PRINCIPAL RESULTS OF THE RESEARCH PROGRAM FOR THE PERIOD 1999-2003 1.1. for the development of science: FRUIT GROWING: - Trials on chemical thinning of apple fruitlets conducted in frame of the research program have contributed to the basic knowledge about fruitlet setting and formation of final product. With the use of new products for apple fruitlet thinning (ATS, Armothin, CPPU, CaS and natural products acceptable for ecological production) options were indicated for the commercial exploitation, since in some aspects they have proved better than the previously known thinning products also in the sense of betterlesser ecological acceptability. - We have contributed to the basic knowledge about the connection between the quantity and quality of apple yield, especially from the aspect of antioxidant value of this fruit. - It was established that some synthetic cytokinines (CPPU, BA) improved the size of fruit of American blueberries. - Adjustment of legislative basis to the legal system of the EU in the field of certification of planting material of fruit plants; the introduction of this system in practice ensures a safe circulation of sanitary acceptable plant material which is also important from the epidemiological aspect. VINE GROWING: - Gene bank of grapevine was established with an 'in situ' collection in which 40 ancient (domesticated and autochthonous) grapevine varieties were collected and described, which meansmeanss an invaluable contribution of common endeavours to prevent the erosion threatening the world gene wealth of grapevine (all the time we were part of the common project EU - GENRES 081). - Gene bank of more than 100 clones of autochthonous and domesticated wine varieties obtained in the process of genetic and sanitary selection of grapevine was established.. - Basic knowledge in the field of physiology of growth and bearing of grapegrape vine (mainly the influence of ampelotechnique on the activity of leaf surface and reduction of negative effects of stress conditions) were successfully presented on numerous international scientific conferences and published in scientific publications. WINE PRODUCTION: - In the study of absorption of polyphenols in human organism we were the first in the world to explain a new absorption mechanism of certain groups of polyphenols in human body unknown until today. The originality of results is evident from articles published in magazines with high impact factors (Febs letters and Biochem biophys. res. commun.). - It was undesputedly found out that some technological methods used at wine production which are being introduced in the world are also suitable for the improvementincrease of wine quality in Slovenia. Our results have confirmed certain findings published earlier by researchers from other vine growing countries. - Mastering of determination method used for OTA in wines is necessary as a consequence of new EU guidelines for the verification of the content of this toxic substance in wines. - By creating a database of isotopic composition of Slovenian wines we will be able to participate in the world bases of these data in order to distinguish the geographic origin of wines.