Purpose. To carry out a comprehensive study and evaluation of new varieties of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) according to the main economic and valuable indicators: yield, resistance to diseases and the content of starch and dry matter. Methods. The qualification examination of potato varieties for suitability for distribution in Ukraine (PSP) is carried out throughout the territory of Ukraine within the soil and climate zones of the Forest Steppe and Polissia in accordance with the Methodology for the qualification examination of plant varieties for suitability for distribution in Ukraine (General part) and the Methodology for the examination of varieties potato plants and groups of vegetable, melon, spicy-tasty plants for their suitability for distribution in Ukraine. Results. Economic and valuable characteristics of new potato varieties ‘Acoustic’, ‘Lady Amarilla’, ‘Sensation’, ‘Mia’, ‘Baltic Fire’, included in the State Register of plant varieties suitable for distribution in Ukraine (hereinafter – Register of varieties), were studied. An analysis of the varietal potential of potatoes was carried out based on the results of the qualification examination of the varieties. It was established that the yield of the stu­died potato varieties in all years of examination was higher in the forest-steppe zone and exceeded the yield obtained in the Polissia zone. In particular, the productivity of the varie­ty ‘Sensation’ by 29%, ‘Mia’ by 20%, ‘Lady Amarilla’ by 16%, ‘Baltic Fire’ by 19%, ‘Acoustic’ by 21%. Varieties ‘Sensation’ (24.3–33.8 t/ha) and ‘Acoustic’ (25.5–30.2 t/ha) produced the highest yield over the years of research. The varieties ‘Lady Amarilla’ and ‘Baltic Fire’ prevailed in terms of qua­lity indicators: the starch content in their tubers was 13.7–15.4% and 13.3–13.9%; dry matter content 22.2–23.2% and 21.5–22.0%, respectively. Disease and pest damage was generally average, with late blight causing the most dama­ge to crops in the Polissia zone. Conclusions. Based on the results of the qualification examination, five positive expert opinions were prepared for the PSP. All studied varieties are recommended for growing in the Forest-Steppe and Polissia zones. Cancer-resistant potato varieties are proposed for introduction in disease foci and use as parental components and obtaining disease-resistant offspring. Cancer-resistant potato varieties are recommended to be grown in areas where the disease is likely to be detected and used in bree­ding to obtain new cancer-resistant varieties.

Purpose. To analyze the taxonomic and varietal diversity of the collection of spicy plants of the Syrets Arboretum, evaluate their decorative qualities and determine the directions of use in landscape design. Methods. The subject of the study is spicy plants grown on the territory of the Syrets Arboretum, which are a part of the collection of open ground plants. The species and varieties of this group of plants were introduced in the arboretum from 1949 to 2021. In the process of research, methods of analysis and synthesis, comparison and generalization of information were used. Results. It has been established that the collection of spicy plants of the Syrets Arboretum includes 69 taxa belonging to 33 gene­ra, 12 families.  There are 52 species and 25 cultivars among them. The largest number of representatives are in the families Lamiaˆceae – 32 taxa, Amaryllidaceae – 11 taxa and Aste­raceae – 9 taxa. The life forms of spicy plants are represented by woody (19 taxa) and herbal plants (50 taxa, of which 10 annual, 2 biennial, and 38 perennial forms). The traditional fields of application of spicy plants are food, medicine (pharmacology) and perfumery. In addition, their decorative varieties and cultivars are used to create landscape compositions. In particular, on the territory of the Syrets Arboretum, spicy plants are the compositional basis of the thematic “garden of spicy aromatic plants”, they are used as elements of classic flower beds and summer compositions, thematic compositions (national and pharmacy gardens, vegetable flower beds), alpine slides and rocky gardens, etc. Conclusions. Many years of experience in landscape design and creation of floral arrangements in the Syrets Arboretum showes that spicy plants are an important element in all types of tested decorative compositions. It is revealed that out of 69 spicy plants that grow on collectible plantings of the Sirets Arboretum, 51 have decorative qualities and are used as decorative-floral and decorative-deciduous species. The taxonomic and varietal variety of spicy plants has considerable potential for breeding work and creation of highly decorative landscape compositions of various purposes. Due to the availability of different life forms and biomorphological features, it is advi­sable to use spicy plants in different types of plantations for decorative gardening and landscape design.