Relevance. The research is devoted to studying the peculiarities of the high-parent heterosis manifestation which connected with yield traits and the biochemical composition of tomato fruits.Materials and Methods. The work was carried out in 2021–2023 in open field conditions on the experimental plot of the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy (Mogilev region, Belarus). The objects of research were 30 F1 hybrids and 11 parental forms with different levels of economically valuable traits and with the specific set of genes for pathogen resistance and lycopene accumulation. The aim of the research was to create high-yield heterotic F1 tomato hybrids, adapted to open field conditions in Belarus, with a valuable biochemical composition of fruits.Results. The best hybrid combinations showed an early yield of 0.90–2.49 kg/m2, a marketable yield of 7.50–11.40 kg/m2, and a total yield of 8.22–13.12 kg/m2. High heterosis effect was established for early (88.9–291.0%), marketable (36.0–111.2%), and total (28.6–97.8%) yield in some hybrids. Significant differences in the accumulation of dry matter, carotene, and soluble carbohydrates were ascertained between the hybrids. Hybrid combinations with the highest value of true heterosis on accumulation of dry matter (18.3–21.6%), carotene (20.2–22.9%), and soluble carbohydrates (15.7–38.9%) were identified. Inheritance of early, marketable and total yield, dry matter content, carotene and soluble carbohydrates predominantly took place according to the positive overdominance, fruit weight – according to the intermediate inheritance, vitamin C content – according to the negative overdominance. Hybrids Brusnichny F1, Mansiata F1, Rada F1 were transferred to the State Inspection for Testing and Protection of Plant Varieties of the Republic of Belarus and successfully passed the testing stage in 2023.

Relevance. The priority direction in vegetable growing is the scientifically justified use of types and doses of micronutrients that can increase the yield of watermelon fruits and improve their quality. Due to the large number of different types of fertilizers currently appearing on the market, it is necessary to choose the right ones and study them in optimal doses for growing high-quality melon products.Material and methodology. Objects of research: watermelon varieties Meteor, Zemlyanin, Kholodok and preparations: iron chelate, zinc chelate, vegetable Aquarin. Options using these fertilizers for double foliar treatment of plants during the growing season have been studied. The research was carried out during 2019-2021 at the Bykovskaya melon breeding experimental station.Results. During the study, a positive effect of the tested drugs on the quantitative and qualitative indicators of products was established. As a result of foliar treatments of plants in all variants, the yield exceeded the control variant (without treatments). A comparative analysis of biochemical data showed that the dry matter content was at a fairly high level. As a result of the use of zinc chelate in the Meteor and Kholodok cv., the dry matter content increased by 0.4%. A similar increase in the indicator was obtained when using the drug Aquarin vegetable on the Zemlyanin and Kholodok cv. The content of total sugar in the Meteor and Kholodok cv. was higher than the control (without treatments), and in the Zemlyanin cv. it was at the control level. The fructose content in the tested variants of all varieties exceeded the control. As a result of the use of water-soluble fertilizers for plant treatment, the content of ascorbic acid increased in the variants with treatment in the Meteor cv. – by 1-1.5 mg%, in the Zemlyanin cv. – by 0.8-1.1 mg%, in the Kholodok cv. – by 0 .1-0.7 mg% compared to control (without treatments). Nitrate levels in watermelon fruits of different ripening periods did not exceed the maximum permissible concentration (60 mg/kg).

Relevance. Potatoes are one of the most popular agricultural crops in Russia. The unique chemical composition characterizes potatoes as a valuable food product in the diet of the population. One of the important factors for increasing and stable potato yields is the selection of the optimal assortment for each region of the Russian Federation. Therefore, the varieties most adapted to local growing conditions should be used in production. The world potato collection allows solving various issues of modern breeding, such as: early maturity, resistance of tubers to various diseases, seed quality, adaptation to climatic stresses, history and systematics. The study and evaluation of new potato breeding varieties makes it possible to identify promising source material for the creation of future varieties suitable for cultivation in the northern regions of the country.The purpose of this study is to characterize the studied potato samples in extreme climate conditions.Material and methodology. In 2013-2023, 543 potato samples from the World Collection of VIR were studied at the experimental field of the Polar Experimental Station VIR branch according to the main biological and economically valuable characteristics. For a comprehensive assessment of the varieties according to the main economic and biological characteristics, phenological observations were carried out, the harvest was taken into account during early and final harvesting, including the structure of the crop. Visual assessment of diseases was carried out in the field and during storage. Starch was determined in the laboratory. All basic accounting is performed according to the VIR methodology.Results and discussion. Over the years, 15 potato varieties with the best characteristics of economically valuable traits have been identified. According to the results of the final harvest, 6 varieties had a stable harvest – Favorit, Meteor, Tekes, Severny, Gusar, Lingonberry. The yield of these varieties was 1034-1409 g/bush.

Relevance. Nowadays the popularity of Chamaenerion angustifolium as a medicinal plant and as a tea is growing noticeably. Fireweed is an eclogically plastic species, that does not require high soil fertility and is widespread in Russia. Medical and food industries use leafs as a row material of fireweed. Series of phytochemical studies of Chamaenerion raw material have shown that it contains a wide variety of pharmacologically significant compounds, that accumulate as a result of both primary and secondary metabolism. The most important groups, formed as a result of secondary metabolism, are polyphenols, including flavonoids, phenolic acids and ellagitannins (including enothein B). Concentration of these chemical compounds equals 15% and even hither of the raw material (leaf).The aim. Identification of variability and relationships between the content of various groups of phenolic compounds in raw material of Chamaenerion angustifolium, depending on ecological conditions.Methods. At the first stage of our work was used the cartographic method. Were studied specimens from 27 points, growing in ecologically different areas of the Moscow, Kaluga and Yaroslavl regions. Phenolic compounds were determined using a spectrophotometer: flavonoids in terms of rutin, tannins and the amount of phenolic compounds, using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent in terms of gallic acid.Results. The content of polyphenols, tannins and flavonoids in raw material of fireweed, collected in different ecological and soil aspects, was measured. Measurement results were compared, using correlation analysis. As the result of content analysis, it was found that the content of polyphenols in the leaves ranged from 9 to 11%, the content of flavonoids fell within the chain range of 2.5-3.5%, tannin content – 5.0-6.5%. A close correlation was found between the content of phenolic compounds and tannins (R=0.972). It indicates, that the shikimate pathway is the main process of biosynthesis secondary metabolites in the Chamaenerion angustifolium plant. Also it means the leading role of local ecological conditions of the studied areas.

Relevance. The selection of genotypes with high adaptive properties for the conditions of the Tyumen region allows us to contribute to the development of a regional strategy for breeding and genetic work, selection and cultivation of varieties in connection with changing weather and climatic conditions.Material and methodology. The research was carried out over a three-year period (2020-2022) in the northern forest-steppe zone of the Tyumen region. Intervarietal hybridization (4x4 scheme), evaluation of the obtained material according to morphological (4 pcs.), biological (1 pc.), adaptive indicators (2 pcs.) was carried out using generally accepted methods. The objects of study were 12 combinations of fiber flax, first obtained in the region.Results. Significant differences (p<0.05*) were determined between hybrid populations of fiber flax in the influence of genotype, environment, and genotype-environment interaction on the degree of implementation of the studied traits. Correlation relationships have been identified that determine the fiber content in the stem (r=0.79-0.91*, growing season, plant height, inflorescence length, softness, camber), the number and weight of seeds per plant (r=0.79-0 ,91*, inflorescence length, number, size and crackability of the capsule). Based on the results of individual selection in the third hybrid generation (F3), early ripening (4 pieces), tall (n=4), with the maximum number of bolls (n=4) and the number of seeds in them (n=7), fiber content (n =4) in the stem of the combination.Conclusions. Hybrid combinations of fiber flax with high levels of stable properties (G1, G3, G9, G10, G11), productivity criteria (G1, G2, G4, G7, G8, G9, G11, G12) can be valuable in breeding work.

Relevance. Contarinia nasturtii Keiffer is one of the most dangerous insect pests of Brassicaceae plants dramatically affecting plant yield and seed productivity.Material and Methods. The effect of single foliar application of sodium selenate, ionic form of silicon (Siliplant fertilizer) and garlic extract on the efficiency of Raphanus sativus lobo defense against Contarinia nasturtii infestation was evaluated in condition of greenhouse. Concentrations of the applied reagents were: sodium selenate 26.4 mM; Siliplant – 1 ml/l; garlic extract – 8 g/l. Seed productivity and C. nasturtii infestation levels under Se, Si and garlic extract administration under infestation were determined along with the analysis of plant antioxidant status and sugar content.Results. Foliar application of Siliplant singular or in combination with Se provided the highest seed productivity and mass of 1000 seeds. Plants treated with Si, garlic extract and Si+Se demonstrated lack of C. nasturtii infestation only a week after the preparation supply. Contrary, selenate provided less pronounced defense. Among biochemical parameters tested the values of the total dissolved solids were the highest in plants treated with Se and Se+Si. Changes in the intensity of plant defense due to garlic, Se and Si supply were reflected in the increase of the total phenolic content compared to the values typical for control plants and in a significant accumulation increase of disaccharides, participating in tissue recovery after herbivory attack. Silicon application also provided an increase of selenium accumulation by lobo leaves.

Relevance. Rhodiola rosea L. is a perennial herbaceous plant from the Crassulaceae family. The roots and rhizomes of R. rosea contain a range of biologically active compounds. This species is included in the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation. Medicinal preparations derived from them are widely used as adaptogens, general tonic and anti-stress agents. While the roots have been extensively studied, less attention has been given to the biologically active compounds found in the leaves of R. rosea. An introduced population of R. rosea grows on the territory of the botanical garden of medicinal plants of the All-Russian scientific research Institute of medicinal and aromatic plants (VILAR). The possibility of cultivating this species in the conditions of the Moscow region is being studied.Material and Methodology. The objective of this study was to investigate the composition of phenolic compounds in R. rosea leaves from VILAR biocollection using ultra-efficient liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. Extraction was carried out with 80% acetone. An ultra-high performance liquid chromatographic system with a photodiode array detector and mass spectrometer was used for the analysis of phenolic compounds. Identification was carried out using UV- and mass spectrometry data.Results. As a result of UPLC-DD-MS analysis, peaks of 20 phenolic compounds were detected in R. rosea leaves, of which 19 compounds were tentatively identified. The leaf extract contained eight phenolic compounds from the group of galloyl-glucoses (three isomers of monogalloyl-glucose, trigalloyl-glucose, two isomers of tetragalloyl-glucose, two isomers of pentagalloyl-glucose), two gallotannins (isomers of hexagalloyl-glucose), five flavonoids (four herbacetin derivatives and one gossypetin), phenolic acids (caffeoyl-malic and ferulic acids), arbutin and esculetin. It has been shown that the biologically active substances of R. rosea provide prospects for the use of leaves as raw materials for the development of herbal preparations with anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antitumor effects.

Relevance. Tomato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans can cause almost 100% yield loss in open ground in cool and humid conditions. At the same time, the genetic characteristics of P. infestans allow it to overcome the genetic resistance of host plants over time, which requires breeders to look for new genes for resistance to late blight and to obtain new varieties that have several resistance genes at once.Material and methods. 12 tomato lines, or a total of 335 plants, were obtained from the N.N. Timofeev breeding station collection and planted in an artificially infected background. For molecular genetic screening, 12 plants from the Kr6 line were used. The markers linked to the late blight resistance genes Ph-3, R1, and R3a were utilized.Results. On an artificial infectious background, phenotypic evaluation of tomato resistance to late blight showed 1 line of plants free of pathogen damage, 5 lines of plants fully afflicted by late blight, and 6 lines with only partial plant damage. According to molecular genetic investigation the resistant plants were heterozygotes for the Ph-3 gene. Furthermore, the R1 gene was present in most of the plants under study; but, without the Ph-3 gene, this gene did not provide plant resistance against late blight.Conclusions. The results of this research led to the selection of tomato plants for further breeding that were resistant to late blight. It was shown that markers linked to the Ph-3 and R1 genes might be used for marker-mediated selection. Furthermore, it has been established that tomato plants are more effectively protected against P. infestans when several resistance genes are present.

Relevance. Tomato occupies a special place among vegetable crops in the world, including in the Republic of Dagestan. The article presents the results of research on the use of biostimulators of growth on the productivity of tomato plants in open ground conditions of the Tersk-Sulak subprovincion of Dagestan. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of the biological product Relict R and Humate+7 on economically valuable indicators in the production of tomatoes of domestic selection in open ground conditions. Tomatoes were grown using conventional technology in open ground conditions.   Material and methodology. The research was carried out on the basis of the Tersko-Sulak subprovince of the Federal Agricultural Research Center of the Republic of Dagestan of the Kizlyar district. The soil of the experimental site is alluvial-meadow, medium-saline, medium loamy in mechanical composition. Agricultural technology is generally accepted in the Republic of Dagestan for tomato culture. The objects of research were tomatoes of the Voskhod VNIISSOKa variety, Relict R, Humate+7.   Results. The use of humic preparations accelerated the duration of the interphase period of germination-maturation, the difference in variants ranged from 6 to 11 days. The yield of tomatoes has shown that the use of biostimulants of growth gives a significant increase. Relict P turned out to be the most effective – the increase was 4.1 t/ha. The effectiveness of Humate+7 also exceeded the control yield and amounted to 2.3 t/ha, respectively. The use of the biopreparation stimulated the accumulation of dry substances in tomato fruits from 5.9 % in the control to 6.4-6.9 % in the experimental versions, the sugar content increased by 0.2 %. The studied preparations had a positive effect on the yield and quality indicators of tomatoes. According to the research results, it is recommended to use the Relict R – liquid humic preparation on tomato to increase yields and quality indicators in the conditions of the south of the country.

Originality/Value: Farmers must use sprinkler irrigation and avoid surface irrigation because it harms the soil and increases its salinity, also represents a waste of water resources.Research limitations: Limited availability of sufficient numbers of sprinkler irrigation devices in Iraq, their high prices, and the lack of experience of farmers to use them.The Purpose of the research is to evaluate the effect of the appropriate irrigation method and the amount of fertilizer specified for urea fertilizer that achieves the best growth for the plant and increase its productivity while avoiding a negative impact on soil properties.Research Method: Two types of irrigation: spraying and flooding, and four mineral fertilization treatments (0. 50.100. 150) kg.ha-1 were used in the work to study the apparent characteristics of wheat and the amount of productivity, using statistical analysis (Gen Stat) and simple correlation coefficient to find strength of association between variables. The experiment was carried out in 2023 at Al-Khatib Farm, located in Al-Numaniyah District, it is bordered to the south by Wasit Governorate, 50 km away, and to the north by Baghdad Governorate,160 km away (Iraq).Results and Discussion. Sprinkler irrigation showed significant differences with the surface irrigation in the length of the spike, number of seed per spike,1000 seed weight, number of spikes per square meter, grain yield kg .ha-1 and the harvest index, while the plant height was not significant. The study also showed that the correlation coefficient between the apparent characteristics of the plants was stronger in the case of using sprinkler irrigation compared to the surface irrigation.