Increasing the competitiveness of the agro-industrial complex is inextricably linked with the development of science that ensures the development of innovative methods, the introduction of new knowledge and achievements of agricultural science in production. In order to provide scientific support to the vegetable-growing industry in 2017, the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Federal Scientific Vegetable Center” was founded. The main directions and tasks of the Center are presented in the article. Brief results of research work for the current year are given: 47 new varieties and hybrids have been created; more than 200 gene sources and 30 donors of especially valuable features were allocated, 28 patents for selection achievements, inventions and utility models were obtained. The publication activity of the center for 2017 is 159 publications in the RINC system, as well as 22 articles in the journals included in the Web of Science, Scopus and RSCI databases. Citation of FSBSI FSVC articles on the RINC database -1075.

The article presents information about the research directions, the results of work and achievements in the selection of onion crops in the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Federal Scientific Vegetable Center". Brief historical information is given about the work of the outstanding scientists who headed the laboratory – V.V. Ordynsky, A.D. Plinka, I. I. Yershov, A.F. Agafonov. At present, new varieties and hybrids of onion crops of domestic selection that meet all the requirements are required for industrial production.The FSBSI FSVC is working on studying the breeding material of onion crops and identifying promising ones with a complex of economically valuable characteristics for creating fundamentally new, competitive varieties and hybrids for various zones of the Russian Federation. Selection of individual types of bows is carried out: onions – for early maturation, consistently high yield, high dry matter content (17-22%), keeping quality, resistance to peronosporosis, cervical and bacterial rot, with a different rate of reaction to the length of the day, for winter and spring crops, in sowing culture – with a cold method of storing sowing, good keeping quality; perennial onions – winter hardiness, high productivity of green mass, high content of biologically active substances and high resistance to diseases; winter garlic – winter hardiness, yield, resistance to fusarium and bacteriosis, keeping quality during storage; spring garlic – high yield of large cloves, high shelf life; shallots –ultra-fast ripeness, high productivity, keeping quality during storage. The results of the long-term work of the FSVC were 140 varieties of 16 types of onion crops of various uses. Modern varieties of onion for industrial cultivation were created and submitted to the State Variety Testing in 2020: F1 Drakon, AFBAK.

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.

At the Primorskaya vegetable experimental station – branch of the Federal state budgetary scientific institution «Federal scientific vegetable center», selection and introduction into production of a new legume crop for Russia – adzuki cowpea. The varieties Asia (for universal cultivation) and Far East (for horticultural vegetable growing) were created and included in the State Register of the Russian Federation. Promising specimens have been created, which, in terms of their biological and economic indicators, are not inferior to the varieties Asia and Far East. Primary seed production of new varieties is underway and their introduction into farms and garden vegetable growing. The grain yield of cowpea-adzuki universal samples ranged from 3.15 t/ha (Asia variety, standard) to 2.77 t/ha (sample POOS 31-15). The highest grain productivity was observed in the standard (Asia - 22.5 g/plant) and in sample POOS 44-15 (20.8 g/plant). The Asia variety and the promising sample POOS 31-15 (20.2 pieces/plant) produce the most beans per plant. It was noted that the Dalnevostochnaya variety has the greatest resistance to cracking of beans during their ripening (7.2 points). Samples for universal cultivation have above average resistance to bean cracking (5.8-6.5 points). The plant height of promising samples is quite favorable for combine harvesting: 64 (POOS 31-15) – 71 (POOS 39-15) cm. Due to the fact that the flowering of cowpea-adzuki is extended, the ripening of beans is rarely 100%. For promising samples, this indicator is high and amounts to 95.5% (POOS 44-15) - 99.8% (POOS 31-15), which fully complies with the ATT requirements (more than 90%). The creation of varieties of a new vegetable crop for Russia will improve the economics of agricultural production in the difficult climatic conditions of the Far Eastern Federal District.

The article is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the head institution of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center - the oldest and leading breeding organization for vegetable crops, better known in the scientific and socio-economic spheres of the Russian Federation by its historical name - VNIISSOK. The center's activity dates back to the creation in 1920 of the Gribovskaya Vegetable Breeding Experimental Station, where, under the leadership of Professor Sergei Ivanovich Zhegalov, a theoretical and practical basis for the development of domestic breeding was laid. In 1970, the experimental station was transformed into the AllUnion Research Institute of Selection and Seed Production of Vegetable Crops, and in 1992 into the All-Russian Research Institute of Selection and Seed Production of Vegetable Crops. Over the years, breeding methods have been developed and improved, including modern biotechnological methods, using molecular marking and interspecies hybridization. The results obtained during this period reflect the traditions of scientific schools and approaches laid down by scientists-breeders, seed growers, vegetable growers, flower growers, both in the field of basic research, and in the creation of varieties and hybrids of vegetable crops. The organizational and structural reform of breeding institutions carried out in 2017 contributed to the formation of the Federal scientific vegetable center (FSBSI FSVC), which includes VNIISSOK as the parent organization and 8 branches located in various ecological and geographical zones. At a new stage of development, the FSBSI FSVC continues its glorious traditions. Scientists have obtained world-class results in basic research and competitive selection achievements in priority applied research. The scientific results and structural changes that have occurred over the hundred-year period of the breeding establishment are the foundation for the further development of the vegetable science in the country.

The historical reference of Asparagus officinalis (Asparagus officinalis L.), its species composition and practical use is given. Biological and agrotechnical features of culture, the most common diseases and pests are presented. Grades and methods of selection work. Sexual type of asparagus, perennial varieties and the ability of plants to vegetative propagation are important factors in asparagus breeding. The following methods are used in asparagus selection: hybridization; formation of male varieties via self-pollination of bisexual flowers found on male plants; utilization of the heterosis effect the formation of homozygous inbred-lines; production of tetraploid forms by exposure of colchicine to asparagus seedlings. Selection can be done either on individual plants or using multiple approach. Improvement of selection may be achieved using several parameters: plant yield, the mass of seedlings; plant height of the most developed shoot; the number of shoots. This allows to discard undesirable forms at early stages. Laboratory of green vegetables, spicy-flavoring and flower crops of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center possesses the collection nursery of 7 samples of Asparagus officinalis: K-25, K-28, K-41, K-46, Mary Washington Bruswick, Paradise. The latter are used for Asparagus selection with the aim to retain economically valuable traits.

Vegetable root plants is a valuable, essential components of a balanced diet person. The basis of the modern methodology of breeding work on root crops is to meet the requirements of the market, so the breeders are faced with the task of creating varieties and hybrids of root crops with an attractive appearance and a sufficiently high nutritional value, suitable for new technologies of cultivation and processing. The regular meeting of the methodical Commission of the edible plants in the FSBSI Federal Scientific Vegetable Center in the framework of the international scientific-practical conference "Methodology of selection and seed growing of vegetable root plants." The conference was attended by scientists, breeders, seed growers, experts from Russia and CIS countries. The participants of the conference exchanged information on the achievements, development and application of various methodological approaches in the selection and seed production of vegetable root plants, contributing to the creation and introduction of domestic competitive varieties and hybrids, which will solve the problem of import substitution. The need to create a new source material on the basis of the collections of recent years for breeding on technology, alignment of the external parameters of varieties and hybrids of all vegetable root plants, as well as to improve the methods of seed production, especially for the reproduction of seeds of higher categories and lines of hybrids. The changed scientific and technological conditions of conducting the selection and seed-growing process require improving the efficiency of breeding development, the complexity of selection and genetic research, the use of biotechnological methods, MAS technologies, phytotrons, greenhouses and other facilities to accelerate the selection process.

In the context of climate change phytomonitoring of the prevalence of the most common viral pathogens on the crops becomes even more important, because during the last decades the harmfulness of those pathogens, in particular Bean yellow mosaic (BYMV) has grown in intensity. The causative agent as the most members of Рotyvirus genus, has a wide range of host plants belonging to various families including Fabaceae. In Russia the virus was for the first time identified in the south of the Far East, where in the middle of XX century the massive damage of clove, lupine, sweet pea, pea, bean and Russian bean was observed. The distribution area of BYMV considerably expanded after advancement of heat-loving leguminous crops towards north. During the last years epiphytotics were reported in the planted crops of kidney bean (Phasйolus vulgбris L.), and Russian bean (Faba bona Medik. var. major Harz.) under conditions of temperate continental climate of nonchernozem belt in the RF. It is not feasible to eradicate natural BYMV foci, while the control of the causative agent carriers as a preventive measure is not very effective. There fore at present the search for the sources of resistance to BYMV and creation of parent selection material is a priority area of our phytopatologic research. At the present stage the tasks included: identification and study of the properties of BYMV Moscow isolates; integral assessment of resistance and other economically valuable characteristics of collection material and breeding stock material of kidney bean (810 specimens) and Russian bean (40 specimens) generated in the Laboratory of Legume Selection and Seed Production, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Federal Scientific Vegetable Center”. To achieve the goal visual, serological diagnostic methods were used together with biotesting and electron microscopy. The research revealed special physical-chemical characteristics of BYMV Moscow isolates characterized by 100% harmfulness when occurred as co-infection with the other viruses. The main symptoms caused by the above isolates in indicator plants and host plants under conditions of Moscow Region have been described. Evaluation of collection and selection materials of kidney bean and Russian bean formed the basis for identification of the sources of resistance to BYMV exhibiting integrated economically valuable properties (early ripeness, bean shape and color, productivity, etc.). These specimens have been included into selection program of the Federal Research Vegetable Center which is aimed on creation of high-productive varieties of the kidney bean meeting the modern market demands.

The vegetable production is one of the main factors for food security, as vegetables play an important role in the structure of nutrition. The Federal Scientific Vegetable Center creates competitive varieties and hybrids of vegetable crops that meet market requirements to meet the needs of domestic producers and thereby contributes to food security. As a result of national breeding program, the varieties and hybrids adapted to different growing conditions, with resistance to local races of pathogens, temperature stresses, and ground frosts were developed to provide the sustainable production of vegetables with high nutritional and medicinal qualities. The varieties and hybrids F1 of white head cabbage that have been created for the last 5 years are distinguished from foreign ones by taste qualities, appropriate pickling characteristics with increased sugar, and decreased cellulose contents. The local onion varieties combine long shelf life, early maturing, well bulb formation, high dry matter content (18-20%) and ability to form the bulb for one year. Breeders have developed bee-pollinated and parthenocarpic hybrids of cucumber well adapted to local growing conditions and suitable for open field cultivation in different regions of Russia. Parthenocarpic heterotic hybrids of the multi-propose use, corresponding to the modern variety model with high productivity, early-ripening, bunch ovary disposition, resistance to abiotic stresses, and most harmful diseases. The carrot and red beet varieties with high nutritional qualities, long shelf-life, ecological plasticity that are widely used for seed production have been created. The varieties of Solanaceae crops have been developed to cultivate in Non Chernozem zone, Far East, Western Siberia, the Middle Belt of Russia and the south of Russia, are also suitable for different greenhouse complexes located in different light zones of the Russia. Wide application of varieties produced through national vegetable breeding programs can provide the population with our own products of high quality.

Relevance Currently, the first place goes to the creation of new high-yielding varieties and hybrids F1 crops that meet the requirements of modern industrial technologies. Heterosis hybrids have high yield, marketability, equalization, friendly yield and resistance to disease. Methods When developing new varieties and hybrids of radish suitable for mechanized harvesting, attention should be paid to the strength of the attachment of the leaf outlet and its upright position, the uniformity of immersion in the soil and the easy pull-out of root crops. Studies were performed in a protected (heated film greenhouse) and open ground in All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Vegetable Growing – Branch of the FSBSI Federal Scientific Vegetable Center. Results The results of breeding work with European radish are presented. According to the results of expert evaluation, the state register of breeding achievements included two varieties of European summer radish – Bianca, Sirius and one hybrid of European winter radish – Tsyganskiy Baron F1. The new varieties are distinguished by uniformity in shape, length, diameter of the root crop, compact leaf rosette, form a root crop in a short and long daylight, recommended for cultivation under film shelters and in the open ground (early spring and summer sowing time). As a result of repeated inbreeding, inbred lines of European winter radish (brought to the seventh generation) were created, characterized by high equalization of the root crop, with strict self-compatibility. These lines were included in the process of creating heterosis hybrids. Evaluation of the obtained hybrids was carried out in the open ground. A hybrid of radish European winter Tsyganskiy Baron F1 – medium-ripe, flat-rounded root, black, weighing 220-260 g. Perspective hybrid in relation to the standard has a more aligned form of the root, with a rich black color and smooth surface. Tsyganskiy Baron F1 on the above indicators exceeds the standard night, resistant to stressful conditions.