The main results of work on the selection of gourds in the Volgograd Trans-Volga region

Relevance. One of the main methods for solving the problem of providing the population of the Russian Federation with vegetable and melon products is the development of selection and seed production. The creation of new competitive varieties and hybrids will enable the vegetable industry to transfer to a qualitatively new level of development. Material and methods. The object of research is new varieties and hybrids of watermelon, melon and pumpkin, created at the Bykov experimental station in the rainfed conditions of the Volgograd Trans-Volga region. Methods of creation are intervarietal and interlinear hybridization. Results and conclusions. As a result of breeding work at the station, a number of varieties and het-erosis hybrids of melons and gourds were created, which significantly expanded the assortment of the melon breeding industry. Over the past 5 years, 4 varieties of watermelon, 2 heterotic hybrids of watermelon, 3 varieties of melon and 1 grade of pumpkin have been included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements. The assortment of new varieties varies in terms of ripening, dry matter content, shape and color of the fruit background, as well as in color and pulp consistency. The length of the growing season of the created varieties and hybrids of watermelon ranges from 63 days in early ripening (Duet F1, Temp F1, Meteor) to 85 in the mid-ripening variety Malachite. The highest solids content of the new variety of watermelon Medunok is up to 14%. Among melon varieties, the shortest growing season is characterized by the Comet variety up to 70 days. All varieties have a high solids content of 14.0-19.0% and a thick flesh. Promising pumpkin varieties are distinguished by a bright coloration of the pulp, a high carotene content and a long storage period. Thus, the introduction of new varieties of gourds in commodity and home garden melon farming will allow the conveyor growing of products, increase the product mix and the period of consumption of fresh produce.