This study examines the epiphytic mosses of pine forests on the southern macro-slope of the Main Ridge of the Crimean Mountains. The research investigates the ecological patterns of epiphytic moss distribution in forest communities dominated by Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana. It was found that the epiphytic bryoflora of these forests is represented by a limited number of species and features a complex geographic composition, including nemoral, boreal, and Mediterranean elements. The primary factors determining the distribution of epiphytes are moisture regime, bark structure of the tree species, and trunk inclination. The greatest diversity of epiphytic mosses is observed in areas with increased humidity, typical of sites dominated by broad-leaved tree species. The results obtained are significant for monitoring natural ecosystems and assessing the condition of forest communities.

Key features of Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana (Lamb.) Holmboe forest crops in Crimea have been studied. The ratio of taxation indicators of P. nigra subsp. pallasiana forest crops indicates rather harsh environmental conditions of growth outside its natural range. It has been specified that polycarpic grasses with semi-rosette shoots and taproot systems predominate in Crimean-pine forests. A slight predominance of perennial grasses has been determined in the central and southern parts in comparison with the western and eastern territories of the growing areas. The assessment of the similarity coefficients has revealed relatively high sampling of the flora spectrum in the central and southern areas of forest melioration activities. The edaphic characteristics of the ecotopes where Crimean pine forests grow in Crimea correspond to the conditions of dry soil.

The composition and structure of the Cyanobacteria flora of the stony supralittoral of the Black Sea coast of the geological natural monument “Kuchuk-Lambat Stone Chaos”, located on the Southern Coast of Crimea, were characterized based on the observation materials of 2015 and 2022. A total of 29 species (belonging to 19 genera, 9 families, 6 orders, 2 subclasses) were identified, which form the community Calothrix scopulorum+Gloeocapsopsis crepidinum+Aphanocapsa inserta. A complex of leading species and a rare fraction of the flora including. Most of the identified species belong to benthic marine cosmopolitans, polyhalobes, mesohalobes and oligohalobes (represented by indifferents and halophiles) predominate. The predominant number of indicator species of the oligosaprobic zone and the calculation of the saprobicity index by community of organisms (S = 1.44), shows the oligosaprobic type of the water body. Fluctuations of values demonstrate high variability of habitat conditions of organisms within the boundaries of the marine supralittoral located directly in the land-sea contact zone. The composition and structure of the Cyanobacteria flora of the surveyed section of the coastal zone are characterized by a high degree of natural preservation and, in general, are typical for the rocky supralittoral of the Southern Сoast of Crimea. It is expedient to establish a complex territorialacqualitative nature reserve on the basis of the natural monument and the adjacent marine area.

The Nikitsky Botanical Gardens (NBG) has a huge collection of roses - more than 1200 cultivars, and contains 23 species and forms of roses. On the basis of the collection, introduction and selection work is constantly being carried out to create highly resistant and highly decorative domestic cultivars of roses. Today, cultivars that have a complex of valuable traits are becoming more relevant: high decorativeness, disease resistance, heat and drought resistance, due to the observed climate changes. In this regard, the species Rosa bracteata J.C. Wendl., characterized by high decorative qualities, heat and drought resistance, and resistance to fungal diseases, is of particular interest for breeding work. The purpose of the work is to study the generative characteristics of the introduced species Rosa bracteata J.C. Wendl. in the conditions of the Southern Coast of the Crimea and determine the possibilities and directions of its use in breeding. It has been established that under the conditions of the Southern Coast the rose does not set fruit and does not form seeds, therefore we consider it as a paternal parent form when used in hybridization. The anthers produce a large amount of morphologically normal mature pollen (up to 97%), sufficient for the formation of seeds. Mature pollen grains are three-pore, three-furrowed, elongated-elliptical, two-celled, with an oval or ovoid generative cell. An experiment was conducted on the use of Rosa bracteata pollen in distant hybridization, seeds and hybrid seedlings were obtained.

The results of the new aspen hybrids testing obtained on the basis of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “All-Russian Research Institute of Forest Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology” growing at the Latnoye village collection of the Semiluky district of the Voronezh region are presented. Survival at the age of 6 years (83 %), average and maximum heights and diameters at a height of 1.3 m are shown. It is noted that 19 of the 30 variants of crosses of various aspen clones were viable. It was found that the average height of the new hybrid families at the age of 6 years varied from 6.1 to 7.5 m (aggregate average – 6.7±0.11 m), average diameters – from 5.1 to 8.0 cm (aggregate average – 6.4±0.18 cm). By the age of 6, the best aspen hybrids belonging to 7 hybrid families (10-03×07-02, 10-03×08-02, 10-03×32-03, 10-03×45-03, 18-02×07-02, 23- 05×08-02 and 23-05 × 32-03) reached a height of 7.0-7.5 m and a diameter of 7.2-8.0 cm. The data on the growth of semi-sib families obtained from free pollination of six female forms are shown. Families with the best growth rates among the female and male forms have been identified.

The aim of the research was to study the biological features of the development of introduced cultivars of Actinidia deliciosa Chev. and the selection of promising ones for cultivation in the Crimea. The subtropics of Russia, due to a combination of natural and climatic factors, are promising for the industrial cultivation of Actinidia deliciosa (kiwi). Actinidia deliciosa cultivars were introduced to Crimea in 1986 from Bulgaria. The rapid entry of plants into fruiting, the duration of fruiting and the longevity of plants, high stable yields, resistance to pests and diseases, delicious fragrant fruits rich in biologically active substances, their universal use arouse interest in this crop. During 2021-2023 the phenological phases of the development of kiwi plants of five cultivars with a female flower type and one cultivar with a male flower type were studied in the conditions of the Southern Coast of Crimea. The research was carried out according to generally accepted methods on the Southern Coast of Crimea in the department of the Nikitsky Botanical Gardens "Primorskoye" (urban-type settlement Partenit, Alushta district) and in urban-type settlement Koreiz of Yalta district (JSC PAO Massandra Branch of Livadia). The timing of budding, budding, flowering, as well as the formation of shoots and fruits were determined. It was established that in urban-type settlement Parthenite (Alushta district) vegetation of the studied plants begins in the third decade of March (22-27.03), and at the site of the village of urban-type settlement Koreiz (Yalta district) in the first decade of April (02-06.04). It was revealed that plants of Hayward, Monti and Bruno cultivars enter vegetation later for 3-4 days compared to the early Abbott cultivar. Vegetation begins 5-6 days earlier in plants with a male flower type in relation to female plants. Two large-fruited cultivars were selected: Kiwaldi and Bruno and three most productive: Bruno, Abbott and Monty. The actinidia cultivar Bruno was selected for a complex of characteristics (late plant development, long flowering, large fruit and high productivity) for the conditions of the Southern Coast of Crimea.

The article presents the results of a study of 36 almond cultivars from the collection of the Nikitsky Botanical Gardens on the resistance of flower buds to low negative temperatures. This indicator directly depends on the degree of their development. The purpose of this study is to study the winter hardiness of cultivars and forms of almonds from the NBG-NSC’s collection in the steppe zone of Crimea and select the most valuable of them for use in further breeding. The conducted studies have revealed various features of the resistance of almond cultivars and forms to low temperatures. Cultivars and forms with the latest flowering dates (Burbank, Hardy, Bospor, 18/12-31, etc.) were less affected by adverse weather conditions. The genotypes Antik, Pozndny, L-65, Hardy, Vityaz, Burbank, IXL and Alexander that are most resistant to spring recurrent cold weather have been identified.

The results of studies on the content of some biologically active substances in Allium ursinum plants from natural populations of the Republic of Dagestan are presented. Phytochemical analysis of plant raw materials was carried out by conventional methods. The variability of the content of organic acids and vitamins in the samples depending on the place of growth is evaluated. According to the results of the research, the variability of the ascorbic acid content along the altitude gradient was revealed. The data obtained are important for assessing the resource species of wild garlic and breeding new cultivars by selecting ones according the sum of economically useful traits.

The article presents the results of a comprehensive study of the processes of water-alcohol ultrasonic extraction of polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids and substances with antioxidant activity from the inflorescences of Heraculum sosnowskyi Manden. Using one-factor optimization, it was found that the optimal extraction time was 90 minutes, the ethanol concentration was 60%, and the ultrasonic power was 120 watts. Using the Box-Benken algorithm, it was found that the optimal extraction temperature is 60 °C, the particle size of vegetable raw materials is 1 mm, and the ratio of the mass of raw materials to the volume of solvent is 1:30. These conditions ensure the maximum yield of polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, and substances exhibiting antioxidant activity. The results of the work can be applied to further study the metabolic features of H. sosnowskyi Manden. in various growing conditions, in order to accumulate biologically active substances.

The study of the features of the synthesis of secondary metabolites of plants under industrial conditions is of great importance for understanding the mechanisms of formation of plant tolerance to man-made stress and the diagnosis of the state of the environment. The dynamics of the accumulation of adaptogenic metabolites makes it possible to detect the first stages of contamination before the first visual signs of damage to plants appear. An important factor in the enhanced synthesis of secondary metabolites by plants growing on the territory of the Kola Peninsula is the man-made load of the “Severonikel” copper-nickel combine, whose emissions contain heavy metals. The pubescent birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.), which leaves contain a significant amount of phenolic compounds, is often chosen as a model species for analyzing the effects of manmade pollution. The purpose of this work was to study the variability of the content of adaptogenic compounds in the vegetative organs of Betula pubescens Ehrh., growing in conditions of technogenic pollution. As a result of the work, the dependence of the synthesis of flavonoids and antioxidants on the distance to the source of manmade pollution was analyzed. The general nonlinear character of the spatial distribution with respect to the amount of flavonoids is noted, and linear – for compounds exhibiting antioxidant activity. A nonlinear tendency of accumulation of heavy metals has been established.

Diaspididae are one of the most serious small herbivorous insects with piercing–sucking mouth parts and are major economic pests as they attack and destroy perennial ornamentals and food crops. Our previous work showed that green oligonucleotide insecticides (olinscides) are highly effective against scale insects. Moreover, olinscides possess affordability, selectivity in action, fast biodegradability, and a low carbon footprint. Insect pest populations undergo microevolution and olinscides should and are able to take into account the problem of insecticide resistance. Using sequencing results, it was found that in the mixed populations of insect pests Dynaspidiotus britannicus Newstead and Aonidia lauri Bouche, predominates the population of A. lauri. Individuals of A. lauri comprised for 80 % of individuals with the sequence 5′-ATCGTTGGCAT-3′ in the 28S rRNA site, and 20 % of the population comprised D. britannicus individuals with the sequence 5′- ATCGTCGGTAT-3′. We created olinscides Diasp80-11 (5′-ATGCCAACGAT-3′) and Diasp20-11 (5′- ATACCGACGAT-3′) with perfect complementarity to each of the sequences. Mortality of insects on the 14th day comprised 98.19 ± 3.12 % in Diasp80-11 group, 64.66 ± 0.67 % in Diasp20-11 group, and 3.77 ± 0.94 % in the control group.

Late blight is one of the most harmful and widespread diseases in Russia and other countries of the world, losses from which reach 90-100% of the harvest in epiphytotic years. It is especially important to know the characteristics of the natural population of the fungus and the virulence of the races in each individual region where nightshade crops are grown. The work used methods of visual and immunological diagnostics, phytopathological observation of the development of the disease. In the process of ontogenesis, the symptoms of late blight on tomato plants are described. Studies have been carried out in laboratory conditions to study methods for isolating and preserving the viability of Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Ваrу under various storage methods. A comparative analysis of the most effective methods for preserving the viability of the pathogen is provided: storage on potato slices, on nutrient media in Petri dishes, in test tubes and on rye seeds. The percentage of viability of P. infestans was calculated during control periods (7 days, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months). The methods studied showed high viability of the tested P. infestans isolates for 6 months at a temperature of 6-8°C, without significantly affecting the growth and morphological characteristics of the isolates. It was found that the most long-term way to preserve the spore-forming ability of P. infestans in tomatoes is the rye seed method; the average survival rate of P. infestans spores was 65%. These data are of significant importance for the fight against late blight of tomatoes and will be useful in research work related to the study of this pathogen.

The article is a continuation of the research conducted for studying scale insects fauna, which remain the most numerous group of the total number of pests present in the parks of the Nikitsky Botanical Gardens. During the period from 2019 to 2024, 26 species of coccids were registered in the parks, including scales, soft scales and mealybugs. Representatives of the Coccoidea and Diaspididae families dominate in terms of the number of species. As a result of long-term monitoring, species that had not previously been found in the parks were identified. In 2023, 2 new species were registered - Ceroplastes ceriferus Fabricius on Chaenomeles japonica (Thunb.) Lindl., Laurocerasus officinalis M. Roem and rose scale Aulacaspis rosae Bouche on Rosa canina. In 2024, 5 new species were discovered that had not previously been observed on the territory of the botanical garden. As pests of ornamental crops, 4 species are of interest: Odonaspis secreta Cockerell, Pseudococcus viburni Signoret, Saissetia oleae Olivier and Planococcus vovae Nasonov.

Morpho-anatomical quality indicators of medicinal raw materials Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq., cultivated under conditions of introduction to the Southern Coast of Crimea the raw materials showed the presence of microstructural elements peculiar to the leaves of O. aristatus staminate. Thin-layer chromatography confirmed the identity of the samples by detecting characteristic adsorption zones on the chromatogram corresponding to pharmacopoeial data. Gravimetric analysis demonstrated the content of extractive substances exceeding the minimum allowable value, which indicates the presence of a complex of biologically active substances. Thus, the conducted assessment of the biochemical parameters of the studied raw materials confirms its authenticity and compliance with the basic requirements of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation.

The paper presents the results of a study of the effect of vapors of horsemint essential oil from the Nikitsky Botanical Gardens – National Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences on the psycho-emotional state, mental performance and function of the human cardiovascular system. The study involved 428 women aged 55-85 years. Anxiety was found to decrease with 30 minutes of exposure to horsemint essential oil, with 20 minutes of exposure, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart load decreases, and the functioning of the cardio-respiratory system improves. With short-term (10 minutes) exposure, the heart rate decreases. Horsemint EO does not affect memory and simple mental work (correction test); with prolonged exposure (20, 30 minutes) it worsens the performance of complex mental work (recognition of words with missing letters).