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 knowledge of the biology and ecology of the dominant species of phytophages is necessary for optimization of crop protection. The turnip moth (Agrotis segetum) is one of these phytophages. It allows optimizing the existing approaches to limit the number of phytophages.

The rate of variability of functional male sterility (ps–2) depending on year of study, genotype and age of the plant is shown. The efficiency of the method of forced ejection of pollen from intact anthers to increase the degree of sterility is shown. The five tomato hybrids developed based on selected lines were submitted for the state variety trial of Moldova.

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.