The main direction of breeding in melon farming is the creation of varieties with high potential for productivity. The research was conducted at the Bykovskaya experimental station in the Volgograd region. The aim of the research was to create a new competitive watermelon variety malachite, which has a complex of useful and economic characteristics, resistant to biotic and abiotic environmental factors. The characteristic of the initial forms used for hybridization is given. The data of evaluation of the hybrid combination in all stages of the breeding process. According to the results of the 3-year competitive variety testing, the excess of the yield of watermelon malachite over the Sinchevsky standard averaged 1.5 t/ha. The dry matter content for all years of research was at the level of the standard and ranged from 11.4 to 12.4%. The final result of breeding work is the creation of mediumgrade watermelon malachite, which is in the state variety testing.

The promising pea varieties for canning with an optimum combination of elements of yield production have been selected based on utilization of geographically dispersed and morphologically different forms in progeny of diallel crossing. A comparative evaluation of the severity selection in different hybrid generations is shown, from which conclusions are drawn about the breeding value of parental forms.

Ocimum basilicum L. (common basil) is one of the promising spicy - aromatic and medicinal plants. It is used both in traditional and traditional medicine as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory agent, gastritis, colitis, nephritis, etc. Numerous scientific studies have established that O. basilicum L. essential oil in experimental practice has good antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytostatic activity. The modern spice market requires a growing variety of forms and varieties of basil for consumption as seasoning and green vegetables. An important place is occupied by raw materials (leaf and herb of basil), in recipes of medicinal and forest teas. Essential oil is used both in the food and in the perfumery – cosmetic industry and pharmaceuticals. Perspectivity in the spice market and its multiple medicinal properties were the reason for the continuation of work on the improvement and creation of new promising varieties of basil, of various uses. A working collection was created, consisting of 34 varieties, forms and nursery of crosses and breeding selections, numbering from 40 to 100 units, on average by year. Five varieties of basil of diverse directions were created and registered in the State Register, both for consumption as seasoning in fresh and dry form, for flavoring edible salt, vinegar and oil, and also as a medicinal raw material for teas. Brief results obtained over 17 years а presented in this paper.