All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Floriculture and Subtropical Crops

Fig is a good host of the nematode Xiphinema index and plants derived from rooted fig cuttings are usually used for rearing the nematode in the laboratory and for experiments. Seeds, of dried edible fig fruits, were germinated in wet sandy substrate and after 1 month, the seedlings were transplanted in 250 cm3 pots or 100 cm3 plastic cups, filled with the same substrate. Cups were arranged in a container support frame (seedling tray) with 35 wells and suspended in a plastic tray holder 50 × 37 cm. The seedlings in 250 cm3 pots were inoculated with a geometric sequence of six initial nematode densities (0.28 - 8.96 nematodes (cm substrate)-3, 45 days later. Similarly, the seedlings grown in 100 cm3 plastic cups, were inoculated with a geometric progression of six initial nematode densities (0.5-1.6 nematodes (cm substrate)-3 after 30 days. Seed germination and plant growth was in a controlled temperature room at 23–25˚C and 16-h photoperiod and the plants grew for 2.5 months after nematode inoculation. Despite the total lack of natural light, the seedlings developed very well in the controlled environment. With initial nematode densities of 0.56 nematodes (cm sand)-3 in pots and 0.5-1 nematodes (cm sand)-3 in plastic cups, the highest reproduction factor values were ca 55 and 25, respectively. The plant growth in plastic cups was not affected by the nematodes at these initial inoculation densities. This method of growing seedlings of fig in 100 cm3 plastic cups is convenient for short term duration (2-2.5 months) experiments in controlled conditions as a relatively small area (0.185 m2) is required for 35 plants.

Gene-editing tools enable precise, targeted genome modifications, providing new approach for the rapid and sustainable improvement of tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze). Developing such an approach is especially important due to the perennial nature and complex genetics of the tea plant, which make traditional breeding slow and inefficient. To validate a gene editing protocol in the elite local tea cultivar Kolkhida three candidate genes were selected. Two guide RNAs (gRNAs) were designed for each gene, and corresponding constructs for targeted genome modification in tea were generated. Successful modifications of the target sequences in cv. Kolkhida tea protoplasts were achieved for all three target genes. The high mutagenic efficiency of the selected gRNAs was observed for two out of three genes, including induction of precise deletions between target motifs. gRNAs were delivered in protoplasts via co-transfection technique, and combined gRNA activity was observed when transfection efficiency exceeded 28%. The genome modification method for tea protoplasts established in this study can serve as a screening protocol to evaluate the in vivo efficiency of different genome editing approaches in the tea plant.

The elemental composition of the Sochi River waters varies sharply with the change of phases of the water regime. During the flood period it is quite rich, during the low water period it is comparatively poor. During the flood period, the river waters are enriched with 19 chemical elements relative to their average concentrations in river water of the continents (Clarkes), and during the low water period, with only 7. The total contents of excess chemical elements in different phases of the water regime, on the contrary, are higher during the low-water period due to the presence of excess elements Ca and Mg in the river waters, the absolute contents of which are two orders of magnitude higher than the concentrations of priority flood macroelements (Fe and Al). This feature is reflected in the TDS of the waters. During the low-water period, the TDS of the river waters on average for the river (109 mg/L) is 1.4 times higher than during the flood (80 mg/L). During the flood, the river waters are significantly saturated with rare earth elements, as well as Sn, Fe, Al, Mn, Zr, Cs, Pb, Th, Be, Ti, Co, Cu, Tl, V, Bi, As. The active entry of these chemical elements into the river waters during the flood is due to abundant soil runoff and the ability of these elements to form organic and inorganic complexes, firmly bind with iron colloids and to be sorbed on the surface of soil colloids. During drier periods of the low water season, when groundwater recharge makes a greater contribution to the formation of the river runoff, the concentration of most elements, including rare earth elements, decreases. Under the contrasting geological conditions of the studied territory, in which repeated replacement of neutral argillites by alkaline marls is observed, geochemically depleted carbonate rocks have a greater influence on the composition of the waters during low-water seasons. A comparative analysis of water chemistry during flood and low-water periods allowed us to identify the second group of elements—Ba, Sb, B, S, Na, U, Mo, K, Sr, Ca, Mg, Li, Re, Rb, Si, and Zn, the entry of which into the river waters is associated with underground feeding and, accordingly, the specificity of rocks. A study of variations in the elemental composition of the Sochi River waters in different phases of the water regime allowed us to identify groups of elements, the increased contents of which at a certain phase of the regime will be associated not with technogenic load, but with the factor of the composition of rocks of the geological base (during low water) or abundant soil runoff (during flood).

The study presents the results of applying an interdisciplinary approach to spatial development concept for recreational-tourism territories. The conclusions and recommendations formulated by the authors are reflected in several key outputs. The first one is devoted to the systematic presentation of conceptual goals. Next one included the block diagram of the regional tourism space development concept. The third result presents the goal-setting system supplement. The last one introduces with indicator framework for municipal-level strategic tourism development as an example of practical use. For the first time, the authors have integrated an informational space into the structure of recreational-tourism space, reflecting the current trend towards economic digitalization. When defining goals for recreational-tourism space development, the authors justify the need for establishing a conceptual link between the geographic parameters of an area and the tourism resources within it. This linkage is essential for planning the placement of tourism industry facilities and determining potential socio-economic directions for tourism development in the area while adhering to principles of long-term sustainable development.

The article examines the biodiversity of subtropical plants in the collections of the Subtropical Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Citrus L., Diospyros kaki L. and Feijoa sellowiana B.). Citrus fruits are represented by 144 taxa, persimmon – 27 varieties, feijoa – 13 specimens. The purpose of the study is to preserve biodiversity and replenish collections with new introduction and selection varieties. Collectible specimens are preserved alive and serve as the object of comprehensive research. Sources of economically valuable traits - early ripening, dwarfism, winter hardiness, early ripening, fruit size and productivity - have been identified and included in various breeding programs for the creation and improvement of varieties. As a result of hybridization, a diverse range of hybrid forms was obtained, including 350 forms. Two forms of Feijoa sellowiana (SHW-1: 13-11), two hybrids of C. paradise (GA-1; G-A-2) and four forms of Diospyros kaki are currently being tested. In 2023, the biodiversity of the collections was replenished with four new varieties bred at the Center. Three varieties of tangerine (‘Academichesky’, ‘Solnechny’, ‘Prince Vladimir’) and a variety of eastern persimmon (‘Zukhra’) are included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation.

The Erysiphaceae family is a diverse group of fungi with complex evolutionary relationships. All previous data for powdery mildew fungi in Ile-Alatau are outdated and needed to be revised due to changes in the Erysiphaceae taxonomy. The purpose of our research was to revise all data and to compile an actual checklist of Erysiphaceae in the Ile-Alatau based on revisions of the available fungal samples of the Herbarium Fund of the Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the authors' own collections and a critical revision of the genera. Mycological survey of the territory of the Ile-Alatau was done by the route method during 2013-2020. An actual checklist of powdery mildews in the Ile-Alatau Mountains was compiled. The powdery mildews are represented by 91 species of 8 genera. The largest genus is Erysiphe containg 30 species and forms recorded on 99 angiosperm host plant species. The genera Podosphaera and Golovinomyces have 20 and 17 species, respectively. Totally, 40 species were recorded as host plants for the first time, including 24 of them due to taxonomic revisions. The greatest number of species and forms of powdery mildews is noted at altitudes of 1200-2000 m above sea, in the forest belt of Ile-Alatau Mountains. Three most numerous genera-Erysiphe, Golovinomyces, Podosphaera-prevail in all gorges and habitats. Five species were found on plants listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. The coefficient of similarity of the species composition of powdery mildew fungi on the territory of the Ketmen and Ile-Alatau ridges is 60%, while on the territory of the Terskey and Ile-Alatau ridges 70%. The value of the study and practical significance lies in obtaining data on the diversity of powdery mildew fungi in the Ile-Alatau Mountains, their location, distribution and association with the host.

Abstract The azalea lace bug Stephanitis (Stephanitis) pyrioides (Scott, 1874) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae) originates from the East Palaearctic. In 2020, this alien species was recorded for the first time in the European part of Russia (Krasnodar Territory, Sochi), notably attacking Rhododendron × hybridum hort. It most likely arrived there with plants for planting from Italy. The main morphological characteristics of adults and larvae are described and illustrated. The morphological differences between S. pyrioides and closely related S. pyri (Fabricius, 1775) are highlighted in the key to distinguish these two species, bearing in mind that now both of them can be found in the south of the European part of Russia. Additionally, DNA barcoding data for S. pyrioides from Sochi were analysed against other related species of Stephanitis whose DNA barcodes are available in Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) and GenBank: S. takeyai Drake et Maa, 1955, S. oberti (Kolenati, 1857), S. mendica Horváth, 1912, and S. chinensis Drake, 1948. The bionomics, distribution, damage and impact of S. pyrioides are outlined.

Creating strategies of rare and endangered plants conservation requires studying the intraspecific genetic diversity of each particular species. Thus, efficient marker systems are necessary for implementing these objectives. In this study, the efficiency of 36 SCoT markers were evaluated for characterizing the intraspecific genetic diversity of Cyclamen сoum Mill., Helleborus caucasicus A. Brown, Galanthus woronowii Losinsk., Paeonia caucasica Schipcz. collected from different habitats of the Sochi National Park. Single markers, such as SCoT16 (58,2 %), SCoT6 (50,3 %), SCoT7 (49,6 %), SCoT8 (48,1 %), SCoT30 (42,8 %), SCoT29 (41,1 %), and SCoT20 (39,3 %) showed high levels of polymorphism, indicating good applicability of these markers to assess the intraspecific genetic diversity of the studied of the Western Caucasus flora species. In addition, the results of the study are important for the implementing conservation measures for these species and combating genetic erosion.

Citrus collections from extreme growing regions can be an important source of tolerant germplasms for the breeding of cold-tolerant varieties. However, the efficient utilization of these germplasms requires their genetic background information. Thus, efficient marker systems are necessary for the characterization and identification of valuable accessions. In this study, the efficiency of 36 SCoT markers and 60 InDel markers were evaluated as part of the broad citrus collection of the Western Caucasus. The interspecific and intraspecific genetic diversity and genetic structures were analyzed for 172 accessions, including 31 species and sets of the locally derived cultivars. Single markers, such as SCoT18 (0.84), SCoT20 (0.93), SCoT23 (0.87), SCoT31 (0.88), SCoT36 (0.87) и LG 1-4 (0.94), LG 4-3 (0.86), LG 7-11 (0.98), and LG 8-10 (0.83), showed a high discriminating power, indicating the good applicability of these markers to assess intraspecific diversity of the genus Citrus. Overall, SCoT markers showed a higher level of polymorphism than InDel markers. According to analysis of population structure, SCoT and InDel markers showed K = 9 and K = 5 genetic clusters, respectively. The lowest levels of genetic admixtures and diversity were observed among the locally derived satsumas and lemons. The highest level of genetic admixtures was observed in the lime group. Phylogenetic relationships indicated a high level of interspecific genetic diversity but a low level of intraspecific diversity in locally derived satsumas and lemons. The results provide new insight into the origin of citrus germplasms and their distribution in colder regions. Furthermore, they are important for implementing conservation measures, controlling genetic erosion, developing breeding strategies, and improving breeding efficiency.

The article presents the results of a long-term assessment of the adaptive potential of breeding forms of tea plants cultivated in the natural and climatic conditions of the North-Western Caucasus (the Republic of Adygea) in order to select the most promising samples from the existing gene pool and use them to breed local highly adaptive varieties. In the course of studying adaptability, generally accepted methods have been used, including the «Program and Methodology for the Study of Fruit, Berry and Nut Crops», 1999 and «Determining the Resistance of Fruit and Berry Crops to Cold Season Stressors in Field and Controlled Conditions», 2002. Meteorological and climatic features of the tea growing area have been analyzed, weather conditions compared with the biorhythms of introduced plants, their influence on the state and productivity of tea noted. Correlation relationships between the temperature factor and the onset of the development phase of tea plants have been characterized. As a result, data have been obtained on the winter hardiness of the studied forms for various components, resistance to excess and lack of heat, and the characteristics of the growth and development of tea plants in various weather conditions and against the background of various regeneration processes have been analyzed. To accelerate the determination of the viability of the conducting system, the authors carried out the growth of damaged shoots at room temperature and presented in the article the results of observations that made it possible to see hidden local tissue damage and characterize their types. The most adaptive forms are AF-3 and AF-5, which show the best resistance to damaging environmental factors, have a high regenerative capacity and can provide a good harvest of green tea leaves for the sustainable development of tea growing in Adygea.