The paper highlights results of 60 years of apple breeding activity at the All-Russian Research Institute for Fruit Crop Breeding of RAAS (former Orel Zonal Fruit-Berry Experimental Station). Major selection effort has been applied to apple breeding for higher contents of ascorbic acid and P-active substances in fruit. A pattern of the inheritance of biologically active substances in apple fruits is shown. First time in Russia a large-scale selection has taken place for the purpose of developing domestic scab immune apple varieties (Vf ). 20 scab immune varieties have been created and included into the State Register. First time in Russia and in the world a range of triploid apple varieties have been developed through directed diverse chromosome crossings 2x x 4x and 4x x 2x.

In the article the authors show outcome of three years observation of blackcurrant varieties bred by Study Horticulture Department NULES of Ukraine for their suitabi­ lity to machine harvesting. Blackcurrant is the most common berry crop in Ukraine. When establishing intensive industrial plantations the varieties suitable for machine harvesting should be used. During 2006-2008 limited and unlimited traits of varieties bred by NULES of Ukraine suitability to combine harvesting were studied. All parameters of the examined varieties were compared against the requirements of the «ideal variety”. Simultaneous ripening of berries was observed in varieties Dochka Vorskly – 93,6%, Hovtva, Pamyaty Leonida Myhalevskoho – 92,6%. The pick off effort required to collect berries out of their clusters for all varieties but Yarynka was within acceptable range of 67...129 g. By effort applied for berries crush only Yarynka has failed to meet the necessary requirements. All the varie­ ties but Yarynka have been found suitable by growth habit of their bush (upright and semi-spread). Insufficient number fruits (6-7 pc.) in clusters for varieties Narodna and Yarynka was noted. Berries weight for all studied varieties ranged within 1.27-1.84 g, their drop-off was 3-8%, duration of harvesting period ranged from 8 to 10 days, so all the parameters of varieties suggested they were suitable for picking berries by berry harvesters. Varieties Dochka Vorskly, Universitetska, Hovtva, Pamyatna, Premiera, Narodna, Leleka and Pamyaty Leonida Myhalevskoho were selected as suitable for combine harvesting by the complex of positive parameters.

Наведено результати досліджень сприйнятливості колекційних зразків цибулі ріпчастої різного еколого-географічного походження до збудника пероноспорозу (Peronospora destructor Berk). Встановлено, що сорти та гібриди цибулі ріпчастої першого та другого року життя уражуються пероноспорозом. Ступінь розвитку хвороби залежав від інфекційного навантаження, вологості та температури повітря. Дослідження показали, що в середньому за три роки у колекційному розсаднику цибулі першого року життя поширення хвороби припадало на кінець вегетації залежно від зразка і становило 12,7–79,0%, а її розвиток сягав 8,0–61,7%. На насінниках (фаза зав’язування насіння) пероноспороз поширювався у межах 32,7–95,7%, а його розвиток на природно-провокаційному фоні становив 25,7–88,3%. Серед великої кількості вивчених зразків імунних проти хвороби не виявлено. Виділено форми, яким властива відносна польова стійкість проти хвороби, і які будуть використані в селекційних програмах створення нових сортів і гібридів.

The article presents the estimation of economic and biological characteristics of indeterminant tomato hyb­ rids (Raisa F1, Macarena F1, Emotion F1, Anabel F1, Mariachi F1) under conditions of winter hydroponic. The earliest emergence of fruits is established for Macarena F1 tomato hydrid. The total number of brushes, flo­ ers and w fruits formed on the plant during the vegetation period, is determined. The degree of fruit inception, yield per plant and average weight of the plant are measured. The monthly dynamics of hybrid tomato crops is presented. The largest harvest was collected through May to July. Marketable and non-marketable portions of the harvest and commercial quality of tomato fruits are determined. A close correlation between fruit weight and fruit yield is established. The Macarena F1 hybrid is distinguished as the most precocious and high-yielding variety.

The article provides methodological ground (method of morphological description) for identification of qualitative, quantitative and pseudo-qualitative characteristics of maize hybrids (Zea mays L) disclosing methodological facets of practical appliance for histogram and variation curve of morphological characteristics of the phenotype by uniformity test and unveiling the link between quantitative characteristics of the ear and economically valuable indices of plant productivity. Target of the research has covered physiological and biochemical processes of plant productivity development into relevant phenological growth and development stages followed by relevant observations and records of vegetative and generative organs of maize. The field examination results obtained are processed with mathematical and statistical methods with the view of searching for margins (min and max) of confidence intervals and in order to verify reliability of the research results with the view of follow-up construction of histogram and variation curve.

Unique features of Myronivs’ka 808 variety have provided its triumph in agricultural production in the former Soviet Union and other countries. Myronivs’ka 808 has become one of the most popular varieties in terms of sown areas (in 1971 over 9.5 million hectares) in the world production. Up to now the variety has been cultivated in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan. Myronivs’ka 808 variety gained leadership in the global selection process as a source of high grain quality, high productivity, general adaptability and plasticity. Using germplasm of this variety enabled to develop over 400 wheat varieties including 350 winter varieties and 60 spring varieties.

The article mentions that 113 peach hybrid forms resistance to drought, to leaf curl infection Taphrina deformans Tul. and powdery mildew Sphaerotheca pannosa Lev. var. persicae Woronich have been obtained in the result of their studying. One of the most important agronomic sigh is a drought- resistance. Elite forms assessment on this indicator has been carried out in the most drought year during the last50 years. 23 forms with high drought-resistance have been selected.    The leaves curl and false mildew are considered to be the most harmful fungal diseases reducing the plants peach vitality and leading to their lethality. Infection assessment has been carried out according to the average annual dates, and in epidemic (epiphytotic) year with a maximum disease revealing. As a result 14 hybrid forms infected by low leaves curl and 16 – by false mildew have been selected. According to the varieties characteristics complex 15 ones have been selected. Most varieties identified by their drought-resistance have belonged to the North Chinese eco-geographic group (59,1%), by a low leaves curl infection (Taphrina deformans Tul. ) to the Iranian eco-geographic group (64,3%); by the false mildew (Sphaerotheca pannosa Lev. ) to the Northern Chinese eco-geographic group (54,3%). The selected varieties perform the interest as sources of important mentioned economic valuated characteristics and they can be used in breeding.

The article provides progress report on the barley of F3к-10029/Saratovske 4 height decreasing throughout 1974 to 2012 by way of selecting plants of the shortest stem. 38 years of selecting the shortest stem genotypes cut down plant height by 5,7 times at the background of dominant Hl gene expression. Average plant height during 38 breeding cycles was descending by 2,69 cm, but this was not an even trend. New creative donor for ultimate short stem characteristic, Gnome 3, has been developed, with Hl-3Hl-3alleles designation. Relative impact on the efficacy of minus-selection by the plant height of the selection differential (38,00%) and inheritance coefficient in its narrow sense (14,56%) is established. Efficiency of the selection is realized with the decrease of winter rye height plants by 72,08% as expected by the relative breeding forecast. Analyzes is completed for 11 genetic and statistical clusters of average utilitarian characteristics of Gnome 3 ultra short stem rye over the period from 1974 to 2012.

Наведено результати вивчення сортименту редиски в умовах Київської області. Встановлено, що формування раннього врожаю коренеплодів редиски та їхні товарні якості істотно залежать від сортових особливостей. В процесі дослідження вивчено характеристику шести сортів культури. Скоростиглістю (вегетаційним періодом 21–24 доби) та дружністю формування товарних коренеплодів відзначились сорти Крімсон та Родос. Товарна врожайність сортів коливалась у межах 18,2–29,1 т/га. Врожайність сортів Крімсон та Родос забезпечили коренеплоди середньою масою 30 та 28 г відповідно. За дружністю формування коренеплодів потрібно відмітити й сорт Вайт Брекфаст, у якого за перший прийом зібрали 75–80% врожаю коренеплодів.

The article provides results of studying the output percentage of green stem cuttings of seven varieties of Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) subject to the dates of cutting preparation, type of shoot and its metamerism in agroecological conditions of the Rightbank Forest Steppe of Ukraine. It is found that green stem cuttings of Highbush blueberry varieties under review display low regenerative ability and are characterized with medium rooting ability. The optimal procuring and planting for rooting dates for the shoots fall within the stage of their intensive growth, which lasts from the first decade of June till the second decade of July. The level of regenerative capacity for the cuttings is determined by the type of cutting and its metamerism. Basal three-node cuttings have displayed essentially improved rooting ability as compared to the apical and medial cuttings.