The genus Iris in Russia is represented by 41 species. Four species are endemic, 11 are included in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation and 30 have different regional conservation status. The presented results of the study of the morphology of seeds and of seed coat surface morphology in 40 species from the genus Iris growing in Russia were obtained mainly using light and scanning electron microscopy. Seed shape is round, ovate, oblong or pear‑shaped, with the exception for I. psammocola, in which it is club‑shaped. The smallest seeds in the studied species belong to I. ruthenica and I. uniflora. Morphometric data lead to interesting conclusions regarding the taxonomic relations between some species. For example, the species currently considered as synonyms, e.g., I. biglumis and I. pallasii in I. lactea, and I. maackii in I. pseudacorus, are found different concerning seed morphology. On the other hand, the taxonomically well distinct species such as I. halophila and I. pseudonotha share similar seed morphology. A study of the morphological characteristics of the seed coat surface in 40 species of the genus Iris made it possible to compile an atlas for determining species in the genus Iris in Russia.

Introduction. Intensive and high quality care of a garden and efficient harvesting require the use high‑yielding fruit trees with low growth vigor. The selection of trees with such qualities that facilitate harvesting and help to reduce losses, increase the number of trees per unit area and fruit yield, is important for the Republic of Adygea. No studies of this kind have ever been conducted here before. Material and research methods. The study involved 31 samples of common plum (Prunus domestica L.), 12 samples of cherry plum (P. cerasifera Ehrh.) and one sample of Russian plum (P. × rossica Eremin) from the collection of the N. I. Vavilov All‑Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) maintained in the Republic of Adygea in the collection garden of the Maykop Experiment Station, a branch of VIR. These samples differ by their origin, ripening period, and demonstrate high taste qualities. Quantitative characters of the crown of ten‑year old trees were analyzed in a morphometric study. Results. Cultivar differences were established for the tree height, stem diameter, crown diameter, area of the crown projection, crown volume, fruit productivity, and ripening time. The identified common plum cultivars with different maturity periods, the smallest crown volume and high productivity are the early ‘Renklod Altana̕ (11.7 m³), the mid‑ripening ‘Vascova’ (8.9 m³) and the late ripening cultivars ‘Vengerka italianskaya’ (6.3 m³) and ‘Anna Shpet’ (K) (6.4 m³). The selected cultivars of common plum are also characterized by the smallest values of tree height, and of the crown diameter and projection area. Among the cherry plums characterized by moderate tree vigor, different ripening dates, the smallest crown volume and high yield, the selected cultivars were ‘Samaya rannaya’ (7.4 m³), ‘Shuntukskaya 11’ (11.0 m³), mid‑ripening ‘Klyukovka’ (7.4 m³) and the late ripening ‘Nalchikskaya krupnaya’ (9.6 m³). The identified plum and cherry plum cultivars can be used in agricultural production and in breeding programs.

The article provides a historical background on the activities of the N. I. Vavilov All‑Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) for a 125‑year period. The Institute began its history as the Bureau of Applied Botany in the end of the 19th century, the times of the Russian Empire; it went through the crucible of World War I, the October Revolution and the Civil War, to become the All‑Union Institute of Plant Industry (VIR) in the Soviet times. The Institute overcame the period of Stalin’s repressions and the devastating irreparable losses sustained during the World War II and the Siege of Leningrad. In the post‑war period, VIR underwent revival, and since 1967 has been proudly bearing the name of N. I. Vavilov. The most successful period in the history of VIR was in the 60‑70s of the 20th century, while in the 90s there followed a period of a sharp drop in funding of all research, and the institute staff was preserving and saving the Vavilov collection at the cost of incredible efforts. In the 21st century, VIR continues its work as a globally known leader in the spheres of systematic collection, comprehensive study, reliable conservation and rational use of genetic resources of cultivated plants and their wild relatives for solving the problems directly related to ensuring national and global food security.

The article describes field explorations carried out together with Tamara N. Onipko (Smekalova) in 1980 in the Pestovsky District of the Novgorod Province. The description of living conditions and floristic research is given. As a result of the research, 19 species of vascular plants were discovered, new for the entire Novgorod region at that time. These are aboriginal species Phleum phleoides (L.) Karst., Festuca brevipila R. Tracey, Epipogium aphyllum Sw., Salix daphnoides Vill., Eremogone saxatilis (L.) Ikonn., Scleranthus perennis L., Alchemilla subcrenata Bus., Lotus zhegulensis Klok., Euphrasia parviflora Schag., Ptarmica salicifolia (Bess.) Serg., Hieracium diaphanoides Lindeb., and also some invasive plants, quite rare at that time: Corispermum marschallii Stev., Lepidium latifolium L., Medicago romanica Prod., Securigera varia (L.) Lassen, Geranium sibiricum L., Impatiens glandulifera Royle, Cruciata laevipes Opiz, Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) Torr. et Gray. Almost 60 species were found to be new for the Mologa floristic region.