In 2006, controlled crosses between Strelets and Selechenskaya 2 black currant varieties were conducted. The aim of hybridization was to create a highly productive variety with a yield of over 12 t/ha and large fruits of dessert fl avor with the average weight of over 1.5 g, suitable for machine harvesting. In 2010, a highly productive winter-hardy seedling, No. 33-27-1, was isolated from the Strelets × Selechenskaya 2 family. This seedling was subjected to competitive testing and hybridization under the varietal name of “Prima”. The new variety forms a medium-sized shrub with a semi-spreading crown of moderate density, averaging 18–23 fruiting shoots, 20–34 fruiting nodes per shoot. The fruits are large, with an average and maximum weight of 1.7 and 3.2 g, respectively. The average yield is 2.8 kg per shrub. With a planting pattern of 3.0 × 0.8 m, the estimated yield averaged 11.6 t/ ha, which is 1.1 times higher than that of the control variety Orlovskaya Serenada. Fruit detachment is dry and easy, the force required to detach the berries from the stalk is 0.7 N; and the berry fi rmness is 6.3 N. In terms of shrub structure and the physical and mechanical properties of the fruits, the new Prima variety meets the technological parameters of suitability for mechanized harvesting. The new variety is distinguished by a high content of ascorbic acid (214.7 mg/100 g) and anthocyanins (381.8 mg/100 g) in the fruits. It is characterized by a high fi eld resistance to harmful objects: high resistance to powdery mildew and bud mite, and above average resistance to leaf spots.

Breeding research involves the widespread adoption of biotechnological methods. In this context, the use of DNA marking is of particular relevance. This method allows identifi cation of parental varieties with longterm, genetically determined post-harvest shelf life and, on this basis, selection of hybrid off spring before the seedlings begin bearing fruit. Enzymes and their coding genes that participate in the above metabolic processes were identifi ed. A relationship between the alleles of the Md-ACO1 and Md-ACS1 genes and the intensity of ethylene biosynthesis was determined. Fruit pulp softening during storage was found to depend on the enzymatic activity of expansin (Md-Exp7 gene) and ethylene-dependent endopolygalacturonase (Md-PG1 gene). Identifi cation of the genetic sources of the breeding-priority alleles of the Md-ACS1, Md-ACO1, Md-Exp7, and Md-PG1 genes using DNA markers is successfully used in practical breeding work by both domestic and foreign researchers. This approach facilitates the identifi cation of the allelic composition of genes responsible for the shelf life of apple fruits.

In this research project, supported by the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, we set out to compare the effectiveness of various sterilization regimens for blackcurrant lateral buds during introduction into in vitro sterile culture. The study was conducted using the facilities of the Agricultural Biotechnology Training and Production Laboratory of the Kostroma State Agricultural Academy (Russia). Lateral buds were harvested from lignified shoots of the Bryanskiy Agat, Vera, and Debryansk currant cultivars, obtained at the Federal Scientific Center of Horticulture in 2023. All varieties exhibited sufficiently high morphogenetic potential for in vitro cultivation. The determined optimal sterilizing agent was a 0.05 % solution of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) with a 10-min exposure. Meristem viability, depending on the pomological cultivar, ranged from 53.3 % to 66.7 %. The use of a 5.0 % sodium hypochlorite (SH) solution for exposures of 5, 10, and 15 min increased the viability of meristems from 53.3 to 73.3 %. The maximum contamination level was achieved with the combined use of both sterilizing agents (SH and CHG) under a 5-min exposure, ranging 50.0–70.0 %. The maximum number of morphogenically active meristems was obtained after sterilization with a 0.05 % solution (CHG) following an exposure of 10 and 15 min.

In 2022–2023, specialists of the Plant Biophysics Sector of the Agrophysical Research Institute conducted a series of studies to determine the quality of lilac seeds by the method of microfocus X-ray analysis using a PRDU-02 mobile X-ray diagnostic system manufactured by ZAO “ELTECH-Med”. The number of seeds simultaneously scanned depended on their size and the specifi ed value of direct X-ray magnifi cation. The biometric parameters of common lilac (S. vulgaris) and Hungarian lilac (S. josikaea) seeds were established to diff er signifi cantly. The perimeter of Hungarian lilac seeds was 17.27 mm, thus exceeding the perimeter of common lilac seeds by 3.12 mm. The area of Hungarian and common lilac seeds was 12.44 and 13.21 mm, respectively. A signifi cant defect of lilac seeds was their lack of plumpness, varying from 4.75 to 6.5%. The second most common defect was rotted seeds, varying from 2 to 4.5%. Seed damage was insignifi cant, varying from 1.25 to 1.5%. The conducted studies indicate microfocus X-ray analysis to be a feasible method for selecting high-quality seeds of Hungarian lilac (S. josikaea) and common lilac (S. vulgaris) in the production of seed rootstocks.

We conducted a study into the effect of various agrochemicals on the restoration of fruiting grape plants after spring frosts. Experiments were conducted using Pamyat Dombkovskoy, Liberty, and Ranniy Magaracha varieties cultivated in the Pavlovsky district of the Voronezh Oblast (Russia) after the late spring frosts of 2024– 2025. The following preparations were used: Domotsvet (liquid form, 0.1 mL/L), Biotonus-ME (powder form, 3 g/L), EcoFus (liquid form, 3 mL/L); Cytovit (liquid form, 1 mL/L); Ferovit (liquid form, 3 mL/L); Epin-Extra (liquid form, 0.2 mL/L); Ribav-Extra (liquid form, 0.1 mL/L). Plants were sprayed twice during the season. Treatment of plants with water served as a control. The maximum number of shoots was formed by the plants of the Liberty variety under the influence of the Ferovit and Epin-Extra preparations. The average number of internodes increased significantly on Liberty shoots treated with Ferovit and Epin-Extra. No significant differences in the internode length were found across all treatments, depending on the variety.

Carrots, one of the main vegetable crops worldwide, exhibit significant polymorphism. This quality is important for breeding aimed at improving agronomic traits and yield. In this article, we carry out an integral evaluation of 20 carrot varieties and hybrids cultivated in the Moscow Oblast in terms of valuable traits. The research was conducted in 2022–2024. The Moskovskaya Zimnyaya variety was used as the standard. To assess the stability and variability of the yield, the coeffi  cient of variation (CV), regression coeffi  cient (b_i), and deviation from regression (S²d_i) were calculated. The average yield of garden carrots in the Moscow Oblast was 3.6 kg/m², with a preservation level of 93.2%. High yield was noted in the following specimens: Nazareth F1 (temp. coll.-3157) – 4.9 kg/m², Canton F1 (temp. coll.-3155) – 5.4 kg/m², Mokum (temp. coll.-3156) – 5.8 kg/m²; the survivability of these specimens was 96.3–98.3%. High root weight was noted in the Mestnaya variety (coll.-1984) – 300.3 g. A correlation was established between marketability and marketable yield (r=0.759) and total yield (r=0.517). Root weight was more closely related to root diameter (r=0.555) than to the core diameter to total diameter ratio (r=0.399). Among the genotypes that are stable and respond weakly to changing environmental conditions (b_i < 1; S²d_i = 0) are Mokum (temp. coll.-3156), Parisen Market 5 (temp. coll.-3262), Yuwarot (coll.-3164), and Rakhat Lukum (temp. coll.-3255). The following varieties were characterized by good response to changing conditions (b_i > 1; S²d_i = 0): Tavrida (coll.-3146), Karibou (coll.-3154), Yaponskaya (coll.-1419), F₁ Ratio (coll.-3251), Mestnaya Krasnaya (coll.-3265), Matilda F₁ (coll.-3319), and Rosifor (coll.-3153).

This study comparatively evaluates three Schisandra varieties bred by the the Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery (Russia). The varieties – Pervenets (control, year of creation – 1999), Debut (year of creation – 2013), and Alex (year of creation – 2023) – are evaluated based on a set of key agronomic and biological characteristics. These varieties are adapted to the temperate continental climate of the European part of the Russian Federation and are suffi  ciently winter-hardy for cultivation in open ground without cover or removal from supports. The plants are monoecious. The Debut and Alex varieties are distinguished by their large fruits. Their fruits represent an infructescence, a juicy fruit aggregate resembling a raceme weighing 11.5 (18.0) and 13.7 (25.7) g, with 19.2 (32) and 18.8 (28.9) pcs per brush, respectively. The weight of one berry is 0.70 (0.90) and 0.73 (0.89) g, respectively. Debut showed the highest weight of 1000 seeds (31.9 g), compared to Alex (24.5 g) and Pervenets (21.1 g). The Debut and Alex varieties surpass Pervenets in the content of soluble solids (16.5 and 16.3% versus 15.1 %), sugars (4.3 and 4.2 % versus 4.0%), and ascorbic acid (96.8 and 68.6 mg/% versus 44.0 mg/%, respectively). In terms of yield, both new varieties exceeded the Pervenets standard variety: Debut – by 26.3 % and Alex – by 42.3 %.

We present the results of a two-year study of the collection of bearded iris varieties conducted in the Tambov Oblast at the experimental facilities of the Floriculture Laboratory of the I.V. Michurin Federal Scientific Center (Russia). Both foreign and domestic varieties were studied. The bearded iris collection includes varieties with different flowering times, both early (Belyanchik, Galateya, Gvardeisky, Ryzhik, Mary Frances, etc.) and late (Dyuimovochka, Lancelot, Ambassador, Super Station, etc.). The analysis of phenological observations revealed that the average duration of preservation of decorative qualities in the varieties ranges from 7 to 11 days. The most important ornamental characteristics of flower crops are the color and size of the perianth. Perianth color is represented by a wide range of colors, from white to a dark inky shade. The perianth diameter of bearded iris, depending on the variety, ranged from 9.0 to 14.5 cm. The height of the peduncle was 60–90 cm. Graf Tolstoy and Gypsy Caravan were distinguished as varieties with high ornamental characteristics: the largest perianth diameter (14.5 cm) and peduncle height (up to 90 cm). Under the conditions of the Black Earth Region of Russia, the main diseases are heterosporiosis (Heterosporium) and rust (Puccinia iridis); the main pest is rose chafer (Cetonia aurata). The conducted two-year study of bearded iris varieties identified Cascade Springs to be a genetic source of field resistance to fungal diseases and Stepping Out to be a genetic source of resistance of the peduncle to lodging.

Our research conducted in 2024–2025 revealed that the death of raspberry root suckers during their rooting in protected ground in early spring is caused by a set of pathogenic micromycetes. These include Botrytis cinerea with an occurrence frequency of 8.3–50%, Fusarium spp. (37.5%), Cylindrocarpon spp. (50%), Dactylonectria macrodidyma (33.3%), Phytophthora sp. (25–33.3%), Pythium spp. (12.5–16.6%), and Rhizoctonia solani (12.5–50%). The species composition of the micromycete set is infl uenced by a number of factors, with the main being the temperature during rooting and the species composition of the micromycetes parasitizing the root system of mother plants. Concerning the pathogenicity of individual micromycete species for raspberries, the Berkeleyomyces basicola fungus plays a particular role, being isolated in 37.5% of aff ected parts. Berkeleyomyces basicola is capable of independently causing damping-off  disease on raspberry root suckers in protected soil conditions.