A collection of Fragaria L. species and varieties established at Krymsk Experiment Breeding Station of VIR has been preserved for a long time and regularly updated. An algorithm for the work with its accessions was proposed and tested in practice in the field genebank of the Station. It is presented as a scheme that includes the following collections: quarantine/identification, in vitro, pomological/botanical, in-depth research, and genetic. The accessions are sources and donors of traits important for breeding and represent the most valuable material for targeted crossings in programs developing and releasing strawberry cultivars, primarily garden ones.

The effectiveness of their utilization can be seen in the adaptable high-yielding cultivars developed at Krymsk Station in recent years: ‘Zenkora’ (Zenga-Zengana × Cardinal) was patented, and ‘Pelageya’ [Elizaveta II (clone Coroleva Elizaveta) × Irma] included in the State Register of the Russian Federation. All parents involved in the development of these cultivars were sources of useful agronomic traits identified in the genetic collection: ‘Zenga-Zengana’ (productivity and adaptability), ‘Cardinal’ (large fruit size and fruit density), ‘Elizaveta II’ (everbearing habit and drought resistance), and ‘Irma’ (productivity).

Physical conditions of plant cultivation and planting rates per area unit have been optimized at all stages of maintenance of strawberry accessions to support their good growth and development. Such technique ensures complete safety of healthy accessions representing pure cultivars and wild species with a possibility of using the genotypes preserved in the genetic collection in breeding practice.

Background. Walnut (Juglans regia L.) is considered a particularly valuable plant for humans. A number of methods have been developed to select the species’ gene pool that produces high-quality fruits. Breeders need to know which of them ensures identification of the best ancestors. The objective of this work was to compare the effectiveness of the most frequently used techniques for selecting a valuable gene pool according to taste, extractability, weight, kernel yield, and overall fruit score. They were presented in the Program and Methods for Walnut Breeding (method 1) and the Program and Methodology of Variety Studies for Fruit, Berry and Nut Crops (method 2).

Materials and methods. Statistical data processing was performed using the licensed Stadia-8 software.

Results. Comparing the results with the program requirements for new cultivars, all the ancestors selected according to method 1 had better taste and higher kernel weight, while according to method 2 12.5% of the forms showed lower values. The recommended kernel yield of 50% or more turned out to be lower than the threshold value in 14.29% (method 1) and 62.5% (method 2) of the selected ramets. Evaluation by to method 1 showed that the group of the “superior quality” breeding category had higher average values in taste (by 3.63%), weight (7.86%), extractability (4.25%), and kernel yield (9.9%). When selecting the first-rank forms by method 1, the values were higher in extractability (by 0.25%), weight (5.26%), taste (3.09%), kernel yield (7.55%), and overall score (7.61%). In the average values for the first-rank and second-rank forms, the excess was by 4.44, 21.91, 4.75, 9.67, and 9.86%, respectively.

Conclusions. When selecting a promising walnut gene pool, method 1 provides for stricter selection and higher food quality indicators (taste, extractability, weight, kernel yield, and overall fruit score) compared to method 2.

Cultivation of adaptive fruit and berry crop varieties ensures environmental sustainability of horticulture. In the period of 2016–2020, sea buckthorn cultivars developed in Chelyabinsk and the Altai were assessed for adaptability, environmental plasticity, and stability under the conditions of Chelyabinsk Province. Sea buckthorn cultivars of local breeding appeared most adapted to the conditions of the Southern Urals. Among them, 1 accession was of the intensive type: 18-42-41 (70,4 ц/га; b_i = 1,51; S_i ² = 4,9); 9 cultivars combined environmental plasticity and stability: ‘Yantarnoye ozherelye’ (7.74 t/ha; b_i = 0,89; S_i ² = 8,5), 18-41-27n (7.17 t/ha; b_i = 1.09; S_i ² = 3.1), ‘Chelyabinskaya’ (7.07 t/ha; b_i = 0.98; S_i ² = 7.1), 18-42-40n (7.07 t/ha; b_i = 1.01; S_i ² = 12.0), ‘Koster’ (7.04 t/ha; b_i = 1.06; S_i ² = 8.9), ‘Damskiye palchiki’ (6.88 t/ha; b_i = 0.72; S_i ² = 1.1), ‘Karotinnaya’ (6.85 t/ha; b_i = 0.92; S_i ² = 6.1), 18-6-22 (6.78 t/ha; b_i = 0.83; S_i ² = 7.7), and 18-6-18n (6.75 t/ha; b_i = 0.86; S_i ² = 3.9); and 6 accessions were of the neutral type: ‘Lisichka’ (6.91 t/ha; b_i = 0.51; S_i ² = 15.9), 18-2-38 (6.78 t/ha; b_i = 0.49; S_i ² = 3,6), ‘Fantaziya’ (6.69 t/ha; b_i = 0.69; S_i ² = 0.7), ‘Solnyshko’ (6.66 t/ha; b_i = 0.69; S_i ² = 3.0), ‘Ryzhik’ (6.46 t/ha; b_i = 0.63; S_i ² = 3.6), and 18-40-27 (6.40 t/ha; b_i = 0.52; S_i ² = 4.4). The studied sea buckthorn cultivars bred in the Altai belong to the intensive-type genotypes: ‘Chuyskaya’ (5.22 t/ha; b_i = 1.88), ‘Prevoskhodnaya’ (5.18 t/ha; b_i = 1.55), ‘Obilnaya’ (5.09 t/ha; b_i = 1.37), ‘Panteleevskaya’ (4.77 t/ha; b_i = 1.51), and ‘Lyubimaya’ (4.16 t/ha; b_i = 1.31). Their cultivation in Chelyabinsk Province is possible only with advanced agricultural practices.

Background. Quality indicators, medicinal and prophylactic properties of strawberry fruits are largely determined by their chemical composition. In order to improve the breeding work, it is necessary to look for the sources of high-level accumulation of macro- and micronutrients in fruits.

Materials and methods. Fruits of 101 accessions from the genetic collection of introduced foreign and domestic cultivars, elite and selected forms held by the I.V. Michurin Federal Science Center were used as the target research material. All of them were grown on the experimental plantations from 1994 through 2020. Their chemical composition (ascorbic acid and anthocyanin contents) was analyzed at the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Food Technologies according to the standard methods.

Results and conclusions. The ranges of variability in the accumulation of primary components of the antioxidant complex in strawberry fruits in the environments of the Central Black Earth Region (Michurinsk) were measured: 30.1–102.3 mg/100 g for ascorbic acid and 3.6–124.5 mg/100 g for anthocyanins. The cultivars were ranked according to the analyzed chemical components. A majority of them were classified into the group with average vitamin C content (50.1–90.0 mg/100 g). The largest part (85.6%) of the studied cultivars accumulated anthocyanins within the range of 30.0–70.0 mg/100 g. Valuable genotypes with high levels of ascorbic acid (above 90.1 mg/100 g) were identified: cvs. ‘Kokinskaya zarya’, ‘Lirovidnaya’, ‘Sudarushka’ and ‘Zephyr’. As for anthocyanins (above 90.1 mg/100 g), cvs. ‘Alena’, ‘Istochnik’, ‘Pamyati Zubova’, ‘Privlecatelnaya’, ‘Rubinovy kulon’, ‘Torpeda’ and ‘Feyerverk’, plus the elite seedling 56-5 (“Rubinovy kaskad”), showed the best results. The identified genotypes are of interest both for consumers, as they yield highly vitaminized fresh fruits, and for breeders as source material for the development of cultivars with improved chemical composition.

Background. Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is the main berry crop in the horticultural production of Altai Territory and occupies the largest growing area among berries in Russia. Meanwhile, further expansion of commercial plantations is limited by known bottlenecks in harvesting. In this context, new technological solutions in harvest mechanization are considered one of the primary tasks. A promising way is the cutting of fruit-bearing branches. At the same time, the development of cultivars suitable for such harvesting technique is very important.

Materials and methods. Thirteen cultivars and selected forms of sea buckthorn developed at the Federal Altai Scientific Center of Agro-Biotechnologies were taken as research material. To evaluate the productivity of top branches, three of them with a length of 70–100 cm were cut from the plants of each accession. Fruit detachment force was assessed using a Dina-2 device. Dispersion analysis was applied for statistical interpretation.

Results. Productivity of top branches as well as agronomic and biological characteristics of sea buckthorn fruits were studied. Accessions 87-93-1, 111-05-3 and 378-06-1 were identified for high productivity of their top branches and for predomination of the generative part over the vegetative one. The highest number of berries per bud (5.4–5.9 pieces) was observed in accessions 87-93-4, 32-01-1, 378-06-1 and 111-05-3. Cv. ‘Afina’ demonstrated for its high level of vegetative and generative productivity. Selected forms 111-05-3, 32-01-1 and 4-93-11 with low fruit detachment force (136.8–155.1 g) are promising for shaking without prior freezing.

Conclusion. Selected forms 111-05-3, 378-06-1 and 32-01-1 were recognized as most promising for harvesting by branch cutting.

Background. The realization of high productivity potential in strawberry plants significantly depends on their adaptability to soil and climate conditions of their cultivation. Winter hardiness is the most important trait in the central part of Russia. With this in view, the purpose of this study was to identify sources of high winter hardiness combined with high productivity and yield potential among the studied cultivars.

Materials and methods. The research was carried out at the primary variety testing site of the All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding (VNIISPK), Orel Province, in accordance with the published program and methodology of fruit, berry and nut variety studies. The testing covered 23 domestic and foreign strawberry cultivars. An Espec PSL-2KPH climate chamber (Japan) and a Polair refrigerator cabinet (Russia) were used for artificial freezing.

Results. Winter hardiness of strawberry cultivars was assessed under artificial freezing conditions. Cvs. ‘Korona’, ‘Tsaritsa’, ‘Solovushka’ and ‘Sara’ were the most winter-hardy cultivars. The study of the cultivars in the field made it possible to identify the most productive and large-fruited ones: ‘Alba’, ‘Azia’, ‘Bereginya’ and ‘Tsaritsa’. Cv. ‘Tsaritsa’ combines high winter hardiness and high yield productivity and yield potential, being a valuable source of these traits in breeding practice. According to a set of indicators ‘Tsaritsa’ is promising for large-scale cultivation in the Central Black Earth Region of Russia.

Background. Blackberry is becoming increasingly popular in Russia for its rapid early-fruiting, high self-fertility and late flowering, contributing to longer consumption of fresh berries, a source of antioxidant compounds. There is a need to study the biochemical composition of blackberries.

Materials and methods. Fruits of 25 blackberry cultivars and hybrid seedlings from the Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding (VNIISPK) were analyzed for the contents of catechins, leucoanthocyanins, anthocyanins, and total phenolic compounds using the photometric method, and the content of ascorbic acid using the titrimetric method. Statistical data processing was carried out using the methods of variation and correlation analyses.

Results. Bioactive compounds (BAC) accumulating in blackberry fruits were studied: ascorbic acid, catechins, leukoanthocyanins, anthocyanins, and total phenolics, with medium and significant variability of the studied indicators (V > 10%). Among the genotypes, 73% accumulated more than 20.0 mg/100 g of ascorbic acid in fruits. All genotypes were identified as sources of anthocyanins. About 50% of the accessions accumulated catechins in fruits above the average level. Leucoanthocyanins were stored in blackberry fruits in slightly larger amounts than catechins. In 10 accessions the level of phenolics was higher than 1000.0 mg/100 g.

Conclusion. Genotypes with high BAC content were identified. Correlation coefficients were obtained: they indicate the presence of an medium degree of rectilinear relationship between the content of ascorbic acid and anthocyanin compounds, ascorbic acid and total phenolics. Cvs. ‘Black Satin’, ‘Cacanska Bestrna’, ‘Chester’, ‘Natchez’ and ‘Triple Crown’, plus hybrid seedlings LN-14, LN-1 and LN-7, were identified according to a set of indicators (ascorbic acid and phenolics) and recommended for breeding to improve the quality of blackberry fruits.

The purpose of this research was to determine the biochemical contents in black (Morus nigra L.) mulberry genotypes grown in Kütahya Province. Total soluble solids content, pH, titratable acidity, total phenolics, vitamin C, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and soluble sugars (fructose, glucose, and sucrose) of black mulberry genotypes were determined at the end of the study. The highest total phenolics value was detected in SIM02 (2995.16 mg GAE g-1). The SIM03 genotype had the highest vitamin C content of 31.34 mg 100 g-1. The study indicated that radical scavenging activity (DPPH) of 19.05 (SIM03) was the highest. In terms of the most valuable chemical composition, the SIM01, SIM02 and SIM03 genotypes can be suggested and used for future breeding reasons. It is desirable to take actions in Turkey to conduct an extensive conservation program for Morus nigra biodiversity.

Background. Today, the effectiveness of berry crop cultivation depends on correct formation of the regional assortment of cultivars, taking into account the instability of environmental factors. Searching for and accumulating genetic resources from leading breeding centers, both domestic and foreign, as well as studying new genotypes under local conditions would make it possible to identify berry crop varieties for production and breeding.

Materials and methods. This study was conducted in Michurinsk, Tambov Province, on the experimental plantations of red currant at the I.V. Michurin Federal Science Center in 2016–2020. The research material consisted of 15 introduced cultivars of red currant. Collection testing was carried out in line with generally accepted techniques of variety studies and field experiments.

Results. Under the conditions of Tambov Province, the introduced red currant cultivars required a sum of temperatures of 89.3–132.0°C to start growing, 290.0–328.0°C to start flowering, 943.5–1133.0°C to start ripening, and 1478.2–1733.3°C to produce fully matured berries. Cvs. ‘Belosnezhka’, ‘Lvovyanka’, ‘Oksamit’ and ‘Rosinka’ showed complex resistance to diseases and pests. Cvs. ‘Kalinka’, ‘Lasunya’, ‘Lider’, ‘Lvovyanka’, ‘Oksamit’, ‘Orlovskaya zvezda’ and ‘Sara’ produced large fruits. Stable high productivity and yield were observed in cvs. ‘Vika’, ‘Lider’, ‘Oksamit’, ‘Orlovskaya zvezda’ and ‘Rosinka’. A close correlation (r = 0.99) was recorded between the productivity per bush (kg) and yield (100 kg/ha), and medium correlations between the berry weight and productivity per bush (r = 0.69), and between the productivity per one linear meter of branches and productivity per bush (r = 0.35).

Conclusion. As a result of the integrated assessment under the conditions of Tambov Province, the red currant cultivars ‘Vika’, ‘Lider’, ‘Oksamit’, ‘Orlovskaya zvezda’ and ‘Rosinka’ were recommended for cultivation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of phenotypic diversity of argan fruit with different morphological characteristics (fusiform, oval, apiculate and spherical) on fat and protein content, inflexibility and fat chemical composition, oil acids and sterols. To investigate the links of argan fruit shape with the chemical composition of argan oil, with the help of native communities, 4 different fruit shapes (fusiform, apiculate, spherical and oval) were selected, which were harvested from the same place (Tamanar) in Essaouira province (South Plain region, Western Morocco). After harvesting the fruit of the argan tree, 100 samples were taken from each form. They were crushed to destroy the core. After extraction of hexane with Soxhlet, fat content, protein level, unsaponifiable content, composition of fatty acids and sterols in fat were determined. The results showed that the oval shape is the best shape of argan fruit because their kernels contain more than 50% fat and a higher percentage of unsaponifiables. The results on fatty acids and sterols showed that argan oil contained 80% of unsaturated fatty acids. The results also showed that the main products of the sterol composition in argan oil were schottenol (or Δ-7-stigmasterol) (42.8 and 46.4%) and spinasterol (39.8 and 45.6%). The study of the chemical composition showed that there was no correlation between the shape of the fruit of the argan tree and the composition of fatty acids. Depending on the shape of the argan fruit, fatty acids and sterols were not only related to the shape but also to the nature of the soil and its altitude, longitude and distance from the sea.

Background. It is important to study morphometric parameters of productivity in cultivars because it allows us to identify the most productive cultivars and valuable genotypes with improved characteristics of the mechanical composition of berries for use in breeding practice.

Materials and methods. Morphometric parameters of berries and racemes were assessed at Pushkin and Pavlovsk Laboratories of VIR in 2016–2018. Fifty-one black currant cultivars of various genetic and ecogeographic origin were the material for the research. Cvs. ‘Nara’ (for early cultivars) and ‘Peterburzhenka’ (for mid-season and mid-late ones), both listed in the State Register of Selection Achievements for Northwest Russia, served as the references. The research was conducted by conventional methods. Statistical data processing was performed using Microsoft Excel and guidelines.

Results and conclusions. As a result of the research, valuable genotypes with the best morphometric parameters and cultivars for commercial and amateur gardening were identified. Large fruit size and stability of this trait were observed in cvs. ‘Yubileinaya Kopanya’ (k-44189), ‘Selechenskaya 2’ (k-42637), ‘Litvinovskaya’ (k-45542), ‘Fortuna’ (k-44194), ‘Partizanka bryanskaya’ (k-45548), ‘Sofievskaya’ (k-43131), ‘Raduzhnaya’ (k-45549), ‘Karri’ (k-44172), and accession 2780-20-33 (k-49788). Cvs. ‘Kozatskaya’ (k-44187) and ‘Perezvon’ (k-45589) develop 8 berries per raceme. The best cultivars with optimal combinations of the studied traits, suitable for large-scale cultivation and amateur gardening in Northwest Russia, are ‘Andreevskaya’ (k-49787), ‘Kazkova’ (k-44196), Raduzhnaya’ (k-45549), ‘Sevchanka’ (k-45551), ‘Selechenskaya 2’ (k-42637), Sofievskaya’ (k-43131), ‘Tatran Slava’ (k-44182), ‘Karri’ (k-44172), and ‘Yubileinaya Kopanya’ (k-44189). Correlations between individual morphostructural yield components were identified.

Modern trends and ways of resuming and increasing the production of domestic almond kernels based on the development of cultivars that have advantages in adaptability, productivity, and kernel quality, and are distinguished for a quick payback are discussed. The results of VIR’s expeditions that collected almond species and varieties in Southern Russia, the Transcaucasus, and Central Asia are presented. Almonds introduced from foreign research institutions are also described.

Analytical selection helped to identify complex sources of resistance to abiotic factors: ‘Victoria’ (k-42684), ‘Meteor’ (k-42683), ‘Dessertny’ (k-43550), Ai-Dere No.4 (k-42676), Ai-Dere No.5 (k-42677), Kolod 6 (k-42709), Podvoyny 205 (k-42678), ‘Tuono’ (k-49598), and Ferraduel × Tuono (k-43561). Promising source material is recommended for targeted development of new competitive almond cultivars for intensive horticulture, including sources of restrained growth type, compact crown, and earliness: Ferraduel × Tuono, ‘Monterey’(k-49538), elite 1-18-2 (k-42679), elite 2-40 (k-42680), and Kalmykov’s almond seedling 1-1 (k-42711); of productivity and almond kernel quality: Ferraduel × Tuono, ‘Monterey’, ‘Victoria’, ‘Meteor’, ‘Mindalny’ (k-42682), ‘Ferragness’ (k-42696), ‘Tuono’, ‘Karmeil’ (k-49540), elite 1-18-2, and Kalmykov’s almond seedling 1-1; of high oil content in kernels: elite 13-37 (k-42681); and of valuable fatty acid composition (according to the content of unsaturated fatty acids): cv. ‘Victoria’, elites 1-18-2 and 2-40, and Kolod 5 (k-42708).

Background. European plum (Prunus domestica L.) is one of the leading stone fruit crops cultivated in Southern Russia. Therefore, it is very important to study the adaptability of its cultivars comprehensively.

Materials and methods. European plum cultivars with different maturation periods developed at Maikop Experiment Station of VIR were studied in 2008–2021 under the conditions of the field gene bank of Maikop Experiment Station. The calendar dates were recorded for the passage of the important phenological phases. Productivity, commercial and consumer fruit qualities, and fruit weight were assessed using conventional techniques.

Results. The growing season of the studied plum cultivars started from March 15 (‘Vengerka Maikopskaya’, k-15081) to April 16 (‘Spurochka’, k-43477). The beginning of flowering was recorded from April 9 (‘Vengerka Maikopskaya’) to April 22 (‘Vengerka Tsitvenbyul’, k-43331). The flowering phase duration was 7 to 10 days. The flowering phase started later for cvs. ‘Vengerka Maikopchanka’ (k-43326), ‘Vengerka Sladkaya’ (k-43329), ‘Vengerka Tsitvenbyul’, ‘Vengerka Shuntuchka’ (k-43334) and ‘Lakomka’ (k-43471). Mass fruit ripening was observed from August 5 to September 9. The highest fruit flavor score was recorded for cvs. ‘Arvita 44-4-10’ (k-28409), ‘Vengerka Vkusnaya’ (k-43323), ‘Vengerka Sladkaya’, ‘Vengerka MOS VIR’ (k-15080), ‘Vengerka Shuntukskaya’ (k-15079), ‘Izmamot’ (k-48408) and ‘Chernosliv Adygeiskiy’ (k-23743). Large-fruited cultivars were: ‘Chernosliv Adygeiskiy’, ‘Chernosliv Predgorny’ (k-43488), ‘Arvita 44-4-10’, ‘Vengerka Vkusnaya’, ‘Vengerka MOS VIR’ and ‘Vengerka Maikopskaya’. Higher productivity was observed in cvs. ‘Vengerka Sladkaya’, ‘Chernosliv Adygeiskiy’ and ‘Chernosliv Shuntukskiy’ (k-23707). Cultivars with the most stable productivity were ‘Arvita 44-4-10’, ‘Vengerka Sladkaya’ and ‘Chernosliv Adygeiskiy’.

Conclusions. Analyzing the results of a long-term study of plum accessions helped to identify cultivars with the most valuable traits.

Background. Fruit aroma is an important consumer trait of strawberry varieties. Identification of genotypes carrying the genes of the aromatic complex in fruits is an important stage in the development of new cultivars with aromatic fruits. The purpose of this study was to analyze the allelic state of the FaOMT fruit aroma gene in strawberry cultivars and selected forms developed at the I.V. Michurin Federal Science Center to identify promising genotypes for use in breeding for fruit aroma.

Materials and methods. The research materials were strawberry cultivars and promising selected forms developed at the I.V. Michurin FSC using the methods of introgressive and intervarietal hybridization. Allelic state of the FaOMT gene was identified with the codominant marker FaOMT-SI/NO.

Results and conclusion. The FaOMT fruit aroma gene is represented in the studied strawberry varieties and forms by three combinations of alleles: the homozygous state of the functional allele, the heterozygous combination of the alleles, and the homozygous state of the nonfunctional allele. Cvs. ‘Rubinovy kaskad’, ‘Privlekatelnaya’ and ‘Feyerverk’ are characterized by a heterozygous combination of alleles of the FaOMT gene. Cvs. ‘Lastochka’, ‘Pamyati Zubova’, ‘Flora’, ‘Yarkaya’ and ‘Urozhaynaya CGL’ are characterized by the homozygous state of the FaOMT+ allele. Selected strawberry forms 928-12, 26-5, 72-71 and 62-41 have the heterozygous genotype; hybrids 298-19-9-43 and 932-29 are characterized by the homozygous state of the FaOMT+ allele; selected forms 61-12 and 65-26 are characterized by the homozygous state of the nonfunctional FaOMT– allele. Strawberry forms promising for breeding, with the homozygous state of the functional FaOMT+ allele, were identified: cvs. ‘Lastochka’, ‘Pamyati Zubova’, ‘Flora’, ‘Yarkaya’ and ‘Urozhaynaya CGL’, and selected forms 298-19-9-43 and 932-29.

This work was based on the combinatorial breeding technique using donors of the columnar growth type (Co gene), sources of winter hardiness and high consumer qualities, and scab immunity donors (Rvi6 gene). The selection in the columnar apple-tree hybrid progeny was accompanied by the assessment of growth vigor, compactness degree, and seedling cultivability in accordance with the guidelines.

Due to the increasing popularity of apple trees with the columnar crown type, the volume of breeding work for columnar growth  habit  at  the  Russian  Research  Institute  of  Fruit  Crop  Breeding  (VNIISPK)  over  the  past  9 years  amounted  to 133,582 flowers, or one third of the entire hybridization envisaged by the apple-tree breeding program. Meticulous selection of parent forms is carried out in order to incorporate a set of useful traits in the columnar growth habit genotype. Both cultivars and hybrid forms serve as sources and donors of the traits interesting for breeders. All the studied cultivars released by VNIISPK are dwarf: their height is within the range from 287 cm (cv. ‘Priokskoe’) to 198 cm (cv. ‘Orlovskaya Yesenia’), and they can be recommended for both commercial plantations and amateur gardens. The columnar form 34-34-98 is characterized by a unique degree of compactness (the ratio of the internode length to the shoot diameter) equal to 0.4 versus the average value of 1.6 for this indicator in the studied columnar cultivars. This form was involved in the release of 78 promising hybrid seedlings, the best of which (38.5%) were transferred to the garden for primary variety trials. A large yield of seedlings characterized by high compactness in the progeny of the columnar apple tree 34-34-98 makes it possible to recommend it for the development of new apple-tree genotypes for highly cost-effective orchards with high tree planting density.

Background. Development of table grape cultivars is currently aimed not only at higher vineyard productivity and grape quality but also at enhancing the adaptive potential of plants under the dynamic change in the climate conditions of Southern Russia. Increasing the share of modern Russian cultivars of table grapes will update and improve the assortment. The aim of this study was to evaluate new Russian hybrid grapevine forms according to their agrobiological, physiological and biochemical characteristics in the central agroecological zone of Krasnodar Territory.

Materials and methods. Agrobiological characters were assessed using modern methods. Among physio-biochemical characters, the content of photosynthetic pigments was measured as well as the level of stress parameters under drought, such as the total water content in leaves and the content of malondialdehyde. Artificial drought was simulated to identify the most stress-resistant hybrid forms.

Results. The highest values of fruitfulness coefficients k1 and k2 in the period of research were recorded for the Akello and Agat Dubovsky hybrid forms. Timoti and Agat Dubovsky had the maximum average yield for two years among the hybrid forms. The Gamlet, Kishmish Dubovsky, Agat Dubovsky and Timoti genotypes significantly exceeded the reference cultivar in the bunch weight. The Akello and Agat Dubovsky hybrids were identified for their physio-biochemical parameters: the highest content of chlorophyll in their leaves, high adaptive potential expressed in a low development level of secondary oxidative processes under stress, and the highest content of carotenoids.

Conclusion. The obtained results evidenced that the Agat Dubovsky hybrid form could be identified as the most promising among the studied genotypes for cultivation in Southern Russia.

This study was conducted to perform symptomological identification of Citrus Psorosis Virus (CPsV) in Northern Cyprus. This is the oldest known citrus virus disease, which causes huge decrease in citrus fruits’ quality. The first symptoms of the disease were found in Florida and California in the 1890s. The most important and well known symptoms of CPsV are dehiscence and spalling of the trunk and branches of old trees. Chlorotic spotting and ringspot may also be caused on the leaves of infected young trees.

There were reports not to kill the infected trees in the Mediterranean basin and America, but the disease leads to an important reduction in yield and fruit quality in time. Recent available verbal information among the farmers in Northern Cyprus claims that there is an increase in the symptoms of chlorotic spotting on leaves and spalling on tree trunks, which are thought to be caused by CPsV. Grafting is a common management technique on citrus trees in Northern Cyprus, where most of the varieties have been grafted on sour orange; and grafting is among the major ways of transmitting this virus, together with other mechanical practices.

The results of the present study showed that the virus disease in different citrus species and varieties of Northern Cyprus are mostly symptomatic.  In the current work, citrus orchards which showed disease symptoms were all recorded and a detailed database was prepared for future molecular analyses. Thus, it is revealed that further molecular studies should be carried in order to perform a scientific investigation into the presence of this virus disease in Northern Cyprus and prove it molecularly.

This study was carried out to determine the effectiveness of some herbicides on weed species and weed population in the landscape area of Iğdır University Şehit Bülent Yurtseven Campus in 2021. In the study, herbicides with active ingredients, 2,4-D amine, Bromoxynil + MCPA, 2,4-D tri-isopropyl amine salt + Picloram, dicamba + triasulfuron, 2,4-D EHE + florasulam, Halosulfuron-methyl and Fluazifop-p-butyl as well as Bromoxynil + MCPA + dicamba + triasulfuron and 2,4-D amine + Fluazifop-p-butyl herbicide mixtures were used. The percentage effects of the herbicides applied in the study on weed dry weights, weed species, and the percentage effects of herbicides on these weed species were determined according to the 3 counts made at certain intervals for the weed species with a density of 1 weeds/m² and above in the census.

As a result of the study, a total of 14 weed species belonging to 8 families were determined in the trial area. Of these detected weed species, Trifolium  repens L. (5.49 weed/m²),  Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. (3.24 weed/m²),  Trifolium  pratense L.  (1.23 weed/m²), Melilotus albus Medik. (1.07 weed/m²) and Convolvulus arvensis L. (1.03 weed/m²), the density of 5 of them was determined as 1 weeds/m² and above. As a result of the study, the lowest weed dry weights (2.12 g/m²) and the highest percentage effect (94.50%) were obtained in the 2,4-D tri-isopropyl amine salt + Picloram plots. The percentage effects of the herbicides applied in the study on the weed species varied according to the weed species and the herbicides used.

The objective of this study was to investigate damage rate and impact of Bactrocera oleae on olive oil quality on the ‘Cyprus Local’ and ‘Gemlik’ cultivars in Northern Cyprus. This study included 11 olive groves which were located in two different districts. A total of 11 olive groves from two separate cities (Güzelyurt and Girne) were selected during the maturity time where cvs, ‘Cyprus Local’ and ‘Gemlik’ are grown intensively. Two hundred and fifty fruits (25 fruits/10 trees) were randomly selected from each orchard and the damaged fruits were counted. These data were compared with the environmental conditions to determine relationships among the damage rates and environmental conditions.

The results showed that the damage rate of olive fruit fly had a moderate correlation with the temperature, while the temperatures above 20°C were found to provoke the highest damage rate on both cultivars. Moreover, the results showed that cv. ‘Cyprus Local’ is more sensitive to olive fruit fly damage, especially at higher temperatures. An important result of the current work is that an increase in the damage rate raises the acidity ratio of the fruits and reduces the fruit quality.

Background. Cherry leaf spot (caused by the fungus Coccomyces hiemalis Higg.) has been one of the most harmful diseases of stone fruits for many years. The increasing genetic homogeneity of plant forms used in breeding promotes the acceleration of the pathogen’s adaptive microevolution and the overcoming of previously effective resistance genes. The structure of C. hiemalis populations from Krasnodar Territory in terms of their virulence to a set of differentiators and the effectiveness of new leaf spot resistance donors were studied.

Materials and methods. The polymorphism in three populations of the fungus was assessed by the frequencies of virulence phenotypes which were identified using six differentiators. The resistance of new distant hybrids to 50 monopustular isolates was assessed in laboratory experiments.

Results and conclusions. Five phenotypes of the fungus, differing in virulence to six cherry genotypes, were identified. An increase was observed in the frequencies of virulence phenotypes capable of strongly affecting donors used in breeding for resistance. Five hybrids are proposed to expand the genetic diversity of sour and sweet cherry cultivars resistant to C. hiemalis: 3-61-4-139, 3-39-5-47, 3-107-6-28, AI 5 B-D-2-4-27, and 3-76. They are protected by the leaf spot resistance genes that have been transferred from Prunus serrulata Lindl. The alleles of the resistance genes in these plants are not identical to the resistance alleles in the genotypes Seyanets No. 1, Mutant 561, ‘Almaz’, Kusumkent 8, Vetrovoe 11 (P. kurilensis Miyabe), and BG-35 (P. sargentii Rehd.), all used in breeding. Seedling 3-20-5-23 (P. serrulata × Northstar) was not resistant to a number of C. hiemalis clones. It is assumed that this genotype and Vetrovoe 11 (P. kurilensis) are protected by identical alleles of resistance genes, which differ from the alleles present in the five new hybrid forms.

In this study, an attempt was made to examine the perspective of university students and their family members on the agricultural sector, the value they attach to agriculture and their own lands, the level of knowledge and awareness of the agricultural sector where they are engaged in production activities and make a living, and the importance they attribute to the sustainability of agriculture. In addition, the production activities of farmers and their membership in cooperatives or unions were also examined. The surveys conducted by interviewing a total of 200 participants representing university students and their family members within the scope of the research constituted the target material of this study. The obtained survey data were examined and tables containing frequency and percentage parameters were prepared and tried to be interpreted. According to the results of the research, a significant majority of the participants attribute importance to the integrity of the land and believe that agriculture is indispensable. Besides, considering the importance of the agricultural sector and the existing agricultural land, there is a substantial proportion of participants who do not see any harm in non-agricultural use of their lands and state that they will give up their lands in a possible situation.

On behalf of the VIR team, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Compiled by: A.V. Konarev

Since 1961, VIR has been publishing the series Catalogue of the VIR Global Collection, which had the original name Catalogue–Directory of the VIR Global Collection. Since 2018, the edition notice for each issue and the abstract have been presented concurrently in Russian and English. The name of the series in English is Catalogue of the VIR Global Collection.