Word from the Editor-in-Chief.

In accordance with the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants, five nomenclatural standards have been prepared for five potato сultivars1  ‘Alena’, ‘Bylina Sibiri’, ‘Večernij Omsk’, ‘Triumf’, ‘Hozâûška’ bred by the Omsk Agrarian Research Center. Genetic passports were issued to these five cultivars according to the new integrated strategy developed at VIR. According to the strategy, the plant material donated by the author of the cultivars to the VIR Herbarium was used for molecular genotyping. Genetic passports included data of allelic composition of eight chromosome-specific microsatellite loci, markers of different types of organelle DNA, as well as data about diagnostic fragments of 15 markers of 11 R-genes conferring resistance to the most dangerous diseases and pests of potato, namely late blight, nematodes, potato X and Y viruses. Data from genetic passports of five Omsk cultivars were compared to the results of genotyping samples of the same cultivars obtained from different sources. Based on the analysis of pedigrees and genetic passports of these five cultivars, we established the origin of their resistance to harmful organisms.

A collection of nomenclatural standards is being created at VIR for domestic cultivars of various crops in accordance with the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants (ICNCP). A new complex strategy was proposed for vegetatively propagated crops for registering domestic cultivars received from their authors in the VIR genebank. In addition to the creation of nomenclature standards, the strategy includes the development of a genetic passport of a cultivar and the use of biotechnological methods to preserve explants (buds, meristems) isolated from plant material transferred by breeders to the VIR Herbarium. This approach can be used for any vegetatively propagated crop applying a protocol developed specifically for an individual crop. For raspberry and black currant varieties, the collecting of plant material, its preparation for the registration of nomenclature standards and the preservation of viable samples under controlled in vitro conditions have specific features. This article provides detailed protocols for performing the mentioned work for raspberry and black currant varieties. In addition, the article summarizes the first results of the implementation of our proposed strategy on the example of domestic raspberry and black currant varieties created in various breeding centers of Russia. Three years of joint work of VIR researchers and breeders from four breeding centers in five regions of the country have resulted in creation of nomenclature standards for 20 raspberry varieties, as well as for five black currant varieties bred at VIR. Samples of thirteen raspbery cultivars and samples of four black currant cultivars, genetically identical to nomenclature standards, were introduced into in vitro culture; four raspberry cultivars have been placed in the VIR cryobank for the long-term cryopreservation.

Considering the global and Russian experience in grape accessions preservation, one of the most reliable ways is the creation of a duplicate in vitro collection. However, in connection with the creation of duplicate grape collections and development of genome editing techniques, there is a need for selecting the most optimal medium composition that will ensure the maximum rate of callus formation and regeneration during the introduction of grape plants into in vitro culture. This will make it possible to obtain the necessary amount of material for further editing and subsequent regeneration of plants with knockout of target genes to improve economically valuable traits. For grapes, this is primarily an increase in resistance to powdery mildew caused by Uncinula necator Burill. The effect of active substances of biological and synthetic origin on the morphogenesis has been studied for many crops, including regenerant plants of the genus Vitis L. However, the genus Vitis is very diverse and heterogeneous in its genetic, physiological and morphological structure, as a result of which the recommended media and components for cultivation under in vitro conditions may not suit every cultivar. Local Russian grape cultivars are better suited to local growing conditions, so efforts should be focused on the development of techniques related to the preservation of local varieties in collections in vitro. Knowledge of genes controlling certain traits, as well as the availability of grape accessions whose genome has been sequenced, contribute to successful in silico analysis for creating editing constructs.

Basic and applied scientific research in plant cell technologies contribute to the successful development of agricultural plant breeding, which allows the creation of new forms of plants 2-4 times faster than by traditional breeding methods. To obtain inbred lines of most vegetable crops, about 5-7 cycles of self-pollination are required. As a result, the creation of a new cultivar/hybrid takes more than 10-12 years on an average. To successfully create a variety or hybrid, it is necessary to select parental pairs in the form of inbred lines. The VIR collection of vegetables and cucurbit crops includes 52,889 accessions, representatives of 29 families, 145 genera, and 610 species. The use of biotechnological methods is an important direction for accelerating the breeding of vegetable crops. Due to the relevance of introducing cell technologies into the breeding programs of the VIR Department of Genetic Resources of Vegetable and Cucurbit Crops, a Laboratory of Breeding and Cell Technologies was set up in 2022. The goal of the research to be performed at the new laboratory is to accelerate the creation of source material, cultivars and hybrids by combining traditional breeding methods and cell technologies. The objects of the study include cultivated forms and wild relatives of cabbage Brassica oleracea L., turnip Brassica rapa L., lettuce Lactuca L., tomato Lycopersicon Mill and vegetable sweet corn Zea mays var. saccharata Sturt. In the present review, we consider the main results of breeding cabbage, tomato, and lettuce which have been obtained through applying cell technologies. Despite the progress obtained, there are still several problems in this area. The lack of standardized, efficient and reproducible protocols for in vitro methods often hinders their practical use. The tasks facing the laboratory in creating the initial breeding material and new cultivars and hybrids with the use of both conventional methods and cell technologies are relevant and correspond to the world level.

The use of modern breeding methods, biotechnology, and molecular genetics makes it possible to identify promising accessions with specified economically important traits at early pre-breeding stages. The success of creating new varieties depends on the availability of unique collections of plant genetic resources, information about genomes, possibility of in vitro cultivation with high regenerative capacity, and practical skills and competencies in this area. One of the advanced methods for accelerating the breeding process is genome editing using the CRISPR/Cas system. This method allows the effective modification of genes in order to obtain varieties with desired traits. In 2022, a new youth laboratory of genetics, breeding, biotechnology of ornamental and berry crops was set up at VIR as part of the National Project "Science and Universities". It is noteworthy that this event coincided with the 135th anniversary of the birth of N.I. Vavilov. The work of the laboratory is aimed at obtaining lines with desired properties for the further breeding process; identifying target genes of economically important traits for obtaining new varieties, lines, and hybrids; as well as creating protocols for the accelerated reproduction of virus-free material of commercially demanded varieties oriented towards import substitution. This review discusses current trends in breeding of ornamental and berry crops: e.g., flower color change in snapdragon and peony; flower aroma improvement in rose; architectonics change in actinidia; and increase of resistance to stress factors in blackberries, strawberries, and grapes.

Under the auspices of the 5^th Vavilov International Conference held in St. Petersburg on 21–25 November 2022, eight events were held on the conservation, development, study and practical use of plant genetic resources (PGR) collections, as well as on the scientific heritage of Nikolay Ivanovich Vavilov and the development of the scientific schools founded by him and the activities of his associates and followers. In view of the modern context of new trends in the development of science, fundamental knowledge, modern methods and technologies, as well as of climatic and economic challenges, the development of the scientific heritage of N.I. Vavilov plays a big role for scientific and technological development. A total of 185 oral presentations was made at the 5^th Vavilov International Conference. Meetings of the Conference attracted over 330 participants. This publication reflects the main objectives and content of the performed activities and contains key recommendations emanating from the Conference, including (1) recommendations for the conservation, study and use of PGR, including those on the multidisciplinary basis; (2) recommendations on activities to ensure coordination in the field of conservation, research, breeding and seed production; (3) recommendations on the normative and legislative regulation in the sphere of breeding, seed production, development, maintenance and use of genetic resource collections; (4) recommendations on training, guidance and education. Presentations made at the Conference show that over the past five years there has been a significant increase in the use of modern methodical approaches, i.e. molecular-genetic, genomic and omics in the field of PGR research. All this provides a solid basis for the development of new breeding methods (Next-Generation Breeding). At the same time, it is emphasized that new breeding technologies based on the acquired knowledge, can lead to further progress not in isolation from, but in conjunction with the amassed heritage of classical breeding. Among the discussed and proposed issues, the Conference Resolution identifies those requiring special and urgent attention: (1) the need to legislate for the preservation and expansion of crop diversity in the State Register of Varieties and Hybrids of Agricultural Plants Approved for Use; (2) the inadmissibility of reducing the list of these crops; (3) the inadmissibility of reducing of the number of state variety testing sites; (4) the inadmissibility of reducing of time limits of state variety testing from three to two years or one year; (5) the need to bring the concepts of “genetic passportˮ and “genetic passportizationˮ used in legal and regulatory acts to the canonical understanding of “genetic passportˮ as a document reflecting individual genetic features of an organism (cultivar/hybrid/breed/strain), which make it possible to distinguish its genotype from that of other organisms (cultivars/hybrids/breeds/ strains) of a particular species and the need to carefully elaborate methods of genetic certification of each crop, taking into account all types of genetic markers (molecular-genetic markers (DNA markers), protein and morphological markers). The Conference also noted that under the conditions of the increasing climate change and its sudden unpredictable fluctuations, reliable conservation of valuable plant genetic resources in situ and ex situ is required in order to avoid the irreversible loss of part of plant agrobiodiversity. In addition, extensive expeditionary surveys should be undertaken in the nearest future in crop and CWR diversity centers, under-explored areas, as well as in the regions with extreme environmental conditions and those prone to anthropogenic impacts.