Relevance. Consumer demand development of exotic colors presence in modern tomato hybrids requires a timely response from domestic breeders for creating highly effective hybrids. With regard to cherry tomatoes, special attention of breeders is aimed at achieving excellent taste in new hybrids. One of the indicators is the "content of dry soluble substances in fruits". However, there is no information in the literature about the variation of this trait within different color groups of cherry tomatoes. The aim of our work was the creation of initial material for the selection of F₁ cherry tomato hybrids with a high content of dry soluble substances.

Materials and methods. All measurements were obtained by the refractometric method and presented in the ^oBrix scale. The study examined 46 F₂ splitting cherry tomato populations, including 17 red, 12 yellow, 7 pink, 8 brown, and 2 purple. Analyzing the obtained data, the following statistical indicators were made: the frequency of occurrence of the variant; arithmetic mean; dispersion; the coefficient of variation; sample mean error. Relative error was used to test the sample results obtained.

Results. The coefficients of variation of the trait «content of dry soluble substances in fruits» were calculated in each of the five color groups of cherry tomatoes (from 17.43% for brown-fruited to 25.13% for red-fruited). The boundaries of variability and average values of the content of dry soluble substances were determined both within the groups (from 7.2 ^oBr in pink-fruited to 8.8 ^oBr in yellow-fruited ones), and for each studied breeding sample. The practical result of the work was selection of the most promising breeding material within different color groups of cherry tomato, combining high values of dry matter with a complex of economically valuable traits. 

Relevance. Anthocyanin pigments can be synthesised in the stem, leaves, calyx, peel and pulp of tomato fruit. These compounds protect the photosynthetic apparatus of the plant, neutralise free radicals, increase the efficiency of phosphorus and nitrogen assimilation, have an osmoregulatory function, antimicrobial activity and increase the level of adaptation to unfavourable environmental conditions. In addition, anthocyanins from plant foods play an important role in the prevention of type II diabetes, neurodegenerative processes, cardiovascular and infectious diseases. Therefore, the cultivation of tomatoes with anthocyanin-coloured fruits is a perspective area for the vegetable industry in Russia. Vegetable products containing antioxidant substances belong to the functional products and conform to the concept of a healthy diet. As one of the most popular and frequently consumed vegetable crops, the anthocyanin content of tomato is advisable to increase in the fruit (peel and pulp).

Material and methods. In this work we studied breeding samples of FSBSI FSVC: L-Ch-365, L-IR-2080, L-Zemba, hybrid combination F₁ Zemba x L-Ch-365, variety of Siberian Botanical Garden Bosare blue. The aim of our research was to determine the quantitative composition of phenolic compounds - anthocyanins in different tomato samples, and on this basis to determine the objectives of breeding to improve the content of phenolic compounds.

Results. As a result of the research, the quantitative content of anthocyanins in fruits of dif- ferent tomato specimens has been studied, on which the dietary and medicinal quality of the fruits depends. The sources of high content of anthocyanins (L-Zemba, L-IR-2080) have been obtained, which will make possible to conduct directed breeding work for high content of phenolic compounds. It has been shown that anthocyanin-rich tomato samples can be rich in carotenoids, which gives an opportunity to create new varieties and hybrids with high content of water- and fat-soluble antioxidants. Potential samples for breeding according to the complex of biochemical indicators have been identified: L-Zemba, L-IR-2080, Bosare blue. It has been shown that selection for high content of anthocyanins can be performed at various stages of fruit ripening (large ripe fruit, blangetongue, biological ripeness), selecting the most intense colouring. The Zemba tomato variety developed at FSBSI FSVC has a sufficiently high anthocyanin content and is recommended for cultivation in production. 

Relevance. Basil is one of the most popular aromatic plants grown in the world. Various species and forms of Ocimum spp. differ in the nature of growth, color and aromatic composition. The VIR basil collection is represented by 452 accessions of six species from 55 countries. The expansion of the assortment of basil, as well as the identification of competitive adaptive cultivars with high economically valuable traits, determines the need to study and identify promising species and forms of Ocimum spp. The purpose of our work was to study accessions of basil (Ocimum basilicum) from the VIR collection by morphological and phenological traits and to identify accessions that have a complex of economically valuable traits for further use in the breeding.

Materials and methods. The studies were carried out at the Federal Research Center N. I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) at the VIR Pushkin and Pavlovsk Laboratories in 2019-2021 in open ground conditions. The material of the study was 66 accessions of the VIR basil collection of various agrobiological status and ecological and geographical origin. When analyzing the material, phenological observations, biometric measurements and morphological description of plants were carried out. These measurements were carried out in the phase of mass flowering.

Results. As a result of the study, the degree of variability of the main phenological and morphological features was revealed. Accessions of basil were selected according to such traits as early maturity, plant height, weight of one plant and cold resistance, which can be used as starting material for breeding. The studied accessions are grouped into 7 varieties of two subspecies (subsp. basilicum and subsp. minimum): var. basilicum, var. glabratum, var. purpurescens, var. majus, var. diforme, var. minimum and var. chamaeleonicum, and their characteristics are given. 

Scientific relevance. The garden petunia, Petunia hybrida, is a popular and wide spread ornamental crop from the family Solanaceae. It is a promising model plant for molecular and genetic research. In vitro micropropagation plays an important role in the distribution of the garden petunia because the survivability and quality of seed material decreases significantly in every subsequent generation. Besides, micropropagation reduces the cost of production substantially. Considering that very few researchers addressed this question in the Russian Federation, this direction of research is still worthy of attention.

Materials and methods. The experiments were conducted by the Laboratory of Breeding and Genetic Research on Field Crops at FSBSI “Federal Scientific Center of Agricultural Biotechnology of the Far East named after A.K. Chaiki”. Seeds of Petunia hybrida (double-flowered) were used as primary explants. Liquid bleacher ACE diluted with distilled water in the proportion 1:9 was used as a sterilizing agent (the working solution contained 0.50% NaOCl). The total time of exposure was 15 minutes. The primary explants were subcultured onto a hormone-free Murashige and Skoog basal medium containing 20 g/L sucrose and 6 g/L agar. Isolated in vitro objects were cultured in test tubes with cotton-gauze plugs at an illuminance of 4000 lx, a temperature of 22–25 °C, and a 16h photoperiod in a culture room. The duration of one passage was 60 days. Micropropagation was carried out using 7- 10 mm cuttings with one or two nodes. The pot culture of the regenerants was established under controlled conditions in a light room (photoperiod was 16 hours, temperature was 23°С).

Results. The optimal method for introducing Petunia hybrida into cell culture is the use of seeds treated with the solution of bleacher ACE that was diluted with distilled water in the proportion 1:9. The optimal time of exposure is 15 minutes. Petunia hybrida demonstrated a high regeneration rate on the hormone-free MS medium – it had a fast growth and development rate, and good rhizogenesis; the reproductive rate was 8.77. For the micropropagation of the garden petunia, it is advisable to use cuttings of test tube plants, which should be placed onto a hormone-free MS medium. The test tube plants of Petunia hybrida acclimatized successfully on a soil substrate. This shows the high plasticity of the culture. 

Scientific relevance. Currently, in the protected ground, the main areas are occupied by parthenocarpic hybrids of cucumber of foreign origin. Therefore, the selection of domestic cucumber hybrids of the parthenocarpic type is very relevant.

Material and conditions. The experience was laid in 2018-2022 in the Odintsovo district of the Moscow region in the conditions of a spring film ground greenhouse of the "Block" type on the basis of the head institution of the FSBSI FSVC. Agrotechnics of cultivation is generally accepted for the conditions of spring film greenhouses. In breeding nurseries where there were no bees, the degree of parthenocarpy was determined as the ratio of the fruit set to the number of female flowers formed on the plant, as a percentage. The records were carried out from the 5^th to the 20^th node inclusive, only on plants of the female type of flowering. On the basis of the laboratory of breeding and seed production of pumpkin crops, 27 collectible and more than 50 breeding samples of parthenocarpic cucumber were studied.

Results. During three years of research, 7 hybrids of cucumber of the parthenocarpic type of foreign breeding were selected based on the sum of economically useful traits.These hybrids were distinguished by a high degree of parthenocarpy. With their participation, as a result of multiple selections and self-pollination, more than 50 breeding lines were created. Analysis of the obtained material showed that the degree of manifestation of parthenocarpy on the plant (the arithmetic mean between the indicators of parthenocarpy on the main and lateral shoots) in the best half of the samples in 2021 was in the range of 30-50%, whereas in 2022 it already reached 50-70%. The parthenocarpy severity coefficient above 70% was noted only in 2022 in 4% of samples. About half of the samples showed a fairly low parthenocarpy: in 2021 no more than 30%, and in 2022 no more than 50%. Most of them were rejected. The parthenocarpy of the best breeding samples in 2022, compared with 2021, increased by an average of 17.7%. Breeding lines obtained even from the same collection sample often differed greatly, sometimes by 4 times, in the degree of parthenocarpy. The families of the most stable parthenocarpy samples had differences on this basis in 2021 only 3-6%, and in 2022 – 10-11%. Families with the greatest severity of this trait were selected annually. It can be concluded that the degree of parthenocarpy in cucumber strongly depends on both the genotype of the sample and the growing conditions. 3 breeding lines were selected, characterized by high indicators of the degree of manifestation of parthenocarpy in 2021 (61.5-70.5%) and the stability of the manifestation of this trait by families and years. 

Relevance. The studies are aimed at assessing the intravarietal allelic diversity of genes for resistance to fusariosis and cladosporiosis of tomato cultivars bred at the Michurinsky State Agrarian University using molecular markers.

Methods. The biological objects of the study are tomato varieties bred at the Michurinsky State Agrarian University. A total of 10 varieties were analyzed. The assessment of intravarietal polymorphism was determined on a sample of 10 plants of each variety. DNA extraction was performed using a Quick-DNA Plant/Seed Miniprep Kit (Zymo Research, USA) for DNA extraction according to the manufacturer's protocol. The P7 DNA marker was used to identify the cladosporosis resistance gene Cf-19. The presence of the fusarium wilt resistance gene I-2 was determined using the marker I-2/5. Amplification results were visualized by electrophoresis in 2% agarose gel.

Results. 10 plants of 10 varieties of Michurinsky GAU selection tomato were analyzed using molecular markers of genes for resistance to cladosporiosis and fusariosis. An assessment of intravarietal polymorphism was carried out. In most of the varieties studied, the genes analyzed are identified in a heterozygous state. Three varieties (Vivat, Carotinka, Krasavets) containing only alleles of susceptibility to the causative agent of the disease in the genotype I-2 identified by the gene. Individual samples were homozygous for the fusariosis resistance allele. Analysis of the gene for Cf-19 resistance to cladosporiosis showed that most of the varieties studied are heterozygous forms. In some varieties, all ten plants were heterozygous. These include Krasavets, Vivat, Orlik, Bui Tour. The remaining samples had different allelic compositions. The pathogen resistance allele has been identified in plants of the Nepryadva and Chernysh varieties. The dominant allele in the homozygous state was detected in the Japanese variety. At the same time, all the analyzed plants of this variety were monotonous.

Conclusion. It has been established, but a significant part of the varieties of tomato selection of Michurinsky GAU is polymorphic in the genes for resistance to cladosporiosis and fusariosis. In this case, a significant part of the varieties can be used in selection during preliminary molecular analysis. According to the gene for resistance to fusariosis, the following varieties are identified sources of the resistance allele: Sokol, Nepryadva, Yaponchik, Orlik, Zolotnichok, Chernysh. In them, the gene is I-2 represented in a heterozygous state. Intraortic polymorphism was also noted for the Cf-19 gene. Most samples have two alleles. The exception is the Japanese variety, which is the dominant homozygote for this gene. 

Precision farming technologies can help mitigate the environmental impact of agriculture by reducing the use of fertilizers and irrigation while reducing costs. Vegetable precision farming technology uses geographic positioning system (GPS), geographic information system (GIS), artificial intelligence (IoT), robotics, sensor technology, data-based genome editing, etc. to improve the production and quality of vegetables. Digital genome sequencing, developed over the past decade, has greatly reduced the cost and time required to map the DNA of plants and other organisms. Digital genome sequencing methods generate vast amounts of genome sequence data, which in turn aid in plant breeding for specific field conditions or desired traits. This maintains excellent prospects for growing vegetables in the current farming scenario, when climate change is forcing a rethink of all agricultural practices. This article provides useful information about precision farming technologies for vegetable growers, enthusiasts, farmers and researchers. Economic factors are important drivers and barriers to technology adoption. The practical significance of new technologies provided through communication and education has additional potential in terms of their promotion. 

Relevance. Presently, for the organic Cole crop cultivation are usually used early-ripe sorts and hybrids of Russian originator firms. There is a problem with middle and lateripe sorts and hybrids, which do not satisfy with the requirements of biological ripeness and weight of cabbage, presenting by customers. That is why hybrid Snezhinka F₁ of VNIISSOK selection is of practical interest; in 2008 yr. it was shown that it is perspective to use it in the conveyer after early-ripe sorts in organic cultivation.

Materials and methods. The research has done on hybrid Snezhinka F₁ with comparison of hybrid Cuisor F₁ (originator Syngenta seeds B.V.). The technology was maximal close to the technology of organic cultivation. The tests provided by triple repetition. The accounts and data processing were carried out by standard methods.

Results. As a result, after researches of middle-ripe cabbage hybrid Snezhinka F₁ was found that it satisfies the requirements of customers. Firstly, the cabbage does not contain any pesticides. Secondly, the formation of its biochemical composition proceeds without mineral fertilizers, by using the natural soil fertility. Thirdly, and it is very important by these biometric values, the cabbage reaches the phase of biological ripe at the same level or even above the popular hybrid Cuisor F₁. 

Relevance. The article analyzes the indicators of white cabbage production in Russia (by districts, subjects of the federation and categories of farms).

Methodology. The object of research is the market for the production of white cabbage. The subject of the study is the current state of white cabbage production. The information base of the study was made up of data from FAO, official state statistics, the Federal Customs Service, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation, Parliamentary hearings of the State Duma Committee on Agrarian Issues, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Eurasian Economic Commission, operational online messages of federal and regional levels, materials of periodicals, scientific seminars, conferences, symposiums, reflecting various aspects of the problem under study.

Results. In the industrial sector of vegetable growing, the acreage of cabbage of all types in 2021, in relation to 2020, decreased by 15.8%. Over the past ten years, there has been a decrease in acreage and gross cabbage harvest in farms of all categories. There are a number of systemic problems in Russian vegetable growing that limit the increase in vegetable production and negatively affect its effectiveness: weak technical and material equipment of a significant part of farms engaged in vegetable production, outdated technical base, insufficient provision of crops with seeds of domestic production. One of the leading roles in the implementation of the policy of food security and national independence is played by the selection and seed production of white cabbage. Sanctions make it possible to carry out import substitution of varieties and hybrids of white cabbage. To date, the main task is to abandon the import of seeds of foreign selection, and therefore it is important to focus on creating new hybrids that will be of high quality, good yield, as well as resistance to diseases and pests. Modern hybrids of breeding FGBNU FNTSO and Agrofirm "Poisk" according to the results of testing in leading agricultural organizations fully meet the requirements of the market and can take a worthy place in the fields in the Russian Federation. 

Relevance. Modern vegetable production in greenhouses is based on high tech-advantageous, such as vertical hydroponic technology. Increasing of vertical hydroponic market is conditioned with ensuring the food security of states in conditions instability of food deliveries due to violations of traditional logistic connections. The program of vertical tomato hydroponics was developed and used in practice at the FSBSI FSVC in 2010-2020. Productivity potential of Brassica rapa L. subsp. nipposinica cultivated at vertical hydroponic installation have been studied in connection with the spread of consumption of fresh greens and “yellow-green” vegetables.

The goal of the study was: the productivity characteristics and analysis of biochemical composition Brassica rapa L. subsp. nipposinica cultivated at the five-circle vertical hydroponic installation with help of natural immunomodulators.

Materials and methods. Materials of study: seeds and leaves (rosette of leaves) from 2 varieties of Brassica rapa L. subsp. nipposinica – Japanese variety Salad Mizuna and new variety Salut Jubileiu (originated from FSBSI FSVC); immune modulators – flavonoid glycoside linarozide and steroid glycosides moldstim and trigonellozide.

Methods. Seed treatment with 0,005%-water solutions of immune modulators; cultivation plants Brassica rapa L. subsp. nipposinica at the five-circle vertical hydroponic construction; analytical methods: determination of dry meter; determination the sum of antioxidants in leaves of Brassica rapa L. subsp. nipposinica; biometry; statistical methods: one-factorial dispersion analysis and two-factorial dispersion analysis.

Results. Possibility of Brassica rapa L. subsp. nipposinica plants cultivation at multi circle hydroponic installations was established by authors. Seed treatment with water solutions of immune modulators wasn’t influence on seedlings appearing (the quality of seeds was very high -99-100%). Height of plant (of rosette) the variety Mizuna was increased as the reaction on the seed treatment, but the weight of plants wasn’t change. Salut Jubileiu variety reacted with increasing the common weight of plants. Number of leaves was increased. The content of dry matter in leaves didn’t change, but the sum content of antioxidants is rise significantly after seed treatment of immune modulators. The conclusion has been made: applying of immune modulators from glycosides class could to increase the productivity, vitamin value and safety cultivation of Brassica rapa L. subsp. nipposinica plants at multi circle hydroponics installation. 

Relevance. An important place in the extensive assortment of ether-oil cultures belongs to the common yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.), phytopreparations produced on its basis are widely used in the treatment of inflammatory processes, the normalization of the gastrointestinal tract.

Methodology. To provide the pharmaceutical industry with this type of medicinal raw materials, it is necessary to create adapted technologies, where an important link will be the development of techniques for adapting the culture to unstable weather conditions.

Results. The studies were carried out in the conditions of the North Caucasus branch of VILAR (West Ciscaucasia) in 2019-2021, by conducting small-scale experiments. The indicators of growth and development of yarrow of the II-V years of vegetation, the yield of raw materials, the content of essential oil and its collection per hectare under unstable weather conditions were studied. It was found that with sufficient moisture supply and a comfortable level of air temperatures in 2021, a high yield of medicinal raw materials of this crop is observed. At the same time, low water supply and high temperatures in 2020 had a negative impact on plant development, a drop in yield of 1.35-1.65 t/ha was established, which led to losses in the collection of essential oil per hectare by 3.23-4.32 kg/ha. A decrease in the degree of negative impact of drought on yarrow plants of the II-IV years of vegetation was achieved through the use of silicon-containing microfertilization Siliplant. Double treatment with this drug contributed to a decrease in the yield of raw materials to 5-6% and the collection of essential oil per hectare to 5-7%. in the control – 21-24% and 22-24%, respectively. Despite the high yield of raw materials in the III-III years of yarrow vegetation, the use of Siliplant allows collecting ether-oil raw materials for 4 years. Thus, the inclusion of Siliplant microfertilization in cultivation technology allows plants to adapt to hydrothermal stress conditions and makes it possible to obtain stable yields of raw materials with a high collection of essential oil per hectare, regardless of weather conditions. 

Relevance. When creating tomato varieties and hybrids, much attention is paid not only to the commercial component (yield, appearance and uniform ripening), but also to the taste qualities of the products. Salad tomato varieties with yellow, tangerine, and pink fruits are increasingly in demand. As a rule, these fruits do not store for a long time, so it is necessary to increase their storability and transportability. Fruits of this group of tomatoes have high antioxidant activity, which is due not only to the significant content of water-soluble antioxidants (such as ascorbic acid), but also carotenoids. The preservation of fruit largely depends on the dry matter content.

The aim of investigation is to study biochemical parameters of tangerine tomatoes fruits under different ripening conditions.

Materials and methods. Plants were grown in the greenhouse of Federal Scientific Vegetable Center. Biochemical characteristics of tomato fruits were studied during harvesting and after laying for storage in the milky ripeness phase according to the following indicators: dry matter, ascorbic acid, total content of water-soluble antioxidants, titratable acidity, monosaccharides, polyphenols and carotenoids.

Results. The percentage of dry matter in tangerine tomato fruits does not change during storage, even increases slightly. The dry matter content of fruits from the open field is slightly higher than that of fruits from the greenhouse. The content of sugars and ascorbic acid in fruits with tangerine fruits after laying for ripening decreases slightly. However, the content of these compounds is higher in mature fruits immediately after picking than in fruits after ripening. The total content of antioxidants during ripening decreases, though not significantly (in 1.1-1.7 times). 

Relevance. Increased demand in Russia for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties of domestic breeding has stimulated the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center of breeding to intensify research on the creation of new asparagus bean varieties of vegetable direction.

Materials and methods. Four vegetable bean varieties – Secunda, Lika, Ulyasha, Si Bemol of the laboratory of selection and seed production of vegetable Legume crops of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center were used as the material for the study. The counts and observations were made according to the Methodology of the State Variety Trial of Agricultural Crops, 1975. The count of productivity was carried out in the technical stage of ripeness by replications. Harvesting was carried out when the biological stage of ripeness was reached. Biochemical studies of plants were carried out in the laboratoryanalytical department of the FSBSI FSVC. The biochemical composition of vegetable bean (green bean) varieties was studied according to the following indicators: determination of the total content of water-soluble antioxidants, ascorbic acid, dry matter, polyphenols, monosaccharides, total sugar content and starch.

Results. Evaluation of samples by aggregate factors contributes to the selection of the most promising and high-quality varieties for their introduction into production. As a result of the research of vegetable bean on the main economically valuable features and biochemical composition for the period from 2018 to 2020, the varieties Lika and Ulyasha were selected. They were distinguished by high productivity of beans and seeds. Green bean variety Lika was noted for the highest total content of water-soluble antioxidants, ascorbic acid and the total of sugars content, the green bean variety "lobio" Ulyasha - high content of polyphenols and the total of antioxidants in the alcohol extract. Stable high yield, adaptive potential and high quality of beans, confirmed by the results of biochemical evaluation, allow us to recommend these varieties for consumption by the population as part of the diet and as an alternative to meat and dairy products. 

Timeliness. Currently, the Russian Federation has a high demand in healthy planting material of garden strawberries. The benefits of using fertilizers when growing strawberry seedlings have been proven by numerous studies. However, a comparative study of the effect of new fertilizers and methods of their application is very limited. In this regard, studies aimed at identifying the effectiveness of the use of prolonged-acting fertilizers in the production of garden strawberry planting material in protected soil conditions are relevant.

Methods. Adapted to non-sterile conditions, ex vitro healthy garden strawberry plants were planted in a peat substrate of Veltorf LLC (recipe No. 5c/2) with the addition of Pg mix starter fertilizer with the structure NPK 14-16-18 + microelements (1.5 g/l of substrate). At the same time, prolonged-acting fertilizers were introduced into the substrate in the recommended concentrations: FertiPro Gran 1M (1.25 g/l of substrate), Ruscote 5-6M (3.0 g/l of substrate), Basacote Plus 6M (4.0 g/l of substrate), control peat substrate without fertilizers, PG mix standard.

Results. It has been established that for the Karmen crop with an average runner-forming ability, the effectiveness of applying FertiPro Gran 1M fertilizer to the substrate was revealed, with the use of which, on the 180th day of cultivation, the number of runners and rosettes increases by 3.5–3.8 times compared to the control. At the same time, the yield of marketable seedlings is 95% compared to 70% in the control. For the Jūnija smaids crop with a high vine-forming ability, the effectiveness of all experimental variants with the application of FertiPro Gran 1M, Ruscote and Basacote Plus fertilizers to the substrate was revealed, with the use of which, on the 180th day of cultivation, the number of runners and rosettes increases by 1,9-2,5 times compared to the control. At the same time, the yield of marketable seedlings is 94-96% compared to 65% in the control.

Conclusion. The introduction of long–acting fertilizers FertiPro Gran, Ruscote and Basacote Plus into the peat substrate with the addition of Pg mix starter fertilizer allowed a 2.3 – 3.8-fold increase in the number of runners obtained and 1.9-3.5-fold increase in the number of sockets obtained compared to the control without fertilizers. 

Introduction. The use of new covering materials is an important modern agrotechnique for cultivating of bell pepper in the open ground, which allows to minimize chemical treatments, increasing the yield, quality and preservation quality of vegetable products.

The purpose of this work is to study the effect of various mulching materials (black polyethylene film and spandbond «Agrotex 60 perforated mulch») on the yield of bell pepper and also on biochemical composition of fruits and on their preservation quality in relation to the ripeness phase.

Methods. The objects of the study were the fruits of two bell pepper hybrids of domestic and foreign breeding (respectively Nathalie F₁ and Anetta F₁), grown in the open ground using mulching materials. The experiments were laid according to standard methods adopted in vegetable growing. Storage was carried out in accordance with the methodological guidelines for conducting research on the storage of vegetables.

Results. The use of mulching materials contributed to an increase in total yield and the yield of standard products in the crop structure, and also positively affected the accumulation of solids, vitamin C, monosaccharides, disaccharides and as a whole – the sum of sugars. The domestic hybrid Natalie F₁ (74.9%), grown using black film as a mulching material, as compared to foreign hybrid Anetta F₁ (71.3%), was characterized by better preservation quality. Significant differences in the chemical composition of fruits depending on the ripeness phase were revealed. Fruits laid for storage in full biological ripeness (red) were characterized by an increased amount of weight loss on all storage options. A positive effect on the storage persistence of bell pepper fruits with use of mulching materials on all variants of the experiment was also established. 

The 28-spotted potato ladybird beetle belongs to the subfamily Epilachninae, which is comprised exclusively by phytophagous insects. The potato ladybird beetle is a dangerous pest of potato in the south of the Russian Far East. Besides potato, it causes damage to tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, marrows and eggplants. Adult beetles and larvae eat the parenchyma of leaves severely damaging them. As the result, leaves turn yellow and wither. One beetle can eat up to 15 cm² of leave surface on average per day, and 300-700 cm² over its lifetime. A larva can eat from 20 to 30 cm² of leave surface while developing. This significantly reduces the yield. The body of an adult beetle is small (males, 4-6 mm; female, 5-7 mm), dome-shaped, and elliptical. The elytra are yellow or brownish with 28 black round spots. Some spots, especially the ones along the line of junction, can partially merge. The color of the underside of male beetles is lighter than in females. Male beetles have yellow or less frequently darkened prothorax, mesothorax and metathorax, epimera, and the uppermost edge of the sternites of the abdomen. The anal sternite of the abdomen has a curve with two depressions. The underside of a female beetle is black. The uppermost edge of the anal sternite is straight and with a flat depression. The body of a larva is greyish, oval and with numerous setae. There are 4 rows of black chitinous spinules on the back. Depending on an instar, larvae have a different number of projections on the chitinous spinules. Pupae are exarate, light yellow, and have larval skin remnants at the apex of the abdomen. There are two large black spots on the backside of the thoracic segments. The spots on the abdominal segments are smaller. Fairly long protruding setae grow sparsely on the bodies of pupae. Eggs of the potato ladybird beetle are yellow, elongated, with a pointed apex and a flat bottom. The surface of an egg is characterized by a fine cellular structure. 

Relevance. Study of pesticide residues is an integral part of registration tests. It is present a particular interest in terms of hygienic safety of eating vegetable crops grown with use of protective agents.

Methods. The analysis procedure includes an approach developed by the authors, based on microwave digestion of samples after cryo-destruction, followed by analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomisation. The approaches used in research, allow us to trace the dynamics of copper content in fruits of potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers and onions, during the vegetation periods of 2020-2021 in different soil and climatic zones.

Results. It is shown that treatment with copper-containing preparations does not affect the content of copper in fruits of the studied crops during the whole experiment, except for the day of sampling immediately after the treatment. At the same time, reliable excesses in comparison with control samples are observed in experiments, where the aboveground part of crops is investigated. For example, the content of copper in tomato fruits in 2020, taken on the day of the last treatment, was 0.61±0.16 mg/kg and 0.47±0.08 mg/kg in the experimental and control samples, respectively. In 2021, the trend continued and copper concentration on the day of treatment was 0.80±0.15 mg/kg and 0.64±0.12 mg/kg respectively in the experimental and control samples. In the study of onion treated with copper oxychloride-based preparation, the concentration of copper in the whole plant (leaves + bulb) on the day of treatment in 2020 was 8.5±1.1 mg/kg in the experimental sample and 0.43±0.18 mg/kg in the control sample. In 2021, the copper concentration in the experimental sample collected on the treatment day was 14.1±3.8 mg/kg and in the control sample was 1.1±0.2 mg/kg respectively. 

Relevance. Mash (Vigna radiate (L.) R.Wilczek) is a very ancient Asian legume plant, which, thanks to a number of advantages, may become an important vegetable crop in Russia. Young fruits and seeds of Vigna radiate are rich in protein, vitamins A, B, C, PP, iron, folic acid, and taste like green peas. A lot of essential amino acids and a low glycemic index make it possible to use even mature mash seeds for the preparation of dietary food. To preserve the harvest, it is important to know the diseases of the crop.

Methods. For a number of years, a sample of the radiant vigna VR-2014 (Vietnam) has been studied on a natural infectious background in the soil and climatic conditions of the Belgorod region (Russia). Field tests and mycological studies made it possible to determine the species composition of phytopathogenic microscopic fungi, describe the symptoms and compare the main elements of accounting for mycoses.

Results. The length of the growing season of the radiant vigna did not exceed 83 days, the appearance of seedlings was noted on 10-12 days from sowing, flowers – on 68-73 days. The height of the plants did not exceed 40 cm. Ascochytosis (the causative agent of Ascochyta boltschauseri) led to losses of 82% of seed productivity, with an average prevalence of 40% and the development of the disease of 2.5 points. Ascochitosis reduced the values of all elements of seed productivity: the length and number of fruits, the mass of 1000 seeds, but most of all (by 5 times) the weight of fruits and seeds from the plant decreased. Peronosporosis (the causative agent of Peronospora fabae) led to losses of seed productivity by 16%, root rot (the causative agent of Bipolaris australensis) and fomosis (the causative agent of Phoma diversispora) – by 17% and 11%, respectively. Spotting was the leading symptom of mycoses of Vigna radiate, and the most harmful phytopathogenic fungi were representatives of the ground-air group of pathogens.

Relevance. For the cultivation of environmentally friendly products, the preservation of soil fertility and environmental protection, the question of the prospects for longterm use of various fertilizer systems is very important. With an acute shortage of manure, a mineral-biological fertilizer system is promising, when an estimated dose of mineral fertilizers is applied against the background of annually sown siderates. Such a system of fertilizer application makes it possible to increase yields, product quality, significantly reduce the shortage of organic matter in the soil, improve its structure and biological activity. The inclusion of the employed steam with the most effective precursors, doses of mineral macro and micro fertilizers and humic acids in the rowed link of crop rotation can reduce the contamination of crops and significantly increase the yield of root chicory root crops.

Materials and methods. The research was carried out in 2017-2021 located in the Rostov district of the Yaroslavl region.

Results. As a result of the conducted research, it was found that on turf-podzolic medium-loamy soils of the Non-Chernozem zone of the Russian Federation, it is economically feasible to use technology for the cultivation of root chicory using an oatpea mixture as a precursor in combination with the introduction of mineral fertilizers into the soil at a dose of N60P60K120 and the treatment of vegetative plants with boron and humate. When using this technology, the contamination of crops decreases, their photosynthetic potential and the yield of root crops increases, the cost of production decreases, and the profitability exceeds 104%. 

Relevance. Cleaning of reclamation channels is a very relevant event. The need to clean the canals and maintain them in working condition becomes obvious during the flood period, when it is necessary to remove excess water. The paper presents mathematical models for determining the performance of the PP-303 canal cleaner, a feature of which is the rectilinear movement of the bucket on rigid guides along the bottom along the axis of the canal to be cleaned.

Methods. The article is formed on the basis of experimental research methods. The research was carried out based on experimental and calculated data. A network of drainage canals of the drainage system was taken as the research object, and the working equipment of the canal cleaner was taken as the research subject. Performance, which is the amount of products produced by the machine per unit of time, can be of three types (theoretical, technical, and operational) and can be determined with consideration of the design parameters of the working equipment. During the operation of trench cutting machines, their performance directly depends on the main parameter, namely, the depth of the canal being built; in the case of canal cleaning with canal cleaners, this parameter cannot be considered as the main one. This is due to the fact that siltation and sediments accumulating on the bottom and slopes of the canals during the operation of the reclamation system are extremely unevenly distributed along the length of the canal. The highest concentration and amount of sediments and siltation is observed mainly at the mouth of the canals, the junctions of canals of different levels, and the junctions of the drainage with the drainage canal. In this case, the most significant parameter is the thickness of the chips removed from the bottom and slopes of the canal by the bucket.

Results. The results of the research showed that the performance of the channel cleaner, as a batch machine, is influenced by the very design of the working equipment, the main element of which is a bucket capable of moving in a straight line along rigid guides at different speeds. With obvious high values of the performance of continuous channel cleaning machines, it can be concluded that the channel cleaner RR-303 showed high values of technical and operational characteristics, mainly due to the use of a trapezoidal profile bucket.