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

Relevance. To meet the needs of the population and commodity producers in the south of Russia in tomatoes, it is necessary to develop varieties and hybrids of various directions that have high productivity, increased fruit quality and resistance to fungal and bacterial diseases, that meet modern production technologies and market requirements, as well as have an acceptable price for seeds.
Aim of study – creation of new maternal tomato lines with functional male sterility for open ground for various purposes (for fresh consumption, whole-fruit canning,), which will make it possible to create highly productive hybrids that meet the agro-climatic conditions of the south of Russia in the future.
Materials and methods. The studies were carried out in a breeding film greenhouse and in field conditions on the territory of the experimental plot of FSBSI "Federal Scientific Rice Centre" of the central soil-climatic zone of Krasnodar region. The object of research were mid-ripening tomato varieties included in the competitive testing, sterile tomato lines, new F1 hybrids based on FMS, collection and breeding material. The types of crosses used in the work: analyzing, saturating, top-crosses. To speed up the process of developing new sterile tomato lines in winter, artificial climate chambers were used.
Results. As a result of the research, promising new functionally sterile lines of tomato were identified, differing in the length of the vegetation period, weight, color, fruit shape, biochemical parameters, with a number of useful economically valuable traits.

Relevance. Since the increasing demand for agricultural products, especially at present in the conditions of import substitution, cannot be met without creating new highly productive varieties and hybrids.
Material and methods. This article provides a description and comparative characteristics of economically valuable qualities and varieties of vegetable crops, the most common and in demand among the population, created by breeders of the All-Russian Research Institute of Irrigated Vegetable Growing and Melon Growing – a branch of the FSBSI "PAFSC RAS". The experiments were laid on the experimental fields.
Results. As a result of many years of breeding work presented varieties belong to different variety types, they differ in groups of precocity, shape, size, color of fruits. Tomatoes – Astrakhan, Bulldog, Avdeevsky, Caspian, Malinovi shar, Moryana, Rychansky, Forward, Orange Avuri, Malinovi Supergol, etc. Varieties of sweet pepper – Atomor, Marble, Novichok VNIIOB, Sprinter, Lyudmila, etc. Varieties of eggplant – Albatross, Diamond, Astrakom, Nizhnevolzhsky, Swan, etc. Since 2021, the Gnomik tomato variety has been entered into the State Register, and the Zarnitsa sweet pepper variety is being tested. The Astrakhan region is also a center for the creation and production of melon crops, their fruits belong to dietary products, are used both fresh and for preservation, preparation of drinks, desserts, home cooking. Watermelon varieties – Astrakhan, Photon, Ilyasovsky, Portioned; melon – Lada, pumpkin – Kroshka and Kapelka, zucchini – Sosnovsky and Jubilee, squash – Tabolinsky.

Relevance. The creation of varieties with a complex of economically valuable traits, resistant to biotic and abiotic environmental factors, is the main direction in melon breeding. The market for vegetables and melons and gourds is very dynamic, the demands for varieties are constantly changing, therefore, it is necessary to introduce new varieties with high taste and commercial qualities, as well as capable of producing high yields in a changing climate. The aim of the work is to produce a new melon starting material for use in the breeding process.
Materials and methods. At the Bikovskaya cucurbits breeding experimental station – branch of the Federal state budgetary scientific institution "Federal scientific vegetable center", research was carried out from 2018 to 2020. The object of research is samples from the collection of VIR, foreign and domestic selection, hybrid combinations obtained as a result of intervarietal hybridization. Collection samples of melon were studied in the nursery of the source material: 84 samples from the VIR collection, 26 samples of domestic and foreign selection were studied.
Results. As a result of the research, samples of melon with economically valuable traits were identified that meet the requirements of selection. Paired crosses with zoned varieties of local selection were carried out with them. As a result of hybridization, hybrid combinations F₁ were obtained, from which the best ones were selected for further breeding work. The obtained collection samples and hybrid combinations were evaluated in terms of taste, yield, resistance to environmental abiofactors, dry matter content, large-fruited, attractive color of the fruit and pulp As a result received a new source material for the selection of new varieties and hybrids of melons with valuable economic traits. The resulting hybrid combinations of F₁ melon were tested against an infectious background. Hybrid combinations with the best performance will be further studied in a breeding nursery.

Relevance. ICarrots are known all over the world. It contains a large amount of carotene-provitamin A and a lot of useful substances – vitamin C, sugar pectin’s, potassium, and essential oils. This valuable crop is grown all over the world and in different weather and climatic conditions. When growing carrots, it is necessary to carefully select varieties and hybrids that will give a high commercial yield, as well as are resistant to biotic and abiotic factors.
Materials and methods. The research was conducted in 2018-2019 in the fields of the Biryuchekut vegetable breeding experimental station of the branch of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center in open ground conditions. The object of research was the varieties of carrots.
Results. While breeding work on the Biryuchekutsky vegetable breeding experimental station a new variety of carrot Aksinya was obtained. In 2018, it was included in the station variety test. The new promising variety has an earlier maturation period on average 10 days earlier than the standards, a conical, blunt-edged form of orange-colored root crops with high taste qualities. The yield is at the level of 45 t / ha. It has excellent preservation during winter storage, resistance to diseases, as well as the ability to grow in arid and hot climates on heavy soils, while maintaining a high marketability of 72-76%.

For plants, light is a determining factor in growth and development. The use of artificial lighting in greenhouses has a huge impact on the yield, cost and timing of the receipt of vegetable products. The development of light culture in the country allows greenhouse complexes to use their greenhouses year-round, significantly increase plant productivity, receive most of the harvest in the winter months of the year and sell it at a higher price. The use of artificial light made it possible to increase the yield of the cucumber crop to 200 kg from 1 m² or more. From the economic point of view, the cucumber culture is most effective in greenhouses. Russia is a cucumber country, more than half of the protected ground area is occupied by this crop. And photoculture in greenhouses began with the cultivation of a cucumber crop. Today we say with confidence that artificial lighting in greenhouses is more efficient than natural lighting. So to get one kilogram of vegetables using artificial lighting, it is necessary to spend 4.5-5.0 thousand J/cm², and in the case of using natural light – 5.0-6.5 thousand J/cm². This can be explained by the fact that in the conditions of using artificial lighting in cultivation facilities, we strive to create the most comfortable growing conditions for plants. An increase in the yield of cucumber crops under artificial lighting occurs mainly due to an increase in the lighting power per unit area of greenhouses to 220 W/m2and more. However, this is not the only way to increase yields. One of the most important criteria for increasing yields and improving the quality of fruits is the choice of the grown hybrid. Cucumber hybrids for cultivation under light culture conditions will be discussed in this work.
The methods used in agronomic science were used. The information base of the research was made up of reference materials from specialized publications on the subject under study (catalogs of breeding companies); materials received from participants in the greenhouse vegetable market (breeding companies, greenhouse plants); own research, articles and reviews in specialized journals.
Correctly selected cucumber hybrids provide a significant increase in yields in greenhouses, an improvement in fruit quality and a balanced cultivation technology in specific conditions. An assortment of recommended cucumber hybrids for cultivation under photoculture conditions is presented, an analysis of their advantages and disadvantages is made, and the main requirements for hybrids for these conditions are formulated.

Relevance. Onion is one of the most important vegetable crops of the borscht group, in the NonChernozem zone it is cultivated mainly through sowing, but modern technologies of cultivation of new varieties and hybrids of intensive type, drip irrigation, new types of mineral and organic fertilizers and plant growth regulators allow to obtain a high yield of onions (50 – 70 t/ha) in an annual crop in conditions of fertile alluvial soils and dramatically increase the profitability of production. Onions grown from seeds, as a rule, respond poorly to the use of large doses of mineral tuks due to the increased concentration of soil solution and a decrease in the density of standing plants.
Material and methods. Research in 2014-2020 were carried out on the experimental field of the Department of Agriculture and Agrochemistry of VNIIO – a branch of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution of the Federal Scientific Research Center on the alluvial meadow soil of the central part of the Moskvoretskaya floodplain (Ramenskiy district, MO). The experiments were carried out in 3 replicates, with a systematic distribution of replicates. As the main mineral fertilizer, nitroammophoska was used, containing 16% of ae. nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. As organic fertilizers, we used biocompost of cattle, horse and chicken manure from TONEKS LLC, a domestic manufacturer of agrochemically and agronomically valuable bioorganic products of the BIUD family.
Results. These studies made it possible to find out that biocompost from cattle manure, horse and chicken manure in balanced doses with mineral fertilizers for nitrogen, as well as growth regulators Zircon and Argolan, can significantly increase the yield of annual onions to 58.8-66.4 t/ha while increasing the standard of bulbs without reducing the biochemical quality indicators. The most effective were chicken manure (16% increase), Argolan (21% increase) and Zircon (10-21% increase in the yield of different hybrids).

Relevance. New technologies Plenty-type in greenhouse vegetable production is wide spread in some countries of Europe, America, South-East Asia and support with main investors of these countries. Project “Vertical farming” was started in FSBSI “Federal Scientific Vegetable Center” at 2010. The goal of our study is the results of the testing plants Apiaceae family at multy circle hydroponic installation using the natural regulators from glycosides class.
Materials and methods. Objects of study: plants Apiaceae family – Coriandrum sativum L. (variety Jubilar), Anethum graveolens L. (variety Rusich), Apium graveolens L. (variety Aeliksir); flavonoid glycoside linarozid from plants Linaria vulgaris Mill. L., steroid glycoside moldstim from seeds Capsicum annuum L.. Methods of study: seed treatment with 0,001% water solutions of glycosides, cultivation of plants Apiaceae family at the multi circle hydroponic construction.
Results. First experiment by cultivation of plants Apiaceae family at multi circle hydroponic construction was successful and show, that plants Apiaceae family can cultivate at vertical installations Plenty-type. Reaction on the seed treatment with water solutions of glycosides is depended on the species of plants. Seed treatment with glycosides increased height of plants and weight of leaves of Coriandrum sativum L. Anethum graveolens L. increased germination of seeds after seed treatment with water solution of linarozide. Apium graveolens L. increased germination of seeds, height of plants and weight of leaves after seed treatment with water solutions of glycosides. But water solution of moldstim was more effective in 2020, and water solution of linarozide was more effective in 2021.

Relevance. The Volgograd region has a number of factors necessary for the cultivation of melons and gourds. The development of new varieties and hybrids of watermelon should involve the development of varietal agricultural techniques that would allow realizing the genetic potential of the variety. Therefore, the development of new methods of cultivation technologies that allow obtaining guaranteed fruit yields without reducing the quality of table watermelon products in the dry-steppe Trans-Volga region is relevant and timely.
Material and methodology. The object of research is a watermelon, cultivar Zemlyanin. New types of water-soluble fertilizers – B and Fe chelates, and the Vegetable Akvarin were studied, by using them for soaking seeds before sowing and processing plants during the growing season.
Results. The use of chelates B and Fe in the technology of growing watermelon, as well as the Akvarin, is an effective method for obtaining guaranteed yields. The use of water-soluble fertilizers, with various methods of their use, provided an increase in the yield of watermelon by 1.6-8.3 t/ha, or by 6.9-35.9% in comparison with the control (option without treatments). The largest fruits were obtained in variants of chelate B and the Vegetable Akvarin (processing of plants) – 6.8 kg. Comparative analysis of the biochemical composition of the fruits showed that water-soluble chelated fertilizers do not have a negative effect on the accumulation of nitrates. Studies have revealed the positive effect of water-soluble micronutrient fertilizers on improving the quality of fruits, which was manifested in the growth of the content of vitamin C and sugars.

Relevance. Multilevel pipe vegetation installations (MVTU) “Fitopiramida” are designed for hydroponic cultivation of different agricultural crops including tomatoes.
Methods. To create F₁ tomato hybrids for this technology the assessment of phenological stages passing of tomato lines on “Fitopiramida” MVTU was carried out. 19 breeding lines including 9 cherry tomato lines, 10 large-fruited tomato lines of indeterminate and determinate growth types were tested. These lines were used in various hybridization schemes to obtain F₁ tomato heterotic hybrids for “Fitopiramida”.
Results. According to the results of the conducted researches in conditions of low-volume technology “Fitopiramida” duration of periods “germination – beginning of flowering” ("G-BF") and “germination – beginning of ripening” ("G-BR") is significantly reduced. In cherry group lines “G-BR” period is shorter by 17.7 days at average, in large-fruited lines by 23-27.3 days at average depending on growth type. The difference in ripening time is more expressed in largefruited lines; border-grown Kb 183 line began ripening 35 days later. Shorter growing season makes it possible to carry out largest number of crop rotations per year to obtain maximum yield per area unit (in full year use greenhouses). Similar results were obtained in the tests of tomato varieties and F₁ hybrids on “Fitopiramida” MWTU in 2019-2020 in terms of phenological stages passing acceleration and earlier fruiting of hydroponic grown tomatoes.

Relevance. Due to the fact that gynostemma is an endemic plant, providing the pharmaceutical industry with domestic raw materials is not possible, this problem can be solved only through the introduction of this species into the culture.
Material and methods. Studies on the introduction of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino in the experimental fields of medicinal crop rotation of the North Caucasus branch of FGBNU VILAR, located in the zone of Western Ciscaucasia, were carried out to study the biomorphological and environmental features of growth and development of the plant, the most optimal conditions for growing and determination of economically valuable indicators. Propagation was carried out through seedlings from seeds received under the contract from South Korea, which were planted in the open ground in early May in areas with direct sunlight and under the canopy of trees (shade). Gynostemma pentaphyllum is a climbing liana with a creeping stem, so it was grown as a trellised crop.
Results. It has been established that gynostemma under Krasnodar Territory conditions passes all stages of phenological development, starting from the first year of vegetation, grows and bears fruit every year. The duration of the growing season from 229 to 238 days was determined. Harvesting was carried out in the phase of budding – beginning of flowering. The most optimal condition for growing this crop is shading compared to the option of direct sunlight, where there was a significant increase in growth and development of gynostemma, which contributed to a significant increase in yield. On the rhizome of gynostemma II and III years of vegetation new additional shoots are formed, the number of which is significantly higher in the variant with shading. The conducted introduction studies indicate the possibility of cultivation of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino in the zone of the Western Caucasus.

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

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

Relevance. When forcing tulips in the early spring period in conditions of protected soil, the effectiveness of fertilizers has not been sufficiently studied. Manufacturers and suppliers of planting material do not give clear recommendations on the timing and doses of the use of mineral fertilizers in the distillation process.
Material and methods. The object of study was 6 varieties of tulips of the Dutch selection of the mid-early flowering period. In the experiment, a "9-degree distillation technology"was used. For mineral fertilizing of tulips, a solution of calcium nitrate – Ca(NO₃)₂ was used in concentrations of 0.1% and 0,2%. The repetition of the experience is fourfold. To assess the effect of fertilizing on the growth and development of tulips, the dynamics of changes in biomorphological indicators was studied: the height of the plants, the diameter of the flower, the mass of cut flowers, as well as the output of commercial products. Results. It was found that the use of calcium nitrate fertilization at a concentration of 0,2% at the early stages of plant development contributes to the formation of a larger cut in the studied varieties, characterized by a high strong stem exceeding the control by 3,83-43,8%, the formation of large peduncles with a diameter of 3,24-5,85 cm and an increase in the yield of marketable products reaching 98%. The profitability of this variant of applying calcium nitrate fertilizing is on average 42% for varieties.
Results. It was found that the use of calcium nitrate fertilization at a concentration of 0,2% at the early stages of plant development contributes to the formation of a larger cut in the studied varieties, characterized by a high strong stem exceeding the control by 3,83- 43,8%, the formation of large peduncles with a diameter of 3,24-5,85 cm and an increase in the yield of marketable products reaching 98%. The profitability of this variant of applying calcium nitrate fertilizing is on average 42% for varieties.

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

Relevance. Currently, the use of secondary plant-orgin metabolites with high biological activity is becoming an important part of a comprehensive plant protection program. The mechanism of their action is aimed at activating molecular biological and physiological systems that increase the ability of the plant organism to withstand the adverse effects of biotic and abiotic nature. The purpose of these studies is to screen the selectivity of the physiological activity of phytoregulators in relation to different varieties of vegetable beans.
Methodology. Plants of two mid-ripening varieties of vegetable beans were twice sprayed with solutions of plant biological products of different chemical composition, isolated from 12 plant species of different families. Control – treatment with water, standards - solutions of Pharmayod and Fitolavin. During the growing season, an analysis of the development of diseases of various etiologies on seed crops was carried out. Seed productivity of plants was taken into account after harvesting and threshing the beans, the sowing qualities of the obtained seeds were studied in accordance with the relevant recommendations and GOST 12042-80, and the biological effectiveness (BE) of the action of phytopreparations was calculated.
Results. Two-fold treatment of beans with most of the tested preparations reduced the total percentage of affected plants by more than 25%. The protective effect of the studied glycosides differed significantly depending on their chemical structure, disease etiology and cultivar responsiveness. Among them, there are preparations based on steroidal glycosides - Moldstim and Mestim, which have the most pronounced immunomodulatory effect on the resistance of vegetable beans to phytopathogens. Treatment with Mestim in the selected concentration led to a decrease in seed productivity of plants. Other phytopreparations showed a neutral or stimulating effect on this trait, increasing the proportion of germinating seeds in the yield structure by 3-26% relative to control. The certain varietal specificity has been identified by the total effectiveness of the action. Irioid glycosides from Linaria genistifolia and the sum of iridoids and flavonoids from Linaria vulgaris showed the greatest activity on the responsive cultivar Lika. On the SiBemol variety, there is Moldstim, a steroidal glycoside of the furostanol series, isolated from Capsicum annuum. Their biological effectiveness was higher than that of Fitolavin and Pharmayod standards.