The article studies the survival capacity of stone fruit (Prunus L.) embryos in nutrient media of diff erent mineral composition, with various growth regulators under conditions of in vitro culture. The studies were conducted in 2022-2023, with 364 initial explants in the fi rst year and 380 in the second year. Isolation of embryos of diff erent cross combinations, such as common plum (Prunus domestica L.), cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera L.), apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.), sloe (Prunus spinosa L.), and free pollination populations was carried out between June, 21 and July, 19. The study used four modifi ed nutrient media: Murashige-Skoog (MS) (75 % of total macronutrient content) with addition of the following: 1 – 0.5 mg/L forchlorfenuron (CPPU), 2 – 0.5 mg/L indolebutyric acid (IBA) + 0.5 mg/L indolylacetic acid (IAA); Quoirin and Lepoivre (QL,) with the addition of: 3 – 0.5 mg/L CPPU, 4 – 0.75 mg/L IBA + 0.75 mg/L IAA. The results indicate the feasibility of using both MS with diluted mineral part of macronutrients up to 75 % (from total amount) and QL for preserving embryos of intraspecifi c and interspecifi c hybrids of stone fruit crops. Moreover, at the stage of isolating embryos the use of nutrient media MS with diluted mineral part of macronutrients up to 75 % (of full content) and QL provides obtaining of high-quality isolated explants of stone fruit crops (Prunus L.). At that, the survival capacity was higher on the QL nutrient medium in case the parental forms included the cherry plum variety Kubanskaya Kometa. In the majority of Prunus L. cross combinations, a higher (up to 100 %) frequency of initial embryo development was achieved by adding 0.5 mg/L CPPU to nutrient media (regardless of mineral composition). Therefore, it is advisable to use both MS-based and QL-based media in equal proportions to obtain over 33 % of developed embryos while initiating stone fruit embryos of controlled cross combinations and free pollination populations into in vitro culture. 

Genetic stability of plants under in vitro cultivation plays a crucial role in selecting elite genotypes and obtaining certified planting material of the corresponding variety. Previously, the assessment of plant genetic stability involved mainly phenotypic and biochemical methods, which have their advantages and disadvantages. However, recently, molecular genetic and flow cytometric methods have been actively developed. Therefore, a comprehensive methodology for assessing the genetic stability of in vitro material should be developed. This study aims to assess the genetic stability of the Vityaz and Alpha varieties of garden strawberry, which was bred at the Federal Horticultural Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery, using molecular genetic, cytometric, and phenotypic methods. From the DNA content different from the original samples, the presence of genetic heterogeneity in varieties with phenotypic deviations (shrub and leaf characteristics, leaf coloration), the study revealed deviations in the genotype of plants grown both in vitro and by conventional vegetative propagation. The suggested methods succeeded in diagnosing the genetic stability of the studied garden strawberry varieties in vitro, correlating with the results observed with traditional vegetative propagation, and thus can be used to evaluate the genetic stability of varieties and breeding forms of Fragaria x ananassa Duch.

During apple flowering, unfavorable weather conditions such as spring frosts can adversely affect the yield and quality of the fruit formed, although the degree of impact differs depending on the apple variety. This article presents the results of field observations on the effect of spring frosts in May 2023 and May 2024 on reproductive formations of different apple varieties and the manifestation of their effects on yield. The extent of damage to flowers and buds by low spring temperatures in different apple varieties was analyzed. In 2023, the intensively flowering variety Belorusskoye Sladkoye (5 points) was found to have an actual damage of 78.3 % to flowers and 42.3 % to buds when an air temperature reduced to -4.2 °C. However, the fruit yield amounted to 28.7 kg/tree (11 t/ha), implying that spring frosts did not have a negative impact on yield. Moreover, high yields of late-flowering apple varieties Zdorovie, Serafima, and Veniaminovskoe were observed. In 2024, the least damage to flowers and buds at a decrease in air temperature during flowering to -6 °C was detected in the Ligol, Honey Crisp, and Rozhdestvenskoye varieties. High yields were measured in such varieties as Honey Crisp (USA), with 13.9 kg/tree (7.8 t/ha), Ligol (Poland), with 13.5 kg/tree (4.8 t/ha), Serafima (Belarus), with 12.3 kg/tree (7.7 t/ha), Veniaminovskoe (Russia, Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding), with 11.1 kg/tree (9.6 t/ha), and Belorusskoye Sladkoye (Belarus), with 10.6 kg/tree (11 t/ha). Thus, in 2023, spring frosts during the flowering period produced no negative effect on the yield of the Belorusskoye Sladkoye, Zdorovie, Rozhdestvenskoye, Serafima, and Veniaminovskoe varieties. In 2024, spring frosts that lasted from May 3 to 14 (-2.0 °C) equally had no impact on the yield reduction of late-flowering apple varieties Honey Crisp, Ligol, Serafima, Veniaminovskoye, and Belorusskoye Sladkoye.

The article presents the variety study of the red technical grape Cabernet Cortis variety bred in Germany. The study was carried out in 2020-2024 at Ya. I. Potapenko All-Russian Research Institute for Viticulture and Winemaking – Branch of Federal Rostov Agricultural Research Centre (Novocherkassk, Rostov Oblast, Russia). The vineyards are non-covered, non-irrigated, grafted, rootstock Berlandieri x Riparia Kober 5BB, fan-type formation on the trunks, planting scheme 3.0×1.5 m. The ampelographic, morphological, and agrobiological characteristics of the Cabernet Cortis variety were analyzed, as well as its oenological features compared with the parental Cabernet Sauvignon variety. In terms of morphological characteristics, the early-medium ripening period (127 days, eff ective heat summation 2037˚C) of the Cabernet Cortis variety was considered to be suitable for cultivation in regions with limited thermal resources; its higher sugar content (231–250 g/dm³) with optimal titratable acidity (6.5-8.9 g/dm³) makes it promising for the production of balanced wine materials. Meanwhile, the Cabernet Sauvignon variety has a longer growth season (154 days, EHS 2653˚C), lower sugar content (207–239 g/dm³), and higher acidity (6.8-9.8 g/dm³), related to its late ripening period. In contrast to the control variety, the Cabernet Cortis variety features increased resistance to phytopathogens at the level of 2.0-2.5 points, which reduces the need to use pesticides, thus making this variety suitable for organic viticulture. Organoleptic evaluation of the wines revealed that young wines from the Cabernet Cortis variety have a bright aroma and balanced taste, whereas wines from the control variety diff er in more complex aroma and taste characteristics after aging. Thus, Cabernet Cortis is of considerable interest for regions with temperate continental climate due to its early ripening, high disease resistance, and ability to produce quality wine materials. The study results emphasize the importance of agroecological conditions to optimize the cultivation of grape varieties.

In recent years, digital technologies and modern computer technologies capable of processing large amounts of data have been intensively adopted. At present, specialists deal with the latest technological advances, including neural networks, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence. This creates the need to consider the prospects of introducing artificial intelligence in the scientific process and production in the viticulture industry, as well as to highlight the problems associated with its use. This paper reviews the prospects of introducing elements of artificial intelligence in the scientific process and agricultural production. Over the last 15 years, this direction has received insufficient attention in scientific literature, with such publications in the field of viticulture not exceeding 2 %. This requires intensification of research on the adoption of artificial intelligence in agriculture, including viticulture, particularly in the Russian Federation. Lagging behind in this issue can lead to dependence on foreign developers of such products, which threatens the loss of independent development of unique algorithms to control the processes of plant development, the influence of abiotic and biotic factors, and the selection of optimal technologies ensuring sustainable development of agriculture in general and viticulture in particular. In addition, the use of foreign artificial intelligence tools may pose bioterrorism threats through algorithms covertly decreasing plant productivity and soil fertility as well as by promotion of foreign plant protection products and plant growth regulators, which ignore domestic import-substituting production, equipment, and fertilizers. In this regard, the need to implement cooperative research programs to accumulate research material and develop domestic artificial intelligence software products to eliminate the above issues is substantiated.

This article describes the experience of adjusting the technology of disease and insect control for protecting raspberry plantations under the conditions of a small-size berry-growing farm. The research aim was to develop a modular sprayer design that would meet the current environmental and economic requirements. Approaches to improving the ecological safety of berry plantation spraying are considered, in particular, by using the tunnel type of sprayers or charging the drops of working fl uid. Although being ecologically safe, spraying in the protected volume with the recovery of excess working liquid was shown to be unacceptable for small-size farms from the standpoint of economic effi ciency. Even under low-wind conditions, the pesticide spray on the windward side of the row form a continuous fi ne-dispersed cloud that penetrates through the fruit wall of raspberries. This eliminates the need to use a U-shaped boom. At the same time, the farm machinery operator is protected by turning the L-shaped boom by 180º to the leeward side in relation to the tractor each time the vehicle moves to the next inter-row spacing. The main object of weed control in raspberry plantations was found to be couch grass (Elymus repens), which is controlled by applying the Roundup herbicide at a dose of 5 L/ha. A special design for the herbicide boom, which can be additionally equipped with a sprayer, was proposed. Stinging nettle can be eff ectively controlled by treating its local areas with the Agritox herbicide using a backpack sprayer during periods preceding the onset of raspberry vegetation. The working solution is prepared at the rate of 1.2 L of herbicide per 200 L of water. Since farms, in addition to raspberries, may produce black currants and garden strawberries, the sprayer should be additionally equipped with a transverse horizontal boom with four levels of installation height.