Relevanse. An important condition for the effectiveness of gardening is the systematic replacement of old plantings with new ones. The supply of planting material to the industry is important. Imported planting material does not always meet quality requirements and is not always adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of the region in which fruit and berry plantings are planted. Despite the spread of low-volume irrigation, for the regions of the Central Non-Black Earth Region (Central NonChernozem region) of Russia, only a few studies have been carried out to study drip irrigation regimes for fruit and berry nurseries, therefore, issues related to the development of rational irrigation regimes are of particular relevance.Methods. Field research was carried out on the territory of the educational and experimental farm of the Michurinsky Garden fruit growing laboratory of the Russian State Agrarian University Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy from 2011 to 2022. Field experiments on growing one-year-old, twoyear-old and three-year-old seedlings were carried out in triplicate according to the following options: 1) control (without irrigation), 2) maintaining the moisture content of the root layer in the range of 60-80 %, 3) 70-90% and 4) 80-100% of the lowest moisture capacity. The obtained experimental data were processed using regression analysis methods.Results. The resulting mathematical and statistical models make it possible to calculate the bioclimatic coefficients of plum, cherry, raspberry, pear and apple seedlings depending on pre-irrigation soil moisture and the sum of average daily temperatures for the conditions of the Central NonChernozem Zone of Russia. All the fruit and berry crops under consideration are characterized by a general pattern that, depending on the sum of average daily temperatures, bioclimatic coefficients change according to a parabolic dependence, and have minimum values at the beginning of the growing season, reach maximum values during the period of intensive growth of seedlings and gradually decrease towards the end of the growing season.

The article presents the results of many years of research on the study of the genetic fund of grapes concentrated in the ampelographic collection of the Dagestan selection experimental station for viticulture and vegetable growing. Selection and variety study of grapes play a major role in the accelerated promotion to the market and the introduction into industrial production of promising varieties for various uses, which is very important in our time. A comprehensive study of 104 varieties and hybrid forms of grapes of intraspecific and interspecific origin was carried out. The purpose of the study is an agrobiological assessment of promising varieties and hybrid forms of grapes of interspecific and intraspecific origin for various uses.   Methods. The research was carried out at the ampelographic collection of the Dagestan selection experimental station for viticulture and vegetable growing, located in Derbent.   The object of research was 104 varieties and hybrid forms of grapes of domestic and foreign selection. Of these, 30 table varieties, 70 technical varieties and 4 universal varieties. The zoned varieties Karaburnu (table) and Muscat white (technical) were used as a standard. The research was carried out according to the following methods: “Study of grape varieties” and “Agrotechnical research on the creation of intensive grape plantings on an industrial basis”.   Results. The article presents the results of assessing the indicators of fruiting and fruitfulness of varieties and hybrid forms of grapes of interspecific and intraspecific origin. According to the indicators of fruiting (K1) and fruitfulness (K2) among table varieties and hybrid forms, the following are distinguished: SV-23-657, SV-12-304, Dekabrsky, Ialoveni sustainable, V-95-1, XI-36-6/100 of which K1 ranged from 0.94 to 1.33 and K2 from 1.17 to 1.51. Among the technical varieties and hybrid forms based on these indicators, the following were distinguished: Bianca, Viorica, Gift of Magaracha, Yubileiny Magaracha, Pervenets Magaracha, in which K1 ranged from 1.17-1.50 and K2 from 1.34-1.60. For most varieties and hybrid forms, the fruiting coefficient (K1) varies from 0.67 to 1.30, and the fruiting coefficient (K2) ranges from 1.03 to 1.42. In universal varieties, the fruiting coefficient (K1) ranges from 0.70-1.02 and the fruiting coefficient ranges from 0.96-1.31. According to the yield of table varieties, interspecific hybrids are distinguished: Dekabrsky, SV-12-304, SV-20-365, SV-23-657, XI-36-6/100 in which the yield per bush varies from 11.2 to 19.5 kg/bush. Among the technical varieties in terms of yield per bush, the following stand out: TSKHA-3-2, Pierrel, Bianka, SV-20-473, Strogoziya, Podarok Magaracha, SV-12-375, for which the yield per bush was 12.4-22.2 kg.   Conclusion. The introduction of selected varieties and hybrids into production will ensure an increase in crop yields and will contribute to import substitution and ensure the country's food security. Individual varieties will be used as sources of valuable traits in breeding work.

Relevance. Lettuce is a widespread green crop. The high demand for lettuce products, as well as for new varieties, drives the development of different breeding practices for this crop. It is the most promising to use hybridization method in the lettuce breeding for a diverse source material production. However, lettuce is a self-pollinating plant with small flowers and a short flowering period (about three hours), so the technique of castration and pollination is difficult. The current methods of lettuce hybridization vary in efficiency and labor intensity. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of three different hybridization methods and to obtain a source material for lettuce breeding using these methods.Materials and methods. 15 varieties of different variety types of lettuce were studied in various combinations. Three hybridization methods was conducted in the conditions of the Moscow region and the Krasnodar Territory: 1) using flies as pollinating insects, 2) using manual castration by cutting off the inflorescence of unopened buds with pollen inside and washing off pollen residues followed by manual pollination ("Clip and Wash" method), and 3) using manual emas- culation with a single pollen wash, also followed by manual pollination. The hybridity level assessment and the breeding material selection were performed according to the main morpho- logical and economically valuable characteristics.Results. In the period from 2021 to 2023, 529 hybrid plants were produced using three different hybridization methods of lettuce. Out of these, 150 plants of various variety types and forms were selected for further breeding. The "Clip and Wash" method was found to be the most effective in terms of achieving the highest hybridization percentage (92-100%) with less labor costs in organizing crosses. However, the hybridization process using insect pollination was less effective and required more labor, but it was also possible to pollinate a larger number of inflorescences using this method.

Relevance. This article presents the results of breeding work and the introduction of the Mesoamerican culture Spanish sage or chia (Salvia hispanica L.), which is currently one of the most popular pseudo-grain crops from the family of Lamiaceae in Western countries due to its unique seeds rich in nutrients, PUFA, dietary fiber and antioxidants. In 2009, the European Union considered the seeds of the plant to be a promising type of food. There are only 17 registered genotypes of culture in the world, in the collection of GRR VIR there are two forms obtained from European countries. There are no registered varieties of Spanish sage in the state register of breeding achievements approved for use in the territory of the Russian Federation. The research of this culture is limited only by the biological side: the study of morphobiological features, its use for decorative purposes.Material and methodology. The research was conducted in the educational and experimental farm of the Omsk State Agrarian University in 2019-2023. The objects of research were several samples of various ecological and geographical origin and 2 new forms of Spanish sage obtained during local selection. All records and observations were carried out according to the following methods: field experience in vegetable growing (S.S. Litvinov, 2011), State variety testing of agricultural crops (1989), assessment of primary introduction by G.P. Semenova (2001) and variety assessment of floral ornamental plants by V.N. Bylov (1971).Results. As a result of continuous year-round introduction work, the breeders of the Omsk State Agricultural University managed to overcome the photoperiodic sensitivity of the plant and obtain adaptive forms 0/18 and 3/18. An assessment of the decorative value, the success of the introduction and the possibility of introducing new samples into production in the conditions of the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia is given. The first of the locally obtained forms, as more productive, was transferred to the state variety testing in 2023 under the assumed name of the variety "Siberian Emerald". Breeding work in this direction continues.

Relevance. Contarinia nasturtii Keiffer is one of the most dangerous insect pests of Brassicaceae plants dramatically affecting plant yield and seed productivity.Material and Methods. The effect of single foliar application of sodium selenate, ionic form of silicon (Siliplant fertilizer) and garlic extract on the efficiency of Raphanus sativus lobo defense against Contarinia nasturtii infestation was evaluated in condition of greenhouse. Concentrations of the applied reagents were: sodium selenate 26.4 mM; Siliplant – 1 ml/l; garlic extract – 8 g/l. Seed productivity and C. nasturtii infestation levels under Se, Si and garlic extract administration under infestation were determined along with the analysis of plant antioxidant status and sugar content.Results. Foliar application of Siliplant singular or in combination with Se provided the highest seed productivity and mass of 1000 seeds. Plants treated with Si, garlic extract and Si+Se demonstrated lack of C. nasturtii infestation only a week after the preparation supply. Contrary, selenate provided less pronounced defense. Among biochemical parameters tested the values of the total dissolved solids were the highest in plants treated with Se and Se+Si. Changes in the intensity of plant defense due to garlic, Se and Si supply were reflected in the increase of the total phenolic content compared to the values typical for control plants and in a significant accumulation increase of disaccharides, participating in tissue recovery after herbivory attack. Silicon application also provided an increase of selenium accumulation by lobo leaves.

Relevance. Eating a natural product of seedlings can completely replenish the body with missing vitamins, but there are problems in obtaining seedlings – damage to seeds by a complex of phytopathogens. Obtaining high-quality soy seedlings is an urgent task.The purpose of the research is to identify the main problems associated with the manifestation and removal of pathogenic microbiota in the production of vegetable soybean seedlings.Material and Methods. The seeds of domestic and foreign soybean varieties served as the material. Patent No. 2349098 of the Russian Federation. The determination of germination and infection of seeds was carried out according to GOST 12038-84 in 4 repetitions. Methods of disinfection of seeds: ultraviolet radiation and ozonation.Results and Discussion. It was revealed that the Hidaka variety has a high seed contamination of 48.7%, and low germination. The varieties Sibiryachka and Lydia have high germination, pathogen infestation is 6 and 8%, respectively. The contamination of the seeds of the Bar variety was a minimum of 2.7%, this variety was taken into further work. Pathogens from the genera Mucor spp., Fusarium spp., Alternaria spp., Pythium spp., Penicillium have been isolated. The phases of water consumption of vegetable soybeans have been determined, which makes it possible to determine the weight of the seed in a specific period of time and use the data for pre-sowing seed treatment. Ecological methods of disinfection of seed material have been tested – treatment with ultraviolet radiation, the use of ozone washing and ozonation of water. An analysis of the percentage of the yield of healthy and affected seedlings, depending on the method of seed treatment, showed that the untreated option has the lowest number of healthy seedlings – 10.76%. UV treatment of dry seeds and treatment in an ozone sink allowed to increase the yield of healthy seedlings to 14.24 and 14.30%, respectively. UV treatment of soaked seeds allowed to increase the yield of healthy products by 62%, and the option of using an ozone sink with further use of ozonated water allowed to obtain the maximum yield of healthy seedlings – 20.04%, which is 2 times higher relative to the control.

Relevance. Tomato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans can cause almost 100% yield loss in open ground in cool and humid conditions. At the same time, the genetic characteristics of P. infestans allow it to overcome the genetic resistance of host plants over time, which requires breeders to look for new genes for resistance to late blight and to obtain new varieties that have several resistance genes at once.Material and methods. 12 tomato lines, or a total of 335 plants, were obtained from the N.N. Timofeev breeding station collection and planted in an artificially infected background. For molecular genetic screening, 12 plants from the Kr6 line were used. The markers linked to the late blight resistance genes Ph-3, R1, and R3a were utilized.Results. On an artificial infectious background, phenotypic evaluation of tomato resistance to late blight showed 1 line of plants free of pathogen damage, 5 lines of plants fully afflicted by late blight, and 6 lines with only partial plant damage. According to molecular genetic investigation the resistant plants were heterozygotes for the Ph-3 gene. Furthermore, the R1 gene was present in most of the plants under study; but, without the Ph-3 gene, this gene did not provide plant resistance against late blight.Conclusions. The results of this research led to the selection of tomato plants for further breeding that were resistant to late blight. It was shown that markers linked to the Ph-3 and R1 genes might be used for marker-mediated selection. Furthermore, it has been established that tomato plants are more effectively protected against P. infestans when several resistance genes are present.

Relevance. Tomato occupies a special place among vegetable crops in the world, including in the Republic of Dagestan. The article presents the results of research on the use of biostimulators of growth on the productivity of tomato plants in open ground conditions of the Tersk-Sulak subprovincion of Dagestan. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of the biological product Relict R and Humate+7 on economically valuable indicators in the production of tomatoes of domestic selection in open ground conditions. Tomatoes were grown using conventional technology in open ground conditions.   Material and methodology. The research was carried out on the basis of the Tersko-Sulak subprovince of the Federal Agricultural Research Center of the Republic of Dagestan of the Kizlyar district. The soil of the experimental site is alluvial-meadow, medium-saline, medium loamy in mechanical composition. Agricultural technology is generally accepted in the Republic of Dagestan for tomato culture. The objects of research were tomatoes of the Voskhod VNIISSOKa variety, Relict R, Humate+7.   Results. The use of humic preparations accelerated the duration of the interphase period of germination-maturation, the difference in variants ranged from 6 to 11 days. The yield of tomatoes has shown that the use of biostimulants of growth gives a significant increase. Relict P turned out to be the most effective – the increase was 4.1 t/ha. The effectiveness of Humate+7 also exceeded the control yield and amounted to 2.3 t/ha, respectively. The use of the biopreparation stimulated the accumulation of dry substances in tomato fruits from 5.9 % in the control to 6.4-6.9 % in the experimental versions, the sugar content increased by 0.2 %. The studied preparations had a positive effect on the yield and quality indicators of tomatoes. According to the research results, it is recommended to use the Relict R – liquid humic preparation on tomato to increase yields and quality indicators in the conditions of the south of the country.

Relevance. Salvia officinalis L. is an important essential oilseed crop with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Providing the pharmaceutical industry with raw materials of Salvia in full is possible due to the expansion of production areas and the availability of the maximum amount of highquality seed material of new promising varieties.Methods. In 2019-2022 in the conditions of the North Caucasus branch of VILAR on a new variety of Salvia Fioletovy aromat II year of vegetation by staging small-scale experiments were conducted to study the systematic application of organomineral fertilizer – EcoFus and growth regulators of different mechanism of action – Zircon, Epin-extra, retardant Hardy to increase seed productivity and seed quality. The area of the experimental plots was 12 m2. Treatment with EcoFus was carried out at the beginning of regrowth, and with bioregulators – during the budding phase. The consumption of the working solution is 300 l/ha. Control variants of medicinal crops were treated with water.Results. Application of EcoFus in the phase of regrowth contributed to the activation of the intensity of photosynthesis and increase in the accumulation of plastic substances, which allowed plants to enter the generative phase earlier, the budding phase came 2-3 days earlier than in the control. Subsequent treatment of budding plants with growth regulators led to earlier and more friendly flowering, the time of seed ripening was reduced by 3-4 days. The highest efficiency was observed in the variants of joint application of EcoFus with Zircon or Hardy, where the number of inflorescences on plants increased, seed setting and seed productivity increased by 37-42%, seed quality also improved – weight of 1000 seeds increased by 9-10% and germination by 6-7%.

Relevance. Opuntia distinguished by high adaptability is widespread in many countries of the world. Tolerance to water deficiency and high biological activity provide prospects of its cultivation for food and pharmaceutical industry. In Russia Opuntia is grown in the Crimea, Caucasus, Donbass, Astrakhan region and even in the Central Russia. Evaluation of the Opuntia cultivation efficiency in the Crimea for various utilization supposes the importance of its biochemical characteristics which variability greatly depends on the place of habitat. Materials and Methods. Total antioxidant activity and titratable acidity were determined using titration methods, polyphenol content –using spectrophotometric method, monosaccharide and total sugar concentrations were assessed via reaction with ferricyanide, mucilage levels were determined gravimetrically.Results. Investigation of cladode, inflorescence and fruit biochemical parameters of three Opuntia species: O. humifusa, O. phaeacantha, O. engelmannii, – gathered at the Southern and South-Eastern part of the Crimean peninsular revealed wide variability of fruit mucilage (4.3-16.56% d.w.), sugar and total antioxidant activity. Polyphenol content decreased according to: inflorescence (18.4-21.0) > fruit (11.7-18) > cladodes (10.2-20.0). Fruit monosaccharide content reached (6.2-31) % while in cladodes these values were in the range of 8.1-16.0%. Total sugar content was equal to 32.6-95% in fruit and 15.5-29.7% in cladodes. Concentration of selenium as a natural antioxidant was higher in the cladodes (102-176 µg/kg d.w.) than in fruit (46.8-72 µg/kg d.w.). The highest levels of the total antioxidant activity and titratable acidity were registered in O. engelmannii while the highest sugar, mucilage and taste index were typical for O. humifusa. Nevertheless, O. humifusa was characterized by the lowest fruit mass (6.0-6.3 g) contrary to O. engelmannii (36-40 g). The results suppose prospects of fruit, cladode and inflorescence utilization in food industry, cosmetics and pharmacology with the preference to O. humifusa.