For a long time, the specialists of the Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology, and Nursery have been conducting breeding studies with raspberry varieties at the Kokinsky testing station. In the period from 2013 to 2018, hybridization works were carried out involving remontant selected forms No. 13– 118–1 and No. 1–16–11. The main breeding objectives were to create an early maturing and productive remontant raspberry variety with superior taste qualities of fruits. In 2016, form No. 9–163–1, which later received the varietal name ‘Komsomol’skaya Pravda’, was singled out. This variety is characterized by an early onset of berry ripening, with the fi rst fruits on annual shoots appearing at the beginning of the 3rd decade of July. Fruiting is completed by the end of September. ‘Komsomol’skaya Pravda’ forms a bush of 6–8 strongly branching shoots with the autumn fruiting area of 70–80 cm. The fruits are large (5.0–5.5 g), attractive in appearance, and bright red in color with luster. The drupes are small, uniform, and tightly bound together. The shape of berries is regular and elongated-conical; pistil remnants are short. The taste is dessert, sour-sweet (4.5 points) with a subtle aroma. The variety is characterized by a high yield of more than 20.0 tons/ha. It surpasses the standard variety ‘Pingvin’ in terms of ripening duration, productivity, large-fruitedness, fruit fl avor, marketability, and resistance to leaf spots.

Aroma is an important consumer attribute of strawberry fruits. The main aroma compounds of strawberry fruits include mesifuran, γ-decalactone, and methylanthranilate. Molecular analytical methods can be successfully used to identify promising forms at early stages of ontogenesis. This study presents the results of DNA labeling of FaOMT, FaFAD1, and FanAAMT loci in 16 selected strawberry forms of I. V. Michurin Federal Scientifi c Centre (I.V. Michurin FSC). Identifi cation of target alleles was carried out by DNA analysis using diagnostic DNA markers FaOMT-SI/NO (FaOMT gene), FaFAD1-F/R (FaFAD1 gene), and FanAAMT-F/R (FanAAMT gene). The marker fragment of the functional allele FaOMT+ (mesifuran biosynthesis) was identifi ed in 81.3 % of the forms. In 43.8 % and 37.5 % of the forms, this fragment was found to be homozygous and heterozygous, respectively. The non-functional FaOMT- allele in homozygous state was identifi ed in 18.7% of hybrids. The FaFAD1 gene (γ-decalactone biosynthesis) was identifi ed in 68.7 % of the forms, while the FanAAMT gene (methylanthranilate biosynthesis) was found in 6.2 % of the forms. In 56.2 % of the analyzed genotypes, two genes of the fruit aroma complex are present. The combination of FaOMT and FaFAD1 genes was detected in 50.0 %; the combination of FaOMT and FanAAMT genes was found in 6.2 % of seedlings. A combination of the FaOMT gene (homozygous state of functional allele) and the FaFAD1 gene was found in the 2/2–32, 2/2–41 (Faith × Tea), 3/4–7 (Malwina × Tea) forms. A combination of the FaOMT (homozygous state of functional allele) and FanAAMT genes was detected in the 3/4–6 (Malwina × Tea) hybrid. The forms under study are promising genetic sources of aroma complex loci for further breeding

Self-fertility is an economically valuable trait, which allows the genetic diversity of plants in the natural environment to be maintained. The key mechanisms underlying this phenomenon have been extensively studied by the methods of breeding and genetics. However, there is a lack of knowledge in the fi eld of biochemistry concerning the eff ects of various chemical substances on the self-fertility of plants. Although there exist hypotheses about the role of fl avonoids in pollination, their infl uence on the mechanism of self-incompatibility remains unclear for many crops. In this research, we analyse the spectral characteristics of pistil extracts from cultivars of domestic plum (Prunus domestica L.) and common cherry (Prunus cerasus L.), which diff er in self-fertility, and evaluate the content of fl avonoids in pollen. The results showed diff erences in the content of chemical substances between self-fertile and self-incompatible varieties of cherry and plum, which can be further used to study self-compatibility factors in these crops. Future studies will analyze the substances contained in reproductive organs by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine the self-fertility factor of domestic plum and common cherry.

The drought resistance parameters of 11 new genotypes of ornamental peach were determined for their further breeding and use in ornamental horticulture. These genotypes were hybrids of Prunus mira, P. davidiana, and P. amygdalus with P. persica, as well as P. mira with P. amygdalus. The impact of hydrothermal stress on plants was assessed under the conditions of the Southern Coast of Crimea during 2021-2023 after the maximum manifestation of stress factors. The research was carried out using a fi eld method of visual assessment and laboratory determination of water-holding capacity and restoration of leaf turgor after dehydration. The fi eld assessment of drought resistance of ornamental peach ranged from 3.5 to 4.7 points. Most genotypes retained a good appearance and showed minimal losses of the leaf system. The total water percentage in the leaves of the studied genotypes ranged from 53.3 to 71.7 %. Water defi cit in leaves was signifi cant in some cultivars, fl uctuating within the range of 10.8-33 %. The least signifi cant water defi cit of up to 16.7 % was characteristic of 37.5 % of the genotypes. It was experimentally established that during 4 hours of wilting, the leaves of the studied samples lost from 8.2 to 45.9 % of water. The losses amounted to 14.6-50 % after 8 hours, and 18.5- 57.1 % after 12 hours. The leaf dehydration during 24 hours were almost critical for 60 % of the cultivars, since they lost 38.1-61.5 % of water. The lowest losses (26.2-33 %) were observed in six genotypes. Despite prolonged hydrothermal stress, 62.5 % of varieties and forms demonstrated a very high leaf recovery capacity (80.1-99.2 %). The NP6-5/1, NP6-16/1 hybrids, and the ‘Rozovolikiy’ variety demonstrated the highest water-retaining capacity combined with a high reparative capacity of leaves after dehydration. The NP6-5/1 hybrid was characterized by a combination of the highest drought resistance parameters. In addition, ‘Milashka’, NP6-21/1, NP6-16/3, NP6-2/1 varieties and forms with a high degree of leaf reparation and drought resistance are recommended for further breeding and testing in landscaping

Perennial grasses in the collection of the Botanical Garden-Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Blagoveshchensk) are studied. Plants of Spodiopogon sibiricus Trin. enter the generative period in the fi rst year of planting. Leymus arenarius (L.) Hochst. were observed to have the fl owering phase in the same period, regardless of the cultivation method (open ground/container culture). The Festuca glauca Vill. varieties of ‘Varna’ and ‘Sinichka’ do not enter the earing and fl owering phase when cultivated in containers; these plants are weakly resistant to low temperatures of the region. The Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench varieties of ‘Edith Dudzus’ and ‘Heidebraut’ show a late entry into the vegetation phase (growth of the above-ground part) and fl owering. Early fl owering cereals include L. arenarius and Phalaris arundinacea L. cv. ‘Picta’. In comparison with the other cultivars under study, Miscanthus saccharifl orus Maxim (Hack) is characterized by the shortest vegetation period. The longest vegetation period (198 days) was noted in F. glauca Vill., ‘Varna’ and ‘Sinichka’ varieties, as well as in L. arenarius. In the south of the Amur Oblast, reproduction of M. saccharifl orus is mainly vegetative; seeds do not mature. Four species, i.e., Calamagrostis epigeios (Schrad.) DC., L. arenarius, M. saccharifl orus, S. Sibiricus, and three varieties, i.e., M. caerulea cv. ‘Heidebraut’, M. caerulea cv. ‘Edith Dudzus’, and P. arundinacea cv. ‘Picta’, retain ornamental value throughout the growing season, passing through all phases of development and wintering without shelter. These plants can be recommended for introduction into the practice of urban landscaping in both Blagoveshchensk and other cities of the Amur Oblast.

In this study, we tested 29 early- and mid-maturing potato varieties from the collection of N. I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) in order to select promising varieties for agriculture and breeding. Experiments were conducted in the Moscow Oblast in 2020-2022. The ‘Udacha’ variety was used as a reference. The data on the mass and number of tubers per bush, as well as the share of marketable tubers, were obtained. The productivity of varieties was assessed in terms of their adaptability (Cad), plasticity (bi), stability (s2 d), and PUSS. On average, during the period of three years, nine varieties (‘Lina’, ‘Bashkirskij’, ‘Irbitskij N’, ‘Tanaj N’, ‘Gulliver N’, ‘Virazh N’, ‘Babushka’, ‘Kemerovchanin’, and k-25431 ‘Mestnyj’) exceeded the reference values in terms of the total and marketable productivity; fi ve varieties (‘Samba’, ‘Russkij Suvenir’, k-25430 ‘Mestnyj’, ‘Zhigulevskij’, and ‘Antonina’) showed the highest yield of marketable tubers per bush. All 14 varieties were characterized by high adaptability (Cad within the range of 1.0-1.7), out of which seven varieties (‘Lina’, ‘Bashkirskij’, ‘Tanaj N’, ‘Gulliver N’, ‘Virazh N’, ‘Kemerovchanin’, k-25431 ‘Mestnyj’) were characterized by a high plasticity (bi within the range of 1.1–1.6). The ‘Babushka’ variety was distinguished by the stability (s2 d = 0.01) of total and marketable productivity. ‘Kemerovchanin’ maximally exceeded the reference variety in terms of the PUSS criterion of total and marketable productivity (by 126 and 101%, respectively). On average, over the period of three years, the ‘Kemerovchanin’ and k-25431 ‘Mestnyj’ varieties showed the maximum indicators of total (1.1 kg per bush) and marketable (0.7 kg per bush) productivity; however, it was ‘Kemerovchanin’ that exceeded the reference values annually. The ‘Kemerovchanin’ variety annually exceeded the reference values in terms of marketability, size, and number of tubers per bush; moreover, it demonstrated a high evenness of the size of marketable tubers. The k-25431 ‘Mestnyj’ was characterized by the highest number of tubers per bush: on average, 18.1 pcs. over three years, including marketable tubers in the number of 8.2 pcs. On average, over three years, the ‘Gulliver’ variety stood out in terms of tuber size. The average tuber weight in the total yield and its marketable portion was 111.6 and 133.1 g, respectively.

In this work, we investigate the economic effi ciency of applying coconut fi ber as a component of soil in the cultivation of petunia multifl ora seedlings. A technology for growing petunia seedlings from seeds is proposed. In comparison with the conventional approach, sown seeds are distributed over a snow layer without subsequent embedding with soil. Data for two vegetation periods, i.e., 2021-2022, were obtained. Following the fi rst year of research, the feasibility of implementing coconut fi ber in the composition of soil when growing petunia seedlings from seeds was justifi ed on the basis of germination data. In terms of germination, the variant with the use of a soil mixed with coconut fi ber showed the highest values, reaching 55 % and exceeding the control by 25 %. In the second vegetation period, the infl uence of inclusion of coconut fi ber in the soil composition on the growth and development of petunia plants at diff erent ratios of soil components was studied. The optimum ratio of soil components by volume was established to be as follows: 30 % of Agricola universal soil + 70 % of coconut fi ber. The quantitative indicators of germination, biometric indicators, and seedling quality index in the experimental variants are presented. The highest parameters of weight, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, and length of the largest leaf were obtained in the variant of 30 % Agricola universal soil + 70 % coconut fi ber. The maximum seedling quality index, i.e., the ratio of plant weight (g) to its height (cm), was 0.13. A comparative economic evaluation in terms of production costs per of 1000 pcs of plants is given. The highest biometric indices and seedling quality index were obtained when using soil in the ratio of 30 % universal soil + 70 % coconut fi ber. The profi t from the use of soil with the optimal ratio of components was 19.3 % higher compared to the conventional technology due to the increase in the sale price of seedlings with a higher quality index

According to various literature sources, optimal levels of exchangeable soil acidity (pH_KCl) for growing apple trees range within pH 5.5–7.5. In 2020–2021, we conducted experiments under the conditions of the Tambov Oblast in an experimental apple orchard of the I. V. Michurin Federal Research Centre to examine the dynamics of soil acidity variations in apple orchards under the infl uence of fertigation with water-soluble mineral fertilizers and drip irrigation. Soil sampling was conducted in two plots: (1) with drip irrigation and fertigation and (2) with drip irrigation without fertilization. During the growing season, 9–11 soil samples were collected from a depth of 0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm to determine soil acidity. The pH level of soil salt extracts was determined by an Expert-001 pH meter (Russia). During fertigation with mineral fertilizers, a signifi cant increase in soil acidity was observed in all the studied layers. The 0–20 cm layer showed the most pronounced variations in рН_KCl values. During the May–July period of 2020, i.e., when applying the main share of the annual fertilizer amount, a sharp increase in soil acidity (from pH 5.46 to 4.88) followed by its partial recovery (down to pH 5.13) was observed. In 2021, a similar soil acidity trend was noted, when рН_KCl grew from 5.56 to 4.92, although without a signifi cant partial recovery by the end of the season. In deeper soil layers, the fl uctuations in рН_KCl values were not that noticeable. Thus, the most pronounced decrease in рН_KCl was observed in the period of nitrogen application. Therefore, the results obtained confi rm a distinct relationship between fertigation irrigation and changes in exchangeable soil acidity. The average values of рН_KCl in both 2020 and 2021 showed that, following fertilizer application, soil acidity increased with an increase in sampling depth, during both drip and sprinkle irrigation. The data obtained can be useful when developing soil fertigation programs in intensive apple orchards

In 2023–2024, we conducted research studies to investigate the distribution of plum rust caused by the Tranzschelia pruni-spinosae (Pers.) Dietel fungus across the Moscow Oblast. The results showed that the ‘Pamyat Timiryazeva’ plum variety was most aff ected by this disease, with the amount of leaf lesions reaching 90 %. The Utro variety was found to be least prone to the disease, with the amount of leaf lesions reaching 5.5%. In the ‘Opal’ and ‘Tulskaya Chernaya’ varieties, the disease aff ected from 20 to 21.8% of plum foliage, respectively. The ‘Shater’ cherry plum variety was not aff ected by rust, although being located in close proximity to plum trees signifi cantly aff ected by the disease. Primary symptoms of plum rust in the conditions of the Moscow Oblast appeared in the second decade of July–fi rst decade of August in the form of yellow-green spots on the upper surface of leaves. These spots further formed pale brown raised dots (pustules) on the corresponding areas on the underside of leaves, in the sites of fungal spore development, becoming more noticeable by the end of the vegetation period, when their color turned dark brown/black. Identifi cation of the primary symptoms of plum rust was complicated by the presence of leaf spots of other species that had started to develop earlier (clasterosporiosis, red spot, etc.).

Reduced yields due to tree damage by various diseases require the use of pesticides and agrochemicals to protect, prevent, and treat plants. The demand for high-quality food products attracts attention to fungicides of biological origin, restricting the involvement of synthetic fungicides. Fungicides are eff ective in combating fungal diseases, which account for up to 50 % of yield losses in Russia each year. Throughout the production cycle, pathogens cause signifi cant damage to agricultural crops. In this work, we employ the conventional and advanced methods of phytosanitary monitoring to study the eff ect of Horus, Antrakol, and Serenada fungicides on the emergence and spread of the most harmful fruit crop fungal diseases – fruit rot, apple scab, and powdery mildew – causing signifi cant yield losses. The research was carried out using the facilities of the Federal Scientifi c Center of Agroecology RAS (Volgograd Oblast, Dubovsky District). The development and spread of diseases were assessed by a standard visual method, consisting in counting the number of damaged fruit trees before and after treatment. The conducted fi eld studies showed high effi ciency of the Antrakol and Serenada preparations in controlling apple scab and other diseases (fruit rot, anthracnose, leaf curl, powdery mildew, etc.). The study was conducted on the ‘Gol’den Delishes’, ‘Gloster’, ‘Margo’, and ‘Vajnspur’ apple varieties. The results showed high resistance of most varieties to diseases. On average, the disease damage of experimental plants did not exceed %, which allowed these varieties to be classifi ed as highly resistant. The ‘Gloster’ variety fruits showed the highest susceptibility to fruit rot, irrespective of the treatments applied, with the level of damage ranging from 3 to 7 %. In order achieve optimal results, all factors aff ecting the eff ectiveness of treatment should be taken into account