Molecular genotyping of native varieties of Vitis vinifera L. from different winegrowing areas is a current trend in the grapevine genetic diversity research. Abkhazia is among the world cradles of tamed grape, and its indigenous gene pool is of particular interest. Avasirkhva is a native Abkhasian grapevine variety mainly grown in the Gudauta District. Te research aimed to obtaining a genetic passport of Avasirkhva grapevine using microsatellite polymorphism data. Te study sampled grape plants from private farmsteads of the Gudauta District. Te plant phenotype corresponded to the variety’s ampelographic description. DNA was isolated from young shoot tip leaves with a CTAB-based protocol. Genotyping was performed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by capillary fragment separation. High-polymorphic SSR loci (VVS2, VVMD5, VVMD7, VVMD25, VVMD27, VVMD28, VVMD32, VrZAG62, VrZAG79) recommended for grapevine varietal identification were used as markers. Te amplicon size was estimated with an ABI Prism 3130 automated genetic analyser using the GeneMapper and PeakScanner soſtware and Pinot Noir as a reference variety genotype. Four samples exhibited an identical microsatellite profile. Te microsatellite assay-based genetic passport of the Avasirkhva variety is as follows: VVS2_141-145 VVMD5_234-242 VVMD7_{239- 249}, VVMD25_239-249, VVMD27_184-190, VVMD28_234-248, VVMD32_{248- 262}, VrZAG62_200-204, VrZAG79_251-257. Te obtained passport is unique with respect to the known genotypes in the Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC). A Principal Coordinate Analysis of microsatellite data was used to infer the genetic relationships between Avasirkhva and the Abkhasian varieties Kachich and Azhizhkvakva genotyped in our earlier studies, as well as nine native grapevines of Georgia, the nearest viticultural area. Te Avasirkhva genetic passport can be used in grapevine genotyping studies to clarify the varietal identity.

Citrus horticulture in Russia is confined to the humid subtropical conditions of the Black Sea coast of Krasnodar Region, with tangerine (Citrus reticulata Blanco var. unshiu Tan.) as a major market crop. The past decade has witnessed a steady increase in the production and consumption of fresh, easy-peeled tangerines. The bulk of existing evidence on the citrus fruit quality traits is built on research on oranges and grapefruits as main market crops, and relatively little is known on the unique qualities of tangerine. The article discusses the key quality traits of tangerine, including the fruit mass, size, colour, flavour and major biochemical quality indices. We justify the importance of breeding tangerine, specify the crop model and identify priorities, including the biochemical fruit improvement. The study involved 12 elite tangerine forms obtained by distant hybridisation at the Subtropical Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The new promising forms received a brief pomological description and qualitative assessment. The preliminarily selected large-fruit and high-yield forms are 2-2-1, 99-2, 99-4 and 99-8. Specimen with a higher sugar content (>9 %): 99-2, 99-

4, 99-8; higher ascorbate content (>75 mg/100): 97-3, 98-1, 98-2, 98-9; dry matter content: 2-2, 99-2, 99-4, 98-8, 2-1; balanced sugar-acid ratio: 2-1, 99-2, 99-4, 99-8 (sugar-acid index 9.8-10.3). The elite forms obtained by directed breeding are of equal or superior fruit quality to the zoned “Kowano-Wase” cultivar. These forms are competitive on today’s fruit market and promising for further breeding work towards improved fruit quality.

Te article tackles the feasibility of improving the raspberry fruit size as an important production and marketability factor. Te trials included 22 domestic and foreign cultivars, 11 selected forms of raspberry, as well as ten cross-breeding combinations and three open-pollinated forms. Te assessment of parental forms and hybrids was carried out at the collection and breeding sites of the Kokino base station of Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery during 2016-2020. Fruits were harvested from regular cultivar bushes every 2 days in triplicate. Te average weight was determined per 100 berries in each replicate. Cultivars and hybrids were divided into three groups, small- (3.6 g). Te average berry weight in hybrid nurslings was estimated per plant. Each plant was sampled with 30 berries. Weighing was performed with an SCC-750 electronic scales device. Te weather conditions of the trial period were contrast, allowing a more objective assessment of the collection and breeding raspberry material by berry weight. Te following cultivars were identified as the sources of improved berry size in the parental form trials: Maria, Cascade Delight, Fenomen, Lavina, Cowichan, Patricia, Laczka, Glen Ample and selections 2-115-1, 8-13-2, 18-11-3, 18-11-2, 2-90-2 and 2-90-3. Tese forms had an average trial-period berry weight of 3.7-4.3 g least affected by weather conditions. Te inspection of hybrids revealed the best parental forms for obtaining new raspberry cultivars with an improved berry weight: Maria, Fenomen, Lavina, Cowichan, Glen Ample and the selected form 8-13-2. Te promising cross-combinations are: 2-12-1 x Fenomen, Lavina x Ulybka, 8-13-2 x Peresvet, as well as the open-pollinated offspring of Glen Ample, Cowichan and Maria. Large-fruited genotypes isolated in these lineages will be used in further breeding to increase the fruit size in raspberry.

Research was conducted with the blackcurrant genetic stock collection at the Kokino base station of Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery (Bryansk Region) during 2014-2020. We studied 110 varieties and 30 selected forms isolated in different years for main marketability criteria. Te study aimed at the selection and creation of cultivars and forms of blackcurrant with economical and breeding advantages to optimise the zoned stock with domestic varieties for industrial and home gardening in the south-west Non-Chernozem Region of Russia and promote further breeding effort. Source material processing and breeding work were carried out using the generally accepted protocols. Cultivars and promising forms with the good winter hardiness, resistance to Sphaerotheca powdery mildew, strength, uniform size and taste of berries have been selected. Of interest are the cultivars producing an average fruit mass >=2.0 g under optimal weather and agrotechnical conditions: Litvinovskaya, Dar Smolyaninovoy, Podarok Astakhova, Yadryonaya, Kudmig, Bryanskiy Agat, Debryansk, Mif, Kudesnik, Istok, Nos. 68-03-1, 36-27-4/05, 5-66-5, 5-03-8. Te best-yield (up to 12.5 t/ha) cultivars identified were: Barmaley, Bryanskiy Agat, Debryansk, Mif, Favorit, Dar Smolyaninovoy, Litvinovskaya, Selechenskaya-2, Kudmig, Tamerlan, Shalunya, Ladushka, Lentiay, Iskushenie, Kipiana, Orlovskiy Valz, selections 68-03-1, 36-27-4/05, 5-66-5 and others.

Sweet mock orange f. golden dwarf (Philadelphus coronarius L. f. aureus nanus) is a promising ornamental shrub in green building within Central Russia. In the Orel Region, this species has a limited occurrence due to the lack of quality planting material, which warrants research into rhizogenesis of P. coronarius f. aureus nanus stem cuttings during soſtwood graſting. Trials were conducted during 2017-2019 in triplicate, 20 cuttings each, adhering to the common woody plant soſtwood graſting propagation technique. Two yearling types were used, side shoots and innovations. Experimental setups: 1 — control (water); 2 — aqueous indolebutyric acid (IBA) 50 mg/L at 18-h exposure; 3 — bottom cutting powdering with 0.5 g/kg active coal-IBA mixture; 4 — bottom cutting treatment with 50 mg/L IBA at 18-h exposure followed by powdering with 0.5 g/kg active coal-IBA mixture. Setup 2 (IBA 50 mg/L) rendered the highest positive effect on the rooting and reproduction of side shoot and innovation-derived stem cuttings. Te best cutting root system biometry (number and length of 1st order roots) was obtained in setup 2 with the innovation cuttings (10.50 roots of 4.53 cm) compared to the side-shoot ones (9.81 roots of 3.68 cm).

Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al. causes grapevine bacteriosis and is among most hazardous malicious bacterial phytopathogens affecting a wide variety of important crops and ornamental plants. The agent colonises plant xylem and transmits with insects feeding on xylem sap. The insect vectors of X. fastidiosa belong to the order Hemiptera, suborder Auchenorrhyncha, families Cicadellidae, Cercopidae, Aphrophoridae and Cicadidae. A phytosanitary control survey conducted by the All-Russian Research Institute for Plant Quarantine in 2014 identified a high risk of X. fastidiosa introduction and adaptation in the Russian Federation. The Crimean Peninsula is a potential introduction area of the Pierce’s disease agent due to suitable climatic conditions, the ample availability of major host plants, as well as insect vectors. During a research monitoring in 2018-2020, the Institute assessed the phytosanitary status of the Crimean territory. The survey sampled vegetative parts of grapevines, stone fruits (peach, cherry, plum, merry, almond), selected essential-oil and ornamental shrubs and trees. Diagnostic procedures were performed in accordance with the international standards. A three-year phytosanitary survey of the Crimean plantations revealed no presence of X. fastidiosa. Two protocols of sample preparation and DNA extraction from various substrates have been tested. A real-time PCR-based protocol was proved highly specific for zero false positive and nonspecific rates.

Tis study presents the sensory and biochemical traits of mono-varietal juices from columnar apple fruits grown in the Orel Region. Fruit juices from the cultivars Valuta, Zvezda Efira, Orlovskaya Eseniya and Priokskoye have been assessed against the Antonovka Obyknovennaya juice as control. We used the emerging sensory scales and dictionaries to develop a sensory panel for the apple juice evaluation and analysed its main biochemical criteria. Te top descriptors in a five-point rating were used to develop the colour, flavour and aroma scales for a quick juice quality evaluation, with suitable descriptors for each sensory level. Analyses of sensory data showed more expert discrimination of flavour than aroma. Te cultivars were divided into three groups in terms of juice quality: transparent without opalescence (Zvezda Efira, Valuta), almost opaque with marked opalescence (Orlovskaya Eseniya, Antonovka Obyknovennaya) and medium-transparent juice with slight opalescence (Priokskoye). Zvezda Efira and Antonovka Obyknovennaya were more sour and tart, while the Valuta and Priokskoye varieties were the sweetest. Orlovskaya Eseniya had a balanced sweet-sour and least tart juice. A correlation has been determined between the point and descriptor scorings of apple juices, as well as between the flavour and biochemical indices. Te sensory panel developed identified the best sensory qualities of apple juice as high transparency, absent opalescence, intense straw-yellow colour, sour-sweet rich flavour and distinct apple aroma. Te most flavour-affecting biochemical indices were the sugar content (°Brix), sugar-acid ratio and P-active catechin amount. Te point and descriptive scorings produce fully accordant results. A descriptive analysis is industry-preferred for allowing a rapid assessment of various product characteristics and their adjustment upon need.