Relevance. Population growth and income growth, especially in urban areas, are already causing an increase in market demand as consumers seek to optimize their nutrition. Increased vegetable production to meet this demand creates important economic opportunities, especially for greenhouses.

Materials and methods. The purpose of the research is to analyze the stages of development of domestic vegetable growing in greenhouses and the problems of organic greenhouse farming in the Russian Federation. The methods used in economic science were used. The research information base  was compiled by official state statistics; normative legal acts of federal and regional levels; data of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation; reference materials of specialized publications on the subject under study; materials from participants in the market of vegetables of greenhouses, own research and other.

Results. The development of protected ground in Russia has repeatedly been given the attention of state bodies. The main stages of the formation of domestic vegetable growing of protected soil are considered; trends characteristic of the domestic market, which is subject to the influence of external and internal factors. Currently, in general, vegetable growing in closed ground is showing positive dynamics. Since 2000, the production of greenhouse vegetables has increased by 3.6 times. The gross growth of vegetables is due to the positive dynamics of two components: an increase in the area of new generation greenhouses and an increase in yield per meter of inventory. Most of the greenhouses being built and commissioned are high-tech complexes, the construction of which was made possible thanks to  state support. The competitiveness of domestic vegetable products is possible in the formation of a favorable investment climate for the development of innovative technologies and increase the  profitability of greenhouse plants. This can be achieved by limiting the growth of prices for material and technical resources (equipment, fertilizers, protective equipment, energy, etc.); increase in the share of vegetable producers in the final market price; stabilization of decent prices for vegetables; increasing incomes (to maintain consumer demand); accelerated technical and technological modernization of production; maintaining state support; a ban on the return of unsold products. Pursuant to Federal Law No. 280-ФЗ “On Organic Production and Amending Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation” dated January 1, 2020, it is necessary to provide public and private financing for organic greenhouse farming as part of the research program of the Federal Research Center for Vegetable Production as the only state research institute for vegetable growing.

Relevance. A possible scenario of state self-isolation during an emergency actualizes interest in the study of foreign trade turnover of food calories as a factor of national security.

Methods. The article considers issues of caloric value of export and import of the Russian food market for period 1998-2017.

Results. The study was based on some hypothesis that the calorie content of exported grain was higher than a import of low-calorie foods like vegetables, fruits, and dairy products. The testing this hypothesis showed a sixfold excess of food calorie content of export over import and h a seven-fold cheapness of exported calories over imported ones. It was revealed that exports was represented by plant calories (grain), and import was represented by animal calories (dairy products). It was proposed to freeze the export of plant calories into emergency period and redirecting to development of domestic animal calories.

Relevance and methods. Among vegetable crops, root crops are particularly popular among the population both in the Russian Federation and abroad: carrots, beetroot, radish, turnips and parsnips, which are sources of various vitamins. A significant share in the structure of production and acreage is occupied by carrot and beetroot. According to FAOSTAT data, in 2018, the Russian Federation produced  1508 thousand tons of carrot and 837 thousand tons of beetroot, which is 60 and 30%, respectively, of the existing needs, even the import of these products does not fully meet them. Based on the strategy of food security, in order to increase the population's supply with domestic products, it is necessary not only to increase the acreage, but also to quickly introduce F1 varieties and hybrids of domestic selection that meet the requirements of industrial technologies.

Results. Given these requirements, breeders, FSBSI Federal Scientific Vegetable Center, using classical and modern methods to accelerate the breeding process, developed varieties and hybrids table root crops. Carrot F1 Nadezda (variety Nantes), F1 Rif (variety Shantane) with a yield of more than 90 t/ha, high uniformity, safety 95-98%, group resistance to diseases storage, Margosha variety (variety Nantes/Berlicum) with a stable yield at least 100 t/ha, high environmental resistance; single- and double-seeded varieties of beets, Bordo odnosemyannaya, Lubava, Gaspadynya, with a marketability level of 95-98%, intensely colored pulp without clearly defined rings; Japanese Geisha and snow maiden turnips with edible leaves and juicy tender root pulp and ultra-ripe forms of Sapfir, Biryuza and Selecta for flow hydroponics; precocious varieties of radish Aria, Sonata, myth and moor resistant to stalk and high ascorbic acid content.

The practice of application of terms characterizing the phenomenon of variability and heterogeneity of seeds, fruits and diasporas is given. The ambiguity and inconsistency of some of them is shown. The methods of systematization and typification of seeds of different quality, based on the features and nature of the manifestation of variability of seed characteristics and causes of their causes, are considered. The main directions of practical use of knowledge about seed polymorphism, including to increase seed productivity and optimize the variability of seed parameters in the growing process, are shown. The principles of evaluation and selection of aligned fractions by morphological features correlated with high sowing and productive qualities in the process of seed refinement in the post-harvest period are presented. The morphological and anatomical causes of defects and injuries in the process of drying and processing of seeds as specific indicators of different quality are considered. The use of dispersion analysis to identify the contribution of hereditary, environmental and matrix factors in the variability of morphological characteristics of seeds, including the length of the embryo, is discussed. The features of the signs of  abnormal variability of seeds, which have an obvious and hidden nature of manifestation, are shown. Methods of selection improvement of morfometric parameters, physiological, biochemical and productive properties of seeds as methods of cardinal improvement of quality of seeds are discussed.

Relevance. Image analysis is an accessible method that can convert qualitative variables to quantitative variables. Computer imaging has been used in seed biology in a variety of ways, including testing emergence rate and identifying them. The paper examines the development in the field of computer image analysis that contribute to a better understanding of seed morphology in terms of their radial heterogeneity parameters: size, shape and color range. The size and shape of the seeds depends on the location of them in the inflorescence.

The aim of the work was measuring geometric indicators and analyzing the color characteristics of Allium cristophii seeds in the RGB system, due to the multi-tiered arrangement in the inflorescence.

Methods. TThe heterogeneous seeds A. cristophii Trautv were analyzed. From AllRussian Scientific Research Institute of Vegetable Growing biocollection – branch of Federal Scientific Vegetable Center. The morphometric and optical parameters of the seeds were measured by analyzing their images using the VideoTesT-Morphology software.

Results. Analysis of Christoph onion seeds heterogeneity showed that the length and width of the seeds from the lower tier were 3.301 and 2.681 mm, from the average – 3.295 and 2.605 mm and from the upper tier – 3.265 and 2.58 mm respectively. The average seed size from the lower tier was 2.99 mm, the average size was 2.95 mm and the lower tier was 2.92 mm. Statistically significant decrease of indicators over all color channels (according to RGB color model) from the lower tier - to the upper tier
was revealed. The tiered arrangement of flowers on the inflorescence is the cause of non-time maturation of Allium seeds. Operational ease, low cost commercial computer technology, and non- destructive seed analysis and sorting highlight the potential of this method for application in a seed laboratory.

Relevance. A comprehensive study of broad beans, including seed productivity and soil mycocomplexes of their anthocyanin-containing varieties, is relevant, given the need to increase the growth of crop productivity and the special contribution of micromycetes to soil phytomelioration, which is an important link in organic farming.

Methods. In small-scale experiments in the city of Belgorod, varieties of beans with anthocyanins in the seed coat were studied (Bobchinsky, Karmazin, Pink Flamingo, Russian Blacks, Tsarsky Harvest, Bel-1). The selection of soil fungi was carried out by the method of soil dilutions of Waxmann, followed by deep sowing in solid nutrient media. To assess the similarity of the complexes of soil micromycetes under varieties of beans, a similarity coefficient was used.

Results. Field trials of varieties of beans Vicia faba L. (Bel-1, Bobchinsky, Karmazin, Pink flamingo, Russian black, Imperial crop) containing anthocyanins in seed coatings showed that the highest yield of seeds is characteristic of the Bel-1 hybrid (65 g from a plant) and varieties Pink Flamingo (64 g), Royal Harvest (64 g). All varieties studied were characterized by a high protein content in seeds (25-31%). The main contribution to the seed productivity of these varieties of beans was made by lateral shoots (r = +0.91). Varieties of beans Bobchinsky and Tsarist Harvest can be recommended as reducing the proportion of  opportunistic, allergenic and toxigenic microscopic fungi in the soil. The plants of the variety specimens  Karmazin and Bel-1 were characterized by a minimal (0-9%) loss of productivity from common mycoses - alternariosis and fusariosis.

Relevance. Broccoli cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. convar. botrytis (L.) Alef. var. cymosa Duch.) is widely spread around the world due to its dietetic attribute, preventive and healing effect, cooking simplicity. F1 hybrids production is the main stream in modern crop breeding as they surpass varieties in evenness and yield quality. However, it takes up to 6 years of inbreeding to obtain pure parent lines capable for hybrid creation. Thus biotechnological methods, especially doubled haploids production technology shell be implemented in selection process. 100% homozygous line can be worked out in one generation by this technology. Nevertheless earlier researches revealed such plants low seed set that hinder their application in mass production. Therefore after pollination seed set level identification is an important step in applying lines gained via in vitro process.

Materials and methods. Broccoli cabbage regenerated plants produced by isolated microspore in vitro culture method were used as raw material in our study. Flower and bud pollination was held in climate cells.

Results. Study of 11 broccoli cabbage DH-lines disclosed genotype influence the ability to set seeds after bud pollination. 93.3% genotype A and 95.5% A1.3 pods were seedless in our experiments. Most genotypes demonstrated 50.3-85.7% seed set level. Low and middle ability to form seeds prevailed mainly. This peculiarity should be considered while dealing with regenerated plants by raising the number of crossings for successful breeding.

Relevance. The article presents the results of studies to determine the effectiveness of the use of new types of water-soluble fertilizers in different doses. The obtained results will be used for the development of new agricultural practices and improvement of technologies for growing table watermelon.

Materials and methods. The studies were carried out in the Volgograd Trans-Volga region at the Bykovskaya melon selection experimental station in 2018-2019. We studied the dose of water-soluble fertilizer on the quality of the watermelon table variety Triumph.

Results. Studies have found that the use of water-soluble fertilizers has a positive effect on the yield and its structure. The advantage of using water-soluble fertilizer Hakafos with the content of nutrients in equal proportions dose of 900 g/100 l, yield 7.2-10.6% more compared to other studied water-soluble fertilizers with a similar dose and 44.7% more compared to pure control (without treatments). Evaluation of the results showed a positive effect of water-soluble fertilizers on the marketable qualities of watermelon fruits. In variants with the use of water-soluble fertilizers, the fruits are larger, 18.1-34.1% more compared to the control (without treatments), and 4.2-9.2% more yield of standard products. Studies have found that the use of watersoluble fertilizers do not have a negative impact on the quality and environmental purity of products, the amount of nitrates in the fruit does not exceed the maximum permissible values. The use of this agricultural technique in the technology of cultivation of table watermelon, as studies have shown, can significantly improve the economic performance of the production of this product.

Relevance. Biologically active compounds are widely used at the modern vegetable production, and especially at the seed production. Influence of Micephyt preparation in the mixed with Etrel is evaluated at the first time. The goal of the study is evaluation the effect of Micephyt in the mixed of Etrel on the obtaining of hybrid seeds of the squash (Cucurbita pepo var. giramontia Duch.).

Materials and methods. Studies were carried out at the experimental plot Transnistrian State University named T.G. Shevchenko (Tiraspol) during 2010-2012. The object of studies was maternal line F1 (166/5x98/5) of squash (analog of commercial hybrid F1 Lenutsa). Materials of study were preparations: Etrel (c= 0 and 300 ppm) and Micephyt in the mixed with Etrel (c= 10 and 100 ppm). There were 2 treatments of squash plants with these preparations: at the stage 2-3 leaves, and at the stage of 6-7 leaves.

Results. Treatments maternal line of squash F1 with mixed preparation “Etrel-300 ppm + Micephyt-10 ppm” show the positive effect on the seed productivity of plants. We observed the significant increasing main components of seed productivity during three years of study. The mass of 1000 seed was increased on 10.1%; the quantity of seed fruits was increased on 9.0%; the quantity of fruits on the plant was increased on 11.8% and the seed productivity was increased on 33.0%. Seed yields of F1 squash were increased in 1.37 times on the standard (“Etrel-300 ppm”) after plant treatment with mixed preparation “Etrel-300 ppm + Micephyt-10 ppm”. High quality of seeds was maintained. The profitability of additional costs associated with the use of the preparation Micephit for the treatment of the maternal line 166/5 squash was 343%. So, the treatment of squash plants with mixed preparation “Etrel-300 ppm + Micephyt-10 ppm” is economic effective element the technology of F1 squash hybrid seed production.

Relevance. The non-chernozem zone of Russia and the more northern regions of the country are far from the most favorable zones for the cultivation of tomatoes in open ground. The most promising for the northern zones of Russia are earlyripening, cold-resistant varieties and hybrids of tomato. The most promising in terms of productivity, resistance to short-term frosts and late blight damage are standard and semi-standard forms of tomato. Stamp forms (var. validum Brezh.) are of significant interest, both for breeding, genetic studies of tomato culture, and for production.

Results. In the laboratory of selection and seed production of solanaceous crops of the FSBSI FSVC (VNIISSOK) in recent years, a whole series of standard early ripe tomato varieties for open ground has been created (Chelnok, Revansh, Pervotsvet, Argo, Evgeniya, Malinka, Otradny). The involvement of the selected standard forms in the crosses made it possible to create a number of promising lines and varieties of the semi-standard form (Perst, Pervotsvet, Blagodatny, Dolgonosik, Voskhod VNIISSOK), which significantly increases the genetic diversity of the standard forms. These varieties with a solids content of up to 7.5%, with a long shelf life. In the non-chernozem zone and the more northern regions of the country, the VNIISSOK selection varieties easily tolerate a short-term decrease in day and night temperatures to 0…-1°C, and in the southern regions drought.

Relevance. A large reserve to increase the production of tomatoes for different periods of cultivation and purposes of use are highly productive new varieties and heterotic hybrids. In this regard, one of the important conditions now is the maximum compliance of newly created varieties and hybrids with modern technologies that allow obtaining competitive products. In addition to the main indicators (high yield, early maturity, favorable maturation), varietal features such as transportability of fruits,
high taste appeal (especially salad-type hybrids), appearance, resistance to major diseases and manufacturability are also important. In recent years, tomato and other vegetable crops have grown mainly hybrids of the first generation F1 and line (the result of targeted selection), less often populations. For more than a decade, only hybrid varieties have been grown in industrial greenhouse vegetable production.

Methods. The article presents the results of 7-year research on the yield, its structure and quality of fruits of indeterminate tomato hybrids. Research on the yield and quality of fruits of indeterminate tomato hybrids was carried out in 2011-2017, in JSC "Zavyalovsky Greenhouse plant" of the Udmurt Republic.

Results. Hybrid F1 tomato Ismail, F1 Macarena, F1 Mace, F1 Geronimo and F1 Starbuck were distinguished by high productivity. This indicator was respectively: 34.5 kg / m2; 33.1 kg / m2; 32.3 kg / m2; 32.0 kg / m2 and 31.2 kg / m2. Tomatoes F1 Yakimanka, F1 Foronti, F1 Starbuck, F1 Taganka and F1 Mace stood out for large-fruited. More than 30 mg / 100 g was contained in F1 Izmail F1 Ochakov, F1 Mariachi, F1 Kokhava vitamin C fruits. The nitrate content in tomato fruits was not high for years of research, it was within the MPC.

Relevance. One of the dynamically developing areas of the agro-industrial complex of the Republic of Dagestan is vegetable growing of protected ground. This is facilitated by natural and climatic conditions, the availability of markets for products, and the interest of vegetable producers in expanding greenhouse areas. The area of greenhouses today exceeds 230 hectares. The lack of science-based technology, the lack of promising hybrids, due to the lack of study of the topic of growing and selecting varieties of vegetable crops in protected ground in the conditions of Flat and foothill Dagestan, greenhouse farms bear significant losses. The quantity and quality of the greenhouse tomato crop largely depends on the well-chosen varieties (hybrids) of tomato, the timing of seed sowing and seedling planting.

Methods. Experimental work was carried out in the greenhouse of LLC Agro-AS. The selection and evaluation of tomato hybrids for cultivation in film greenhouses in the winter-spring turnover were carried out. The control is the Tiwai 12 F1. The optimal time for sowing seeds and planting seedlings in the substrate for winter-spring turnover of film greenhouses was determined.

Results. The characteristic of promising hybrids for growing in winter and spring turnover is given. The results of the dynamics of crop yield by month are presented. The influence of sowing and planting times on the duration of the growing season and the yield of tomatoes is shown. The optimal scheme of sowing and planting tomatoes in the conditions of winter and spring turnover is determined. Data on the economic efficiency of the studied planting dates are presented. The prospects of growing the studied hybrids in this region are indicated.

Relevance. Currently, there is a problem of satisfying the demand in the domestic market for fruit and berry products in accordance with current recommendations. One of the ways to intensify agricultural production is the use of resource-saving technologies, which include drip irrigation. The issues of regulating the water balance of the soil when growing planting material for fruit crops in modern conditions require experimental studies aimed at studying the biological characteristics of economically important plants and their reactions to the complex of external environmental factors.

Methods. Field studies were conducted on the territory of the educational experimental farm of the Michurinsky Garden fruit growing laboratory of the Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy. A two-factor experience in the study of different ranges of moisture for the formation of varietal plum seedlings grafted on plum tree stock was laid in the spring of 2018. The first factor included options for maintaining soil moisture in the range of: 1) 60-80% of the lowest moisture capacity; 2) 70-90% of the lowest moisture capacity; 3) 80-100% of the lowest moisture capacity; 4) control (without irrigation). Plum varieties “Mashenka” and “Utro” were the second factor.

Results. Constructed humidification contours according to the years of research and experimental options showed that drip irrigation contributes to the optimum moisture concentration in the soil for seedlings. The most developed root system compared with the control was obtained on irrigated options with maintaining humidity in the range of 70-90 and 80-100% of the lowest moisture capacity. Here, the maximum values of the volume of the root system, the number of roots and the average root length are obtained. It was revealed that in the variants with irrigation, the root system of seedlings spreads in the upper layer (mainly 20-30 cm) and stretches along the line with droppers.

Relevance. The creation of the peach gene pool should be directed taking into account the specifics of the winter conditions of the subtropics of Russia.

Methods. The aim of the research is to study the biological characteristics, phenological phases of peach varieties, their growth and development to optimize the distribution of plantings in industrial peach plantations in the conditions of South Dagestan. Long-term studies were carried out in 2015-2018 using generally accepted programs and classical methods of variety research and selection research.

Results. The dates and durations of the passage of the main phenological phases of the development of introduced peach varieties are determined. Flower buds swell in 21 days, flower buds bloom in 7 days, flowering in 8 days, fruit ripen in 10 days. The expediency of peach cultivation in the southern lowland zone of the Republic of Dagestan is established. Resistance to various abiotic stress factors of the environment in modern conditions of climate change is determined. The relationship between the stages of the phenological  phases and the calendar variability of these stages depending on the accumulation of the sum of effective temperatures are revealed; set biometric features of tree growth. This makes it possible to isolate varieties with moderate growth for compacted peach plantings in the conditions of Southern  Dagestan.

Relevance. Medicinal properties of celery (Apium graveolens L.) are connected to the most extent to high antioxidant status of plants.

Material, methods and results. Comparative evaluation of polyphenols, ascorbic acid, flavonoids and photosynthetic pygments by leafy, stalk and root celery types, grown in similar conditions on experimental fields of Federal Scientific Center of Vegetable Production revealed several peculiarities, typical to each form. Antioxidant activity (AOA) of seeds, leaves and petioles composed a ratio: 2.7:1.74:1 for leafy form, 2.88:1.99:1 for stalk form, while root celery AOA of seeds, leaves, roots and petioles was characterized by a ratio 3.66:2.78:1.42:1. With practically no differences in leaves ascorbic acid content between different celery forms leaves:petioles ratio for ascorbic acid reached (5.31-5.57):1 for leafy and stalk forms whereas vitamin C distribution between leaves, roots and petioles of root celery was characterized by a ratio 8.1:1.1:1. Phenolics seeds:leaves:roots:petioles accumulation ratio for root celery was equal to 1.77: 1.77: 1.33:1, whereas leaves/petioles distribution of phenolicss in stalk and
leafy forms reached 1.86:1 and 1.64:1 accordingly. Polyphenols content in seeds of leafy celery was 1.4-1.5 times lower than in leaves, contrary to stalk and root celery with equal concentrations of phenolics in seeds and leaves. Leaves/petioles ratio of flavonoids was the highest for Elixir (2.87) and Atlant culivars (2.41). Root and leafy celery Samuray cv demonstrated 1.54-1.71 appropriate values. The highest chlorophyll a and b content was typical for root celery. Celery antioxidant system was characterized by positive correlations between ascorbic acid, flavonoids, phenolics, zinc and total AOA and also between the AOA ratio seeds/petioles and leaves/petioles (r=+0.99; P<0.001) and a negative correlation between chlorophyll and phenolics and flavonoids accumulation levels. High nutritional significance of root celery leaves was estimated.

Relevance. To compensate for the lack of nutrient reserves available for plants, the introduction of macro and micronutrient fertilizers is required. Since microelements have the ability to migrate in the soil – plant system, it is necessary not only to control their content in these systems, but also to determine the biological accumulation of plants, including medicinal ones, taking into account specific zonal features of the territory. Thus, the aim of the work was to study the intensity of the biological accumulation of zinc and copper by Echinacea purpurea in Western Siberia.

Materials and methods. Field experiments were conducted in the period 2016-2018 on meadow  chernozem soil of the southern forest-steppe of the Omsk region. A valuable medicinal crop, Echinacea purpurea, was chosen as the object of study. Copper and zinc fertilizers in acetate forms were applied in the background (N125). In soil and plant samples, the content of mobile forms of Zn and Cu was determined by the atomic absorption method.

Results. With the addition of zinc and copper fertilizers, the content of mobile forms of Zn and Cu in the soil increased in comparison with the control and background. At the same time, the use of micronutrient fertilizers did not lead to excess MPC. The zinc content in the medicinal raw material of Echinacea purpurea during the application of micronutrient fertilizers varied from 9.9 to 17.1 mg / kg; copper from 2.09 to 4.41 mg / kg. In the test cases, when applying zinc fertilizers, the concentration coefficients (Kk) of zinc in the soil were higher compared to plants (Kk soil > Kk plant). The reverse situation is the accumulation of copper by plants. KkCuwhen applying copper and zinc fertilizers in plants is higher than in the soil: Kk plant > Kk soil. To assess the intensity of the absorption of trace elements by Echinacea purpurea, biological absorption coefficients (СBAZn, Cu) were used, which showed that this culture is a concentrator of zinc and copper, since CBA > 1. Moreover, copper in plants of Echinacea purpurea accumulates more vigorously (CBA > 10), compared to zinc. The content of microelements in the medicinal raw material of Echinacea did not exceed MDU (Cu - 30 mg / kg, Zn – 50 mg / kg).

Relevance. Climatic factors of Primorsky Region make the most favorable conditions for developing of a diseases of vegetable crops. In such conditions leaves surfaces of the plants are defeated with the phytopathogens from Phytophthora, Alternaria, Septoria and Xanthomonas genus.

Materials and methods. In the years 2016, 2017 some research on determination of the effectiveness of protective activities for the diseases control of tomatoes in the open field were taken in the Primorskaya Vegetable experimental station. Some activity was carried out with the sort of tomatoes Odissey in the coastal zone of Primorsky Region in the conditions of the monsoon climate with annual rainfall 700-800 mm, greater part of which falls in the summer season. Fungicides Acrobat MT, Orvego, Cignum and Skor were chosen for studying. The first cultivation with preparations took place in the first decade of July in a period of appearing of the first signs of Alternaria on tomato leaves surfaces. Two next cultivations were  carried out with the intervals of 14-16 days according to the weather conditions.

Results. At protecting from Alternaria (79.4%) the greatest biological effectiveness was shown by the fungicide Cignum. The biggest tomato crop productivity was also reached thank to cultivation with this fungicide: the crop raising of tomato commercial fruit was 15.2 t/h or 70.4% by comparison with the control version.

Relevance. One of the main problems in cycovalry is getting friendly, aligned shoots with a given density of standing plants. In chicory agrotechnology, special attention should be paid to the high quality of seeding in order to ensure the rapid germination of seeds, their high germination and the early appearance of friendly, strong and aligned shoots. An important technique to achieve this goal is pre-seed preparation: etching from various pathogens, treatment of growth stimulants, etc. In the practice of growing many crops, seed dorins are used, and the shell includes the necessary substances.

Materials and methods. Thus, for chicory seed pelleting we used the following drugs: Maxim – a productor, acting on various types of pathogenic fungi, as a growth stimulant - biological fertilizer Isabion, and for the best seed germination – Agrogel, which strongly swells and delays the water needed for sprouts. The article presents the results of threeyear studies conducted at the Rostov Vegetable Experimental Station on Chicory, in which seeds were laid out by hand.

Results. At the same time, the laboratory and field germination of chicory seeds increases by 8.6% and 10.8%, respectively. Thanks to the seed pelleting, the technological properties of seeds are improved, looseness is acquired, which facilitates their use in the seedlings of accurate seeding. The task of the research was to determine the optimal number of seeds pelleting in the nest and the distance between plants and therefore the rate of seeding for yield and quality of harvest. The best yields are obtained in the variant with the layout of the draped seeds of three jelly beans with a step of 10 cm – 25.6 t/ha at a marketability of 90.6%.