Relevance. To meet the needs of the population and commodity producers in the south of Russia in tomatoes, it is necessary to develop varieties and hybrids of various directions that have high productivity, increased fruit quality and resistance to fungal and bacterial diseases, that meet modern production technologies and market requirements, as well as have an acceptable price for seeds.Aim of study – creation of new maternal tomato lines with functional male sterility for open ground for various purposes (for fresh consumption, whole-fruit canning,), which will make it possible to create highly productive hybrids that meet the agro-climatic conditions of the south of Russia in the future.Materials and methods. The studies were carried out in a breeding film greenhouse and in field conditions on the territory of the experimental plot of FSBSI "Federal Scientific Rice Centre" of the central soil-climatic zone of Krasnodar region. The object of research were mid-ripening tomato varieties included in the competitive testing, sterile tomato lines, new F1 hybrids based on FMS, collection and breeding material. The types of crosses used in the work: analyzing, saturating, top-crosses. To speed up the process of developing new sterile tomato lines in winter, artificial climate chambers were used.Results. As a result of the research, promising new functionally sterile lines of tomato were identified, differing in the length of the vegetation period, weight, color, fruit shape, biochemical parameters, with a number of useful economically valuable traits.

Relevance. Providing the population with functional, environmentally friendly and high-quality food is an urgent scientific and state problem. With prolonged use of contaminated products, the risk of various diseases increases. Therefore, the human diet should consist of functional, environmentally friendly products. The main goal of this research work was the production of high-quality jam from environmentally friendly raw materials of plant origin.Methods. For the preparation of the jam, the fruits of the Sosnovsky zucchini variety and the Lada melon of the technical and biological degree of maturity were used. The technological process of making jam took place in accordance with the technological requirements for this type of product. The content of biochemical parameters: dry matter, the amount of sugars, pectin and nitrates) were determined in fresh and finished (after the fermentation period) products.Results. Jam with a melon aroma was obtained with a glucose content of 4.5-6.73%, fructose - 4.66-7.17% with an accumulation of nitrates in the range of 127.1 mg / kg (fruits of biological maturity) and 131.6 mg / kg (fruits of technical maturity), which is 3.0-3.1 times lower than the maximum permissible concentration. The tasting committee rated the jam made from fruits of technical maturity at 4.3 points, and biological at 4.8 points. Thus, summarizing the results of our research, we can conclude that the jam made from zucchini fruits with the addition of melon is a functional, high-vitamin, environmentally friendly food product with high taste.

Relevance. Shallot is the universal culture in terms of its economically valuable indicators. Breeders in the south of Western Siberia carry out a lot of research work with the aim of creating varieties for Siberian conditions. Long-term studies have made it possible to select promising samples, and exceeding in their indicators the value of signs of released varieties.Materials and methods. The studies were carried out in field and laboratory conditions on the basis of the West Siberian Vegetable Experimental Station in the Priobskaya zone of the Altai Territory in 2016-2020. Research objects: samples of the nursery of competitive variety testing. Three appreciable forms No. 37, No. 39 and No. 48 passed competitive variety testing and, according to the results of the research, were transferred to the State Variety Testing.Results. Sample No. 39 showed marketable yield, which exceeded this indicator of the standard variety by 23.7% and amounted to 23.2 t/ha. The average weight of the sample No. 39 marketable bulbs was 29.0 g, for the standard variety it was 23.4 g. The content of vitamin C in the bulbs and leaves of the new sample exceeded these indicators of the standard variety by 0.3% and 0.53%, respectively. In 2018, sample No. 37 was transferred to the State Variety Testing. This sample belongs to the early maturing group. The bulbs yield of the new sample during all the years of testing significantly exceeded the yield of the standard variety and amounted to 20.3 t/ha (2016- 2018). Sample No. 48 was submitted to the State Variety Testing in 2020. The excess in bulbs yield of this sample was (2019-2020): 13,3%, leaves – 18,8%. In 2019, the Sharm variety was zoned and entered into the State Register of Breeding Achievements, in 2020 – the Chance variety. Sample No. 48 with the proposed name Pharaon has been undergoing the State Variety Testing since 2021.

Relevance. The most popular cucumber in Russia is pickling type (lenght 10-12 cm). There are not a lot of varieties this type cucumber for high wire and LIT crop in Russian seeds market.Methods. Were tested russian varieties F1 Ciborg, F1 Bavarets (Gavrish company) in compare F1 Bjorn (Enza Zaden, Netherlands) – the most popular in Russia now. Russian customer prefer pickling type because of traditional Russian cuisine. Prices of pickling type cucumber at autumn-winter time in 1-1.5 times more than middle size type cucumber. We had artificial light 240 Wt/sq.m, sodium lamps, our substrate was rockwool – Belagro (company from Belarusian republic). This rockwool have normal quality for short crop (3-4 month for growing cucumber), our plant density 2.76 plant/sq.m it was optimal for our light conditions (natural light in our region and artificial light).Results. Fourteen days after we put plants on slabs we had problems with plants of both russian varieties (F1 Ciborg and F1 Bavarets). We saw yellow parts in leaves, decrease length of stems, lost flowers. We made a decision about too high level of artificial light. We had only one opportunity for decrease it switch off 50% of lamps. We made it and we had 120 Wt/sq.m that. Therefore, we spent 50% less electricity for russian varieties. We think varieties F1 Ciborg and F1 Bavarets not very good for winter crop and we had good results because in our situation we have winter-spring crop, and every day the part of artificial light decrease and the part of natural light increase. F1 Ciborg had a problem with CGMMV and was deleted in 24th week of 2020. But we suppose it depend from a lot of conditions: quality of labor, protection plants. We think it is necessary more additional research. Total yield (for ten weeks of harvesting in winter-spring crop) F1 Bavarets – 32.4 kg/sq.m., F1 Ciborg – 31.9 kg/sq.m more then had F1 Bjorn – 28.9 kg/sq.m. The best marketable condition was F1 Ciborg, the second F1 Bjorn.

Relevance. The most important element of the operational regime of irrigation is the correct (timely) appointment and timing of irrigation, taking into account the biological characteristics of crops, weather conditions and the mechanical composition of the soil.Methods. In this work, the results of the calculation of the irrigation regime of the hay-pasture grass mixture for the growing season april-october 2016-2018 were presented, on the basis of which the values of the water consumption of the crop, the average values of bioclimatic and biothermal coefficients in relation to sod-podzolic loamy soils in the northeastern zones of the Republic of Belarus. The calculations were carried out by the water balance method, as well as by the method of maximum daily air temperatures.Results. As a result of calculating bioclimatic and biothermal coefficients and values of water consumption for the growing seasons. It was found that their highest values in all years of research were recorded in the variant with a pre-irrigation humidity level of 80% of the lowest moisture capacity, while their lowest values were observed in the variant with natural humidification. At the same time, as a result of calculations, it was established that the highest values of bioclimatic coefficients corresponding to the variant 80% of HB took the following values: 0.88; 0.72 and 0.66, the smallest are 0.71; 0.64 and 0.50, and the largest values of the biothermal coefficients were: 0.13; 0.15 and 0.15, the smallest are 0.09; 0.13 and 0.10, respectively, for the growing seasons. The largest values of water consumption, calculated by the water balance method, corresponding to the option 80% of the HB took the following values: 423.0; 462.0 and 440.0 mm, the smallest in this case were: 334.0; 404.0; and 331.0 mm, and the highest values of water consumption, calculated by the method of maximum daily temperatures were: 439.4; 420.0 and 432.2, while the smallest were equal: 318.7, 396.4 and 325.7 mm, respectively, for the growing seasons.

Doubled haploids have been widely used worldwide in breeding programs and fundamental research as valuable homozygous material for about 100 years. The species Cucurbita pepo L. are represented by a huge variety of forms, include highly productive vegetable crops and have a wide distribution in the world. Despite the great economic importance, the creation of effective protocols to ensure stable production of doubled haploids in this species remains an urgent task. DH plants are of interest not only because of the acceleration of the breeding process, but also because of the realization of the huge potential of gametoclonal variability inherent in this highly polymorphic species. In this review, we analyzed the main technologies used for obtaining doubled haploids in vegetable crops of C. pepo: parthenogenesis in situ stimulated by treated/irradiated pollen, gynogenesis in vitro (unpollinated ovule culture in vitro) and androgenesis in vitro (anther/microspore culture in vitro). An analysis is presented of the research carried out from the beginning of the discovery of haploid plants to the current advances and evaluation of the prospects in the field of DH plant production. The main critical factors influencing the efficiency of each technology and its individual steps are considered. The developed technology of doubled haploids obtaining using non-pollinated ovary culture in vitro is presented. This technology allows to obtain up to 55 embryoids per one cultivated ovary (28 embryoids/ 100 cultivated ovules) To introduce haploid technologies into the breeding process it is necessary to evaluate the obtained plants for ploidy level. The use of direct counting of chromosomes in apical cells may present a certain difficulty in this species due to their large number (2n=40) and their small size. Depending on the level of laboratory equipment, ploidy determination using flow cytometry of cell nuclei and counting the number of chloroplasts in stomatal guard cells in the epidermis of the abaxial side of the leaf may be more convenient methods. The prospects for the use of molecular markers for assessment for homozygosity in DH technologies used, including C. pepo, are discussed in the review.

Relevance. The region continues to build new industrial greenhouses every year, as well as mass construction of winter film greenhouses in the farms of the population of Flat and foothill Dagestan. Today, there are more than 250 hectares of them.Methods. Experimental work was carried out in the greenhouse of LLC Agro-AS in 2019-2020. Carried out selection and evaluation of promising hybrids of tomato for the summer-autumn turnover in greenhouses. Studied the duration of interphase periods, estimated the percentage of fruit set in the inflorescence, determined the yield of tomato hybrids, and calculated the most economically promising ones for the natural and climatic conditions of Dagestan.Results. For the first time in the conditions of flat Dagestan, the following experimental data are proved the main elements of industrial technology for obtaining a high yield of tomatoes in protected ground structures using low-volume hydroponic technology on a coconut substrate were experimentally justified; highly productive tomato hybrids were identified for various protected ground structures; F1 hybrids were distinguished by good yield from the second decade of September to the second decade of December; hybrids such as Men-Shuai F1 and Mamston F1 provided 24.3 kg/m2 and 23.1 kg/m2 , respectively, according to the highest percentage of fruit setting, as well as the total and commercial yield. The term of planting seedlings in the substrate in the summer and autumn turnover in the conditions of the suburbs of Makhachkala on July 10 is economically effective, which ensures a high yield and net income per unit area. At the selling price of tomato fruits of 100-110 rubles per 1 kg, the profitability of production, depending on the timing of harvesting and sales, was 100-122%.

Relevance. In the Western Siberia conditions bulb onion is grown mainly from onion sets. With this method of cultivation, large costs are spent on growing and storing the onion sets. In this regard, the cultivation of it through the seeds is of particular importance. This problem has not been studied enough in Priobskaya zone of Altai Territory conditions.Materials and methods. In our research, we studied the influence of cultivation conditions on the formation of economically valuable traits of varieties and a hybrid of bulb onion grown by sowing seeds in the ground in Priobskaya zone of Altai Territory. Three varieties were taken as objects of research: Odnoletniy Sibirskiy, Zolotnichok, Odintsovets, and one Candy F1 hybrid.Results. On average, over the years of research on early maturity, the standard Odnoletniy Sibirskiy variety (87-88 days) showed itself to be the most early maturing. Candy F1 hybrid can be used as a source of early green mass. Leaf regrowth was the earliest of all onion samples studied. The largest leaf apparatus in the conditions of Priobskaya zone of Altai Territory is formed by the varieties Odintsovets (4.1 pieces per plant) and Odnoletniy Sibirskiy (3.8 pieces per plant). The maximum bulb mass was formed by the Candy F1 hybrid (51.5 g). The Candy F1 hybrid also was distinguished by the highest yield in the group of the studied samples. The increase in total yield was 5.1 t/ha, marketable 2.4 t/ha in relation to the standard. The maximum marketability in the experience was in the standard (80.9%).

Relevance. Modern agricultural production requires the creation of varieties that combine high productivity, quality, and adaptability. Taking into account the development trends of modern agriculture towards multiplicity, it is necessary to improve and expand the assortment, helping to meet the needs of both large and small producers of agricultural products. Due to the lack of material and human resources in the agricultural sector, there is a clear need for varieties and hybrids adapted to industrial cultivation and storage technologies. Existing zoned varieties of root chicory have a root crop length of 40 cm or more, and the soils of the area of cycoroseeding are mainly heavy in mechanical composition, where the use of digging devices to such a depth is impossible. Production requires varieties with a short root crop, which has the main mass concentrated in the upper part.Methods. The purpose of this work is to identify valuable genotypes in the soil and climate conditions of the non-Chernozem zone of the Russian Federation among the variety of varieties of chicory root of different ecological and geographical origin for use in the creation of the source material of selection by inter-port crosses.Results. When creating the source material for the selection of root chicory by the method of intervarietal crosses, one of the parents should choose local intrazonal varieties adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of the zone (Yaroslavsky, Gavrilov-Yamsky), and the second – off-zonal varieties with economically valuable qualities (short root crop, high yields and chemical-technological indicators, resistance to root rot) and donors of these traits (Kharpachi, Sleszka, BilogorkaOS-2, BilogorkaOS-3, Rexor, Wixor, Luxor).

Relevance. The appearance on the market of water-soluble fertilizers, growth regulators, biological products requires a detailed study of these drugs to determine their effectiveness in increasing yields and optimizing costs. Therefore, the issue of developing environmentally friendly elements of the technology for growing varieties of table watermelon of different ripening periods with the use of new types and forms of water-soluble fertilizers becomes urgent.Materials and methods. The object of research is varieties of watermelon of domestic selection of early and medium ripening. The studies were carried out in 2018-2020 on the basis of the Bikovskaya cucurbits breeding experimental station (Bykovskiy district, Volgograd region). The methods of using the preparation Potassium Humate (liquid) were studied: Treatment of plants twice, Soaking the seeds before sowing. The passage of the main periods of plant growth and development, biometric parameters of plants, biochemical composition of fruits and productivity of table watermelon were determined. The purpose of the research: to determine the effectiveness of methods of using potassium humate (liquid) in increasing yields, to reveal their influence on the quality of table watermelon fruits of different ripening periods.Results. The experimental data obtained showed a fairly high efficiency of the use of humic fertilizer in the cultivation of table watermelon both in early-maturing varieties and in varieties of late ripening. The maximum yield of the late-ripening watermelon variety Ikar was obtained when using the preparation Potassium Humate for treating plants – 17.1 t/ha, which is 25.7% more than control. The same method of using the humic preparation was noted as the most promising in the early ripening variety of watermelon Triumph, where the yield exceeded the control values by 21.8% and the method of use was by 18.0% – soaking the seeds before sowing. Studies have determined that the use of the preparation Potassium Humate in the technology of growing table watermelon allows to obtain fruits of good quality with a content of nitrates significantly lower than the maximum permissible concentrations for this culture (MPC – 60 mg/kg).