To obtain the maximum number of female flowers, without significant inhibition of vegetative growth, it is necessary to treat vegetative plants three times with an interval of 5 days, starting from the phase of the second true leaf, with a solution of Esfon (BP. 65%) at a concentration of 0.03% (300 mg/l) with the purpose of preventing closely related crosses and increasing the hybridity of seeds. This technique stimulates the earlier development of pistillate flowers, minimizes the formation of male flowering, increases the number of fruits per plant, their size and weight, which allows increasing the yield per unit area by 40%.

Relevance and methodology. In order to determine the effect of near-ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of 380 nm on the growth and development of a sugar beet hybrid plant, Smena was grown for 82 days under LED lighting with phytolamps and under conditions of increased UV-A intensity of the light range (an increase in the UV/PPFD ratio (0.027) compared with the control (0.0075) while maintaining the ratio of the remaining sites spectrum). The study was carried out on the basis of the digital software package "Synergotron" with a controlled internal environment.Results. An increase in the share of UV-A in the illumination spectrum leads to a significant change in the biometric indicators of plants – the aboveground biomass increases by 2.2 times compared to the control, and the mass of the underground part (root crops), on the contrary, decreases by 86.9%. At the same time, the share of root crops in the total biomass of plants decreases from 60% in the control to 30%. The morphological structure of the leaf apparatus changes: the proportion of petioles increases significantly compared to leaf blades (64.8% of petioles in aboveground biomass, whereas in the control 30%). Probably, an increase in the share of UV-A in the spectrum can favorably affect the cultivation of leaf forms of beets and other root crops. UV-A radiation leads to a change in the chemical composition of root crops, in particular, a decrease in the accumulation of dry substances (by 1.58%) and a decrease in sugar content (by 1.8%). An increase in the proportion of UV-A in the irradiation spectrum changes the parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence and contributes to an increase in the maximum quantum yield of Fv/Fm, non-photosynthetic quenching of NPQ fluorescence and a decrease in the real quantum yield of photosynthesis Y(II), as well as the electron transport rate (ETR).

Relevance. Potato varieties Eurasia and Onezhskiy were developed as a result of cooperation between the Murmansk State Agricultural Experiment Station – branch of the VIR and the Leningrad Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture "Belogorka" and were included in the State Register of the Russian Federation in 2014 (Onezhsky) and in 2017 (Eurasia). To determine the prospects for cultivation in the Kola North, the varieties were tested in the conditions of the Murmansk region.Materials and methods. The research was carried out on the experimental field of the Murmansk State Agricultural Experiment Station – branch of the VIR in 2018-2020. Potato varieties Eurasia and Onezhskiy were obtained from the Leningrad Research Institute of Agriculture "Belogorka". The plot in the experiment included 4 rows of 15 tubers in each row. The planting pattern is 70x35 cm. Repetition – four times. The location of the plots is systematic with the plots being shifted along tiers. Early maturity was assessed using one test coping on the 70th day after planting. The Elizabeth variety was used as a standard. The results were processed using the method of analysis of variance according to Dospekhov.Results. The research results showed that the Onezhsky variety is distinguished by high starchiness, non-darkening flesh and good taste, is resistant to pathogens: Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilbersky) Percival, Streptomyces scabies (Thaxter), Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenweber) Behrens, relatively resistant to Phytophthora infestans (Mont . De Bary), is weakly affected by Potato virus Y (PVY), Potato leaf roll virus (PLRV). The Onezhsky variety, on average, over three years of research exceeded the standard sample in terms of yield and plant productivity. The Eurasia variety has high starchy content, good taste, culinary type B, is resistant to pathogens: Potato virus Y (PVY), Potato leaf roll virus (PLRV), Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenweber) Behrens, Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilbersky) Percival, moderately susceptible to Phytophthora infestans (Mont. De Bary). The Eurasia variety also exceeded the standard sample in terms of yield and plant productivity. Thus, the Onezhsky and Eurasia potato varieties are recommended for cultivation in the Kola North.

Relevance. Among the factors of increasing the productivity and quality of cultivated plants, the correct organization and timely implementation of the fight against harmful organisms is of great importance. At the same time, a special place is occupied by quarantine measures. No less important is the timely detection and destruction of quarantine organisms, their localization and elimination in isolated centers of infection.Methods. The methods for registration testing of pesticides in terms of biological effectiveness (VIZR) and of studying the bioecological features of the tomato leaf miner, adopted by the Scientific Council of the National Institute of Plant Protection and Technical Cultures of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was applied.Results. In the conditions of the South Caucasus in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the biology of the tomato leaf miner, the degree of development, the prevalence and the harmfulness of the insect pest have been studied in detail for the first time. The reasons for the rapid spread of the pest are indicated, the conditions are favorable to it. Listed agrotechnical measures that reduce the population of the pest and measures of biological and chemical control. Employees of the Institute of plant protection and technical crops and the Azerbaijan State Agrarian University have developed a set of measures for monitoring, prevention and pest control, thanks to which it is possible to control the number of pests.

The review is devoted to the nutritional significance and prospects of garden rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum L.) utilization in food industry. High yield of juice reaching 90% and the ability to complex rhubarb stems processing for juice production and pectin extraction from rhubarb stem pomace are empathized. Rhubarb stems pomace recorded up to 21-23 % of pectin, which is significantly higher than in natural industrial sources of pectin. Medicinal value of rhubarb juice is discussed: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, cardioprotective and anti-diabetic properties are indicated. Examples of high antioxidant content and unique organic acids composition of rhubarb juice are highlighted. Sorbic and benzoic acids are indicated as important components of juice widely used in food industry as food preservatives. Citric acid is shown to be the main component of rhubarb organic acids in spring. Special attention is paid to the non-waste production of juice thanks to the possibility of pomace processing for pectin recovery. Juice biochemical characteristics of four garden rhubarb cultivars (selection of Federal Scientific Center of Vegetable Production) are described: Udalets, Malakhit, Zaryanka and Krupnochereshkovy). Expediency of further selection on high anthocyanin content in rhubarb stems are empathized.

Relevance. In one of the farms, situated in the Central region of the Russian Federation was found the first defeat of cabbage by obligate weed – broomrape. As the long experience shows (since 2011 yr.), the control of broomrape is very difficult, and it is a real danger for the vegetable growing in this region.Materials and methods. The object of researches were the plantations of white cabbage, which was grown by using the cassette technology, there were field experiments.The research methods included the following works: phenological observations of broomrape and white cabbage ontogenesis, the detection of the main features during blooming and fruiting of this weed, the definition of the duration of broomrape evolution until the fruiting phase, the detection of blooming shoots location on the surface of the cabbage plantation, the identifying of relationship between the height of broomrape’s flower-bearing shoots and the height of leaves of cabbage’s rosette.There was analyzed the feature of growing by using the cassette technology cabbage, being damaged by broomrape.Results. It was found, that the studied in the paper race of broomrape can successfully progress in more northern soil-climatic conditions of the Central region of the Russian Federation. The complex of agro technical methods of broomrape control is suggested, it includes: the two-level plowing of the weedy fields right after harvesting cabbage; receiving of cabbage’s fibrous root, which should be situated into the working plowing space with depth up to 25 cm; multiplex cultivation of the growing shoots of the weed; the cabbage hilling before rows closing. The alternative methods of broomrape control also can be used: the conveyer of cruciferous vegetable cultures with short vegetation period and cultures, which provoke the germination of the weed.

Relevance. The use of biological preparations in agricultural technology of agricultural crops contributes to the preservation of agrophytocenosis, reduces environmental pollution and has a positive effect on the growth and development of the plants themselves. In this regard, the determination of the effectiveness of the use of biological products in the presowing treatment of common bean seeds is relevant and timely.Materials and methods. In our study, we studied the effect of presowing treatment of common bean seeds with biological products: Polydon Bio Profi, Polydon Amino Mix, Polydon Aminomix, Alfastim on germination energy, germination, seed sprout size, number of roots and length of the root system. Three varieties were taken as objects of study: Athlete, Omichka, Sirenevaya.Results. A different effect of preparations on the time of seed germination was revealed. The average germination time in options 1-4 was higher than the control values for all varieties, i.e. drugs slowed down germination. The seeds of the tested varieties responded positively to treatment with Alfastim (option 5): the average germination time in Fizkulturnitsa and Sirenevaya decreased by 8.5 and 9.8%, in the Omichka variety by 45%, compared with the control. Among the tested varieties, it is necessary to single out the Sirenevaya variety, which has the highest germination energy (ES) from 90% to 100% and seed germination (VS) from 98-100% in all treatment options. The most effective treatment of the Omichka variety was in option 2 (EP-90%, germination rate 90%), the values exceeded the control by 5%. For all options, the germination energy of the Fizkulturnitsa variety ranged from 72 to 90%, germination from 73 to 93%. A positive effect of drugs on the germination of seeds of this variety was established. The defeat of bean seeds by mold fungi was noted. Seed damage is mild to moderate. Seed damage by mold fungi in the variants using Polydon Bio Profi was absent, or it was weak up to 3.3% for all tested varieties. Morphobiometric indicators of seedlings and their root system in all varieties developed more effectively on variants with the use of Polydon Bio Profi and Alfastim preparations, and their mixtures

Relevance. Foliar feeding when growing vegetables is due to its positive effect on quality and yield indicators. The use of microfertilizers for foliar feeding allows optimizing the absorption of nutrients by plants, which can not only reduce economic costs, but also regulate the accumulation of biologically active substances. Identifying the optimal fertilizing system for different varieties and hybrids of vegetables is especially important in risky farming areas, where the main factor regulating yield indicators is weather.Methodology. The purpose of the work is to conduct a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of foliar feeding of the white cabbage variety Zimovka 1474 different agrochemicals. In a field experiment for three years (2018-2020), the effect of microfertilizers, humate, chelates and a biostimulator on the yield, biochemical and microelement composition of white cabbage variety Zimovka 1434 was studied.Results. It has been shown that the biometric characteristics of cabbage are best influenced by foliar fertilization with microfertilizer Aquarin and the biostimulator BIS-65, and the total and marketable yield is influenced by microfertilizer in chelate form Helaton. The greatest accumulation of dry matter, sugars, and vitamin C was typical for variants using the biological product BIS-65 and chelated fertilizers (Tiaton, Helaton). Chelated fertilizers also contributed to an increase in the accumulation of elements such as potassium, calcium, iron, zinc and manganese in cabbage heads.