The characteristics of new vegetable crop, anguria (West Indian gherkin, Cucumis anguria L.) cv. “Dieticheskiy” is provided. This varieties is mid ripening crop (48-50 days from germination to harvest) with yield 7,15-8,24 kg/mІ. The fruits are transportable, the tasting score is 4,4-4,5 points, the fruit weight is 43-50 g, storability is 7-10 days. The productivity is 45-50 fruits per plant. The cv. “Dieticheskiy” is resistant to powdery mildew and root rot. It is recommended to grow in greenhouses.

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 area of distribution and data of origin of witloof chicory are presented in the article. The method of development and main characteristics of cv. «Konus» of VNIISSOK”s breeding are described. The way of utilization, food value, medical properties of witloof chicory are shown. The biological features of the crop, adaptive characteristics, agro-technology of growing in open ground are described. Technological properties of growing room, the requirement for substrate, thermal conditioning, and watering are provided. The harvest time, planting material preparation for seed production, crop production practices and harvest of seed plants of witloof chicory are considered.

Intervarietal and ecological variability of biochemical parameters of six varieties and hybrids of Daucus carota L. of VNIISSOK’s breeding was studied. These data can be used for breeding of carrot for consistent high quality of product.The sources of high potential of such traits as the “total carotenoid content” (Moscowskay Zimnya A-515, Nantskya 4, Minor), the “total sugars” (Marlinka, Mars F1), the “content monosaccharides” (Gribovchanin F1) were identified. The sources of stability of biochemical parameters were identified. They are cv. Nantskya 4 and Minor (for the trait of the “total carotenoids”), cv. Marlinka and Moscowskay Zimnya A-515 (for the trait of the “total sugars), and hybrid Gribovchanin F1 (for the trait of the “total monosaccharides”). The environment of Moscow and Bryansk regions was used as a background for selection for adaptability of such traits as “total sugar content”, “total carotenoids”, and “nitrate content”. Along with the ecologo-geographic method, the step-type sowing method can be used. The most informative factor for evaluation of traits adaptability is a quality crop production developed at the first sowing time (6th May, 1st May, 5th May) and the second sowing time (16th May, 10th May, 15th May). Demonstration of stability of main biochemical parameters of carrot varieties and hybrids was determined. The possibility of screening of adaptable genotypes for traits of product quality, which depend on sowing time, was shown.

Knowledge of the specificity of accumulation of 137Cs and 90Sr by plants and limits of accumulation by plant fruits plays a key role at breeding of vegetable crops, which make demand for ecological safety of the product. The article is concerned with the study of varietal sources of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) aimed at development of ecological safety product on the territory polluted by radionuclides.The specificity of accumulation of radionuclides 137Cs and 90Sr was studied in 54 varieties of spinach at industrial contaminated and polluted lands. Experimental tests were conducted in the Moscow and Bryansk regions in 2012 and 2014. The absolute value of radionuclide 90Sr was higher than absolute value of radionuclide 137Cs in all studied zones. It was found that the hazard rate of 90Sr is higher because the level of pollution of product reaches up to 76% from maximum permissible concentration (MPC), while the level of product pollution by 137Cs is 26,4% from MPC. The spinach genotype differentiation for 90Sr in the most environments is lower than differentiation for 137Cs. The histograms of distribution 90Sr and 137Cs showed that samples amount in the groups of accumulation for both radionuclides are equal. Statistically significant data for radionuclides 137Cs and 90Sr in spinach were not obtained. The evaluation of spinach for low content of radionuclides should be conducted separately for each radionuclide on various backgrounds.

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.

Momordica (Momordica charantia L.) is unconventional crop of the Cucurbitaceae family for the central regions of the Russian. Fruits of this crop have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect. The influence of promising growth regulators from plants on the qualitative composition of fruits momordika has been studied. The positive effect of leaf extract yakon as phytoregulator on productivity increasing and fruit quality of momordika is shown.

Professor Dryagina Irina Viktorovna – 95th Anniversary.

The data of yield and tuber quality of earlyripening potato varieties obtained during tuber-formation in the forest-steppe zone of Tyumen region are presented. It was found that cv. Vesna, cv. Severniy, and cv. Red Scarlet are differed in their pattern of tuber formation in different time of growing. The cultivars Alena, Severniy, and Karatop are characterized by high starch accumulation and good taste qualities.

The total content of watersoluble antioxidants in the rhizomes of garden iris varies depending on the hardiness of the variety. Domestic varieties have better winter hardiness than varieties of foreign breeding. The amount of antioxidant content in the rhizomes at the winter-hardy varieties of iris garden after wintering is significantly reduced. The direct positive correlation between of the average degree of the total content of antioxidants in the rhizomes of iris garden and winter hardiness was revealed. The correlation coefficient is r=0,66. Therefore, the total content of water-soluble antioxidants in the rhizomes of iris garden can be apply as a potential marker of long hardiness source material.