No 1 (2023)

The results of breeding for the creation of blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) hybrids suitable for cultivation in the regions of the taiga zone of the European part of Russia are given. The hybrids were obtained using two original maternal blueberry cultivars – Northblue and Putte. The pollinators of Northblue were economically valuable forms of V. angustifolium and the pollinators of Putte were forms and cultivars of highbush blueberry (V. corymbosum). 13 most promising forms of V. angustifolium were selected for cultivation in the conditions of the European part of Russia on the basis of comprehensive assessment results; these forms have the ability to be propagated using rhizomatous cuttings and partial bushes and differ in terms of berry ripening and some other characteristics. The indicators of fruiting (yield, average berry weight) of selected forms in the conditions of the Kostroma region are given for 3 years of observation. Four hybrid forms were registered as the first cultivars of V. angustifolium in Russia (Neya, Nerl, Lakomka, Pomorochka) in 2022—2023. The created cultivars and hybrids are characterized by high winter hardiness, good yield, large size of fruits and a number of other positive features. The yield of V. angustifolium cultivars and hybrids obtained from Northblue was 1.5—3.1 kg/bush with an average berry weight of 1.2—1.6 g. The yield of cultivars and hybrids obtained from Putte was 3.2—6.4 kg/bush with an average berry weight of 1.0—1.3 g.

The Orenburg region is rich in climatic resources of the growing season, which makes it possible to grow fruit crops in an industrial culture. The limiting factor is the sharply continental conditions of the winter period with a possible drop in air temperature below - 40 °C and daily air temperature fluctuations in February-March causing sunburn. The results of studying the influence of the climate of autumn-winter periods on the winter hardiness of apple trees in the conditions of the Eastern Orenburg region are presented for the period 2016—2021. For the first time, the degree of freezing of trees and damage to the bark by sunburn of 15 apple cultivars in winter in the intensive orchard of the Eastern Orenburg region was assessed. The studies were carried out in perennial plantations of IP Gorlanov S.V. in Orsk, Orenburg region. Seven apple cultivars of the Ural breeding, 6 cultivars of the Central European breeding, 1 cultivar of the European breeding and 1 Canadian cultivar planted in the period 2014—2015 were studied. In the course of the research, the degree of freezing of apple trees was assessed by comparative analysis depending on the climate of winter periods. According to the results of the study, the negative impact of a sharp decrease in air temperature was observed at the beginning of the winter period on the preparation and degree of freezing of apple trees of various ecological and geographical origins. In the winter period of 2016/17, Brusnichnoye had damage to trees up to 2.0 points at the level of the controls Persianka and Isetskoye Pozdnee. Aksena, Blagaya Vest, Zaryanka, Iyulskoye Chernenko, Krasa Sverdlovska, Kuibyshevskoye, Martovskoye, Nastenka, Osennee Aloye, Pamyat Voinu and Rassvet Isetsky had the average damage of 3.0—3.5 points. Ligol and Honey Crisp received irreversible damage. Increased insolation during winter periods causes damage to the bark of Ligol and Honey Crisp up to 4.0 points.

Raspberries are one of the popular crops, the berries of which are widely in demand. And the demand for berry products is growing every year, while the cultivation of raspberries is a rather laborious process. Therefore, to meet consumer demand, it is necessary to grow high-yielding cultivars. One way to increase the yield of raspberries is to create cultivars with compact shoots that have shortened internodes and an increased number of laterals on them. This type includes 4 selected seedlings isolated from the family 5-45-07 × Antares and populations from the open pollination of the form 5-45-07. The compactness index of these seedlings is in the range of 2.2—3.8. In the control Vysokaya, which has non-compact shoots, this indicator is 6.5. Along with compactness, the selected seedlings have an increased number of laterals per shoot (13—19 pcs.) and are large-fruited (the average berry weight is 3.8—4.1 g). Seedlings 3-61-15 and 4-61-15 excel in productivity (55.0—79.4 c/ha), in comparison with the control Vysokaya. In dry conditions of the growing seasons of 2021 and 2022 all selected seedlings were distinguished by large size of fruits (2.3—2.8 g, in the control – 1.3 g), and seedlings 3-61-15 and 4-61-15 were characterized by higher yield (16.9—25.6 c/ha, in the control – 10.9 c / ha). In drought season 2022, seedlings 62-15 and 2-61-15 turned out to be without damage from the influence of high air temperatures and lack of precipitation. Seedlings 3-61-15 and 4-61-15 suffered from this drought much less compared to the control – 9.1—13.6% of dried shoots and 13.3—24.3% of berries on the bush. According to the results of the assessment, the selected compact seedlings are planned to be involved in breeding work as sources of drought resistance and complex sources of economically valuable traits.