VIR Collection Research Articles

Studying grain color diversity in the barley collection of VIR

Background. Dark color of barley grain (Hordeum vulgare L.) can be caused by the synthesis and accumulation of two types of polyphenolic pigments – anthocyanins and melanins, which perform important functions in plant life, participating in the regulation of growth and development, and protecting plants from adverse environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity of barley in the VIR collection in the context of grain color.Materials and methods. To analyze the pigment composition of the grain, 150 barley accessions with colored grains were selected from the VIR collection. Anthocyanins and melanins in grain husk were identified using qualitative reactions.Results and discussion. It was shown that in 60% of the accessions the dark color of their grain was induced by independent accumulation of melanin, while the accessions characterized by accumulation of only anthocyanins, and those with combined accumulation of anthocyanins and melanins, were 14.6% and 14%, respectively. For 11.3% of the accessions the presence of anthocyanins and melanins in grain husk was not found; their pigmentation could presumably be associated with an increased content of other polyphenolic pigments – proanthocyanidins. Accessions with melanin in grain predominated in all identified geographic groups, while other types of pigmentation were most evenly represented in the regions with the widest genetic diversity of barleys – Africa, East Asia, and the Middle East.Conclusion. Dark pigmentation of barley grain was shown to be mainly associated with the accumulation of melanin, and this type of pigmentation prevails in all geographical regions identified. The results obtained made it possible to describe the barley collection more fully and expand the possibilities of its utilization.

Comparative assessment of the resistance of introduced spring oat varieties to arid climate of the Astrakhan region

In the semi-desert zone of the north of the Astrakhan region, a comparative assessment of spring oat varieties from the world collection of VIR was carried out. The 2019-2021 studies included 57 variety samples. Based on the results of the study, the most resistant samples were identified, capable of producing a stable crop, regardless of the climatic conditions of the current years. These samples are distinguished by: high field germination, early maturity, high levels of plant productivity elements, and, consequently, high genetic potential of variety samples. Selected varieties: Leo, Scorpion and Borets (Moscow region) with a yield of 3.48, 3.00 and 2.70 t/ha, respectively.

Resistance of oats to smut diseases in the forest-steppes of the Pre-Ob region

Loose smut (Ustilago avenae (Pers.) Jens.) and covered smut (Ustilago kolleri Wille) are considered to be the most harmful and widespread in the forest-steppes of the Pre-Ob region. The poor grain yields in some years could reach up to 25%, and up to 50% in the years of epiphytoties. The purpose of the current study was to identify the resistance of oat varieties to dusty and covered smut in the forest-steppes of the Pre-Ob region. The study was carried out at the phytopathological plot of the laboratory for plant gene pool of the SRIPCB, the branch of Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of RAS in 2018–2021. The objects of research were Russian varieties from the world collection of VIR named after V.I. Vavilov. There have been studied 64 oat genotypes for resistance to local populations of loose and covered smut. There has been established a significant correlation between plants’ damage caused by loose and covered smut and soil temperature during the period ‘third decade of May – the first decade of June’ (r = 0.76 and r = 0.73). There was no significant correlation between plants’ damage and the average daily air temperature (r = 0.32 and r = 0.48). There has been determined a negative relationship (r = –0.77 and r = –0.71) between the manifestation of the disease and the amount of precipitation during the period ‘sowing-sprouts’. There has been established that most varieties are susceptible to pathogens. According to smut fungi resistance under conditions of an artificial infectious background, there have been identified such oat varieties as ‘Sibirsky Gerkules’, ‘Fakel’, ‘Rysak’ and ‘Uralets’. These varieties are characterized by large productivity, 1000-grain weight, resistance to lodging.

Selection of the starting material with winter soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for selection for virus resistance

In the Volgograd region, in the dry-steppe, and especially in semi-desert zones, favorable hydrothermal conditions for obtaining maximum yields are not so often - about 20% of the years, but in these years, as a rule, various diseases, including viral ones, cause significant damage to the crop. Field and laboratory research was carried out on the basis of the laboratory of breeding, seed production and nursery breeding of the Federal Research Center of Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, located in the Kamyshinsky district, in the right-bank zone of the Volgograd region, in 2019/20. Samples of the world collection of VIR were studied, by origin they were presented from: Russia - 132 pcs., Kazakhstan - 10 pcs., USA - 8 pcs., Ukraine - 8 pcs., Poland - 3 pcs. and one - Belarus and Japan. Collection samples were sown in a wide row, with a row spacing of 0.45 cm, with a cassette seeder SKS - 6 - 10, the area of the plot for each sample was 1 m2, the number of plants on five rows of the experimental plot was 300 pcs. Collection samples were studied and evaluated in accordance with methodological guidelines, assessment of resistance to various diseases on a 5-point scale, cleaning by pulling out plants. The resistance to the harmfulness of plants was evaluated in the field during the phase of milky-waxy ripeness. To determine the harmfulness of viruses, each sample was divided into healthy and affected plants, the ratio of healthy plants to damaged plants was calculated, followed by an analysis of their elements of the crop structure. A biometric analysis of plants was carried out, which included a sample of 30 plants and the determination of: plant height (cm), ear length (cm), the number of spikelets - total and including developed (pcs), the number of grains and the weight of grain from the ear (pcs). Of the varieties of local breeding, Kamyshanka 3 and Kamyshanka 5 showed relative stability. With a viral lesion, in tolerant varieties, the greatest decrease in plant productivity structure elements was observed by the grain weight of the main ear - 27.9% (due to a decrease in the number of grains -27.5%) and the grain weight of side shoots - 49.6%, in susceptible varieties, complete plant death was observed.

Bioenergetic approach to the evaluation of source material for chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) breeding in the Lower Volga region

The study of chickpea varieties (Cicer arietinum L.) from the VIR collection made it possible to perform a differentiated assessment of the biochemical composition of seeds, vegetative and generative traits. Based on the content of nutrients in chickpea seeds, gross energy was calculated. It has been established that the amplitude of gross energy variation in 1 kg of dry chickpea seeds is observed in the range of 18.85…20.93 MJ/kg. The share of nutrients in the total value of the energy value of chickpea seeds varies within the following limits: protein - 24.8 ... 31.5%; fat - 9.3 ... 12.0%; fiber - 3.3 ... 5.5%; nitrogen free extractives - 53.1 ... 60.3%. Variety samples with a high value of gross energy (k-430, k-388, and k-434) are selected. The content of crude protein of more than 24.0% was in varieties k-1183, and k-2299. The fat content of more than 7.0% in seeds was in varieties k-1724, k-2359, and k-2571. A wide range of variability of morphological features was revealed: plant height – 43.0…71.7 cm; height of attachment of the lower bean - 12.3 ... 35.5 cm; the number of lateral branches of the first order - 2.0 ... 3.3 pieces; total number of beans per plant – 31.3…221.0 pcs.; the number of grained beans - 31.3 ... 211.0 pieces; the number of seeds from one plant - 30.0 ... 287.7 pieces; weight of seeds from one plant - 6.4 ... 41.9 g. K-1577 was distinguished by a very low weight of 1000 seeds.

Development of initial material for pea breeding using the methods of hybridization and physical mutagenesis

Breeding of new highly productive, adaptive, technologically advanced pea varieties plays an important role in increasing the fund of food protein. In this case, the key role belongs to the initial material. Hybridization and mutagenesis methods are widely used to develop initial material. Intervarietal hybridization allows developing hybrid progeny with a combination of valuable traits of parental forms. However, the main problem of current breeding has become a decrease in the genetic diversity of cultivated plants, including peas. One of the ways to improve genetic polymorphism is the use of induced mutagenesis. X-ray radiation is a highly effective physical mutagen, which is successfully used in mutation breeding to improve productivity of cultivated plants and obtain new traits. In this regard, the purpose of the current work was to identify a new pea breeding material using the hybridization method and ionizing radiation. The trails were carried out in 2011-2020 in the laboratory for breeding and seed production of leguminous crops of the BRIA of the FSBSI UFRC RAS. There were selected the varieties and lines of local peas, as well as the VIR collection variety samples as the material for the study. Hybridization was carried out according to the principle of genetic remoteness of parental forms. For induced mutagenesis, the seeds of the varieties ‘Pamyati Khangildina’ and ‘Aksaisky Usatiy 55’ were subjected to various doses of X-ray radiation. As a result of hybridization, there has been developed a promising breeding material characterized by large seed productivity, a shortened growing season, and manufacturability. The hybrid line ‘L-31315/14’ was sent to the State Variety Testing in 2019 as a variety ‘Pamyati Popova’. The mutant pea lines ‘L-18’ and ‘L-65’, developed from the variety ‘Pamyati Khangildina’, exceeded the initial variety on 0.16 and 0.11 t/ha in productivity, and on 1.8 and 1.5%, respectively, in protein.

Ex situ conservation of Rubus L. (Rosaceae) genetic resources (a review)

This review examines the issues of ex situ conservation of Rubus L. genetic resources in the world’s genebanks and various institutions in different countries. The most urgent among the studied problems are the issues of preserving interspecific and intraspecific diversity and its sustainable utilization in breeding programs. The main attention is paid to pomologically important subgenera – raspberries Idaeobatus Focke (= Batidaea (Dumort.) Greene) and blackberries Rubus (= Eubatus Focke).Detailed information is provided on the composition and size of field, in vitro and cryogenic collections as well as seed collections. Specific features of conserving the genus’s genetic resources in collections of different types are analyzed. Information on collections of the genus preserved in the Russian Federation, unavailable in international databases, is summarized. Particular attention is paid to the collection of raspberries and blackberries held by the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR), including the history of its formation and the current state.VIR’s clonal genebank currently preserves 359 accessions of Rubus L., belonging mainly to the subgenera of raspberries (Idaeobatus) and blackberries (Rubus): 209 of these accessions are maintained in the field collection, and 150 in the in vitro collection. Raspberry cultivars developed through breeding dominate in the VIR collection – 170 accessions, among which 126 have been released by domestic breeders. Wild species are mainly represented by those collected in the Russian North – 49 clones of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) and 6 of cloudberries (R. chamaemorus L.) – and in the Caucasus (35 accessions of 26 species). The data on the species diversity of the genus in Russian natural flora are presented and the strategy of replenishment, study and conservation of Rubus L. genetic resources at VIR’s genebank is discussed.

Identification of duplicate accessions in the pea (Pisum sativum L.) collection at VIR

Background. Identification of duplicates in the collections of genetic resources is the most important problem of seed gene bank management. Duplicate accessions expand the collection size, thus raising the costs of germplasm maintenance without broadening the genetic diversity.Materials and methods. The studied material included 17 pairs of Pisum sativum L. accessions from the VIR collection which presumably had been erroneously registered twice in the VIR catalogue; however, they had identical introductory numbers. The accessions entered the collection in 1922–1996 and to date they have been reproduced 2 to 16 times. After a field assessment, 15 pairs of putative duplicate accessions of various uses were selected for molecular analysis. A RAPD analysis was performed using five primers from the Operon Series. Total seed proteins were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.Results. The following criteria were used to ascertain identity of the accessions or their difference: 1) similarity of morphological characters (habitus, and anthocyanin pigmentation of flowers and vegetative organs) and flowering dates; 2) identity or polymorphism of RAPD profiles; and 3) identity or difference in electrophoretic banding patterns of seed storage proteins. Seven pairs of duplicates were identified according to the results of a comparative analysis. Among them, the accessions in the pairs k-81/k-1199, k-8331/k-8645, k-8719/k-8760, and k-8757/k-8825 turned out to be completely identical, while k8464/k-8472, k-8740/k-8873, and k-8689/k-8723 were heterogenic, but had similar RAPD profiles and seed proteins patterns.Conclusions. An integrated assessment involving in-field plant phenotyping and analyzing polymorphism of amplified DNA fragments and components in electrophoretic banding patterns of seed proteins is promising for detecting identical or heterogenic accessions in genebank collections.

Source material for breeding winter bread wheat for grain quality in the north of the Middle Volga Region

Background. Development of cultivars with high stable yields and high grain quality is the main trend in wheat breeding. The aim of this study was to characterize a set of winter bread wheat accessions from the VIR collection and the working collection of Kazan Scientific Center in terms of their yield, protein content in grain (P, %), and swelling of flour in acetic acid (S, ml), and select the best accessions for the combination of these characters for use in a crossbreeding program.Materials and methods. Twenty-three winter bread wheat accessions were studied for the abovementioned characters in the north of the Middle Volga Region using conventional techniques. The study lasted three years (2016–2019).Results and conclusion. The yield of the accessions varied across the years of studies; however, none of them surpassed the reference cv. ‘Kazanskaya 560’. The values of protein content in grain were medium or high. The following accessions had high and stable levels of protein content in grain (15.1–16.1%): ‘TAW 42971/80’ (k-58363, Germany); ‘Lutescens 471 N8’ (Kazakhstan); ‘Rita’ (k-58057), ‘Scotty’ (k-59322) and ‘Nelson’ (all from the U.S.); ‘Moskovskaya 39’ (k-65160, Russia); ‘Bilotserkivchanka’ (k-64330) and ‘Barkan’ (k-64495) (both from Ukraine). Flour swelling power in acetic acid did not fall below 50 ml, attesting to the formation of high-quality grain. This was also confirmed by the protein quality index determined by the S : P ratio, which ranged from 3.6 to 4.7. Sources with high-quality protein were selected from the tested accessions for use in breeding: ‘CDC Clair’ (k-64168, Canada), ‘Lutescens 471 Н8’ (Kazakhstan), ‘Moskovskaya 39’ (Russia), ‘Barkan’ (Ukraine), and ‘Favorytka’ (k-64337, Ukraine).

Adaptive potential of oat accessions in the context of their chemical and physical grain characteristics

Providing high and stable grain harvests with high content of valuable compounds in grain is an important task of crop production. The aim of the study was to assess the adaptability of oat accessions through the analysis of their chemical and physical properties and disclose relationships among adaptability indicators based on these characteristics.Eighteen oat accessions from the VIR collection, grown for 3 years in Eastern Siberia, were assessed. The content of β-glucans and oil, 1000 grain weight, and test weight were analyzed. Four adaptability indicators were measured for the aforesaid characters.Plasticity and stability parameters of the accessions showed no significant differences between the naked and hulled oat forms. Cvs. ‘Sapsan’ (k-15444) and ‘Aldan’ (k-15115) demonstrated the best adaptability in the content of β-glucans in grain, ‘Sayan’ (k-14043) and ‘Vyatsky’ (k-14960) in oil content, ‘Korifey’ (k-15113) and ‘Taidon’ (k-15183) in 1000 grain weight, and ‘Korifey’ and ‘Gosha’ (к-15120) in their test weight. Among the naked oat accessions, significant relationships were recorded between the adaptability indicators of the content of β-glucans or oil in grain and those of the test weight as well as between the average 1000 grain weight of the accessions and the parameters of their plasticity (negative correlations) or stability (positive correlations) for the said physical character.There is a high risk of obtaining hulled oats with reduced levels of oil in their grain, when selected for high stability for this character. It is assumed that successful oat breeding for increased adaptability in 1000 grain weight will be accompanied by an increase in grain size. The possibility of indirect estimation of the adaptability of naked oat accessions according to their β-glucan or oil content is shown on the basis of calculating their adaptability according to the test weight of their grain.

Winter wheat of the VIR collection in the Middle Cis-Ural region

The aim of the study was to identify the sources of economically useful traits of winter wheat from the collection of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Federal Research Center All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources N.I. Vavilov ”(VIR) for adaptive breeding of this crop in the Middle Cis-Ural region. Highly productive varieties Harvard (k-66051 USA), Rasad (k-66087 Kazakhstan), Augusta (k-63929 Rostov region), Dominanta (k-64620 Rostov region) and AC Buteo (k-66054 Canada) were the most adaptive according to the method of L.A. Zhivotkova, Z.A. Morozova, L.I. Sekatueva (1994). But they were characterized by significant yield variability (V=36-130 %). Varieties Nastya (k-65675 Stavropol), WA007970 (k-66043 USA), AC Buteo, PA8769-158 (k-65943 USA), Ransom (k-65236 USA) and Farnum (k-65944 USA) showed high homeostaticity (Hom = 1.8-24.7). These varieties were the most productive and stable also according to the method of E.D. Nettevich, A.I. Morgunova, M.I. Maksimenko (1985). Varieties AC Buteo (6), WA007970 (15), PA8769-158 (16), Farnum (21), Ransom (21), Nastya (22) were distinguished by the sum of ranks; the sum of the ranks of the standard Moskovskaya 39 was 22. Sources of increased grain size (weight of 1000 grains 41.2-54.0 g) were identified - varieties Nemchinovskaya 17 (k-65756), Harvard, Rasad, Nureke (k-66088), Alija (k-66089), Avesta (k- 64491), Agra (k-64492), Shestopalivka (k-65060); grain content of a ear (30.9-47.3 pcs.) - Dzhangal (k-65610), Slavitsa (k-65656), Nastya, Alija. High grain glassiness of 90-100% for two years of study (2019-2020) was obtained in varieties Nastya, Farnum, WA007970, AC Buteo and Ransom.

INTRASPECIES POLYMORPHIZM OF GUAR (<i>CYAMOPSIS TETRAGONOLOBA</i> (L.) TAUB.)

In Russia, VIR is the only holder of a collection of guar ( Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.) – an annual leguminous plant originating from India and Pakistan and used for forage, green manure and as a vegetable. Since after World War II, it got application as an industrial crop. This leguminous plant has a large endosperm with galactomannan providing guar gum. Variability of morphological traits in guar accessions in the VIR collection was evaluated in protected ground conditions of the Pushkin and Pavlovsk Laboratories of VIR in 2017-2019. According to morphological traits description, a method of guar varieties DUS testing was developed. Pod peculiarities provided a basis for differentiating between vegetable and seed/forage guar accessions. The pod size, pod horn length and absence of pubescence were used as the differentiating criteria. On the basis of pod structure, a subdivision of guar into two intraspecific groups, that is the vegetable and grain/forage groups, was suggested. The grain/forage group from Northwestern India and Pakistan demonstrates the traits of wild type, while the vegetable guar has recessive traits, so the former group may be considered as the original one. Dwarf American cultivars represent a separate group of cultivars; yellow-grain cultivars originating from Pakistan and vegetable Australian cultivars from the VIR collection are also distinguished as different morphotypes. A possible intraspecific diversity development of the crop is under discussion.

Breeding value of leafy and root turnip samples from the VIR collection

Turnip, Brassica rapa L. subsp. rapa is the oldest vegetable crop in Russia. Turnip varieties are fastgrowing, productive, have valuable biochemical properties, cold-resistant, relatively easy to grow. To expand the vegetable assortment, new varieties and hybrids should be created, first of all, the types of varieties that are not in the State Register of Russia. The purpose of the work: using the data of a long-term study of the VIR collection to identify valuable material for breeding.Methods. Field study of 170 samples of the VIR collection was carried out in the NPB "Pushkin and Pavlovsk laboratories of VIR" (Leningrad region) in 2001-2020. Sowing was carried out on June 26- 28. Each sample was sown on a single-row plot 2 m long in three repetitions. As a control, turnip varieties included in the State Register were used – the variety of leaf turnip Sapphire, the table turnip variety Petrovskaya-1 and the fodder turnip variety Osterzundomsky. The description was carried out according to the Methodological Guidelines for the study and maintenance of the VIR world collection, with author's additions.Results. The best leaf turnip samples, found during the study has a large plant mass (up to 1.42±0.32 kg in the Early top F1 sample (k-366, Japan), many samples exceeded the Sapphire standard for this trait. Some of the samples of table turnips also exceed the Petrovskaya-1 standard by weight of the root (Purple top (k-1345, Nepal), Pekki (vr.2176, Finland)). Samples Solovetskaya (k-803, Russia, Murmansk region), Gul Findlandsk (vr.2175, Norway) have a bright yellow flash of the root, are easy to store and resistant to damage by cabbage flies. Among the turnip samples distinguished by yield (Table 5), the most interesting are the turnips Ova Dæhnfeldt (vr.2183, Denmark) and Korova (vr.2187, Sweden), which have yellow flesh and an increased content of β-carotene in roots.Conclusion. It was possible to identify new samples belonging to groups of leaf and root turnips, that are not represented on the seed and food market of Russia. Such samples belong to morphologically different forms, are productive, carry a complex of valuable economic and biochemical characteristics and are perspective material for inclusion in programs for the selection of leaf and root crops.

16A system of molecular markers to identify alleles of the Rht-B1 and Rht-D1 genes controlling reduced height in bread wheat.

Mutant alleles of the Rht-B1 and Rht-D1 (Reduced height) genes are widely used in bread wheat breeding for the development of intensive-type cultivars. These genes and their f lanking regions have been sequenced and the point mutations leading to the nonsense codons (Rht-B1b, Rht-B1e, Rht-B1p and Rht-D1b alleles) and various insertions (Rht-B1c, Rht-B1h and Rht-B1i-1) associated with a change in plant height have been described. DNA-markers based on the allele-specif ic PCR have been developed to identify single-nucleotide changes. However, the use of such technique imposes stringent PCR conditions, and the resulting data are not always unambiguous. An alternative can be found in the CAPS technology: it detects differences in sequences by digesting PCR products. In the absence of restrictases capable of digesting DNA at the point mutation site, restriction sites can be introduced into the primer sequence (derived CAPS). The aim of this study was to propose a system of CAPS-, dCAPS- and STS-markers for identifying alleles of the reduced height genes frequently used in breeding programs. Three CAPS have been developed to identify the Rht-B1b, Rht-D1b, Rht-B1p alleles, as well as two dCAPS for Rht-B1b, Rht-B1e. STS-markers for the insertion-containing alleles Rht-B1c, Rht-B1h and Rht-B1i-1 have been selected from publications. The proposed markers were tested during the genotyping of 11 bread wheat accessions from the VIR collection with the abovementioned mutant alleles and the wild-type Rht-B1a and Rht-D1a. The presence of nonsense mutations was also conf irmed by the results of allele-specif ic PCR. This marker system, along with the existing ones, can be used to identify dwarf ing alleles of the Rht-B1 and Rht-D1 genes in bread wheat for genetic screening of accessions from ex situ collections and/or for marker-assisted selection.

Molecular screening of the VIR strawberry varieties collection for the presence of a marker for the anthracnose black rot resistance gene <i>Rca2</i>

Background. Anthracnose black rot caused by the phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum acutatum Simmonds became an extremely harmful disease of strawberries in Southern Russia. The disease is widespread throughout the world, and relatively recently it appeared in Russia. Yield losses due to the disease reach up to 80%; besides, the pathogen causes significant plant losses in mother plantations. The most reliable protection against the pathogen is the cultivation of resistant varieties. In strawberries, resistance is controlled by different genes, including Rca2. To identify this gene, molecular markers STS_Rca2_240 and STS-Rca2_417 have been developed. The purpose of this study was to use the markers for screening the VIR collection of strawberry varieties at the VIR Maikop Experiment Station (Maikop ES VIR). Material and methods. The present work studied 135 varieties of Fragaria × ananassa (Duchesne ex Weston) Duchesne ex Rozier, 83 domestic and 52 foreign ones. The domestic varieties included 17 created at the Maikop ES. Plants were evaluated for anthracnose field resistance in the Republic of Adygea from 2018 to 2021. Molecular screening was performed using STS_Rca2_240 and STS-Rca2_417, the molecular markers closely linked to the Rca2 gene. Microsatellite primers EMFv020 were used to control the PCR. The cultivar ‘Sudarushka’, in which the presence of STS_Rca2_240 marker was described in the literature, served as a positive control. Results and discussion. The marker Rca2_240 was detected in 22 cultivars from 135 studied. Among domestic varieties, the frequency of the marker was 18.1%, while among the foreign varieties it was slightly lower and amounted to 13.0%. Among the 17 varieties created at the Maykop SE, the marker was found in three: ‘Majkopskaya rannyaya’, ‘Peryt’, and ‘Shapsugskaya’. The association of the diagnostic fragment with resistance was 73.0%. The marker efficiency was not very high due to the significant number of resistant varieties which do not generate the diagnostic fragments. The resistance in such varieties can be provided by other genes, for example, FaRCa1. The STS-Rca2_417 marker was not effective during screening. Conclusion. Twenty-two varieties with the STS_Rca2_240 marker were identified in the VIR collection, maintained at the Maykop ES VIR, 16 of which were resistant to C. acutatum. These varieties represent a valuable breeding material. The STS-Rca2_240 marker can be used as an important diagnostic trait for the certification of varieties.

Biological evaluation of awnless bromegrass in different agro-climatic zones of Yakutia

The results of biological evaluation of awnless bromegrass varieties in different agroclimatic zones of Yakutia are presented. A total of 143 collection varieties of awnless bromegrass from the genetic collection of VIR, other research institutions and local wild specimen were used in the research. The varieties studied are highly winter-hardy, the breeding specimen numbers to a greater extent. The drought tolerance of the varieties grown in the three zones of Yakutia is evaluated. A close relationship between winter hardiness and drought tolerance (water retention capacity) in awnless bromegrass was established. The correlation coefficient averaged 0.74. The intensity of transpiration in awnless bromegrass cultivars is evaluated. Analysis of the daily dynamics of transpiration revealed that during the initial development phase of generative shoots (emergence into a tube), the minimum intensity of transpiration occurred in the evening and the maximum in the morning and afternoon hours. During the earing and flowering phase, the intensity of transpiration depends on weather conditions. It has been established that high winter hardiness of awnless bromegrass accounts for high hay yield; low water-holding capacity accounts for winter hardiness and maximum hay yield in the conditions of Yakutia's cryolithozone. The correlation coefficients between winter hardiness, drought tolerance parameters and hay yield at different herbage levels averaged –0,85… –0,24. The standard variety of awnless bromegrass Kamalinsky 14 is stable and highly adapted to the conditions of Yakutia, and is recommended as a seed parent in the selection process for awnless bromegrass. When selecting varieties of awnless bromegrass, attention should be paid to varieties from local breeding, as well as populations of expeditionary collections across Yakutia, which have high seed yields.

Photoperiod and temperature sensitivity in early soybean accessions from the VIR collection in Leningrad Province of the Russian Federation

The photoperiod and temperature sensitivity of the onset of flowering in 106 soybean accessions from the VIR collection has been studied for 8 years in a vegetation experiment in the conditions of Leningrad Province at 59°N, the northernmost point of soybean evaluation in the world. The accessions were previously field-assessed for the ability to form fully developed seeds in this region. The experimental conditions were extreme for soybean in terms of both photoperiod and heat supply. The emergence to flowering period length (LEF) in the sample set was 7.9 days longer, and the sum of the temperatures required for the transition to flowering was 143.2 °C higher, on an average, under the natural long day (LD) compared to those under the artificial short day (SD). The photoperiod sensitivity of the accessions was estimated as the ratio of LEF under LD (T1) to LEF under SD (T2), and expressed as the coefficient of photoperiod sensitivity Cphs = T1/T2. A coefficient of 1.25 was taken as the limit of a very weak photosensitivity. Varieties with a coefficient not higher than this value totaled 73.6% of the sample set. The dominating influence of weather conditions over the photoperiod for the reference variety 'Svetlaya' is shown for over 8 years of observations: weather conditions caused 84.3% of the LEF variability, while the differences in the photoperiod determined only 9.9% of variability. Excessive precipitation in 2016 and 2017 caused a significant delay in flowering. Cphs proved to be a stable characteristic of a variety because it did not differ significantly in contrasting years. A broader regional adaptability of varieties created in high latitudes compared to those of southern origin is discussed.

Analysis of SNP-loci associated with grain quality genes in wheat landraces from the collection of VIR

Analysis of SNP-loci associated with grain quality genes in wheat landraces from the collection of VIR

Genetic control of juvenile resistance to powdery mildew in spring bread wheat cultivars from the VIR collection

Background. Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the major food crops of humankind. Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is the most destructive foliar disease capable of causing great yield losses in epidemic years. Breeding for resistance to powdery mildew is the most economical and effective way to control this disease. By now, 68 loci were identified to contain more than 90 alleles of resistance to powdery mildew in wheat. However, there is a permanent necessity in finding new sources of resistance.The objective of the present study was to characterize the seedling powdery mildew resistance in some spring bread wheat varieties from the VIR collection and determine the inheritance of powdery mildew resistance in these accessions.Materials and methods. The powdery mildew resistant varieties ‘SW Kungsjet’ (k-66036), ‘SW Kronjet’ (k-66097), ‘Boett’ (k-66353), ‘Batalj’ (k-67116), ‘Stilett’ (k-67119) ‘Pasteur’ (k-66093) were crossed with a resistant line ‘Wembley 14.31’ (k-62557) containing the Pm12 gene, and with ‘SW Milljet’ (k-64434); the variety ‘Sibirka Yartsevskaya’ (k-38587) was used as a susceptible parent and control. The hybrid populations F2 were inoculated with the fungus population from local field and evaluated. The powdery mildew population manifested virulence to Pm1a, Pm2, Pm3a-f, Pm4a-b, Pm5a, Pm6, Pm7, Pm8, Pm9, Pm10, Pm11, Pm16, Pm19, Pm28, and avirulence to Pm12. The degree of resistance was assessed on days 8 and 10 after the inoculation using the Mains and Dietz scale (Mains, Dietz, 1930). The castrated flowers in the spikes were pollinated using the twell-method (Merezhko et al., 1973). Chi-squared for goodness of fit test was used to determine deviation of the observed data from the theoretically expected segregation.Results. According phytopathological and genetic tests, juvenile resistance in the varieties ‘SW Kungsjet’, ‘SW Kronjet’, ‘Boett’, ‘Batalj’, ‘Stilett’ and ‘Pasteur’ is controlled by dominant genes, which differ from Pm1a, Pm2, Pm3a-f, Pm4a-b, Pm5a, Pm6, Pm7, Pm8, Pm9, Pm10, Pm11, Pm12, Pm16, Pm19, and Pm28. The varieties ‘SW Milljet’, ‘SW Kronjet’ and ‘Pasteur’ had identical resistance genes. Genetic control of juvenile resistance to powdery mildew in ‘Batalj’, ‘Boett’, ‘Stilett’, ‘SW Milljet’, ‘SW Kungsjet’, ‘Pasteur’ was governed by different genes.Conclusions. The varieties ‘SW Kungsjet’, ‘SW Kronjet’, ‘Boett’ have been maintaining adult and seedling resistance since 2005, and ‘Batalj’, ‘Stilett’ and ‘Pasteur’ since 2017. Seedling resistance of these varieties to local powdery mildew population is controlled by dominant genes. A high degree of resistance was displayed by ‘SW Kungsjet’ and ‘SW Kronjet’ in the Novosibirsk Province, while ‘SW Kungsjet’ was resistant to mildew populations of Tatarstan. The variety ‘Pasteur’ manifested seedling resistance to leaf rust, and ‘SW Kungsjet’ was resistant to loose smut. By summing all the results, it may be suggested that the varieties ‘SW Kungsjet’, ‘SW Kronjet’, ‘Boett’, ‘Batalj’, ‘Stilett’ and ‘Pasteur can serve as good donors of powdery mildew resistance in wheat breeding.

Anthocyanin content in grains of barley and oat accessions from the VIR collection

Background. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and oat (Avena sativa L.) are grain crops belonging to one of the main sources of food and forage in the Russian Federation. They contain proteins, various groups of vitamins, fats, carbohydrates, β-glucans, minerals and different bioloactive compounds, including anthocyanins. Recently, much attention has been given to anthocyanins due to their various valuable properties. Therefore, the grain of barley and oat is a potentially promising economic product and a component of functional nutrition. The aim of this work was to estimate the content of anthocyanins in barley and oat accessions with different pigmentation of kernels and lemma. Materials and methods. 32 barley and 11 oat accessions were studied by spectrophotometry. Anthocyanins were extracted from barley and oat kernels with a 1% HCl solution in methanol. Results and discussion. As a result of the study, accessions and varieties with the highest content of anthocyanins were identified: for barley these are k-15904 (China), k-19906 (Mongolia), k-18709 (Japan), k-18723, k-18729 (Canada), k-17725 (Turkey) belonging to var. violaceum; k-29568 (Japan) – var. densoviolaceum; k-8690 (Ethiopia) – var. griseinigrum; k-28205 (Germany) – var. nudidubium; and for oat these are k-15527 (A. ayssinica Hochst. var. braunii Koern., Ethiopia) and k-15245 (A. strigosa Schreb. subsp. brevis var. tephera Mordv. ex Sold. et Rod., Poland). Conclusion. The obtained results demonstrated that the VIR collection includes accessions with potential value for the development of varieties with an increased anthocyanin content, which can be used as functional food products.