Scientific heritage of S.I. Zhegalov and his contribution to the development of domestic breeding and seed production of vegetable crops (on the 145 anniversary of his birth)
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Relevance. This year, the scientific community celebrates the 145th anniversary of the birth of Sergei Ivanovich Zhegalov, Professor of Timiryazev Academy, an outstanding scientist, the founder and first director of the Gribovskaya Vegetable Breeding Experimental Station, and the creator of the first breeding department in the country. As the direct successor of the station, the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center preserves, develops, and enhances its scientific heritage. Zhegalov was a talented scientist and a skilled organizer of science who successfully combined theoretical research with practical breeding. His work on breeding new varieties of vegetable and flower crops, as well as on developing seed production methods and popularizing scientific knowledge, had a significant impact on the development of agriculture in Russia.Results. The processes of plant formation, the creation of new and higher-quality forms, as well as distant crossbreeding, hybridization and heterosis, are issues that have always interested S.I. Zhegalov and formed the focus of his scientific work. These areas remain relevant today. Scientific research is evolving from a phenotypic description to the application of molecular biology methods such as marker-assisted selection and biotechnology, to accelerate the creation of source material. Sergey Ivanovich Zhegalov made a significant contribution to the formation of the theoretical foundations of seed production in Russia, striving to ensure that seed production developed side by side with breeding, served as an extension of breeding work, and provided funds for its development. He also pointed out the need to develop varietal agrotechnology to fully unlock the potential of the variety. The large-scale collection of genetic resources and more than 1600 varieties and hybrids created for 120 crops, of which over 1370 are included in the State Register of the Russian Federation, are the practical embodiment of the scientific continuity of generations of scientists and vegetable breeders. Today, the activities of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Federal Scientific Vegetable Center represent a synthesis of Zhegalov's fundamental ideas and modern technologies in breeding and seed production, ensuring food security and technological sovereignty of the country.
Source: VEGETABLE CROPS OF RUSSIA
Institution: Federal Scientific Center for Vegetable Growing
Language: English
Subfield: History
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7203472011