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The collection of stone fruit crops (peach, apricot and nectarine) was analyzed in accordance with their belonging to certain ecological-geographical groups and ecotypes. The most valuable characteristics were determined, sources of economically valuable properties were identified, and included in crossbreeding combinations for intraspecific and interspecific hybridization. Methods of radiation and chemical mutagenesis were used in the selection of peach and apricot. New genotypes with different levels of susceptibility to common diseases have been created. As a result of breeding, new varieties of stone fruit crops selected by NBG were introduced into the Register of Plant Varieties of the Russian Federation: 28 peaches, 3 nectarines, 15 apricots.

The aim of the work is a comprehensive assessment of the genetic resources of apricot in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden, determination of the main directions of breeding and the selection of appreciable genotypes for further most effective breeding use for creating competitive varieties, and their introduction into production. Based on the conducted studies, it was revealed that the main directions of apricot breeding at the modern level is to determine the possibility of effective targeted selection of parental pairs for creating varieties with high commercial qualities of fruits, high-yielding, resistant to abiotic and biotic stress factors, adapted to intensive cultivation technologies. It has been determined that the Zard variety, up to the second generation, transmits to its offspring late flowering and small fruiting size. The most promising apricot genotypes for cultivation in areas with unstable weather conditions in Southern Russia have been identified: Boyarin, Yaltinec, 84-951, 89-653, 99-396, 8316, 10841, 84-941, they are characterized by large or medium-sized fruits, good taste (tasting score 4.1-4.7 points, on a 5-point scale) and attractive appearance, late or mid-late flowering of plants. For breeding for late flowering is of interest: Zapozdalyj, Ozornik, 84-383, 84-895, 8319, 84-875; weak susceptibility to fungal pathogens: clasterosporium and moniliosis 84-919, 84-880, 84-383, 84-915, 84-875, 84-909, 84-803, 84-769, 84-803, 89-545, 10841; drought resistance: Krokus, Yaltinec, 87-2, 84-651, 84-942, 84-988, 84-639, 89-359, 89-526, 89-166 и 89-169. Against the background of dry growing seasons, the yield of the selected breeding forms was at the level of the control variety and higher (2.6-3.9 points).

This study explores the application of computer vision for enhancing the selection of rootstock-graft combinations and detecting diseases in grape seedlings. Computer vision has various applications in viticulture, but publications and research have not reported the use of computer vision in rootstock-graft selection, which defines the novelty of this research. This paper presents elements of the technology for applying computer vision to rootstock-graft combinations and includes an analysis of grape seedling cuttings. This analysis allows for a more accurate determination of the compatibility between rootstock and graft, as well as the detection of potential seedling diseases. The utilization of computer vision to automate the grafting process of grape cuttings offers significant benefits in terms of increased efficiency, improved quality, and reduced costs. This technology can replace manual labor and ensure economic efficiency and reliability, among other advantages. It also facilitates monitoring the development of seedlings to determine the appropriate planting time. Image processing algorithms play a vital role in automatically determining seedling characteristics such as trunk diameter and the presence of any damage. Furthermore, computer vision can aid in the identification of diseases and defects in seedlings, which is crucial for assessing their overall quality. The automation of these processes offers several advantages, including increased efficiency, improved quality, and reduced costs through the reduction of manual labor and waste. To fulfill these objectives, a unique robotic assembly line is planned for the grafting of grape cuttings. This line will be equipped with two conveyor belts, a delta robot, and a computer vision system. The use of computer vision in automating the grafting process for grape cuttings offers significant benefits in terms of efficiency, quality improvement, and cost reduction. By incorporating image processing algorithms and advanced robotics, this technology has the potential to revolutionize the viticulture industry. Thanks to training a computer vision system to analyze data on rootstock and graft grape varieties, it is possible to reduce the number of defects by half. The implementation of a semi-automated computer vision system can improve crossbreeding efficiency by 90%. Reducing the time spent on pairing selection is also a significant advantage. While manual selection takes between 1 and 2 min, reducing the time to 30 s using the semi-automated system, and the prospect of further automation reducing the time to 10–15 s, will significantly increase the productivity and efficiency of the process. In addition to the aforementioned benefits, the integration of computer vision technology in grape grafting processes brings several other advantages. One notable advantage is the increased accuracy and precision in pairing selection. Computer vision algorithms can analyze a wide range of factors, including size, shape, color, and structural characteristics, to make more informed decisions when matching rootstock and graft varieties. This can lead to better compatibility and improved overall grafting success rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the results of the development of numerical models for predicting the timing of apricot flowering, including using experimental data on the emergence of plants from a state of deep dormancy. The best results of approximation of the process of accumulation of the necessary cooling in the autumn–winter period were obtained using the sigmoidal function. Models that take into account the combined effect of temperature and photoperiod on the processes of spring development showed a high accuracy of the process of accumulation of thermal units. Based on the results of testing, two models were selected with an accuracy of 3.0 days for the start of flowering and the absence of a systematic bias, which can be considered a good quality assessment These models describe well the interannual variability of apricot flowering dates and can be used to predict these dates. The discrepancy is no more than 2–4 days in 87–89% of cases. Estimates of the timing of flowering and the end of deep dormancy are very important for increasing the profitability of fruit production in the South of Russia without incurring additional costs, by minimizing the risks associated with irrational crop placement and the selection of varieties without taking into account the specifics of climate change. When constructing a system of protective measures and dates of treatments, it is also necessary to take into account the calendar dates of the shift in the development of plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the interrelationships between the parameters of density, optical refraction, the volume fraction of ethanol and the total extract, using model solutions and samples of wine materials. The regularities of changes in refractometer readings in the process of alcoholic fermentation have been studied. The functional dependence of the value of the volume fraction of ethanol in the finished wine products on the density and scale of refractometer values has been established. A technique is proposed for controlling the process of alcoholic fermentation of grape must, based on the use of refractometry. Finally, we present an algorithm to calculate the composition (volume fraction of ethanol, mass concentration of the total extract) of the fermentation product from its physical properties (density, refractive index), the coefficient of determination was R2 = 0.975. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to develop a methodology for calculating and optimizing devices for the magnetic exploration of fossils containing materials with a high magnetic permeability. The proposed technique is based on the calculation of electrostatic fields perturbed by conducting bodies and of magnetic fields perturbed by ferromagnets with a high magnetic permeability. It uses an integral equation of the first kind. This technique is preferable to the technique consisting in the use of an integral equation of the second kind, since in the situation under consideration, the latter does not have a unique solution and requires transformation. Prospects for the development of this area allow one to bring geophysical services to the service market on a new scientific and technical production level; reduce the environmental burden on nature by replacing magnetometric measurements with energy-saving, environmentally safe technology; and ensure the export potential of magnetometric equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the reasons limiting the apricot expansion in the world is the short period of winter dormancy in the plants and the rapid development of generative buds in the spring. Apricot flower buds often die even after small spring return frosts that limit the commercial culture of this fruit crop. The aim of this investigation was to study collection-breeding plantations and select frost-resistant genotypes that have promise for commercial and breeding use. To solve this problem, the frost resistance of generative buds in 50 apricot cultivars and the breeding forms of various origins were studied by freezing treatments of the branches in a climatic chamber. The Czech cultivar 'Leala' was selected due to its best frost resistance. In late winter 2020-2021, six cultivars and breeding forms, which kept 41.8 to 65.9% of the generative buds alive, were identified. These genotypes are characterised by a slow development that prevents any negative freezing temperature effects. Thus, the results of the study confirmed the dependence of the adaptation mechanisms in apricot plants on the rates of their morphogenesis and abiotic factor pressures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]