April 12 is Cosmonautics Day, International Day of Human Space Flight. This is a memorable date dedicated to the flight of the first cosmonaut of the planet, Yuri Alekseevich Gagarin, who became a symbol of the earthlings' dream come true. The All-Russian Research Institute of Vegetable Breeding and Seed Production (Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Federal Scientific Vegetable Center (FSBSI FSVC)), like a number of other academic institutions, from the beginning of space exploration, got involved in the work to solve the problem of developing food for astronauts and continues research to this day. In the embodiment of the ideas of K.E. Tsiolkovsky and S.P. Korolev on the creation of space greenhouses received a number of significant achievements in the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center, Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, Institute of Biochemical Physics N.M. Emanuel, SSC RF IBMP RAS and others. Varieties of vegetable crops have been created, tested and recommended for weightlessness conditions: radish, Chinese cabbage, dill, lettuce and other rapidly maturing plants. The variety of Chinese Vesnyanka cabbage has successfully passed biotechnical tests on the ground model of the Phytocycle-SD space conveyor greenhouse, during which good production and biochemical parameters were obtained. Russian scientists are conducting research on developing a technology for cultivating various vegetable plants under space flight conditions – in closed ecosystems (synergotrons), which can serve as the basis of life support systems during space flights, at space stations or in space habitats, where some conditions specific for ISS. Studies have been carried out to study tomato plants grown from seeds that have been under space flight conditions for a long time. As a result of the study, a statistically significant increase in the levels of ascorbic acid, polyphenols and carotenoids, the total antioxidant activity of tomato fruits compared to plants grown from control seeds (ground control) was found.

Relevance. Pea rust regularly damages the vegetable pea crop in the Omsk region. The harmfulness of the disease has begun to intensify in recent years; in years favorable for the development of the disease, the damage to susceptible varieties can be 100%. Therefore, breeders are forced to constantly search for new sources of resistance genes due to the rapidly developing rust pathogens. The goal of our research is to screen samples of a vegetable pea collection under field conditions in the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia and identify sources of resistance.Material and Methodology. As an object for study, 72 samples of vegetable peas were taken from the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Federal Scientific Vegetable Center (FSBSI FSVC) and the “Federal Research Center of the All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources named after. N.I. Vavilov" (VIR). The research was conducted over four years from 2020 to 2023. in the conditions of the southern forest-steppe of the Omsk region. The records were carried out in accordance with the “Methodological instructions for studying the collection of grain legumes”.Results and Discussion. As a result of the studies, it was established that the resistance of vegetable peas to rust depends on both the genotype and weather conditions. Weather conditions had the greatest influence on the development of the disease (the factor’s share was 51.5%), the contribution of the genotype was also significant and amounted to 44.8%. The resistance of collection samples to rust in the conditions of the Omsk region varied from low (2.8 points) in warm and humid weather to very high (7.8 points) in dry and hot weather. The main influence on the spread of rust is exerted by the hydrothermal conditions of the “flowering – ripening” period (r=-0.98±0.11). Plant resistance to rust varies greatly depending on growing conditions (Cve=20.2-54.6%). The variety Darunok had the least variability of the trait over the years (Cve=20.2%), which will most consistently maintain resistance when the infectious load increases. As a result of screening of collection material of vegetable peas, sources of partial resistance to rust were identified for breeding in Western Siberia: varieties Darunok, Namorodok (Federal Scientific Vegetable Center (FSBSI FSVC)), Orel, Cruiser, Vityaz, Flagman-8, Nemchinovsky 46, B-579, In Memory of Khangildin (VIR collection).

Relevance. Among vegetable crops beans are leaders in terms of protein and essential amino acids, rich in vitamins, carbohydrates, organic acids, biologically active compounds and microelements, they are classified as functional nutrition. Beans can also be very relevant for modern ecological farming systems. The achievements of domestic selection in this culture are modest. Only 16 varieties of vegetable beans have been included in the State Register of breeding achievements approved for using in 2019; 3 of them (19%) from the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center.The purpose of the work is to create a new midseason high-yielding variety of vegetable beans.Materials and methods. Studies were carried out from 2008 to 2018 on breeding fields of the FSBSI “Federal Scientific Vegetable Center” (Moscow Region, Odintsovo District). We studied samples of vegetable beans from the world collection of VIR and Federal Scientific Vegetable Center for quantitative and qualitative characteristics.Results. As a result selection work for many years, a new mid-season high-yielding variety of vegetable beans with light seeds and a light seed scar has been created. Hybridization was carried out by step crossing in 2009 followed by multiple individual selection. The surface of the beans is smooth, the color in the technical stage of ripeness is green. Seeds are light, egg shaped, have a light scar. The variety has a complex resistance to major diseases. According to the results of the competitive variety testing of 2016 - 2018, a new variety of Russkie belye vegetable beans was transferred to the State variety testing, and in 2019 it successfully passed an expert assessment.

Three varieties of onions have been created and included in the State Register of the Russian Federation for the first time in the Far East at Primorskaya Vegetable experimental station – Branch of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Federal Scientific Vegetable Center” (PVES - Branch of the FSBSI FSVC). Dmitrich: Medium. The bulb is cross-elliptical, weighing 55-70 g. Dry scales are brown, their number is 2-3, juicy scales are white with a greenish tinge. The neck of a medium-sized, two- or threepart. It have semi-acute taste. Trading yields 162-177 kg/ha. Maximum yield of 270 kg/ha (Khabarovsk region). Ivashka: Medium. The bulb is round, weighing 50-60 g, dry scales are pink, their number is 2-3, juicy scales with a pinkish tinge. It have semi-acute taste. Rocket: Medium. The bulb is wide elliptical, weighing 50-60 g. Dry brown scales, their number 2-3, juicy scales are white. It have semi-acute taste. The method of hybridization created a promising variety Antey, which is transferred to the state variety testing: early (vegetation period when sowing seeds in the soil 105-115 days). The bulb is round (index 0.9-1.1), the color of juicy scales is white. Aging before cleaning – up to 95%, keeping the storage 180 days – up to 92%. It have semi-acute taste, the dry matter content of 9.5-11.0%. Relatively resistant to bacterial rots of the bulb. For today the basic line of grades, optimally suitable for agroclimatic conditions of region which will be used for further selection with use of modern molecular-genetic methods together with scientists of Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy and Japanese Partners in the RNF project.

Relevance. Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a valuable and demanded vegetable crop, which occupies one of the leading places in terms of sown areas and gross yields among other vegetable crops of the genus Allium L. Onion is popular in folk and evidence-based medicine, widely used for the prevention and treatment of many diseases due to its rich biochemical composition and useful properties. As part of import substitution and achieving food security of the country, scientists of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution «Federal Scientific Vegetable Center» (FSBSI FSVC) are working intensively to create new generation varieties and hybrids.Methodology. Various resources on the topic were selected, publications in scientific and industry journals and databases were studied, a review of works on onion selection (yield, species diversity in shape and color, maturity, shelf life, biochemical parameters, commercial and seed productivity, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses), as well as useful properties for humans and use in medicine was made.Results. The analysis of works shows that the wide distribution in the Russian Federation have such varieties of selection of FSBSI FSVC, such as Myachkovskij 300, Cherni prince, Al'ba, Atas, Ampeks and others. In recent years, created a medium-maturing hybrid onion onion F1 Drakon with brown dry scales and a maximum yield of 391.0 c/ha, as well as transferred to the State variety trial winter variety Novator with brown dry scales. Propagation of demanded varieties and hybrids for both production cultivation and for use in household farms is underway.Conclusion. In order to conveyor onion production, it is necessary to create varieties and hybrids of different maturity groups, as well as to work on improving marketability, seed productivity and resistance to various stresses.

The aim of the present work was evaluation of the current state and leading directions in selection of leaf and spicy-aromatic vegetables crops belonging to the Asteraceae, Apiaceae, Brassicaceae, Lamiaceae, Chenopodiaceae families. Analysis of leaf and spicy aromatic plant production revealed that at present time these crops become more and more popular. Being a source of essential to human organism vitamins, antioxidants and biologically active compounds they enrich food with marvelous taste and aroma. The main directions in the selection of these crops and presented database of leaf and spicy-aromatic crops genebank promote the selection process optimization. Modern varieties of leaf and spicy-aromatic crops of Federal Scientific Vegetable Center selection are considered to be competitive and promising for import substitution.

Relevance and research material. Flax is a perennial herbaceous plant with a high decorative value, with a long flowering, blooms in the first year of vegetation. The plant is undemanding to the growing conditions. As a result of multiple selection selections from a foreign variety, the long-term flax variety No. L-22 "Blues" recommended for use for decorative purposes was derived. The leaves and the bright color of the flowers provide a contrast to the perennial borders and flower beds. It looks good both in single and group plantings, as well as in cutting.Results. The study was carried out in the open ground of the Moscow Region (2015-2022) on experimental plots of the flower crops sector of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center. The most aligned form according to decorative features is L–22 with high seed productivity of inflorescences, decorative and winter hardiness. Variety testing and preliminary propagation of a promising long-term flax variety was carried out. Signs such as "plant height"

In recent years, in the agricultural sector there is a tendency to increase the production of crop products. However, its quality is still not high enough. To improve the situation in the vegetable growing industry, an important place is given to improving breeding and seed production, since the variety and high-quality seeds are the main elements of modern crop cultivation zonal technologies. At the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Federal Scientific Vegetable Center” (FSBSI FSVC), vegetable crop breeding has been put on the innovative path of development, where modern methods are used along with classical ones: molecular markers on the main of economical important plant determinants, accelerated creation of homogeneous lines using the methods of doubled haploids and biotechnology of functional products for healthy nutrition. As a result of purposeful selection work, domestic varieties and hybrids of vegetable crops with fundamentally new qualities were created. The geographical location of the branches of the Center allows you to create breeding achievements for all potential regions of vegetable growing. In 2019, 36 varieties and hybrids of vegetables and melon crops were created, including cabbage, carrot, tomato, onion, onion Shallot, perennial onion, garlic, peas, bean, cowpea, pumpkin, cucumber, sugar corn, green vegetables culture, spicy-flavouring plant and floral crops. In order to provide the industry with pure-grade quality seed material and increase the productivity of crops due to the full use of the potential of the variety in the FSBSI FSVC, constant work is carried out in primary seed production. Zonal cultivation technologies have been developed that will allow growing domestic products in different soil and climatic conditions of the country. Wide introduction of achievements of the Russian vegetable growing science in agricultural production is capable to provide the population of the Russian Federation with high-quality, domestic production.

Relevance. In connection with the development of industrial hydroponics in the country, the need arose to create targeted varieties and hybrids of F1 small radish for salad lines, which have special requirements. They should be productive, early ripening and shade-tolerant, with a rounded root shape and a small compact rosette of leaves, resistant to premature stem formation (stem formation). Root vegetables should be juicy, dense, without voids and bitterness, as well as with a high content of ascorbic acid and other biologically active substances and low accumulation of pollutants.Methodology. The material for the study was selection samples of small radishes created in the laboratory of selection and seed production of table root crops of the Federal State Budgetary Institution " Federal Scientific Vegetable Center". The assessment of promising breeding material was carried out in the seedling department of the Richel greenhouse and in the production conditions of Moskovsky LLC according to the methods adopted by the Federal Scientific Center.Results. Based on the assessment results, promising leveled material was identified, adapted to the conditions of salad lines, both in terms of a set of characteristics and in individual areas of selection: No. 81 with high yield and marketability, having large red root crops of a round-oval shape and a small leaf rosette, No. 83 – with large roots, small leaf rosette and resistance to flowering, No. 80 is a genetic source of high resistance to flowering (3.6%) combined with marketability and a small leaf rosette. Genetic sources of high dry matter content were identified – the Dutch hybrid F1 Gloritet, monosaccharides – sample No. 83, ascorbic acid – No. 76, 81, 82, 84, high content of vitamin "C" and monosaccharides in root vegetables – No. 76. In the production conditions of Moskovsky LLC, three promising samples small radishes stood out with a yield of more than 2200 g per 1 m2 and a marketability of 93.9-96.8%, distinguished by large rounded red root crops, a small rosette of leaves and a thin axial root.

Relevance. Growing European radishes in protected soil on hydroponics provides year-round fresh vitamin production. For the autumn-winter turnover shade-tolerant varieties with a short growing season are necessary. For the spring-summer turnover, the resistance of the variety to high temperatures and premature stem formation is of particular importance. Selection of targeted radish varieties is an energy-consuming process, which can be optimized by using an open-type multi-tier narrow-stack hydroponics installation with a different combination of limiting factors for tiers (light, heat).Methods and results. In Federal Scientific Vegetable Center radish varieties were tested in different conditions. The informativeness of the tiers on the installation as backgrounds for selection for adaptability and specificity is determined. It was found that the assessment and selection of productivity and large-fruited is effectively carried out on 1-2 tiers; for resistance to premature stem formation – on 1 tier; for shade tolerance, early ripening, with a stable manifestation of the marketable mass of the root crop – on 4-5 tiers. Radish varieties were selected as the starting material for the suitability for hydroponic cultivation of intensive type and highly adaptive. The uniqueness of the use of a multi-level narrow column hydroponics for the purpose of radish breeding is shown.