Potential of the VIR spinach collection for use in breeding

Relevance. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) is an economically important vegetable crop grown all over the world. This is an annual, cold-resistant and early-ripening crop, cultivated both in protected and open ground. Therefore, there is a need for a wide diversity of varieties and hybrids adapted to specific conditions. The State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation contains 67 varieties and hybrids of spinach, of which 66% are foreign hybrid selection. The creation of domestic spinach hybrids is complicated by the lack of well-studied initial material: aligned genotypes of the gynoecic type, combining high yield, early maturity and rich biochemical composition.