Relevance. In one of the farms, situated in the Central region of the Russian Federation was found the first defeat of cabbage by obligate weed – broomrape. As the long experience shows (since 2011 yr.), the control of broomrape is very difficult, and it is a real danger for the vegetable growing in this region.Materials and methods. The object of researches were the plantations of white cabbage, which was grown by using the cassette technology, there were field experiments.The research methods included the following works: phenological observations of broomrape and white cabbage ontogenesis, the detection of the main features during blooming and fruiting of this weed, the definition of the duration of broomrape evolution until the fruiting phase, the detection of blooming shoots location on the surface of the cabbage plantation, the identifying of relationship between the height of broomrape’s flower-bearing shoots and the height of leaves of cabbage’s rosette.There was analyzed the feature of growing by using the cassette technology cabbage, being damaged by broomrape.Results. It was found, that the studied in the paper race of broomrape can successfully progress in more northern soil-climatic conditions of the Central region of the Russian Federation. The complex of agro technical methods of broomrape control is suggested, it includes: the two-level plowing of the weedy fields right after harvesting cabbage; receiving of cabbage’s fibrous root, which should be situated into the working plowing space with depth up to 25 cm; multiplex cultivation of the growing shoots of the weed; the cabbage hilling before rows closing. The alternative methods of broomrape control also can be used: the conveyer of cruciferous vegetable cultures with short vegetation period and cultures, which provoke the germination of the weed.

Relevance. Onions are a traditional vegetable crop that is in demand all year round. To obtain high and stable yields, it is necessary to renew the assortment of herbicides in the fight against weeds, to use compositions of preparations of different spectrum of action, toxic to the most harmful weeds and giving the maximum herbicidal effect with minimal labor and financial resources.Results. The article presents the results of tests of new herbicides Bandura and Boxer, unregistered in the Russian Federation on onions, at optimal rates, which showed high selectivity to the crop, but were inferior in efficiency to the Stomp Professional standard. The tank mixtures of Bandura and Stomp Professional with Dual Gold were more effective, exceeding the level of efficiency of the standard. Due to the action of the mixture Stomp Professional + Dual Gold (2 + 1 L / ha), the weediness of onion crops decreased by 78-89% (by quantity) and by 87 - 95% (by weight), which contributed to a significant increase in the yield of bulbs by 12.2% in comparison with control. The efficiency of Goal 2E 0.5 L/ha (42%) in the phase of 2 leaves of onion was insignificant due to the overgrowth of most annual dicotyledonous weeds by the time of treatment (3-10 leaves). The herbicide completely eliminated weeds at an early stage (up to 5 leaves), as well as older white and smoky grass. The remaining weeds experienced oppression in the form of suspension of growth, twisting and necrosis of leaves. Goal 2 E must be included in the system of protective measures against the background of pre-emergence herbicide treatment to suppress annual dicotyledonous weeds, poorly controlled by soil herbicides.

Relevance. Foliar feeding when growing vegetables is due to its positive effect on quality and yield indicators. The use of microfertilizers for foliar feeding allows optimizing the absorption of nutrients by plants, which can not only reduce economic costs, but also regulate the accumulation of biologically active substances. Identifying the optimal fertilizing system for different varieties and hybrids of vegetables is especially important in risky farming areas, where the main factor regulating yield indicators is weather.Methodology. The purpose of the work is to conduct a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of foliar feeding of the white cabbage variety Zimovka 1474 different agrochemicals. In a field experiment for three years (2018-2020), the effect of microfertilizers, humate, chelates and a biostimulator on the yield, biochemical and microelement composition of white cabbage variety Zimovka 1434 was studied.Results. It has been shown that the biometric characteristics of cabbage are best influenced by foliar fertilization with microfertilizer Aquarin and the biostimulator BIS-65, and the total and marketable yield is influenced by microfertilizer in chelate form Helaton. The greatest accumulation of dry matter, sugars, and vitamin C was typical for variants using the biological product BIS-65 and chelated fertilizers (Tiaton, Helaton). Chelated fertilizers also contributed to an increase in the accumulation of elements such as potassium, calcium, iron, zinc and manganese in cabbage heads.

Spinach is an economically important vegetable crop widely cultivated and consumed worldwide. This early ripening leafy vegetable is rich in bioactive components, fiber, micro and macro elements, vitamins, and has high antioxidant activity. Results of numerous studies on the effects of spinach on human health confirm its beneficial effect. The species S. oleracea L. is cultivated commercially. The ancestor of cultivated spinach is S. turkestanica Iljin, which has a breeding potential for different economically valuable traits. Its biochemical composition has been studied extremely little. The present article offers a comparative evaluation of the biochemical profile and antioxidant activity of cultivated and wild spinach species. The material for the study was a representative sample of 48 collection accessions of spinach from the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR). The accessions were grown in 2019 and 2020 in the open ground of the Pushkin and Pavlovsk Laboratories of VIR. The antioxidant activity was studied spectrophotometrically by the DPPH assay of free radical scavenging at a wavelength of 515 nm. A significant similarity of the two species in most biochemical parameters was revealed, which confirms their phylogenetic relationship. Significant differences were found in the content of phenolic elements, which determine the elevated values of antioxidant and antiradical activity of S. turkestanica. The article presents correlation matrices of species biochemical composition, describes general trends, negative relationships and conjugated factors. The identified promising accessions of both cultivated and wild spinach are recommended for breeding for increased content of phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity. The result of the study helps to reveal the potential of the crop as a valuable source of bioactive components and high antioxidant activity.

Relevance. The article highlights the issues of growing medicinal and essential oil crops, the seeds shortage and the problem of chemical polymorphism of raw materials. As a possible way to solve this problem is considered a wide introduction of seedling technologies for medicinal and essential oil crops. An analysis was carried out and information was systematized on individual elements of the technological process.Purpose. To analyze and explore the possibilities for the introduction of seedling technologies in medicinal plant growing, taking into account the experience at other branches of plant growing, primarily vegetable growing.Methods. Information obtained from literary sources was systematized by individual elements of the technological process, presented in a logical sequence and analyzed for applicability in medicinal plant production.Results. The result of the literary sources analysis, the personal experience of researchers on the use of the seedling method for medicinal, and essential oil crops growing, they showed the prospect the seedlings technology for generatively and vegetatively propagated plants. Thanks to modern growth regulators and fertilizers, it is possible to intensify the process of seedling production, and specifically to increase the germination and energy of seed germination, rooting of cuttings, shorten the period from sowing (planting cuttings) to planting in the ground and get cassette seedlings with a well-developed root system. The mechanization of the sowing and planting processes can significantly reduce the costs of these operations, a longer interval for planting allows you to prepare the field with the highest quality and successfully fight weeds by mechanical means. The technique used for these operations in commercial vegetable growing is suitable for medicinal and essential oil crops without further modification. Conclusion. The widespread introduction of the seedling method can be the best solution to the problem of lack of seeds, difficulties of direct sowing in the ground and a long germination phase, care after planting and weed control in the first period, and will also allow obtaining raw materials with a stable biochemical composition.

The main limiting factor in the development of the vegetable growing industry is the low technical level of vegetable cultivation. It should be noted that many works in domestic breeding, as well as in seed production of vegetable crops, are carried out manually. The decrease in the share of Russian varieties in the market of seed material of vegetable crops is largely due to the fact that the technological level and technical equipment of most originating institutions of Russian varieties are simply not comparable with the level of modern Western European breeding and seed production centers and companies that seek to increase the supply of seed material to the Russian market. One of the significant factors in increasing the efficiency of vegetable production is the use of highly efficient agricultural machinery and equipment. At the moment, there are no machines for performing the main operations of cultivating vegetable products in Russia, and the available agricultural machines for vegetable producers are on the verge of physical wear and tear and have long ago exhausted their depreciation resource. The existing foreign analogues presented on the Russian market do not fully meet the agrotechnical requirements imposed by Russian farmers on foreign-made machines. Based on the analysis of the technical support of the vegetable growing industry in the Russian Federation, the need for commodity producers in modern hightech complexes of machines for the production of vegetable crops is economically determined based on the total sown area of vegetable crops. The results of the statistical studies carried out made it possible to assess the current state of agricultural engineering for the production of the required number of machines for vegetable growing. The increase in sown (planting) areas and the expected increase in the production of the main types of crop products against the background of a decrease in the availability of agricultural machinery contributes to an increase in the load per unit of equipment and creates risks of a decrease in the level of agricultural mechanization. Currently, low volumes of domestic seed production are associated, among other things, with the low level of technical equipment of breeding and seed-growing organizations with specialized machines and equipment.

Relevance. Currently, greenhouse complexes use water for irrigation from open surface sources (ponds, lakes, rivers) and underground water from wells, adding a return (drainage) solution to it. At the same time, water from both open sources and drainage solution often becomes a source of emergence and spread of phytopathogenic infection in greenhouses, which brings economically significant crop losses. In this regard, the need to develop guaranteed methods and methods for the disinfection of drainage water and water from open sources is relevant. One of the methods of water disinfection is the use of ultraviolet irradiation, but for the effective use of irradiation, it is necessary to ensure the minimum effective UV dose. This UV dose is typical for each pathogen.Results. Work was carried out to experimentally establish doses of UV irradiation that allow complete inactivation of vegetative cells and spores of bacteria and fungi (Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Pythium debaryanum, Fusarium oxysporum, Verticillium dahliae, Phoma destructiva) in a solution prepared on the basis of distilled water. A dose of UV irradiation of 40 mJ/cm2 ensured complete inactivation of the bacterial pathogen, and a dose of 60 mJ/cm2 showed complete inactivation of the pathogens of the studied fungal infections.

Medicinal plants and preparations thereof are widely used in the treatment and prevention of many diseases. The demand of the pharmaceutical industry for herbal medicinal raw materials is met by culturing these plants. Pharmaceutical factories can be fully supplied with medicinal raw materials both by expanding the area and by increasing the yield of cultivated crops, which is achieved by using high-quality seeds of promising varieties in the required amount. In recent years, in the conditions of the Western Ciscaucasia in the medicinal crop rotation of the North Caucasus branch of VILAR, studies have been conducted to study the possibility of increasing the seed productivity of Echinacea purpurea L., Сhamomilla recutita L., Plantago major L. and Salvia officinalis L., which occupy an important place in the modern range of medicines used in official and traditional medicine. To this end, experiments were laid on the complex test of humic fertilizers (Lignogumat, Normat L) with growth regulators (Zircon, Agat, Gibbersib) and chelated micro-fertilizers (Siliplant and Cytovit)As a result of the studies carried out on echinacea, an increase in the yield of seeds and an improvement in their quality was established on the Lignogumat + Agate variant (by 31%), and on sage and chamomile – Lignogumat + Zircon (by 28% and 39%, respectively), the weight of 1000 seeds exceeded the control by 8-15%. Non-root feeding of echinacea and plantain with Lignogumat and Normat L with silicon-containing microfertilization Siliplant ensured increase of seed productivity by 14-16%, mass of 100 seeds increased by 8-10%. Thus, by using complexes of humic preparations with growth regulators and silicon-containing microfertilization Siliplant as effective means of regulating the growth and development of medicinal cultures, activating flowering and seed formation processes, it is possible to ensure high yield and the best quality of the resulting seed material.

Relevance. Black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) occupies an important place in amateur gardening of the Komi Republic as an economically valuable crop. There is no doubt that it is possible and necessary to develop berry growing in the Komi Republic, to meet the needs of the population in multivitamin products through local production of berries. The purpose of the paper was to study the economically useful traits of varieties cultivated in the North in the conditions of the middle subzone of the taiga. Winter hardiness, phenological phases, productivity, large-fruitedness (berry weight), biochemical composition of berries were analyzed.Methodology. The results of the study of six varieties of black currant in 2020–2022 are presented. Plants are nine to ten years old. The research was carried out according to the "Program and methodology for the study of variety of fruit, berry and nut crops" (1999). Currants are planted in rows according to the scheme 4 x 1.5.Results. As a result of the research, it was revealed that the studied varieties of black currant are promising for cultivation in the middle subzone of the taiga. In all studied varieties, vegetation was observed in the second-third decade of April. The beginning of flowering was observed in the middle of the second – the end of the third decade of May, 25–39 days after the beginning of the growing season. The beginning of fruit ripening was noted in the first-second decades of July, 48-52 days after the start of the flowering. Mass ripening of berries was noted in the middle of the second – the end of the third decade of July, and the middle of the second-first decade of August for “Lazy” variety. During the study period, the vegetation of black currant ended in the second decade of October, with the onset of temperatures below 5°C. The duration of the vegetation period over the years of research was above the norm and equaled 169-185 days. The productivity of black currant varieties was 1.16-1.79 kg per bush. All varieties are characterized by large fruits (berries) weighing 1.02-1.66 g. A biochemical analysis of frozen berries of blackcurrant varieties for 2021-2022 was carried out regarding the content of ascorbic acid, sugars, acidity, solids. The maximum content of ascorbic acid was noted in “Vologda” variety – 97.68 mg%. The highest sugar-acid index was in “Bagira” variety – 3.5. All the varieties have a high content of dry matter in berries: 18.04-20.38%. Overall, the varieties of black currant under study suit for cultivation in the middle subzone of the taiga.

Relevance. Dagestan is a zone of prosperous agriculture, distinguished by the abundance of heat, sun and irrigation in the plain zone. Tomatoes occupy a special place among vegetable crops in the world, including in the Republic of Dagestan. Determinant varieties are now the most common in the production of tomatoes, especially in the open ground. The main areas of specialized cultivation of tomatoes in the open ground are concentrated in the Kizlyar and Derbent districts of plain Dagestan. In these areas, there are high average daily temperatures for the formation and ripening of tomato fruits in excess, which is favorably reflected in the overall productivity of the bushes. Whereas in the foothills of Dagestan, insufficient heat resources do not allow growing tomato varieties with a long growing season. In the foothill part of the republic there is a large labor-resource potential, vegetable growing, as a labor-intensive type of agribusiness, acts as a sphere of employment for a significant part of the rural population. The demand for tomato varieties with a short growing season in this part of the republic is great.Methods. The research was carried out on the basis of the Tersko Sulak subprovincion of the FGBNU of the FANC RD of the Kizlyar district. The soil of the experimental site is alluvial-meadow, medium-saline, medium loamy in mechanical composition. Agrotechnics is generally accepted in the Republic of Dagestan for tomato culture.Results. The method for the study was the new semi-stamp cultivars of FGBNU FNCO (VNIISSOK) selection: Fakel (counter), Blagodatny, Viking, Voskhod VNIISSOKa, Magnat, Severyanka, Sodruzhestvo, Perst, Patrice. According to the maturation dates, the samples were divided into three groups: very early – Severyanka, Blagodatny, Magnat, Voskhod VNIISSOK (97-100 days); early – Patrice, Viking, Perst (102-105 days); middle-early – Sodruzhestvo, Fakel (111-114 days). According to the type of bush, we have identified 5 ordinary and semi-lamb samples with a height of no more than 78 cm. Two samples had a height of 50-53 cm (Patrice, Perst) and an average fetal weight of 72 and 60 g. Three samples had a height of 70, 71, 72 cm (Voskhod VNIISSOKa, Blagodatny, Sodruzhestvo) and an average fetal weight of 107, 110, 130 g. According to the output of gross output, the best indicators were of the following varieties: Blagodatny – 86.3; Voskhod VNIISSOKa – 82.7; Sodruzhestvo – 77.6 t/ha; Patrice – 68.2 t/ha. The following grades had  a high yield of marketable products: Voskhod VNIISSOKa, Patrice – 92%; Blagodatny – 91%; Perst – 90%. The varieties also have a relatively high dry matter index of 5.3-6.4%.