A biochemical evaluation of 25 radish accessions (Raphanus sativus L.) on esterase isozymes of mature seeds has been carried out. The results of the experiments showed a wide range of diversity among the genotypes based on electrophoretic zones of esterase isoenzymes. The revealed isoenzyme complex of esterases was represented by eight isoforms with molecular weights from 37.7 kD to 57.6 kD. All accessions were divided into 13 electrophoretic zymotypes, differing from each other by the presence or absence of definite zones. The most often observed electrophoretic zymo-type is Gr. 1, which includes 24% of the total number of accessions evaluated. There are 8 zymotypes (Gr. 6 Gr. 13) with a frequency of occurrence 4%. Three groups (Gr. 2 – Gr. 4) had the same frequency of occurrence – 12%. Zimotype of Gr. 5 containes the maximum number of zones – 8. 2 zimotypes – Gr. 3 and Gr. 12 had the smallest number of 4 zones. Two zones of esterases – zones 7 and 8 (Мr 39.7кD and Мr 37.7 kD, respectively) were monomorphic. The remaining six zones were polymorphic, i.e. could be absent in some zimotypes. The frequency of occurrence of each zone in different zymotypes has varied from 6.58% to 17.11%. As results of this research the accessions that were selected can become the most promising parent forms for future genetic and selection studies of this culture.

The study on the diversity of root plants in the species of Raphanus sativus L., which are available in the collection of VIR, enables to comprehensively evaluate the collection of small radish and radish, making descriptions of new forms and cultivar-types, and revealing the biological features of the formation of photosynthetic apparatus, yielding abilities, resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors. This article is the first part of a series of articles devoted to the study of the gene pool of root plants of the species R. sativus L. from the VIR collection. The experimental part of the article includes the results of a study of previously unexplored accessions from the radish collection, the following articles will be devoted to the radish gene pool. As a result of the research conducted in 2016-2017. 110 samples of radish of different eco-geographical origin and representing variety of cultivar type were studied. The studied radish samples were combined into several groups according to the duration of the growing season (early ripening, mid-ripening and late ripening). A longer vegetation period in radish in winter-time-growing was observed in case of insufficient illumination, but some accesions of the red oval-rounded cultivar type (k-2133, k-2343, k-1742, k-2404) have not shown any change in vegetation period. There was a strong change in the shape of the root crop when growing in winter under insufficient illumination. Samples that are capable to form a consumed organ in such conditions without changing the shape of the root crop and vegetation period were k-2404, Netherlands, k-2133, Tanzania, k-2185, Poland, k-2343, Iceland, k-1666, Russia. Among the accessions of the red-oval-round cultivar type, varieties from the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Poland emerged, formed a short-rooted, compact rosette with an elevated leaf arrangement in all growing conditions. The formation of high productivity in the open field types was revealed in most cultivars, only the samples of the cultivars White long and Red gave high yields in protected soil. In the spring greenhouse a higher quality yield was obtained. Seven samples of radish have been selected, which are valuable for nearest breeding pro-gram. They can be used as a source breeding material for productivity, root quality, resistance to bolting at low temperatures and a long day.

Physalis commonly known as the husk tomato is an important vegetable crop in the diets of many nations. Their fruits are used in the making of chilli sauce, jams, candied fruits, pickles and dressing for popular dishes. Fruits can be marinated and added to the cucumber, tomato, cabbage, apple, pear, plum for canning. Boiled fruit of Physalis is used to prepare fillings and decorations for cakes. The number of fruits set is variable. The lateral and sub-lateral branches produce more flower buds, but they do not produce harvestable fruits. The elimination of sub-lateral branches would be very important for restricting fruit set. The ‘Lakomka’ variety produces 53 commercial fruits, but only 22 of them reach biological maturity (41.5%). Such traits as “number of fruits per plant” and “average fruit weight" vary substantially Cv = 36.98% and Cv = 33.5%, respectively. At the same time, in the variety ‘Lakomka’ weight of matured fruits on plant (1.76kg) is 73.3% at the total fruit weight -2.4 kg. This is because of the weight of one ripened fruit on the plants that is greater than not ripened one. The same results we observed in the cultivars ‘L–Fioletovy’ and ‘Lejkiy’. Weight of ripened fruits on the plant is about 50% from the total weight in the varieties ‘Lacomka’ and ‘Korolyok’. The "number of fruits per plant” and “average fruit weight” were the most stable in varieties ‘Konditer’, ‘Lacomka 2’ and ‘Lejkiy’. Totally, 320-450 seeds are developed in the fruit, where productivity reaches to 7.4-15.5 g/plant, depending on the variety. Tomatillo is genetically highly variable. To become a viable commercial crop, it will be necessary to develop plants with uniform fruit size and to breed a determinant plant type suitable for mechanical harvesting with most of fruits maturing simultaneously on the plant.

The important goal of breeding program is to achieve the heterosis effect and develop the appropriate breeding lines to be used for crossing. The cultivation of the variety or breeding line for a long time and selection process under the same environmental factors lead to decrease of livability and productivity of the variety or breeding line. The intra-varietal and intra-line crossing is the method that enables to improve the genetic basis of the existing breeding accessions, when increasing the recombination ability, particular-ly among valuable and rare characteristics. The accessions of sweet pepper of different ecological origin: local varieties ‘Aeneas’, ‘Ivanhoe’ (Ukraine), ‘Sladkiy’ (Italy), breeding line ‘n 138d’ (Russia) were taken to study the influence of intra-varietal crossing on recovery of combining ability in breeding lines. The progeny produced from intra-varietal crossing has been assessed for the fruit number, average fruit weight, yielding ability and marketability, and then consequently compared with control accession. As results showed the yielding ability had increased by 2.3-25.7%, depending on genotype, while the fruit weight had increased by 2-11%. Phenological observation showed that there is no significant difference at the phase of growing and development between control plants and plants produced through intra-varietal crossing. The detailed progeny assessment has revealed the different effect of adaptive ability among different plants when the plants crossing within the same accession. This enables to select the best accessions to be used in further heterosis breeding pro-gram.

The result of collaboration work between Siberian Research Institute of Plant Cultivation and Breeding, the branch of The Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICG SB RAS) and the company OOO Geterozisnaya Selectia on ecological trial and assessment of economically valuable traits were obtained in promising radish accessions. The data on influence of sowing terms on yielding ability, formation of flower bearing stalks was analyzed and morphological descriptions for radish accessions were given. It was shown that the development of marketable radish roots can be possible in condition of long lasting light period. When sowing in the second decade of June less number of flower stalks formed on the plants than on the control plants of ‘Raniy Krasniy’. The sowing in the first decade of August did not give any plants with flower stalks in accessions 17-12 and 17-13. The highest yield at first sowing term was observed in accession 17-12 at second sowing term in accession 17-13, 5.6 and 6.1 kg/m2 respectively. The accession 17-12 was distinguished by root weight, 19.2 g. The highest dry matter content (5.31%) was observed in accession 17-11; the highest total sugar content (2.18%) was in accession 17-12; the highest ascorbic acid content (25.1 mg %) was in accession 17-13. The comparative analysis of data on summer and autumn sowing terms showed that when sowing in summer time, at long lasting light period the radish accessions were characterized by the more number of plants with flower stalks; more developed leaf apparatus; larger roots and enriched biochemical composition as compared with the accessions sown in autumn time. All accessions tested belonged to early-maturing group, where the root formation takes for 22-25 days. For economically valuable traits the accessions 17-12 and 17-13 were selected out.

The main goals of the research were to study the factors affecting on the process of embryogenesis in culture of isolated microspores, optimize the existing protocols, and finally produce the doubled haploid plants in carrot (DH-plants). Out of 10 carrot accessions tested in 2017 the embyoids were obtained in 8 carrot accessions with the use of 5 different media. The highest yield of embyoids was obtained in accessions 7kt (84 embryoids per Petri dish). It was shown that       optimal                explants              were     buds      containing microspores at late vacuolated uninucleate stage. The first divisions in microspores were seen in 3 days of cultivation. After 40 days, the welldeveloped embryoids can be observed by naked eye. It was also shown that further cultivation of these embryoids on medium with 13% agarose over 60 days provoked the active secondary embryoid formation. Owing to this, it is recommended to place the embryoids at heart-shaped stages on another regeneration medium supplied with 2 % of agarose, enabling to register correctly the number of well-formed embryoids. We carried out the study on influence of such factors as genotype and composition of medium, and their combination on embryoid formation in 8 genotypes on 5 various media. ANOVA analysis showed that the plant genotype was the main factor causing the embryoid formation, whereas the effect of both factors had an impact on the number of embryoids developed. The counting the chromosome number in meristem cells and also observation of chloroplast number in stoma guard cells enabled to reveal that most of the plants produced were the doubled haploids

The results of the research work on inheritance of resistance to root-knot nematode in eggplant hybrids F₁ was presented in the article. The breeding of early-maturing, resistant to root-knot nematode varieties and hybrid may cover all population’s demand on eggplant fruits in spring time and preventing the loss in yield caused by root-knot nematode in Republic of Uzbekistan. The breeding program for these varieties and hybrids requires the knowledge of inheritance of these resistance traits. The line Mk/03 out of 100 accessions had been selected as a line bearing resistance to root-knot nematode, while the line Al/03 and Cc/03 were sensitive and used as second parental component for further crossing. It was shown that resistance to root-knot nematode in eggplant hybrid F₁ was inherited as dominant trait. The type of crossing did not affect degree of dominance. Among combination studied 50-80% of plants did not show any sign of damage, whereas only 20-46.6% of plants were weakly damaged with score 1-2. The degree of dominance was very high for all cases and achieved hp=-0.74, -0.9, i. e. the hybrids F were very close to parental accession insensitive to root-knot nematode. Our study showed that if one of the parental accessions has high resistance to root-knot nematode the first progeny with sensitive accession always shows resistance, and not depending on type of crossing the dominance of resistance can be observed.

Wild species of Allium L. genus are not only a harbor of resistance to biotic factors such as pathogens and pests and abiotic factor such as drought, cold and freezing, but also have the biochemical composition differed from cultural species. Crosses between wild and cultured species in Allium genus are usually performed to develop breeding forms with improved content of biochemically valuable compounds. Hybrids F₁ obtained from combination Allium сера x Allium nutans, where varieties ‘Stuttgarter Riesen’ and ‘Strigunovskiy’ served as parental forms from A.cepa were studied. Biochemical contents and morphological descriptions of obtained plants were also given in the article. NO³, К+, ascorbic acid, dry matter and total watersoluble antioxidants were analyzed in the plants. Increased content of NO³- was found in accession N13 F₁ of A. cepa x A. nutans combination that was higher than in other accessions, including control plants. The accession N15 had a much higher content of Cl- and K+ in leaves than in other accessions. The content of ascorbic acid in all hybrids was 2-3 times less than in control accessions and varied from 15.8 to 28.6 mg%. All hybrid accessions had less dry matter content than in control accessions, achieving 9.3 to 11.7%, in control plants, 12.7. The lowest antioxidant content, 15.3 mg/g (conc. in ascorbic acid units), was found out in accession N³, but the highest antioxidant content 37.3 mg/g (conc. in ascorbic acid units) was in accession N16; it was twice higher than in control plants. The obtained hybrid F₁ plants from combination A. cepa x A. nutans can be then selected for their best biochemical composition.

The study was performed to discover the effect of the loca-tion of umbel in ‘Centaur’ variety (Anethum graveolens L.) on the linear parameters of the seed. The seeds were sown on the experimental field of the FGBNU VNIIO in 2015-2016 and grown for seed production. 30 plants were selected in three-fold repetition for each variant at random, and umbels were cut in accordance with the experimental design. Then, the length of the seed, embryo and endosperm from umbels, located on the stalks of first, second orders of branching and controls were measured. It was found that the mean lengths of the elements of the seed (3.85 3.43 mm), endosperm (3.37 2.99 mm) and embryo (1.00 0.77 mm) of dill varied considerably and depended on architectonics of a seed plant and environment. The length of the endosperm averaged 88-89% of the length of the seed. The length of the embryo in the inflorescences of the first order was 26% of the length of the seed and 30% of the length of the endosperm, and in umbels of the second order was 5 and 6% lower. The length of the seed and endosperm was mainly influenced by growing conditions (77% and 81%, respectively), and the length of the embryo the maternal factor (92%). Correlation analysis showed that the influence of the length of the seed on the length of the endosperm had a high positive dependence (r = 0.961-0.978). Between the length of the embryo and the length of the seed; Also the length of the embryo and the length of the endosperm, a weak linkage was observed (r = 0.050-0.314 and 0.066-0.325 respectively).

Thevariety‘Sovinter’isaresultofbreedingprogramandoriginatedat FGBNU, Federal Research Centre of Vegetable Breeding has been included into State Register of Breeding Achievements and permitted to be used in 2015 as mid-ripening, simultaneous-pod-ripening and very suitable for canned-foods industry. The variety can be used as a raw plant material for cannery and will be served in industrial techno-logical chain as permanent source for food production.

The sweet pepper varieties ‘Dar Tashkenta’ and ‘Tong’ were included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements in 1980 and 2005 respectively, and recommended for cultivation in the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The planting schemes 70x30 (control), 70x20, 70x40, 70x40/2, 70x50 and 70x50/2 for these varieties were studied. The control variety was ‘Dar Tashkenta’. The feeding area and the number of plants per hectare embodiment was 0.21mІ² and 47.6 thousand plants; 0.14 mІ² and 71.4; 0.28 mІ² and 35.7; 0.28 mІ² and 71.4; 0.35 and 28.5 mІ² and 0.35 mІ² and 57.1 thousand plants. Studies were carried out in summer after harvesting early vegetable crops. During the spring period of the sweet pepper seedlings were planted in the second decade of April, they were planted in the second half of the month of June. It was shown that the planting samples and the density of plant standing had a different effect on the phenological phase of the varieties studied. In the variety of thickened ‘Dar Tashkenta’ (70x20 cm) to rarefied (70x50 cm) planting duration of about a period of from germination to 10% weight of technical maturity of the fruit was increased up to 8-10 days and amounted to 92-99 per day. The ‘Tong’ variety grew for 90-95 days. The phase of 75% of the technical ripeness of fruits in variety ‘Dar Tashkenta’ was for 108-114 days, in Tong for 104-110 days. The planting scheme has an influence on the following measurement parameters: the weight of the roots, the weight of the bush per plant, the number of leaves per plant, the area of the leaf blade, the number of stems of the first and second order, the length and diameter of the fruit, the number of fruits per one fruit set, the mass of fruit and yield. The number of plants from the first planting scheme to the last one was different and ranged from 28.5 to 71.4 thousand per ha. Therefore, the productivity of all varieties is estimated by the number of plants per unit area. Comparing with control (70x30 cm) variant, a low yield was obtained in both varieties with the planting schemes of 70x40 and 70x50 cm, according to the data 20.4 and 18.7 t/ha was in the ‘Tong’ variety 14.2 and 13.6 t/ha. In order to obtain a high yield, the optimal scheme of plant planting was recommended for ‘Dar Tashkenta’ and ‘Tong’: 70x20 and 70x40/2 cm, which corresponds to 71.4 thousand plants per hectare.

The article presents the results of research in the field of the application of new organizational and technological systems in mushroom growing, in particular, for the cultivation of the widespread mushroom culture such as oyster mushrooms, which takes the second place (about 1.5 million tons) in the world pro-duction of fruit bodies of cultivated mushrooms after champignon (2.8 million tons). The possibility of using closed technological processes for growing vegetable and fungus cul-tures in protected soil with the purpose of reusing organic substrates for oyster culture is consifered. In the closed production cycles the use of earlier utilized coconut material brought its actual initial cost to zero, minimizing cost for buying raw materials, initial materials, and expenses for their transportation. It was shown that the substratum that was distinguished by pro-ductivity had the following structure: coconut material after the first year of use (1 year) + hemp hurds + wheat bran (20%:75%:5%), and with yield of 3.2 kg from 10 kg of a substrate (32%). By our calculations the level of productivity of mushrooms not less than 20% of the mass of a substratum (200 kg/t), which was in accordance with technological cultivation norms for fruit bodies was economically effective. In this case profitability was 33%. Stable production profitability has been achieved by the level of productivity of an oyster mushroom to 30-35% from the substratum mass, with profitability, 95-127% respectively.

The aim of the present investigation was development of an efficient technology for obtaining powders from fresh broccoli; determination of the possibility of using domestic production of broccoli as an import-substituting product; development of regulatory documentation for broccoli powders for the food industry. The research was carried out jointly with the representatives of the Federal Scientific cen-ter of vegetable production on an experimental basis in 2016. The domestic Tonus variety of broccoli (Federal Scientific center of vegetable production) and the Maraton F₁ hybrid (France), differing in appearance, vegetative period, biochemical and physical characteristics were chosen. Technology of broccoli powder production from domestic and imported products was developed using two methods of drying convection and lyophilization. The gentle drying conditions of broccoli freeze drying compared to convective drying technology provided higher content of both vitamin C and polyphenols in the final powder. Comparative studies of organoleptic and physico-chemical properties of powders obtained from domestic and imported broccoli demonstrated close quality parameters, indicating the possibility of effective domestic broccoli utilization and import substitution. For the first time in the Russian Federation, the "Organization Standard" was developed for regulation of the quality parameters of broccoli powders intended for use in the food industry.

Taking into account the importance of Hauttuynia cordata as a vegetable and medicinal plant in the South-East Asia, and the possibility of its cultivation in a temperate climate, the morphological and biochemical features of the plants belonging to ‘common’ and ‘variegated’ forms were studied in conditions of a greenhouse. We used a peat as a sub-strate for growing plants. The content of macroand microelements in rhizomes and leaves was estimated with use of the synchrotron radiation induced X-ray fluorescence analysis (SR-XRF). During three months of cultivation, the total phytomass of ‘common form’ increased from 4.7 ± 0.84 g to 30.3 ± 8.00 g, i.е. in 6.4 times, while in rhizomes it reached 51-56% out of the total phytomass. The size of the leaves of ‘variegated form’ was 15 29% less, as com-pared with the ‘usual form’. The height of the plants was 25.9 ± 0.98 cm in the ‘usual’ and 29.0 ± 0.62 cm in the ‘variegated’ form, the length and width of the leaf blade were 6.6 ± 0.26 x 5.9 ± 0.25 and 4.70 ± 5.00 x 4.90 ± 5.50 cm, respectively. Plants of the ‘common’ form formed api-cal, elongated, dense, ctenopod spine inflorescence with flowers lacking perianth, with three stamens and 3-4 fused carpal forms forming syncarpous gynoecium. ‘Variegated’ form did not form any inflorescences. H.cordata leaves con-tain 35, 6 mg% ascorbic acid, rhizomes ‒ 14.2 mg%. Leaves of H.cordata mainly accumulated Mn, Fe and Cu, and the roots ‒ Fe, Co, Cu and Zn. It is necessary to carry out the further study on new promising functional food.

The study was carried out in 2011-2013 with the use of local variety of root chicory ‘Yaroslavskyi’. It was shown that application of green manure crops such as pea-oat mixes and fertilizers significantly raised the number of leaves from 11, as in control to 20.6, as it was observed in variant after ploughing pea-oat mixes supplemented with N₆₀P₆₀K₁₂₀ + В + humate. The well-developed leaf apparatus and improved photosynthetic potential in plant have been obtained up to 1.54 million m² days/ha. Green manure crop precursors had a positive impact on weed infestation in crop area. The least number of weeds was observed with application of pea-oat mixes as precursors, 15.8 pcs /m². The analysis of fertilizer action showed that the highest yield of chicory roots, 38.4 ton/ha had been observed with supplementation of fertilizers in rates N60P60K120 + В, and plant treatment with humates, where the addition was in ratio to fertilized ground of 13.5 ton/ha or 54,2%. According to three-year-results the following variant oat+pea+ N₆₀P₆₀K₁₂₀ + В + humates had been recommended to be submitted for experimental and production trial testing. With application of recommended variant the more vigorous development of leaf apparatus was observed. The cultivation of chicory on pea-oat mixes supplemented with mineral fertilizers and ‘Humistar’ gave the improvement in yield for all years of testing and was on the average 40,8 ton/ha, or 129,5% to control variant. The conditional net profit was 129.1 thousand rubles/ha; true cost was 2.8 thousand rubles/ha; profitability was 56.3%.

The economic importance of chicory root as raw material for the food industry and for other sectors of the economy is presented in the article. Healing properties of the culture and its application in the medical purposes have been also shown.

The effects of different fertilizer rates, irrigation, sowing rate for carrot and red beet were studied in the field condition in food-hills zone of Chechen Republic. The use of N_40-80P_40-80K_40-80 caused the increase in yield from 22.8 to 30.8-33.2 t/ha or by 35-46%, when cultivating a carrot crop. Under irrigation the yield increases by 30-33%. Application of N₄₀P₄₀K₄₀ and maintenance of soil moisture at 70% of moisture rate provoked the improvement in value, market and biochemical characteristics of roots; where the increased contents of dry matter, total sugar and vitamins were observed. The mathematical modeling for the process of yielding abilities and root quality in carrot and red beet showed that highest productivity can be achieved on chernozem soil at Central Pre-Caucasus zone when the level of mineral plant nutrition was N_40-60P_40-60K_40-60. The further increment in fertilizer doses does not bring an improvement to yields and leads to decrease in quality of yields. The increased level of antecedent soil water moisture 70-75% of moisture rates does not raise the yield, on the contrary decreasing at the same time the root quality. The use of mathematical modeling enables to rationally define the fertilizer rates depending on application of irrigation and sowing rates in cultivation of carrot and red beet.

Lettuce is very popular in the Russian consumer market. Special conditions for its cultivation determine the need to select modern, inexpensive elements of agro-technology that promote high yields. At present biochar (bio-coal) is considered as a promising organic fertilizer. Its main difference lies in the possibility of using any organic raw material in its production. In Russia, the study on the use of biochar is limited; there is no practice of applying it in the complex of agricultural techniques of various agricultural crops. In the conditions of vegetative experiment, the influence of various doses of biochar in ordinary chernozem on the growth and development of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) cultivar was studied in accordance with the developed experiment scheme: control (without biochar), supplemented with 1, 2 and 5 % of biochar. In the experiment, biochar obtained from birch wood was used, by pyrolysis method in fraction of 0.5-5mm. The following observations and determinations were made: the timing of the onset of the phases of plant development, the length of the roots, the number of leaves, the length of the largest leaf, the height of plants, the diameter of the rosette, the mass of 10 plants. The use of biochar contributed to a reduction of beginning period technical ripeness in plants, particularly in variant with the addition of 2%. The increase in root length, the number of leaves of lettuce plants as compared with to control in variants with 2 and 5% of biocar has been observed. The length of the largest leaf, the height of plants and the diameter of the rosette of lettuce are characterized by a significant improvement, even in variant with 1%. Productivity of lettuce was highest in the variant with 2% of biochar applied to the soil.

Potato and table beet are traditional crops in vegetable growing in Russia. It is important to produce high, environmentally friendly crops. The effect of mineral fertilizers to reduce the accumulation of heavy metals (HM) in beetroot and potatoes was studied in the experiment on ordinary chernozem. The soil was supplied with Cu, Zn and Pb, as a mineral fertilizer, Azofosca (N16%, P16%, K16%) was also used in the experiment. Salts of heavy metals and fertilizer were introduced in accordance with the developed scheme of experiment: 1. Control; 2. Cu₁₀₀Zn₁₀₀Pb₁₀₀; 3. N₆₀P₆₀K₆₀ + Cu₁₀₀Zn₁₀₀Pb₁₀₀. In the soil, the total stock of metals and their mobile forms were determined, and the content of metals and yield were defined in plants. The results of the study showed that for gross forms MRL exceeded in all metals studied, and in mobile forms of Cu and Pb. With the joint application of HM to the soil with fertilizer, the mobility of metals decreased. In the root crops, the excess of MRL for Cu, Zn and Pb was observed. With the joint application of HM with fertilizers, the content of Zn and Pb in the root crops decreased below the MRL. Beet was more likely to accumulate HM than potatoes. The yield of beetroot and potato beets varied greatly in terms of experiment options. Thus, the introduction of HM into the soil significantly reduced the yield of beets. The introduction of fertilizers together with HM contributed to an increase in yield, but for beet, the yield level here was also lower than in the control variant. When growing roots in technogenically transformed conditions, the potato is characterized by sufficiently higher yield stability and does not accumulate toxic amounts of HM on a fertilized ground.

Watermelon is one of the most common crops of medium melons. Biological peculiarities of cultivation of watermelon allow using global warming as a factor expanding the area for cultivation. Breeding work is carried out to develop new varieties and hybrids of watermelon suitable for cultivation in more Northern areas of the Russian Federation with a shorter vegetation period In Bykovskaya Melons and Gourds Experimental Breeding Station. To accomplish this goal the creation of new varieties of watermelon, early maturity with excellent taste, friendly fruit ripening, drought-resistant, suitable for intensive cultivation technology is carried out. Currently, the new early maturing variety of watermelon ‘Meteor’ with a growing period for 65-70 days and dry matter content to 12.0% has been transferred to the State Variety Trial. According to research results, comparative characteristics between new promising variety ‘Meteor’ and control variety ‘Zenith’ were given. The ‘Meteor exceeded the standard variety in yield ability by 19.0 сwt/ha. According to pathogen tests for complex resistance the ‘Meteor’ exceeded the control by 6.4 % for Fusarium, and scored at 0.8 against Anthracnose attack.

Research work is underway to create pumpkin varieties satisfying the requirements of consumers and the processing industry in Bykovskaya Melons and Gourds Experimental Breeding Station. The aim of the research was to develop pumpkin varieties with high content of dry matter and carotene, resistant to stresses and suitable for use in the food processing industry. Romantica is the variety resulted from breeding program, based on comparative characteristics of ‘Romantica’ and standard variety of Volzhskaya Seraya 92. New pumpkin variety ‘Romanctica’ exceeds the standard in contents of dry matter by 1.2%, sugars by 1.34%, sucrose by 1.73%, carotene by 46.44 mg%, yield by 0.5 t/ha. On the resistance to powdery mildew in artificial infection of sort of Romance has surpassed the standard by 11%, score at 0.4.

A complex analysis is crucial for obtaining new resistant varieties and developing recommendations for the use of the fruit of Chaenomeles. The task of this study was to assess the productivity and quality of the fruit of the selected forms of Chaenomeles in Central Russia, with the determination of the possibility of a no-waste technology for fruit processing, and the appropriateness of using functional food in the composition of products. The studies were conducted in 2012-2016. In the Botanical Gardens of the National Research University "BelGU" (Belgorod), in the FGBNU VSTISP and GBS N.V. Tsitsina. As materials for the study, 6 selective forms of Chaenomeles, obtained from free pollination of the ‘Calif’ variety, used as a control, were used. The study was carried out according to the generally accepted methodology of varietal studies, along with using the authors' methodical development. A sufficiently high nutritional and biological value of the chelating of the Chaenomeles fruit has been observed. At the same time, the minerals, carbohydrates and vitamins from entire fruits exceed the content of ones squeezed from the pulp. The obtained results of the studies allow us to conclude that it is advisable to organize a non-waste technology for the processing of fruit of Chaenomeles, which can serve as one of the components for the enrichment of food products. Thus, a comprehensive assessment of the biological properties and productivity of breeding forms of Chaenomeles has been made showing that they exceeded the parent variety in stability are regarded as promising intense-vitamin fruit culture, that can be used for various processing methods, as part of functional and therapeutic product-prophylactic nutrition, especially in obtaining natural low-calorie foods.

Development of functional food products technology is considered to be a prospect way for creating new food products. Such products are known to be popular among consumers. Utilization of plant proteins allows to widen and improve food assortment and quality. The article represents a review of plant proteins utilization in production of functional food. For optimization of flour confectionery chemical composition the authors utilized a method of receipts modeling. Simulation of combined products is based on the principles of food combinatorics and aims to create recipes of new types of food products on basis of methods of mathematical optimization by reasonable selection of the basic raw materials, ingredients, food additives and dietary supplements, totality of which ensures formation desired organoleptic, physical and chemical properties product as well as a predetermined level of food, biological and energy value. Modeling process of combined products recipes includes the following three stages: preparation of input data for the design, formalization requirements for the composition and properties of raw ingredients and quality final product, process modeling; product design with desired structural properties.

The aim of the research was to study the dynamics of active and titratable acidity with a low and high initial titer, while cultivating white head cabbage of the variety ‘Parus’ with lactic acid bacteria Leuconostoc lactis VKPM V-12150 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides VKPM V-8818 in the basic model medium (BMS) and the modified model medium (MMC) during fermentation . In this experiment, two important questions were considered: the creation of favorable conditions for the growth of lactic acid microorganisms and the suppression of undesirable pathogenic microflora, which can eventually lead to product spoilage. One of the key questions is to scale the results of studies related to the fermentation of plant objects by microorganisms on initially non-sterile raw materials that is the requirement to create as possible fast the conditions that restrain the reproduction of Cl. botulinum, preventing toxin accumulation in the product. Therefore, an important factor is the observance for the necessary boundary condition where for international standards, it reaches pH ≤ 4.6, and for Russian standards it reaches pH ≤ 4.2. Hence, an analysis of the experimental data showed that these boundary conditions were reached after the expiration of essentially different time intervals during the cultivation of microorganisms with different starting titers. As a result, it was shown with which lactic acid microorganisms the optimal parameters for the dynamics of active and titratable acidity were obtained, when the boundary condition reached pH 4.2. Since this value determines more "stringent" requirements for product safety. As a result of studies it was found that optimal parameters for the dynamics of active and titratable acidity when a limit pH value of 4.2 is obtained in the cultivation of lactic acid bacteria L. mesenteroides in the MMC, revealing that the value of the starting titer ranging from 3*103 to 3*105 CFU/g.

The regularity of the influence of the culture medium (substrate) on the development of microflora at the stage of preliminary fermentation of the model medium on the basis of white cabbage varieties "Parus" was studied. During the research, strains of lactic acid microorganisms Leuconostoc lactis were used. Step-by-step mathematical processing of the experimental data was carried out. Functional dependencies are obtained that most adequately approximate experimental data for modified (MMC) and basic (BMS) model media. Analysis of the experimental data showed that, depending on the type (composition) of the medium, the same species of microorganisms exhibit different dynamics of titer growth. In connection with this, an algorithm was developed to determine the optimal duration of pre-fermentation – «stop points». As a result of the research, it can be seen that the modification of the model medium with the addition of table salt and ascorbic acid to it promotes the formation of positive dynamics of the comparison indicator. This dynamics has three extremes, but only extremes are of practical significance, which were in the interval of the monotonic decrease of the titer. For successful development of the starting culture of the stage of the main fermentation, one of the conditions is a relatively small amount of the titer of the first culture at the end of the preliminary fermentation step to exclude competition. Thus, the position of the «stop-point» position corresponds to the period after the last peak of the comparison indicator. The investigated regularity of the effect of the preliminary cultivation of gram-positive microorganisms on the activity of lactic acid microorganisms in the process of fermentation is topical, since the whole process and the production of high-quality products fully depend on this approach.

Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of tomatoes carote-noid composition is considered to be the basis of tomato selection. Among known methods of identification and carotenoid content determination thing layer chromatography (TLC) is characterized by inexpensive, quick and availab-le method of analysis. Comparison of individual tomato carotenoid content data obtained using wellknown empirical formulas and based of TLC separation on chromatoraphic paper was achieved. Empirical formulas for the determination of lycopene and beta-carotene concentrations were shown to give high variations in beta-carotene content and decreased values of total carotenoids concentration values. Developed conditions of chromatographic separation and identification of selected carotenoids are based on different polarity of individual pigments and specific absorption spectra of the latter. Method of thin layer chromatography may serve as a quick and effective method for quality evaluation of tomato fruit of different color and determination of beta-carotene, ζ-carotene, neurosporene, lycopene and lutein content.

The article reveals the essence and systematizes the advantages of financial and economic integration. In the agro-industrial complex, this kind of integration contributes to attracting investments and reducing risks for investors, increasing the competitiveness and economic growth of the region. The relevance of the study is due to insufficiently researched remains many aspects of the functioning of integrated business systems in relation to individual industries, in particular, to agroindustrial production. The aim of the article is to study theoretical approaches to the essence of financial and economic integration in agro-industrial production and analyze the mechanism of investment support for the Russian agrarian sector, taking into account financial and economic integration. In preparing the article, general scientific methods of research were used: analysis and synthesis, generalization, comparison, classification. Results. The interpretation of financial and economic integration in Russian and foreign scientific publications is generalized. Distinctions of financial and economic integration are distinguished from other economic processes. The advantages of financial and economic integration for the economy and business entities are systematized. The importance of integrating industries and business entities in the agro-industrial complex, which is of strategic importance for ensuring Russia's food security, was noted. The branch structure of the agro-industrial complex is analyzed. The scheme of the integrated financial and economic mechanism in the agroindustrial complex is described. The importance of an optimal balance between cooperation and integration was underscored. The insufficiency of the methodological level of studies of agro-industrial integration is grounded. The components of the effect of financial and economic integration are considered. Positive effects of integration processes in the agroindustrial complex are presented. Conclusion: the use of different forms of integration in the agro-industrial complex clearly has a positive effect on the growth of investment support for regional agricultural production. The integrated system is the most beneficial form of cooperation between agricultural enterprises, which helps attract investment and reduces risks for investors, can increase the competitiveness and economic growth of the region.