Relevanse. The article presents information about actively spreading potential pests of agricultural crops in the Central region of the Russian Federation – slugs and snails – invertebrates belonging to the genus of gastropods. The harmfulness of these pests is manifested in a decrease in the size of the crop, a decrease in its quality, loss of marketability and fruit keeping. The most seriously affected in this regard are the planting of cabbage, lettuce, peas, turnips, potatoes and cucumbers. Snails and slugs can serve as a source of infectious diseases, various fungal spores, bacteria and parasitic helminths are often carried with the mucus produced by their bodies, which often pose a threat to the health of people and pets.Methods. Visual surveys were carried out to determine the number of pests in the field and in the adjacent territory in the conditions of the Moscow region (Lyubertsy city district). The studies were conducted in accordance with officially approved methods. Data on the species composition of pests are analyzed. The possibility of active harmful activity and potential threat of gastropods in a changing climate and their adaptation in the conditions of the Central region of the Russian Federation is considered.Results. According to the results of the conducted research, it was found that in vegetable gardens and private farms, grape snail and arable slug are most often found, in potato plantings – field (arable slug). Recommendations on slug and snail control in the private sector and farms are given.

Relevance.Medicinal sage is a pharmacopoeial species, a valuable essential oil plant. The method of plantation establishment is predominantly seed-based, and the seed material can retain pathogenic microbiota, so the purpose of the study was to identify mycosis pathogens in the seeds of medicinal sage.Materials and methods. The study was carried out on samples from the biological collection of Salvia officinalis seeds (as part of the Unique Scientific Installation “Biological Collections of the All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants”). Seeds of the 1st–5th and 9th years of storage were collected from the nurseries of the Experimental Field of the All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. Research to identify mycoses of sage seeds was carried out at the All-Russian Research Institute of Phytopathology in the innovative laboratory of microbiology. To study the phytopathogens of Salvia officinalis seeds, the method of artificial nutrient media was used.Results. From the study conducted, the effect of predominant pathogen was established. Fungi of the genus Alternaria, when seeds are stored in conditions with a temperature regime of +20...+22℃, have a negative effect on the sowing quality of seeds. Laboratory germination and germination energy of seeds stored in the cold room (0...+5℃) were affected by yeast, a significant decrease in sowing qualities was observed. When seeds were stored in -18℃, the inhibitory effect of temperature on pathogens was found. The dependence of total pathogen infestation on the conditions and term of seed storage was established. The highest percentage of infestation in seeds stored at room temperature was observed in the first 2 years from the time of collection. The development of pathogenic fungi of Alternaria, Phoma and Rhizopus genus was significantly reduced in seeds stored for 5 to 9 years with temperature conditions of 0...+5℃ and -18℃. Rhizopus, Cladosporium cladosporioides and Clonostachys rosea were found in the sample stored for 38 years in the freezer. The dependence of the set of pathogenic microbiota of seeds on the predecessor in the crop rotation was established. The plots from which seeds were collected, except for the sample from the Crimean zonal experimental station of VILR, have different predecessors. The seeds from the first plot showed the highest percentage of fungal infestation with similar pathogen composition. Total infestation and pathogen composition decreased in the second plot. The sample from the third plot was stored for 5 years in the freezer and no seed mycoses were detected in it.

Relevance. The study of the reaction of potato varieties, especially new ones, to the use of a complex of agrotechnical techniques, including foliar top dressing with water-soluble fertilizers, is an urgent task. For this purpose, 4 potato varieties of different ripeness groups (Red Scarlett, Nevsky, Golubizna, Grand) were studied in two regions of Russia using agrochemicals Agrovin Micro. Methods. The article presents experimental data on the study of biometric indicators, yield and quality of potatoes for non-root top dressing in conditions of leached chernozem and sod-podzolic sandy loam soils of the Central region of Russia. The objects of research were potato varieties of various ripeness groups. Foliar fertilization of plants with agrochemicals Agrovin Micro was carried out in the phases of germination, budding and 20 days after the last treatment in two consumption rates – 1.0 and 2.0 l / ha. Control – without processing (K) with background N90Р90К135.Results. On average, over the years of research, the best options for all varieties turned out to be options with the use of additional leaf treatment with an agrochemical at a maximum dose of 2 liters /ha. Due to three-fold foliar top dressing for the critical phases of potato plant growth, the greatest yield increases and maximum values of dry matter and starch content to the mineral background were obtained. In the conditions of the Tambov region, the increase in yield, depending on the variety, ranged from 24.2 to 59.3% or 6.0-10.5 /ha and in the conditions of the Moscow region – 3.3-28.9% or 1.2-7.1 t/ha. The most suitable for processing into fried potato products from the studied varieties turned out to be Red Scarlett and Grand. All other things being equal, the color index of crispy potatoes and fries on these varieties was higher than the Nevsky variety by 1.0-1.5 points.

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. To meet the demand of the domestic consumer and the effective import substitution of for- eign breeding varieties, Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata L.) needs to breed new varieties with high decorative properties, stability and unpretentiousness. A prerequisite for successful generative reproduction of flowering plants to obtain new forms and varieties is the production of fertile, morphologically complete pollen.Methodology. The purpose of this work is to study the biological features of garden phlox flowering and pollination as part of the breeding process optimization and selecting promising parent pairs. The research was carried out for 2 years (2022-2023) in open ground conditions on the basis of the garden phlox domestic varieties bioresource collection on the territory of the Tsitsin’s Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The peculiarities of the varieties flowering and pollination biology, by assessing the viability of pollen, were studied during the mass flowering phase in 11 varieties selected for their prospects for breeding using methods for assessing pollen viability by staining pollen with acetocarmine and using the M. Alexander method.Results. During the research, a number of garden phlox economically valuable features were established: variability structure of the inflorescence and flower morphology; duration of flowering (35 days or more); different periods of flowering (from mid-June to the end of August); the ability of some varieties to bloom again. It was found that the Alexander’s pollen staining method is more sensitive than acetocarmine staining, and allows for more accurate differentiation of colored pollen grains according to their fertility degree. For artificial pollination and hybridization in phlox, it is recommended to use fresh pollen collected from blooming and fading flowers, since it is in these phases that the pollen fertility index in some varieties exceeded 50% of the total weight. According to the results of the conducted research, the most promising pollinator varieties with a high level of pollen fertility were identified: Skazka (71.2%), Olenka (63.2%) and Gegery (66.7%). The prospect of using the Manon variety as a source of male sterility has been established.

Relevance. The garden strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa (Weston) Duchesne ex Rozier) is a widespread berry crop distinguished by its fast vegetative growth, early bearing age, and high yield and plasticity. Today everbearing (remontant) strawberry varieties gain in popularity due to their long fruiting period, and high yield and berry quality. Annually new foreign varieties appear on the Russian market. For this reason, it is important to study foreign garden strawberry varieties of different ecological and geographical origin and identify those of them that are adaptable to agro-climatic conditions of a given region.   The research goal was to determine the biochemical and customer qualities of the garden strawberry varieties introduced in Primorsky kray and to select varieties with economically important traits for further breeding and production.   Research methods. The research was carried out in the nursery of primary variety testing at FSBSI “FSC of Agricultural Biotechnology of the Far East named after A.K. Chaiki”. The following garden strawberry varieties of foreign breeding origin were used as the research object: Сabrillo (USA), Albion (USA), Florentina (Netherlands), Murano (Italy), and Bravura (Netherlands). The studied varieties were day-neutral and everbearing. Variety Elizaveta 2 was used as the control (Russian breeding origin; admitted to use in all regions of the Russian Federation). The following parameters were evaluated: total yield, average berry weight, maximum berry weight, berry size, the yield of marketable berries, and the content of dry matter, reduced sugars, and vitamin C. The accumulation of anthocyanins in berries was determined by a rapid assessment using a color scale. Records were made and scientific observations were conducted according to “Program and methods of variety testing of fruit, berry, and nut crops” (1999).   Results. Based on the results of the research on the economically important traits of the everbearing day-neutral strawberry varieties introduced in Primorsky kray, the following varieties were selected: Cabrillo for yield (263.3 g/plant, control – 82.8 g/plant), Murano for the yield of marketable berries (81.3 %), and Bravura (15.5 g) and Florentina (15.2 g) for berry size. The highest content of dry matter was accumulated in berries of variety Аlbion (9.87%). The highest content of reduced sugars was found in varieties Cabrillo (7.16%), Florentina (7.09 %), and Аlbion (7.09 %); of vitamin C – in Florentina (60.30 mg/100 g), and of anthocyanins – in Murano (50 mg/100 g). Murano was established to be the most promising variety under the conditions of Primorky kray for the complex of its traits.

Relevance. Eating a natural product of seedlings can completely replenish the body with missing vitamins, but there are problems in obtaining seedlings – damage to seeds by a complex of phytopathogens. Obtaining high-quality soy seedlings is an urgent task.The purpose of the research is to identify the main problems associated with the manifestation and removal of pathogenic microbiota in the production of vegetable soybean seedlings.Material and Methods. The seeds of domestic and foreign soybean varieties served as the material. Patent No. 2349098 of the Russian Federation. The determination of germination and infection of seeds was carried out according to GOST 12038-84 in 4 repetitions. Methods of disinfection of seeds: ultraviolet radiation and ozonation.Results and Discussion. It was revealed that the Hidaka variety has a high seed contamination of 48.7%, and low germination. The varieties Sibiryachka and Lydia have high germination, pathogen infestation is 6 and 8%, respectively. The contamination of the seeds of the Bar variety was a minimum of 2.7%, this variety was taken into further work. Pathogens from the genera Mucor spp., Fusarium spp., Alternaria spp., Pythium spp., Penicillium have been isolated. The phases of water consumption of vegetable soybeans have been determined, which makes it possible to determine the weight of the seed in a specific period of time and use the data for pre-sowing seed treatment. Ecological methods of disinfection of seed material have been tested – treatment with ultraviolet radiation, the use of ozone washing and ozonation of water. An analysis of the percentage of the yield of healthy and affected seedlings, depending on the method of seed treatment, showed that the untreated option has the lowest number of healthy seedlings – 10.76%. UV treatment of dry seeds and treatment in an ozone sink allowed to increase the yield of healthy seedlings to 14.24 and 14.30%, respectively. UV treatment of soaked seeds allowed to increase the yield of healthy products by 62%, and the option of using an ozone sink with further use of ozonated water allowed to obtain the maximum yield of healthy seedlings – 20.04%, which is 2 times higher relative to the control.

Relevance. Salvia officinalis L. is an important essential oilseed crop with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Providing the pharmaceutical industry with raw materials of Salvia in full is possible due to the expansion of production areas and the availability of the maximum amount of highquality seed material of new promising varieties.Methods. In 2019-2022 in the conditions of the North Caucasus branch of VILAR on a new variety of Salvia Fioletovy aromat II year of vegetation by staging small-scale experiments were conducted to study the systematic application of organomineral fertilizer – EcoFus and growth regulators of different mechanism of action – Zircon, Epin-extra, retardant Hardy to increase seed productivity and seed quality. The area of the experimental plots was 12 m2. Treatment with EcoFus was carried out at the beginning of regrowth, and with bioregulators – during the budding phase. The consumption of the working solution is 300 l/ha. Control variants of medicinal crops were treated with water.Results. Application of EcoFus in the phase of regrowth contributed to the activation of the intensity of photosynthesis and increase in the accumulation of plastic substances, which allowed plants to enter the generative phase earlier, the budding phase came 2-3 days earlier than in the control. Subsequent treatment of budding plants with growth regulators led to earlier and more friendly flowering, the time of seed ripening was reduced by 3-4 days. The highest efficiency was observed in the variants of joint application of EcoFus with Zircon or Hardy, where the number of inflorescences on plants increased, seed setting and seed productivity increased by 37-42%, seed quality also improved – weight of 1000 seeds increased by 9-10% and germination by 6-7%.

Relevance. Opuntia distinguished by high adaptability is widespread in many countries of the world. Tolerance to water deficiency and high biological activity provide prospects of its cultivation for food and pharmaceutical industry. In Russia Opuntia is grown in the Crimea, Caucasus, Donbass, Astrakhan region and even in the Central Russia. Evaluation of the Opuntia cultivation efficiency in the Crimea for various utilization supposes the importance of its biochemical characteristics which variability greatly depends on the place of habitat. Materials and Methods. Total antioxidant activity and titratable acidity were determined using titration methods, polyphenol content –using spectrophotometric method, monosaccharide and total sugar concentrations were assessed via reaction with ferricyanide, mucilage levels were determined gravimetrically.Results. Investigation of cladode, inflorescence and fruit biochemical parameters of three Opuntia species: O. humifusa, O. phaeacantha, O. engelmannii, – gathered at the Southern and South-Eastern part of the Crimean peninsular revealed wide variability of fruit mucilage (4.3-16.56% d.w.), sugar and total antioxidant activity. Polyphenol content decreased according to: inflorescence (18.4-21.0) > fruit (11.7-18) > cladodes (10.2-20.0). Fruit monosaccharide content reached (6.2-31) % while in cladodes these values were in the range of 8.1-16.0%. Total sugar content was equal to 32.6-95% in fruit and 15.5-29.7% in cladodes. Concentration of selenium as a natural antioxidant was higher in the cladodes (102-176 µg/kg d.w.) than in fruit (46.8-72 µg/kg d.w.). The highest levels of the total antioxidant activity and titratable acidity were registered in O. engelmannii while the highest sugar, mucilage and taste index were typical for O. humifusa. Nevertheless, O. humifusa was characterized by the lowest fruit mass (6.0-6.3 g) contrary to O. engelmannii (36-40 g). The results suppose prospects of fruit, cladode and inflorescence utilization in food industry, cosmetics and pharmacology with the preference to O. humifusa.