Relevance. Powdery mildew is one of the most common and harmful diseases of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in open and protected ground. Moreover, in the closed ground, the harmfulness is higher than in the field. The yield of cucumber, due to the defeat of plants by powdery mildew, decreases by 30-50%, and in some cases by more than 70%. The creation of modern cucumber hybrids is impossible without the constant involvement in the breeding process of new sources of economically useful traits, including resistance to real powdery mildew. It is very important to combine in one line both a high degree of parthenocarpy, and the female type of flowering, and resistance to the most harmful diseases. We tried to solve this problem in our work.Materials and methods. The experience was laid in 2018-2022 in the Odintsovo district of the Moscow region on the basis of the head institution of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Federal Scientific Vegetable Center (FSBSI FSVC) in the conditions of a spring ground greenhouse of the Block type, on a natural infectious background. On the basis of the laboratory of breeding and seed production of pumpkin crops, 27 collectible and about 50 breeding samples of parthenocarpic cucumber were studied. The article presents an assessment of the resistance to this powdery mildew of 36 of the most aligned and most valuable cucumber breeding samples in terms of a complex of economically useful features. 2-3 families, 6 plants in each, were evaluated for each sample for 2 years. During the entire growing season, the intensity of powdery mildew damage was assessed on a four-point scale and the spread of the disease in %.Results. Among the collection samples of cucumber, on a natural infectious background, two hybrids of the agrofirm BEJO ZADEN B.V. were not affected by powdery mildew: Amur 1801 F1, Artist F1, a hybrid without a name of the agrofirm MONSANTO HOLLAND B.V., conventionally named – Semenis F1 and hybrid Kibria F1 of the agrofirm RIJK ZWAAN. To a small extent, less than one point, they were amazed: Orpheus F1, Merengue F1, Marinda F1, Masha F1, Othello F1, List F1, Adam F1, SV 4097 F1 and Krasotka F1. 11cucumber breeding samples selected in previous years of research on a complex of economically useful signs that were not affected by this disease during 2 years of research were identified. Work will continue to evaluate these lines for resistance to real powdery mildew on an artificial infectious background.

Relevance. The yield of watermelon fruits and seeds depends on many factors, one of which is the phytosanitary condition of the crops. Weather conditions during the growing season at the beginning of flowering contributed to the infection of plants with bacteriosis and Alternaria.Methodology. The experiments were carried out in the central zone of the Krasnodar Territory in the department of vegetable and potato growing of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Federal Research Center of Rice" at the seed-growing site of the watermelon variety Nitsa. The work was carried out in accordance with generally accepted guidelines. Results were obtained on the use of fungicides Metabacterin and Plantare on seed crops of the Nitsa watermelon variety.Results and discussion. Double treatment with drugs significantly limited the spread and damage of plants by bacteriosis and alternaria. The phytotoxicity of Plantarel for harmful pathogens was higher than that of Metabacterin, which was reflected in an increase in fruit yield – by 7.8 t/ha, fruit marketability – by 8% and seed yield – by 57 kg/ha more, in comparison with the control option. The effect of treating watermelon plants with Metabacterin on yield indicators is less significant in comparison with Plantarel but higher than in the control variant. 4.2 t/ha more fruits were collected, with a 5% higher yield of marketable fruits and a 5 kg/ha higher seed yield than from watermelon plants without protective measures. The use of drugs contributed to the preservation of a larger number of plants in the variants (compared to the control), and ensured a high accumulation of dry soluble substances in the fruit pulp. Bacteriological and mycological analyzes showed that there are no pathogenic microflora on seeds from fruits from plants treated with Plantarel and Metabacterin. Both drugs have a growth-stimulating effect. Soaking the seeds before sowing in a solution of preparations contributed to the emergence of vigorous shoots three days earlier than when soaking in water.

Relevance. Cercospora leaf spot (Сercospora beticola) is a widespread disease of table beet that reduces the yield of root crops in many beet-growing regions. Annual losses from cercosporosis amount to 30-40%, and in the years of epiphytotic diseases – 50% or more. The fungus has a complex intraspecific structure, includes many pathotypes and races, which should be taken into account when breeding for resistance. The main method of creating resistant forms of table beet to C. beticola is the selection of cercospore-resistant lines in the natural manifestation of the disease and on artificial backgrounds. In open ground conditions, it is not always possible to assess the resistance of table beet to cercosporosis, since cercosporosis is weak in some hot and dry years. Therefore, laboratory assessment methods are important to accelerate the breeding process. The purpose of the research is to carry out an immunological analysis of beet lines in the field and laboratory conditions for the selection of sustainable material.Materials and methods. The assessment of beet variety samples for resistance to cercospora blight was carried out in open ground conditions on the basis of the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Vegetable Growing – branch of the FSBSI Federal Scientific Vegetable Center (Moscow region). In laboratory conditions, artificial infection of separated red beet leaves was carried out. The objects of the study were inbred lines of red beets of the 1st-6th generation.Results and discussion. As a result of evaluation and selection, red beet lines No. 713 and 790 with increased resistance to cercospora blight were identified. It has been established that for practical breeding it is necessary to constantly and strictly select for resistance to cercospora blight. In laboratory conditions, a method of artificial infection of separated leaves has been developed, which allows for a short period of time to carry out a preliminary assessment of a large number of beetroot samples for resistance to cercospora blight.

Relevance. The use of modern biotechnological methods in breeding, namely the doubled haploid technology and marker-assisted selection, can significantly reduce the time for creating pure lines with valuable properties. Fusarium wilt is one of the economically important diseases of white cabbage. Therefore, the development of a MAS method for selecting doubled haploids resistant to fusarium wilt would allow fast selection of resistant pure lines. Moreover, the resistance testing can be done at any plant developmental stage.Materials and methods. The response of hybrids Gertsoginya F1, Poisk 2018 F1 (resistant samples, the originator – the Agrofirm “Poisk”) and Slava 1305 (susceptible sample, the originator – Federal Scientific Vegetable Center) towards Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans infection was determined by evaluating their growth on the inoculated soil. To test the efficiency of the FocBNUf/r marker to the polymorphic region of the FocBo1 gene, the markers were tested on resistant and susceptible genotypes. Then the markers were applied to analyze 60 doubled haploids of 12 different genotypes.Results. It was demonstrated that the FocBNUf/r marker effectively differentiated resistant and susceptible samples. Doubled haploids were obtained from 12 different breeding samples for FocBNUf/r marker-based selection of fusarium wilt resistant plants. PCR testing of doubled haploids for fusarium resistance allowed us to select 6.7-100% of plants with the fusarium resistance gene in a homozygous state in 8 genotypes. 4 genotypes of doubled haploids that did not carry the resistance gene were eliminated from the breeding program.Conclusion. The FocBNUf/r marker effectively identified resistant and susceptible samples, as well as differentiates homozygous and heterozygous plants. FocBNUf/r marker was used to select resistant doubled haploids of white cabbage at the seedling stage. Thus, it was possible not only to accelerate the production of pure lines by obtaining doubled haploids, but also to accelerate the selection of valuable samples carrying the gene of resistance to fusarium, which makes it possible to avoid the labor-intensive selection of resistant lines on inoculated soil.

Relevance. Vegetable soybean is a special variety with high added value, consumed fresh and harvested at the stage technical ripeness (R6). Accession-A is one of the promising vegetable soybean materials, studied and identified as a result of work that was carried out jointly with the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center in the Moscow Region (FSVC) and the Agrobiotechnology Department of the Agricultural Technological Institute (ATI) of the RUDN University named after Patrice Lumumba. The use of microorganisms to promote atmospheric nitrogen fixation is a common practice in soybean production.Methodology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of two microbiological preparations based on Sinorhizobium fredii and Bradyrhizobium jaроniсum in order to identify which microbiological preparation gives the best results in terms of morphological indicators and vegetable soybean yield under the conditions region of the Non-Chernozem zone of the Russian Federation. The object of the study was accession-A of vegetable soybean. Two types of treatment were carried out: B1 – treatment with a preparation with Bradyrhizobium jaronicum (1 l/t of seeds), B2 – treatment with a preparation with Sinorhizobium fredii (1 l/t of seeds). Control without treatment (K).Results. According to statistical analysis of biometric indicators, it was found that treatment with S. fredii (B2) had the highest average values for indicators of stem diameter (11.50 mm), lower pod attachment height (11.19 cm), number of branches (3.40 pcs.) and the number of productive nodes (27.48 pcs.). Preparation B2 improved the structure of the crop, influencing the obtainment of the highest indicators of plant weight (30.47 g), seed weight per plant (15.33 g), weight of 1000 seeds (171.25 g), number of seeds per plant (98.50 pcs.), number of seeds in a bean (2.89 pcs.) and seed yield (3.11 t/ha). The use of microbiological preparations based on B. japonicum and S. fredii gave better results compared to the control treatment.

Relevance. Trophic relationships along with competition and mutualism are the most basic and significant interactions in ecosystems. To develop, survive, and multiply, insects need to consume a certain amount of nutrients at a certain ratio. Food products are complex mixes of nutrients and non-nutritive substances (sometimes toxic ones): macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids), micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), and water. Some nutrients are essential; insects lack the ability to synthesize them in their bodies and must obtain them from their diet or through symbiosis with beneficial organisms. Identification mechanisms being well developed in the system “phytophagous insect – plant” allow insects to successfully spread, multiply, and feed on certain plant species. The complex of hydrolytic enzymes in the insect intestine is one of the main targets for plant defense responses because these enzymes determine the availability of structural compounds for phytophagous insects. For this reason, enzymes in the insect intestine play a key role in the adaptation of insects to the pest resistance of fodder plants. For instance, when proteinase inhibitors are synthesized in a fodder plant as the result of induced insect resistance the complex of enzymes in an insect intestine might change negating the effect of these inhibitors. The development of co-adaptations due to interactions among species in food chains depends on a complicated constellation of conflicting relationships between consumers and food objects. The mechanisms of this influence may be rooted in the allelochemical interactions in the system “phytophagous insect – plant recipient”. Allelopathic interactions are among the most complex interactions because they are constituted by direct and indirect effects. Plants when damaged by phytophagous insects activate defense responses, which incorporate several mechanisms, including an increase in the concentration of secondary metabolites, many of which are phenolic compounds.The aim of the work is to describe the mechanisms of relationships in the system “phytophage-plant”. Conclusion. Management of processes of intra-water divergence of insect-phytophages in agrobiocoenoses in order to prevent the emergence of races and populations of pests adapted to live on initially resistant to them plant forms is possible in compliance with the transition to a targeted selection of agricultural crops for resistance to a complex of pests.

Relevanse. An important condition for the effectiveness of gardening is the systematic replacement of old plantings with new ones. The supply of planting material to the industry is important. Imported planting material does not always meet quality requirements and is not always adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of the region in which fruit and berry plantings are planted. Despite the spread of low-volume irrigation, for the regions of the Central Non-Black Earth Region (Central NonChernozem region) of Russia, only a few studies have been carried out to study drip irrigation regimes for fruit and berry nurseries, therefore, issues related to the development of rational irrigation regimes are of particular relevance.Methods. Field research was carried out on the territory of the educational and experimental farm of the Michurinsky Garden fruit growing laboratory of the Russian State Agrarian University Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy from 2011 to 2022. Field experiments on growing one-year-old, twoyear-old and three-year-old seedlings were carried out in triplicate according to the following options: 1) control (without irrigation), 2) maintaining the moisture content of the root layer in the range of 60-80 %, 3) 70-90% and 4) 80-100% of the lowest moisture capacity. The obtained experimental data were processed using regression analysis methods.Results. The resulting mathematical and statistical models make it possible to calculate the bioclimatic coefficients of plum, cherry, raspberry, pear and apple seedlings depending on pre-irrigation soil moisture and the sum of average daily temperatures for the conditions of the Central NonChernozem Zone of Russia. All the fruit and berry crops under consideration are characterized by a general pattern that, depending on the sum of average daily temperatures, bioclimatic coefficients change according to a parabolic dependence, and have minimum values at the beginning of the growing season, reach maximum values during the period of intensive growth of seedlings and gradually decrease towards the end of the growing season.

The article presents the results of many years of research on the study of the genetic fund of grapes concentrated in the ampelographic collection of the Dagestan selection experimental station for viticulture and vegetable growing. Selection and variety study of grapes play a major role in the accelerated promotion to the market and the introduction into industrial production of promising varieties for various uses, which is very important in our time. A comprehensive study of 104 varieties and hybrid forms of grapes of intraspecific and interspecific origin was carried out. The purpose of the study is an agrobiological assessment of promising varieties and hybrid forms of grapes of interspecific and intraspecific origin for various uses.   Methods. The research was carried out at the ampelographic collection of the Dagestan selection experimental station for viticulture and vegetable growing, located in Derbent.   The object of research was 104 varieties and hybrid forms of grapes of domestic and foreign selection. Of these, 30 table varieties, 70 technical varieties and 4 universal varieties. The zoned varieties Karaburnu (table) and Muscat white (technical) were used as a standard. The research was carried out according to the following methods: “Study of grape varieties” and “Agrotechnical research on the creation of intensive grape plantings on an industrial basis”.   Results. The article presents the results of assessing the indicators of fruiting and fruitfulness of varieties and hybrid forms of grapes of interspecific and intraspecific origin. According to the indicators of fruiting (K1) and fruitfulness (K2) among table varieties and hybrid forms, the following are distinguished: SV-23-657, SV-12-304, Dekabrsky, Ialoveni sustainable, V-95-1, XI-36-6/100 of which K1 ranged from 0.94 to 1.33 and K2 from 1.17 to 1.51. Among the technical varieties and hybrid forms based on these indicators, the following were distinguished: Bianca, Viorica, Gift of Magaracha, Yubileiny Magaracha, Pervenets Magaracha, in which K1 ranged from 1.17-1.50 and K2 from 1.34-1.60. For most varieties and hybrid forms, the fruiting coefficient (K1) varies from 0.67 to 1.30, and the fruiting coefficient (K2) ranges from 1.03 to 1.42. In universal varieties, the fruiting coefficient (K1) ranges from 0.70-1.02 and the fruiting coefficient ranges from 0.96-1.31. According to the yield of table varieties, interspecific hybrids are distinguished: Dekabrsky, SV-12-304, SV-20-365, SV-23-657, XI-36-6/100 in which the yield per bush varies from 11.2 to 19.5 kg/bush. Among the technical varieties in terms of yield per bush, the following stand out: TSKHA-3-2, Pierrel, Bianka, SV-20-473, Strogoziya, Podarok Magaracha, SV-12-375, for which the yield per bush was 12.4-22.2 kg.   Conclusion. The introduction of selected varieties and hybrids into production will ensure an increase in crop yields and will contribute to import substitution and ensure the country's food security. Individual varieties will be used as sources of valuable traits in breeding work.

Relevance. Lettuce is a widespread green crop. The high demand for lettuce products, as well as for new varieties, drives the development of different breeding practices for this crop. It is the most promising to use hybridization method in the lettuce breeding for a diverse source material production. However, lettuce is a self-pollinating plant with small flowers and a short flowering period (about three hours), so the technique of castration and pollination is difficult. The current methods of lettuce hybridization vary in efficiency and labor intensity. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of three different hybridization methods and to obtain a source material for lettuce breeding using these methods.Materials and methods. 15 varieties of different variety types of lettuce were studied in various combinations. Three hybridization methods was conducted in the conditions of the Moscow region and the Krasnodar Territory: 1) using flies as pollinating insects, 2) using manual castration by cutting off the inflorescence of unopened buds with pollen inside and washing off pollen residues followed by manual pollination ("Clip and Wash" method), and 3) using manual emas- culation with a single pollen wash, also followed by manual pollination. The hybridity level assessment and the breeding material selection were performed according to the main morpho- logical and economically valuable characteristics.Results. In the period from 2021 to 2023, 529 hybrid plants were produced using three different hybridization methods of lettuce. Out of these, 150 plants of various variety types and forms were selected for further breeding. The "Clip and Wash" method was found to be the most effective in terms of achieving the highest hybridization percentage (92-100%) with less labor costs in organizing crosses. However, the hybridization process using insect pollination was less effective and required more labor, but it was also possible to pollinate a larger number of inflorescences using this method.

Relevance. This article presents the results of breeding work and the introduction of the Mesoamerican culture Spanish sage or chia (Salvia hispanica L.), which is currently one of the most popular pseudo-grain crops from the family of Lamiaceae in Western countries due to its unique seeds rich in nutrients, PUFA, dietary fiber and antioxidants. In 2009, the European Union considered the seeds of the plant to be a promising type of food. There are only 17 registered genotypes of culture in the world, in the collection of GRR VIR there are two forms obtained from European countries. There are no registered varieties of Spanish sage in the state register of breeding achievements approved for use in the territory of the Russian Federation. The research of this culture is limited only by the biological side: the study of morphobiological features, its use for decorative purposes.Material and methodology. The research was conducted in the educational and experimental farm of the Omsk State Agrarian University in 2019-2023. The objects of research were several samples of various ecological and geographical origin and 2 new forms of Spanish sage obtained during local selection. All records and observations were carried out according to the following methods: field experience in vegetable growing (S.S. Litvinov, 2011), State variety testing of agricultural crops (1989), assessment of primary introduction by G.P. Semenova (2001) and variety assessment of floral ornamental plants by V.N. Bylov (1971).Results. As a result of continuous year-round introduction work, the breeders of the Omsk State Agricultural University managed to overcome the photoperiodic sensitivity of the plant and obtain adaptive forms 0/18 and 3/18. An assessment of the decorative value, the success of the introduction and the possibility of introducing new samples into production in the conditions of the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia is given. The first of the locally obtained forms, as more productive, was transferred to the state variety testing in 2023 under the assumed name of the variety "Siberian Emerald". Breeding work in this direction continues.