Relevance.The contribution of varietal and environmental factors to the variability of the length of the endosperm and the embryo of carrot seeds was studied. Materials and methods. The objects of study were the original seeds of Rogneda, Lubava and Chernozemochka, Chantene 2461 and Boyarynya varieties. The seeds were grown at the Voronezh and West Siberian experimental stations. The linear dimensions of the seed and endosperm were measured using a caliper. The length of the embryo was measured using a microscope (Micromed) and a video eyepiece (DCM 300 MD) at х40 magnification. Statistical processing of the research data two-factor experiment was carried out using analysis of variance. Differences in the compared parameters were considered statistically significant at p 0.05.Results. The linear dimensions of all the main elements of seeds, as well as the index of Ie/z on average for three years significantly differed in the studied carrot varieties (P < 0.001). The maximum length of the seed (3.14±0.02 mm), the length of the endosperm (2.66±0.02 mm) and the length of the embryo (1.23±0.03 mm) on average for three years was observed in the Rogneda variety. The average coefficient of variation (V) of seed length was minimal and varied from 10.1% to 12.9%. The average values of the coefficient of variation (V) for the length of the endosperm varied in a wider range from 12.0% to 14.6%. The length of the embryo had a maximum level of variability from 18.7% in the Rogneda variety to 20.3% in the Chernozemochka variety 21.3%. The variety factor had a predominant influence (from 50.8 % to 86.5 %) on the size of the seed and its morphological elements. The contribution of the environmental conditions of the year of reproduction to the formation of morphometric parameters did not exceed 22.3 %. This allowed us to draw a conclusion about the prospects of selection and the possibility of selective changes in the morphological parameters of the seed.

Relevance and methods. The article presents the results of research of various methods of basic soil preparation for melons planting for commercial purposes after a fish pond. The trial scheme covered the study of two variants: dumped tillage single-furrow plow (traditional), used to proceed in the farming unit, and sweep blade tillage with subsurface plow (proposed). In the course of scientific research there were determined agrophysical properties of soil, moisture content, contamination of crops (weediness), yielding capacity and profitability.Results. It was found that the lowest bulk density of soil of 1.12 and 1.15 t/m3 was in the layers of 0.0-0.1 and 0.1-0.2 m after carrying out of the dumped tillage. When carrying out sweep blade tillage, the bulk density of soil of 1.17 t/m3 was obtained only in the upper layer of 0.0-0.1 m, in subsequent layers the value of bulk density of soil significantly increased from 1.44 (0.1-0.2 m) to 1.56 t/m3 (0.3-0.4 m). On average the indicators of natural soil moisture were in 1.2-1.3 times higher, and the deposit of moisture was in 1.1-1.5 times higher in the variant with subsurface plow treatment of the soil. For the melon crops cultivated according to traditional technology, there was a significant decrease in 1.8 times of the number of weeds and in 1.7 -times of their raw weight, compared with the proposed technology. The yielding capacity of melon of Lada variety was 43.9 t/ha according to the traditional technology, and 48.4 t/ha according to the proposed technology, profitability was 161.3% and 185.8% respectively.

Relevance. One of the dynamically developing areas of the agro-industrial complex of the Republic of Dagestan is vegetable growing of protected ground. This is facilitated by natural and climatic conditions, the availability of markets for products, and the interest of vegetable producers in expanding greenhouse areas. The area of greenhouses today exceeds 230 hectares. The lack of science-based technology, the lack of promising hybrids, due to the lack of study of the topic of growing and selecting varieties of vegetable crops in protected ground in the conditions of Flat and foothill Dagestan, greenhouse farms bear significant losses. The quantity and quality of the greenhouse tomato crop largely depends on the well-chosen varieties (hybrids) of tomato, the timing of seed sowing and seedling planting.Methods. Experimental work was carried out in the greenhouse of LLC Agro-AS. The selection and evaluation of tomato hybrids for cultivation in film greenhouses in the winter-spring turnover were carried out. The control is the Tiwai 12 F1. The optimal time for sowing seeds and planting seedlings in the substrate for winter-spring turnover of film greenhouses was determined.Results. The characteristic of promising hybrids for growing in winter and spring turnover is given. The results of the dynamics of crop yield by month are presented. The influence of sowing and planting times on the duration of the growing season and the yield of tomatoes is shown. The optimal scheme of sowing and planting tomatoes in the conditions of winter and spring turnover is determined. Data on the economic efficiency of the studied planting dates are presented. The prospects of growing the studied hybrids in this region are indicated.

Relevance. One of the main methods for solving the problem of providing the population of the Russian Federation with vegetable and melon products is the development of selection and seed production. The creation of new competitive varieties and hybrids will enable the vegetable industry to transfer to a qualitatively new level of development.Material and methods.The object of research is new varieties and hybrids of watermelon, melon and pumpkin, created at the Bykov experimental station in the rainfed conditions of the Volgograd TransVolga region. Methods of creation are intervarietal and interlinear hybridization. Results and conclusions.As a result of breeding work at the station, a number of varieties and heterosis hybrids of melons and gourds were created, which significantly expanded the assortment of the melon breeding industry. Over the past 5 years, 4 varieties of watermelon, 2 heterotic hybrids of watermelon, 3 varieties of melon and 1 grade of pumpkin have been included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements. The assortment of new varieties varies in terms of ripening, dry matter content, shape and color of the fruit background, as well as in color and pulp consistency. The length of the growing season of the created varieties and hybrids of watermelon ranges from 63 days in early ripening (Duet F1, Temp F1, Meteor) to 85 in the mid-ripening variety Malachite. The highest solids content of the new variety of watermelon Medunok is up to 14%. Among melon varieties, the shortest growing season is characterized by the Comet variety up to 70 days. All varieties have a high solids content of 14.0-19.0% and a thick flesh. Promising pumpkin varieties are distinguished by a bright coloration of the pulp, a high carotene content and a long storage period. Thus, the introduction of new varieties of gourds in commodity and home garden melon farming will allow the conveyor growing of products, increase the product mix and the period of consumption of fresh produce.

Relevance. To compensate for the lack of nutrient reserves available for plants, the introduction of macro and micronutrient fertilizers is required. Since microelements have the ability to migrate in the soil – plant system, it is necessary not only to control their content in these systems, but also to determine the biological accumulation of plants, including medicinal ones, taking into account specific zonal features of the territory. Thus, the aim of the work was to study the intensity of the biological accumulation of zinc and copper by Echinacea purpurea in Western Siberia.Materials and methods. Field experiments were conducted in the period 2016-2018 on meadow  chernozem soil of the southern forest-steppe of the Omsk region. A valuable medicinal crop, Echinacea purpurea, was chosen as the object of study. Copper and zinc fertilizers in acetate forms were applied in the background (N125). In soil and plant samples, the content of mobile forms of Zn and Cu was determined by the atomic absorption method.Results. With the addition of zinc and copper fertilizers, the content of mobile forms of Zn and Cu in the soil increased in comparison with the control and background. At the same time, the use of micronutrient fertilizers did not lead to excess MPC. The zinc content in the medicinal raw material of Echinacea purpurea during the application of micronutrient fertilizers varied from 9.9 to 17.1 mg / kg; copper from 2.09 to 4.41 mg / kg. In the test cases, when applying zinc fertilizers, the concentration coefficients (Kk) of zinc in the soil were higher compared to plants (Kk soil > Kk plant). The reverse situation is the accumulation of copper by plants. KkCuwhen applying copper and zinc fertilizers in plants is higher than in the soil: Kk plant > Kk soil. To assess the intensity of the absorption of trace elements by Echinacea purpurea, biological absorption coefficients (СBAZn, Cu) were used, which showed that this culture is a concentrator of zinc and copper, since CBA > 1. Moreover, copper in plants of Echinacea purpurea accumulates more vigorously (CBA > 10), compared to zinc. The content of microelements in the medicinal raw material of Echinacea did not exceed MDU (Cu - 30 mg / kg, Zn – 50 mg / kg).

Relevance. Tomato root rot is a complex disease caused by a variety of soil-borne fungal pathogens, among which Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani and F. gibbosum occur with the greatest frequency in the conditions of the Republic of Moldova. The originality of the work consists in identifying the differentiated influence of pathogens of Fusarium root rot and temperature on the variability and heritability of the organs of growth and development of tomato plants.Material and methods. Two varieties and 3 lines of tomatoes with good economically valuable characteristics were used as material for the study. To test the response of plants to pathogens of fusarium root rot, we used culture filtrates of 6 – F. oxysporum isolates, 6 – F. solani, and 4 – F. gibbosum, prepared in a standard liquid Czapek medium. The plants were grown at the optimum temperature (23...24°C) and with alternating temperatures of 23...24°C and 10...11°C for two days each. Seed germination and root length were used as indicators of growth and development. The genetic parameters of the variability and heritability of the studied traits were studied.Results. An analysis of the reaction based on seeds germination and root growth showed its significant differentiation in the tomato genotype x type of fungus x isolate of the fungus x temperature system. A factor analysis of the interaction of the tomato genotype x Fusarium fungus revealed a significant role of the plant genotype in response to the pathogens. A significant effect of Fusarium fungi and temperature on the genetic and phenotypic variance of signs of growth and development of tomato plants, heritability in a broad sense, genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, and genetic progress have been established. It is concluded that it is advisable to use the reaction of signs of growth and development of tomato to Fusarium pathogens in order to identify genotypes with good inheritance of the resistance trait.

Relevance. The aim was to study the reaction of new potato varieties early ripening group Zabava and middle-ripening group Smolyanochka on the timing of planting and doses of mineral fertilizers for obtaining maximum yield of seed potatoes. As mineral fertilizers used azophoska, superphosphate and potassium chloride.Results. It was found that the variety Zabava compared to the variety Smolyanochka, had a higher stem-forming ability and exceeded the parameters of the stem in all variants of the experiment. This is due to the biological characteristics of the studied varieties, since the Zabava variety, unlike the Smolyanochka variety, had more multiple eyes on the surface of the tuber. Against the background of applying mineral fertilizers N60P72K90, the density of the stem was higher, compared with the background of applying N32P32K32 in both the Zabava variety and the Smolyanochka variety. It should also be noted that there was a tendency to reduce the stem at a later date of planting in all variants of the experiment. The percentage of viral diseases affected increased with later planting dates and was highest with the planting dates of 14 and 20 may. The highest yield of tubers of the seed fraction was obtained in the variant with a planting date of may 14 against the background of balanced doses of mineral fertilizers (N60P72K90) and amounted to 13.3 t/ha in the Zabava variety, 13.0 t/ha in the Smolyanochka variety. It should be noted that different backgrounds of mineral fertilizers did not have a significant impact on the percentage of potato tubers affected by diseases. At the same time, the incidence of tubers with diseases did not exceed the regulatory requirements of GOST R 53136 – 2008 "Seed potatoes. Technical conditions».

Relevance.The article presents the results of studying the economic and biological indicators of various coriander samples planted at the Absheron Experimental Base of the Genetic Resources Institute in the autumn and spring, to select the most promising of them and determine the optimal sowing dates that ensure production for most of the year. Material and methods. The research material was the seeds of 5 coriander samples (Coriandrum sativum L.) from various early maturity groups introduced on Absheron: Ordubad (cat. No. 31); Iranian (Cat. No. 87); Azerbaijani (cat. No. 157); Dagestan (cat. No. 171); Borchali (cat. No. 167). When carrying out phenological observations, the onset of economic suitability, bolting, flowering and seed maturation was noted. The total yield from the plot was determined.Results. Phenological observations have shown that depending on the date of coriander samples sowing, the duration of the vegetation period and individual phases of development changed. Sowing dates also significantly affected the early maturity and productivity of the samples, but for different samples to varying degrees. Optimal for the Absheron part of Azerbaijan is the timing of sowing coriander from mid-March to the end of April and in September. The most promising were the coriander samples: Azerbaijan (cat. No. 157), Dagestan (cat. No. 171) and Iranian (cat. No. 87). Sowing at the optimum time of the most productive varieties with a long period of harvest can ensure the uninterrupted supply of fresh coriander greens for most of the year.

Relevance. A comprehensive study of broad beans, including seed productivity and soil mycocomplexes of their anthocyanin-containing varieties, is relevant, given the need to increase the growth of crop productivity and the special contribution of micromycetes to soil phytomelioration, which is an important link in organic farming.Methods. In small-scale experiments in the city of Belgorod, varieties of beans with anthocyanins in the seed coat were studied (Bobchinsky, Karmazin, Pink Flamingo, Russian Blacks, Tsarsky Harvest, Bel-1). The selection of soil fungi was carried out by the method of soil dilutions of Waxmann, followed by deep sowing in solid nutrient media. To assess the similarity of the complexes of soil micromycetes under varieties of beans, a similarity coefficient was used.Results. Field trials of varieties of beans Vicia faba L. (Bel-1, Bobchinsky, Karmazin, Pink flamingo, Russian black, Imperial crop) containing anthocyanins in seed coatings showed that the highest yield of seeds is characteristic of the Bel-1 hybrid (65 g from a plant) and varieties Pink Flamingo (64 g), Royal Harvest (64 g). All varieties studied were characterized by a high protein content in seeds (25-31%). The main contribution to the seed productivity of these varieties of beans was made by lateral shoots (r = +0.91). Varieties of beans Bobchinsky and Tsarist Harvest can be recommended as reducing the proportion of  opportunistic, allergenic and toxigenic microscopic fungi in the soil. The plants of the variety specimens  Karmazin and Bel-1 were characterized by a minimal (0-9%) loss of productivity from common mycoses - alternariosis and fusariosis.

Relevanc and methods. The article presents the research results on the introduction of artichoke in Uzbekistan. In the process of research, some issues of artichoke seed production in the conditions of dry subtropics of Uzbekistan were also studied. Studies were carried out on the Krasavets cultivar. When identifying the most effective method for forming a seed bush, the comparison of growing seed plants without formation and 4 methods of formation was compared: 1 stalk on a plant and 3 inflorescences on a stalk, 2 stems on a plant and three inflorescences on each, 3 stems on a plant and three inflorescences on each, 4 stems on the plant and three inflorescences on each. Results.It was revealed that artichoke plants grow and develop, form full-fledged seeds during the growing season. The manifestation of morphobiological and economically valuable traits largely depends on the age of the plants. A significant reduction in the growing season, an increase in the height of plants and the number of stems, an increase in the average mass and number of inflorescences and, ultimately, yield occurs in the second year of plant life. It was also revealed that the potential productivity of artichoke plants in Uzbekistan is very high. The yield of the Krasavets cultivar in the second year of life is 55.5 t/ha, and that of the Green Globe cultivar is 39.2 t/ha. This is significantly higher than the global average. The highest seed productivity was noted in the variant without the formation of a seed plant: 734.2 g/plant or 15789 seeds/plant. However, in such indicators as the mass and number of seeds from one inflorescence, the mass of 1000 seeds of a plant without formation is significantly inferior to other options. Based on the results of experiment 3, 4, 5, the options can be considered appropriate to use in artichoke seed production.