Actuality. The opposite arrangement of the first two leaves in cucumber seedlings can be attributed to undesirable morphoses. The task was set: "To find out how often this sign occurs in cucumber seedlings and whether it is transmitted in the next generations during seed propagation."
Material and conditions. The research was carried out on the cucumber breeding material of the laboratory of selection and seed production of pumpkin crops (100-142 samples) on the basis of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center in 2019-2021 in the Moscow region in the conditions of the seedling department of the winter greenhouse. Sowing of cucumber seeds for seedlings was carried out on January 10-13, March 15 and May 5. Seedlings were grown on racks in plastic pots with a 0.7 l peat mixture in accordance with the generally accepted cultivation technology. In winter – with additional illumination, in spring – without artificial illumination.
Results. From year to year, almost the same selection samples of cucumber had plants with the opposite arrangement of the first real leaves. These samples differed significantly in the number of plants with an unconventional arrangement of the first true leaves, but there were differences, sometimes very strong, between families of the same origin. All this suggests that the trait is genetically determined. When sowing cucumber seeds for seedlings on January 10-13, depending on the year of research and the genotype of the material used, from 18.3 to 25.6% of samples were identified that had plants with the opposite arrangement of the first and second true leaves. In seedlings for a spring heated greenhouse (sowing on March 15), there were about 15% of such samples, and 11.0% for non-heated ones (sowing on May 5). In general, the total number of plants with the opposite arrangement of real leaves in the first node was small and varied, depending on the growing conditions and the genotype of the studied samples, from 4.2 to 11.5% of the total number of studied plants. When sowing cucumber seeds at the same time, in the winter of 2019, compared to 2020 and 2021, there were 2.4 and 1.5 times more plants with the opposite arrangement of the first two real leaves. This can be explained by the fact that when planting seedlings, families with a large number of plants with opposite leaves were rejected. Weakened plants with opposite leaves within the family were also rejected. As a result, the material involved in further work had fewer plants with an unconventional arrangement of the first true leaves. It should be noted that plants with opposite leaf arrangement had only those F1 hybrids whose parent forms also differed in this disadvantage. It can be concluded that by selecting parent forms that do not have opposite leaf arrangement, it is possible to create hybrids that will not react sharply to the deterioration of growing conditions by laying opposite leaves.

Relevance. Trititrigia (×Trititrigia cziczinii Tzvel.) this is a new synthetic grain feed crop. The modern collection of the Department of Remote hybridization of the GBS RAS has more than 250 promising samples with a number of economically valuable features. The unique ability of trititrigia in one year to produce a stable yield of high-quality grain (3.0-3.2 t/ha) and nutritious green fodder (27.7-35.1 t/ha) allows us to recommend it for cultivation in regions with unfavorable cultivation conditions for grain crops. Promising samples should be used as donors of valuable traits in breeding for quality and adaptability in order to obtain modern high-quality and adaptive wheat varieties
Material and methods. The research was carried out in the Department of Remote Hybridization of the N.V. Tsitsin Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow region, village of Rozhdestveno) in 2008-2016. The objects of research were: promising long-term and grain-feed lines of trititrigia of the collection of MBG RAS. All samples of trititrigia were obtained in the department of distant hybridization in different years.
Results. As a result of the research, it was found that the studied samples are stable lines with a characteristic feature for trititrigia to ripen from top to bottom, the ability to grow in one place for 2- 3 years under favorable conditions, as well as the ability to regenerate after harvesting for grain or mowing for green mass, unique for cultivated cereals. The studied samples have a productive bushi- ness of 8-20 stems per plant. The length of the main ear consistently exceeds the Moscow winter wheat standard 39 and averages 12-13 cm, in which 41 to 97 grains are formed. The grain yield in the competitive variety testing during the research was 3.2-4.1 t/ha, the mass of 1000 grains was 30.1-39.8 g. The Pamyati Lubimovoy variety, selected for a number of economically valuable characteris- tics, passed State registration and became the first trititrigia variety registered in the territory of the Russian Federation.

Relevance. A significant influence on the use of the volume of greenhouses by a tomato plant is its height, which consists of the length of the internodes of monopodial and sympodial shoots. The use of the volume of greenhouses in the cultivation of tomato crops is a relevant and important topic. Currently, tomatoes are grown in greenhouses of various heights and designs. Greenhouses of different sizes, heights and types of cover are used in a farmer's market. And here the height of tomato plants is of decisive importance. Mostly indeterminate plants are grown, limiting their growth to a certain number of inflorescences, less often determinant plants. When grown in modern industrial greenhouses and the vegetation period is 1012 months a year, preference is given to tall indeterminate tomato hybrids that have almost continuous growth due to the formation of more and more sympodial shoots and high yield potential.
Methods. The studies were carried out in a winter glazed greenhouse. The tomato culture was grown in an extended rotation (from January to November) on a coconut substrate with drip irrigation. Tomato hybrids of domestic and foreign selection with determinant and indeterminate types of growth were grown. Phytocenosis density is 2.8 plants/m2, from April to September it thickened up to 3.4 plants/m2 due to the formation of additional shoots. All observations were carried out according to generally accepted methods. 
Results. The variety grown in protected ground depends on the growing conditions. A pattern was established for the length of the internodes of sympodial shoots in indeterminate tomato hybrids, the third internode is longer than the first two. The correlation coefficient between the length of the sympodial shoot and the length of the third internode is 0.85 points. The enhanced growth of the last internode is caused by the growth of the shoot of the next order. In this case, the removal of the leaf above the inflorescence is 2-5 cm. The correlation coefficient between the length of the third internode and the removal of the leaf above the inflorescence is 0.71 points. A pattern was established for the length of the leaves and the development of stepchildren in the sympodial shoot.

Relevance. The creation of varieties and hybrids with environmental sustainability is a priority in crop breeding. Many issues related to biology and ecology of a number of spice plants remain understudied. The study of the biological and ecological characteristics of common dill in order to create straight varieties with high yields in the phase of industrial ripeness in our conditions has not been carried out. The aim of the research was to evaluate the parameters of adaptive capacity and ecological stability in collection samples of common dill in terms of yield.
Materials and methods. The research was carried out in the experimental field of the Department of Fruit and Vegetable Growing of the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy, Gorki, Mogilev region over a period of 2012–2014 and 2019–2021. The objects were breeding samples of common dill. Field and laboratory experiments were carried out using generally accepted methods and guidelines. The meteorological conditions during the years of the research differed both in terms of temperature indicators and the amount of precipitation, which contributed to an objective assessment of the varieties under study according to a complex of economically useful traits.
Results. The article presents the results of the study of common dill breeding samples obtained in different years of research. In the first set (2012-2014) there were 40 sample plants, in the second set (2019-2020) – 26 pieces. In the course of assessing the parameters of adaptive capacity and ecological stability, the diversity among the samples of common dill was revealed according to the main parameters. The difference in terms of yield between sets of genotypes and test conditions over the years indicates the relationship between the genotype and the environment. Based on the results of studying the common dill collection, the parent material for breeding for a consistently high yield was selected. The regularity of maintaining the stability of the trait "yield" with a repeated set of genotypes in different years of research has been established.

The morphometric parameters of the internal structure of seeds in seven representatives of the common chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium (L.) Hoffm.) were studied. The variability of the linear dimensions of the seed, endosperm and embryo, the values of the indices IZ/E, IZ/S and IE/S are shown. The analysis of correlation connections between them is given. The studies were carried out at VNIIO, a branch of the FGBNU FSVC. Seeds of the variety Aromatny (standard) had a length of 7.12±0.146 mm. Significantly smaller seeds had two accessions, variety Ogorodnik (6.56±0.158 mm) and No. 21, which is 8.0 and 27.0% less than standard. Seeds of a significantly larger size, including No. 24 and No. 22, respectively, by 3.0-18.0% higher than control. The endosperm length of the standard was 5.20±0.121 mm. The smallest size of the endosperm was noted in sample No. 21, which is 7.1% less than the control. Three samples significantly exceeded the standard (by 7.5-16.5%) in terms of the length of the endosperm, including samples No. 20 and variety Ogorodnik. The length of the embryo in the Aromatny variety is 1.54±0.119 mm. Samples of variety Ogorodnik and No. 21 had an embryo significantly less than the standard by 14.3 and 10.4%. Significantly larger embryos were found in samples No. 24 and No. 22, which is 17.5-44.2% higher than control. The coefficient of variation (V, %) for the parameter seed length varied from 9.17% to 12.3%, for the endosperm length from 8.35% to 14.6%, and for the embryo from 20.1 to 34.8%. The IZ/S index varied from 0.195 to 0.266. The IE/C index varied from 0.707 to 0.930. A close relationship (0.675-0.863) was noted between the length of the seed and the length of the endosperm, with downward deviations to a value of 0.265 in sample No. 21 and Dietichesky variety. The presented information on the example of chervil seeds indicates a significant variability of morphometric parameters. The data obtained can be used for an in-depth characterization of seed quality, substantiation of priming technology.

Relevance. Among green and spice crops, dill occupies a special place in the human diet. The crop is widespread and is represented by varieties for various purposes. At present, dill varieties are subject to requirements for morphological (upright form of a bush, large leaf, etc.), phenological characteristics, high productivity of green mass and seeds, and quality. The biochemical composition is one of the main indicators of the quality of dill. Dill contains up to 90% moisture, however, even in that small amount of dry matter found in dill, there are many biologically impor- tant compounds that are necessary for the normal functioning of the human body. Therefore, when creating varieties, these indicators should be taken into account. For this, it is necessary to study and evaluate the parent material and identify promising forms for further breeding work in order to create varieties that have a complex of valuable characteristics. The purpose of the research is to evaluate the collection material of common dill according to a complex of breeding and valuable traits.
Materials and Methods. The studies were carried out in the experimental field of the Horticulture Department of the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy in 2019–2020 on soddy-podzolic medium loamy soil. The experiments were performed in compliance with the agrotechnical require- ments for plant care throughout the entire observation period. The objects of research were breeding samples (26) of dill, selected at the Horticulture Department as a result of individual selection from the collection of varieties: Dukat, Sevastopol, Grenadier, Local Bulgarian, Mamut, Uzory, Salut, Almaz, Local Chinese, Alligator, Reshelie, Max, Dalniy, Rzheutsky, a local Krasnodar variety, Hoarfrost.
Results. The article presents the results of a study of 26 breeding samples of common dill in 2019–2020. In the course of evaluating the collection material of common dill, highly productive samples were identified at different ripening periods. Differences in the content of dry matter, vitamin C, carotene, low accumulation of nitrates were revealed in the biochemical composition of common dill samples. According to the complex of traits valuable for breeding, samples were selected that can be used in further breeding work to create new varieties characterized by early maturity, high yield and product quality, as well as those having a longer term for the onset of the phase of industrial ripeness and a long period of shelf life.

Relevance and methods. Chips are considered to be one of the most popular food products with high content of biologically active compounds. The aim of the present work was evaluation of quality and antioxidant self-life of beet chips from different cultivars. Effect of drying method (convection, freeze drying) and storage conditions (paper, vacuum plastic bags and aluminum foil) on beet root chips from 4 cvs self-life was investigated. Biochemical methods of analysis and tasting evaluation were used.
Results. Beet intervarietal differences in self-life of chips fat soluble antioxidants were indicated. Paper bags were shown to produce the highest AOA and phenolics values of convection drying products contrary to freeze drying chips in vacuum plastic bags. Differences in AOA and phenolics self-life of products produced via convection and freeze drying are absent. Tasting evaluation (appearance, taste, texture, aroma) revealed the lowest score for Gaspadynya cv. The highest polyphenols loss in chips stored in aluminum foil was typical for Gaspadynya cv chips, while storage in paper bags – for chips from Dobrynya cv chips. In a whole, the results of the present investigation indicate the importance intervarietal differences in beet chips production, as genetic differences determine taste and storability of the product.

At present, much attention is paid to medicinal plants, the raw material of which is used for the production of drugs with antibacterial activity. Such plants include Macleaea x kevensis Turill. Due to the fact that this crop does not grow under natural conditions in the Russian Federation, there is a question of creating industrial plantations of Macleau x kevensis Turill. To solve this problem, it is necessary to determine a promising way of propagation of the plant and develop a balanced use of mineral fertilizers in order to obtain maximum yields of high quality medicinal raw materials. The research was carried out on the experimental fields of medicinal crop rotation of the North Caucasus branch of FGBNU VILAR, located in the Western Caucasus, in order to study the ways of multiplication of the crop and the timing of its planting. Field experiments were laid by setting up experiments with small area. Phenological observations were carried out, peculiarities of growth and development of plants were studied, yield and content of active substances were determined. The conducted researches have established that the most effective way of propagation of Macleau x kevensis Turill in the conditions of Western Ciscaucasia is autumn planting by cuttings of rhizomes 10-15 cm long. With this method of multiplication of the culture, its ear- lier regrowth in the spring, active growth and development of plants are observed. It allows to harvest the raw material already in the first year of vegetation and provides the yield of medical raw material of Macleau x kevensis Turill at the level of 1,12 t/ha and the alkaloid content 1,02%. If we applied foliar top dressing NPK45, then in I-III years of vegetation of the crop, the yield of raw materials increased by 25-27% and the content of alkaloids increased by 6-9%, and their yield per hectare – by 30-38%.

In agriculture, the use of microbiological fertilizers is becoming more and more widespread. The presence of microorganisms in them allows improving soil fertility, increasing the productivity of crops, while ensuring the cultivation of environmentally friendly products. There is a wide variety of microbiological fertilizers, so determining the type of preparation for garden strawberries when grown in the conditions of the Udmurt Republic is relevant. The purpose of the research: a comparative assessment of the effect of various types of microbiological fertilizers on the productivity of garden strawberries.

Materials and Methods. Studies on the effect of microbiological fertilizers on the yield and its structure of garden strawberries were carried out on the territory of Vostochny LLC, Zavyalovsky District, Udmurt Republic. In 2016, 2018 studies were carried out on the feeding of garden strawberries of the Darenka vari- ety of the first and third years of fruiting with microbiological fertilizers on soddy-medium-podzolic medium-loamy soil. The scheme of the experiment included the following options: Water (control), Baikal EM 1, Emix, Humat EM. The total area of the plot is 2,9 m2. The accounting area of the plot is 1,8 m2. Placement of variants by a systematic method, in six-fold repetition.

Results. Harvesting was carried out in five terms. Studies have proven the positive effect of the studied microbiological fertilizers on plant productivity. The highest yield of berries was 833,6 g/m2, which was obtained using Baikal EM 1. The largest berry was obtained in 2016, also when treated with Baikal EM 1, and amounted to 145 g. lo to increase the number of berries from the bush. So, in 2016 their number was 45,2; in 2018 – 42,0 pieces.

Selenium (Se) and iodine (I) are essential elements for humans, and their deficiency is widespread throughout the world. In order to obtain a functional nutritional product with an increased content of these trace elements in the vegetative experiment, foliar biofortification of two chervil varieties with selenium (sodium selenate 10 mg/l) and iodine (potassium iodide 100 mg/l) was carried out without and against the background of the use of silicon-containing fertilizers Siliplant (3 ml/l). The combined and separate application of selenate, iodide and Siliplant increased plants’ biomass. Siliplant utilization increased the accumulation of iodine by 1.7-1.9 times, and selenium supply – by 2.2-3.1 times. A significant increase in ascorbic acid content was provided by the combined supplementation of iodine and selenium (1.25-1.27 times), iodine and silicon (1.46-1.87 times) and joint application of selenium, iodine, and silicon (1.31-1.73 times), while an increase in total antioxidant activity (1.3-1.4 times) was observed for (Se+I) and (Se+I+Si) treatments. High varietal differences in the responsiveness of plants to the selected treatments were manifested, particularly an increase of polyphenols accumulation under separate and joint treatments of chervil with iodine and selenium by 1.26 times in the cultivar 21-20, and the absence of a significant effect in the cultivar 24-20. Taking into account the adequate consumption levels (ACL) of iodine and selenium, 50 g of the resulting functional product can provide up to 79% of iodine ACL and up to 40% in selenium ACL.

Relevance. Common buckwheat is one of the most important cereal and melliferous crops being in demand both in Russia and overseas. Despite the fact that buckwheat has lower sus- ceptibility to infectious diseases in comparisons with other grain and cereal crops, research on its pathogens is a topical issue considering a high disease rate for this crop in Primorsky krai. Materials and methods. The study on pathogenic composition was conducted in selective crop rotations of FSBSI “FSC of Agricultural Biotechnology of the Far East named after A.K. Chaiki” at the territory of Ussuriysky district in Primorsky krai. Indeterminate (Izumrud, Pri 7, Bashkirskaya krasnostebel’naya) and determinate (Dikul) buckwheat varieties were used for the study. Fungi were isolated from rhizoplane using water washing technique, from soil and rhizosphere via the dilution method, from leaves and root systems by accumulation in a moist chamber with subsequent transfer of culture onto selective medium. Fungal isolates were cul- tivated on toxigenic medium (Myro) to determine their phytotoxicity. Phytopathogenic activity of living cultures was evaluated on potato sucrose agar according to the modified method of Chelkowski and Manka . All experiments were conducted in accordance with established methods.

Results. Culture filtrates of F. avenaceum and F. graminearum isolates, obtained from different anatomical parts of common buckwheat, were characterized by low toxicity, and culture filtrates of F. oxysporum isolate were highly toxic. Phytotoxicity of pathogens manifested itself not only in decrease in laboratory germination ability of buckwheat seeds, but also in inhibition of buckwheat sprout development. It proved that metabolites exerted a prolonged effect on sensitive plants. F.avenaceum, F. oxysporum and F. graminearum have pronounced phy- topathogenic and aggressive properties in relation to buckwheat and test-plants in the laboratory conditions. The sum total of their studied phytotoxic properties is convincing enough to consider them potentially hazardous to buckwheat for wilt disease development.

Weeds are a major threat in crop production, and controlling them in modern agriculture is critical to preventing crop losses and ensuring food security. Intensive farming practices, climate change and natural disasters affect weed dynamics, requiring a change in management practices. Existing methods are no longer viable due to lack of manpower; chemical control methods are limited by health hazards and the development of herbicide resistance in weeds. This article discusses some potential alternative weed control strategies in modern vegetable production that are feasible and effective. Increasing the competitiveness of vegetable crops through proper planning of agrotechnologies system, preventive, cultural and mechanical methods, development of competitive varieties, allelopathy, biological control and reduction of weed seed production at harvest will be a major aspect in sustainable weed management. Improving tillage regimes has long been considered the main measure of weed control. Control of weed seed production and weed injuriousness have been shown as potential tools to reduce weed seed germination and retention in the soil. The development of allelopathy has led to the emergence of new methods of weed control. The use of the allelopathic potential of crops also deserves mention in modern weed control methods. Thermal weed control is seen as a useful method. The role of bioherbicides as an integral part of sustainable weed management is emphasized. All of these strategies are viable for modern agriculture; however, choosing a specific method and using the right combinations will be the key to success. No strategy is perfect, and therefore an integrated approach can provide the best results. The adoption of such practices can improve the efficiency of farming systems in sustainable agricul- ture. A comprehensive method for protecting vegetable crops from weeds and ways to reduce the potential contamination of fields with seeds and weed seedlings are described. The optimal norms and technological features, conditions for the effective use of modern herbicides on crops and plantings of vegetable crops are given.

Relevance. Peanut seeds are rich in oils, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and flavonoids, therefore they are widely used in the production of food, feed, biodiesel, as well as in medicine. When cultivating peanuts, the problem of reducing the yield and sometimes the quality of seeds necessarily arises due to the impact of phytopathogenic microscopic fungi, and the main factors in the transmission of the infectious principle are soil and plant residues. The plant protection system should be based on knowledge of the structure of mycocomplexes of the rhizosphere and phylloplane.

Methods. On a typical black soil on a natural infectious background in Belgorod (Russia), a sample of cultural peanuts V-2012 (Vietnam) from the collection of the Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology of the Institute of Pharmacy, Chemistry and Biology of the National Research University "BelSU" was studied. The species composition of microscopic fungi in the peanut rhizosphere was analyzed in comparison with fallow soil (control), which was found by seeding soil dilutions and leaf samples on dense nutrient media, followed by identification to species.

Results. Compared with the control soil, the mycocomplex of the peanut rhizosphere (the Shannon index value at the level of 2.5 and 2.7 in the rhizosphere and control, respectively) was characterized by a lower degree of diversity and the degree of similarity of soil samples was high (the Jaccard coefficient was 50%), which means that that the cultivation of peanuts has lit- tle effect on the composition and structure of a typical black soil. In the peanut rhizosphere, a decrease in the frequency of occurrence of the phytopathogenic species F. oxysporum was observed, which may be associated with an increase in the rank in the mycocomplex of the mycophilic species T. lignorum. Aspergillus ochraceus, A. terreus, A. ustus, Candida albicans, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium oxysporum, Trichothecium roseum species were found to be sen- sitive to peanut cultivation. Peanut leaf spot was caused annually by the species Alternaria alternate, which can lead to a decrease in seed productivity up to 80%.

The article describes the life and creative path of the famous scientist, a prominent specialist in the field of ecology, breeding and seed production of vegetable crops, аcademician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, laureate of the State Prize and the Prizes of the Government of the Russian Federation Viktor Fedorovich Pivovarov.