Pumpkin crops are an important segment in the structure of cultivated vegetable crops. Their selection is mainly aimed at precocity, increased resistance to adverse climatic factors and the most harmful diseases (true and downy mildew, olive, angular and brown spots, anthracnose, viruses and other diseases). The article presents the main directions of selection work on cucumber, squash, zucchini and pumpkin in the FSBSI "Federal Scientific Vegetable Center". A network of branches of FSBSI "FSVC" engaged in the creation of new varieties, with specified parameters, for the above crops is presented. The features of breeding work on pumpkin crops in various regions of the Russian Federation are shown.

Relevance. Increased demand in Russia for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties of domestic breeding has stimulated the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center of breeding to intensify research on the creation of new asparagus bean varieties of vegetable direction.Materials and methods. Four vegetable bean varieties – Secunda, Lika, Ulyasha, Si Bemol of the laboratory of selection and seed production of vegetable Legume crops of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center were used as the material for the study. The counts and observations were made according to the Methodology of the State Variety Trial of Agricultural Crops, 1975. The count of productivity was carried out in the technical stage of ripeness by replications. Harvesting was carried out when the biological stage of ripeness was reached. Biochemical studies of plants were carried out in the laboratoryanalytical department of the FSBSI FSVC. The biochemical composition of vegetable bean (green bean) varieties was studied according to the following indicators: determination of the total content of water-soluble antioxidants, ascorbic acid, dry matter, polyphenols, monosaccharides, total sugar content and starch.Results. Evaluation of samples by aggregate factors contributes to the selection of the most promising and high-quality varieties for their introduction into production. As a result of the research of vegetable bean on the main economically valuable features and biochemical composition for the period from 2018 to 2020, the varieties Lika and Ulyasha were selected. They were distinguished by high productivity of beans and seeds. Green bean variety Lika was noted for the highest total content of water-soluble antioxidants, ascorbic acid and the total of sugars content, the green bean variety "lobio" Ulyasha - high content of polyphenols and the total of antioxidants in the alcohol extract. Stable high yield, adaptive potential and high quality of beans, confirmed by the results of biochemical evaluation, allow us to recommend these varieties for consumption by the population as part of the diet and as an alternative to meat and dairy products.

The results of ecological variety testing of table carrot samples in soil and climatic conditions of the south of the Rostov region are presented. The experiments were laid in the period 2020 and 2021 in the fields of the Biryuchekut OSOS branch of the FSBI FNCO in the city of Novocherkassk, Rostov region. 12 samples of carrot plants from the first year of life were studied. The most productive samples were Marlinka – 59.7 t/ha Aksinya – 55.3 t/ha and Abaco F1 standard – 51.9 t/ha. The marketability of root crops was higher in the samples of Shantane 2461-82%, Aksinya – 78.9%, Boyar – 74.2% and Primorskaya 22-72.9%. The conducted research makes a great contribution to the process of selecting the source material for the creation of new varieties and hybrids of table carrots. The isolated samples can be recommended for commercial cultivation in the Rostov region and used in breeding work as a starting material.

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. In modern vegetable growing in the southern and central regions of Russia, new scientific developments are widely used, including the use of new varieties and hybrids, a drip irrigation system, fertigation with soluble fertilizers with microelements. All these agricultural practices make it possible to increase the yield of vegetable crops by several times, as well as to significantly increase the efficiency of applied fertilizers. The purpose of our work was to establish the effectiveness of the use of calculated doses of mineral fertilizers for tomato with the main application and top dressing under drip irrigation.Methodology. Research in 2019-2021 on ordinary heavy loamy chernozem of the experimental field of the Birutchecutskaya Vegetable Experimental Station – branch of FSBSI Federal Scientific Vegetable Center (Rostov Region, Novocherkassk) with a new variety of tomato Krasny banker.Results. It was revealed that without fertilization, the yield of tomatoes was at the level of 32-35 t/ha; the use of the recommended dose of N120P120K120 in the main application increased the yield to 64- 72 t/ha; the use of the estimated dose of mineral fertilizers (for a yield of 100 t/ha) increased the yield of tomatoes to 95 t/ha. The use of three-fold root feeding of plants with drip irrigation increased the yield by 21%, and with foliar feeding – by 2-8%. As a root top dressing for drip irrigation, a solution of microcrystalline water-soluble fertilizer "Master" with a different ratio of nutrients was used, and for foliar top dressing, an organomineral nanofertilizer with growth-stimulating activity "Arksoil KKR" was used. In general, a set of agrochemical practices made it possible to increase the tomato yield under drip irrigation from 33.7 to 102.8 t/ha, more than 3 times, without reducing the dry matter content in fruits and without nitrate contamination of products.

Relevance. In onion breeding, quickly obtain aligned material is an urgent target for create parent forms of heterosis hybrids. Using classical methods with helping of backcrosses, this is achieved in 10-12 years. Using the technology of doubled haploids, it is possible to reduce these terms several times, and also to avoid the manifestation of inbred depression when obtaining lines by self-pollination. At the same time, the most effective in the production of haploids is the use of whole flower buds as an explant, unlike ovules and ovaries, the production of which is more time-consuming and labor-intensive.Methods. The doubled onion haploids were obtained by the method of ovule culture on the basis of the biotechnology laboratory of the Gavrish Breeding Center using the technology that based on the methodological recommendations of Monakhos S.G. et al., 2014. DH–onion plants with a developed root system and leaf apparatus were planted in the open ground and grown according to the technology generally accepted for the zone at the sites of the Gavrish breeding center, Krymsk, Krasnodar Territory. The obtained commercial bulbs were evaluated according to the RTG/46/2 method.Results. It was obtain doubled haploids, which were tested for ploidness by flow cytometry. 40 digaploid onion plants have been created. As a result of further development after transplantation into the open ground, storage, springization and selection, 3 uterine bulbs were obtained for further reproduction and inclusion in the breeding process.

. Heterotic selection is now widely used in crop production. The superiority of heterotic hybrids over varieties in many respects has long been known. However, the widespread use of heterosis in melon growing is hampered by the high cost of seed material, due to the lack of lines with male sterility. The aim of this work was to evaluate heterotic hybrids of watermelon obtained on the basis of a line with male sterility isolated at the Bykovskaya Experimental Station.Materials and methods. The studies were carried out in 2020 and 2021. at the Bykovskaya melon breeding experimental station - a branch of the FGBNU FNTSO. The object of research is heterosis hybrids of watermelon. The heterosis hybrid of watermelon Barkhan was used as a standard. Classical breeding methods were used in the work: incubation and hybridization.Research results. The assessment of watermelon hybrids according to the main economic characteristics revealed the best combinations in comparison with the standard. According to the content of dry matter, four hybrids of watermelon stood out, the excess over the standard ranged from 0.6 to 1.9%. The indicator of the average weight of the fetus in one LIR hybrid was at the level of the standard and amounted to 6.5 kg. The remaining hybrids exceeded the Barkhan standard by 1.2-4.0 kg. The average yield of the studied hybrids ranged from 19.0 to 22.5 t/ha. The calculation of such indicators as the degree of dominance, the effects of true and hypothetical heterosis made it possible to identify three combinations with high rates.Conclusion. Thus, it was found that the yield in heterotic hybrids of watermelon is inherited according to the principle of overdominance. Inheritance of traits dry matter content and average fruit weight ranges from minus overdominance to overdominance in various combinations. According to the complex of economically valuable traits, three combinations of table watermelon were distinguished: LKn, LMr and LFT.

Relevance. Selection and analysis of the source material for crossing varieties with an individual ability to transmit economically valuable traits to offspring is an important breeding task. Breeders conducted research aimed at obtaining highly productive varieties and hybrids of table watermelon of various ripeness groups, resistant to adverse environmental conditions and having high taste qualities in comparison with standards. When studying the varieties and varietals of table watermelon, samples were selected according to the following characteristics: the growing season, yield, bright color of the pulp, excellent taste, dry matter content.Materials and methods. Scientific research was carried out in 2019-2020 in the breeding nursery and breeding nursery in the fields of the Bykovskaya melon breeding experimental station located in the Bykovsky district of the Volgograd region. 2 varieties of Malachite, Timosha and 3 cultivars 697, 728, 750 having an advantage in valuable economic characteristics over the best zoned varieties in the middle–ripening group – Sinchevsky, and in the late-ripening group – Kholodok were studied.Results. Studies have shown that in the middle–ripening group, the new Timosha variety is the most productive (27.3 t/ha), and the variety also stood out with a high dry matter content (13.4 - 14.8%). In the late-maturing group, a variety of 750 (27.5 t/ha) was distinguished by yield. Indicators of dry matter, the percentage of dry matter higher in the cultivar 728 ranged from 13.8 to 14.8%, The tests proved the relevance of further study in the breeding nursery of selected cultivars isolated by a complex of economically valuable traits to create new promising varieties of watermelon. Work in this direction will contribute to an increase in the volume and quality of manufactured products, contribute to the further development of the melon industry.

When cultivating pumpkin crops in most agricultural regions of the world, one of the most aggressive diseases is real powdery mildew, the damage of plants in which, under optimal soil and climatic conditions for the pathogen, reaches 100%. In the open and protected ground, among the cultivated representatives of the Cucurbitaceae family, the most widespread and harmful are the species Sphaerotheca fuliginea (Schlecht ex Fr.) Poll and Erysiphe cichoracearum f. sp. cucurbitacearum (DC ex Merat). In regions where both phytopathogens are present, mixed infections may occur, making identification difficult, and, accordingly, further plant protection measures. The pathogens of this powdery mildew of pumpkin crops have different requirements for temperature and humidity. During the growing season, there may be a change in species composition when conditions change, for example, when a new season begins. Symptoms of the disease in the form of a white or yellowish powdery plaque in the form of rounded spots (mainly on the leaves) can manifest themselves at all stages of plant development, the susceptibility of which increases by the beginning of fruiting. According to biological characteristics, S. fuliginea and E. cichoracearum are obligate biotrophic pathogens, unable to exist independently without living photosynthetic tissue, except for the wintering (sexual) stage of teleomorphs in the form of globular kleistothecia. At this stage, it is not difficult to differentiate pathogens by the morphology of kleistothecium. When analyzing the plant material of melons with the naked eye, S. fuliginea and E. cichoracearum cause similar symptoms of damage, but by microscopy these organisms can be distinguished by a complex of morphological characteristics. Taxonomically significant features are: the location of the mycelium, the formation of conidia (single or chain), the presence or absence of noticeable fibrosin bodies, the features of the appressoria, the size and shape of the conidia, as well as the position and type of their sprout tubes. The works of Russian and foreign scientists have shown the possibility of determining the types and physiological races of pathogens using an indirect method: reactions to differentiator plants. To date, about 30 physiological races of the pathogen Podosphaera xanthii (Sphaerotheca fuliginea) and 2 races of E. cichoracearum are known. However, this method does not always correlate with the methods of molecular analysis. Determination of the species composition of powdery mildew pathogens is a starting point for the development of a further strategy for the cultivation of pumpkin crops and in breeding work for resistance to this disease.

Relevance. Interspecific hybridization in the genus Allium L. is the best way to increase biodiversity by introgression of desired traits within the genus. This is valuable for signs such as resistance to diseases and pests, accumulation of important metabolites, obtaining new sources of cytoplasmic male sterility. The creation based on interspecific hybridization of fundamentally new plant forms with unique genetic material makes it possible to expand the selection of genotypes that are valuable in practical terms.Methods. To characterize the breeding material, the plants of interspecific allium hybrids were evaluated using morphological and phytopathological analyses. The analysis of plants of interspecific hybrids of the genus Allium L. from various inbred offspring from BC1-2 combinations of crossing species A. cepa × A. vavilovii and A. cepa × A. fistulosum by breeding characteristics was carried out. Plants were studied by weight, color, bulb shape, number, height of seed stalks, seed productivity and resistance to downy mildew.Results. The biodiversity of plants was revealed: by weight, shape, color of the bulb; by resistance to downy mildew of plants of the first year of vegetation and seed plants; by the number, height of seed stalk; by seed productivity. Plants of interspecific allium hybrids formed bulbs weighing up to 120 g, white, yellow, brown and red, elliptical, broadly elliptical, round and transversely elliptical bulb shape. Phytopathological assessment of allium plants of the first year of vegetation and seed plants revealed diversity in inbred offspring with resistance to peronosporosis. In the combination of crossing species A. cepa × A. vavilovii plants of the first year of vegetation had the largest number of resistant plants to downy mildew (up to 66.7%). According to the seed productivity of plants, depending on the combination of crossing, inbreeding generation and backcross, highly fertile plants with increased seed setability (up to 2.0 g /plant) were identified. The conducted studies have demonstrated an increase in the biodiversity of allium plants obtained based on interspecific hybridization, backcrosses and inbreeding.