Relevance. The development of a system of molecular markers that allows identifying the genetic determinants of resistance to pathogens, as well as the typing of alleles involved in the regulation of anthocyanin accumulation, is the most important condition for increasing the efficiency of the breeding process aimed at enhancing the resistance of cultivated crops to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Methodology. The work involved molecular genetic methods of DNA isolation, PCR analysis, restriction, and evaluation of amplification and restriction products in agarose or polyacrylamide gels. The material used included the diverse collections of Solanum lycopersicum and Capsicum annuum, as well as the specimens of closely related wild species.

Results. The paper evaluates the effectiveness of 25 molecular markers presented in the literature associated with resistance to tomato and pepper diseases caused by fungal, bacterial, viral pathogens, as well as nematodes. Markers to the alleles of MYB transcription factor genes associated with the regulation of anthocyanin accumulation in tomato (SlMyb12, Anthocyanin1, Anthocyanin2, An-2-like and Atroviolacium) and pepper (Myb113-like1, Myb113-like2 and ETC3-2), recommended for the breeding process aimed at increasing resistance to stressful biotic and abiotic environmental factors, are presented.

Relevance and research material. In 2023, it was 100 years since the beginning of the collection, study and preservation of the world doublet collection of potatoes (UNU, registration USU_505851) at the Polar Experimental Station of the VIR branch. This is one of the oldest and unique potato collections, the preservation of which is carried out in the field. The first potato samples began to enter the collection in 1923. Now the potato doublet collection has 3200 samples. It includes breeding varieties, hybrids, cultivated South American potato species Solanum andigenum Juz. et Buk, Solanum chilotanum Hawkes.

Results. The collection is a unique genetic material that is of high importance in solving issues of improving the efficiency of agriculture in the country. As part of the field collection of potatoes, the source material for dangerous quarantine objects is quite widely presented: potato cancer (Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilb.) Persiva) and globoderosis (Globodera rostochiensis Woll.). There are donors of late blight resistance (Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary.). There is a source material in the collection that has economically valuable characteristics: precocity, frost resistance, yield, marketability. Varieties with a high amount of phenolic compounds in the tuber pulp are also included in the field doublet collection. Such varieties are suitable for dietary nutrition and can be used in the prevention of a number of diseases.

Conclusion. The collection of the collection is of great importance for applied research and for ensuring food security of the region and the country as a whole.

Relevance. The climatic conditions of the Primorsky Territory, the determining factors of which are its geographical location at the junction of the continent of Eurasia and the Pacific Ocean, are unique, which determines the main directions of breeding vegetable crops at the Primorskaya Vegetable Experimental Station – branch of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution «Federal Scientific Vegetable Center» (PVES – branch of the FSBSI FSVC). The article provides an overview of the main achievements of the station's scientists' long-term work on tomato breeding for open ground and identifies the main tasks for further development of this area in the conditions of the south of the Russian Far East.

Results. Based on the results of many years of research, the model of tomato variety of universal type for open ground was specified taking into account the requirements of the modern market of Primorsky Krai: ripeness group – medium-early or medium-ripening, short sprouting-flowering period; determinant plant, compact with medium or high foliage and medium-sized leaves (important for mechanized cultivation); brush – simple or intermediate; stalk – without articulation or with thickening (easy fruit detachment); fruit – of different shape, weight 60-100 g dry matter content not less than 5%, with uniform coloring without a spot at the stalk in milk ripeness and different coloring in biological ripeness, resistant to cracking, vertex rot, with high storability and transportability; resistance – to sudden temperature changes, soil overwatering, high temperatures and air humidity during the fruiting period, to diseases of various etiologies, primarily to Alternaria and Phytophthora. Since a significant factor in reducing the productivity of varieties are diseases (as a result of increasing aggressiveness and expansion of the species composition of pathogens), the priority at present is breeding for immunity. Within this framework, intensive search for valuable sources and creation of new source material based on hybridization, individual and family selection from the best varietal and hybrid populations is carried out. Among the achievements of breeding of PVES promising are varieties Fitilek and Echo (tolerant to Alternaria), varieties Odyssey, Patrokl and Summit (tolerant to Phytophthora), on the basis of which parental lines are created. The breeding process also involves the most adaptive open field varieties of FSVC selection and the source of group resistance to Alternaria and Phytophthora - variety Ottava 30.

Conclusion. Creation of targeted breeding achievements will allow to expand the variety range and saturate the vegetable market of this economically important region of the south of the Far East Primorye with domestic varieties within the framework of the import substitution program.

Relevance. The creation of new varieties and hybrids of sweet pepper adapted to the conditions of the Astrakhan region will increase yields, product quality and competitiveness. The analysis of the inheritance of valuable traits in F₁ hybrids will also expand the base of the pepper gene pool and create new promising varieties and hybrids that meet the requirements of the modern market and consumers. The purpose of the study was to study the collection and breeding material for the creation of F₁ sweet pepper hybrids with a combination of new economically valuable ones in the Astrakhan region.

Methodology. The work was carried out in the Astrakhan region, Kamyzyaksky district in the VNIIOOB branch of the "PAFSC RAS" according to accepted methods and technologies. During 2021-2023, 82 collection samples and 420 breeding lines were studied, with a total area of 0.42 ha.

The objects of research were 4 varieties and 1 line of sweet pepper.

Results. In the collection and breeding nurseries, promising samples were selected, according to which hybridization was carried out. When studying the hybrids obtained, four hybrid combinations are of breeding interest: Cuboid red x Sprinter, Sprinter x Gift of Moldova, Sprinter x Flight, Flight x Sprinter. Inheritance was studied according to the characteristics: the type of bush, the shape of the fruit, color in the technical and biological degree of maturity, wall thickness and insemination of fruits. We studied the parental forms and inheritance of sweet pepper traits in F₁ hybrids of four crossing combinations. Description and selection of combinations Cube-shaped red × Sprinter and Sprinter × Podarok Moldovan, exceeding the standard in yield by 5.7-7.3 tonnes/ha, which are of interest for further breeding work. It was determined that in the obtained hybrid combinations, the morphological characteristics of plants were inherited mainly by overdomination of the Sprinter variety.

Conclusion. The research results can be applied in practice when creating the starting material for future varieties and hybrids of sweet pepper, and the resulting hybrids will complement the range of existing varieties and hybrids of sweet pepper.

Relevance. The modern direction of bean breeding is focused on increasing the protein content in seeds and green beans, as well as vitamins, folic acid, biologically active substances and antioxidants, improving organoleptic properties and reducing the content of anti-nutritional substances. When creating the initial material for breeding, the following traits are important: resistance to biotic and abiotic factors, stable high yield, technological effectiveness, bush type and upright form, high symbiotic activity. An effective approach to increasing the genetic diversity of the initial material is radiation mutagenesis.

Purpose of research. To study the effect of γ-irradiation of seeds on germination, morphometric parameters and duration of phenophases of Russian bean varieties and to determine the optimal dose of γ-radiation for the radiation mutagenesis protocol.

Materials and Methods. Objects of the study – 3 bean varieties bred by Omsk State Agrarian University. The seeds were γ-irradiated (source – ⁶⁰Co) at doses of 50–200 Gy (dose rate 60 Gy/hour). The seeds were germinated under controlled conditions; germination energy and germination were assessed. The hypocotyl length, number and length of roots were measured in seedlings. The duration of development phases and productivity of plants were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed in R (ver. 4.3.3) and MS Office Excel 2019.

Results. Hormesis effect was noted for 50 Gy γ-irradiation dose, which was manifested in higher values of germination energy and seed germination (variety Pamyati Ryzhkova), hypocotyl length (variety Marusya and Pamyati Ryzhkova) and in a decrease in the phenophases duration (variety Omskiy Rubin). Gamma irradiation at all applicable doses statistically significantly inhibited root development. Root length, as the most sensitive parameter to radiation, was chosen to calculate the dose causing a 50% growth reduction (RD50). For the Marusya variety, RD50 was 40 Gy, for the Pamyati Ryzhkova and Omsky Rubin varieties - 60 Gy.

Conclusion. Variety specificity was established in the reaction to seed irradiation. Doses of 50 Gy or less (10-50 Gy) can be used to study the hormetic effects of γ-irradiation of bean seeds. Doses of 100 and 200 Gy turned out to be lethal. Starting doses of 40-60 Gy are recommended for the radiation mutagenesis protocols of Russian bean varieties.

Relevance. Strengthening Russia's food security is one of the most important tasks and the main goal of agricultural producers and scientists in our country. The introduction of new or insufficiently mastered agricultural crops into the production process, which contributes to the fulfillment of the tasks set by the Government of the Russian Federation, the use of high-yielding varieties adapted to the conditions of cultivation, the intensification of agrotechnologies or their elements – these are currently relevant and feasible tasks.

Materials and Methods. In 2021-2022, 9 varieties of common beans and 3 local forms of the foothill region of the Altai Territory were studied at the educational and experimental field of the Altai State Agrarian University: reaction and responsiveness to the conditions of the Ob zone of the Altai Territory.

Results. Currently, common beans in the Siberian region are of interest not only to amateur gardeners, but also to manufacturers. Our research made it possible to select the most adapted varieties of common beans to the conditions of the Priobskaya zone of the Altai Territory. The different responsiveness of varietal samples to the conditions of the zone was revealed. Technical maturity was noted in all varieties in the experiment. The average yield obtained from the experiment was 1.09 t/ha. A significant excess of the standard yield – 1.56 t/ha was obtained from the Mf1 variety – 1.82 t/ha. The yield was reliably obtained at the standard level for the varieties: Businka – 1.37 t/ha, Zebra – 1.44 t/ha and Mf2 – 1.58 t/ha. The yield of varieties under the conditions of the experiment is obtained below, presented by the originators when describing the varieties. The mass of 1000 grains varied significantly in the experiment. Mf1 (436.2 g) and Mf2 (394.2 g) received excess weight of 1000 grains from the standard (318.7 g).

Conclusion. Based on the data obtained, three varieties were identified as effective for further production and scientific work: Sirenevaya, Zebra, Businka and two local forms: Mf1 and Mf2.

Relevance. In the “Strategy for Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Dagestan for the Period until 2030,” one of the main tasks of developing an effective agro-industrial complex and ensuring food security is the rational use of agricultural lands, conducting an inventory and bringing unused lands into circulation. The sandy lands of the republic used for transhumance livestock farming; farming is local in nature. The experience of a number of regions of Russia indicates that sandy lands, with proper development and the availability of water resources, can contribute to the development of irrigated agriculture and their involvement in agricultural use.

The purpose of the research was to scientifically substantiating onion agricultural techniques on the sandy lands of flat Dagestan, ensuring a profitable harvest based on a drip irrigation system and the use of growth stimulants.

Methods. In the conditions of the flat zone of the Republic of Dagestan, in the conditions of the Makhachkala Educational and Experimental Farm OJSC (Open Joint Stock Company), in 2020, a model experiment launched with the Terek-Kuma sands for growing onions at different crop densities, with different layouts of drip lines and droppers and with the use foliar fertilizing with organomineral fertilizer Biostim universal during the growing season. "Educational and Experimental Farm"

Results. It has been established that on sandy lands, sparse sowing of onion seeds is most preferable – 425 thousand plants/ha with plants placed every 0.1 m in a row with a drip line placement pattern of 0.3×0.2 m and the use of a growth stimulator Biostim Universal. This combination of studied agro-technical techniques ensures the production of up to 30 t/ha of marketable products. The calculation of economic efficiency showed a profitability of 163%.

Tomato is one of the most important and widely grown vegetables in the world. The aim is to review the key challenges on tomato production and marketing in Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, tomato production is concentrated in river, valleys and lakes, especially in Awash Valley and around Lake Ziway for favorable growing conditions, good access to market outlets and better infrastructure. Tomato production is commercially important for fresh fruit market and processing. Some of tomato varieties that have been in use by farmers are used for processing and for fresh marketing. However, several constraints caused inconsistent of tomato production and low yielding’s are; the shortages of improved varieties, inadequate transport, poor marketing system, poor cultural practices, unreliable rainfall, price fluctuation, product nature (perishability), post-harvest losses, pest and diseases. Lack of market linkages, post-harvest losses, low institutional support, lack inputs and transportation are the key challenges. Small-scale producers are struggling to gain market access, but due to listed challenges the farmers are not selling their produce in an organized system and not getting the right shares. Therefore, critical attentions in harvesting and postharvest operations are very important to reduce losses, to keep quality and market standards. Moreover, addressing both production and market-related challenges are essential to minimize the losses, to access quality goods and to ensure the right shares for producers, distributors, processors and traders.

Relevance. Chicory root (Cichorium intybus) is a very valuable technical, vegetable and medicinal crop. The development and improvement of a scientifically based fertilizer system is one of the most important issues in agricultural production, since it determines not only the level of crop yield, but also the direction of changing, increasing and preserving soil fertility in general.

Material and Methods. The aim of the research was to identify the most effective doses of mineral fertilizers and methods of their application (basic and top dressing) to ensure maximum yields of root chicory root crops. The research was carried out in 2021-2022 in the field of the Rostov Vegetable experimental station on chicory – Branсh of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Federal Scientific Vegetable Center. Chicory seeds of the Petrovsky root variety were used for sowing. Mineral fertilizers were applied in the form of azophosphate and potassium sulfate.

Results. On sod-podzolic soils, the use of mineral fertilizers had a positive effect on the yield of chicory root crops. The more developed the leaf rosette of plants, the higher the yield of root chicory.

Conclusion. In the soil and climatic conditions of the Non-Chernozem zone of the Russian Federation, the greatest effect from the use of mineral fertilizers on root chicory is observed with a mineral nutrition system that includes the main application at a dose of N₆₀P₆₀K₆₀ and top dressing at a dose of N₆₀P₆₀K₆₀.

Relevance. In the harsh climate of the Arctic, where the warm season with a maximum average daily temperature above 10 °C lasts only three months, scientists in the crop industry are conducting tests and creating unique varieties of crops that will be able to provide the northern regions with fresh and vitamin-rich vegetable products.

Materials and Methods. In the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, at the Naryan-Mar Experimental Agricultural Station, an innovative technology for priming seeds of vegetable legumes with electromagnetic exposure developed by JSC «Concern GRANIT» with the «TOR» device was tested on domestic varieties of Pisum sativum L. и Vicia Faba L. selected by the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center (FSBSI FSVС).

Results. The tested varieties of vegetable legumes beyond the Arctic Circle were able to fully realize their productive potential, and the results of observations of the growth and development of crops confirmed the presence of favorable conditions for the selected crops. The quality of vegetable products and the obtained seeds of vegetable legumes in the Arctic in 2024 turned out to be higher than in the Moscow region due to a lower phytopathogenic load. Electromagnetic priming with the «TOR» device made it possible to obtain, in the conditions of the Far North, the productivity of green peas in responsive varieties and seed productivity in beans – by 3-16% and 12-35%, respectively, more than in control. Thanks to the use of the «TOR» device, acceleration of ripening, an increase in yield and product quality are noted, which is especially important in the conditions of a short growing season. Thus, favorable conditions and competitive opportunities for agriculture in the geographical location of the Russian North provide good opportunities to produce organic products in ecologically clean areas, which will be competitive not only in the regional, but also in the national and international food markets.

Relevance. Ethiopians have a long history of planting trees, and they have embraced the idea of keeping natural trees with many uses as a distinctive feature of their agricultural landscapes. Farmers use agroforestry practices to maintain a number of species of multipurpose trees. The selection of tree species, their intended benefits, and ecological services are inconsistent due to variability in agroecological conditions. The main problems with Ethiopia's multifunctional agroforestry tree species were also related to management approaches.

Therefore, the purpose of this article is to examine the multipurpose agroforestry tree species in Ethiopia, their management methods, and their ecological benefits. In southern Ethiopia, Cordia africana, Millettia ferruginea, Erythrina brucei, and Olea capensis are the main multifunctional tree species used. The northern part of Ethiopia hosts Croton macrostachus, Vernonia amygdalina, Faidherbia albida, Acacia nilotica, Acacia seyal, and Grewia bicolor. The central highlands of Ethiopia are also home to Albizia gummifera, Cordia africana, Croton macrostachus, Ficus vasta, and Vernonia amygdalina. Farmers use coppicing, pollarding, and pruning tree management techniques to balance their survival with integrated crops because trees regenerate naturally. Multipurpose trees offer a range of agro-ecological services, such as improving soil fertility, mitigating erosion, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and maintaining biological diversity.

Relevance. Astilbe chinensis has clinical efficacy against many diseases, making this plant a potential natural source for treating diabetes and obesity with a mild, non-aggressive effect. Overall, the study of the biological properties of A. chinensis leaves is currently in its infancy.

Aim. In this study, the anti-amylase and anti-lipase potential of aqueous extract of Astilbe chinensis leaves was investigated as an important source of natural complex substances with therapeutic potential.

 Methods. The total content of phenolic compounds was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and flavonoids by the colorimetric method according to the complexation reaction with aluminum chloride. The effects of aqueous/tea extracts of A. chinensis leaves on pancreatic amylase and lipase were studied via in vitro models in comparison with acarbose and orlistat, respectively. For these tests, the artificial substrates 1,2-O-dilauryl-rac-glycero-3-glutaric acid ester (6-methylresorufin) and 2-chloro-4-nitrophenol oligosaccharide were used.

Results. The study of the effect of aqueous extract of A. chinensis leaves on pancreatic amylase and lipase showed a comparable inhibitory effect of 18% on both enzymes.

Relevance and Methods. The study is devoted to the analysis of the state of technical and technological support for the production of vegetable crops in Russia. During the research, the following methods were used: analytical, monographic, economic-statistical and expert assessment.

Results. It provides data on self-sufficiency in vegetable production, production of vegetable crops in farms of all categories over the past 5 years, as well as changes in the cost of production and the cost of sales of these products. The issues of providing vegetable growing with agricultural machinery and equipment, the introduction of digitalization processes in the vegetable growing sub-sectors, as well as existing measures of its state support are considered. As a result of the analysis of the current state of technical and technological support for vegetable growing, as well as the existing state support for the production of vegetable crops, the main elements that need to be developed to increase the efficiency of this sub-branch of crop production have been identified.

Conclusion. Vegetable growing is one of the most significant sub-sectors of crop production, ensuring consumer demand of the population and food security in Russia; in order to achieve the necessary level of self-sufficiency in vegetable production, appropriate technical and technological support for their producers is necessary; to solve this problem, it is necessary to introduce innovative technologies for the production of vegetable products, as well as to provide the necessary amount of modern high-performance machinery and equipment, which is possible only with effective state support for the technical and technological modernization of vegetable production.

Relevance. Potato are one of the main sources of starch. Potato starch is widely used in human economic activities. The starch content in tubers, including the number of starch granules and their size and shape, are varietal characteristics. For this reason, it is important to identify potato varieties with starch grains suitable for starch production already at the early stages of breeding process.

Materials and Methods. The Aim was to study the morphological structure of starch granules in cells of potato tubers belonging to varieties from different maturity groups. Eighteen potato varieties (Solanum tuberosum L.) of various breeding origin and from different maturity groups were used as the research object. The granulometric composition was determined by the method of fluorescent microscopy. The research was conducted using a CLSM 800 confocal laser scanning microscope (Zeiss, Germany) with a laser wavelength of 488 nm.

Results. The research allowed us to obtain data on the morphology of variously-shaped starch granules in cells: round, oval, elongated, and irregular. The research established a direct correlation between the number of large starch grains in a cell and the time required for a given potato genotype to mature. Mid-season and medium late potato varieties were observed to have a higher starch content than varieties from the groups with earlier maturity. On average, the difference in the starch content between these groups was 1.97%. The highest number of starch grains was found in 40-70 μm cells and larger. The research identified Solanum tuberosum L. genotypes with large and small starch granules. These genotypes might be recommended for further use in the practical breeding to create high-quality varieties.

Relevance. In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of new bacterial fertilizers. New fertilizers must be effective, so it is important to select their qualitative and quantitative composition. It is equally important to study the effect of these bacteria on their number, dissemination and long-term residence in the soil, as well as their effects on plants.

Aim of the Study. This work studies the effect of the method of obtaining a fertilizer containing Streptomyces coelicolor grown on the whey on the amount and duration of these bacteria in the soil and on the growth characteristics of white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) sown into the soil after a long time after watering with fertilizer.

Methods. The whey was diluted and autoclaved, Streptomyces coelicolor were grown on this substrate. An inoculum for this biofertilizer was obtained in two ways. The first way: Streptomyces coelicolor were grown once on a Waksman`s media. The second way: the inoculum was sequentially grown on the whey, gradually increasing the volume. Bacteria in fertilizer were cultivated without mixing or by mixing in the temperature-controlled shaker. We studied the effect of biofertilizer on soil in containers in the laboratory. The amount of Streptomyces coelicolor in the soil was determined 0.5, 1.5, 2 and 4 months after watering by fertilizer. Seeds of white mustard were sown two months after watering with fertilizer. We studied the effect of fertilizer on growth characteristics of white mustard.

Results. The fertilizer obtained by sequentially cultivating the inoculum and growing streptomyces without mixing contained ten times more streptomyces than fertilizers obtained by another method. This biofertilizer also effectively increased the number of streptomyces in the soil. Streptomyces from fertilizer have been preserved in the soil for a long time. The effect of biofertilizers obtaining without mixing on growth characteristics of white mustard was the most effectively.

Conclusion. The fertilizer obtained by sequentially cultivating the inoculum and growing streptomyces without mixing contributes to a more increase of streptomyces number in the soil and is more effective in growing white mustard then fertilizers obtained by other methods. Our biofertilizer is effective in growing crops sown in the soil for a long time after watering with fertilizer. The fertilizer can be used in indoor crop production and greenhouse farms.