Adaptation to weather conditions is an important feature of cultivars. To assess plant adaptability, we applied a physiological test of Ribesia (Berl.) Jancz. leaf resistance to abiotic factors during vegetation. The effect of high temperatures and drought on red currant plant photosynthetic apparatus and water regime was studied in 2011-2013 in the Central-Chernozem region (Orel region). Five varieties and three selected seedling genotypes of different eco-geographic and genetic origin were used including the derivatives of Ribes petraeum Wulf., R. vulgare Lam. and R. multiflorum Kit. (of these, six genotypes were originated in VNIISPK). Leaves of red currant plants are known to have a mesomorphic structure characteristic of Ribesia (Berl.) Jancz. subgenus. In this paper, it was shown that the morphological characteristics of leaves (i.e., shape, venation) are determined by the biological features of varieties while growing conditions alter the anatomical structure. We found a positive correlation between the leaf area and hydrothermal coefficient (r = +0.99) and negative correlation between the leaf area and environment temperature (r = 0.97). An increase in leaf thickness, the expansion of spongy parenchyma cells, a decrease in chlorophylls (both Chla and Chla + Chlb), as well as elevated carotenoid level are the response to stress factors during vegetation. The ratio coefficient of chlorophyll sum to carotenoids is considered as one of the adaptation indices. High coefficients were revealed in Hollandische Rote variety (5.14) and 1426-21-80 (5.51). Correlations between the chlorophyll sum and water loss (r = 1.00) as well as chlorophyll sum and fraction of available water (r = +0.98) were ascertained. The pigment content, fractional composition of water and water holding capacity of leaves are interconnected with the water shortage. The positive correlation of air temperature and water deficit (r = +0.84) has been noted. The total water content in red currant leaves depends on the shoot growth, leaf age, variety, meteorological conditions and is not the main indicator of resistance to high temperatures and drought. Ratios of bound and free water and water holding capacity of leaves vary depending on meteorological conditions and water availability. In 2012 the weather conditions were unfavorable, and in all red currant genotypes the increase of the coefficient of bound water to available water as well as drop in water loss were observed. According to the parameters of water regime, Hollandische Rote variety and 1426-21-80 displayed high adaptability. The laboratory diagnostic methods were confirmed by the field data of genotype resistance under high temperature and moisture deficiency. Thus, the physiological express tests are suitable for estimation of red currant plant adaptability to environmental factors in the course of breeding. A comprehensive assessment showed diverse ecological plasticity in the plants with different Ribesia (Berl.) Jancz. subgenus species in the pedigree. The derivatives of Ribes ...

Salinization of soils and freshwater resources by natural processes and/or human activities has become an increasing issue that affects environmental services and socioeconomic relations. In addition, salinization jeopardizes agroecosystems, inducing salt stress in most cultivated plants (nutrient deficiency, pH and oxidative stress, biomass reduction), and directly affects the quality and quantity of food production. Depending on the type of salt/stress (alkaline or pH-neutral), specific approaches and solutions should be applied to ameliorate the situation on-site. Various agro-hydrotechnical (soil and water conservation, reduced tillage, mulching, rainwater harvesting, irrigation and drainage, control of seawater intrusion), biological (agroforestry, multi-cropping, cultivation of salt-resistant species, bacterial inoculation, promotion of mycorrhiza, grafting with salt-resistant rootstocks), chemical (application of organic and mineral amendments, phytohormones), bio-ecological (breeding, desalination, application of nano-based products, seed biopriming), and/or institutional solutions (salinity monitoring, integrated national and regional strategies) are very effective against salinity/salt stress and numerous other constraints. Advances in computer science (artificial intelligence, machine learning) provide rapid predictions of salinization processes from the field to the global scale, under numerous scenarios, including climate change. Thus, these results represent a comprehensive outcome and tool for a multidisciplinary approach to protect and control salinization, minimizing damages caused by salt stress.

The present research was undertaken to study the antifungal activities of Origanum onites L. and Ziziphora clinopodioides L. essential oils against three different isolates (M1-5, M2-1 and M3-5) of Botrytis cinerea (in vitro tests) and to investigate the vapor contact impacts on fungus and strawberry fruit quality (in vivo tests). Antifungal activities of these oils were tested by following the poisoned food technique at four different concentrations (0.25, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 mL/L) against B. cinerea. In vitro studies suggested that the 0.50 mL/L and 1.00 mL/L doses of O. onites and 1.00 mL/L and 2.00 mL/L doses of Z. clinopodioides provide high mycelial growth inhibition, 85.29–94.12% and 39.12–94.12%, respectively, by direct addition to food. Thus, these doses were tested in in vivo conditions, as a vapor contact treatment against two isolates (M1-5 and M3-5) of B. cinerea inoculated on strawberry cv. Camarosa fruits. Results showed that both O. onites and Z. clinopodioides essential oils have a moderate to high impact on the prevention of gray mold. The oils were also found to have a slight to moderate impact on weight loss and the loss of soluble solids concentration. Overall, the results demonstrated that the tested oils are a potential biodegradable alternative to fungicides.

The physical and mechanical parameters of berries and the morphometric features of the structure of the bush growth habit are important criteria in predicting the use of berry harvesting equipment. In this research, six red currant cultivars have been studied. The berry separation force, the crushing force, and the strength of attachment of the berries to the stalk were assigned to the physical and mechanical parameters and were determined using the "PLODTEST-1" and "Dina-2" devices (Russia). For the optimal operation of the berry harvester, the crushing force of the berries must be more than 2 N, the berry separation force must be in the range of 0.5–1.5 N. A high correlation between the separation and crushing forces was determined (R = 0.71). During the period of technical maturity, the strength of the attachment of the berries in the raceme was more than 0.5 N and, by the end of maturation, this indicator decreased. Most of the studied cultivars have a compact, optimal bush volume. The red currant cultivars Niva, Asya and Vika are promising for mechanised harvesting.

The aim of this work was to study the mechanism of climatic adaptation of red currant genotypes (Ribes rubrum L.) on the basis of physiological, biochemical and agrometeorological measurements and to determine the different phenophases of plant development identify adaptive genotypes for introduction. The studies were carried out in 2014–2017. The indicators of the water status of annual shoots (water content, water retention capacity), the biochemical composition of berries (vitamin C) and phenological observations were evaluated, taking into account meteorological data. The genotypes of R. petraeum Wulf. and R. multiflorum Kit. had the longest production period. Ambiguous data on the influence of temperature on the content of ascorbic acid in berries were revealed. High temperatures (>+26 °C) contributed to a greater accumulation of ascorbic acid in the cultivars of R. vulgare Lam. High accumulations of vitamin C in the range of +25–27 °C were found in R. petraeum Wulf. and R. multiflorum Kit.. High water content and water loss contributed to early recovery from the dormant state and reduced resistance to spring temperature changes in R. vulgare Lam. Genotypes of R. vulgare Lam., and R. multiflorum Kit. are promising for growing in a zone with a temperate continental climate. The genotypes of the species R. petraeum Wulf are suitable for introduction to the areas with a continental climate. The obtained results are important for adaptive gardening.

Red currant is a valuable berry crop. The assortment is improved through the selection of new varieties. In the Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding (Russia), breeding work for red currant has been carried out since 1984. The ‘Heinemanns Rote Spatlese’ variety, selected in Germany in 1942 by crossing the Prince Albert variety with Andenken an Lorgus (type of multiflowered currant - Ribes multiflorum Kit. ex Schult.), was widely used as the initial form in crosses. The greatest breeding value was shown by the family 'Rote Spatlese'×'Jonkheer van Tets’, from which 7 varieties of red currant were obtained: Asora, Valentinovka, Dana, Dar Orla, Ogonyok, Orlovchanka, Podarok Leta. The combinations in which 2 varieties were selected were also effective: 'Rote Spatlese‘×'Red Lake' - Bayana (white-fruited), Selyanochka; 'Rote Spatlese'×'Minnesota’ – Osipovskaya, Orlovskaya Zvezda; 'Rote Spatlese'×'Maarse's Prominent' - Marmeladnitsa, Ustina. The research results show that the cultivar ‘Rote Spatlese ' is a valuable initial form in red currant selection for late ripening, long-raceme, high productivity. Based on the ‘Rote Spatlese’ genotype, VNIISPK has created 13 late-maturing, high-yielding varieties of red currant, 9 of them are included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements approved for use in the Russian Federation.

Global climate change with the cyclicity of natural and climatic processes in the growing season of berry plants, causes weakening at the defense system to (a)biotic stressors, which actualize the need for accelerated cultivar-improving breeding. A new hybrid red currant material was obtained and studied by the method of interspecific hybridization. Correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between adaptively significant and economical and biological traits. To assess intergenotypic variability, hierarchical clustering was used according to the studied features, which allowed combining three standard methods of multidimensional data analysis. Genotypes adapted to different stressors were identified. The genotypes 271-58-24, 44-5-2, 261-65-19, and ‘Jonkheer van Tets’ were found to have a higher ratio of bound water to free water as compared with the others. Moreover, the genotypes of 271-58-24, 261-65-19, 77-1-47, and ‘Jonkheer van Tets’ were found to have less cold damage during the cold periods. The two most productive genotypes were found to be the genotypes 44-5-2, 143-23-35, and 1426-21-80. A dependence of yield on the beginning of differentiation of flower buds, which led to the abundance of flower inflorescences, was revealed. Rapid restoration of leaf hydration ensured successful adaptation of genotypes to the “temperature shock” of the growing season. The genotypes 271-58-24 and ‘Jonkheer van Tets’ were then observed to be far from the test traits and none of these traits were observed to characterize these two genotypes. The genotypes of 261-65-19 and 77-1-47 were then observed to be characterized by their high stability to Cecidophyopsis ribis scores. Genotypes 261-65-19 and 271-58-24, obtained with the participation of ‘Jonkheer van Tets’ as the maternal form, showed sufficient resistance to Pseudopeziza ribis and Cecidophyopsis ribis. Overall results suggested that the hydration recovery of red currant plants is significantly important for a yield improvement. A new cultivar ’Podarok Pobediteliam (genotype 44-5-2) was obtained that meets the requirements of intensive gardening and is characterized by high adaptability, productivity, and technological effectiveness.

The aim of the work was to study the growth, drought tolerance and biochemical characteristics of introduced cultivars (‘Jonkheer van Tets’, ‘Hollandische Rote’ and ‘Viksne’) and some selected Russian cultivars and red currant genotypes (‘Shchedraya’, ‘Natali’, 129-21-61, 111-19-81, 261-65-19 and 271-58-24). The studies were conducted between 2014 and 2018 under temperate continental climate conditions. The intensity of transpiration was determined by using a torsion balance. The soluble solid concentration (SSS – % Brix) of the fruits was determined by using a digital refractomer. The content of the sum of sugars was determined by the weight method according to Bertrand's method. Ascorbic acid content was then determined by the iodometric method. The total phenolic content was determined by a colourimetric method. Climatic conditions were found to have significant influence on the disease severity of the red currant genotypes, while the infections caused by Sphaerotheca mors-uvae increased in optimum seasons and damages caused by Pseudopeziza ribis increased in drought seasons. None of the selected genotypes was found to be resistant to any of the diseases/pests, but ‘Jonkheer van Tets’, ‘Hollandische Rote’ and 111-19-81 were less affected by these diseases/pests. Weight, yield and raceme length of berries and the number of berries in a raceme were found to be higher in optimum seasons, and different cultivars/genotypes had superior characteristics for different parameters. The highest berry weight was observed in the 261-65-19 genotype (0.65 g), while the highest yield was noted in ‘Hollandische Rote’ (15.6 t · ha−1). It was also found that the water content of leaves and transpiration have a strong positive relationship with soil moisture at a depth of 0–200 mm but a week correlation with soil moisture at a depth of 200–400 mm. Results also showed that the transpiration of leaves decreases in later developmental stages (July). Hierarchical clustering suggested four clusters: the introduced cultivars produced one cluster, Russian cultivars are another cluster, 261-65-19, 111-19-81 and 129-21-61 genotypes make up a third cluster and the 271-58-24 genotype (superior in terms of phenolic contents) forms the fourth cluster.