Relevance. The use of irrigation is one of the directions of intensification of fruit growing. Drip irrigation is considered one of the promising methods of irrigation, which provides the creation of the most favorable conditions for the growth and development of plants, makes it possible to supply irrigation water directly to their roots and allows the use of automation tools in the irrigation process. The results of ongoing scientific research show that changes in the water-physical and agrochemical properties of soils can be observed on irrigated lands. For the Central Region of the Non-Chernozem Zone of Russia, studies on the influence of drip irrigation on soil properties are fragmentary.Methods. Field studies were conducted on the territory of the educational experimental farm of the Michurinsky Garden fruit growing laboratory of the Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy. A two-factor experience in the study of different ranges of moisture for the formation of varietal plum seedlings grafted on plum tree stock was laid in the spring of 2018. Before setting up the experiment, organic fertilizers were introduced in the form of horse manure with sawdust in the amount of 100 t/ha. Soil moisture was controlled using tensiometers, calibrated based on the data of the thermostat-weight method. Irrigation rates were set in such a way as to increase the moisture content by 20% of the lowest moisture capacity. The identification of the main agrochemical and water-physical properties of the soil in the experimental plot was carried out according to generally accepted methods and techniques.Results. The data obtained on the characteristics of the water-physical and agrochemical properties of sod-podzolic soil make it possible to reasonably design the irrigation regime, reclamation and agrotechnical measures. The results of the study show that the local irrigation of soils with sparing irrigation rates with the application has led to certain changes in some soil parameters. However, the obtained research results suggest that in quantitative terms, these changes are not yet significant.

Relevance. One of the most important elements of the technology of cultivation of strawberries for increasing productivity and improving the quality of berries is the use of fertilizers that can regulate the growth, development, yield and quality of products.Methods. During 2016-2018, the impact of pre-planting application of complex mineral fertilizers on the yield and quality of strawberries in the Udmurt Republic was studied. The analysis of meteorological conditions during the growing season of the crop according to the research results is carried out.Results. The results of the use of complex fertilizers Azofoska, Perm-yagodnoye and Fusco-yagodnoye on garden strawberries when grown in the conditions of the Udmurt Republic are presented. It was found that the use of these fertilizers in comparison with the control (Azofoska) contributes to an increase in yield and has a positive effect on the quality of berries. The aftereffect of the studied fertilizers on the second and third year of fruiting of wild strawberries is noted. According to the results of research, the highest yield of berries of the garden strawberry was obtained in 2016 in the first year of fruiting when applying Chamfer-berry (1.33 kg/m2 ). The pre-planting application of the FaskoYagodnoye fertilizer provided a reliable increase in yield at all times of berry harvesting, and on average for three years by 0.13 kg/m2 with an NSR of 0.04 kg/m2 . The content of dry matter, water-soluble sugars and vitamin C in the berries corresponded to the characteristics of the Darenka variety and to a greater extent depended on the meteorological conditions of the growing season of strawberries.

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 and methods. Leek is one of the most promising onion crops for industrial cultivation in the Non-Chernozem zone, which has medicinal properties and high nutritional value. The results of studying the technological features of leek cultivation in the open ground of the Moscow region are presented. The studies were carried out in 2019-2020 on the territory of the “Vegetable Experimental Station named after V.I. Edelstein". We studied the influence of the feeding area of leek seedlings on the biometric parameters of plants and the quality of products. The object of the study is the variety Karantansky, experimental options: 1) seedling feeding area – 6 cm2 (control), 2) seedling feeding area – 8 cm2 , 3) seedling feeding area – 10 cm2 . The objects of research to study the content of ascorbic acid were leek varieties: late-ripening – Karantansky (standard), Bandit, Dobry Molodets, mid-ripening – Columbus, Hobot slona.Results. It is noted that the feeding area during the seedling period does not significantly affect the biometric parameters of leek plants: leaf area, plant weight, leek pseudostems diameter. Therefore, during the period of growing seedlings, from the point of view of rational use of the area in the seedling department, it is recommended to use the minimum feeding area – 6 cm2 . It was also found that the studied varieties accumulate ascorbic acid in different ways in various plant organs. The maximum content of ascorbic acid was noted in the leek pseudostems of the control late-ripening variety Karantanskiy – 23.6 mg%. The minimum values are for Dobry Molodets (11.8 mg%) and Hobot Slona (11.9 mg%).

Relevance. The study of the collection is one of the main sources of replenishing the source material for the breeding process. The presence of the necessary genetic traits can speed up the breeding process. Therefore, at the Bykovskaya melon breeding experimental station, the genetic diversity of melon plants is assessed and promising samples are selected for use in breeding.Materials and methods. The object of research was samples of table watermelon with an unconventional color of the pulp. The aim of the work is to study and isolate the source material of watermelon for use in the breeding process to create new varieties and hybrids of melon crops. In the course of the study, 12 varieties of table watermelon were identified from 33 varieties of the collection nursery, which are sources of economically valuable traits. The selection was carried out according to the yield, the rate of entry into fruiting, taste, color of the pulp.Results. In the course of the research, the obtained samples of table watermelon with an unconventional color of the pulp were evaluated according to a set of economic characteristics in comparison with the standards: Zenith and Sinchevsky. The analysis of the tested samples made it possible to identify 12 samples by economically valuable traits: 3 samples by early maturity and taste: White sugar lump, White wonder, Golden revenge F1; 7 samples with a high dry matter content, in terms of yield and large fruit: Moon and stars yellowflesh, Sweet Siberian, Orangeglo, Daisy, Clay county yellow meat, Mountain sweet yellow, Tendergold; 2 samples for color and pulp consistency: Early moon beane Bakerlneek, Tenderweet orange. The selected samples meet the modern requirements of the industrial melon growing industry, resistant to stress factors of the environment, good taste and consumer properties.Findings. The obtained experimental data will be used to create a genetic collection of watermelon according to the traits that determine the economic value of the gene pool for further use in the breeding process.

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. 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, there is an increased interest in medicinal plants and preparations from natural herbal raw materials. This is due to the fact that biologically active substances of plants are more easily included in vital processes and do not cause side effects in humans. They can be products of primary (vitamins, fats, carbohydrates, proteins) and secondary biosynthesis (alkaloids, glycosides, tannins). Plants always contain a complex of biologically active substances, but one or several have a therapeutic and prophylactic effect. They are classified as active ingredients and are used in the production of medicines. Some of the promising medicinal plants are species from the genus Dioscorea, for example, Dioscorea alata L., containing a complex of biologically active substances. The aim of this work is to study the effect of humidity and the level of mineral nutrition in the root environment on the accumulation of biologically active compounds in the tubers of the dioscorea winged plant, adapted to in vivo conditions on an ion-exchange substrate of various chemical composition and agrophysical properties.Results. It has been shown that Dioscorea alata L. plants are able to accumulate the greatest amount of starch, dry matter, ascorbic acid, and flavonoids in an ion-exchange substrate modified with 1 g/l of the coarse hydrogel fraction. The data obtained can be used for practical purposes.

Relevance. The development of the reclamation complex in the Kaliningrad region is one of the key tasks in achieving food security and improving the well-being of the region. In recent years, this issue has been highly relevant due to a number of geopolitical events. An important role in the agriculture of the region is played by the municipal district "Slavsky urban district" located mostly on polder lands with high potential fertility. A number of reasons led to the fact that the main part of drainage reclamation systems was deployed on this territory, which, if properly operated, are capable of leveling almost all the consequences of climatic phenomena that are difficult for agriculture. Despite the importance of this issue, the technical state and development of the amelioration complex have recently been given active attention.Purpose of work. Consider current trends and prospects for the development of the irrigation and drainage complex of the Slavsky region.Material and methods. To achieve this goal, stock materials of the Kaliningradmeliovodkhoz Administration and information from the Unified Information System in the field of procurement were analyzed.Results and conclusions. It can be concluded from the work that the technical condition of the reclamation systems is still unsatisfactory. The positive trends in land reclamation issues have increased significantly at the moment, which has increased the prospects for changing the situation for the better. Ideally, an increase in today's subsidies by 2-2.5 times is required, with the transition to the following investment ratio: 70% - for network operation, and 30% - for network reconstruction. It is also necessary to implement a number of socio-political decisions.

Relevance, material and methods. Purpose of the work: comparative assessment of the content of the sum of phenolic compounds exhibiting antioxidant activity in various organs of herbaceous capers C. herbacea Willd. The 4 samples of C. herbaceawere collected from natural populations of Dagestan during the flowering and fruiting phases in the summer of 2019. The collected raw materials were divided into fractions (organs), dried in the shade to an air-dry mass, then subjected to further analysis to determine the total content of flavonoids, anthocyanins by the spertrophotometric method on SF-56; the total content of antioxidants by the amperometric method on the instrument of express analysis "Color-Yauza-001-AAA ".Results. During the analysis, good indicators were obtained for the content of the studied compounds. Thus, in terms of the content of flavonoids, the greatest variation is seen in the stems of herbaceous capers (0.34-0.86%) compared to their content in leaves and inflorescences (2.67-2.97% and 2.45-2.90%, respectively). The amount of anthocyanins varies in all organs within the range of 0.05-0.23%. The smallest spread is observed in the total content of antioxidants in the fruits of herbaceous capers (21.35-21.40 mg/l), while in inflorescences this indicator varies greatly (27.44-42.19 mg/l). It is noteworthy that the samples with a high value of antioxidants showed a low content of flavonoids, thereby indicating that flavonoids are not the main components in the antioxidant system of the studied caper species. An important condition determining the variability of the content of phenolic compounds in various plant organs is a complex of abiotic environmental factors. The study of this factor (altitude gradient) revealed a significant relationship with the accumulation of flavonoids in all organs, which has a multi-vector nature (correlation coefficient r*= 0.57; 0.56; -0.47), respectively, in stems, leaves, and inflorescences (P<0,05). A positive relationship in the accumulation of anthocyanins is observed with the height in caper leaves. In all other cases, the connection is random. In addition, the analysis of variance revealed that a large difference in the variability of the studied compounds is observed between individual groups of plants in the absence of intragroup variability.