Blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica Sevast.) is a valuable berry crop with a unique biochemical composition. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and biologically active substances. Different species and cultivars of honeysuckle require different cultivation conditions in the field of accelerated reproduction in vitro. Taking into account the high clonal replication potential of the plant, we conducted research on the chelated-iron form’s influence on the micropropagation productivity of the blue honeysuckle “Lulia” cultivar at the multiplication, rooting, and subsequent acclimatization stages of microplants. In a preliminary study, five types of iron chelates were tested with carboxyl- and phosphorus-containing ligands: Fe(III)-EDTA, Fe(III)-DTPA, Fe(III)-EDDHA, Fe(III)-HEDP, and Fe(II)-HEDP. Each type of iron chelate was applied at four concentrations: standard, decreased by 2 times, and increased by 1.5 times and 2 times in the basic Murashige and Skoog (MS) nutrient medium. It was found that the blue honeysuckle “Lulia” had a selectivity to the type of iron chelate that was used. The nutrient-medium modifications with iron chelates, which caused the plant response, contributed to a significant improvement in the plant’s physiological status and increased its survival rate during the microplant’s acclimation to the nonsterile conditions stage. At the rooting stage, an increase in the rooting rate of up to 100% (Fe (III)-EDDHA), an increase in the number of shoots by 1.5–2 times, and an increase in the number of roots by 1.4–1.9 times were observed. The positive effect of the iron’s chelated forms was also observed at the acclimation stage. According to the results of the research, the most suitable iron forms for clonal micropropagation of blue honeysuckle were carboxyl-containing Fe(III)-EDDHA and phosphonate-containing Fe(II)-HEDP. Moreover, the effectiveness of both complexonates was confirmed in a wide concentration range: Fe(III)-EDDHA from (×1.0) to (×2.0), and Fe(II)-HEDP from (×0.5) up to (×1.5).

Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.), originally a forest plant, is currently in need of improvement of clonal micropropagation technologies. It is known that the large percentage of propagated plants can be lost or damaged, not only at the stage of acclimatization to non-sterile conditions, but also during the growing completion stage. In fact, successful ex vitro regeneration of such plants is determined by their ability to produce new shoots that can adapt to new cultivation conditions. The lighting and ratio of nutrients under ex vitro conditions play an important role in the development of the plants’ photosynthetic capacity. The research revealed that LED grow lighting has a positive effect on the development of ex vitro plants of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cv. Brigitta Blue, only at the initial stages of growing in 0.5-L containers. The results obtained have improved our understanding of lighting and mineral fertilizer’s impact on the development of ex vitro plants of the highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cv. Brigitta Blue in greenhouse conditions. This can be useful for providing blueberry planting stock and commercial use for large scale production.

Fungi of the genera Alternaria and Cladosporium, can cause mycoses in a significant part of people. To reduce air pollution by spores of fungi dangerous to human health, the degree of involvement of ornamental and fruit crops, lawn grasses, as well as weed plants with fungi from the genera Alternaria and Cladosporium was studied. To determine the prevalence of fungal pathogens during 2017-2020, collection and microscopic analysis of plant samples of 64 species of higher plants from 12 botanical families was carried out in 12 administrative districts of Moscow. Species diagnostics of fungi of the genus Alternaria were carried out according to the morphological features of conidia and the habit of sporulation. It has been found that most species of fungi identified in the urban area belong to the toxic non-specialized species A. tenuissima, A. infectoria and A. alternata. A high degree of lesion with fungi of the genus Alternaria is determined – at the level of 20-40 % – introduced species: Ash maple (Acer negundo), Hawthorn semi-soft (Crataegus submollis), as well as such crops common in urban landscaping as small-leaved Lipa (Tilia cordata). A high degree of damage to Cherry acidic (Prunus cerasus) fungi of the genus Cladosporium has been established, with a maximum degree of development of up to 30 %. The least affected ornamental and fruit crops suitable for urban landscaping have been identified, species suitable for landscaping areas of new buildings and areas with a large wind load have been described.

The study considered the use of soil herbicides: Begin Turbo, KS; Dual Gold, KE; Euro-Lighting, VRK; Command, KE; Pivot, VK; Proponite, KE; Zenkor Ultra, KS and partially soil action: Demetra, KE, and Dialen Super, KS. We conducted a comparative assessment of the biological effectiveness of the studied herbicides against the main species of weeds present in the experimental plots, annual and perennial dicotyledonous, annual cereal weeds. The effect of soil herbicide treatments on the physiological state of plants of apple, pear, walnut, and black currant was studied. The effect of the use of the studied drugs on the yield of protected crops for three years was evaluated. The tests proved the applicability of soil herbicides in nursery, production gardens, as well as on seedlings with a closed root system. The tested products, despite the principle of their action - penetration into weeds through the soil, did not harm the protected crops, no negative effect on the growth of trees and shrubs was recorded. The study revealed no evidence that drugs had a negative impact on fruit and berry crop productivity. There are suggestions for improving the efficacy of using soil herbicides when planting fruit and berry crops.

Data were obtained on the basis of the results of research carried out on the territory of the educational and experimental farm of the Timiryazev State Agrarian University, in Moscow during 2018-2019. As a result of the surveys, the most dangerous diseases and pests of pome crops on the territory of this farm were established. The most resistant apple and pear varieties to major diseases have been identified. Peculiarities of development of alternariosis on pear are described, the harmfulness of the disease on pear and apple seedlings is noted. A possible role in the transfer of alternariosis infection from garden-protective plantations and weed vegetation to fruit trees was noted. A possible role has been established in the transport of septoriosis, powdery dew infection from dicotyledonous weeds plants. The peculiarities of the spread of infection under the influence of wind direction are noted. The results and peculiarities of the application of various methods of scaring birds in the orchard are presented. As a result of route surveys the most harmful weed plants have been identified. The possibility of using herbicides of different mechanism of action in fruit gardens for weed control has been studied. High efficiency and relative safety of application of herbicides of contact action in nursery fields, operational orchards and for control of piglets on fruit trees are shown. Recommendations are given for the use of soil and systemic herbicides of soil in seedlings beds, the first and second fields of the nursery, as well as in the process of production of large-scale planting material and operational orchards of fruit crops. The safety of the herbicides in question is established when used in accordance with the recommended methods of use.