Background. Purple color of grain is rare in Triticum aestivum L. This trait is characteristic of T. aethiopicum Jakubz. The discovery of antioxidants beneficial to human health in purple grain of bread wheat has stimulated breeding for this trait.

Materials and methods. The purple grain identified in that of spring bread wheat cultivar 'Nadine' (k-67127, Tyumen Province) was used for selecting lines differing in awns, pubescence, and glume color. The selections were conducted over a five-year period of 2019–2024. In 2024, segregation ceased and the lines became stable. Plants from the resulting samples were selected for herbarization, designated as the nomenclatural types, and submitted to the Herbarium of Cultivated Plants of the World, their Wild Relatives, and Weeds (WIR).

Results. The comparative morphological studies yielded descriptions of six new botanical varieties of common wheat: Triticum aestivum subsp. aestivum var. violaceomilturum Zuev et Bryk. var. nov.; T. aestivum subsp. aestivum var. violaceopyrothrix Zuev et Bryk. var. nov.; T. aestivum subsp. aestivum var. violaceovelutinum Zuev et Bryk. var. nov.; T. aestivum subsp. aestivum var. violaceoferrugineum Zuev et Bryk. var. nov.; T. aestivum subsp. hadropyrum var. violaceobarbarossa Zuev et Bryk. var. nov.; T. aestivum subsp. hadropyrum var. violaceohostianum Zuev et Bryk. var. nov.

Conclusions. The selected purple-grain lines expand the botanical diversity of the bread wheat collection at VIR. The isolated botanical varieties can also be used as source material for breeding wheat as a functional food product.

Identification and study of carpological finds from various archaeological excavation sites is an important part of determining the cultural features of the floristic composition of past centuries. The material for our study was obtained from excavations at the Rurik Settlement in Veliky Novgorod. The purpose of this work was to establish the species affiliation of macroremains of seeds and fruits that grew in this region in the Middle Ages. The obtained samples were freed from impurities by flotation. The morphological method was used to identify the carpological and seed material. Laboratory processing of fossil samples made it possible to distinguish grains of rye, barley and wheat, as well as a large number of weeds and associated plants. It was found that the Bronnitsky Settlement, studied in 2013–2014, is distinguished by a greater diversity of carpological material than the Rurik Settlement. It was also found that the composition of the fossil flora of the aforementioned archaeological sites is dominated by various cultivated cereals.

March 23, 2025 marked the 110th anniversary of the birth of Yakov Stepanovich Nesterov, a prominent fruit scientist, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, professor, corresponding member of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, who devoted more than 50 years to national science. Over these years, he worked as the director of the Central Genetic Laboratory, Deputy Director of VIR for scientific work, Head of the Department of fruit, berry, subtropical crops and grapes. Nesterov published more than 270 scientific papers highlighting the results of studying the biology of dormancy, winter hardiness of fruit crops, biological characteristics of growing and breeding of seed crops. Under his leadership, VIR conducted a comprehensive study of the collection of apple genetic resources. Nesterov was a participant to many collecting missions in the USSR and to foreign countries. He was in the army during the Great Patriotic War. His services to the Motherland in the battlefields and science were highly appreciated by the Government of the Soviet Union. Over the years, he has been awarded the Orders of the Patriotic War I and II degrees, the Order of the Red Star, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor and various medals.

The 20th International Botanical Congress was held in Madrid, Spain, from July 21 to 27, 2024. The amended rules of botanical nomenclature became effective immediately upon acceptance of the resolution by the Nomenclature Section at the closing plenary session of the Congress on July 27, 2024. Publication of the new International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Madrid Code) is expected in mid-2025.

The 21st International Botanical Congress will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, from July 21 to 28, 2029.

New taxa.