The development of raspberry varieties with compact bushes and self-supporting stems, which require no support, is of importance for reducing the labor intensity of cultivation technology. In this connection, our research was aimed at evaluating the initial forms and their hybrid off spring in terms of bush habitus for identification of promising forms. The study included 10 varieties of remontant type, 10 selected forms, and the off spring of 12 combinations of crosses. Phenotypic evaluation of breeding material was carried out based on shoot height, internode length, bush habitus, and compactness. The Pingvin and Medvezhonok varieties, as well as selected forms No. 4-78-2, 9-155-1, 1-135-31, 44-154-2, and 1-16-11, formed low-height bushes (up to 130 cm). The remaining 65% of varieties produced plants of optimal height (132–159 cm). The internode length in the initial forms varied from 3.1 to 5.8 cm, with those having this parameter at the level of 3.1-4.0 cm being characterized by straight-growing or weakly-sprawling bushes. The group with an internode length more than 4.0 cm included seven varieties: Atlant, Komsomol’skaya Pravda, Podarok Kashinu, Zhar-Ptica, Yubilejnaya Kulikova, and selections No. 9-155-1 and 1-60-1. Among the studied varieties, Pingvin and No. 44-154-2, 1-135-31, and 4-1-30 formed compact bushes. When using parental forms with internode lengths of 3.1–4.0 cm in crosses, genotypes with shortened internodes (less than 3.0 cm) were extremely rarely bred. Among the families studied, combinations with both the absence of drooping seedlings and their significant number (20.0–48.5 %) were observed. Hybrids with a drooping bush habitus were absent in four combinations out of 12: Zhar-Ptica×44-154-2, Atlant×Salyut, 9-113-1×Salyut, and Atlant×11-165-10. These families, as well as Medvezhonok×Poklon Kazakovu and 9-155-1×Atlant, were characterized by a high yield (18.9–34.6 %) of straight-grown genotypes. Among the studied hybrid progeny of remontant raspberry, six selected forms (No. 5-112-1, 5-171-2, 5-171-3, 1-97-1, 5-108-1, and 18-163-1) with a combination of upright bush habitus and other economically valuable indicators were identified.

Despite the achieved progress in the selection of Ribes nigrum L., the varieties currently used in industrial horticulture and producing up to 60 t/ha fail to implement their full potential. The breeding programs aimed at creating promising industrial varieties of black currant are based on the following main selection criteria: resistance to stressful environmental factors, high and stable yields, suitability for machine harvesting, and high contents of biologically active substances. Since 2001, specialists of the Kokinsky experimental station of Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology, and Nursery (ARHCBAN) have been carrying out breeding work on black currant varieties. As a result, a genetic collection of 100-140 varieties have been created; the best species are used in crosses. In 2003, hybridization with the Orloviya and Nara varieties was carried out. In 2009, form No. 72-03-4 was selected and given the varietal name of Favorit. The new variety is characterized by winter hardiness; even after severe winters, no traces of branch freezing are detected. The variety forms a medium-sized bush with a height of 140 cm and a half-spreading habitus of moderate densification. The plants produce 22-25 fruiting shoots with, on average, 52 fruiting nodes per shoot. Berries are large (average weight – 1.8 g, maximum weight – 5.8 g), rounded, shiny, and black. The actual productivity during the observation period averaged 2.7 kg per bush, while the average yield at a planting scheme of 3.0 × 0.8 m achieved the level of 11.4 t/ha. Fruit detachment is dry with the force of berry detachment from the stalk of 1.1 N; strength – 6.5 N, which meets the parameters of suitability for mechanized harvesting and enables good transportability of the crop. Fruits are characterized by a dessert flavor with a tasting score of 5 points and a vitamin C content of 197.0 mg/100 g. The variety is highly resistant to powdery mildew, septoriosis, and bud mite.

The creation of new varieties of fruit crops is impossible without efficient use of genetic resources based on modern methods of molecular biology and genetics, which requires high-quality DNA samples. Extraction of DNA from plant material is a challenging task due to the presence of various inhibitory substances, such as polyphenols and polysaccharides. In this study, we set out to compare four modifications of the original CTAB protocol for DNA extraction from lyophilized leaves of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) of the Assol, Belyye Zhuravli, and Rusinka varieties and sweet cherry (Prunus avium) of the Podarok Ryazanii, Fatezh, and Chermashnaya varieties. Modifications implying changes in the composition of lysing buffer and washing solution were tested. The original CTAB protocol was used as the control. The extraction was performed in triplicate. DNA concentration and purity were measured using a spectrophotometer; degradation was evaluated by electrophoresis; inhibitors were evaluated using real-time PCR. The conducted study revealed that modification 1 of the CTAB protocol produces DNA samples with the highest degree of purity. An analysis of the A260/280 spectrophotometric index showed values ranging from 1.89 to 1.91 with a mean of 1.87 for modification 1. Modification 2 also yielded high-purity DNA samples, although with the presence of minor RNA amounts in some of them. The A260/230 parameter confirmed the superiority of CTAB modification 1 in obtaining high-purity DNA. The mean value was 2.08, which is comparable to that of the original method. Determination of DNA concentration in aqueous solutions revealed the highest DNA yield when using CTAB modification 1. The concentration ranged from 594.80 to 852.10 μg/mL with a mean of 700.82. Statistical analysis confirmed the pronounced superiority of modification 1 over the control (and other tested modifications) in terms of DNA purity and yield. The results obtained allow us to recommend modification 1 of the CTAB protocol for DNA extraction from plant material of sour and sweet cherry.

The transfer of plants from in vitro conditions to ex vitro conditions is a key stage in the process of clonal micropropagation. Based on our experiments and data from other researchers, it was found that when transferring microclones to non-sterile conditions, plants experience stress due to significant changes in their growing conditions. To minimize this stress, it is important to create conditions as close as possible to those in the artificial in vitro environment. One promising approach in this direction is aeroponic technologies, which were not previously used for these purposes. The conducted studies have shown that at the final stage of clonal micropropagation, the application of aeroponic technologies enables simultaneous rooting and adaptation of microclones of garden crops. It has been established that the use of aeroponic setups contributes to reducing mortality rates of raspberry and blackberry plants, as well as stimulating the growth of above-ground biomass and the development of root systems of microclones under ex vitro conditions. This ensures the production of high-quality planting material with minimal time and resource expenditure.

This research is aimed at optimizing the methodology of clonal micropropagation of Rosa L. regenerants with a view to selecting optimal conditions for implementation of their morphogenetic potential on the example of Alan Titchmarsh and Princess Alexandra of Kent varieties. Experiments were conducted using the facilities of the Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology, Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences, during the period of 2024–2025. Current-year shoot segments with a length of up to 1.5 cm containing vegetative buds were used as primary explants for initiation of growth and development in vitro. We developed an optimal sterilization scheme, allowing up to 91% of viable aseptic explants to be obtained. The conducted experiments revealed specific features of regeneration of Rosa L. explants in vitro, depending on the type and concentration of growth-regulating chemicals. The hormonal composition of nutrient media for cultivation of regenerant plants of different varieties at the micropropagation stage was optimized. The efficiency of using the MS nutrient medium (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and thidiazuron (TDZ) at concentrations of 0.5 mg/L and 0.1 mg/L, respectively, was established. The reproduction rate was 8.4.

Experiments were conducted during the period of 2021–2023 to examine 33 potato varieties of diff erent geographical origin grown in the Moscow Oblast, Russia. Udacha and Golubizna were used as reference standards for 16 early-ripening and 17 medium- and late-ripening varieties, respectively. The varieties were assessed in terms of their total and marketable bush productivity, the number and average weight of tubers in the bush (total and marketable), and the share of marketable tubers in the total weight. Annual variability in the total and marketable productivity of the varieties was evaluated in terms of their adaptive capacity (K_ad), and stability index (PUSS), coefficient of ecological plasticity (bi), and environmental stability (s² _d ). The varieties characterized by a large (91–118 g) tuber size, on average, during the experimental period of three years were identified, including Courtney, Charoit, Fritella, Tescha (Russia), Pershatsvet, Pearlamutroviy (Belarus), Newton (USA), Labadia (Netherlands). Among them, the early varieties Courtney and Labadia, as well as the late maturing Pearlamutroviy annually exceeded the reference standard in terms of this indicator. The varieties with the ability to form tubers with an average weight of 132–155 g in favorable years included Pershatsvet, Pearlamutroviy (Belarus), Sandrin (Germany), Labadia (Netherlands), Charoit, Tescha, and the Golubizna standard (Russia). The late varieties Varyag (Russia) and Garantia (Belarus) annually surpassed the Golubizna reference variety in the number of tubers per hill and in the number of marketable tubers per hill, respectively. The medium-early variety Courtney (Russia) was distinguished by a set of traits, exceeding the Udacha reference variety in terms of total (by 7 %) and marketable (by 13 %) productivity due to high indices of tuber size, tuber number, and marketability. Courtney showed high K_ad (1.3 and 1.4) and PUSS (125 and 136%) parameters in the total and marketable productivity, respectively. This variety also demonstrated high stability (s² _d = 0.01 and 0.00) but insufficient plasticity (bi = 0.9 and 0.8).

The research was carried out using the facilities of the Arboretum of Reshetnev Siberian State University of Science and Technology, located in the green belt area of Krasnoyarsk (Russia). The research objects were trees of Manchurian apricot and their morphometric parameters, such as height, trunk diameter, crown diameter, and leaf lamina size. The studied biogroups are grown in the Arboretum departments of mother plants (“C” – Arboretum Department, “D” – Far Eastern Flora Department). The results obtained when studying the growth and fruit-bearing capacity of mother trees are generalized. It was shown that 50-year-old trees of A. manchurianus growing in the “C” Department outperform other plants in terms of plant height, trunk and crown diameter. The maximum leaf lamina size was revealed in plants of the Far Eastern Flora Department (“D”). Fruiting intensity was assessed using Kapper’s scale. The biogroups of Armeniaca mandshurica produce fruit in the arboretum conditions with the periodicity of 2–3 years, except for the years when generative buds and flowers are damaged by late spring frosts. During the observation period, 2021 and 2023 became the leading years in terms of fruit number.

In this research, we investigate the productivity of apple-tree varieties grown in the weather and climatic conditions of Siberia. The research objects were the apple varieties of domestic and foreign origin cultivated at the collection site of V. M. Krutovsky Botanical Garden (Krasnoyarsk, Russia), including Antonovka Zheltaya, Arkad Zimnij, Bellefleur-Kitayka, Bismarck, General Orlov, Pepin-Kitayka, Pepin Shafrannyj, and Slavyanka. The varieties under study are characterized by different periods of initiation of fruit bearing (3–7 year after planting) and late fruit maturity (September–October), which is important for apple tree cultivation in regions with a continental climate. The research was conducted from 2019 to 2023. The studied apple varieties showed high adaptability to weather conditions. During the research period, their productivity parameters differed by 1.5–1.7 times. In comparison with other varieties, Bismarck and General Orlov showed the greatest variability. Bellefleur-Kitayka and Slavyanka varieties demonstrated the highest stability in productivity parameters. Antonovka Zheltaya, Arkad Zimnij, Bismarck, General Orlov, Pepin-Kitayka, Slavyanka, and Pepin Shafrannyj had the highest number of fruits per one plant. In terms of the number of fruits per 1 m2 of crown, Arkad Zimnij and Bismarck stood out.

Viral infections pose a serious threat to cherry, plum, apricot, and other stone fruit plantations. Such infections lead to serious consequences, including yield reduction, deterioration of fruit quality, and plant death. The most common phytopathogenic viruses of stone crops include plum pox virus (PPV), Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV), Prune dwarfism virus (PDV), apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), and cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV). Among the symptoms of viral infections are chlorotic spots, leaf necrosis, deterioration of fruit marketability, etc. Determination of the virological status of plants require methods for identification of pathogenic viruses. Timely diagnosis is a key factor in production of high-quality planting material. At present, diagnostic methods include immunoenzyme assay and polymerase chain reaction. Indicator plants (woody or herbaceous) are increasingly attracting attention as auxiliary testing methods. In this article, we present data on the use of indicator plants for detection of pathogenic viruses of stone fruit crops. Specific symptoms and signs manifested on plants after inoculation are described.

A series of research studies were conducted during the period of 2022–2024. In 2022, spraying green plum fruits with an aqueous suspension containing spores of the Colletotrichum sp. godetiae fungus at a concentration of 1500 spores/10 mL reduced fruit rot lesions caused by Monilinia spp. species by 14.4 times. In 2023, the efficacy of fruit rot suppression by an isolate of Colletotrichum sp. Coll.8 (C. fioriniae) was twofold lower than that of Colletotrichum sp. godetiae in 2022. Mycological studies showed that infestation of leaves and fruits by Colletotrichum spp. isolates was high (83.3–100 %) compared to the natural background (8.3–25.0 %). However, following one year of treatment, this parameter decreased to 8.3–16.7 %. This indicates the absence of accumulation of these isolates during single application. The conducted research and literature review established low probability for the studied Colletotrichum spp. isolates to manifest pathogenicity on plum. The use of Colletotrichum sp. godetiae and Colletotrichum sp. (Coll. 8) isolates for plum fruit rot control may be promising, which requires additional studies into the effects of weather conditions and treatment periods.