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 article reflects the issues of the current state of scientific research in the FSBSI FSVC, directions and prospects for the development of selection and seed production of vegetable crops are shown. Varieties have been created that realize the bioclimatic potential of the cultivation zone, meet market requirements, and are capable of producing high yields under the influence of biotic and abiotic stressors. Selection is carried out in a combination of classical methods with innovative technologies.Biotechnologists have improved the basic protocol for in vitro microspore culture for the Brassicaceae, stages of technology for obtaining doubled haploids in microspore culture in vitro for the Apiaceae are being developed. For the first time, an effective protocol for obtaining double haploids of European radish has been developed. Doubled haploids of vegetable crops of the Cucurbitaceae, Amarantháceae, Amaryllidáceae were obtained in vitro in the culture of unpollinated ovules. The Center conducts research on the increased content of biologically active substances and antioxidants. An important place is occupied by immunological studies on the resistance of vegetable crops to harmful diseases. The institution develops systems of protective measures against pests, diseases and weeds for vegetable crops based on the use of new environmentally friendly preparations. On the basis of fundamental and priority applied research of previous years, the creation of 21 varieties and hybrids of cabbage, table beet, tomato, sweet pepper, onion, chives, leek, cucumber, melon, lettuce, chervil, potato, aster, lychnis has been completed. Along with the creation of new breeding achievements, technologies for their cultivation are being improved through the use of new agricultural practices, microfertilizers, biological products and humates on vegetable crops in various soil and climatic zones of Russia. New agricultural methods are being developed in the cultivation of mushrooms. In the field of seed production, methods are being developed to increase the germination of seeds, seed production, elements of the technology for the production of mother liquors and seeds of various vegetable and melon crops; zonal seed production technologies that increase their yield. In 2021, a team of scientists received an award from the Government of the Russian Federation for scientific work "Development and implementation of innovative technologies for growing vegetables and potatoes to provide the population with environmentally friendly food".

Water is one of the main factors for the production of vegetable crops due to its crucial role in the absorption and transport of nutrients, temperature regulation and some physiological processes, including photosynthesis. Considering the growing needs of a growing population for food and nutrients, a significant part of agricultural research is focused on improving the use efficiency (WUE - Water use efficiency) and saving water without reducing yields. Given the difficulty of increasing WUE through selection due to the tradeoff between photosynthesis and transpiration, agronomic strategies are needed. Due to the shallow root system and the fresh sale of vegetable products, vegetable crops are relatively more sensitive to moisture than field crops. Deficit irrigation (DI) is a direct approach to saving water by reducing irrigation to increase water productivity (WP - Water productivity). Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) and partial root drying (PRD) are two widely used DI planning methods along with the classic DI approach. We searched the peer-reviewed literature for studies reporting yield differences in vegetable crops subjected to irrigation deficits. The search was conducted on Google Scholar and Web of Science using various combinations of the following keywords: vegetable crop yield and irrigation deficit or moisture shortage or water shortage or drought. Moderate levels of water stress (<65% FI) adversely affect vegetable yields regardless of external factors such as soil structure, climate and production system. This level of irrigation is justified for regions where water restrictions are already in place or forecast. Based on WP growth, irrigation levels as low as 35–50% FI for tomato and pepper, and 50–65% FI for onions and <35% FI for eggplant and watermelon are optimal for areas with severe water scarcity. However, a higher water deficit may also have an adverse effect on quality in terms of reduced fruit/root/bulb size.

Relevance. Seeds play an important role in obtaining a high yield of vegetable crops of good quality. Breeders usually deal with a large number of samples. To study the source material, the seeds of the samples are sown in boxes with soil for growing seedlings or in collection nurseries of experimental stations and research institutions. It takes an average of ½ hour of shift time to manually extract a sample weighing 10 kg from a batch. Currently, there are no sufficiently efficient devices for isolating tomato seeds from batches of samples with small weights up to 100 kg. The task of research on mechanization is to increase the efficiency of the tomato seed extraction device by improving the working bodies, determining the value of the optimal mass of samples, the extraction of seeds from which is economically and technically feasible.Material and methodology. Experimental studies were conducted in order to find constructive solutions for working bodies, study their operability and determine optimal parameters and operating modes. The research program included: a study of the productivity of the layout and the complexity of its maintenance; a study of qualitative indicators, including seed loss, seed clogging, seed damage; a study of the modes of working bodies, including the number of revolutions of the whip shaft, gaps between the whips and the sieve, the angle of advance of the whips; an assessment of the convenience of cleaning and visual inspection of all surfaces of parts, in contact with seeds; analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the design of mesh drums, scourges, mechanisms for locking semi-cylinders, the work of the fence that reclines together with the hopper.Results. As a result of the research, it was found that drum-and-whip type working organs are economically feasible for use in tomato seed extraction devices with a sample weight of at least 100 kg (i.e. mainly in primary and elite seed production), due to the fact that the time for disassembly, cleaning and assembly of working organs is 95% of the cycle (for example for samples weighing 10 kg). The clogging of the seeds meets the requirements, crushing was not observed.

Weeds are a major threat in crop production, and controlling them in modern agriculture is critical to preventing crop losses and ensuring food security. Intensive farming practices, climate change and natural disasters affect weed dynamics, requiring a change in management practices. Existing methods are no longer viable due to lack of manpower; chemical control methods are limited by health hazards and the development of herbicide resistance in weeds. This article discusses some potential alternative weed control strategies in modern vegetable production that are feasible and effective. Increasing the competitiveness of vegetable crops through proper planning of agrotechnologies system, preventive, cultural and mechanical methods, development of competitive varieties, allelopathy, biological control and reduction of weed seed production at harvest will be a major aspect in sustainable weed management. Improving tillage regimes has long been considered the main measure of weed control. Control of weed seed production and weed injuriousness have been shown as potential tools to reduce weed seed germination and retention in the soil. The development of allelopathy has led to the emergence of new methods of weed control. The use of the allelopathic potential of crops also deserves mention in modern weed control methods. Thermal weed control is seen as a useful method. The role of bioherbicides as an integral part of sustainable weed management is emphasized. All of these strategies are viable for modern agriculture; however, choosing a specific method and using the right combinations will be the key to success. No strategy is perfect, and therefore an integrated approach can provide the best results. The adoption of such practices can improve the efficiency of farming systems in sustainable agricul- ture. A comprehensive method for protecting vegetable crops from weeds and ways to reduce the potential contamination of fields with seeds and weed seedlings are described. The optimal norms and technological features, conditions for the effective use of modern herbicides on crops and plantings of vegetable crops are given.

Relevance. To create an effective technology for obtaining doubled haploids (DH-technology) of zucchini in unpollinatedseedpod culture in vitro it is necessary to select the optimal values of many factors, the degree of influence of each of which on gynogenesis can vary significantly. The aim of the study was to optimize the individual stages of the technology.Methods. Liquid and agarized (7 g/L) IMC medium with different sucrose concentrations (20 to 80 g/L) and different plant growth regulators (2 mg/L 2,4 D; 0.2 mg/L TDZ ; 0.8 mg/L 2,4 D and 1.2 mg/L NUC) were used for induction of embryogenesis.Results. Optimal for the studied zucchini genotypes was pre-isolated from the evening, plucked in the morning opened bud. Sterilization of zucchini ovaries by short-term burning after treatment with 96% alcohol, allows significant reduction of the time required for this step without loss of embryogenic potential. IMC nutrient medium with sucrose (20 to 40 g/l) can be used for induction of gynogenesis in the unpollinatedzucchini ovary culture. The use of nutrient media with 2 mg/l 2,4 D for most genotypes was more effective and resulted in higher number of embryoids compared to nutrient media containing 0.2 mg/l TDC and media with 0.8 mg/l 2,4 D and 1.2 mg/l NAA. Embryoid formation was observed after 5 weeks of cultivation.Conclusion. We were able to complete the full cycle of technology for obtaining doubled haploids in unpollinatedseedpod culture in vitro for 30 zucchini genotypes and obtain DHplants, which are valuable source material for both breeders and genetic research. Optimization of the individual steps of the technology made it possible to achieve the maximum result for individual genotypes – 55 embryoids per 100 cultivated ovules.

Relevance and methods. Chips are considered to be one of the most popular food products with high content of biologically active compounds. The aim of the present work was evaluation of quality and antioxidant self-life of beet chips from different cultivars. Effect of drying method (convection, freeze drying) and storage conditions (paper, vacuum plastic bags and aluminum foil) on beet root chips from 4 cvs self-life was investigated. Biochemical methods of analysis and tasting evaluation were used.Results. Beet intervarietal differences in self-life of chips fat soluble antioxidants were indicated. Paper bags were shown to produce the highest AOA and phenolics values of convection drying products contrary to freeze drying chips in vacuum plastic bags. Differences in AOA and phenolics self-life of products produced via convection and freeze drying are absent. Tasting evaluation (appearance, taste, texture, aroma) revealed the lowest score for Gaspadynya cv. The highest polyphenols loss in chips stored in aluminum foil was typical for Gaspadynya cv chips, while storage in paper bags – for chips from Dobrynya cv chips. In a whole, the results of the present investigation indicate the importance intervarietal differences in beet chips production, as genetic differences determine taste and storability of the product.

Common chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is widely known in traditional medicine of many countries, but in official medicine its use is limited as a part of biologically active additives. Despite the available information about pharmacological activity of leaf extracts, their use as a medicinal herbal raw material is almost not considered. The purpose of the work is to study the accumulation dynamics of phenolic compounds (PC) in the leaves of cultivated chicory to optimize the time of harvesting the above-ground mass. The article presents data on the accumulation dynamics of PC in the leaves of two varieties of cultivated chicory, and also compares the obtained data with similars of wild-growing chicory.Results. It was noted that the content of phenolic compounds in the leaves of cultivated chicory is 1,5-2 times higher in comparison with the raw materials of wild plants. The studied varieties differ in the content of PC by 8% in average. It has been established that the main phenolic compounds in the leaves of cultivated chicory are chicoric, chlorogenic and cafftaric acids; their total content in the obtained extracts is 55 %. It was noted that the period of maximum accumulation of PC in leaves falls on the end of september – beginning of october. The established chemical composition, a higher content of phenolic compounds compared to wild plants, as well as the coincidence of the maximum accumulation of PC in the leaves with the approximate date of harvesting chicory roots allows us to consider its cultivation in culture as a promising direction with the aim of the integrated use of the obtained raw materials for both food and pharmaceutical industry.

Actuality. The opposite arrangement of the first two leaves in cucumber seedlings can be attributed to undesirable morphoses. The task was set: "To find out how often this sign occurs in cucumber seedlings and whether it is transmitted in the next generations during seed propagation."Material and conditions. The research was carried out on the cucumber breeding material of the laboratory of selection and seed production of pumpkin crops (100-142 samples) on the basis of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center in 2019-2021 in the Moscow region in the conditions of the seedling department of the winter greenhouse. Sowing of cucumber seeds for seedlings was carried out on January 10-13, March 15 and May 5. Seedlings were grown on racks in plastic pots with a 0.7 l peat mixture in accordance with the generally accepted cultivation technology. In winter – with additional illumination, in spring – without artificial illumination.Results. From year to year, almost the same selection samples of cucumber had plants with the opposite arrangement of the first real leaves. These samples differed significantly in the number of plants with an unconventional arrangement of the first true leaves, but there were differences, sometimes very strong, between families of the same origin. All this suggests that the trait is genetically determined. When sowing cucumber seeds for seedlings on January 10-13, depending on the year of research and the genotype of the material used, from 18.3 to 25.6% of samples were identified that had plants with the opposite arrangement of the first and second true leaves. In seedlings for a spring heated greenhouse (sowing on March 15), there were about 15% of such samples, and 11.0% for non-heated ones (sowing on May 5). In general, the total number of plants with the opposite arrangement of real leaves in the first node was small and varied, depending on the growing conditions and the genotype of the studied samples, from 4.2 to 11.5% of the total number of studied plants. When sowing cucumber seeds at the same time, in the winter of 2019, compared to 2020 and 2021, there were 2.4 and 1.5 times more plants with the opposite arrangement of the first two real leaves. This can be explained by the fact that when planting seedlings, families with a large number of plants with opposite leaves were rejected. Weakened plants with opposite leaves within the family were also rejected. As a result, the material involved in further work had fewer plants with an unconventional arrangement of the first true leaves. It should be noted that plants with opposite leaf arrangement had only those F1 hybrids whose parent forms also differed in this disadvantage. It can be concluded that by selecting parent forms that do not have opposite leaf arrangement, it is possible to create hybrids that will not react sharply to the deterioration of growing conditions by laying opposite leaves.

Relevance. The studies are aimed at assessing the intravarietal allelic diversity of genes for resistance to fusariosis and cladosporiosis of tomato cultivars bred at the Michurinsky State Agrarian University using molecular markers.Methods. The biological objects of the study are tomato varieties bred at the Michurinsky State Agrarian University. A total of 10 varieties were analyzed. The assessment of intravarietal polymorphism was determined on a sample of 10 plants of each variety. DNA extraction was performed using a Quick-DNA Plant/Seed Miniprep Kit (Zymo Research, USA) for DNA extraction according to the manufacturer's protocol. The P7 DNA marker was used to identify the cladosporosis resistance gene Cf-19. The presence of the fusarium wilt resistance gene I-2 was determined using the marker I-2/5. Amplification results were visualized by electrophoresis in 2% agarose gel.Results. 10 plants of 10 varieties of Michurinsky GAU selection tomato were analyzed using molecular markers of genes for resistance to cladosporiosis and fusariosis. An assessment of intravarietal polymorphism was carried out. In most of the varieties studied, the genes analyzed are identified in a heterozygous state. Three varieties (Vivat, Carotinka, Krasavets) containing only alleles of susceptibility to the causative agent of the disease in the genotype I-2 identified by the gene. Individual samples were homozygous for the fusariosis resistance allele. Analysis of the gene for Cf-19 resistance to cladosporiosis showed that most of the varieties studied are heterozygous forms. In some varieties, all ten plants were heterozygous. These include Krasavets, Vivat, Orlik, Bui Tour. The remaining samples had different allelic compositions. The pathogen resistance allele has been identified in plants of the Nepryadva and Chernysh varieties. The dominant allele in the homozygous state was detected in the Japanese variety. At the same time, all the analyzed plants of this variety were monotonous.Conclusion. It has been established, but a significant part of the varieties of tomato selection of Michurinsky GAU is polymorphic in the genes for resistance to cladosporiosis and fusariosis. In this case, a significant part of the varieties can be used in selection during preliminary molecular analysis. According to the gene for resistance to fusariosis, the following varieties are identified sources of the resistance allele: Sokol, Nepryadva, Yaponchik, Orlik, Zolotnichok, Chernysh. In them, the gene is I-2 represented in a heterozygous state. Intraortic polymorphism was also noted for the Cf-19 gene. Most samples have two alleles. The exception is the Japanese variety, which is the dominant homozygote for this gene.