The big retail chains incur lot of losses of the fresh fruit and vegetable products, the considerable part of which formed by fresh imported tomatoes. This article presents the results of an experiment conducted at Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution North Caucasian Regional Research Institute of Horticulture and Viticulture of city Krasnodar for the investigation of influence of temperature conditions on tomatoes quality of the “Torbash” sort during storage. As a biochemical parameters of the quality assessment were investigated acidity, dissolved dry matter content, ascorbic acid and sugars content. Correlation analysis of the data with a changing parameter “temperature” has revealed dependence of the vitamin C content on glucose and the total content of sugars 240 hours after storage. Analysis of data on vitamin C and glucose at a fixed factor “storage time” has showed a high correlation of these parameters at a temperature of 18°С, at 22°С the correlation is moderate. Moderate correlation of the vitamin С content with the sum of the sugars is observed at temperature of plus 16°С; at 4 and 18°C there is a weak correlation. But correlation analysis for sugars and acidity showed no correlation at temperatures other than normal (7…8°С). The ratios of vitamin С and glucose or vitamin С and the amount of sugars can serve as indicators in estimation fruit quality, and the weak of correlation between sugars and acidity at temperatures other than 8°С indicates storage of the product with temperature disturbances

In the context of climate change phytomonitoring of the prevalence of the most common viral pathogens on the crops becomes even more important, because during the last decades the harmfulness of those pathogens, in particular Bean yellow mosaic (BYMV) has grown in intensity. The causative agent as the most members of Рotyvirus genus, has a wide range of host plants belonging to various families including Fabaceae. In Russia the virus was for the first time identified in the south of the Far East, where in the middle of XX century the massive damage of clove, lupine, sweet pea, pea, bean and Russian bean was observed. The distribution area of BYMV considerably expanded after advancement of heat-loving leguminous crops towards north. During the last years epiphytotics were reported in the planted crops of kidney bean (Phasйolus vulgбris L.), and Russian bean (Faba bona Medik. var. major Harz.) under conditions of temperate continental climate of nonchernozem belt in the RF. It is not feasible to eradicate natural BYMV foci, while the control of the causative agent carriers as a preventive measure is not very effective. There fore at present the search for the sources of resistance to BYMV and creation of parent selection material is a priority area of our phytopatologic research. At the present stage the tasks included: identification and study of the properties of BYMV Moscow isolates; integral assessment of resistance and other economically valuable characteristics of collection material and breeding stock material of kidney bean (810 specimens) and Russian bean (40 specimens) generated in the Laboratory of Legume Selection and Seed Production, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Federal Scientific Vegetable Center”. To achieve the goal visual, serological diagnostic methods were used together with biotesting and electron microscopy. The research revealed special physical-chemical characteristics of BYMV Moscow isolates characterized by 100% harmfulness when occurred as co-infection with the other viruses. The main symptoms caused by the above isolates in indicator plants and host plants under conditions of Moscow Region have been described. Evaluation of collection and selection materials of kidney bean and Russian bean formed the basis for identification of the sources of resistance to BYMV exhibiting integrated economically valuable properties (early ripeness, bean shape and color, productivity, etc.). These specimens have been included into selection program of the Federal Research Vegetable Center which is aimed on creation of high-productive varieties of the kidney bean meeting the modern market demands.

Relevance. When creating tomato varieties and hybrids, much attention is paid not only to the commercial component (yield, appearance and uniform ripening), but also to the taste qualities of the products. Salad tomato varieties with yellow, tangerine, and pink fruits are increasingly in demand. As a rule, these fruits do not store for a long time, so it is necessary to increase their storability and transportability. Fruits of this group of tomatoes have high antioxidant activity, which is due not only to the significant content of water-soluble antioxidants (such as ascorbic acid), but also carotenoids. The preservation of fruit largely depends on the dry matter content.The aim of investigation is to study biochemical parameters of tangerine tomatoes fruits under different ripening conditions.Materials and methods. Plants were grown in the greenhouse of Federal Scientific Vegetable Center. Biochemical characteristics of tomato fruits were studied during harvesting and after laying for storage in the milky ripeness phase according to the following indicators: dry matter, ascorbic acid, total content of water-soluble antioxidants, titratable acidity, monosaccharides, polyphenols and carotenoids.Results. The percentage of dry matter in tangerine tomato fruits does not change during storage, even increases slightly. The dry matter content of fruits from the open field is slightly higher than that of fruits from the greenhouse. The content of sugars and ascorbic acid in fruits with tangerine fruits after laying for ripening decreases slightly. However, the content of these compounds is higher in mature fruits immediately after picking than in fruits after ripening. The total content of antioxidants during ripening decreases, though not significantly (in 1.1-1.7 times).

Relevance and methods. Among vegetable crops, root crops are particularly popular among the population both in the Russian Federation and abroad: carrots, beetroot, radish, turnips and parsnips, which are sources of various vitamins. A significant share in the structure of production and acreage is occupied by carrot and beetroot. According to FAOSTAT data, in 2018, the Russian Federation produced  1508 thousand tons of carrot and 837 thousand tons of beetroot, which is 60 and 30%, respectively, of the existing needs, even the import of these products does not fully meet them. Based on the strategy of food security, in order to increase the population's supply with domestic products, it is necessary not only to increase the acreage, but also to quickly introduce F1 varieties and hybrids of domestic selection that meet the requirements of industrial technologies.Results. Given these requirements, breeders, FSBSI Federal Scientific Vegetable Center, using classical and modern methods to accelerate the breeding process, developed varieties and hybrids table root crops. Carrot F1 Nadezda (variety Nantes), F1 Rif (variety Shantane) with a yield of more than 90 t/ha, high uniformity, safety 95-98%, group resistance to diseases storage, Margosha variety (variety Nantes/Berlicum) with a stable yield at least 100 t/ha, high environmental resistance; single- and double-seeded varieties of beets, Bordo odnosemyannaya, Lubava, Gaspadynya, with a marketability level of 95-98%, intensely colored pulp without clearly defined rings; Japanese Geisha and snow maiden turnips with edible leaves and juicy tender root pulp and ultra-ripe forms of Sapfir, Biryuza and Selecta for flow hydroponics; precocious varieties of radish Aria, Sonata, myth and moor resistant to stalk and high ascorbic acid content.

Celeriac (Apium graveolens L., Apiaceae), originating from the Mediterranean basin, is a two-yearold species grown worldwide. The article presents the content of chlorophylls a and b, β-carotene and anthocyanin in various celery root varieties, and an assessment of their resistance to septoriosis and the yield of root crops. The studies were carried out on the basis of the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Vegetable Growing, a branch of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center (Moscow Region, Ramensky District) in 2014-2016. The total content of anthocyanins in the leaves in varieties with anthocyanin coloring on the leaf stem is on average 1.32 mg / 100 g, in the varieties with a green stem, 0.90 mg / 100 g, β-carotene – 1.82 and 1.67 mg / 100 g, chlorophyll a – 86.5 and 81.4 mg / 100 g, chlorophyll b – 43.1 and 44.9 mg / 100 g wet weight, respectively. Linear correlation analysis allowed to establish a reliable (at 5% significance level) positive relationship between the yield of root crops and the total content of anthocyanins in celery leaves (r = 0.53), the total content of anthocyanins and chlorophyll a in leaves (r = 0.55), a negative relationship between the degree of development septoria and root mass (r = -0.62), as well as the yield of root crops (r = -0.71), between the chlorophyll a content in the leaves and the degree of septoria development (r = -0.54). The revealed variability in chlorophyll, β-carotene, the total content of anthocyanins reflects genetic heterogeneity among the studied celery varieties and plant responses to the environment. For breeding for resistance to septoria and crop yields of root crops, varieties of celeriac Kornevoy Gribovskiy, Maxim, Kupidon were selected.

One of valuable spice-aromatic vegetable of Lamiaceae family is lemony monarda (Monarda citriodora L.) cultivated as nonperennial crop in most of regions of Russian Federation. Information regarding its parentage and biological special aspects are described here in this article. Brief review regarding nutritional quality and pharmaceutical importance as well as description of four cultivars of lemony monarda (which are currently included to Russian State register of selection invention and approved for usage, two of these cultivars Mona Lisa and Simka were selected and cultivated by Federal Scientific Vegetable Center are given here in this article. Main directions for up-to-date selection and application and practical usage of lemony monarda were indicated. In the field of creation of up-to-date vegetable cultivars, one of the main directions is selection of such a cultivars with high content of biologically active compounds for improvement of antioxidative activity and applicability for its cultivation at hydroponic plant with frame area to provide fresh green vegetables for people all year round. Simka cultivar meets requirements mentioned above and can be cultivated at various types of hydroponic plants including horizontal (salad lines, seedling tables) and vertical (multilayer hydroponics) types using natural (drag turf) or artificial (mineral wool blocks) substrates. This article also describes the main elements of technology of cultivation of lemony monarda in the open and protected ground to get green products and seed production. The features of the preparation of raw materials with a high content of biologically active compounds for fresh consumption and as a spicy-aromatic dry seasoning for salads, meat dishes, as a natural preservative and aromatic of jam, tea and other drinks are shown.

Relevance. Powdery mildew is one of the most common and harmful diseases of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in open and protected ground. Moreover, in the closed ground, the harmfulness is higher than in the field. The yield of cucumber, due to the defeat of plants by powdery mildew, decreases by 30-50%, and in some cases by more than 70%. The creation of modern cucumber hybrids is impossible without the constant involvement in the breeding process of new sources of economically useful traits, including resistance to real powdery mildew. It is very important to combine in one line both a high degree of parthenocarpy, and the female type of flowering, and resistance to the most harmful diseases. We tried to solve this problem in our work.Materials and methods. The experience was laid in 2018-2022 in the Odintsovo district of the Moscow region on the basis of the head institution of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Federal Scientific Vegetable Center (FSBSI FSVC) in the conditions of a spring ground greenhouse of the Block type, on a natural infectious background. On the basis of the laboratory of breeding and seed production of pumpkin crops, 27 collectible and about 50 breeding samples of parthenocarpic cucumber were studied. The article presents an assessment of the resistance to this powdery mildew of 36 of the most aligned and most valuable cucumber breeding samples in terms of a complex of economically useful features. 2-3 families, 6 plants in each, were evaluated for each sample for 2 years. During the entire growing season, the intensity of powdery mildew damage was assessed on a four-point scale and the spread of the disease in %.Results. Among the collection samples of cucumber, on a natural infectious background, two hybrids of the agrofirm BEJO ZADEN B.V. were not affected by powdery mildew: Amur 1801 F1, Artist F1, a hybrid without a name of the agrofirm MONSANTO HOLLAND B.V., conventionally named – Semenis F1 and hybrid Kibria F1 of the agrofirm RIJK ZWAAN. To a small extent, less than one point, they were amazed: Orpheus F1, Merengue F1, Marinda F1, Masha F1, Othello F1, List F1, Adam F1, SV 4097 F1 and Krasotka F1. 11cucumber breeding samples selected in previous years of research on a complex of economically useful signs that were not affected by this disease during 2 years of research were identified. Work will continue to evaluate these lines for resistance to real powdery mildew on an artificial infectious background.

Preservation of the quality of fresh products for companies engaged in the implementation of fresh fruit and vegetable products is an important task in managing supply chains in both transport and warehouse logistics. This work presents an estimate of the loss of quality of fresh tomato under the influence of various temperature regimes using an integral quality parameter. Integral quality parameter index consists of deviations of biochemical parameters (vitamin C, acidity, glucose and the sum of sugars) at the recommended storage temperature (plus 8°C) from the values of these the same indicators at temperatures different from it; the frequency of the participation of the indicators in the correlation dependences between the indices and the highest degree of correlation, estimated from the value of the Pearson coefficient. Using the QFD methodology, the relationship of consumer requirements with technical requirements for the quality of fresh tomato has been determined, and the parameters that have the greatest impact on quality have been established. Approbation of the parameter “integral quality” was carried out on the basis of the data of the experiment conducted in the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution North Caucasian Regional Research Institute of Horticulture and Viticulture (Krasnodar), on the influence of temperature regimes on the quality of tomato “Torbash” in the process of storage. The proposed model of quality forecasting can be recommended to companies selling fresh tomatoes, carrying out logistic activities in the supply chains of this vegetable production, and can also serve as a basis for assessing the quality of other fruit and vegetable products.

Vegetable root plants is a valuable, essential components of a balanced diet person. The basis of the modern methodology of breeding work on root crops is to meet the requirements of the market, so the breeders are faced with the task of creating varieties and hybrids of root crops with an attractive appearance and a sufficiently high nutritional value, suitable for new technologies of cultivation and processing. The regular meeting of the methodical Commission of the edible plants in the FSBSI Federal Scientific Vegetable Center in the framework of the international scientific-practical conference "Methodology of selection and seed growing of vegetable root plants." The conference was attended by scientists, breeders, seed growers, experts from Russia and CIS countries. The participants of the conference exchanged information on the achievements, development and application of various methodological approaches in the selection and seed production of vegetable root plants, contributing to the creation and introduction of domestic competitive varieties and hybrids, which will solve the problem of import substitution. The need to create a new source material on the basis of the collections of recent years for breeding on technology, alignment of the external parameters of varieties and hybrids of all vegetable root plants, as well as to improve the methods of seed production, especially for the reproduction of seeds of higher categories and lines of hybrids. The changed scientific and technological conditions of conducting the selection and seed-growing process require improving the efficiency of breeding development, the complexity of selection and genetic research, the use of biotechnological methods, MAS technologies, phytotrons, greenhouses and other facilities to accelerate the selection process.

Relevance. In the harsh climate of the Arctic, where the warm season with a maximum average daily temperature above 10 °C lasts only three months, scientists in the crop industry are conducting tests and creating unique varieties of crops that will be able to provide the northern regions with fresh and vitamin-rich vegetable products.Materials and Methods. In the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, at the Naryan-Mar Experimental Agricultural Station, an innovative technology for priming seeds of vegetable legumes with electromagnetic exposure developed by JSC «Concern GRANIT» with the «TOR» device was tested on domestic varieties of Pisum sativum L. и Vicia Faba L. selected by the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center (FSBSI FSVС).Results. The tested varieties of vegetable legumes beyond the Arctic Circle were able to fully realize their productive potential, and the results of observations of the growth and development of crops confirmed the presence of favorable conditions for the selected crops. The quality of vegetable products and the obtained seeds of vegetable legumes in the Arctic in 2024 turned out to be higher than in the Moscow region due to a lower phytopathogenic load. Electromagnetic priming with the «TOR» device made it possible to obtain, in the conditions of the Far North, the productivity of green peas in responsive varieties and seed productivity in beans – by 3-16% and 12-35%, respectively, more than in control. Thanks to the use of the «TOR» device, acceleration of ripening, an increase in yield and product quality are noted, which is especially important in the conditions of a short growing season. Thus, favorable conditions and competitive opportunities for agriculture in the geographical location of the Russian North provide good opportunities to produce organic products in ecologically clean areas, which will be competitive not only in the regional, but also in the national and international food markets.