No 3 (2024)

The article presents the results of a comparative analysis of various methods of DNA extraction from frozen black currant leaves to assess the genetic diversity of varieties using SSR markers. The objectives of the study included selecting and assessing the effectiveness of various methods for extracting DNA for plant material with a high content of polyphenolic compounds, including using ready-made commercial kits, and, based on the results of assessing the quality of the extracted DNA and PCR analysis, modifying the method if necessary. As a result of the research, DNA was isolated from frozen leaves of 12 blackcurrant varieties bred by the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Federal Scientific Center of Horticulture using various methods of DNA isolation based on the CTAB detergent: according to D. Puchooa for plant material with a high content of polyphenolic compounds with modifications, a method for DNA isolation from stone fruit crops in the presence of CTAB with modifications used at the Federal Scientific Center of Horticulture, commercial kits for the isolation of plant DNA "SORB-GMO-B" (ZAO Sintol) and "Plant DNA Isolation Kit" (FOREGENE). The obtained DNA was analyzed using a spectrophotometer and PCR analysis. As a result of assessing the quality of the isolated DNA, it was possible to determine the most effective and labor-saving methods for isolating DNA from frozen black currant leaves. The DNA isolation method used in the Federal Scientific Center of Horticulture showed a high DNA yield and sufficient purity for PCR analysis. The results of assessing the methods for isolating DNA from frozen black currant leaves using commercial kits showed a low DNA yield (up to 30 ng/ml), a relatively high purity of the isolated sample, but at the same time, they were less labor-intensive than the two previous methods. PCR analysis with the identification of SSR markers made it possible to determine the most effective method for isolating DNA from frozen black currant leaves – the method used in the Federal Scientific Center of Horticulture, which is cost-effective in use due to the saving of reagents, and due to the high DNA yield, it allows assessing the genetic diversity for a larger number of loci.

The results of the study of the initial parent raspberry varieties of domestic and foreign origin from the collection of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden and selected hybrid forms obtained with their participation are presented. The control was the zoned ‘Balsam’ variety. The main purpose of the research was to find sources of economically useful characteristics of raspberry varieties and forms for use in the breeding process. Breeding work was carried out in 2015 by the method of intraspecific interspecific hybridization in combination with selection. The most successful crossing combinations were: Patricia × Persea, Vicinite × Phenomenon and Vicinite × Patricia. Among them, promising samples were obtained in which the largest number of seedlings had a high level of the main traits useful for breeding in their genotype. The assessment of the heredity of hybrid offspring confirmed the special breeding value of Patricia varieties, a phenomenon as the initial forms for obtaining large-fruited (average weight more than 3.6 g) samples. High taste qualities (4.8 points) are transmitted to offspring by the ‘Persea’ variety, a high degree of fruiting (4.8—5.0 points) – by the varieties ‘Vicinite’, ‘Persea’ and ‘Phenomenon’. The participation in crosses of the ‘Perseus’ variety provides a high percentage (65) of early-maturing forms. The conducted hybridological analysis of the most valuable economic and biological characteristics (fruit weight, taste assessment, degree of fruiting, drought resistance and disease resistance) allowed us to identify promising forms 7-15, 28-15 with individual indicators of useful tyraits, and complex forms 6-15, 9-15, 11-15. The selected hybrids: 9-15 (‘Selsebil’ variety) were submitted to State Export Testing; 6-15 (‘Ruslan’) and 11-15 (‘Harmony’) have been tested and included in 2023 in the State Register of Breeding Achievements Approved for Use in the 6th region of the Russian Federation.

Postharvest treatment of garden strawberries and the development of effective storage methods are crucial to increase the shelf life and preserve its quality until consumption. Although some reviews on certain treatment technologies have been published, we have not found studies that considered and compared common and advanced methods of storing garden strawberries. Therefore, the goal of this study is to review modern postharvest methods of strawberry storage (Fragaria × ananassa Duch). The review includes reports published in English and Russian in 2014—2024. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Elibrary and Google Scholar databases were used to search by keywords. 50 scientific publications have been studied. In the first part of our study, the metabolic and biochemistry processes that underlie the ripening process of strawberries are considered, the factors that cause spoilage of strawberry berries are analyzed, and modern methods of strawberry treatment are presented. The preservation of garden strawberries using radiation, light or heat treatment can prevent the development of microorganisms and increase the resistance of berries to diseases. However, these methods can have a negative impact on the nutritional value, color and taste of berries over time. Cold storage is the most commonly used method of storing garden strawberries after harvest throughout the supply chain. In addition to cold storage, post-harvest treatment methods, including thermal, cold plasma and chemical treatments, have been carefully studied and individually applied to further increase of the strawberry shelf life. These treatments help to prevent fungal infection, activate the metabolic protection system and improve the structural integrity of strawberry berries, thereby maintaining their quality over time, especially during cold storage. In addition to treatment methods, storage in a modified atmosphere, the application of active packaging and functional coatings have been recognized as effective ways to preserve the quality of berries and effectively prevent spoilage after harvest. In addition, the combined use of two or more of these methods has proven to be the most effective for improving the shelf life of garden strawberries. The analysis of the antifungal effectiveness of modern storage methods, study of the synergy between different methods and the development of solutions based on biopolymers represent a key path for future research.

This study is aimed to describe the features of seed germination of Acer saccharum Marshall in the Moscow region. The objects of the study are the fruits of three samples obtained from the arboretum Mustila (seeds were collected in the USA), Minnesota arboretum (USA) and Rochester (USA) in 2018. Morphological characteristics of fruits were described visually. To measure the fruits, a caliper was used (model “ШЦ-II-250-0.05”). Seeds were sown in pots, into a mixture of neutralized peat turf, topsoil and sand in the ratio of 3:2:1, at the depth approximately equal to the thickness of the seed. Seeds were subjected to cold stratification: the pots were kept in an unheated greenhouse for 3 winter months, with the substrate being exposed to natural temperature fluctuations, including short-term freezing. For the Mustila sample, the seeds were extracted from the mericarps. It has been shown that the smallest fruits are from the Mustila arboretum: the length and width of the nutlet are 0.787±0.025 cm and 0.565±0.018 cm respectively; the wing length and width – 1.633±0.054 cm and 0.608±0.030 cm, while they are characterized by the highest germination rate – 66.7%. Fruits from Minnesota (USA) have the largest size: the length and width of the nutlet are 1.007±0.017 cm and 0.702±0.014 cm respectively; the wing length and width – 1.968±0.042 cm and 0.791±0.021 cm; germination rate of their seeds is intermediate – 37.5%. The measurements of the fruits of the sample from Rochester exhibit intermediate values, whereas the germination rate is the lowest – 31,8%. The seed germination rate of Minnesota arboretum and Rochester samples is below that of seeds reported in the literature and is about 1/3 of the amount sown. The germination rate of Mustila sample is consistent with literature data. Nevertheless, seed reproduction of A. saccharum in the Moscow region can be considered promising.