The work summarizes the literature data and new information about the flora of bryophytes in the pine forests of the Crimea. The features of the taxonomic structure of the bryophytes of this territory are considered. The bryoflora of the Crimean pine forests is represented by 133 species from 76 genera, 40 families, 13 orders, 4 classes and 2 divisions: 16 of them are liverworts and 117 are cormophytic bryophytes. The taxonomic features typical of the southern floras are revealed. The high sozological value of bryoflora is established - over 69% of species are included in the regional Red Books of the Russian Federation, in addition, 4 species are listed in the Red Book of the Republic of the Crimea, 1 species is included in the European Red List, 2 species - in the IUCN list.

At the present stage of development of the economies of different states, the problem of biological invasions is considered one of the top-priorities. A special place among the different areas of research of biological invasions is occupied by the study of the most aggressive and dangerous alien plants in Protected Areas, as they pose a threat to the conservation of ecosystems and their biodiversity. The paper provides information on the phytocenotic diversity of communities with Berberis aquifolium Purch in native - in North America, as well as data on the distribution and degree of naturalization of the species in Eurasia, Australia, and New Zealand. It is established that Mahonia in many regions has the status of an invasive species, it is found both in anthropogenic disturbed and in natural communities, inhabiting a wide range of ecotopes (forest parks, meadows, forests, coastal dunes, etc.). On the Southern Coast of the Crimea, communities with Berberis aquifolium Purch were identified in forest park stands, as well as in coniferous and mixed forests, which belong to the classes Erico-Pinetea, Quercetea pubescentis according to the Braun-Blanquet classification. Preliminary data on the invasion of the species in the natural communities of two Protected Areas (PAs) - "Yalta Mountain Forest" and "Cape Martyan" are presented. The species is most widespread at altitudes from 200 to 400 m above sea level in pine, oak-hornbeam-pine and oak-pine forests belonging to the class Erico-Pinetea . In the lower forest belt at an altitude of up to 200 m above sea level, it is found in the pubescent oak-hornbeam and ash-oak-dogwood communities with Juniperus excelsa , J. deltoides , and Pinus pallasianae , which are part of the class Quercetea pubescentis .

The article presents the results of the study of some rare and endangered species, mainly introduced ones, from arboretums of All-Russian Research Institute of Forest Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology and Voronezh State University of Forestry and Technologies named after G.F. Morozov (both in Voronezh, Russia). It examines their ecological and biological characteristics and phenological patterns. The paper presents phenological spectra with the phases of the seasonal development for the studied species. It also explores the issues of the stability and plasticity of the introduced species and designs methodologies for their conservation and reproduction. Based on many years of observations the paper concludes that the studied species have the potential to be used for forestry and gardening of the Central Chernozem Region of Russia.

For the first time, the systematic study of the mycobiota of the natural sanctuary «Grigorova ravine» of the Volgograd region was carried out. Mycological survey was conducted from April to November 2019-2020. During the research, 32 species of fungi were identified, belonging to 25 genera, 17 families, 7 orders and 2 divisions. According to a trophic analysis of all the species of fungi found, it can be said that bedding and humus saprotrophes prevail. There are 12 species. There are 10 species of saprotrophes on timber, and 4 species of parasites. Substrate analysis of wood-destroying fungi showed that the largest number of species is confined to the wood Quercus robur L. - 9 species, on Ulmuslaevis Pall. - 3 species. Two species of Ganodermalucidum (Curtis) P. Karst. and Battarreaphalloides (Dicks.) Pers. included in the regional Red Book of the Volgograd region.

The collection fund of rowan trees of the Mountain Botanical Garden, located at an altitude of 1700 m above sea level (Gunib plateau), includes 30 species, 5 varieties, cultivars and hybrid forms. There are 6 species of rowan in Dagestan, introduced from natural habitats, of which three species are included in the Red Book of Dagestan, and are included in the Red List of Endemic Species of the Caucasus (IUCN). As a result of the search and research work, new locations of four rare and endangered species of rowan ( S. caucasica, S. graeca, S. kusnetzovii, S. subfusca ) that are threatened with extinction in Dagestan were identified. The geographical coordinates of the exact location of rowan species are marked, and maps of the species' range on the territory of the Republic of Dagestan are compiled. For further monitoring observations, the total number of species was clarified, the biomorphological indicators and the age structure of the populations were studied. Under the conditions of culture, they were propagated by seeds and vegetatively by grafting on the rootstock of S. aucuparia .

The article presents the results of a comparative analysis of the fruit formation of long-styled and short-styled plants Jasminum fruticans L. (Oleaceae). The long-styled flowers have larger ovaries and ovules than short-styled ones. Visual signs of degeneration and reduction of the structures of the ovules were not detected. At the same time, the morphs of J. fruticans differ in fruit formation. The proportion of dimeric fruits with two seeds is greater in long-styled plants. Three periods of abortion of fruits/seeds were identified: (1) 1-7 days after flowering correspond to the stage of pollination and fertilization; (2) 8-14 days are the proembryonic stage of embryogenesis; (3) 15-35 days are the stage of globular embryo. The periods of fruits abortion are the same for long- and short-styled plants. Statically significant difference between morph was revealed in the first period of abortion. Differences in morphs of fruits formation indicate less effective pollination and fertilization in short-styled plans. The fruits of J. fruticans mature three months after flowering.

The article describes the peculiarities of flowering and pollination of an introduced sample of Rubus odoratus in the conditions of the North (Komi Republic). Experiments on controlled pollination have shown that the species is characterized by xenogamy, although there was also idiogamy. The fruits formed through idiogamy had many voids between the drupes, often did not reach maturity, and the seeds were dissimilar. Dichogamy in the form of protandria and partial hercogamy are not an obstacle, but only additional factors that prevent self-pollination. The probable cause of self-sterility is self-incompatibility. R. odoratus has no specific pollination strategy. The main method of pollination of the species is entomophilia, carried out by pollinating insects mainly representatives of three orders: Coleoptera, Diptera and Hymenoptera. R. odoratus is characterized by visual and olfactory attraction.

The article presents the results of the introduction study of Tall Bearded group of the Iris x hybrida hort. cultivars collection of Cheboksary branch of the MBG RAS for the purpose of determining the most promising for complex of biological features and adaptive capabilities during introduction in the soil and climatic conditions of the Middle Volga region. The potential possibilities of cultivars as an object for landscaping has been investigated. The determination of decorative qualities made it possible to divide the cultivars of iris into groups by color and size of the flower, to establish the number of flowers in an inflorescence, the height of the peduncle, the length of the leaf. As a result of the study of economic and biological characteristics, cultivars with a high, medium, low coefficient of vegetative reproduction, high, medium, low winter hardiness, moderately resistant very and moderately susceptible to heterosporous were identified. The study of the rhythm of seasonal development made it possible to determine the timing and duration of flowering of the studied cultivars of Iris x hybrida hort. in the conditions of the region. The main directions of further work with the collection are outlined.

The results of many years of research on the study of the content of biologically active substances of the peach gene pool in the Nikita Botanical Gardens, which was formed due to its own selection and introduction of cultivars from Europe, China, the USA, various regions of the CIS and Russia, are summarized. The most valuable are cultivars with a complex of biologically valuable substances. They were divided into groups according to the amount of dry matter, sugars, ascorbic acid, titratable acids, leukoanthocyanins, pectin substances in the following combinations: according to two, three, four, five and six indicators in the greatest degree of their manifestation. The group with two distinguished traits included 32 peach cultivars (36,4%), with three - 40 cultivars (45,5%), with four- 14 (15,9%); with five - 1 (1,1%); with six - 1 (1,1%). The number of peach cultivars with a complex of biologically valuable substances in the North China and Iranian ecological-geographical groups was approximately the same (53,4 and 46,6%, respectively). The largest number of such cultivars was noted in the European ecotype of the North China and Iranian groups (52,3 and 37,5%). The method of cluster analysis revealed the degree of similarity between peach cultivars, distinguished by four or more biochemical characteristics, and the best cultivar based on the Euclidean distance.

The article presents the results of studying different methods of obtaining apple-tree seedlings ( Malus domestica Borkh) grafted onto clonal rootstocks. It was investigated the combination of cultivars ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Jonagold’, grafted onto the MM-106 stock in three terms: by budding in August (control); table grafting with a two-eyed cutting in February; grafting by bud and cuttings in March. The aim of the research was to identify the most effective and technologically methods of grafting for apple-tree. We have noted the influence of these methods on the growth, development of plants under the field conditions and the yield of planting material. The most effective was the method of grafting in common use time. The survival rate of eyes in this variant varied from 92 to 98%. On average, over three years it was 96,7%. The yield of standard annual seedlings was 62.3 thous. pcs. per ha. In applying of grafting in winter, the survival rate of copulants was quite high (85,5%). However, the yield of the standard was significantly lower than in the control variant and did not exceed 50,0%. The use of early spring grafting by eye and cuttings was less effective. The yield of the standard varied from 24,7 to 38,2 thous. pcs. per ha. Therefore, the cultivation of apple planting material by the method of summer budding and winter grafting are the main and most effective ones. Spring grafting is less cost effective but can be used as a complementary method.

The value of the fruits of the apple tree culture for the human diet is shown. The necessity of selection to improve the chemical composition of its fruits is justified. In the Russian Federation and the Republic of the Crimea as an integral part of it, all-round improvement of the varietal composition of apple trees should be accompanied by extensive use of the best selected or created new cultivars of local selection, including the Nikitsky Botanical Gardens. The objective of the research is to identify sources of economically valuable traits that are of interest for practical application and further selection. The article presents the results of a long-term study of the commodity and consumer qualities of 15 promising breeding forms of apple trees. The highest yield of commercial fruits was observed in four genotypes: 1-32-87, 2-6-13-82, 2-38-78, 3-6. The maximum weight of the fruit (226-224 g) differs in three breeding forms-3-6, 2-38-78, 3-6-47-79, according to the sugar content (12.7-13.1%), two are distinguished - 2-6-13-80 and 12-3-78. In terms of vitamin C content, four breeding forms, including 1-32-87 and 3-6, surpassed the control cultivar. During the organoleptic evaluation, the highest score was obtained by the control and selection forms 1-32-87 and 10-72-78. The selected genotypes are of considerable interest for practical use and selection.

The article presents the results of the study of the gene pool collection of the Crimean Experimental Horticulture Station - branch of the FSFIS “NBG-NSC”. Genotypes with economically valuable and breeding traits in the conditions of the foothill Crimea were identified. New sources of valuable qualities are proposed for inclusion in the breeding process for the given traits: low growth and compactness of the crown - 7 cultivars and 2 breeding forms; late flowering - 5 cultivars and 1 breeding form; long flowering period - 6 cultivars, 1 breeding form; early summer and late winter maturation periods - 8 cultivars; high and stable pollen viability - 6 cultivars and forms; self-fertility - 6 cultivars, including 3 breeding forms; frost resistance of generative buds - 8 samples; complex resistance to scab and powdery mildew - 10 cultivars and 2 breeding forms; drought resistance and heat resistance - 5 cultivars and 5 breeding forms. 12 cultivars and 5 breeding forms were identified with a trait of early entry into fruiting, 11 cultivars of various geographical origin and 5 breeding forms were distinguished by high and stable yield; 17 cultivars and 7 forms have high commercial and consumer qualities; 15 cultivars, including 5 breeding forms, were identified with a valuable chemical composition of fruits. As a result of the study of the storage life of the fruits, 7 cultivars and 7 breeding forms with a long storage period in a conventional gas environment were identified. For the food industry, 3 cultivars and 3 breeding forms are recommended as a source of valuable raw materials in the production of dried fruit products and natural apple puree without preservatives. On the basis of the work done, 3 breeding forms of apple trees with a complex of economic and consumer qualities are identified, recommended for establishment perennial plantings of an intensive type and passing the State variety testing - 1-8-ю, 2-1-18-79, 3-5-с.

The article analyzes the results on the content of peroxidase, phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid in the leaves of meadow bluegrass during the growing season under plantations of woody plants (scots pine and ash-leaved maple). The peroxidase activity in the leaves of plant samples was determined by the method of A.N. Boyarkin, the content of ascorbic acid - by the titrimetric method using sodium 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol, water-soluble phenolic compounds - by the Leventhal-Neubauer method. Mutual regulation of the plant antioxidant defense system was established, expressed in an increase in the level of ascorbic acid, but a decrease in the activity of peroxidase and phenolic compounds. The accumulation of metabolites in the studied plants varied depending on the phases of the growing season and growing conditions. Scots pine had the greatest inhibitory effect on the studied species than ash-leaved maple. The results obtained can be used to assess the state of the ground cover and the structure of the phytocenosis.

The results of studying the growth, development and formation of the raw phytomass of Hypericum perforatum plants of different geographic origin during the introduction in the middle taiga subzone of the Komi Republic are presented. Seven samples of Hypericum perforatum were examined, including two cultivars: Zolotodolinsky and Solnechny. A sample (Tallinn No. 885) was identified, which differed in earlier dates of the onset of phenological phases. Hypericum perforatum plants under culture conditions in the middle taiga subzone of the Komi Republic are characterized by a stable developmental rhythm. It has been determined that the number of generative shoots in Hypericum perforatum increases with age. So, in two-year-old plants this indicator was 3-4, in four-year-old plants - 18-26 pcs. per individual. It has been established that from the second year of life, with the seedling method of growing, Hypericum perforatum plants are able to form high yields of medicinal raw materials. As a result of an assessment of the productivity of samples of cultivar Solnechny and sample from Barnaul.

The effectiveness of the use of new foliar fertilizers and growth regulators for vegetative plants of watermelon in dry-steppe conditions of the Volgograd region has been studied. It was found that the direct supply of nutrients to plants contributed to the progression of growth processes. The maximum plant growth was noted in the variant Vigor Forte + Agrovin Profi + NPK complex, where the excess of the number of lashes to the control was 115%, the length of lashes - 346%. Good development of plants increases their resistance to adverse weather conditions and increases the ability of plants to bear fruit. The maximum effect in increasing the yield was achieved when using Vigor Forte growth regulator in combination with foliar fertilizers - 20.4 t/ha, which is 1.7 times more than the basic technology. It has been determined that the use of water-soluble fertilizers and growth regulators in the cultivation of watermelon makes it possible to obtain high quality products with an amount of nitrates less than the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) - 60 mg/kg. The increase in economic indicators with the use of new foliar fertilizers and growth regulators relative to standard technology ranged from 16,8 to 72,3%.

The results of the analysis of the species composition of sucking pests species during the period from 2009 to 2019 are presented. Based on long-term phytosanitary monitoring, 37 species belonging to 12 families were identified, of which the most numerous are the families Diaspididae and Aphididae of the order Hemiptera. According to the nature of trophic connections, 59.9% are monophages, 32.4% are polyphages and 8.1% are oligophages. According to the nature of the damage caused, sucking species differ from each other. Some species lead to a change in the color of leaves and flowers (thrips, mites, coccids), others cause deformation of the leaf blade and inflorescences (coccids, worms, false coccids, herbivorous mites) and the third group includes species that form galls on the leaves (laurel psyllid, pistachio marginal gall aphid). According to ecological features, sucking pest species are divided into three main groups: open-living species, which include aphids, cicadae, psyllas, white flies, the second group includes species that have covers of various nature on the body, such as coccids, worms and false coccids, and the third group consists of gall makers. The dominant species, the degree of harmfulness, the frequency of occurrence and the range of forage plants were determined.