Relevance. The modern marrow seed market shows the prospect of creating F1 hybrids that have the maximum return on a high-quality crop. For their successful selection, parental forms with a complex of economically valuable traits and a high combinational ability are required. The most important role is played by the female zucchini maternal lines of flowering type, which allow for hybrid seed production with free pollination and obtain high quality F1 hybrid seeds.Materials and methods. The studies were carried out at of the Krymsk EBS VIR Branch (Russia, Krasnodar Region, Krymsk) in 2019-2021. Variety testing of lines and hybrids was carried out in the open field in the fields of selective crop rotation. The plot area was 5 m2, the experiment was repeated three times.Results. The general combinative ability of parental squash lines was studied, maternal forms with a positive GCA effect on early yield (F5 409-1, F5 409-2) and on total yield (F5 409-1) were identified. A preliminary variety testing of hybrid combinations was carried out in comparison with the standards F1 Belogor and F1 Pascal. The main economically valuable traits have been studied: early maturity, early and general yield, marketability, product attractiveness. F1 hybrids of zucchini were identified, obtained on the basis of maternal forms of the female type of flowering F5 409-1, F5 409-2 in terms of yield (early above 17,7 t/ha and total above 46,7 t/ha), and marketability, more than 83,2%.Conclusions. The high productivity of F1 zucchini hybrids obtained on the basis of maternal forms of the female flowering type F5 409-1, F5 409-2 proves the promising nature of their use in breeding. As a result of two years of study, a hybrid F1 (409-1×305) was isolated, with a complex of economically valuable traits: early yield 19,6 t/ha, total yield 52,6 t/ha, marketability 84,3%, attractive appearance of fruits.

Relevance. The soil and climatic conditions of the Lower Trans-Volga region are considered favorable for melon growing and make it possible to obtain high-quality products. The purpose of the research was to create new competitive varieties and hybrids of melon and pumpkin.Materials and methods. The object of the research is new varieties of melon and butternut pumpkin created at the Bykovskaya melon breeding experimental station. Melon cultivar Osen and pumpkin cv. Zhemchuzhina were used as standards. The methods of creation are intervarietal hybridization, individual and mass selection. During the growing season, appropriate observations and counts were carried out.Results. As a result of many years of breeding work at the Bykovskaya cucurbits selection experimental station, a melon cultivar 251 and a pumpkin cultivar 509 have been created. both producers and consumers. Therefore, the obtained varieties were evaluated for taste, yield, resistance to biological and abiofactors of the environment, dry matter content, fruit size, fruit and pulp color. During the comparative assessment of the accessions, it was determined that the new varieties of melon and pumpkin exceed the standards in terms of the main economically valuable traits. The average yield during the study, in the melon cultivar 251, exceeded the standard by 47.8%. In the pumpkin cultivar, the average yield for three years of research exceeded the standard by 69.6%. In terms of taste, the new melon variety was at the level of the standard, the cv. Osen. A variety of butternut pumpkin exceeded the standard in all quality indicators. The susceptibility to powdery mildew in the melon cultivar varied depending on the year of research. The melon sample showed resistance to anthracnose higher than the standard by 16.4 and 18.6%, over the years of study. In the pumpkin cultivar, resistance to powdery mildew and anthracnose was higher than the standard, on average by 34.9% to powdery mildew and by 28.6% to anthracnose. Thus, new varieties of melon and pumpkin meet the modern requirements of the industrial melon industry, are resistant to environmental stress factors, common diseases, and have economically valuable traits.

The growth in the cost of raw materials, vehicles, fuel, incomplete use of the crop leads to an increase in the cost of grown products. As you know, in the process of harvesting and its marketing, about 25-35% are products not sold on time, non-standard products, which are not inferior in nutritional value to the standard and stripping products. Such products are discarded or partially sold by agreement. Processing this part of the crop by solar-air drying is one of the ways to reduce crop losses and make the cultivation technology low-waste and resource-saving.Materials and methods. On the basis of the All-Russian research institute of irrigated vegetable and melon growing – branch of Precaspian agrarian federal scientific center of the Russian academy of sciences (FSBSI “PAFSC RAS”), work was carried out to study the quality of dried eggplants of the institute's selection that were not realized in due time and cleanup collection. For work, they took the fruits of the varieties Nizhnevolzhsky, Panther, Almazny, Astrakom. The goal of the work is to ensure the protection of unsold marketable products, as well as the fruits of the stripping collection from spoilage and obtaining a new product with good nutritional and taste properties, which makes the eggplant growing technology low-waste. Before and after drying, the main chemical substances were determined: the amount of sugars, dry substances, ascorbic acid, nitrates.Results Our results prove that from each ton of unsold products, you can get from 80 to 106 kg of complete dietary products. Ready-made dried eggplants contain, depending on the variety, from 21.17 to 23.86% of the total sugar, the amount of ascorbic acid ranges from 1.63 mg /% to 2.61 mg /%. The amount of nitrates is 7.6-10.2 times less than the permissible (1200 mg / kg) level. Solar-air drying is low-cost, since its storage and transportation requires fewer containers and vehicles. The amount of dried products is reduced to the original, depending on the grade and weight of the loaded raw materials per square meter by 9.4-12.5 times.

Relevance. When growing cucumbers in a greenhouse not equipped with additional lighting, especially in winter, there is a shortage of solar energy. To obtain high yields of cucumber at this time, it is necessary to select the most resistant to low light hybrids. The selection of genotypes resistant to this trait is a very important stage in the selection of cucumber for winter-spring turnover.The purpose of the study: search for an easy-to-use method for early diagnosis of cucumber resistance to insufficient illumination.Methods. The research was carried out at the variety testing site in the Gavrish Breeding Center (Krymsk city) of the Scientific Research Institute of Vegetable Crop Breeding, in winter-spring turnover conditions, in greenhouses not equipped with artificial lighting. Seedlings were planted in a permanent place in the greenhouse during the period of the lowest arrival of solar radiation in the year on December 21. The measurement of the height of the main stem was carried out on 31 days after planting the plants in a permanent place.Results. Measuring the height of the main stem before fruiting showed a significant variation of this trait in different cucumber hybrids. Further study of the correlation of the height of the main stem and yield revealed their high dependence. This fact suggests that a fairly simple measurable parameter has been found for evaluating different cucumber genotypes on the basis of resistance to low light. Regression analysis made it possible to divide the variability of the studied genotypes by yield into a dependent part of the height of the main stem and an additional one, which makes up to 30% of the yield increase. Further analysis of the high-yielding group has a high breeding value.

Relevance. Currently, food products that include prebiotics, in particular, inulin, are particularly popular. Interest in this substance is justified by its valuable properties – it is a good immunomodulator, cleanses the body of toxins, radionuclides, "bad" cholesterol, promotes the assimilation of useful trace elements necessary for human life. Inulin is contained in plants such as jerusalem artichoke, chicory, as well as in sweet potatoes, the popularity of which is increasing every year. However, sweet potato plants are afraid of cold and frost-resistant. Therefore, the creation of new varieties and hybrids that are resistant to low temperatures is an urgent problem. Cellular biotechnology is aimed at solving this problem using methods of clonal microreproduction, cell selection, somatic hybridization, etc. For rapid reproduction and obtaining high-quality planting material, biotechnology methods are used, in particular, clonal micro-propagation. However, in this technology there are difficulties associated with poor adaptation of microclones to ex vitro conditions. This fact introduces an additional requirement for the selection of optimal rooting modes in vitro and ex vitro adaptation of microclones.Material and methodology. The aim of the work was to study the influence of cultivation conditions on in vitro rooting and ex vitro adaptation of I. batatas (L.) microclones. The object of the study was sweet potato microgears propagated in vitro. I. batatas micro-gears were cultured in vitro on a Murashige-Skug medium, differing by the type of auxins. The influence of red (R) and far red (FR) light on the shoots rooting in vitro and the adaptation of microclones ex vitro was studied.Results. It has been experimentally established that the cultivation of micro-gears on a medium containing indolyl butyric acid at a concentration of 0.5-1 mg/l and under conditions of illumination by LED lamps of red and far red light in equal amounts leads to the production of microclones with a well-developed root system and vegetative biomass. The use of an aeroponic installation at the last stage of clonal micro-propagation makes it possible to obtain high-quality planting material that can adapt well to open ground conditions.

Relevance. Taking into account the narrow range of vegetable plant species grown in Russia and the global trend of impoverishment of their biochemical composition, simultaneously with the globalization of crop production, it is necessary to search for plant species and forms that are characterized by a high content of functional food ingredients (FFI) in their composition, since a decrease in the consumption of important micro-and macroelements sharply increases the risk of dangerous diseases for humans.Objective. To study the features of growth and development of plants of the Solanaceae family in the collection of the Federal State Funded Institution of Science "NBG-NSC", characterized by a high content of biologically active substances and functional food ingredients (FFI), a short growing season and a neutral reaction to the length of the day.Materials and methods. Features of development, biomorphological indicators of plants were studied according to the method of introduction studies developed in the Nikitsky Botanical Gardens [4]. The antioxidant activity (AOA) was determined by the method [5] based on the redox reaction of substances of antioxidant action with potassium permanganate. The content of water-soluble minerals was determined using a TDS 3 conductometer on aqueous plant extracts. The content of phenolic compounds was determined by photometric method using the Folin-Chocalteu reagent [6]; ascorbic acid content - by iodometric titration [7], carotenoids content - by spectrophotometric method [8].Results. The revealed features of growth and development, biochemical composition of a new vegetable crop for the Russian Federation – nightshade caripense (tzimbalo) (Solanum caripense Dunal.), bladder herb (Physalis alkekengi L.), medicinal crops - nightshade laciniate (Solanum laciniatum Ait.), vitania hypnotic (synonyms winter cherry, Indian ginseng or physalis sunny-leaved) (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal.), great morel (Atropa belladonna L.).Conclusions. The conducted research will allow expanding and replenishing the range of new crops with an increased content of biologically active substances and antioxidants.

Relevance. Multilevel pipe vegetation installations (MVTU) “Fitopiramida” are designed for hydroponic cultivation of different agricultural crops including tomatoes.Methods. To create F1 tomato hybrids for this technology the assessment of phenological stages passing of tomato lines on “Fitopiramida” MVTU was carried out. 19 breeding lines including 9 cherry tomato lines, 10 large-fruited tomato lines of indeterminate and determinate growth types were tested. These lines were used in various hybridization schemes to obtain F1 tomato heterotic hybrids for “Fitopiramida”.Results. According to the results of the conducted researches in conditions of low-volume technology “Fitopiramida” duration of periods “germination – beginning of flowering” ("G-BF") and “germination – beginning of ripening” ("G-BR") is significantly reduced. In cherry group lines “G-BR” period is shorter by 17.7 days at average, in large-fruited lines by 23-27.3 days at average depending on growth type. The difference in ripening time is more expressed in largefruited lines; border-grown Kb 183 line began ripening 35 days later. Shorter growing season makes it possible to carry out largest number of crop rotations per year to obtain maximum yield per area unit (in full year use greenhouses). Similar results were obtained in the tests of tomato varieties and F1 hybrids on “Fitopiramida” MWTU in 2019-2020 in terms of phenological stages passing acceleration and earlier fruiting of hydroponic grown tomatoes.

Relevance. Providing the population with functional, environmentally friendly and high-quality food is an urgent scientific and state problem. With prolonged use of contaminated products, the risk of various diseases increases. Therefore, the human diet should consist of functional, environmentally friendly products. The main goal of this research work was the production of high-quality jam from environmentally friendly raw materials of plant origin.Methods. For the preparation of the jam, the fruits of the Sosnovsky zucchini variety and the Lada melon of the technical and biological degree of maturity were used. The technological process of making jam took place in accordance with the technological requirements for this type of product. The content of biochemical parameters: dry matter, the amount of sugars, pectin and nitrates) were determined in fresh and finished (after the fermentation period) products.Results. Jam with a melon aroma was obtained with a glucose content of 4.5-6.73%, fructose - 4.66-7.17% with an accumulation of nitrates in the range of 127.1 mg / kg (fruits of biological maturity) and 131.6 mg / kg (fruits of technical maturity), which is 3.0-3.1 times lower than the maximum permissible concentration. The tasting committee rated the jam made from fruits of technical maturity at 4.3 points, and biological at 4.8 points. Thus, summarizing the results of our research, we can conclude that the jam made from zucchini fruits with the addition of melon is a functional, high-vitamin, environmentally friendly food product with high taste.

Relevance. The State Register of agricultural crops recommended for sowing on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan includes 47 hybrids and varieties of sweet pepper. Of these, 8 varieties and one F1 hybrid of domestic selection and 31 F1 hybrids of foreign selection (State Register, 2021). However, many of them, especially those of foreign selection, do not meet the requirements of the local market and are not adapted to local climatic conditions. In this regard, a preliminary test of varieties and hybrids included in the State Register, as well as F1 hybrids offered by foreign producers, was carried out in order to identify the most promising varieties for the conditions of the Central zone of Uzbekistan.Material and research methods. A preliminary tests included 20 varieties and F1 hybrids: 7 varieties and 1 hybrid F1 of domestic selection, 2 varieties and 10 F1 hybrids of foreign selection. The experiments were laid on the experimental base of the Research Institute of Plant Genetic Resources.Results. As a result of a comprehensive assessment of 20 varieties and hybrids of F1 sweet pepper, promising samples were identified for both breeding and industrial use. The sources of early maturity can be the Abai and Claudio hybrids, with the duration of the period "seedlings - biological ripeness of fruits" 97-99 days. To create large-fruited varieties in breeding work, F1 hybrids should be used: Procraft, Dallas, Magno, Claudio, Gemini and Zumrad variety. For breeding thick-walled and very thick-walled varieties and hybrids, the varieties Dar Tashkenta, Sabo, Nargiza, Lastochka, Podarok Moldova, Shodlik, Zumrad, etc., as well as F1 hybrids Procraft, Cadia should be used. High total (43.0-54.1 t/ha) and marketable (40.1-50.5 t/ha) yield was noted in hybrids F1. The most promising hybrids are Cadia, Procraft, Magno, Dallas with a total yield of 50.1-54.1 t/ha, against 47.5 t/ha for the F1 Zhaikhun standard. The total and marketable yield of the tested varieties was significantly lower compared to hybrids F1 and amounted to 33.5-38.6 and 30.7-35.7 t/ha, respectively.

Relevance. The most important element of the operational regime of irrigation is the correct (timely) appointment and timing of irrigation, taking into account the biological characteristics of crops, weather conditions and the mechanical composition of the soil.Methods. In this work, the results of the calculation of the irrigation regime of the hay-pasture grass mixture for the growing season april-october 2016-2018 were presented, on the basis of which the values of the water consumption of the crop, the average values of bioclimatic and biothermal coefficients in relation to sod-podzolic loamy soils in the northeastern zones of the Republic of Belarus. The calculations were carried out by the water balance method, as well as by the method of maximum daily air temperatures.Results. As a result of calculating bioclimatic and biothermal coefficients and values of water consumption for the growing seasons. It was found that their highest values in all years of research were recorded in the variant with a pre-irrigation humidity level of 80% of the lowest moisture capacity, while their lowest values were observed in the variant with natural humidification. At the same time, as a result of calculations, it was established that the highest values of bioclimatic coefficients corresponding to the variant 80% of HB took the following values: 0.88; 0.72 and 0.66, the smallest are 0.71; 0.64 and 0.50, and the largest values of the biothermal coefficients were: 0.13; 0.15 and 0.15, the smallest are 0.09; 0.13 and 0.10, respectively, for the growing seasons. The largest values of water consumption, calculated by the water balance method, corresponding to the option 80% of the HB took the following values: 423.0; 462.0 and 440.0 mm, the smallest in this case were: 334.0; 404.0; and 331.0 mm, and the highest values of water consumption, calculated by the method of maximum daily temperatures were: 439.4; 420.0 and 432.2, while the smallest were equal: 318.7, 396.4 and 325.7 mm, respectively, for the growing seasons.