The paper presents a preliminary study on selected varieties of primocane raspberry in Bryansk oblast. The aim of the research was to identify new genetic sources for breeding and to select candidates for new cultivars. The study was conducted from 2022 to 2024 following standard methods of cultivar research and involved 18 select ed varieties developed through in-house breeding. For the assessment of phenorhythms and productivity components, diff erent standard cultivars were used based on ripening time: Medvezhonok for early forms, Poklon Kazakovu for mid-season forms, and Atlant for late forms. The cultivar Atlant was also used as the standard for fruit quality pa rameters. The selected forms were categorized into three groups based on ripening time. The early group included selections No. 5-171-1, 5-171-2, 44-154-2, 3-120-12, 4-78-2, and 10-165-11, with the onset of ripening occurring between July 21 and August 2. The mid-season group consisted of No. 1-127-1, 1-66-1, 1-60-12, 3-26-2, 9-172-11, 17-164-11, and 1-188-2, which began ripening between August 6 and August 13. The late-ripening forms No. 5-134-1, 13-162-1, 3-175-1, 7-175-1, and 6-124-21 started fruiting between August 21 and August 28.  New genetic sources were identifi ed for further breeding aimed at better productivity. The following selections demonstrated large fruit size, with an average berry weight of 5.5–6.0 g: No. 5-171-1, 1-188-2, 3-26-2, 1-127-1, 4-78-2, 1-60-12, and 7-125-1. Stems with a high number of reproductive organs (176–221 buds, fl owers, and fruits per stem) were observed in se lections No. 17-164-11, 13-162-1, and 1-188-2.  New sources for improving fruit quality and technological properties were identifi ed: selections with a dessert-like taste and aroma included No. 9-172-11 and No. 5-134-1; those with increased soluble solids content (11.7 %) included No. 5-134-1 and No. 3-26-2; and selections with enhanced fruit f i rmness (8.8-10.1 N) included No. 1-66-1, 1-60-12, 1-188-2, 3-125-1, 6-124-21, 7-125-1, and 44-154-2.  Several selected varieties (No. 3-120-12, 4-78-2, 17-164-11, 1-188-2, and 7-125-1) exhibited a combination of multiple ag ronomically desirable traits at a high level. Selection No. 1-60-12, characterized by a promising biological potential for productivity and fruit quality, merits consideration as a candidate for a new cultivar.

Black currant (Ribes nigrum) plants are susceptible to a range of fungal diseases. Especially noticeable among them is American powdery mildew, that has affected this crop for over a century. The disease is caused by the ascomycete fungus Sphaerotheca mors-uvae (Schw.) Berk. et Gurt. Severe infection by the pathogen can result in a 50-80 % yield loss, a two- to threefold reduction in shoot growth, and, in extreme cases, plant mortal ity. The objective of this study was to assess black currant  accessions from both the collection and hybrid pools for resistance to powdery mildew, to identify the most promising crossing combinations for generating resistant progeny, and to select prospective breeding forms. The research was conducted between 2021 and 2023 at the Core Research Facility “Genetic Bioresource Collection of Plants” of the Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery and at the black currant crossing site of the Kokino Experimental Station (Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery). The study encompassed 70 cultivars, 14 selected seedlings, progeny from 12 crossing combinations, and 4 open-pollinated progenies, totaling 1,045 seedlings. The hybrid pool under examination originated from crosses made in 2017 and was planted in the selection breed ing plots in the spring of 2019. Research conducted across seasons with varying weather conditions and degrees of powdery mildew infestation enabled differentiation of the genetic collection samples based on their resistance to the pathogen. Several promising crossing combinations were identified for their production of Sphaerotheca resistant hybrids: ‘Ben Tirran’ × ‘Kipiana’, 41-03-5 × ‘Ben Hope’, ‘Ben Hope’ × ‘Dar Smolyaninovoy’, ‘Podarok Veteranam’ × ‘Mriya’, and ‘Diamant’ × ‘Litvinovskaya’. Positive results were also obtained from open-pollinated progenies of the cultivars ‘Chernavka’ and ‘Dar Smolyaninovoy’ as well as the breeding line 41-03-5, where hybrid selections combined powdery mildew resistance with other desirable agronomic traits, such as resistance to the black currant gall mite and leaf spots, large berry size, multiple racemes per bud. All of the above make berries suitable for mechanical harvest.  The future strategy for improving the black currant assortment may be based on incorporating the identified sources of powdery mildew resistance into breeding programs, utilizing newly devel oped, well-adapted breeding stock.

Modern consumers are interested not only in the taste qualities, but also in the content of benefi cial com pounds in strawberry fruits. Therefore, focus should be placed on the creation of varieties not only adapted to growing conditions, but also characterized by improved biochemical indicators. This study was aimed at identifying varietal diff erences in the content of mineral nutrients in strawberry fruits with the purpose of selecting the most valuable spec imens for further breeding. The research objects were fruits of 14 varieties and 3 selected forms of garden strawberry, as well as 1 hybrid – wild and garden – variety (“Zemklunika”) bred at the Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery. The method of energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) on a JEOL JSM 6090 LA scanning electron microscope was used to establish the decreasing series of accumulation of 12 elements: K > P > Mg > Ca > Mn > S > Cu > Ni > Zn > Mo > Fe > Co. Potassium (K) comprised the largest share of ash residue in strawberry berries. Depending on the genotype, the content of this element varied from 5.96 to 25.57 wt %. High K contents were observed in Bereginya (21.29 wt %) and Barynya (25.57 wt %) varieties. In terms of phosphorus (P) accumulation, Kokinskaya Zarya, Al’fa, Vityaz, Barynya, Bereginya (4.17–5.64 wt%) showed the highest indicators, which signifi cantly exceeded the average value of 3.17 wt %. The content of Mg in berries varied insignifi cantly, from 1.95 (Barynya) to 3.07 wt % (Studencheskaya). The Barynya variety demonstrated the highest Ca content (2.82 wt %). A correlation analysis was carried out to reveal relationships between ash elements. Thus, a high positive correlation was established between S and Mg (r=0.71), and Mo and K (r=0.84) contents. The relationship between Mo and K shows that Mo accumu lation depends on K accumulation by 71% (R2=0.7097). The Barynya and Bereginya varieties may serve as sources of increased content of K, P, and Ca; Studencheskaya variety – Mg, Fe, and Zn; Carica – Fe and Ni; Rosinka – S; Lyubava – Co.

The dynamics and composition of anthocyanins in varietal samples of Feijoa sellowiana under fi eld conditions was assessed. Such studies are relevant from the standpoints of directed selection and varietal identifi cation. Our aim was to determine the impact of weather conditions and varietal characteristics on anthocyanin accumulation in feijoa plants with a particular focus of the dynamics of anthocyanin accumulation during the year. This knowledge forms the basis for determining the eff ect of anthocyanins on crop stability and identifying promising varieties for directed breeding for fruits with an improved biochemical composition. Studies were conducted monthly for two years (2022–2023) in the humid subtropics of Russia (Sochi) using F. sellowiana samples selected by the FRC SSC RAS, including the Dagomysskaya, September, Dachnaya, and ShV-07 varieties from the Genetic Collection of the Subtropical Research Center (FRC SSC RAS) cultivated under experimental fi eld conditions (Krasnodar region, Sochi). The Superba regional variety was used as a control. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of anthocyanins in feijoa leaves and fruits was conducted. According to the data obtained, feijoa plants demonstrate a large yearly variability in the content of anthocyanins in leaves. During the year, both the total amount of anthocyanins and the ratio of individual anthocyanin components undergo signifi cant chang es. The highest anthocyanin levels in leaves coincides with the fruiting period; however, the correlation between these indicators is average. Dachnaya and Dagomysskaya show the highest level of anthocyanins in both leaves and fruits, out performing not only the Superba control variety, but also other varieties in this indicator. Our data indicate signifi cant dif ferences in the content of anthocyanins between diff erent F. sellowiana varieties. Their highest amount is observed during the fruiting period, which lasts from September to November, depending on the feijoa variety. At this stage of research, no correlation between anthocyanin contents and hydrothermal factors was observed. As a result, varieties (Dachnaya and Dagomysskaya) with the highest anthocyanin level are established, suggesting their greater resistance to biological stress ors. These varieties are promising for directed breeding of plants with increased contents of biologically active substances.

Elwes’ snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii Hook.f.) is a valuable bulbous perennial ornamental plant with elegant white fl owers, making it popular and grown in many countries. It is listed in the Red Data Books of Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine and is included in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The study aimed to investigate the seasonal growth and development rhythms, biomorphological parameters, and assess the success of introduction and ornamental potential of the rare species G. elwesii in the South-Ural Botanical Garden-Institute of Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, located in the Republic of Bash kortostan. The experiment was conducted under cultivation conditions from 2019 to 2024. The infl uence of the hydro thermal coeffi  cient on certain morphological characteristics, phenology, and the level of individual variability was exam ined. Ornamental value and introduction success were evaluated. The individual variability level of biometric parameters ranged from 0.0 % (number of leaves in 2019-2023) to 37.9 % (plant height in 2024). One-way analysis of variance for interannual variability showed that climatic conditions during the growing season signifi cantly infl uenced all studied morphometric parameters except for the number of leaves. The strongest infl uence of this factor was observed on plant height, fl ower diameter, and leaf length (variance contribution ranging from 0.0002 % to 72.3 %).  Throughout the study period, a direct positive correlation was established among the studied traits. A weak negative correlation was found be tween the hydrothermal coeffi  cient and stem thickness, as well as between fl ower height and diameter. The most favorable growing seasons for G. elwesii were 2021 and 2024, where the key factors were precipitation volume and the number of clear days, with the sum of active temperatures exceeding 81.9 °C. The optimal sum of eff ective mean daily temperatures (90.1-140.7 °C) under local climatic conditions was identifi ed, ensuring the maximum fl owering duration of G. elwesii at 13–18 days. Due to its high ornamental value and successful introduction, G. elwesii is considered a promising species for urban greening in the Bashkir Pre-Urals.

Due to their high productivity, transportability, marketability, and large fruit size, varieties of foreign se lection are increasingly being imported into Russia. However, under the conditions of Central Russia, such varieties may demonstrate poor adaptation to abiotic and biotic stressors, thus failing to fulfi ll their biological potential. In this study, we aim to assess foreign strawberry varieties cultivated in the south-west areas of the Central Non-Chernozem region of Russia to determine their potential as sources of valuable traits in production and breeding programs. The re search was carried out during the 2021-2023 period using the facilities of the Genetic Bioresource Collection of Plants, Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology, and Nursery (Russia). The research included 27 foreign varieties of diff erent ecological and geographical origin. The Vostorg variety of medium maturity of own selection was used as a control. The winter-hardy Sara, Nida, and Kama varieties with the frost damage degree of not higher than 1.5 points were selected. In terms of the number of berries (more than 50 pсs per bush), the high genetic potential of the Induka, Nida, and Kama varieties was established. The yield capacity of foreign varieties was low, varying from 2.0 t/ha in Alba to 8.5 t/ha in Nida. Due to the low level of snow cover and provocative thaws in some winters, indus trial cultivation without winter cover of the majority of the studied foreign varieties in Central Russia was established to be inexpedient. A number of foreign varieties can be recommended for breeding as genetic sources of large fruit with the average weight of more than 9.0 g (Darselect, Asia, Vima Zanta), fruit fi rmness of over 10.0 N (Asia, Cleri, Alba, Darselect, Kimberly, Polka, Redgauntlet, Selekta, Tago, Tenira, Vima Xima), and anthocyanin content of more that 80 mg/100 g (Honeoye). Fruits of the Cleri, Holiday, Induka, Polka, Tago, Alba, and Darselect varieties were characterized by the most attractive appearance.

Among fungal pathogens aff ecting stone fruit crops in Russia and worldwide, Wilsonomyces carpophilus (Lév.) Adask., J. M. Ogawa & E. E. Butler (Clasterosporium carpophilum (Lev.) Aderh., anamorph) lead to the most severe commercial consequences. This pathogen causes clasterosporiosis, also known as shot hole disease of stone fruits. Study ing the intraspecifi c variability of the pathogen in a particular region allows researchers to track changes occurring within populations, including assessing their ecological adaptability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cultural diversity of monospore isolates of W. carpophilus obtained from domesticated plum (Prunus domestica L.) commercial orchards. Monospore isolates of the pathogen were collected from infected dormant shoots of the Kabardinskaya Rannyaya plum cultivar in commercial orchards located in the central subzone of the Prikubanskaya horticultural region of Krasnodar Krai. The isolates were cultivated on potato-glucose agar (PGA) and analyzed by such cultural characteristics as colony size, shape, profi le, aerial mycelium structure, colony edge features, coloration, and sporulation patterns. Each morpho type was identifi ed based on a unique combination of cultural traits. The growth rate of the isolates was measured on days 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, and 30 after inoculation. Analysis of 17 W. carpophilus isolates revealed high variability in their cultural characteristics. On the 12th day of cultivation at room temperature, colony size on PGA ranged from 36.0 to 45.0 mm, with growth rates varying from 1.3 to 3.5 mm/day. However, signifi cant diff erences in growth rates among individual isolates were not observed. Cultural characteristics of the isolates on days 12 and 30 diff ered substantially, with colony size and coloration changing signifi cantly over time. Older cultures exhibited darker shades of aerial mycelium compared to younger colonies. The cultural analysis identifi ed fi ve distinct morphotypes of the pathogen. The most frequently ob served morphotypes were 1, 2, and 3, accounting for approximately 80 % of the total sample. The study demonstrates a high level of intrapopulation diversity in W. carpophilus.