Material for research was fresh leaves of Amaranthus tricolor L. varieties Early Splendor. They were grown in a greenhouse (Federal Scientific Vegetable Center, Moscow region). Using GC-MS, 8 and 11 amino acids were identified in extracts of hetero- and autotrophic leaves. One of the mechanisms that provide resistance to stresses of various natures is the accumulation of free amino acids; therefore, the total content of antioxidants can serve as an indicator of plant resistance. The amino acids found in amaranth leaves have pronounced functional activity in the human body. For example, tyrosine is the most important neurotransmitter, stimulates the brain, is involved in the control of stress. In humans, the precursor of tyrosine is the essential amino acid phenylalanine, while tyrosine is formed by hydroxylation of the phenyl group of phenylalanine. In this case, the lack of the latter in food leads to a deficiency of tyrosine in the body. Tryptophan controls the body's protective and adaptive functions. Amino acids valine, leucine, glutamine, proline - stimulate the growth of beneficial intestinal flora and biomass accumulation. Thus, the amino acid composition determines the nutritional and pharmacological value of amaranth leaf biomass. This indicates that amaranth leaves are a promising raw material for creating functional products and herbal remedies.

Relevance. The article highlights the issues of growing medicinal and essential oil crops, the seeds shortage and the problem of chemical polymorphism of raw materials. As a possible way to solve this problem is considered a wide introduction of seedling technologies for medicinal and essential oil crops. An analysis was carried out and information was systematized on individual elements of the technological process.Purpose. To analyze and explore the possibilities for the introduction of seedling technologies in medicinal plant growing, taking into account the experience at other branches of plant growing, primarily vegetable growing.Methods. Information obtained from literary sources was systematized by individual elements of the technological process, presented in a logical sequence and analyzed for applicability in medicinal plant production.Results. The result of the literary sources analysis, the personal experience of researchers on the use of the seedling method for medicinal, and essential oil crops growing, they showed the prospect the seedlings technology for generatively and vegetatively propagated plants. Thanks to modern growth regulators and fertilizers, it is possible to intensify the process of seedling production, and specifically to increase the germination and energy of seed germination, rooting of cuttings, shorten the period from sowing (planting cuttings) to planting in the ground and get cassette seedlings with a well-developed root system. The mechanization of the sowing and planting processes can significantly reduce the costs of these operations, a longer interval for planting allows you to prepare the field with the highest quality and successfully fight weeds by mechanical means. The technique used for these operations in commercial vegetable growing is suitable for medicinal and essential oil crops without further modification. Conclusion. The widespread introduction of the seedling method can be the best solution to the problem of lack of seeds, difficulties of direct sowing in the ground and a long germination phase, care after planting and weed control in the first period, and will also allow obtaining raw materials with a stable biochemical composition.

Common chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a promising source of raw materials for both food (roots) and pharmaceutical industries (leaves). One of the ways to increase the biologically active compounds content in medicinal plant materials is the use of various growth stimulants, which include amino acids. The article presents the results of an experimental study conducted in 2021-2022 which study the effect of of L-alanine and a racemic mixture of alanine (DL) on the accumulation and qualitative composition of phenolic compounds (PC) in the leaves of chicory.Results. It was found that the use of alanine in different concentrations did not have a significant effect on the increase of phenolic compounds content, and also did not affect the on their accumulation dynamics. The use of alanine enantiomers did not affect the qualitative composition of phenolic compounds, but led to a change in the ratio of hydroxycinnamic acids to each other. It has been established that during the growing season the percentage ratio between the main phenolic compounds in chicory leaves changes - the content of chlorogenic acid increases in proportion to the decrease in chicory acid. Treatment with L-alanine at a concentration of 25 mg/l during the study period in both varieties led to the largest reduction in the content of chicory acid compared to others. It was noted that the total content of PC is higher in a year with warmer and more arid weather, it was higher on average by 0,7 %.