In this work, we studied in vitro propagation of three cultivars of Mentha × piperita L. Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with 0.5 mg·L⁻¹ BAP was the most optimal medium for micropropagation of the cultivars studied. The ability of peppermint plants field-acclimated after in vitro micropropagation to produce essential oils (EOs) was investigated. EO was obtained by hydrodistillation from dried leaves and flowering shoots from control (field grown) plants and plants acclimated in field conditions after in vitro propagation. The samples were collected at the first and second year of vegetation, and their chemical composition was investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Differences were observed in the yield, as well as in the quantitative and qualitative composition of the EOs extracted from the control plants and field-acclimated plants after in vitro propagation. Menthol was the main component of the EO in control plants, while pulegone and menthone were dominant in the EO pattern in field-acclimated in vitro regenerants in the first year of the growing season. However, in the second year of vegetation, the content of the main EO components in field-acclimated peppermint plants was approximately the same as in control plants. The antioxidant activity of EOs extracted from field-acclimated after in vitro micropropagation plants was found to be the same as in control field-grown M. × piperita plants.

The cultivation of aromatic plants that are valuable for nutritional and medical aims under artificial conditions with narrow-band LED lighting is becoming widespread. A comparison of the effects of conventional basil field and greenhouse conditions and a city farm (CF) with LED lighting on essential oil and its components was studied in Ocimum × citriodorum Vis. “Kapriz” (OcK), O. basilicum L. “Queen Sheba” (ObQS) and O. minimum L. “Vasilisk” (OmV). Essential oil (EO) was extracted by hydrodistillation from dry leaves of the basil varieties. EO composition was studied by gas chromatography, while the number of glandular trichomes was studied by scanning electron microscopy. We found that in leaves of CF plants, ObQS and OmV increased EO yield (22.9 and 22.7 g/kg DW, respectively) compared to field conditions (10.9 and 13.7 g/kg DW, respectively). The number of glands with four-celled heads also increased. In OcK plants, the amount of EO was almost unchanged, but the number of capitate glandular trichomes was strongly increased. Biochemical analysis showed that in CF plants compared to field ones, eugenol accumulated 40% more in ObQS and three times more in OmV. In addition, 10.9% estragol was detected in the leaves of OcK plants, which was absent in field plants. Thus, LED lighting conditions increased the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoid volatile components in Ocimum.

As a result of the treatment of “Vikros” spring canola with the chemical mutagen ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), a high-protein mutant form without glaucous bloom (wax bloom) on leaves, shoots, and siliques was isolated. Segregation into glossy and glaucous forms was always observed in the progeny of glossy plants from self-pollination, and the proportion of glaucous plants could reach up to 25%. The progeny of glaucous plants were homogeneous and did not segregate. If during the period of seed germination and seedling development the soil did not dry out and remained moist, and the average daily temperature did not exceed 16 °C, then the amount of glossy plants could reach 99%. Glossy plants possessed qualities valuable for breeding forage varieties, such as the increased content of protein in seeds (more than 30%), and change phenol metabolism, чтo прoявляется a reduced amount of lignin and sinapine in comparison with the original cultivar. In addition, plants without wax coating showed weakened shoot growth, decreased pollen fertility and seed production, and reduced lignin content in the shoots. Glossy mutants are of interest for the obtaining of fodder low-sinapine and low-lignin varieties of spring rapeseed.

Essential oils (EOs) are of commercial importance for medicine, food, cosmetics, the perfume industry, and agriculture. In plants, EOs, like the wax cover, serve as protection against abiotic stresses, such as high temperatures and water deficiency. The use of spraying with exogenous hormones of aromatic plants affects the accumulation and composition of volatile compounds, as well as tolerance to abiotic stress. As a result of cytokinin treatment with 6-BAP (6-benzylaminopurine) (200 mg L^−l) of Anetum graveolens L. “Uzory” and “Rusich” varieties, several responses to its action were revealed: a change in the division of leaf blades, inhibition of flowering, an increase in the content of EO and its main components α-phellandrene and p-cymene in leaves, and limonene in umbels and fruits. It was revealed that the increased accumulation of EO in dill leaves was longer with sufficient moisture. In contrast, under conditions of heat and water deficiency, the effect of 6-BAP treatment on accumulations of the EO in leaves was short-lived and did not appear on umbels and fruits. The study of the cytokinin effect on a fine structure of a wax cover on the adaxial side of leaves by scanning electron microscopy revealed a change in its elements (from amorphous layers with scales to thin tubules), which probably increased the sensitivity of leaves to water deficiency and, consequently, led to a decrease in the biosynthetic activity of leaf tissue. Thus, 6-BAP had an impact on the adaptive properties of dill plants, prolonging the “youth” of vegetative organs and the ability to EO biosynthesis under conditions of sufficient moisture.

Against the backdrop of growing climatic variability, the identification of genotypes combining high yield with stability and resilience to stress factors has become a central objective of contemporary wheat breeding. Therefore, the objective of this work was to assess the stability and adaptability of a collection of 13 wheat–wheatgrass hybrids (WWHs, lines) (Triticum aestivum L. (2n = 42)) in comparison with 10 commercial spring bread wheat (Tr. aestivum L.) cultivars under various meteorological conditions. This study was conducted in one location (Moscow region, Russia) over three growing seasons (2020, 2021, and 2022), which included a highly stressful year (2021) characterized by a severe combination of drought and heat during critical growth stages. Statistical analysis employed analysis of variance (ANOVA), clustering, and modern models for assessing the genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI)—AMMI (Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction). The results showed a significant effect of year conditions on all yield components. Under the stressful conditions of 2021, most genotypes exhibited a 30–70% decrease in productivity. Cluster analysis revealed a dynamic regrouping of genotypes depending on the conditions of the growing season. The AMMI model identified genotypes with high stability, such as Sudarinya (ASV = 9.3) and WWH 200 (ASV = 11.2), as well as genotypes specifically adapted to certain conditions: KWS Akvilon (ASV = 52.1) to stressful conditions and WWH 127 (ASV = 55.9) to favorable conditions. Under stress, lines WWH 107, WWH 127, and WWH 2430 exhibited the most adaptive strategies, including compensatory mechanisms, making these hybrids promising for further breeding. In conclusion, although wheat–wheatgrass hybrids demonstrate high productive potential under favorable conditions, their successful use in breeding requires the selection of genotypes that combine productivity and stress resistance. The identified stable and adaptive genotypes are valuable for developing new competitive cultivars under changing climatic conditions.

Essential oils (EOs) of Mentha spicata var. crispa (Benth.) Danert and M. × piperita var. citrata (Ehrh.) Briq. and EO components are widely used in medicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, hygiene products, the food industry, and other fields, and have a high commercial value. The variety Mentha spicata var. crispa is also used as an ornamental plant due to its distinctive curled leaves. Studying the influence of growing conditions and harvest timing on EO yield and the major compound concentrations is one of the key research directions for Mentha species, aimed at the ascertainment of the ways of increasing EO production and quality. Gas chromatography analysis of the component composition of EOs from leaves of Mentha spicata var. crispa “Kurchavaya” (MscK) showed that it remained stable both in July and September, with carvone predominating (81% and 85%, respectively). In contrast, the EO composition from M. × piperita var. citrata “Apelsinovaya” (MpcA) leaves changed in the course of the vegetation period. In July, menthofuran dominated (30%), while in September, linalool and its acetate were predominant (34% and 47%, respectively), which was typical for this chemotype. At the same time, the content of EOs and the density of glandular trichomes (GTs) (the OE storage sites) in MscK were higher in July and decreased by September, whereas in MpcA, both EO content and the number of GTs increased from July to September. These changes may have been caused by temperature fluctuations. Thus, MscK proved to be more resistant to environmental factors than MpcA.