Contemporary horticulture

Academician Nikolai Saveliev was a prominent scientist in the field of genetics and breeding of fruit and berry crops, whose work significantly influenced the development of domestic horticulture. His scientific activity focused on applying genetic methods to improve the quality, productivity, and disease resistance of fruit crops under unfavorable climatic conditions. Under his leadership, a unique genetic collection was created, including over 5,000 genotypes. Dozens of new cultivars of apple, pear, cherry, rowanberry, and other cultures have been bred; many are included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements. The scientist paid special attention to preserving biodiversity by creating stress-resistant cultivars and enhancing the efficiency of the breeding process. His work allowed for identifying more than 200 donors with valuable traits that significantly accelerated creating new cultivars with improved characteristics. Nikolai Saveliev's scientific legacy continues to be developed by his students and followers. The cultivars he developed are widely used in industrial and amateur gardening. His methods form the basis for modern programs aimed at developing climate-adapted cultivars that meet market demands. The works by Nikolai Ivanovich Saveliev not only strengthened Russia's position in breeding science but also opened new perspectives for horticulture development in Russia. This ensures its sustainability and competitiveness on a global scale.

The study evaluates the resistance of various cultivars and forms of ornamental apple trees (Malus spp.) to air pollution caused by ammonia and sulfur dioxide. The research was conducted using the method of chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, which enabled early detection of photosynthetic activity suppression caused by gaseous pollutants. The study objects included domestic and foreign ornamental apple cultivars, as well as control cultivars Antonovka and Ligol. To simulate air pollution conditions, sealed chambers were used, where the plants were exposed to sulfur dioxide (20 mg/m³) and ammonia (40 mg/m³) for 10 minutes. Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging allowed for the simultaneous analysis of multiple samples, considering their spatial heterogeneity. The method demonstrated high sensitivity and effectiveness in identifying resistant ornamental apple genotypes to air pollution. Changes in photosynthetic activity were assessed through the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) and the effective quantum yield (Y(II)) using an Imaging-PAM fluorimeter. The results indicated that the effective quantum yield, the most sensitive parameter in the experiment, generally showed significant reductions in treated samples. The highest resistance to both gases was observed in cv. Prairie Fire, while high sensitivity was noted in such cultivars as Carmelita, Ligol, and others, which exhibited the greatest reduction in Y(II). These findings highlight the significant variability in cultivar resistance to pollutants, opening opportunities for selective breeding and the use of resistant forms in urban greening. Based on the study's results, cv. Prairie Fire is recommended for use in ecological programs aimed at improving air quality

In green construction and private landscaping, it is important to use plants that combine decorative qualities and winter hardiness. To increase the decorativeness of plantings, it is necessary to enrich the assortment by introducing plants. Mahonia Nutt. plants are an evergreen shrub native to North America. The studies were carried out in 2021—2023 in the arboretum of VNIISPK (Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crops Breeding, Orel region). The objects were plants of Mahonia aquifolia (Lag) Nutt. and Mahonia pinnata (Pursch) Fedde planted in 1966 and 1981, respectively. In the climatic conditions of the Orel region, plants pass through all phenological phases of development, bloom and bear fruit annually. Winter hardiness of the plants was determined using the method of Lapin P. and Sidneva S. and the guidelines for determining the resistance of fruit and berry crops to cold-season stressors in the field and controlled conditions. Mahonia pinnata and Mahonia aquifolia were damaged annually by severe frosts, sharp temperature drops after thaws and solar heating, and in some years by spring frosts. In winters with little snow and frequent temperature fluctuations, greater damage to flower buds was observed (on average, up to 4.5 points). However, in general, Mahonia pinnata showed greater resistance to damaging factors of the winter period and its ability to recover. This Mahonia species can be recommended for urban landscaping as an additional assortment and for private collections. Mahonia aquifolia is recommended for collection gardens, home territories and private estates, provided that the plants are covered during the winter.