Relevance. Tomato pink-fruit cultivars and hybrids are of interest for fresh consumption. The biochemical parameters are influenced by the varietal factor and by the growing conditions. It is known that mature tomatoes record low storability. The softening of the fruit is caused by ethylene produced in the ripening fruit. Then pectinase enzymes are synthesized in the fruit tissues, under the action of which the cell walls of the fruit soften. Breeders are creating tomato cultivars whose fruits could be stored for a long time without losing their tasty.   The aim of the investigation was to study the biochemical parameters of pink-colored tomato fruits under different ripening conditions.   Materials and methods. The plants were grown on the experimental fields of the Laboratory for Breeding and Seed Production of Solanaceae crops. In the Analytical Department, the biochemical composition of pink tomato fruits was studied during harvesting from the field and after laying for storage in the milky ripeness phase according to the following indicators: dry matter, ascorbic acid, total content of water-soluble antioxidants, titratable acidity, monosaccharides, polyphenols and carotenoids.   Results. The breeding accession F4 (Lotos x Z6) showed maximum dry matter and monosaccharide content both after storage and in mature fruits. The same sample as F5 (Lotos x Z6) showed the highest ascorbic acid content after storage. Other parameters before and after storage in these samples were comparable. Whereas, breeding accession F6 (Z6 x Lotos) stood out in terms of maximum content of sum of antioxidants in alcoholic extract and content of water-soluble antioxidants after storage.

Relevance. The increase in global production of garden strawberry fruit is due to the high demand for the products for fresh consumption and as raw material for processing. The leading countries are: PRC, USA, Turkey, Egypt, Mexico, Spain, Russia, Poland, South Korea, Brazil. Increase in production volumes is provided due to high productivity of new varieties and intensification of strawberry cultivation technologies and, in particular, plant nutrition. The possibility of managing the nutrition of garden strawberry plants is one of the priority tasks from the solution of which depends on the realization of the potential of plant productivity, as well as the quality of the resulting products The role of many macroand microelements in plant nutrition is not fully understood. Numerous studies are conducted to identify the mechanisms of their absorption and movement in strawberry plants. New forms of fertilizers are being studied, allowing to effectively influence the processes of growth and development of plants, minimize the impact on the environment.Results. The article is devoted to the review of the role of the main mineral macroand microelements in plant nutrition, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, silicon, molybdenum. Based on the analysis of literary sources, the influence of certain mineral elements on physiological processes associated with the growth and development of garden strawberries is considered. The data on reaction of plants to the optimal content, excess and deficiency of certain elements, possibilities of their receipt and assimilation by plants of garden strawberries are given. Application in practice of the world experience on management of mineral nutrition can significantly improve the existing technologies of strawberry cultivation in open and protected ground.

Relevance. Forests play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance and providing habitats, oxygen, and carbon sinks. However, deforestation resulting from mining, logging, infrastructure development, climate change, and agriculture is leading to their depletion.This paper aims to investigate the underlying factors driving deforestation and their socioeconomic and ecological consequences.Results and Discussion. Deforestation has resulted in the loss of 10 million hectares of global forest cover annually, with direct drivers including fires, logging, and converting forests to agricultural land. Indirect drivers encompass political elections, military conflicts, population density, and corruption. Economic growth, road expansion, and politics have exacerbated the pressure on forests, resulting in biodiversity loss. Deforestation is predicted to continue at a rate of 10 million hectares annually until 2025. To mitigate this issue, measures such as reducing emissions from deforestation, promoting sustainable forest management, and enhancing protected area management can be implemented. Furthermore, legal action should be pursued to address the issue of deforestation.

Relevance. Today special attention is paid to potato anthocyanins as components of functional food. Increasing interest is generated by research on the use of anthocyanins for the benefit of animals and people in addition to their significant role in the life of plants.   The research goal was to identify the quantitative and qualitative composition of anthocyanins in the tubers of valuable potato hybrids of Primorsky selection.   Five promising potato hybrids (Solanum tuberosum L.) belonging to different groups of maturity and involved in the comparative variety testing by FSBSI “FSC of Agricultural Biotechnology named after A. K. Chaiki” were used as the research object.   The research was carried out under the conditions of field and laboratory experiments in Primorsky kray, Russia, in 2018-2023. The anthocyanins were divided by the method of high-performance liquid chromatography. The anthocyanins were identified by the method of second-order mass spectrometry.   Results. The research evaluated the potato hybrids for the content of anthocyanins in the tissues of the tubers – skin and flesh. The following specimens were determined to have a high content of anthocyanins both in the skin and flesh: Pri-15-12-14 (petunidin-3-arabinoside: 310.0 and 91.1 mg/kg; cyanidin-3-glucoside: 149.8 and 39.8 mg/kg) and Pri-14-52-2 (petunidin-3-arabinoside: 360.0 and 143.0 mg/kg; cyanidin-3-glucoside: 80.4 and 81.2 mg/kg). The selected specimens were characterized by purple and blue-purple skin. Genotypes Pri-14-52-2 and Pri-15-12-14 had tuber flesh with purple pigmentation. Hybrids Pri-15-12-14 and Pri-14-52-2 had the highest total content of anthocyanins in the flesh – 130.9 and 224.2 mg/kg, respectively. The conducted research identified eight different anthocyanins in the tubers of the studied potato specimens: delphinidin-3-glucoside, delphinidin-3-ramnosil-5-glucoside, petunidin-3-glucoside, malvidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-ramnosil-5-glucoside, pelargonidin-3-glucoside, and petunidin-3-arabinoside. The tubers with pink and red skin were determined to contain pelargonidin-3-glucoside. Petunidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-glucoside colored tuber skin purple. The selected group of specimens might be recommended for use as functional food and in goal-oriented breeding.

Relevance. The purpose of the research was to improve the elements of zonal agricultural technology for cultivating a new variety of sweet pepper Zarnitsa, to study the possibility of increasing productivity, reducing production costs during its seed production through the use of a non-seedling method of cultivation in irrigated conditions and the plant growth regulator Zircon, R.Methodology. Experimental studies were carried out on the experimental field of All-Russian Research Institute of Irrigated Vegetable and Melon Growing (Astrakhan region) in 2022-2023. The establishment of the field experiment and the carrying out of records and observations in the experiment were carried out in accordance with generally accepted methods.Results. It was found that with the seedless method of growing sweet pepper, the period from sowing to the start of fruit harvesting was 12 days shorter. Sweet pepper plants in the seedling method during the fruiting phase had advantages: in plant height by 9.3%, in the number of lateral shoots by 21.2%, in leaf weight by 7.0%, in average fruit weight by 6.1%. The highest yield, on average 31.6 t/ha, was obtained using the seedling method; when sowing seeds in the ground, it was 3.8% lower. Replacing the seedling method of cultivation with a non-seedling method contributed to a reduction in production costs by 74.7 thousand rub./ha, production costs by 1.9 thousand rub./t, production profitability by 1.2 times, due to savings in labor resources and working capital for growing and planting seedlings. Replacing the seedling method of cultivation with a non-seedling method helped reduce production costs by 74.7 thousand rub./ha, production costs by 1.9 thousand rubles/t, the profitability of production of sweet pepper products and seeds by 1.2 times, due to savings labor resources, working capital for growing, planting seedlings. A single treatment with the plant growth regulator Zircon, P (30 ml/ha) at the beginning of flowering contributed to a significant increase in plant biometric parameters: height by 12.2%, number of lateral shoots by 30.8%, leaf weight by 14.3%, yield by 2.4 t/ha (7.9%), compared to the control (30.4 t/ha), an increase in sugar content by 0.2%, vitamin C by 4 mg% and seed yield by 9 kg/ha (8.7%). The sowing qualities of sweet pepper seeds in all variants of the experiment met the standard requirements and were – 94-95% in terms of germination and – 92-94% in terms of germination energy. The highest level of profitability of 204.9% was obtained as a result of using a growth regulator; in the option without treatment it was lower by 14.4%.

Relevance. Cabbage Kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) is a green, red and purple leafy vegetable cultivated in Northern and Central Europe, as well as North America. Kale deservedly occupies a high place in the list of functional products due to its high content of biologically active substances. Kale contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidant compounds, carbohydrates, unsaturated fatty acids, proteins and dietary fiber. Despite its high attractiveness as a functional food product, it is not cultivated on a massive scale in Russia.Methodology. The purpose of this work is to study the content of phenolic compounds in two varieties of kale cabbage to substantiate recommendations for its cultivation in Russia. The variety and hybrid of kale cabbage – Dwarf Blue Scotch with green leaves and the hybrid Redbor F1 with red leaves – were used as the object of the study. The content of soluble phenolic compounds and flavonoids, as well as the qualitative composition of phenolic compounds in kale cabbage, was studied. Determination was carried out according to generally accepted methods. Grown plants at the age of 16 weeks were used as samples for analysis. The experiment was carried out in laboratory conditions in 5 replicates.Results. The results of the studies indicate a fairly high content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in the studied varieties of kale cabbage. It has been demonstrated that the Redbor F1 hybrid is characterized by a higher content of soluble phenolic compounds compared to the Dwarf Blue Scotch variety by an average of ~20%. It was concluded that this Redbor F1 hybrid can be used to develop methods for increasing the efficiency of the synthesis of secondary metabolites that are beneficial to human health, and is recommended to farmers for cultivation in the Russian Federation.

The productivity of agricultural crops is determined by the choice of varieties, planting material, the optimal time of sowing and planting depending on the climatic conditions of the region, the use of organic and mineral fertilizers, and care methods. Planting material plays an important role in the growth and development of onions and the formation of yield. Onions are very demanding in terms of nutrition, this is due to the length of the growing season, growth rates and poorly developed root system. To obtain high and high-quality onion yields, it is necessary to use fertilizers in an accessible form. Water-soluble complex mineral fertilizers quickly and evenly penetrate deep into the soil. Fertilizers improve the growth and development of plants, regulating nutrition processes, increase the yield and quality of the resulting products. As a result of many years of research, it was found that optimizing the mineral nutrition of onions through the use of fertilizers in active form provides a significant increase in the yield of onions. A comparative assessment of the productivity of onions when grown from sets of different fractions using water-soluble complex mineral fertilizers in the conditions of the Udmurt Republic has been little studied.Materials and methods. The purpose of the research: to improve the technology of cultivating onions depending on the fraction of the set and fertilizing with water-soluble complex mineral fertilizers. In 2020–2021 On onions of the Stuttgarter Riesen variety, a two-factor experiment was carried out to study the effect of fertilizing with Aquarin and Rastvorin fertilizers when using different fractions of sets for planting. The studies were carried out using generally accepted methods.Results and its discussion. In the Udmurt Republic, the optimal for planting Stuttgarten Riesen onions is the medium and large fraction of the set, and the positive effect of water-soluble complex mineral fertilizers Aquarin and Rastvorin on the yield and its structure has been revealed. However, it is more economically profitable to use the fine fraction of sets when growing onions.

Relevance. In order to expand the range of food products for the crews of the International Space Station (ISS), studies have been conducted on the specifics of developing natural flavoring vegetable additives in the form of powder for freeze-dried dishes.   The aim is to evaluate new broccoli hybrids as raw materials for the production of natural flavoring vegetable additives in the form of powder for freeze-dried dishes of increased nutritional value and high degree of readiness for consumption, including components of children's, dietary and cosmonaut nutrition.   Methods. The objects of the study were 6 new broccoli hybrids (2 hybrids of domestic and 4 of foreign breeding).   Results. In domestic hybrids F1 (Detskiy delikates, Macho), the average vitamin C content in natural flavoring vegetable additives in the form of freeze-dried powder of a high degree of readiness for consumption was 1.66 times higher than in foreign hybrids. The highest vitamin C content was noted in the domestic hybrid children's delicacy 419.4 mg %. β-carotene was best preserved in the hybrids F1 Detskiy delikates (2.58 mg %), F1 Macho (2.56 mg %), as well as in the hybrid F1 Batavia (2.52 mg %). The amount of sugars in natural flavoring vegetable additives in the form of freeze-dried powder was on average 1.17 times higher in domestic hybrids than in foreign ones. At the same time, some foreign hybrids showed a high level of accumulation. So the largest accumulation of the sum of sugars was in the F1 Lord (12.85 %). A high level of sugar content was also observed in F1 Macho (12.84 %) and F1 Detskiy delikates (11.63 %). The F1 Fiesta accumulated the least nitrates (77.1 mg/kg). According to organoleptic indicators, the F1 Detskiy delikates has been identified. High organoleptic indices were also noted in the F1 Macho and the F1 Batavia.

Relevance. Multi-tiered onion (Allium proliferum Schrad.) refers to valuable perennial spicy-aromatic and medical crops and is widely used in various sectors of the economy: coolies and food industry, traditional and folk medicine.Methods. The aim of the research was to study the economically useful characteristics of new zoned varieties of multi-tiered onions. The objects of research were the local population and new zoned author's varieties of multi-tiered onions Uzgorak and Pachastunak selected by the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy. The studies were carried out in the field and laboratory according to generally accepted methods.Results. As a result of the research, the main morphological, morphometric and phenological characteristics, yield and quality of marketable products (green mass) of the local population and new zoned varieties of multi-tiered onions were studied. The multi-tiered onion variety Uzgorak formed a yield of green mass of 180–190 c/ha, Pachastunak – 185–195 c/ha with a dry matter content of 12.4 and 12.9 %, respectively, crude protein – 17.4 and 17.5% upon reaching technological ripeness in 24–27 and 20–25 days. New author's varieties of multi-tiered onions Uzgorak and Pachastunak are included in the State Register of Varieties of Agricultural Plants of the Republic Belarus and are recommended for home gardening.

Relevance. Currently, there is a tendency to increase the volume of lettuce cultivation in hydroponics. Such specific conditions for growing lettuce hydroponically as high humidity in the root zone, different levels of illumination throughout the year and specific mineral nutrition, dictate a number of necessary characteristics that varieties should possess. In addition, the lettuce variety for hydroponics should consistently give high yield and have good consumer qualities. Accordingly, it is necessary to carry out selection separately for specific hydroponic conditions. And for theoretical justification of the selection of lettuce varieties for this technology and increasing the efficiency of the breeding process, it is necessary to form a model of the variety, which was the goal of this research.Methods. The 13 most common lettuce varieties were research: 8 light green and 5 dark green Batavia. The morphological characteristics of plants in the phase of industrial ripeness were described and the biometric traits of plants were determined.Results. Based on research in 2021-2023 the 13 most commonly hydroponically grown lettuce varieties of the Batavia variety have been defined as the variety model criteria for hydroponics. The characteristics of a leaf rosette, leaf blade, indicators of early ripening and productivity inherent in these varieties were identified, and a model of the variety was formed on their basis.