The over 100 remontant raspberry cultivars worldwide continue to variegate, with breeding mostly successful in the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Poland, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Russia. In most native climates of Russia, foreign varieties unluckily do not realise their biological potential to not attain the originator-declared character. The research aimed at a comprehensive study of introduced remontant raspberry cultivars to clarify the prospects of their production and breeding. The study was being conducted over 2018-2020 on the genetic raspberry collection plot of the All-Russian Horticultural Institute for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery’s Kokino base station (Bryansk Region). Research focused on ten foreign remontant raspberry cultivars. The late-maturing Atlant variety of the state-permitted crop catalogue served a control. Research followed the generally accepted protocols. Statistical experimental data analyses were accomplished with Microsoft Excel. Phenotypic evaluation of the introduced remontant raspberry cultivars by plant morphology revealed their Middle Russia-specific traits of growth and development. The greatest yield surface (238-316 cm) was observed in Joan J, Imara, Himbo Top and Carolina foreign cultivars. The remontant varieties studied were found to distinguish by late maturity and low yield (2.9-6.1 t/ha), thusly being off-focus to industrial horticulture. Imara, Erika, Sugana, Joan J, Carolina and Himbo Top leading with a 5.0-6.1 t/ha yield can be recommended in home gardening. Selected foreign cultivars deserve attention as a genetic resource in breeding for larger fruit size (Poranna Rosa, Driscoll Maravilla, Sugana), higher soluble solid content (Kweli, Karolina, Kwanza), fruit strength (Kwanza, Driscoll Maravilla), optimal fruit detachment force (Himbo Top, Joan J, Imara, Kwanza) and compact bush habitus (Poranna Rosa).

We report a study of 23  redcurrant cultivars of different genetic and geographical origin from the All-Russian Horticultural Institute for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery’s genetic repository under the conditions of Moscow Region. The cultivar productivity was evaluated against the most important criteria of brush length, number of flowers and inception under contrasting weather conditions. A high cultivar resistance was registered to winter-born injuries and phytopathogens, including powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca morsuvae (Schw.) Berk. et Curt.), Septoria leaf spot (Septoria ribis Desm.) and anthracnose (Pseudopeziza ribis Kleb.). The established productivity under satisfactory weather conditions in growing season ranges from 1.75 (Kaskad) to 3.5 kg berries per bush (Serpantin, Yarkaya, Zametnaya), in most samples averaging to medium values of 2.7-3.0 kg. The inception rate was highest to exceed 60 % in Niva, Asya, Marmeladnitsa, Rote Spatleze, Serpantin, Yarkaya and Zametnaya. The most large-fruited with a 0.75 g average berry weight were Zadunayskaya and Niva cultivars. Serpantin, Yarkaya and Zametnaya originated by the All-Russian Horticultural Institute for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery are recommended in selection for productivity for total marketing value, A concise cultivar morphobiological profile, origin, ripening period, chemical fruit composition, vigour and growth descriptions are provided.

Microplant adaptation to non-sterile conditions is critical in clonal micropropagation providing for plant establishment and the overall method efficiency. Various techniques are employed to facilitate microplant establishment, including physical exposures like pulsed magnetic field. The study aimed to investigate the effect of pulsed magnetic field on establishment during adaptation to non-sterile conditions and subsequent vegetation of adapted strawberry plants. Research focused on strawberry microplants of the Tsaritsa and Nashe Podmoskovye cultivars originated by the All-Russian Horticultural Institute for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery. Magnetic pulse treatment (MPT) was carried out with an AMIS-8 magnetic stimulator developed at the Institute. A positive impact of some MPT modes on microplant establishment, leaf and stolon formation was registered during strawberry adaptation to non-sterile conditions. Relatively low frequencies of 0.8-21  Hz exerted best effect in strawberry for most criteria. MPT contributed to an 11.5 % improvement in microplant establishment in Nashe Podmoskovye and 23.1 % —  in Tsaritsa cultivars vs. no treatment. In best MPT assays, the number of leaves increased by 9.2—15.4 % and of stolons — 6.2-6.5 times in adapted strawberry plants compared to control. No significant inter-varietal differences were observed in Nashe Podmoskovye and Tsaritsa for vegetation criteria during adaptation to non-sterile conditions.

Subtropical ornamental crops have been cultivated and studied in the humid subtropics of Russia for over a century. Nevertheless, a comprehensive evidence on their adaptation and stress is rather scarce for the region. The climatic conditions in Russian humid subtropics may occur extreme to introduced plants, which warrants research into their adaptive reactions to soil aridity and summer temperatures over +30 C°. Given the situation, understanding the mechanisms of main stressor-adaptive responses is relevant in ornamental crops, including Hydrangea macrophylla Ser. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry  was  employed  to study ethanol leaf extracts in various-hardiness Hydrangea macrophylla Ser. cultivars, relatively hardy (Draps Wonder, Admiration, Altona), medium-hardy  (Souer Theresa) and susceptible (Harlequin, Madame Faustin) forms. Eleven endogenous organic compounds have been identified, of most interest being antioxidants and stress-protectants, including diarylethylene aromatic hydrocarbons (2,4’-dihydroxystilbene), squalene and phytosterines (y/p-sitosterol). The organic leaf content changed in response to hydrothermal stress in H. macrophylla, with a maximal concentration (2,4’-dihydroxystilbene 14.0, sitosterol 5.7 %) observed in favourable hydrothermal conditions of April, and minimal —  in the first August decade (8.5 and 1.7 %, respectively). Meanwhile, the relatively hardy Draps Wonder, Admiration and Altona varieties possessed the highest organic content of 2,4’-dihydroxystilbene (18.4,  21.5,  21.6 %) and y/p-sitosterol (5.7,  7.5,  6.0 %) both in optimal and stressing times. The lowest synthesis in the periods was observed in the unstable H. macrophylla varieties, Madame Faustin (6.9 and  1.1 %) and Harlequin (7.6 and  1.4 %).

The use of adaptive, scab-immune, stable-fruiting columnar apple tree varieties of domestic selection enhances profitability of commercial horticulture for a higher competitive power of national agricultural market. The diversity of columnar varieties remains little, yet offering a promising line of selection given a rising interest in this form of apple tree. The research aimed to comprehensively assess the economic and biological potential of the Priokskoe columnar variety to produce recommendations on its introduction in home and industrial gardening. A number of promising selected and elite genotypes, as well as five cultivars (Priokskoe, Poeziya, Vostorg, Orlovskaya Yeseniya, Girlyanda) have been identified from the extensive hybrid fund of columnar apple trees established at the All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding for over 40 years. Priokskoe was the Institute’s first  early-fruiting columnar variety starting at the third year post-inoculation on low-medium vigour rootstock. Average yield at planting density 14,000 plants/ha on dwarf stock 62-396 makes 49.1  t/ha and 78.3  t/ha — in  the  crown of skeleton-forming  stock 3-17-38 at planting density 3,333 plants/ha. Priokskoe  is a strong-vigour category among columnar varieties. A 7-year tree height on dwarf rootstock 62-396 was 217.3 cm, a crowned tree height on stem stock 3-4-98 — 281.7 cm. The variety’s winter hardiness is sufficient for its cultivation in the Middle Chernozem zone  at no risk of irreversible winter loss. The Rvi6 gene-conditioned scab  immunity enables improvement of the orchard phytosanitary situation via reduced chemical burden. The adaptability, economic and biological traits of the Priokskoe  columnar variety ensure it a worthy rating among the current apple tree assortment recommended for intensive industrial horticulture.

Over past years,  grapevine  adaptability has become of primary concern due to sharp cold-stressing weather of the unstable climates of Southern Russia accompanied by increasing mean annual temperatures, including higher 
degrees during plant winter dormancy. This situation causes considerable injury to the generative and vegetative organs in bush vine. Physiological and biochemical studies of the vine plant are of great importance for breeding cold-hardy grape genotypes. The article presents research related to studying cold hardiness in different grape varieties by content dynamics of starch, soluble sugars, abscisic acid and potassium ions in plant bark and buds. We studied grape varieties (interspecies  hybrids) of the European-American (Dostoinyi, Krasnostop, Vostorg), West-European (Aligote), East-European (Zarif) and European-Amur-American origins (Kristall). The work aimed to analyse the physiological and biochemical properties of various ecological and geographical-origin grapes  in winter time in order to identify the cold-hardiest genotypes. The Krasnostop and Vostorg varieties were ascertained as cold-hardy. Physiological and biochemical assays revealed an important contribution of water-soluble sugar-producing starch hydrolysis to low-temperature adaptation in Krasnostop and Vostorg, with the sugar content increasing 2.7-2.9 times. Krasnostop and Zarif were found to elevate the sucrose osmoprotectant winter level 4.7 and 6.6 times, respectively. All grape varieties decreased the abscisic acid content due to protective functions. Aligote was identified susceptible basing on a 2.3-fold potassium ion increase in frozen bark cell extract. The research conducted establishes the diagnostic value of the abovementioned physiological and biochemical parameters for cold hardiness evaluation in grape varieties.

A  frequent fertigation of garden strawberry with solute mineral fertiliser in accord with the plant growth phase allows a more efficient mineral nutrient absorption compared to a single application of larger fertiliser amount. Field studies on medium loam-granulometry sod-podzol soil in fruiting garden strawberry plantations were carried out for three years in the Moscow Region to evaluate the impact of fertigation regimes on strawberry yield and the main nutrient content in soil and plant leaves.  In study setup, the control crop grew with a no-fertiliser drip irrigation, schema 1 included frequent (once in 3 days) mineral fertiliser drip application at 2-3 g/l, schema 2 — 4-6 g/l solution application twice less often (once  in 6 days). Materials and methods. Yield was estimated by weight per plot area unit, plant samples analysed with conventional wet  ashing. Nitrate nitrogen was determined in ionometry, exchangeable ammonium —  in photocolourimetry, mobile phosphorus and potassium specimens — by the Kirsanov’s CINAO-modified method. The article presents registration data, averaged leaf chemical assays and content dynamics of major soil macronutrients over a three-year observation period. Conclusions. A significant increase in three-year total yield was observed with the mineral fertiliser fertigation schema in the Ducat strawberry cultivar; a supraoptimal phosphorus accumulation in leaves of the Rusich cultivar was facilitated by a less frequent application of concentrated fertiliser solution; a maximal nitrogen amount in Ducat leaves was observed with fractional fertigation; in a lower-yield season, concentrated mineral fertiliser fertigation contributed to the increase of mobile phosphorus and potassium specimens in soil in mid growing season. A greater correlation was observed between the soil content of mobile potassium and its uptake by strawberry plants.

Chemical thinning of apple ovaries in intensive orchards is highly relevant. This farming practice reduces manual labour, decreases  the  fructification  interval and improves apple quality. Growth regulators, including alpha-aphthylacetic acid,  also  reduce preharvest fruit drop allowing for an optimal harvest capacity. The research aimed to study the impact of different alpha-naphthylacetic acid application rates on ovary thinning  and preharvest  fruit drop. Assays were conducted in 2019—2020  in a  leached-chernozem experimental apple orchard of the Michurin Federal Research Centre  in Tambov Region. Assay 1 studied the treatment impact on apple tree thinning at rates 100, 200, 300 and 400 ml/ha in 8—12 mm fruits, assay 2 (treatment 2 weeks prior to expected harvest) —  on reducing preharvest apple drop at rates 200, 300 and 400 ml/ha. The treatments significantly reduced the number of ovaries in the Zhigulevskoe/62-396 cultivar and increased mean apple fruit weight. Such increase was an important yield-rising factor in the 300 and 400 ml/ha treatments. Alpha-naphthylacetic acid treatments in 8—12 mm fruits had a significant lowering impact on total leaf nitrogen content. The treatments also induced a significant reduction in preharvest apple fruit drop, with the best effect at rate 300 ml/ha. No explicit impact of alpha-naphthylacetic acid on fructification interval was observed in the study period.

A first Russian isolate of the anthracnose fruit rot-causing Colletotrichum fungus was obtained from blackcur rant of Moscow and Bryansk regions. In the Bryansk Region, Colletotrichum sp. was isolated from berries of ten blackcur­ rant varieties, including Bagira, Mriya, Mriya-5, Selechenskaya, Litvinovskaya, Nadina, Nara, Yadrenaya, Sofievskaya and Ben Hopen. The Colletotrichum genus fungi were observed on Sadko and Bryanskiy Agat blackcurrants in the Moscow Region and on Dobrynya and Yadrenaya — at the Timiryazev Academy station in Moscow. Colletotrichum species endure mainly on mummified persistent blackcurrant berries in a viable form for over two years. Saprotrophic yeast-like fungiof the genera Cryptococcus and Rhodotorula largely compound the blackcurrant-infesting micromycete flora, aside to the hyphomycete Auerobasidium pullans and related genera Penicillium, Fusarium, Alternaria and Cladosporium. Some of these fungi are antagonistic to suppress the Colletotrichum genus fungi. A standard PCR sequencing was employed for the species identification of two Colletotrichum isolates from Bryansk and Moscow regions. Both isolates were found to represent the same species Colletotrichum fioriniae Marcelino & Gouli.