The article presents a brief history of the establishment of the Laboratory of Plant Breeding and Seed Production of Solanaceae Crops of FSBSI FSVC. The process of development of tomato, pepper, eggplant and physalis breeding is shown from the beginning of the establishment until the present time. Practical selection of Solanaceae crops in FSBSI FSVC is directly connected with the name of Academician VASKhNIL A.V. Alpatyev, who is the founder of scientific research on thermophilic crops. On the basis of conducted scientific researches the technique of creation of cold-resistant, early-ripening cultivars of tomato was developed, including influence of certain conditions on parental forms and hybrid material from its first generations to increase adaptability to new, not characteristic conditions of selected material. Subsequently, this technique was applied to the breeding of sweet pepper, eggplant and physalis. Interspecific hybridisation was used to enrich the gene pool of Solanaceous crops. As a result of distant hybridization, the following cultivars were created: the original tomato cultivar Severyanin with large parthenocarpic fruits on 1 and 2 racemes; an anadrous mutant for use in breeding; ultra-rapid, short-stage forms for obtaining heterosis effect; the cultivar Vkusny with increased content of dry matter in fruits. On the basis of interspecific hybrid of Ph. ixocarpa x Ph. angulata, the cultivars Dessert and Lakomka, characterized by high yield and resistance to diseases, high content of sugars, pectin and absence of bitterness, are created. Types of pepper Capsicum chinense, C. frutescens and C. annuum were used to create resistant forms to viral diseases. Involvement of wild eggplant species (Solanum aethiopicum, S. macrocarpon) to the breeding process allowed to obtain hybrid combinations with flavonoids content 1,3 times higher and phenolcarboxylic acids 1,6–1,7 times higher than in S. melongena.The development of theoretical bases ofSolanaceae crops breeding for resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors, as well as for high quality production, allowed to create a series of cosmopolitan cultivars, which at present are in demand, both in production and as a source material. The current scientific priorities are to use innovative biotechnology and molecular marking methods to accelerate the breeding process and improve selection efficiency.

Relevance. The demand for medicinal raw materials of Calendula officinalis L. is determined by the high content of pharmacologically significant compounds. Comparison of the most common ornamental cultivars of Calendula officinalis L.) in terms of yield and content of biologically active substances in the raw material helps to identify the most promising cultivars in terms of a set of indicators.Materials and methods.The decorative cultivars Apricot, Art Shads, Fiesta Gitana, Kabluna golden-yellow, Orange King, Orange Balls, Yellow Gitana and Golden Balls, characterized by large inflorescences and terry, were used as prototypes. The cultivar Kalta, widely used for the production of medicinal raw materials, was chosen as a control. The experiments were laid on the experimental plots of the Fruit Growing Laboratory of the Russian State Agricultural University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy. Productivity was determined as the total weight of inflorescences harvested during the entire season per unit area. The amount of flavonoids was determined by spectrophotometry. The amount of polysaccharides was determined according to the modified Draywood method. The lutein content was determined by HPLC.Results.To obtain inflorescences we can recommend to use the variety Orange King, which, with a satisfactory yield (0.363 kg/m2), was characterized by a high content of flavonoids (1.2%) and satisfactory (35.9%) extractives and corresponds to the quality of raw materials required by GF XIV. In addition, this variety was characterized by an increased content of polysaccharides (20.3%). The Varieties Apricot and Yellow Gitana were characterized by high productivity (562±49 and 507±41 g/m2, respectively). Their raw materials can be used by production of herbal teas, where the content of flavonoids is not regulated. As sources of lutein, one should pay attention to the ligulate flowers of the varieties Apricot, Fiesta Gitana, Golden balls. In the variety Kabluna, with the maximum lutein content, the proportion of reed flowers in the inflorescence was only 38%. In varieties with large inflorescences, the content of lutein in reed flowers was higher (R=0.685). Large non-double inflorescences will be most productive in this indicator.

Relevance. It is possible to significantly increase the multiplication factor of varieties of winter garlic by growing from air bulbs (bulbs). For successful culture using air bulbs, it is very important to correctly determine the most productive fraction for each variety and calibrate it for sowing.Material and methodology. In our collection, there are more than 70 samples of winter garlic collected from different regions of Russia and two CIS countries. The air bulbs were calibrated using a set of round sieves with apertures of 3, 5, 7, 10 mm.Results. On average, the samples of the collection have a high percentage of ripening of air bulbs - 75- 83%. The number of underdeveloped flowers on average for samples of different origins varies slightly – 37-48 pcs. in the inflorescence. The mass of inflorescence on average in specimens of local origin (Sverdlovsk region) is 4.2 g, of different origin (Ukraine, Uzbekistan, 5 regions of Russia) – 4.9 g, of southern origin (Dagestan) – 5.6 g. In specimens of local origin air bulbs of medium (5-7 mm) and small fraction (3-5 mm), different origin – large (7-10 mm) and medium fraction, southern origin – large, medium and small fraction. For reproduction by air bulbs, samples 9/5-1. 9/5-2 of local origin were allocated (Sverdlovsk region); 9/4 (Ukraine), 8/15, 10/5, 10/10 (Moscow), 9/3-1, 9/3-2 and grade Shadeyka (Perm); sample-5, 10/11, 10/13 (Dagestan).

Relevance. Oxidative reactions (based on peroxidase activity, POX and polyphenol oxidase, PPO; hydrogen peroxide content) that occur in response to infection or reinfection of the off-spring of infected plants depend on the type of host-virus interaction (sensitive, tolerant, stable) and the nature of the interaction with viral infection (primary infection, reinfection of second and third generations).Results. Reinfection with tomato aspermy virus (TАV) or tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) of the off-spring of third infected tomato generation caused a significant decrease in POX activity compared to successive generations of infected plants (G2) for Craigella (Tm-22/Tm- 22) and S. pimpinellifolium genotypes or an increase for Rufina and Craigella (Tm-1/Tm-1) ones. In genotypes containing resistance genes, Rufina and Craigella, no differences were observed in PPO of TMV primary infection and control, while significant differences were found in case of TAV (susceptibility). As a result of TMV infection, the sensitive (Elvira) and tolerant (S. pimpinellifolium) genotypes showed an increase in PPO values compared to the control. At the same time, in most genotypes primarily / secondarily infected with TAV or TMV, statistically significant differences were revealed in the activity of POX or PPO, as well as the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in plant leaves, which indicates specific protective reactions of the genotypes.

Relevance. The research is aimed at developing elements of technology for cultivating milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.). Such elements as the timing and methods of sowing, the seeding rate, and weed control measures are presented here. The research was carried out on leached Chernozem soils of the Middle Volga region in a temperate continental climate.Results. The effectiveness of early spring ordinary crops, allowing to increase the content of oil– up to 33%, protein – up to 16%, was established. The methods used allow to increase the oil harvest from 1 ha by an average of 14%, in comparison with wide-row sowing, which is a significant indicator in the cultivation of the crop. The use of agrotechnical methods of weed control provided an increase in the yield of milk thistle seeds by an average of 0.16 t/ha, in comparison with the control.

The most important task for the sustainable development of modern agriculture is to increase the biological diversity of cultivated crops. In recent years, due to global climate change, the possibilities of using more thermophilic crops in new agro-ecological zones have expanded. The problem of increasing the biological diversity of vegetable products largely depends on the introduction of non-traditional plant species, with a simultaneous assessment of the initial material for its use in economically useful purposes and the creation of varieties and hybrids adapted to local conditions. In this regard, Nigella L. is of great interest among rare plant species. It is one of the most famous spicy-aromatic crops in the Mediterranean and Central Asia, possessing a wide range of biologically active compounds and unique medicinal properties. The review article provides information on the origin, biological characteristics and breeding of the culture. A brief review of food, medicinal and other economically useful properties is given, as well as the main elements of the technology for growing nigella are considered. It is shown that the cultivation of this culture will provide an opportunity to expand the range of non-traditional plants and be a promising renewable source of valuable plant raw materials, which will find application in various fields: in agriculture, in the food, pharmaceutical, perfumery and cosmetic industries, as well as in ornamental gardening.

Relevance. The Volgograd region has a number of factors necessary for the cultivation of melons and gourds. The development of new varieties and hybrids of watermelon should involve the development of varietal agricultural techniques that would allow realizing the genetic potential of the variety. Therefore, the development of new methods of cultivation technologies that allow obtaining guaranteed fruit yields without reducing the quality of table watermelon products in the dry-steppe Trans-Volga region is relevant and timely.Material and methodology. The object of research is a watermelon, cultivar Zemlyanin. New types of water-soluble fertilizers – B and Fe chelates, and the Vegetable Akvarin were studied, by using them for soaking seeds before sowing and processing plants during the growing season.Results. The use of chelates B and Fe in the technology of growing watermelon, as well as the Akvarin, is an effective method for obtaining guaranteed yields. The use of water-soluble fertilizers, with various methods of their use, provided an increase in the yield of watermelon by 1.6-8.3 t/ha, or by 6.9-35.9% in comparison with the control (option without treatments). The largest fruits were obtained in variants of chelate B and the Vegetable Akvarin (processing of plants) – 6.8 kg. Comparative analysis of the biochemical composition of the fruits showed that water-soluble chelated fertilizers do not have a negative effect on the accumulation of nitrates. Studies have revealed the positive effect of water-soluble micronutrient fertilizers on improving the quality of fruits, which was manifested in the growth of the content of vitamin C and sugars.

The growth in the cost of raw materials, vehicles, fuel, incomplete use of the crop leads to an increase in the cost of grown products. As you know, in the process of harvesting and its marketing, about 25-35% are products not sold on time, non-standard products, which are not inferior in nutritional value to the standard and stripping products. Such products are discarded or partially sold by agreement. Processing this part of the crop by solar-air drying is one of the ways to reduce crop losses and make the cultivation technology low-waste and resource-saving.Materials and methods. On the basis of the All-Russian research institute of irrigated vegetable and melon growing – branch of Precaspian agrarian federal scientific center of the Russian academy of sciences (FSBSI “PAFSC RAS”), work was carried out to study the quality of dried eggplants of the institute's selection that were not realized in due time and cleanup collection. For work, they took the fruits of the varieties Nizhnevolzhsky, Panther, Almazny, Astrakom. The goal of the work is to ensure the protection of unsold marketable products, as well as the fruits of the stripping collection from spoilage and obtaining a new product with good nutritional and taste properties, which makes the eggplant growing technology low-waste. Before and after drying, the main chemical substances were determined: the amount of sugars, dry substances, ascorbic acid, nitrates.Results Our results prove that from each ton of unsold products, you can get from 80 to 106 kg of complete dietary products. Ready-made dried eggplants contain, depending on the variety, from 21.17 to 23.86% of the total sugar, the amount of ascorbic acid ranges from 1.63 mg /% to 2.61 mg /%. The amount of nitrates is 7.6-10.2 times less than the permissible (1200 mg / kg) level. Solar-air drying is low-cost, since its storage and transportation requires fewer containers and vehicles. The amount of dried products is reduced to the original, depending on the grade and weight of the loaded raw materials per square meter by 9.4-12.5 times.

Relevance. Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill is one of the most important protein- oilseed crops in world arable farming. An acute shortage of both food and feed protein is felt in many world’s countries. In this regard, the expansion of soybean seed production is relevant and is dictated by the need for import substitution of both food and feed soybean products.Materials and methods. In the research we studied the influence of two ecologically different cultivation zones: Priobskaya and Prialtaiskaya on the formation of plants density and seed yield of soybean. Three varieties Altom, Gratsia and Pripyat were taken as the objects of the research.Results. On average, over the years of research in full seedlings stage from 60 germinating seeds per square meter (600 thousand pieces/ha), in our experiment, about 56 plants were obtained per 1 m2 or 560 thousand plants per 1 hectare. This means that, on average, 93% of sown seeds give seedlings in field conditions. For harvesting after exposure of soybean crops to numerous biotic and abiotic factors, on average, there are about 52 plants per 1 m² or 520 thousand plants per 1 hectare, that is, 88% of the sown germinating seeds are saved for harvesting and give a yield. The maximum influence on the variability of plant density is exerted by vegetation conditions (years) – 37%. On average, over the years of the study, the maximum yield under Topchikha conditions was obtained in 2019 – 1.9 t/ha – in a year that was distinguished by not hot weather with sufficient rainfall during the growing season. Varieties Gratsia and Pripyat in Smolenskoye conditions significantly exceeded the standard in terms of yield in 2018 and 2020. On average, over the years of research, the Gratsia variety showed itself as more stable with Cv=11.3% in Topchikha conditions and Cv=9.8% in Smolenskoye conditions.

Relevance. Taking into account the narrow range of vegetable plant species grown in Russia and the global trend of impoverishment of their biochemical composition, simultaneously with the globalization of crop production, it is necessary to search for plant species and forms that are characterized by a high content of functional food ingredients (FFI) in their composition, since a decrease in the consumption of important micro-and macroelements sharply increases the risk of dangerous diseases for humans.Objective. To study the features of growth and development of plants of the Solanaceae family in the collection of the Federal State Funded Institution of Science "NBG-NSC", characterized by a high content of biologically active substances and functional food ingredients (FFI), a short growing season and a neutral reaction to the length of the day.Materials and methods. Features of development, biomorphological indicators of plants were studied according to the method of introduction studies developed in the Nikitsky Botanical Gardens [4]. The antioxidant activity (AOA) was determined by the method [5] based on the redox reaction of substances of antioxidant action with potassium permanganate. The content of water-soluble minerals was determined using a TDS 3 conductometer on aqueous plant extracts. The content of phenolic compounds was determined by photometric method using the Folin-Chocalteu reagent [6]; ascorbic acid content - by iodometric titration [7], carotenoids content - by spectrophotometric method [8].Results. The revealed features of growth and development, biochemical composition of a new vegetable crop for the Russian Federation – nightshade caripense (tzimbalo) (Solanum caripense Dunal.), bladder herb (Physalis alkekengi L.), medicinal crops - nightshade laciniate (Solanum laciniatum Ait.), vitania hypnotic (synonyms winter cherry, Indian ginseng or physalis sunny-leaved) (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal.), great morel (Atropa belladonna L.).Conclusions. The conducted research will allow expanding and replenishing the range of new crops with an increased content of biologically active substances and antioxidants.