The yield of vegetable peas in the conditions of the Omsk region is largely limited to the defeat of plants by a complex of diseases and damage by phytophages. The aim of the research was to study the collection of pea vegetable samples in Western Siberia and to identify among them the most resistant to Ascochyta. The object of research was 70 samples of vegetable peas from the collections of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center,  Odintsovo, Federal Research Centre All-Russian institute of plant genetic resources on the name  of  N.I.  Vavilov (VIR), St.  Petersburg,  as  well  as obtained in the framework of cooperation with foreign breeding institutions. The experiments were conducted in the forest-steppe  zone of  the  Omsk region in 2014-2017.  As  a result of the experiments, it was established that the defeat of  peas by  Ascochyta occurs  annually, but  with  different intensity, depending on weather conditions. The maximum resistance of plants was observed in 2016 under conditions of severe drought (5.8 points on average), the minimum – in 2015 with moderately humid and warm weather (3.9 points on average). Late sowing contributes to a greater damage to plants by Ascochyta and reduced productivity. The relationship between resistance to Ascochyta and conditions characterizing heat and moisture supply is strong negative in the initial period of plant growth: with the CGT (r = -0.98 0.13), the amount of precipitation (r = -0.86 0.35), air temperature (r =  -0,67  0,24); strong positive in the second half of the growing season: with SCC (r = 0.82 0.33), amount of precipitation  (r  =  0.68  0.35).  Most  of  the  samples during  the research retained a high (29%) and medium (48%) resistance to  Ascochyta. As a result of  the collection's assessment, samples  of  vegetable peas  resistant  (7-8  points)  to  the pathogen were distinguished: B-1295  (к-8907,  Bashkiria), Chinese (PRC), Terrace 888 (k-9376, Ukraine). These samples  can  be  recommended  as  sources  of  resistance to Ascochyta for the selection of  vegetable peas in Western Siberia.

Clubroot disease (causative organism Plasmodiophora brassicae Wor.) is among the most economically important and harmful diseases of the cole crops, and the damage due to this disease may reach up to 50-75% of the yield and even 100% in epiphytotics years. Even resistant varieties become susceptible over the years, because of appearance of the new pathogen races and change of climatic conditions in the main growing areas of the crop. In this context the Laboratory of Plant Immunity and Protection, of Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Federal Scientific Vegetable Center” implements continuous phytoimmunological evaluation of collection and selection specimens and also directional material rather than just annual monitoring of causative organism dissemination in order to find new resistance sources. For this purpose an artificial infection background is used: compost obtained from decomposed nodules on the cabbage roots affected by clubroot disease (infection load 105-106 spores/cm3). The resistance of white cabbage varieties was evaluated during the harvesting period using five-point score of the root system damage, which formed the basis for categorization into resistance groups. For the analysis of artificial background intensity and specimen ranking the individual plants of the white cabbage variety Slava 1305, which is a susceptibility standard, were randomly planted in the entire area of the infection background. The impact of atmospheric conditions in the study year on the results of phytopathological evaluation of cabbage selection specimens against the infection background is demonstrated. Under unfavorable conditions for pathogen development (2014) the most specimens (74%) were categorized as relatively resistant, while in favourable for pathogen year 2015 relatively resistant specimens comprised only 5% of the total number of studied specimens. Since the same specimen may show different level of resistance depending on the year conditions, the stability of character manifestation is the important criterion for identification of the resistance resources. Phytopathological evaluation aimed on selection of clubroot-resistant forms in the Moscow region should last for at least three years even with the use of infection background. Long-lasting evaluation showed that the strains No 234/15,140/14,216/17 exhibiting high resistance to clubroot against artificial infection background regardless of the year conditions are the most valuable for selection. The resistance of white cabbage selection varieties to clubroot disease was studied against the infection background.

The article presents a literature review on fasciation in pumpkin crops. In almost all pumpkin crops, you can find such a phenomenon as fasciation. However, it is more common in cucumbers and pumpkins than in melons and watermelons. Fasciation (or crystallization) is a change that can occur in the morphology of plant organs and usually includes expansion of the apical meristem of the shoot, flattening of the stem and changes in the arrangement of leaves. In pumpkin crops, the fasciated organs are often whips, flowers and fruits. A number of authors divide fasciations into inherited and non-inherited. The first are caused by internal reasons. The second is the effect of external factors, such as insect damage, injury, weather conditions. According to literature data, fasciation is caused by 1-2 recessive genes with incomplete manifestation and variable expression, which depends on a number of factors, including environmental conditions. The opp gene may have a pleiotropic effect on fasciation and leaf arrangement. In Federal Scientific Vegetable Center in spring film greenhouses, among the selection and collection samples of cucumber, fasciated plants ranged from 0 to 1.9%, depending on the genotype of the studied samples and the year of research (growing conditions). According to literature data, fasciation is more often observed in short-fruited, but it can also be detected in long-fruited forms of cucumber. Fused fruits are more likely to appear on cucumber hybrids with a large number of ovaries in the node. It should be noted, that highly fasciated plants are usually less productive, and most fasciated fruits are often classified as non-standard and rejected. Regular culling by breeders of fasciated samples and plants, within individual samples, will allow to create varieties less prone to fasciation. And compliance with the recommended varietal agrotechnics, improvement of the ecological situation will help to significantly reduce the number of fasciated plants and fruits and improve the marketability of products.

Relevance. In recent years, physiologists are very interested in studying the characteristics of the growth and development of seedlings under conditions of etiolation. Etiolated seedlings, as a model object, are interesting in studying the responses of a plant organism to the effects of various biotic environmental factors. In this regard, a comprehensive study of the characteristics of the influence of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Хсс) on growth processes in the early stages of development of white cabbage plants, depending on the racial composition of the pathogen, is very important.Material and method. The study was carried out on the basis of the immunity and plant protection laboratory of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center (FSVC). The material of research were seeds of two varieties of white cabbage with different resistance to vascular bacteriosis and four races of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Хсс1, Хсс3, Хсс4 и Хсс6). Sterile seeds of each variety were laid out in Petri cups. Infection with different races of Xcc was carried out by introducing into each Petri cup 1 ml of a bacterial suspension of a two-day culture at a concentration of 106 cells/ml. Half of the Petri cups were placed in a thermostat without illumination, the other was exposed to light under a 16- hour regime of illumination with diffused light. The magnitude and orientation of biological effects of studied factors on biometric parameters of seedlings were evaluated by the relative deviation of the difference between parameters of the experimental and control variants.Results. A different degree of influence of the resistance of the variety and the aggressiveness of the pathogen race on the growth of individual parts of the seedling has been established, and the response of etiolated and photosynthetic seedlings to infection is often the opposite. In the susceptible cultivar Slava 1305, acceleration of root and hypocotyl growth in the dark (Хсс3, Хсс4 and Хсс1) and inhibition of these processes in the light (Хсс1, Хсс4 and Хсс6) were noted. Relatively stable SB-3 F1 hybrid has more pronounced raspecificity of the effect of Xcc on root growth and stimulation of hypocotyl growth in all variants, which was 2-8 times lower in etiolated seedlings when infected with Xcc6 and Xcc1 races than in light ones, and when infected by the races Xcc1 and Xcc4, the effect was comparable.

Relevance. The value of table beetroot as an indispensable vegetable crop in a rational human diet is beyond doubt. It is possible to fill the shortage of production of this crop in the Russian Federation by increasing yields, which is facilitated by a number of factors. It is believed that the yield depends more on the variety, but the role of the medium in identifying varietal characteristics is also of great importance. In this regard, the varieties and hybrids recommended for production, along with high potential productivity, should be characterized by a wide range of adaptive properties (environmental resistance) to the stressful effects of environmental conditions. One of the effective methods to determine the adaptability of varieties to the conditions of a particular region is their simultaneous assessment in a number of geographically remote locations, which allows expanding the range of their use.Materials and methods. Research work on the environmental testing of six varieties of beetroot was carried out in 2020 according to generally accepted methods on the basis of the branches of the FSBSI Federal Scientific Vegetable Center. As a standard, the Bordo 237 variety was used - recommended for cultivation in all regions of the Russian Federation. Ecological assessment of the environment as a background for selection and assessment of the adaptive ability of varieties was carried out according to the methodology of A.V. Kilchevsky and L.V. Khotyleva.Results. According to the totality of all parameters, the most adaptive for cultivation in different regions of the Russian Federation, according to the combination of yield and marketability, it is possible to recommend the varieties of beetroot Karina and Bordo 237; according to the mass of commercial root crops - Karina and Gazpadynya. The varieties characterized by the greatest responsiveness to the improvement of growing conditions were: Lyubava, Gaspadynya, Dobrynya. The most informative background for identifying the potential productivity of varieties is the environment on the Biryuchekutsk station, on the ecological stability of the complex of signs – the Voronezh station. The most typical environments for growing beets on the grounds of "yield" and "marketability" are the conditions of Biryuchekutsk station, by weight of commercial root crop – Voronezh station.

Relevance. The degree of variability of the linear parameters of the morphological elements of the seeds of the anise (variety Vityaz) and cumin (variety Peresvet).Materials and methods. 1) Plants: Monarda fistulosa L. (the breeding sample №5 U.P.), Monarda citriodora Cerv. ex Lag. (Simka variety), Melissa officinalis L. (Zhemchuzhina variety). 2) secondary metabolites: flavonoid glycoside linarozid and steroid glycoside moldstim.Methods. The studies were carried out in VNIIO – a branch of the FSBSI Federal Scientific Vegetable Center. The measurement of the length of the seed and endosperm was carried out using a caliper (GOST 166-89). The embryo length was determined using a Levenhuk 670T microscope and a DCM 300 MD video eyepiece at Ч 40 magnification using Scope Photo (Image Software V. 3.1.386). The lengths of each seed, endosperm (longitudinal section) and embryo (after isolation) were sequentially analyzed. The indices IE/C, IZ/E, IZ/C were calculated as the corresponding ratios of the length of the seed, endosperm and embryo.Results. The maximum length of the seed (4.76±0.10 mm) and of the endosperm (4.08 ± 0.08 mm) and the length of the embryo (1.40±0.02 mm) were noted in cumin seeds. The average values of the coefficient of variation (V), on the contrary, were minimal for cumin seeds, varying from 7.8% for the length of the embryo to 11.5% for the length of the seed. The average values of the coefficient of variation (V) for anise varied from 9.3% for the length of the embryo to 14.7% for the length of the seed. The maximum level of variability in both cultures was noted for seed size. Correlation analysis showed that a close relationship was observed in anise (r=0.912) and cumin seeds (r=0.876) only between the length of the seed and the length of the endosperm. The value of the correlation coefficient (r) between the linear sizes of the seed and the embryo was 0.195 for anise and 0.229 for cumin seeds, and between the length of the endosperm and the length of the embryo, 0.237 and 0.214, respectively. The correlation coefficient (r) between the index IZ/E and the linear sizes of the seed, endosperm and embryo had low negative values from -0.221 to - 0.345.

Relevance. Study the selection material of cucumber on the basis of the hypocotyl length, as well as to assess the stability of this feature depending on the year of research and the timing of sowing.Material and methods. Studies were conducted on the selection samplesof the laboratory cucumber breeding and seed production of Cucurbitaceae of FSBSI Federal Scientific Vegetable Center in 2019 and 2020 in terms of seedling branches winter greenhouse type "Richelle". Cucumber seedlings were grown without artificial illumination. Measurement of the length of the subfamily knee was performed at the stages of expanded cotyledons and the formation of the first true leaf.Results. The length of the hypocotyl varied in the phase of expanded cotyledons – from 3 to 8 cm, in the phase of the first real leaf – from 6 to 18 cm. It was found that at the early stages of development, in the phase of expanded cotyledons, it is effective to reject plants with a hypocotyl length ≥5 cm. This will allow you to get rid of unwanted samples at the early stages of growing seedlings or to conduct selection within populations. The final assessment of the breeding material for lodging stability should be carried out in the phase of the first true leaf, since the most intensive growth of the hypocotyl was observed in the interphase period "expanded cotyledons – the first true leaf". During this period, it is possible to select non-lodging samples in a group that was characterized by an average hypocotyl (3.7-4.0 cm) for the expanded cotyledon phase. In breeding samples, depending on the year of research, the difference in the length of the hypocotyl in the phase of expanded cotyledons was 0.1-0.8 cm. All this indicates the stability of this feature and, accordingly, the possibility of selecting forms with the necessary parameters. A comparative study of cucumber seedlings of different sowing periods (1.5 months difference) revealed the samples most sensitive to low light. Promising samples were selected with a short hypocotyl in the phase of expanded cotyledons (< 5 cm), which are of interest for breeding for seedling resistance to lodging.

The article presents the results of the selection work of the laboratory of breeding and seed production of table root crops of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center for the culture of Chinese radish (loba). From the collection material (a total of 23 samples were studied), a promising material was selected under the number No. 600 for a complex of economically valuable features. The purpose of the research is to create a variety of Chinese radish – loba for open and protected ground. Based on this goal, the objectives of the research included: to evaluate a promising variety of loba in a nursery of competitive variety testing in open and protected ground conditions, to assess alignment according to the main morphobiological parameters, as well as to assess the safety and resistance to diseases during storage.Results. As a result of repeated individual and family selection in the direction of productivity, resistance to premature stem formation and diseases of vegetation and storage, as well as improvement of taste qualities, a new variety of Chinese radish Serdtse Podmoskovya was bred. The new variety belongs to the pink-red rounded varietal type. The root crop is flat-rounded, large in size. The flesh is white, juicy, with a slightly spicy taste. The variety is medium-ripened, the growing season is 65-75 days, suitable for use in early summer, autumn and winter, resistant to longterm storage (95-96% preservation) and low light. The yield of the variety in protected ground is 2.7 kg/m2, marketability – 88.7%, root crop weight – 533 g; dry matter content – 6.26%, sugars – 2.56%, ascorbic acid – 19.36 mg%. The variety on this background was distinguished by the absence of flowering and diseased plants. The yield in the open ground was 31.2 t/ha (3.12 kg/m2), marketability – 81.2%, root crop weight – 281 g. The variety under these conditions was characterized by a higher content of dry matter –11.0%, sugars – 3.2% and ascorbic acid – 20.13 mg%; a small percentage of flowering (9.4%) and affected plants (6.3%) was noted. For this variety, a technology has been developed for obtaining original and elite seeds according to a one-year development cycle in the conditions of the Central region ща Russia.

Relevance. Deforestation is a major environmental challenge that has persisted over time and worsened in recent years. It is a primary concern for developing countries, including Ethiopia, due to its negative effects, such as biodiversity loss and increased greenhouse gas emissions. This study investigates the key drivers of deforestation and community perceptions of its impact in the Shabe Sombo district, Jimma zone, southwest Ethiopia.Data Collection. Primary data were gathered through questionnaires from 187 household heads selected simple random sampling. Additionally, interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with purposively selected individuals.Study Areas. Four kebeles; Atiro Gefare, Mirgano Baso, Yanga Dogoma, and Sombo Daru were purposively selected from the Shabe Sombo district.Data Analysis. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed. Quantitative analysis was performed using SPSS to evaluate questionnaire responses, while qualitative content analysis was used to interpret interview and FGD data. The findings were expressed through descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies, tables, and charts.Results. The study identified several direct causes of deforestation, including agricultural expansion, fuelwood collection, settlement expansion, grazing land expansion, and logging. Indirect causes included economic factors, policy and institutional factors, social factors, and population growth. As a result of data analysis we suggest that It is necessary to inform the population about the consequences of deforestation. In addition, this will solve many problems: the loss of variety of plants, subsequently restore forestry, control illegal cutting and use alternative energy sources in nearby settlements.

Relevance. In protected ground cucumber is one of the most profitable crops due to its high rate of maturity, shade tolerance, yield and possibility to get fresh fruits almost all year round. Vegetable producers prefer parthenocarpic hybrids of cucumber, as small-fruited lumpy cucumber hybrids of parthenocarpic type for universal use are in great demand among consumers. The advantages of parthenocarpic hybrids compared to bee-pollinated hybrids are higher early yield, ability to set fruit without pollination in any weather. Unfortunately, the main areas in the protected ground are occupied by foreign hybrids of parthenocarpic type, so the selection of domestic competitive parthenocarpic hybrids of cucumber for spring film greenhouses is currently quite relevant.Materials and Methods. The experiment was laid in 2021-2023 in Odintsovsky district of Moscow region in the conditions of the ground spring film greenhouse of the type ‘Block’ on the basis of the head institution of FSBSI FSVC. To study parthenocarpy, the aligned selection material obtained earlier as a result of selections and four or more insuchtings (self-pollinations) was involved in the work. During 3 years, about 40 breeding lines of cucumber were evaluated annually for this trait. In 2023 we studied the inheritance of parthenocarpy trait by F1 hybrids on 27 hybrid combinations from crosses of 13 maternal and 15 paternal forms, evaluating the hp indicator ‘degree of dominance’.Results. Rigid selection of cucumber breeding samples on the degree of parthenocarpy, during 3 years, allowed to improve this trait on average by 10.3-17.1%, depending on the year of research and genotypes of the studied samples. We selected 3 lines (L-132, L-135, L-161) of female flowering type, which differ not only by high degree of parthenocarpy, but also by stability of this trait manifestation over the years. The manifestation of parthenocarpy in F1 hybrids largely depended on the genotype of the initial forms used in hybridisation and varied from positive heterosis to negative dominance and even negative heterosis. In our experience, 45% of hybrid combinations showed positive heterosis effect on this trait, indicating the possibility of creating hybrid combinations with a higher level of parthenocarpy compared to the parental forms. Hybrid combinations with the highest heterosis effect on the parthenocarpy degree, compared to the parental forms, were identified. One of these combinations, according to the results of 2-year evaluation of the complex of economically useful traits transferred for testing to the State Commission of the Russian Federation for testing and protection of breeding achievements (FGBU GOSSORTKOMISSIA"), according to expert evaluation, in 2023 under the name F1 Dendi.