Seven accessions of vegetable fennel selection of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center for Ecology were studied, in which significant differences were found in the degree of expression of the main morphological parameters (the length of the seed, endosperm and embryo). The length of each seed, endosperm (on a longitudinal section), and embryo (after isolation) were analyzed sequentially. The experiment was repeated four times, in each repetition at least 30 seeds. The indices IE/S, IZ/E, IZ/S were calculated as the corresponding ratios of the length of the seed, endosperm, and embryo.Results. A group of vegetable fennel samples showed significant differences in the length of the seed, endosperm and embryo and their ratios. The variety Udalets used as a standard had a seed length of 6.85±0.164 mm, an endosperm length of 5.30±0.118 mm, and an embryo length of 2.35±0.093 mm. Population No. 17 of the FSVC and variety Corvette of the VNIIO selection and collection sample vr. 161 local populations from India significantly (by 18.5 and 17.5%) exceeded the average value of the standard for seed length at a 1% significance level, and the minimum value of the parameter (5.65±0.109) was noted in population No. 10 of the FSVC. The minimum endosperm length was noted in samples No. 10 (4.16±0.094) and No. 11 (5.11±0.167), which is 21.5 and 4.5% lower than the standard. The largest endosperm was possessed by the seeds of the Korvet variety (6.18±0.169 mm) and sample No. 17 of the FSVC (6.09±0.158 mm), which exceeds the standard by 16.6 and 14.9%. The remaining samples exceeded the standard in this indicator, but to a lesser extent. The length of the embryo only in the Corvette variety (2.38±0.097 mm) was at the level of the standard, and even slightly exceeded it. For the rest of the specimens, this indicator varied from 1.44±0.065 mm for No. 10 to 2.25±0.165 mm for No. 10, which is significantly 4.2–38.7 below the standard. Depending on the sample, the coefficient of variation of indicators changed for the length of the embryo (17.7-32.8%), the length of the endosperm (9.6-12.2%) and the length of the seed (8.6-12.8%). A close relationship was noted only between the length of the seed and the length of the endosperm, the correlation coefficient varied from 0.595 (No. 11 FSVC) to 0.837 (Udalets St). All values of the correlation coefficient had a positive value. According to the value of the Ie/z index, the seeds of accessions No. 15 of the FSVC and vr. 161 India. Seeds of accessions No. 17, No. 10 and varieties Corvette with an index from 0.30 to 0.39 are assigned to the third class. The fourth class includes seeds of the variety Udalets (St) and selection sample No. 11 of the FSVC.

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 degree of variability of the linear parameters of the morphological elements of the seeds of the anise (variety Vityaz) and cumin (variety Peresvet).Materials and methods. 1) Plants: Monarda fistulosa L. (the breeding sample №5 U.P.), Monarda citriodora Cerv. ex Lag. (Simka variety), Melissa officinalis L. (Zhemchuzhina variety). 2) secondary metabolites: flavonoid glycoside linarozid and steroid glycoside moldstim.Methods. The studies were carried out in VNIIO – a branch of the FSBSI Federal Scientific Vegetable Center. The measurement of the length of the seed and endosperm was carried out using a caliper (GOST 166-89). The embryo length was determined using a Levenhuk 670T microscope and a DCM 300 MD video eyepiece at Ч 40 magnification using Scope Photo (Image Software V. 3.1.386). The lengths of each seed, endosperm (longitudinal section) and embryo (after isolation) were sequentially analyzed. The indices IE/C, IZ/E, IZ/C were calculated as the corresponding ratios of the length of the seed, endosperm and embryo.Results. The maximum length of the seed (4.76±0.10 mm) and of the endosperm (4.08 ± 0.08 mm) and the length of the embryo (1.40±0.02 mm) were noted in cumin seeds. The average values of the coefficient of variation (V), on the contrary, were minimal for cumin seeds, varying from 7.8% for the length of the embryo to 11.5% for the length of the seed. The average values of the coefficient of variation (V) for anise varied from 9.3% for the length of the embryo to 14.7% for the length of the seed. The maximum level of variability in both cultures was noted for seed size. Correlation analysis showed that a close relationship was observed in anise (r=0.912) and cumin seeds (r=0.876) only between the length of the seed and the length of the endosperm. The value of the correlation coefficient (r) between the linear sizes of the seed and the embryo was 0.195 for anise and 0.229 for cumin seeds, and between the length of the endosperm and the length of the embryo, 0.237 and 0.214, respectively. The correlation coefficient (r) between the index IZ/E and the linear sizes of the seed, endosperm and embryo had low negative values from -0.221 to - 0.345.

The work is devoted to the study of statistical parameters of the linear dimensions of the seed, endosperm and embryo, variability, correlations, and the manifestation of these traits in hybrid combinations. Morphometric parameters largely determine the quality of seeds. The presence of an underdeveloped embryo determines the duration of the period of heterotrophic development of the seedling, affects germination, energy, longevity, seed response to changes in germination conditions, and, ultimately, increases the interphase period from sowing to germination. The article shows the high variability of these parameters in numerous representatives of vegetable crops - representatives of the Umbelliferae (Apiaceae) family, analyzes the causes that cause them, and predicts the potential use of this variability in breeding programs. The object of research was the seeds of various varieties of carrots, parsley, parsnips, celery, dill. Measurement of the length of the seed and endosperm was carried out using a caliper. The length of the embryo was determined using a microscope and a video eyepiece at ×40 magnification using the Scope Photo program. The experiment was repeated four times, in each repetition at least 20 seeds. The values of the coefficient of variation in the length of the endosperm and seed varied from 9 to 19%, depending on the species and cultivar characteristics. The variability of the embryo reached 18-28%. between the size of the embryo on the one hand and the length of the endosperm (0.208-0.369) and seed (0.213-0.376) on the other, weak correlations were noted, indicating the independent inheritance of these parameters. The hereditary conditionality of the variability of the embryo, endosperm and seed of carrots (50.8-86.5%) and parsnips (49.6-58.9%) is shown, which characterizes the real possibility of their breeding improvement. In the process of studying distant hybrids of carrots (the parental forms of which differed sharply in morphometric parameters of seeds), it was found that F1 hybrids for these traits predominantly showed positive overdominance (38.1%) and dominance (16.7%). According to the complex of relative parameters (indices), negative overdominance (23.8%) and dominance (4.8%) were more often noted. The results of many years of research indicate that the morphometric parameters (length of the seed, endosperm, embryo) and their ratios (indices) of seeds, like any other biological traits, are genetically determined and depend on species and cultivar characteristics. A comparison of wild-growing and varietal samples of carrots indicates that in the process of cultivation, the size of the embryo underwent significant upward changes, even in the absence of targeted selection. Therefore, when applying artificial selection in this direction, one can expect more significant results.

Relevance and methods. In some Umbelliferae crops, the ratio of the parameters of the seed (the relative length of the embryo) has a significant effect on the ability of seeds to germinate. We studied 10 coriander samples, which showed significant differences in the degree of severity of the main morphological parameters, including the length of the seed, endosperm and embryo.Results. The indicators of the hybrid 5/19 and the variety Stimul significantly exceeded the average value of the population in the length of the seed at 1%, and the sample of the local population from Azerbaijan had the lowest indicator at the 5% level of significance. The endosperm length of the hybrid 5/19, the variety Stimul and the sample of the local population of Egypt exceeded the level of the indicator on average in the experiment. According to the length of the embryo, the Nectar variety, hybrid 5/19 and samples from Egypt and Azerbaijan were at the level of the average value for the experiment. The largest embryo (1.063±0.04) was distinguished by the Commander variety. Four samples significantly exceeded, and the hybrid 11/19 were lower than the average value. Depending on the variety, the coefficient of variation of indicators varied for the length of the embryo (13.9-19.1%), the length of the endosperm (16.4-20.4%) and the length of the seed (15.7-22.1%). The maximum value (0.377) of the IZ/E index, which characterizes the ratio of the size of the embryo and endosperm, was observed in the Commander variety. A close correlation was found between the length of the seed and the length of the endosperm, the correlation coefficient varied from r=0.640 in the Stimul variety to r=0.981 in a sample of the local population of Egypt. A weak or medium correlation was observed between the length of the embryo on the one hand and the length of the endosperm (0.026-0.393) and the seed (0.090 – -0.132) on the other. For the IE/S index, which characterizes the ratio of endosperm size to seed size, the limits (0.893-0.988) of variability were significantly lower. The maximum index (0.988) was found in a sample from Egypt.

The study was performed to discover the effect of the loca-tion of umbel in ‘Centaur’ variety (Anethum graveolens L.) on the linear parameters of the seed. The seeds were sown on the experimental field of the FGBNU VNIIO in 2015-2016 and grown for seed production. 30 plants were selected in three-fold repetition for each variant at random, and umbels were cut in accordance with the experimental design. Then, the length of the seed, embryo and endosperm from umbels, located on the stalks of first, second orders of branching and controls were measured. It was found that the mean lengths of the elements of the seed (3.85 3.43 mm), endosperm (3.37 2.99 mm) and embryo (1.00 0.77 mm) of dill varied considerably and depended on architectonics of a seed plant and environment. The length of the endosperm averaged 88-89% of the length of the seed. The length of the embryo in the inflorescences of the first order was 26% of the length of the seed and 30% of the length of the endosperm, and in umbels of the second order was 5 and 6% lower. The length of the seed and endosperm was mainly influenced by growing conditions (77% and 81%, respectively), and the length of the embryo the maternal factor (92%). Correlation analysis showed that the influence of the length of the seed on the length of the endosperm had a high positive dependence (r = 0.961-0.978). Between the length of the embryo and the length of the seed; Also the length of the embryo and the length of the endosperm, a weak linkage was observed (r = 0.050-0.314 and 0.066-0.325 respectively).