Carpological collections are a basic tool for conducting comprehensive research on the structure of fruits and seeds of different taxonomic groups of plants, and for identifying diagnostic characteristics; they are essential for laboratory herbological studies in Plant Quarantine. A properly organized collection of seeds/fruits in nature and a further recording of the collection materials are a cornerstone to quality research and applied activities in herbology.

As part of the vastly expanded description of the Oryzaephilus surinamensis species the illustrated information about previously unknown structures and characters of this species is presented for the first time, namely: the structure of the mouthparts (mandibles, maxillae, prementum, postmentum), meso- and metanotum, metendosternite and the 8th male tergite. Additional data on the known structures – elytrae, eyes, and abdominal sternites are provided.

The approbation and optimization of PCR tests using Russian commercial reagents kits for the DNA extraction and amplification of the soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines Ichinohe in classic PCR format has been carried out. The suitability of Russian commercial kits for this study has been confirmed.

The article provides general information about the smut fungi of the genus Tilletia: spread, symptoms, morphological characters and the development cycle. Smut fungi are serious agents of grain crop diseases causing considerable crop losses. To control these phytopathogens and update the list of their species, annual phytosanitary monitoring is carried out, where specialists of the All-Russian Plant Quarantine Center (FGBU “VNIIKR”) take part.

The species of the genus Sorbus sensu lato (mountain-ash) are well-known and quite widespread host plants of fire blight Erwinia amylovora (Burrill) Winslow et al. Nevertheless, there have been no officially proven data about the pest detection on the mountain-ash in the Russian Federation. This work presents the survey results of Sorbus aucuparia L. and cultivated varieties of mountain-ash plantations in 7 regions of the European part of Russia. The combined samples and the subsamples of separate parts of plants have been analyzed by 4 PCR-based tests, the sequencing method, as well as the plating method. The DNA of Erwinia amylovora has been reliably detected in Moscow and the Moscow region. The dynamics of pathogen development in various parts of mountain-ash plants during the growing season has been studied. The reports on the main role of Erwinia amylovora in the development of necrotic damage of mountain-ash plants in the Moscow region have not been confirmed.

Blackleg of potato is a bacteriosis widespread in the Russian Federation caused by pectolytic bacteria of the genus Pectobacterium, Enterobacteriaceae family. In 2009, Dickeya spp. agents of potato blackleg were identified in Russia: Dickeya dianthicola and Dickeya solani. The annual yield shortfall due to this disease can reach from 1–2 to 50–70%. The main pathway for the pathogen bacteria is connected to seed material movement. The detection and identification of plant pathogens causing potato blackleg require the design and optimization of highly sensitive laboratory methods for practical use. In 2019, within the framework of the Federal Scientific and Technical Program (FSTP) of agriculture development for 2017–2025, the RAS Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry and A.G. Lorkh Russian Potato Federal Research Center designed new test systems in real-time PCR (RT-PCR) for the diagnosis of bacteria causing potato blackleg, with analytical sensitivity for detecting the pathogen DNA at the level of 10–50 copies of plasmids, containing a specific PCR product, per reaction. The article presents the results of comparative testing of the new test systems for the diagnosis of the bacteria Pectobacterium atrosepticum, Dickeya dianthicola and Dickeya solani. When testing 20 varieties of seed potatoes delivered to the Testing Laboratory of A.G. Lorkh Russian Potato Federal Research Center by manufacturers from 4 regions of the Russian Federation, in 15 cases, complete coincidence of the analysis results was shown when using routine and new test systems.