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. Shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.) is a very useful and promising crop with high nutrition- al, taste and medicinal properties. Shallot is appreciated for its tender and juicy tasty greens, as well as early ripening of bulbs with a long shelf life. For widespread distribution and consumption, increasing demand and popularizing this culture, it is relevant to create new promising varieties with valuable economically useful characteristics that meet modern market requirements. When creating new varieties, it is important to search for sources of early maturity, keeping quality, productivity, yield and quality.The aim of the research was to study local varieties of shallots for a complex of valuable traits, select the best forms and create a new fruitful, white early-ripening white variety of the salad direction, possessing useful properties, good keeping quality of bulbs, resistant to unfavorable environmental factors for cultivation in the regions of the European part of Russia.Materials and methods. The initial material consisted of 18 varieties of the local population from the North Caucasian group, differing in morphometric, in particular the color of the bulb (yellow to white), biological and economic characteristics. The studies were carried out at the collection site of the Krymsk EBS, VIR Branch (Krasnodar Region, Krymsk). As a standard, we used two varieties included in the State Register with the color of the bulb from yellow (Off-season) to white (Snezhok).Results. The study of phenological, biological, morphometric and economic characteristics made it possible to select five promising forms that are valuable for the consumer: those with early maturity, productivity, light color, large long-term bulb, green feather productivity, winter hardiness and good taste. The best form – LSh 5-05, with a consistently high yield, long-term keeping quality of white bulbs, marketability, good mild taste and attractive appearance, is included in the State Register of the Russian Federation for admission to use as a shallot Blondin variety.

Relevance. To produce garlic for use both in the domestic and foreign markets, there is no required number of high-yielding varieties with large onions and a small number of cloves, as well as resistant to new growing conditions. In selection with a culture of garlic, in addition to zoned varieties, it is advisable to use local improved forms, however, the morphobiological characteristics of garlic can change depending on the growing conditions and, as a result, plants can die, reduce resistance, productivity and quality indicators, which depend on the breeding and genetic characteristics of the variety.Methods. The research was carried out on the experimental field of the Department of Horticulture, UO BSAA. The 67 samples of winter garlic were studied. The collection material consisted of varieties and clones that were selected from six regions of Belarus. The Belovezhsky variety was used as a control.Results. According to the results of the studies, the best in terms of bulb weight, number of cloves in the bulb, clove weight and yield were selected samples – AM1–18, OR3–18, OP5–18, MM1–18, UG–18, ЮM1–18, 2000–18, MГ1–18, DM–18, MГ4–18, varieties Agaton, Antonik, Gorets, Soyuz, Junior.

Relevance. The article provides data on the distribution of Ambrosia trifida L. in the Vladimir region, beyond its borders in Russia and in the world as a whole. A new place of growth of Ambrosia trifida L. was revealed in the city of Vladimir. The use of ragweed as a medicinal plant and its role in human life are described. Taking into account the fact that ragweed damages agriculture and is included in the list of quarantine objects, the work provides general and specific measures to combat it.

The article reflects the issues of the current state of scientific research at the FSBSI FSVC, shows the directions and prospects for the development of selection and seed production of vegetable crops. The main mission of the selection and seed-growing work of the FSVC is the creation and reproduction of varieties and hybrids of vegetable and melon crops of a new generation, characterized by resistance to abiotic and biotic stressors, high productivity and product quality. One of the main ways to increase the efficiency of the breeding process is the use of modern methods of biotechnology and molecular genetics, which make it possible to obtain new genotypes and reduce the time of breeding. Success has been achieved in the creation of homozygous lines of cabbage, squash, cucumber, carrots. For the first time, it was possible to complete a full cycle of obtaining doubled radish haploids in microspore culture in vitro. The institution pays special attention to immunological research on the resistance of crops and new varieties to diseases, as well as protecting plants from pests and diseases. Phytosanitary monitoring, assessment and selection of resistant genotypes are carried every years. One of the important theoretical and practical problems solved at the institution is the development of environmentally friendly products based on preparations obtained from plants with a high content of biologically active compounds with adaptogenic properties. In the center, a new direction of research in traditional breeding has received significant development - the creation of varieties of vegetable plants with an increased content of biologically active substances and antioxidants, on the basis of which functional products are created. The persistence of modern varieties and hybrids of table carrots, depending on the biochemical composition, has been studied. Methods for enriching vegetable plants with micronutrients are being developed. A large amount of scientific research is being carried out on the development of technologies for the cultivation of new varieties and hybrids, as well as technologies for their seed production. At the branches located in different soil and climatic conditions, hospitals were established to study the interaction of factors controlling soil fertility and the productivity of vegetable crops in agrocenoses (crop rotation, soil treatment systems, fertilizers and plant protection). In general, at the FSBSI FSVC, all research is aimed at developing and improving methods in breeding and seed production of vegetable crops, creating new breeding achievements and developing varietal technologies for their cultivation.

Relevance. The presence of valuable biologically active substances, carbohydrates, organic acids and others in the eggplant fruits makes the culture one of the vegetables with the highest antioxidant activity. The VIR collection of eggplant includes 830 accessions from 70 countries of the world. The study of new acquisitions in the VIR collection presupposes a comprehensive assessment of the received material according to morphological, biological and economically valuable characteristics. The main objective of the study was to assess the variability of the biochemical parameters of egg-plant fruits in technical ripeness; as well as determination of the best accessions by the chemical composition of fruits and the content of biologically active substances.Materials and methods. The study of 19 accessions of eggplant accessions was carried out in 2020 in a winter greenhouse in Pushkin and Pavlovsk Laboratories of VIR (St. Petersburg). The morphological description of the accessions and the assessment for biological and economically valuable traits were carried out in accordance with the methodological guidelines and the VIR classifier. Biochemical analysis was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of VIR in the phase of technical ripeness of fruits in terms of: dry matter content, sugars, total acidity, ascorbic acid, pigments and anthocyanins.Results. As a result of this study, the amplitude of variability in the content of dry matter (6.44- 8.68%), sugars (1.78-3.72%), ascorbic acid (5.92-21.08 mg/100 g), titrated acidity (0.10-0.31%), chlorophylls (0.52-15.13 mg/100 g), carotenoids (1.19-6.99 mg/100 g), β-carotene (0.11-0.52 mg/100 g) and anthocyanins (12.94-1031.40 mg/100 g) in eggplant fruits. Accessions with a high content of biologically active substances in fruits in technical ripeness were identified: Russian hybrids Bourgeois F1, Azhur F1; local accessions from Armenia: k-3156, k-3159, k-3161.

Relevance. The most important influence on the yield, the timing of growing vegetables in greenhouses and the cost of the resulting crop, in addition to the arrival of solar radiation, is exerted by the presence of a system of artificial lighting in greenhouses and its capacity.It is no exaggeration to say that today artificial lighting in greenhouses is more effective than natural lighting. So, to obtain one kilogram of vegetables using artificial lighting, it is necessary to spend 4.5-5.0 thousand J/cm2, and in the case of natural lighting: 5.0-6.5 thousand J/cm2. This is due to the fact that when using artificial lighting in the greenhouse, we create the most comfortable growing conditions for the plants. Of course, every culture, every hybrid requires its own illumination parameters, so you should not try to formulate what the ideal artificial lighting will be. Proper lighting means getting the maximum yield from your crops at the lowest cost. An increase in the productivity of plants when grown under photoculture conditions occurs not only due to an increase in the lighting power per unit area of greenhouses, but also due to correctly selected hybrids. The cultivated hybrid is one of the most important criteria for both increasing its productivity and improving the quality of the fruit. But not all tomato hybrids recommended by breeding companies for growing under artificial lighting are ideal for such conditions.Methods. The methods used in agronomic science were used. The information base of the research was made up of reference materials from specialized publications on the subject under study (catalogs of breeding companies); materials received from participants in the greenhouse vegetable market (breeding companies, greenhouse plants); own research, articles and reviews in specialized journals.Results. Correctly selected tomato hybrids provide a significant increase in productivity in greenhouses, an improvement in fruit quality and a balanced cultivation technology under these conditions. An assortment of recommended tomato hybrids for growing in photoculture conditions is presented, an analysis of their advantages and disadvantages is made, and the main requirements for hybrids for these conditions are formulated.

Relevance. When forcing tulips in the early spring period in conditions of protected soil, the effectiveness of fertilizers has not been sufficiently studied. Manufacturers and suppliers of planting material do not give clear recommendations on the timing and doses of the use of mineral fertilizers in the distillation process.Material and methods. The object of study was 6 varieties of tulips of the Dutch selection of the mid-early flowering period. In the experiment, a "9-degree distillation technology"was used. For mineral fertilizing of tulips, a solution of calcium nitrate – Ca(NO3)2 was used in concentrations of 0.1% and 0,2%. The repetition of the experience is fourfold. To assess the effect of fertilizing on the growth and development of tulips, the dynamics of changes in biomorphological indicators was studied: the height of the plants, the diameter of the flower, the mass of cut flowers, as well as the output of commercial products. Results. It was found that the use of calcium nitrate fertilization at a concentration of 0,2% at the early stages of plant development contributes to the formation of a larger cut in the studied varieties, characterized by a high strong stem exceeding the control by 3,83-43,8%, the formation of large peduncles with a diameter of 3,24-5,85 cm and an increase in the yield of marketable products reaching 98%. The profitability of this variant of applying calcium nitrate fertilizing is on average 42% for varieties.Results. It was found that the use of calcium nitrate fertilization at a concentration of 0,2% at the early stages of plant development contributes to the formation of a larger cut in the studied varieties, characterized by a high strong stem exceeding the control by 3,83- 43,8%, the formation of large peduncles with a diameter of 3,24-5,85 cm and an increase in the yield of marketable products reaching 98%. The profitability of this variant of applying calcium nitrate fertilizing is on average 42% for varieties.

Relevance. In recent years, the price of seeds for melons and gourds of foreign selection has reoriented many agricultural producers to use seeds of domestic varieties. To provide agricultural producers with the required amount of seeds with high sowing rates, it is necessary to apply new technological methods that will allow using the biological potential of varieties and growing commercial volumes of seeds.Material and methods. The research was carried out at the selection and experimental site of the vegetable growing department in the "Federal Scientific Rice Centre " in 2017-2018. The object of research is a new promising variety of watermelon Yubilyar, and two early-ripening varieties of melon Tamanskay and Strelchanka. Sowing terms: spring – from mid-April to the end of the first decade of May, summer – the first and second decades of July. Summer sowing with drip irrigation. When harvesting melon and watermelon fruits, the selection intensity is 90% to obtain reproductive seeds RS-1.Results. It has been established that due to the climatic conditions of the Krasnodar Territory and the varietal characteristics of the melon varieties Tamanskaya, Strelchanka and the watermelon Yubilyar, a short growing season and a neutral reaction to changes in the length of the day, you can get two harvests of seeds in one season using summer sowing. It was noted that low air humidity prevented damage to plants by peronospora, anthracnose and powdery mildew, practically eliminating the need for protective measures. The selected ripe fruits for the selection of seeds by morphological characteristics corresponded to varietal characteristics. It has been established that the seed productivity of melon during summer sowing is higher due to better pollination. From one hectare received up to 97-138 kg of seeds. The use of ripening made it possible to carry out a one-time collection of watermelon and melon fruits.

Relevance. Currently, the use of secondary plant-orgin metabolites with high biological activity is becoming an important part of a comprehensive plant protection program. The mechanism of their action is aimed at activating molecular biological and physiological systems that increase the ability of the plant organism to withstand the adverse effects of biotic and abiotic nature. The purpose of these studies is to screen the selectivity of the physiological activity of phytoregulators in relation to different varieties of vegetable beans.Methodology. Plants of two mid-ripening varieties of vegetable beans were twice sprayed with solutions of plant biological products of different chemical composition, isolated from 12 plant species of different families. Control – treatment with water, standards - solutions of Pharmayod and Fitolavin. During the growing season, an analysis of the development of diseases of various etiologies on seed crops was carried out. Seed productivity of plants was taken into account after harvesting and threshing the beans, the sowing qualities of the obtained seeds were studied in accordance with the relevant recommendations and GOST 12042-80, and the biological effectiveness (BE) of the action of phytopreparations was calculated.Results. Two-fold treatment of beans with most of the tested preparations reduced the total percentage of affected plants by more than 25%. The protective effect of the studied glycosides differed significantly depending on their chemical structure, disease etiology and cultivar responsiveness. Among them, there are preparations based on steroidal glycosides - Moldstim and Mestim, which have the most pronounced immunomodulatory effect on the resistance of vegetable beans to phytopathogens. Treatment with Mestim in the selected concentration led to a decrease in seed productivity of plants. Other phytopreparations showed a neutral or stimulating effect on this trait, increasing the proportion of germinating seeds in the yield structure by 3-26% relative to control. The certain varietal specificity has been identified by the total effectiveness of the action. Irioid glycosides from Linaria genistifolia and the sum of iridoids and flavonoids from Linaria vulgaris showed the greatest activity on the responsive cultivar Lika. On the SiBemol variety, there is Moldstim, a steroidal glycoside of the furostanol series, isolated from Capsicum annuum. Their biological effectiveness was higher than that of Fitolavin and Pharmayod standards.