Relevance. The action of viral phytopathogens changes the quality of the male gametophyte, which ultimately leads to a decrease in plant productivity. So, information on the features of the variability of morphofunctional characteristics of the microgametophyte becomes topical. Taking into account the expression of a part of the plant genome in pollen, the male gametophyte can be used as a reliable system for assessing the response of genotypes to the action of viral pathogens. Presuming that the problems of variability of characteristics of the male gametophyte in conditions of viral pathogenesis have not been enough studied, as well as the main factors determining the variability have not been identified, the aim of the research was to study the effect of viral phytopathogens on the male gametophyte characters in tomato.Material and methods. Hybrids F1 and varieties of tomato were used in the experiments. Plants were grown in a greenhouse. They were inoculated with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) or tomato aspermia virus (TAV) in the 4-5 leaf phase. To determine the quality of pollen, flowers of control and infected plants were collected; pollen was isolated and sown on a nutrient medium. The preparations were analyzed under microscope. The viability of the pollen and the length of the pollen tubes were assessed, and the ratio of these indicators was calculated.Results. Infection of plants with viruses changes some functional characteristics of the male gametophyte. The responses manifested as stimulation, inhibition, or neutral effect. The main sources of variability in characters of pollen were the genotype and viral agents. In viral pathogenesis, unequal indicators of pollen grains were found in terms of the rate of germination and growth of pollen tubes (PT). Analysis of the heritability coefficients of the ratio of pollen viability and PT length (experiment / control) revealed positive dominance and overdominance in 70% of cases. Genotypes have been identified that combine a high level of viability when infected with different viruses. The prospect of their use in further research is proposed.

Relevance and methods. We studied the influence of LED lighting of different spectral composition on the content of photosynthetic pigments in tomato leaves to identify the most optimal lighting option suitable for obtaining high-quality seedlings under controlled conditions. We used LED lamps in which the ratio of the photon flux density (PFD) of the orange-red band (607–694 nm) to the PFD of the blue band (400–495 nm) varied from 1 to 20. In this case, the proportion of the PFD in the range 580-607 nm ( yellow) ranged from 13 to 22%, and the fraction of photons in the range 495–580 nm (green) ranged from 18 to 38%. The research was carried out with two varieties of Belarusian tomato varieties, which differed in a number of morphobiological characteristics.Results. It was found that the use of LED lighting of different spectral composition had mainly an inhibitory effect on the biosynthesis of chlorophylls and carotenoids in the leaf tissue of plants. The decrease in the amount of pigments, in comparison with the control variant, reached 47-57%. It was revealed that under all studied lighting options, with the exception of conditions where the spectral ratio R / B ("red/blue") was 0.8, the value of the total inhibitory effect in the Cherry Coral variety was 1.2-1.7 times lower than that of the Zorka variety, which indicated a significantly lower susceptibility of the pigment fund of the former to LED lighting. The smallest inhibitory effect of the latter on the biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigments in both tomato varieties was established at a photon flux of 69.1 μmol/s, while the greatest, exceeding it by 3.0-3.1 times in the Zorka variety and 4.5-5.3 times for the Cherry Coral variety with a photon flux of 73.9 μmol/s.

Relevance. In Uzbekistan, especially in the south of the republic, in recent years, early ripe varieties of onion Sumbula, Ravnak, Bakhora have become widespread. However, the technology of seed production of early maturing varieties has not been developed. In this regard, several studies were carried out to identify the optimal time for planting the mother plants of the early maturing onion variety Sumbula by using the favorable climatic conditions of southern Uzbekistan.Material and methodology. The material for the research was the early ripe onion variety Sumbula, bred by the Research Institute of Vegetable and Melon Crops and Potatoes. The studies were carried out according to the Methodological guidelines for the ecological testing of vegetable crops in the open field etc. The dates of seed planting were studied.Results. Studies have shown that the highest seed yield (0.97 t/ha) was obtained in the early autumn planting of mother plants on September 1. It was 20% more than in the control variant – September 15. At later planting dates, the seed yield decreases sharply.When mother plants were planted on October 30, the seed yield was only 0,46 t/ha, or 59.7% of the control.The yield of onion seeds increases, mainly due to the more powerful development of plants during early autumn planting – the formation of large leaves, inflorescences, and additional arrows. The more large and powerful leaves, the more plants have the ability to synthesize plastic substances in the process of photosynthesis and accumulate a high yield.

Relevance. Khabarovsk region is considered to be the zone of risky agriculture. It is characterized by the monsoon climate (july - september), having no analogies in Russia by univen distribution of precipitation, temperature drops and high natural infections background. That is why the search of tomato sorts, responsive to environmental changes, with increased or stable yield is highly relevant. The aim of our perennial researches in the creation of highly productive sorts and hybrids of tomato, most fully realizing natural and climatic conditions of cultivation, having higher stability to the most harmful diseases, stress environmental factors and high productive potential. The most significant limiting factors when growing tomatoes in the region are high natural infections background and sharply variable hydrothermal regime, formed under the influence of the Priamurye monsoon climate.Methods. The selection work had been made on vegetable plot of DV NIISH. The seedlings had been growing by cassette method into film greenhouse, which had been no had heating. Then the seedlings was planted out into open ground in accordance with bed technology recommended in the region by scheme 140 X 35 cm. The main method of selection work of new tomato sorts creation was analytical with continious selection. All the necessary phenological, biometrical and psychopathological observations and accounts had been done by generally accepted methodics.Results. The results in development of tomato selection in DV NIISH was the creation of sorts with different ripening time: early ripe – Zarya Vostokа and middle ripe – Amursky Utios and Dunyasha. They were included in the State registry of selection achievements in 2008 year. Sorts Klad and Galant passed successfully the state sort tests and were included in the state registry of selection achievements in 2017 and 2018 years. All these sorts are recommended for growing in garden plots, private plots and farms.

Relevance.The physiology of insects nutrition and digestion reflects the diversity of their food specialization, aimed at the most effective use of feed. The choice of the object of nutrition is provided by attractants in it, as well as the presence of substances necessary for the insect to pass the stages of development and general nutrition. On the other hand, the “plant-phytophage” system has well-developed barriers that limit the choice of plants by insects for settling, feeding, and eggs laying. In the modern literature, there is very little information on the effect of food plants on fertility, development duration, and changes in morphometric parameters in 28-spotted potato ladybird Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata (Motschulsky). However, they are important for understanding the ecology of the pest and developing effective control measures.Research methodology. The laboratory colony of Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata (Motschulsky) was established in 2019. Adults were collected in various locations throughout Primorsky Territory, Russia. For an introduction into the culture of the insectarium, imagos, clutches, and larvae were collected in natural habitats. Standard methods of keeping and breeding insect cultures were used, aimed at optimizing the parameters of the environment, the density of the content, and the feed supply.Results. The uneven influence of crops on different aspects of the ontogenesis of the potato ladybird was revealed. The potato was the most favorable food in most experiments. When feeding with this crop, the smallest incubation period of eggs, the largest sizes of larvae of initial ages, the largest sizes of pupae, fertility, low mortality was observed, and as a result, the largest growth coefficient (3.22±0.22) and the shortest period of development from eggs to imago (21.3±0.81) were revealed. The remaining forage plants used in the study showed a less unambiguous result. The different influence of crops on both individual indicators and the ontogenetic periods of the phytophage was found. When eating tomato, cucumber, pumpkin, lime, high overall mortality was noted. At the same time, linden stimulated the development of eggs and the growth of young larvae but provoked low fertility and a general prolongation of the development period. According to the set of characteristics, pumpkin, cucumber, and linden were the least favorable for nutrition.

Relevance. Evaluation of nutritional value of seeds of agricultural crops is considered to be highly significant for revealing new sources of antioxidants for humans.Material. The aim of the present investigation was antioxidant status and selenium accumulation levels by chicory seeds (13 cultivars) and comparison of the results with antioxidants status of seeds of other root vegetables: celery (5 cultivars), parsley (2 cultivars), parsnip (3 cultivars) and carrot (7 cultivars).Results. Among agricultural crops studied chicory was characterized by 3-4 higher levels of selenium accumulation by seeds and relatively low total antioxidant activity and polyphenol content. Anomalously high protein content in chicory seeds may explain the efficiency of selenium accumulation while relatively low antioxidant activity may be connected with lower levels of essential oil. Direct correlations between polyphenol content and total antioxidant activity were demonstrated for carrot (r=+0.924; P<0.01) and chicory (r= 0.803; P<0.01) seeds.

The article presents international and national documents providing regulatory support for the organic market. Organic agriculture, as a special direction of agricultural production, requires separate legislative regulation due to the specifics of relations arising in the process of production, sale and marketing of products, the availability of internationally recognized standards and certification procedures. Most of the countries of the world community have their own characteristics of the development of the sector of organic agricultural products, its production, marketing and regulation of these processes, regulatory support of the market for organic products. Organic farming in Russia today can rely on a system of legal regulation of organic production, including international and interstate acts on organic agriculture (JFOAM, FiBL, Codex Alimentarius Commission, regulations of the EAEU, EAEU and CIS), Federal law (93) and national state RF standards, regional laws and programs for the development of organic agriculture, certification organizations. Prior to the approval and implementation of the Federal Law on organic products at the regional level, several regions of the Russian Federation developed their own regulatory documents that allowed their producers to produce organic products. The legal impact on the formation of the organic market occurs not only through laws of direct action, but also through general economic laws, regulations, state programs, local regulations (for example, private standards of organizations), etc. The current procedure for passing certification in foreign countries and for Russian producers of organic products. The factors and conditions that allow to stimulate producers to increase the production of organic products, to pass the required and necessary certification of farms and products, making local products more competitive in comparison with other similar products are identified.

Common chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is widely known as a food plant. However, in folk medicine in many countries, the roots and leaves of chicory are used as a choleretic, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic agent. In this regard, a promising direction of research is a detailed study of the biological characteristics and chemical composition of this plant in order to substantiate its use for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. The article presents an analysis of the available information on the botanical classification and biological characteristics, agricultural technology, chemical composition and the use of the aerial part of the cultivated common chicory in scientific and folk medicine. Possible resources for collecting chicory leaves are wild-growing populations, as well as varieties of root chicory, which is grown in Russia as an industrial crop. Under natural conditions, chicory occupies disturbed habitats characterized by low soil fertility, pollution with heavy metals, and increased competition with other ruderal plants. While in the conditions of culture, the best agroecological conditions for growing plants are provided, accelerating their development and contributing to accumulation of biologically active substances in greater quantities, compared with wild ones. In this regard, a promising direction of research is to study the influence of various factors (illumination, temperature, weather conditions, agrotechnical measures, varietal characteristics, growth regulators) on the content, qualitative composition and dynamics of the accumulation of biologically active compounds in the leaves of cultivated common chicory.

Relevance.The solution to the problem of providing the population of our country with high - quality plant production all year round is possible when creating high-tech automated phytotechnological complexes based on innovative, resource-saving technologies for growing plants in an artificial climate, including the development of a new generation of root inhabited thin-layer analogues of soils.Materials and methods. The research was carried out under controlled conditions of intensive artificial-light culture, when growing lettuce plants of the Typhoon variety on thin - layer analogs of soil of various composition and a low-volume soil analogue based on high-moor peat with a low degree of decomposition "Agrofit", selected as a reference for comparison, in plant growing light equipment developed at Agrophysical Institute.Results. Evaluation of the influence of thin-film analogues of the soil based on the suspensions Cambrian clay, and /or sapropel in different ratios on the production process of lettuces showed when compared with control (hydrophilic fabric): a positive tendency to increase of height, number of leaves per plant; a significant increase in wet mass by 25-35%, dry mass in 54-80%, percent dry matter in 16-36%; increase of leaf area and photosynthetic capacity at 20-36%, net productivity of photosynthesis by 16-45%; a significant or in a form of tendency to increase in the content of potassium by 14-17%, calcium by 27-35%, zinc by 29-53% and disaccharides by 28-68%. In comparison with the low-volume analogue of the soil based on high-moor peat of a low degree of decomposition "Agrophyte" (standard), it was found an increase in the form of a pronounced positive trend in growth indicators - the height and number of leaves. wet, dry mass of plants, percentage of dry matter; net productivity of photosynthesis, a reliable or in form of trend to increase in leaf area, photosynthetic potential by 20-30%; an increase in the content of mineral elements in lettuce leaves. Possible reasons for the lower productivity of lettuce plants in the control were determined, and it associated with an increase in water intake in leaf tissues against the background of the absence of additional mineral and / or organic nutrition. The content of heavy metals and nitrates did not exceed the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) in all variants. All thin-layer analogs of the soil with the application of suspensions of various compositions can be recommended for growing lettuce in any cultivation facilities in conditions of intensive artificial-light culture.

Relevance. Dill is a popular food and medicinal crop (Anethum graveolens L.) of the Celery family (Apiaceae). Seeds of dill are included in the 14th edition of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation. However, this crop is characterized by a relatively low yield, which reduces the efficiency of its production. The use of environmentally friendly growth-regulating compounds can significantly increase the yield and improve its quality. As a growth-regulating, foliar treatment with a solution of the amino acid glycine was tested. The amino acid glycine is environmentally friendly and does not pose a danger to humans and animals. The aim of the work was to increase the productivity of garden dill using foliar treatments with glycine amino acid.Materials and methods. Dill varieties Gribovsky and Symphony were chosen as objects to study the effect of the foliar treatments with glycine. Sowing of seeds was carried out at an early date, which for the conditions of the Lipetsk region corresponds to the first decade of April, with a SZT-3.6 seeder with 15 cm row spacing. The seeding rate was 15 kg/ha, the seeding depth was 1-2 cm. were Treatment with glycine solution was achieved in plants rosette phase. The concentration of glycine was 25, 50 and 100 mg / l. The control plants were sprayed with distilled water. The crop was cut during the period of brown seeds on the central umbrella. The content of essential oil was determined by the 14th edition of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation (method 1). The content of the main components was determined by gas chromatography.Results. As a result of the research, a positive effect of foliar treatments with glycine on both yield and the content of essential oil in the raw material of dill varieties Gribovsky and Symphony was revealed. As a result of treatments, regardless of concentration, the seeds yield and the yield of essential oil per unit area increased. The increase in the mass of 1000 pieces of fruits was not unambiguous. Based on the results obtained, the effective concentration of amino acid glycine is determined not only by the characteristics of the variety, but also by weather conditions, when, depending on the conditions during the processing period and prior to harvesting, different aspects of the drug's action appear. According to the results of observations for 2 years and an assessment by the sum of the indicators, the optimal concentration of glycine in most cases was 100 mg / l, at the same time, for the Symphony variety for two years, two-foliar treatment with low concentrations of glycine (10 mg / l rosette + 10 mg / l budding).