The nucleotide sequences of two strains of CMV isolated from cucumber and ageratum in the Primorsk region and one strain from pepper isolated in the North Korea have been studied. The phylogenetic linkages among isolated strains and strains of CMV from Genbank were revealed. The intragroup position of the isolated strains of CMV widespread in the Far East was specified.

The influence of the pre-sowing soaking of seeds into the solution of Indian “Mykonet” (Mn) and Russian “Micefit” (Mc) on the different phases of development, morphometric and biochemical indices of cucumber has been studied. The both preparations stimulated seed germination, growth, and development of plants. The Mn contents a mushrooms’ spores, which improve the content of soil beneficial microflora. It can explain the prolong stimulation of this preparation and its efficiency. The Mc contents only mushrooms’ metabolites, which made it less effective in the stimulation of growth and development of the plants. The both preparations improved the development of all phenological phases, increased yield because of earlier and prolonged fruiting. The seed productivity and seed weight were also increased. During two-years investigations, application of the Mn has increased the yield and seed productivity up to 15-18%, while the Mc has increased the yield and seed productivity up to 12-16%. The biochemical characteristics (dry matters, sugars) were also improved.

For a number of years, the study of large-rooted chicory of different ecological-geographic origin has been conducted in the “Rostov experimental station for horticulture of chicory. The genotypes with valuable traits for breeding for high yield, suitability for mechanized harvest owing to short roots were selected. The description of largerooted chicory varieties of Russian and foreign breeding is provided.

The application of phytogenous mulching materials based on local processed raw materials at potato cultivation in irrigated conditions of the Astrakhan region has allowed optimization of temperature and moisture regime of the soil. It was found that in case of the spring term of planting, the mulching has increased the soil temperature up to 0,6-0,9°C on April-May at a depth of 0,10 m as compared to the control. During heat period, mulching materials have decreased the soil temperature. Antecedent soil water under mulching materials in the phase of tubers formation was on 1,15-1,19 times higher than in the control variant without mulching. The most effective materials for the soils of different grain-size distribution were determined: for the heavy-loamy soil the best mulching material was straw, for the sandy loam soil the more efficient mulching was saw-dust.

The results of study of impact of the new cultivation technology on the growth and plant development, and potato yield in the mountain province. The advantages of the technology “Surface planting” and the factors increasing potato productivity are presented.

Soybeans is the most important source of high quality protein using as food and oil. Soybean protein is balanced for amino acid composition that is advantage in comparison with other legumes, oil crops, and cereals. Soybean protein contains all the essential amino acids in a ratio close to the animal protein. Due to the acute deficiency of protein, the interest in soybean production and breeding of new varieties are constantly growing worldwide. The early ripening lines for the duration of the vegetation period and interphase periods of development were selected. The soybean samples with a maximum seed weight per a plant, thousand-seed weight and the largest number of seeds in a bean were revealed. The genotypes with the optimal displays of these traits for the breeding in the different directions were identified.

The influence of different rates of organic and mineral fertilizers applications, the timing of the use of planting on the yield of tubers and green mass of topinambur cv. Skorospelka and product quality are described in this paper. In conditions of the non-Chernozem zone of the Russia, it is recommended to grow topinambur at least 3 years at the same place resulted in yield on 2-th and 3-th years similar to first year of growing. The application of manure (90 t/ha) and 1/3 NPK doses allowed to get equal yield at first, second, and third year of growing.

The assortment of salad crops, process parameters for production of seedlings (Baby leaf) and sprouts (Microgreens) is presented. The principles of the selection and sale of salad crops in the local market are recommended.

Significant damage to cultivated perennial onions is caused by rust disease (Puccinia allii (DS.) Rud.). The 15 types of perennial onions (17 cultivars and 13 breeding specimens) were tested for resistance to diseases in the conditions of Moscow region. The high degree of susceptibility to rust disease is common to Allium nutans (= Siberian chives or blue chives), Allium schoenoprasum (=chives), Allium galanthum (= snowdrop onion) and Allium amphibolum (the degree of the disease development was more than 15%). Among the varieties of welsh onions the highest degree of resistance to disease was common to the early ripening variety Sprinter. The Allium odorum (= garlic chives), Allium obliquum and Allium senйscens (= German garlic or broadleaf chives) were not susceptible to rust infection. The article discusses the ways of onion protection from rust disease.

The article presents the results of a study of varieties collection of different ecological-geographic origin on light-brown soils in the summer planting and watering irrigation. The promising, high-yielding varieties for cultivation in the Astrakhan region were selected.