Development of scientific research in fruit growing in Ukraine: Relationship with political strategies

Abstract This review analyses the historical evolution and current state of scientific research in fruit growing (including fruit, berry, and nut crops) in Ukraine in the context of changing political strategies. It highlights the influence of government policies, funding mechanisms, European integration, and wartime challenges on scientific advancement. Starting from the foundational contributions of Levko and Volodymyr Symyrenko in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the review traces key political periods, from Soviet centralization and post-independence stagnation to modern efforts at alignment with the European Research Area. It explores the development of funding legislation, the impact of agricultural support programmes, regulation of biotechnology, and the role of digital transformation. The consequences of war, including the loss of genetic resources and research infrastructure, are also analysed. The review concludes that effective policy-science integration is essential for resilience, innovation, and competitiveness in fruit growing in Ukrainian.