The isolation of protoplasts from diverse plant species is a widely employed technique. The purpose of this work is to develop an efficient system for isolating and purifying mesophyll protoplasts from Daucus carota. Main factors influencing the qualitative and quantitative dimensions of protoplast isolation procedures attempted to be optimized, using the well-established protoplast fusion technique as the foundation for the comprehensive analysis, including sorbitol concentration during the preplasmolysis stage and the duration of the enzymolysis process, those key variables affect the yield and survivability of the protoplasts. This research employed "Vil-1" carrot leaves as the primary source material to isolate protoplasts through enzymolysis. The data revealed that higher concentrations of sorbitol led to increased protoplast yield, with the optimal concentration being 0.5 M, which resulted in up to 95% protoplast vitality. Furthermore, prolonging the enzymolysis duration to 6 hours maximized both protoplast yield and vitality. The optimal conditions for isolating protoplasts were determined to be 0.5 M sorbitol pre-treatment for one hour, combined with a mixture of 1% cellulase, 0.1% pectinase, and a 6-hour incubation period.

This article presents the results of a study on the adaptive properties of various pepper genotypes to low nighttime temperatures (LT) based on their physiological characteristics. It was found that LT slow down growth and reduce yield in most varieties; however, C22 and P08 exhibited resistance to cold stress. The genotypic dependence of plant response is confirmed by the lower sensitivity of varieties C17 and P06. Temperature stress reduced fruit size and contributed to the formation of seedless fruits, whereas in variety C12, the number of seeds increased. The obtained data highlight the importance of selecting resistant genotypes for breeding and successful pepper cultivation under low-temperature conditions.

Intensive climate changes entail the possibility of effective introduction of some tropical plants in the northern hemisphere. Introduction of Physalis peruviana, Indian selection, along the Crimean southern sea shore in 2022-2024 revealed the perennial growth character of plants, fully flowering since the first decade of June, starting fruiting in late June, full fruit ripening in the second decade of July, and the possibility of partial ovaries shedding during the period of high temperatures (2730°С) from mid-July to August. In the mentioned conditions, fruits, leaves and calyx showed high antioxidant status. The efficiency of different extraction methods in polyphenol determination generated high prospects of dry fruit, leaves and calyx extraction with 70% ethanol at 80 oC compared to the application of water, 50% methanol and 98% ethanol extraction at room temperature. The fruits demonstrated similar values of the ascorbic acid (48.5 mg/100 g f.w.), monoand di-saccharide (35 and 51% per d.w.) content, and higher levels of dry matter (20.2%), phenolics (21.2 mg GAE/g d.w.) and carotenoids (4.51 mg/100 g f.w.), compared to the Colombian fruit randomly sampled at the local supermarket, but had significantly lower values of fruit titratable acidity (49.0 compared to 86.2 mg-eq citric acid/g d.w.). Mineral composition of plants revealed typical Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and Co distribution between fruit, leaves and calyx with calyx being the richest source of Fe (288.7 mg/kg d.w.). The results indicate high prospects of P. peruviana cultivation in Crimea.

Relevance. The introduction of new promising vegetable crops is of great importance for expanding the range and replenishing the population's diet with ecologically clean products. Daikon occupies a special place among vegetable crops. To date, the issues of introducing daikon samples have not been sufficiently studied. Therefore, the study of the relationships between the main morpho-biological characteristics of introduced varieties of daikon in the north-eastern part of Belarus and their use in breeding work is relevant.

The aim of the study. To study the relationships between introduced varieties of daikon according to the main morpho-biological characteristics in the north-eastern part of Belarus).

Methodology. The research was conducted on the experimental field of the Department of Fruit and Vegetable Growing of the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy in 2022–2024 on sod-podzolic medium loamy soil. The experiments were laid out in compliance with agrotechnical requirements for plant care throughout the entire observation period).

Results. When creating new varieties, special attention is paid to the relationship of characters, for the identification of which statistical methods are used, in particular, the method of correlation analysis. The analysis and use of relationships contribute to the identification of valuable source material at different stages of ontogenesis and its preliminary selection for targeted selection based on the assessment of associated selection-significant traits. As a result of research into introduced daikon varieties in 2022–2024, a comparative assessment was made of the main morpho-biological characteristics: number of leaves, length of leaf and root crop, diameter and weight of root crop, yield. Correlations between them were identified, which made it possible to identify promising varieties that contribute to accelerating the selection process in the search for source material).

Conclusion. As a result of the correlation analysis, on average for 2022–2024, a strong positive relationship was established between the characteristics “root crop weight” and “yield” (r=0,974), weak relationship between leaf number and root length (r=0,458), average between the length of the root crop and its weight (r=0,584) and productivity (r=0,641). The main economically valuable traits that influence the yield of daikon plants are the weight and length of the root crop.

Since ancient times, species of the genus Allium have played a significant role in the human diet, in traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases and in official medicine as raw materials, as well as medicinal and prophylactic agents. Phytochemicals such as organosulfur compounds, phenolic compounds, fatty acids and saponins are associated with the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of these species, among many other biologically active substances. All parts of the plant, including the bulb, leaf, pseudostem, root, flower and seed, exhibit antioxidant properties in in vitro assays. Characteristic phytocompounds that contribute to the antimicrobial activity of onion crops include allicin, ajoene, allyl alcohol and some diallyl sulfides. Nanoparticles synthesized using Allium species are also known for their notable antimicrobial properties. Allium species are a product with high nutritional value, and due to secondary metabolites, it is also used to protect plants with various products created on the basis of its biologically active components. Allium species are valued for their unique macroelement composition and are used as popular vegetables and spices. In the Russian Federation, there is significant biological and morphological diversity of cultivated and wild onion species. Over the past few years, an extensive program of collecting and studying Allium species has been carried out at VNIIO – a branch of the FSBSI Federal Scientific Vegetable Center. High morphological and biochemical variability of the studied species has been established, which can be used in breeding programs and when growing varieties.

Relevance. The most important direction in the breeding of beetroot is the production of competitive domestic industrial hybrids based on CMS, for which it is necessary to create a fund of parent lines with a complex of economically significant traits and resistance to diseases. Recently, the harmfulness of bacterioses, including those caused by the pest Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata (Psa), has been increasing in table beet crops, which determines the need to study the resistance of breeding material to bacteriosis at different stages of development.

The aim of the research. To screen the linear and inbred beetroot material for resistance to Pseudomonas siringae aptata and identify the most valuable forms from them for the creation of bacteriosis-resistant hybrids.

Materials and methods. Objects of research: collection isolate of Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata (Psa 1-21); root crops, leaves, and populations of pollen grains of plant lines and inbred descendants of beetroot. The methods of phytopathology and gametic breeding were used in the work, artificial infection of the sporophyte and gametophyte was carried out with an aqueous suspension or liquid culture of Psa, according to the results of which the samples were ranked according to

Results. Screening of linear and inbred beetroot material for resistance to Psa at different stages of ontogenesis (sporophyte, gametophyte) was carried out. It has been established that the sporophytic resistance of beet genotypes contrasting in resistance to Psa is determined by the level of organ-specific resistance. An inverse relationship has been revealed between the stability of the sporophyte and changes in the functional parameters of the microgametophyte, while it is advisable to use the stress tolerance coefficient (Ks) as a criterion fo2 r microgametophyte resistance, which is more associated with the damage score of root crops (R =0,66). It is recommended to use an aqueous suspension of the bacterium in two concentrations as a selective agent in the ranking of table beet samples for resistance to Psa. As a result of immunological screening, two breeding lines and four promising inbred offspring were selected and included in the breeding process, characterized by the resistance of the sporophyte and gametophyte to bacteriosis and a complex of breeding-valuable and economically significant traits.

Relevance. Industrial production of melons is mainly concentrated in the South-East of Russia due to climatic resources. At present, special attention among producers is paid to expanding the assortment of melon crops in order to meet the demand for all tastes. In order to reduce production risks from the impact of climatic conditions of the growing area, it is necessary to conduct environmental trials to expand the area of distribution of new varieties. Purpose of work: to obtain a reliable assessment of the main indicators of new melon varieties in the conditions of the foothill zone of the Crimea.

Material and methodology. To solve this problem in the department of breeding and seed production of vegetable and melon crops FSBSI “Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea" located in the village of Ukromnoye, Simferopol district, during 2023 – 2024, conducted research on testing three new varieties of melon selection Bykovskaya Melon Breeding Experimental Station is a branch of the FSBSI "Federal Scientific Center of Vegetable Growing". The experiments were conducted according to the Methodological Guidelines for breeding melon crops, Methodology of field experiment in vegetable growing .

Results. Оn average for 2 years, the advantage of Harmony variety in yield and average weight of one fruit over local variety Nasoloda was revealed. The maximum values of marketable fruit yield corresponded to Harmony variety, the difference with the control was 37.4 %. The average weight of marketable fruit of the studied varieties varied from 1.6 to 4.4 kg, the greatest weight was characterized by fruits of Harmony variety, the difference with the control was 36.8%. In terms of biochemical properties of fruit pulp, the variety Cassandra stood out. The excess in the content of total sugars was 22.5 %, reducing sugars – 36.7 %. All three varieties surpassed Nasoloda in resistance to the most widespread diseases.

Conclusion. Thus, two varieties can be recommended for production in our region according to the complex of main features: Harmony and Cassandra.

The aim. The work evaluates 14 economically significant species from the Lamiaceae family. The aim of the work is a comparative assessment of the species from Lamiaceae family by the stability of the composition of raw materials depending on the year weather conditions, which will allow predicting the raw materials quality for its use and processing.

Methods. The focus of the work is on determining the yield and flavonoid content. The yield was determined in 4-fold repetition; the size of the plot was 0.66 m² (1 linear meter with 60 cm row spacing). The sum of flavonoids was been determined by the spectrophotometric method («Shimadsu» spectrophotometer).

Results. The optimal harvesting period for the study-selected species is the beginning of mass flowering, which in the Moscow region falls on the last ten days of June – the first ten days of July. The maximum yield on average over 4 years was in Monarda fistulosa (350±42 g/m²), Nepeta grandiflora (363±40 g/m²) and Dracocephalum moldavica (440±76 g/m²). Based on the average four-year values, the maximum flavonoid content was noted in peppermint raw materials (3.52%), and in 2017 and 2018 it exceeded 4%. The flavonoid content was 1% and slightly more lower in Salvia officinalis (2.62%), Thymus serpyllum (2.44%), and Origanum vulgare (2.59%). The species 7 of the 14 studied had average values within 2-3%.

Conclusion. Flavonoid accumulation in plants of the Lamiaceae family is species-specific and varies greatly from year to year. Only Agastache foeniculum has a stable flavonoid content, as indicated by a variation coefficient below 10%. Dracocephalum moldavica, Monarda fistulosa, Thymus vulgaris, Thymus serpyllum, Origanum vulgare, and Satureja hortensis were been characterized by an average variation coefficient.

Relevance. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is a valuable medicinal plant, its raw material is roots. It is a protected species of the East Asian flora of the Russian Federation. The plant is included in 6 Red Data Books of the Far East and Eastern Siberia. Works on introduction of Scutellaria baicalensis carried out in many regions of the Russian Federation. At present, multifaceted biochemical studies of the flowering shoot mass of Baikal skullcap are being carried out everywhere.

The aim of the investigation is study of some biochemical parameters of flowering shoot mass of Baikal skullcap by structure in different weather conditions in different years.

Materials and methods. The object of the study was the population of Baikal skullcap from the biocollections of All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (Central Region of the Non-Chernozem belt). Studies were conducted in 2018 (optimal weather conditions) and 2020 (stresses weather conditions). The biochemical composition of the shoot of Scutellaria baicalensis studied in the Laboratory and Analytical Department of the FSBSI “Federal Scientific Vegetable Center” according to the following parameters: dry matter, ascorbic acid, total content of water-soluble antioxidants and total antioxidants in the alcoholic extract. The accumulation of these substances done in leaves located on the upper, middle and lower levels of leaves, inflorescences and buds, stems.

Results. Dry matter content of Scutellaria baicalensis herb components did not differ significantly by years. The maximum meaning of this indicator was in stems – 38.89-39.51 %, and the minimum – in inflorescences – 21.07 %, regardless of the level of location on the shoot. The total content of water-soluble antioxidants in the shoot mass under optimal precipitation was statistically significantly higher than this factor under dry weather conditions by 1.5-2.7 times. In inflorescences and buds the content of water-soluble antioxidants was lower than on average in leaves by 2.6-3.6 times. Ascorbic acid accumulation in leaves of S. baicalensis in a weather-optimal year (2018) exceeded its content in a year (2020) with numerous extremely changes in precipitation and air temperature during the growing season by 1.5 times. The total antioxidant content in the alcoholic extract in the shoot mass in the year with significant fluctuations in weather conditions (2020) was significantly higher than that in the year with stable weather conditions (2018). In both years of the study, the maximum value the total content of antioxidants observed in the leaves. In a weather-optimal year, these were the leaves of the lower level (77.52 mg-eq GA/g d.w.), and in a year with extremely fluctuations in weather parameters (2020), these were upper level (83.05 mg-eq GA/g d.w.).

Relevance. In recent years, there has been an alarming increase in the number of human and animal disease cases caused by opportunistic microorganisms. These pathogens are often found in agricultural plants, which serve as natural reservoirs for them. The mechanisms of plant damage caused by these pathogens are similar to those of human and animal pathogenic bacteria.As the ecology of these pathogenic bacteria has been studied, data has been obtained that clearly shows the possibility of their long-term survival and reproduction in plants, without any signs of loss of their virulence towards the main host organism.

Methodology. Tomato and potato plant samples (39 in total) were collected from 12 different greenhouses in the Moscow region. Genomic DNA and RNA were isolated using appropriate kits. Standard primers were used to amplify the hypervariable V3-V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Sequencing was performed on the Illumina platform. The obtained sequencing data was processed by a program written using the QIIME 1.9.1 algorithm. An open-reference Opec classification algorithm (OTU) was used, with a classification threshold of 97%.

Results. In this paper, we consider experimental evidence for the latent survival of opportunistic bacteria using both metagenome analysis of the bacterial community on protected plants and bacteriophage population analysis, which is used as an indicator of the presence of target species in the environment.

Relevance. There are very few studies on the role of plant viral infection in inhibiting the immune response of potato plants to the damage caused by leaf-eating pests; the available data has a fragmental character.

Materials and Methods. The research was carried out in an experimental field of FSBSI “FSC of Agricultural Biotechnology of the Far East named after A.K. Chaiki” in 2020-2023. The following potato varieties of Russian and foreign breeding origin were used in the experiment: Belmonda, Sante, Dachnyi, Yantar', Avgustin, Yubilyar, Kazachok, Red Lady, Labella, Queen Anne, Laperla, Smak, Lilly, Arktika, Svitanok Kievskii, Nakra, Dal'nevostochnyi, and Severnyi. The progression of plant viral infection and the degree of the damage caused by Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata were assessed on a point scale.

Results. The research established a direct correlation between a decrease in the immune response of potato plants to leaf-eating insects and the accumulation of viral infection without the renewal of planting material. Potato varieties Svitanok Kievskii, Nakra, Dal'nevostochnyi, and Severnyi were observed to have latent viral infection (from 0 to 0.5 points) in the first year of the experiment (2022) and were not susceptible to the potato ladybird beetle. Mixed plant viral infection manifested itself on potato plants in 2023 decreasing the immunity of the plants to phytophagous insects, particularly to the potato ladybird beetle. The progression of plant viral infection on variety Svitanok Kievskii reached four points while the degree of the damage caused by the potato ladybird beetle to potato plants was 1.2 points. The progression of plant viral infection scored about two points on varieties Nakra and Severnyi with a damage degree of one point. Variety Dal'nevostochnyi was the least susceptible to plant viral infection and the degree of damage was minimum as well.

Relevance. Every year, European countries review the list of approved pesticides and ban many of them. At the same time, increased agricultural intensification leads to soil contamination with pesticide residues, which is harmful to environment and human health. In this regard, using of biological solutions and biostimulants in the framework of comprehensive disease and pest control to ensure environmental safety is growing.

Methodology. In 2023, field experience was established to evaluate the effectiveness of combined use of fungicide Manfil (mankozeb 800 g/kg) and biofungicide Agat-25K (metabolites of the Pseudomonas aureofaciens strain) with the biostimulator ExcelGrow (Ascophyllum nodosum algae extract) in the control of Phytophthora and Alternaria on susceptible to late blight potato cultivar Arizona and susceptible to early blight potato cultivar Aluett.

Results. In the variants of combined use of fungicides with the ExcelGrow biostimulator, there was a significant decrease in the integral indicator of disease development, a significant decrease in the development of diseases compared with the variants of using only fungicides solo, as evidenced by the data of biological efficacy. In the experiment, it was shown for the first time that the use of the ExcelGrow biostimulator with Manfil and Agat-25K preparations increases their biological effectiveness on late blight resistant and susceptible to early blight varieties by up to 12%, additionally increases yields by 1.5-3.5% and demonstrates an increase in the marketability of tubers by 13%, which indicates that ExcelGrow increases the immune status plants, preventing their infection with Alternaria.

Relevance. Due to the frequent fluctuations in air temperature and the lack of the necessary precipitation to increase productivity and preserve the quality of local melon varieties, it is necessary to develop and introduce new elements of cultivation technology into production.

Material and methodology. The objects of research are a new variety of melon Ballada and water–soluble fertilizers Energen Extra, Aquarin vegetable, Agricola. The listed fertilizers in the experiment are used for two-fold foliar treatment during the periods of lash formation and before the closure of the lashes (after two weeks).

Results. During the experiment, a comparative analysis of the yield and biochemical composition of the grown products was carried out. In the study period of 2022-2024, as a result of plant treatment with watersoluble fertilizers, yields in all variants increased by 11.5%-42.6% above the net control. However, the maximum harvest was achieved in 2022. This was facilitated by the uniform distribution of precipitation during the growing season and low temperatures at the beginning of plant development. The highest yield this year was obtained after treatment of plants with Agricola, 42.6% higher than the control variant. At the same time, the largest fruits (the average fruit weight is 2 kg) were also grown in 2022 as a result of the use of Aquarin vegetable and Agricola preparations. The minimum yield increase was achieved in 2024 and amounted to 11.5-24.6% above the control due to adverse weather conditions. There was not a single rain in May. In July, the temperature exceeded the annual average by + 2.8 Co. As a result of a comparative assessment of biochemical parameters, the sweetest fruits were grown in 2024. The dry matter content in all variants ranged from 15.2 to 15.6%, with the highest value in the Energen Extra variant. The minimum values of dry matter were recorded in 2022 in the variants of Energen Extra and Agricola. Accordingly, the maximum values of total sugar were obtained in 2024 in the Energen Extra variant of 13.3%, and the minimum values in the Aquarin vegetable variant of 12.2%. A decrease in total sugar is also noted in 2022, with maximum values in the Aquarin vegetable variant of 12.2%, minimum values in the Energen Extra variant. The largest accumulation of ascorbic acid, 45.5 mg%, was noted in 2022 in the Aquarin vegetable variant, and the minimum in the Agricola variant was 40.4 mg%. The lowest values of ascorbic acid were obtained in 2024. The maximum values of this indicator were noted in the Energen Extra variant of 33.6 mg%, and the minimum values in the control variant of 26 mg%. The values of nitrate nitrogen in the study period in all variants did not exceed the maximum permissible concentration of 90 mg/kg.

Relevance. High rates of growth and development of Russian industry, as well as population growth, create the need for increased harvesting of vegetables, including carrots and beetroot. Nowadays, for successful development of vegetable production it is important to improve not only yields but also the quality of products. The population requires ecologically clean and balanced nutrition, and vegetables contain carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, enzymes, hormones, organic acids, minerals and other substances, and also serve as a rich source of natural antioxidants. The aim of the study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the effect of different systems of fertiliser application on the yield of root crops and on their biochemical quality indicators.

Material and Methods. The effect of different systems of fertiliser application on biochemical quality indicators of red beet variety Mulatka and table carrot variety Losinoostrovskaya 13 was studied on alluvial meadow soil in the conditions of the non-Black Earth region of Russia. Four variants of fertiliser application were considered in the experiment: mineral fertilisers as a standard conventional system of fertiliser application for the given region; organic fertilisers (biocompost); organic fertilisers in combination with root feeding with macroelements (NPK) according to the results of plant and soil nutrition diagnostics (plant and soil diagnostics of mineral nutrition was carried out according to the methods of Zerling V.V. (1990) and Magnitsky K.P. (1972)).

Results. As a result of the conducted research carrot yield was 51.2-63.9 tonnes/ha with standard yield 87.4-94.6%, red beet yield 41.7-54.2 tonnes/ha, with standard yield 80.7-92.3%. According to the results of biochemical studies during the harvesting period it was found that the content of dry matter in carrot root crops was within 11.4-12.3%, sugars 7.26-8.22%, carotene 6.38-8.16 mg%, nitrates 73-172 mg/kg; in red beet root crops respectively 13.1-15.0% dry matter, 10.12-11.68% sugars, 112.1-156.2 mg% betanin, 507-969 mg/kg nitrates. The highest yield of root crops was obtained when mineral fertilisers were used and when they were used in combination with organic fertilisers. The quality of root crops increased when organic fertilisers were used in combination with fertilisation with mineral fertilisers.

In recent years, research has been actively conducted on the use of drip irrigation in the cultivation of fruit and berry crops. It is known that drip irrigation helps to save irrigation water, as well as to create an optimal water-air regime of the soil throughout the growing season, which allows increasing the yield of agricultural land. Due to the technical features of the drip system, this irrigation method can be used for growing a wide variety of crops, adjusting it to the physiological needs of plants with a high degree of accuracy, depending on the natural and climatic conditions of the territory. Drip irrigation provides water supply directly to the root system of the plant, so water does not linger on the leaves, which significantly reduces the likelihood of diseases, creates a favorable microclimate in the surface layer, there is no over-compaction of the soil, which improves its aeration and the development of the root system of irrigated crops, and also helps to reduce water consumption. In addition, water-soluble fertilizers, nutrients and trace elements necessary for plant growth and development can be supplied through the drip irrigation system, which makes the system universal for use in agriculture. The article provides an analysis and generalization of the results of some studies and works on the use of drip irrigation in gardens and nurseries, for the cultivation of fruit and berry crops. The results of the considered works and studies show how effective modern drip irrigation systems are, how these systems differ from other irrigation methods, what disadvantages there are, and also by what indicators they are superior.