Relevance.The physiology of insects nutrition and digestion reflects the diversity of their food specialization, aimed at the most effective use of feed. The choice of the object of nutrition is provided by attractants in it, as well as the presence of substances necessary for the insect to pass the stages of development and general nutrition. On the other hand, the “plant-phytophage” system has well-developed barriers that limit the choice of plants by insects for settling, feeding, and eggs laying. In the modern literature, there is very little information on the effect of food plants on fertility, development duration, and changes in morphometric parameters in 28-spotted potato ladybird Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata (Motschulsky). However, they are important for understanding the ecology of the pest and developing effective control measures.Research methodology. The laboratory colony of Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata (Motschulsky) was established in 2019. Adults were collected in various locations throughout Primorsky Territory, Russia. For an introduction into the culture of the insectarium, imagos, clutches, and larvae were collected in natural habitats. Standard methods of keeping and breeding insect cultures were used, aimed at optimizing the parameters of the environment, the density of the content, and the feed supply.Results. The uneven influence of crops on different aspects of the ontogenesis of the potato ladybird was revealed. The potato was the most favorable food in most experiments. When feeding with this crop, the smallest incubation period of eggs, the largest sizes of larvae of initial ages, the largest sizes of pupae, fertility, low mortality was observed, and as a result, the largest growth coefficient (3.22±0.22) and the shortest period of development from eggs to imago (21.3±0.81) were revealed. The remaining forage plants used in the study showed a less unambiguous result. The different influence of crops on both individual indicators and the ontogenetic periods of the phytophage was found. When eating tomato, cucumber, pumpkin, lime, high overall mortality was noted. At the same time, linden stimulated the development of eggs and the growth of young larvae but provoked low fertility and a general prolongation of the development period. According to the set of characteristics, pumpkin, cucumber, and linden were the least favorable for nutrition.

Relevance. Evaluation of nutritional value of seeds of agricultural crops is considered to be highly significant for revealing new sources of antioxidants for humans.Material. The aim of the present investigation was antioxidant status and selenium accumulation levels by chicory seeds (13 cultivars) and comparison of the results with antioxidants status of seeds of other root vegetables: celery (5 cultivars), parsley (2 cultivars), parsnip (3 cultivars) and carrot (7 cultivars).Results. Among agricultural crops studied chicory was characterized by 3-4 higher levels of selenium accumulation by seeds and relatively low total antioxidant activity and polyphenol content. Anomalously high protein content in chicory seeds may explain the efficiency of selenium accumulation while relatively low antioxidant activity may be connected with lower levels of essential oil. Direct correlations between polyphenol content and total antioxidant activity were demonstrated for carrot (r=+0.924; P<0.01) and chicory (r= 0.803; P<0.01) seeds.

The article presents international and national documents providing regulatory support for the organic market. Organic agriculture, as a special direction of agricultural production, requires separate legislative regulation due to the specifics of relations arising in the process of production, sale and marketing of products, the availability of internationally recognized standards and certification procedures. Most of the countries of the world community have their own characteristics of the development of the sector of organic agricultural products, its production, marketing and regulation of these processes, regulatory support of the market for organic products. Organic farming in Russia today can rely on a system of legal regulation of organic production, including international and interstate acts on organic agriculture (JFOAM, FiBL, Codex Alimentarius Commission, regulations of the EAEU, EAEU and CIS), Federal law (93) and national state RF standards, regional laws and programs for the development of organic agriculture, certification organizations. Prior to the approval and implementation of the Federal Law on organic products at the regional level, several regions of the Russian Federation developed their own regulatory documents that allowed their producers to produce organic products. The legal impact on the formation of the organic market occurs not only through laws of direct action, but also through general economic laws, regulations, state programs, local regulations (for example, private standards of organizations), etc. The current procedure for passing certification in foreign countries and for Russian producers of organic products. The factors and conditions that allow to stimulate producers to increase the production of organic products, to pass the required and necessary certification of farms and products, making local products more competitive in comparison with other similar products are identified.

Common chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is widely known as a food plant. However, in folk medicine in many countries, the roots and leaves of chicory are used as a choleretic, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic agent. In this regard, a promising direction of research is a detailed study of the biological characteristics and chemical composition of this plant in order to substantiate its use for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. The article presents an analysis of the available information on the botanical classification and biological characteristics, agricultural technology, chemical composition and the use of the aerial part of the cultivated common chicory in scientific and folk medicine. Possible resources for collecting chicory leaves are wild-growing populations, as well as varieties of root chicory, which is grown in Russia as an industrial crop. Under natural conditions, chicory occupies disturbed habitats characterized by low soil fertility, pollution with heavy metals, and increased competition with other ruderal plants. While in the conditions of culture, the best agroecological conditions for growing plants are provided, accelerating their development and contributing to accumulation of biologically active substances in greater quantities, compared with wild ones. In this regard, a promising direction of research is to study the influence of various factors (illumination, temperature, weather conditions, agrotechnical measures, varietal characteristics, growth regulators) on the content, qualitative composition and dynamics of the accumulation of biologically active compounds in the leaves of cultivated common chicory.

Relevance.The solution to the problem of providing the population of our country with high - quality plant production all year round is possible when creating high-tech automated phytotechnological complexes based on innovative, resource-saving technologies for growing plants in an artificial climate, including the development of a new generation of root inhabited thin-layer analogues of soils.Materials and methods. The research was carried out under controlled conditions of intensive artificial-light culture, when growing lettuce plants of the Typhoon variety on thin - layer analogs of soil of various composition and a low-volume soil analogue based on high-moor peat with a low degree of decomposition "Agrofit", selected as a reference for comparison, in plant growing light equipment developed at Agrophysical Institute.Results. Evaluation of the influence of thin-film analogues of the soil based on the suspensions Cambrian clay, and /or sapropel in different ratios on the production process of lettuces showed when compared with control (hydrophilic fabric): a positive tendency to increase of height, number of leaves per plant; a significant increase in wet mass by 25-35%, dry mass in 54-80%, percent dry matter in 16-36%; increase of leaf area and photosynthetic capacity at 20-36%, net productivity of photosynthesis by 16-45%; a significant or in a form of tendency to increase in the content of potassium by 14-17%, calcium by 27-35%, zinc by 29-53% and disaccharides by 28-68%. In comparison with the low-volume analogue of the soil based on high-moor peat of a low degree of decomposition "Agrophyte" (standard), it was found an increase in the form of a pronounced positive trend in growth indicators - the height and number of leaves. wet, dry mass of plants, percentage of dry matter; net productivity of photosynthesis, a reliable or in form of trend to increase in leaf area, photosynthetic potential by 20-30%; an increase in the content of mineral elements in lettuce leaves. Possible reasons for the lower productivity of lettuce plants in the control were determined, and it associated with an increase in water intake in leaf tissues against the background of the absence of additional mineral and / or organic nutrition. The content of heavy metals and nitrates did not exceed the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) in all variants. All thin-layer analogs of the soil with the application of suspensions of various compositions can be recommended for growing lettuce in any cultivation facilities in conditions of intensive artificial-light culture.

Relevance. Dill is a popular food and medicinal crop (Anethum graveolens L.) of the Celery family (Apiaceae). Seeds of dill are included in the 14th edition of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation. However, this crop is characterized by a relatively low yield, which reduces the efficiency of its production. The use of environmentally friendly growth-regulating compounds can significantly increase the yield and improve its quality. As a growth-regulating, foliar treatment with a solution of the amino acid glycine was tested. The amino acid glycine is environmentally friendly and does not pose a danger to humans and animals. The aim of the work was to increase the productivity of garden dill using foliar treatments with glycine amino acid.Materials and methods. Dill varieties Gribovsky and Symphony were chosen as objects to study the effect of the foliar treatments with glycine. Sowing of seeds was carried out at an early date, which for the conditions of the Lipetsk region corresponds to the first decade of April, with a SZT-3.6 seeder with 15 cm row spacing. The seeding rate was 15 kg/ha, the seeding depth was 1-2 cm. were Treatment with glycine solution was achieved in plants rosette phase. The concentration of glycine was 25, 50 and 100 mg / l. The control plants were sprayed with distilled water. The crop was cut during the period of brown seeds on the central umbrella. The content of essential oil was determined by the 14th edition of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation (method 1). The content of the main components was determined by gas chromatography.Results. As a result of the research, a positive effect of foliar treatments with glycine on both yield and the content of essential oil in the raw material of dill varieties Gribovsky and Symphony was revealed. As a result of treatments, regardless of concentration, the seeds yield and the yield of essential oil per unit area increased. The increase in the mass of 1000 pieces of fruits was not unambiguous. Based on the results obtained, the effective concentration of amino acid glycine is determined not only by the characteristics of the variety, but also by weather conditions, when, depending on the conditions during the processing period and prior to harvesting, different aspects of the drug's action appear. According to the results of observations for 2 years and an assessment by the sum of the indicators, the optimal concentration of glycine in most cases was 100 mg / l, at the same time, for the Symphony variety for two years, two-foliar treatment with low concentrations of glycine (10 mg / l rosette + 10 mg / l budding).

The article presents a brief history of the establishment of the Laboratory of Plant Breeding and Seed Production of Solanaceae Crops of FSBSI FSVC. The process of development of tomato, pepper, eggplant and physalis breeding is shown from the beginning of the establishment until the present time. Practical selection of Solanaceae crops in FSBSI FSVC is directly connected with the name of Academician VASKhNIL A.V. Alpatyev, who is the founder of scientific research on thermophilic crops. On the basis of conducted scientific researches the technique of creation of cold-resistant, early-ripening cultivars of tomato was developed, including influence of certain conditions on parental forms and hybrid material from its first generations to increase adaptability to new, not characteristic conditions of selected material. Subsequently, this technique was applied to the breeding of sweet pepper, eggplant and physalis. Interspecific hybridisation was used to enrich the gene pool of Solanaceous crops. As a result of distant hybridization, the following cultivars were created: the original tomato cultivar Severyanin with large parthenocarpic fruits on 1 and 2 racemes; an anadrous mutant for use in breeding; ultra-rapid, short-stage forms for obtaining heterosis effect; the cultivar Vkusny with increased content of dry matter in fruits. On the basis of interspecific hybrid of Ph. ixocarpa x Ph. angulata, the cultivars Dessert and Lakomka, characterized by high yield and resistance to diseases, high content of sugars, pectin and absence of bitterness, are created. Types of pepper Capsicum chinense, C. frutescens and C. annuum were used to create resistant forms to viral diseases. Involvement of wild eggplant species (Solanum aethiopicum, S. macrocarpon) to the breeding process allowed to obtain hybrid combinations with flavonoids content 1,3 times higher and phenolcarboxylic acids 1,6–1,7 times higher than in S. melongena.The development of theoretical bases ofSolanaceae crops breeding for resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors, as well as for high quality production, allowed to create a series of cosmopolitan cultivars, which at present are in demand, both in production and as a source material. The current scientific priorities are to use innovative biotechnology and molecular marking methods to accelerate the breeding process and improve selection efficiency.

Relevance. Shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.) is a very useful and promising crop with high nutrition- al, taste and medicinal properties. Shallot is appreciated for its tender and juicy tasty greens, as well as early ripening of bulbs with a long shelf life. For widespread distribution and consumption, increasing demand and popularizing this culture, it is relevant to create new promising varieties with valuable economically useful characteristics that meet modern market requirements. When creating new varieties, it is important to search for sources of early maturity, keeping quality, productivity, yield and quality.The aim of the research was to study local varieties of shallots for a complex of valuable traits, select the best forms and create a new fruitful, white early-ripening white variety of the salad direction, possessing useful properties, good keeping quality of bulbs, resistant to unfavorable environmental factors for cultivation in the regions of the European part of Russia.Materials and methods. The initial material consisted of 18 varieties of the local population from the North Caucasian group, differing in morphometric, in particular the color of the bulb (yellow to white), biological and economic characteristics. The studies were carried out at the collection site of the Krymsk EBS, VIR Branch (Krasnodar Region, Krymsk). As a standard, we used two varieties included in the State Register with the color of the bulb from yellow (Off-season) to white (Snezhok).Results. The study of phenological, biological, morphometric and economic characteristics made it possible to select five promising forms that are valuable for the consumer: those with early maturity, productivity, light color, large long-term bulb, green feather productivity, winter hardiness and good taste. The best form – LSh 5-05, with a consistently high yield, long-term keeping quality of white bulbs, marketability, good mild taste and attractive appearance, is included in the State Register of the Russian Federation for admission to use as a shallot Blondin variety.

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. The article provides data on the distribution of Ambrosia trifida L. in the Vladimir region, beyond its borders in Russia and in the world as a whole. A new place of growth of Ambrosia trifida L. was revealed in the city of Vladimir. The use of ragweed as a medicinal plant and its role in human life are described. Taking into account the fact that ragweed damages agriculture and is included in the list of quarantine objects, the work provides general and specific measures to combat it.