Common chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a promising source of raw materials for both food (roots) and pharmaceutical industries (leaves). One of the ways to increase the biologically active compounds content in medicinal plant materials is the use of various growth stimulants, which include amino acids. The article presents the results of an experimental study conducted in 2021-2022 which study the effect of of L-alanine and a racemic mixture of alanine (DL) on the accumulation and qualitative composition of phenolic compounds (PC) in the leaves of chicory.Results. It was found that the use of alanine in different concentrations did not have a significant effect on the increase of phenolic compounds content, and also did not affect the on their accumulation dynamics. The use of alanine enantiomers did not affect the qualitative composition of phenolic compounds, but led to a change in the ratio of hydroxycinnamic acids to each other. It has been established that during the growing season the percentage ratio between the main phenolic compounds in chicory leaves changes - the content of chlorogenic acid increases in proportion to the decrease in chicory acid. Treatment with L-alanine at a concentration of 25 mg/l during the study period in both varieties led to the largest reduction in the content of chicory acid compared to others. It was noted that the total content of PC is higher in a year with warmer and more arid weather, it was higher on average by 0,7 %.

To study the remobilization rate affected by growth regulators in wheat a field experiment was carried out in the south of Iran over 2017-2019 with a split-split plot design and three iterations in completely randomized blocks. The main plots were two irrigation regimes (full irrigation and irrigation interruption at the grain-filling stage), two wheat cultivars (Chamran 2 and Durum Karkheh cv.s) were as sub plots, and four growth regulators (control (no growth regulator), salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and cytokinin) placed in sub-sub plots. Results revealed the significant impact of the triple interaction on grain yield. The highest grain yield (4803 kg/Ha) was observed for Chamran 2 cv. treated with complete irrigation and salicylic acid. Although grain yield declined by 15.5% in the Karkheh cv. with irrigation interruption at the grain-filling stage and non-administration of growth regulators, treatment with salicylic acid managed to attenuate the adverse impact of drought stress in grain yield. The highest current photosynthesis and its contribution were observed in cultivars treated with complete irrigation. Moreover, irrigation regimen and growth regulators each had significant impacts on proline, catalase enzyme, and stomatal conductance. Overall, results suggested that using salicylic acid in Chamran 2 cv. would be advisable to increase growth and grain yield and reduce decline under stress.

Relevance. Considering the regional peculiarities of the climate of Belarus in the cultivation of garlic, it is relevant to create varieties with high yields, environmental stability, winter hardiness and product quality in changing environmental conditions. The aim of the research is a comprehensive assessment of the genotypes of winter garlic according to the parameters of adaptability and the selection of the most stable samples among them.Materials and methods. The research was carried out on the experimental field of the Department of Fruit and Vegetable Growing of the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy, Gorki, Mogilev region during 2018-2022. The objects were collectible samples of winter garlic of various ecological and geographical origin. Field and laboratory experiments were carried out using generally accepted methods and guidelines. Meteorological conditions during the years of research differed both in temperature indicators and the amount of precipitation, which contributed to an objective assessment of the studied samples according to a complex of economically useful signs and the determination of parameters of adaptive capacity and environmental stability.Results. As a result a comprehensive assessment of the parameters of adaptive capacity and environmental stability of genotypes was given. The results of the data obtained when studying the reaction of genotypes to the medium showed that 44% (11) of the 25 genotypes were unstable with a positive reaction to the medium, and 56% (14) were stable. Studies have revealed diversity among genotypes in terms of the main parameters of adaptability, including SCGi. The analysis of the data obtained makes it possible to determine the common properties of genotypes with a high level of the SCGi parameter or the differences between them and other issues of the specificity of genotypes with a different combination of adaptability and stability parameters. The specificity consists in a combination of maximum values of the level of parameters Xi, OASi, CACi, with significant responsiveness to improving environmental conditions (bi) and average relative stability. A genotype with a low value of the SCGi parameter can be highly stable and serve as a source of this property. In the opposite case, it can be used as a parent form to transmit to the offspring the properties of productivity in combination with stability.

Currently, pectins are widely used in the food, pharmaceutical industry, medicine and other industries due to the ability to form gels of various strengths, to show therapeutic and preventive properties. Cucurbita maxima pumpkin is considered as a source of natural and inexpensive pectin, as well as a functional food product for use in food and pharmaceutical preparations. The aim of the study was to identify the features of the accumulation of pectin substances in the most economically significant species of pumpkin C. maxima from the VIR collection. It was found that the studied varieties differ significantly in the amount of pectin substances. The content of pectins in the conditions of the North-West of Russia varied in the range from 0.59 to 4.24% (for absolutely dry matter). The content of soluble pectins was in the range of 0.24-1.36%. The level of protopectin accumulation, depending on the genotype and conditions of the growing season, was 0.35-3.37%. Sources of high content of soluble pectin and protopectin in pumpkin fruits have been identified for their further use in breeding, food and pharmaceutical industries.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the biochemical components in the heads of some red cabbage accessions (Russian cultivar Mikhnevskaya, Russian hybrid from Co Sedek Promethey F1, Turkish variety Mohrenkopf, hybrids from the Netherlands Zomiro F1, Pecky F1, Remala F1, Japanese hybrid Pretino F1), during cultivation in the conditions of the Leningrad region. The content of dry matter, nutritional compounds of protein and sugars, biologically active pigments anthocyanins, chlorophylls, carotenoids, phenolic acids expressed in gallic acid equivalents, as well as the level of antioxidant activity using DPPH were determined. It was found that the content of most chemical components varied greatly between accessions, especially sugars, pigments, and phenolic compounds. As a result of metabolomic profiling, nine monosaccharides (84% of the total) and two disaccharides were identified, including five sugars common to all studied accessions, the predominant of which was fructose. The content of total chlorophylls in heads of cabbage was in the range of 0.48-50.43 mg/100 g (chlorophyll a was 70%), carotenoids in the range of 0.95-15.58 mg/100 g. Carotenoids included carotenes, represented mainly by βcarotene, luteins, violaxanthins, xanthophylls. The main anthocyanin in red cabbage accessions is cyanidin. A total of 19 components of the anthocyanin profile were identified; of which there are six main components, that account for 80% of the total. 11 phenolic compounds of various nature were identified, and all studied accessions contained quinic, ferulic, and sinapic acids. Sources of valuable biochemical traits have been found for breeding on quality for healthy nutrition: the cultivar Mohrenkopf stood out for its high content of dry substances; sugars – hybrid Zomiro F1; anthocyanins – hybrid Pecky F1; phenolic compounds – Pecky F1 and Mohrenkopf; high antioxidant activity - Mikhnevskaya, Mohrenkopf and Pecky F1.

Beet is considered a difficult breeding object due to its biological peculiarities that make it difficult to obtain hybrid seed progeny. In cross-pollinated crops, the maximum hybridization is achieved by using sterile mother plants, which are extremely rare in the nature. Inbreeding is one of the ways to isolate genotypes with cytoplasmic male sterility, which are controlled by recessive alleles of nuclear genes and S-factor of mitochondrial DNA, from a complex heterogeneous population. The main distinguishing features allowing to identify plants with male sterility are the structure and coloring of anthers, and the quality composition of pollen. The diversity of phenotypic manifestation of marker coloration in sterile anthers is determined by the ratio of different pigments. Diversity of pollen grains of fertile and sterile plants is caused by differences in their development at the late stages of androgenesis. The degree of sterilization varies in different genotypes, which is associated with complex regulatory mechanisms of interaction between the genetic apparatus of the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Along with abnormalities of pollen grain micropopulations, self-fertilization results in morphological changes in the structure of inflorescences and number of flower organs, which has a direct impact on the seed productivity of plants. The studies summarized in this publication are relevant and essential for the search of effective ways to control plant development in ontogenesis and universal selection criteria in the process of creating fundamentally new forms of plants, which is especially important for breeding.

Relevance. The main source of the natural pigment betanin is table beet, known for its medicinal and antioxidant properties, earliness and long shelf life, rich in bioactive compounds, minerals and vitamins. This research was induced by the lack of information required by breeders to increase betanin content in beet. Metabolite profiling is an effective way to assess the interplay between individual metabolites and betanin content in table beet.Materials and methods. The material was selected from the the N.I. Vavilov Institute of plant industry (VIR) collection. Biochemical analysis was based on VIR’s guidelines, and metabolite profiling on gas chromatography, coupled with mass spectrometry.Results. 17 free amino acids were found in the beet root extract. The greatest number of positive correlations with other amino acids (r˃0.72) was found in tyrosine, alanine and phenylalanine. A significant (r = –0.66) negative correlation was observed between betanin and succinic acid, credibly associated with betalamic acid. Sucrose predominated among carbohydrates (95%). Sucrose and maltose showed a weak positive correlation with betanin. Unsaturated oleic and saturated palmitic acids dominated among fatty acids (52% and 20% of total fatty acids, respectively). Earlier-ripening and cold-resistant table beet accessions showed a predominance of unsaturated fatty acids and lower betanin content. The disclosed interactions are important for betanin-rich red beet breeding.

Relevance. Currently, the relevance of studying to identify the ability of many micromycetes to synthesize phytotoxic substances that reduce seed germination and lead to huge losses in the yield of strategic agricultural crops is increasing. To solve the problem, the development of new methodological approaches is required, which is significant for immunologists and phytopathologists.The purpose of this work is to determine the phytotoxic activity of micromycete strains from the genera Fusarium, Alternaria, Bipolaris, parasitizing on all agricultural crops cultivated in Russia.Materials and methods. The strains, the methods of their cultivation, the bioassay method were used, and the statistical processing of the results obtained was carried out. A modification of some methodological approaches for assessing the phytotoxicity of micromycetes has been carried out. The selection of representative concentrations of culture fluid filtrates (FCF) of strains for phytotoxicity evaluation was carried out.Results. A correlation was established for all variants of the experiment between two independent parameters: the development parameters of wheat seedlings and the concentration of cultural liquid filtrates. New results have been obtained on the study of the phytotoxic activity of 70 strains of hemibiotrophic micromycetes and the optimal concentrations of fungal FAs for classifying fungal strains into toxicity groups have been established. The most variable toxicity values were found when using a 40% solution of FCL. It was shown that, under these conditions, fungal strains can be divided according to the degree of toxicity into significantly different groups. This circumstance is an important reason for including strains of micromycetes with certain toxicity properties in the State Collection of Phytopathogenic Microorganisms. Fungal strains are necessary and appropriate for use in breeding to create resistant and tolerant varieties to phytopathogens from the genera Fusarium, Alternaria, Bipolaris.Conclusion. New methodological approaches have confirmed that the most variable toxicity values were found with the use of FCF in a ratio of 2:3. This concentration of FCF strains are divided into 4 groups with characteristic differences in the degree of toxicity, which is an important reason for including such strains of micromycetes in the State Collection of Phytopathogenic Microorganisms and will be further used in breeding to create resistant and tolerant varieties of agricultural crops.

Species Cucurbita pepo L., which includes marrow, squash, hard-barked pumpkin and a number of other crops, has a high polymorphism both in plant structure and in shape, size, color of the bark and fruit pulp. The color of the bark of the fruits of this species can be white, cream, yellow, green, orange with or without a pattern. Appearance can greatly influence the marketing success of new hybrids among the target audience. This is explained by the fact that there are strong regional consumer preferences regarding the color of fruits, although most often, on the shelves of chain stores, in fresh or canned form, you can find fruits of bright, saturated colors and shades. At the same time, brightly colored fruits are more often used for canning, while light-colored ones are used for processing into caviar [1]. Paris H.S. and Brown R.N. summarized the identification of more than 80 gene loci that affect fruit color in Cucurbita pepo L., some of which are multi-allelic [2]. The color of the fruit in hard-barked pumpkin depends on the presence and interaction between the loci responsible for this trait, and many other factors, including growing conditions [3,4]. In cucurbits, in different phenophases, different genes are responsible for color [5–7]. All this makes the selection of summer squash and scallop on the basis of the color of the fruit bark very difficult. Knowing the genetics of coloration can make this task easier. In this article, we tried to summarize the results of studies presented in foreign literature sources on the study of Cucurbita pepo L. genes responsible for the color of the surface of the fruit and pulp, its intensity, the presence or absence of a pattern of various colors and configurations. No domestic studies on this topic could be found.

Relevance and methodology. This article presents the results of a study on the effect of growth regulators and water-soluble fertilizers on laboratory and field germination of pumpkin seeds of various types. The results of observations of the growth and development of seedlings and roots are presented. The research was carried out by laboratory and field experience. It is established that based on the analysis of the data obtained, it can be concluded that growth regulators have a significant effect on the laboratory and field germination of pumpkin seeds of various species. Treatment of pumpkin seeds with growth regulators and water-soluble fertilizers is one of the promising methods of preparation for sowing. Not only field germination depends on high-quality seeds, but also the density of standing plants, as well as growth, development and disease damage. The variety of active substances in the studied growth regulators have a positive effect on the embryo, activating the accelerated process of nutrient absorption, providing increased germination energy and seed growth strength. There are many requirements for seed material. Germination is the main sowing quality of seeds, it is the ability to give seedlings (in the laboratory) or (in the field) shoots for a certain period of time. Germination also depends on the conditions of storage and germination of seeds. Another important property is the germination energy, the seeds should sprout in a certain time. The higher the germination energy, the seeds are considered better.Results. The use of various types of growth regulators in the technology of pumpkin cultivation, as studies show, is one of the promising agrotechnical measures. The best result when soaking pumpkin seeds of large-fruited pumpkin, in laboratory conditions, was achieved in variants with the use of growth regulators Vigor Forte- 98% and Phytozont – 95%. When soaking nutmeg pumpkin seeds, the best option was also shown by Vigor Forte and Phytozont – 95%.