Genebank Collections Research Articles

Genetic resources in maize breeding

Maize, wheat and rice are the most important cereals grown in the world. It is predicted that by 2025 maize is likely to become the crop with the greatest production globally. Conservation of maize germplasm provides the main resources for increased food and feed production. Conservation in gene banks (ex-situ) is dominant strategy for maize conservation. More than 130 000 maize accessions, e.g. about 40% of total number, are stored in ten largest gene banks worldwide and Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje (MRIZP) gene bank, with about 6000 accessions, is among them. Organized collecting missions started in 1961. in the former Yugoslavian territory, and up today, more than 2000 local maize landraces were stored. Pre-breeding activities that refer to identification of desirable traits from unadapted germplasm within genebank, result in materials expected to be included in breeding programs. Successful examples are LAMP, GEM and GENRES projects. At the end of XX century, at MRIZP genebank two pre-breeding activities were undertaken: eco-core and elite-core collections were created and landraces fulfilled particular criteria were chosen. In the last decade, MRIZP genebank collection was used for identification of sources for drought tolerance and improved grain quality. According to agronomic traits and general combining ability, two mini-core collections were created and included in commercial breeding programs.

Molecular Characterization of Sclerocarya birrea ICRAF Field Genebank Collections

Scelerocarya birrea is an important fruit tree that is widely used by the rural populations in most regions in which it is found, for its fruits, bark, timber and even its roots. The local communities harvest the tree products from the wild with minimal attempts to grow it on-farm. The sustainability of such wild harvests is threatened by agriculture, overgrazing and overexploitation for other purposes. Therefore, the species needs urgent conservation measures in addition to selecting superior germplasm for on-farm tree management that will facilitate ease of species cultivation. This has prompted the International Center for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) and partners to collect and manage S. birrea germplasm in field genebanks as the initial step towards the species domestication and conservation. In order to effectively manage germplasm, it is important to establish the collection genetic diversity. Six ISSR markers yielded a total of 76 polymorphic bands across the 257 accessions studied. Percentage of polymorphic loci and observed heterozygosity ranged from 75% to 7.89% and H=0.362 to H=0.043, respectively. The partitioning of genetic diversity found a higher (86% P>0.001) intra-population variation and low inter-population variation, typical of the outcrossing nature of S. birrea. According to Jaccard’s dissimilarity index, the highest genetic distance between accessions was 1.000 and the least genetic distance was 0.000. Neighbour-joining clustering grouped the accessions into three major clusters and twenty probable duplicates were identified, which should be eliminated to cut down the cost of conservation. The results obtained suggest that S. birrea ICRAF field genebank collections have a comparatively rich gene pool and, hence, valuable for conservation of S. birrea. The twenty samples showing duplicates would be good for evaluating performance of this long-lived tree species in both locations.

Identification of hypothetical duplicate accessions of plums (Prunus domestica L.) within the slovene plant gene bank collection using molecular markers

Abstract The main goal of the Slovene Plant Gene Bank is preservation, maintenance and evaluation of traditional cultivars and other useful genotypes. The Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences houses among other plant materials also numerous accessions of plums (Prunus domestica L.). Duplicates among 15 accessions were studied using six microsatellite primer pairs. These microsatellite markers revealed an average of 7.67 alleles per locus, and a range of 4 to 10 different alleles per locus. The genetic distances between studied accessions were calculated using the Dice coefficient to form a dendrogram. The six SSRs were found to be adequate for differentiating among genotypes within the collection. Among the analysed accessions no duplicates were found.

Probabilistic viability calculations for cryopreserving vegetatively propagated collections in genebanks

Vegetatively propagated plant collections within genebanks are vulnerable to threats when they are maintained in field or greenhouse conditions. International genebanking standards recommend that these collections be securely backed-up at either secondary locations or by using in vitro culture or cryopreservation. A series of tools and tables were developed to assist genebank managers in determining the predicted number of viable explants after cryopreservation procedures have been employed based on the number of samples processed and the viability for a range of confidence levels (0.5, 0.75, 0.90, 0.95, and 0.99). In addition, critical viabilities were estimated which represent the minimum viability required to have at least one viable explant for a given number of explants stored per cryovial or tube. The plant cryobanking literature was surveyed to summarize the sample processing practices that have been implemented within genebanks. The minimum number of explants predicted to be viable for accessions within these cryobanked collections was calculated based on the published minimum viability levels and numbers of explants processed. Implementation of the proposed tools and tables will allow genebank managers to determine if shifts in their current methods could result in more efficient back-up procedures.

SNP-Seek II: A resource for allele mining and analysis of big genomic data in Oryza sativa

The 3000 Rice Genomes Project generated a large dataset of genomic variation to the world’s most important crop, Oryza sativa L. Using the Burrows-Wheeler Aligner (BWA) and the Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK) variant calling on this dataset, we identified ∼40M single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Five reference genomes of rice representing the major variety groups were used: Nipponbare (temperate japonica), IR 64 (indica), 93–11 (indica), DJ 123 (aus), and Kasalath (aus).The results are accessible through the Rice SNP-Seek Database (http://snp-seek.irri.org) and through web services of the application programming interface (API). We incorporated legacy phenotypic and passport data for the sequenced varieties originating from the International Rice Genebank Collection Information System (IRGCIS) and gene models from several rice annotation projects. The massive genotypic data in SNP-Seek are stored using hierarchical data format 5 (HDF5) files for quick retrieval. Germplasm, phenotypic, and genomic data are stored in a relational database management system (RDBMS) using the Chado schema, allowing the use of controlled vocabularies from biological ontologies as query constraints in SNP-Seek.In this paper, we discuss the datasets stored in SNP-Seek, architecture of the database and web application, interoperability methodologies in place, and discuss a few use cases demonstrating the utility of SNP-Seek for diversity analysis and molecular breeding.

Seeds capture the diversity of genetic resource collections of Malus sieversii maintained in an orchard

Many species in genebank collections are maintained vegetatively either as in vitro cultures or as plants in the field or greenhouse. In these cases, individual genotypes (cultivars) are the focus of conservation. In crop wild relatives, where the value of an accession is in the heterogeneity of segregating genotypes, seeds may be the most representative form of conservation. We used two sets of field-planted Malus sieversii apple trees that originated from seeds collected from two wild populations in Kazakhstan as a model system to determine if seeds from hand-pollinated crosses could be used to represent the allelic diversity of the parent trees in a genebank orchard. A crossing design was developed that used each of the selected trees from the two Kazakhstan collection sites as mothers and also as fathers in the form of bulked pollen pools. The sets of offspring from these crosses were genotyped using microsatellite markers. Paternity analyses revealed the percentage of offspring that was derived from each of the parent trees. We also determined the contribution of each parent to the fertilization events from the pollen pools. Although there were some unintended pollination events (fertilization by trees in unexpected pollen pools) and unequal contribution of pollen parents within pollen pools, we demonstrated that the seedlings effectively captured the allelic frequency and diversity of the parents. A seed collection strategy is the most efficient way to conserve the diversity of crop wild relatives even in collections typically conserved as individual clones.

Genetic Diversity and Structure of Tobacco in Greece on the Basis of Morphological and Microsatellite Markers

Oriental tobacco varieties have greater aroma value, and consumer demand for these varieties is now greater than ever. Yet our knowledge of morphological and genetic diversity within diverse gene pools of cultivated oriental tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) varieties is limited. Phenotypic and genetic analysis of these genotypes is important for the improvement of tobacco varieties. Information on morphology and genetics could help toward future germplasm maintenance and selection of suitable materials for breeding elite varieties. This study presents an assessment of morphology and genetic diversity for 34 tobacco cultivars maintained in an ex situ GeneBank collection. Data of 36 traits, describing phenology, plant morphology, and leaf quality, were recorded over 3 yr and analyzed using principal component analysis. Euclidean distance metric and the Ward's agglomeration method were used in an unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis of the 34 different cultivars used. The tobacco cultivars were classified into three main clusters, suggesting that the characterized tobacco collection has high potential for specific breeding goals. Furthermore, the 34 tobacco cultivars were genotyped with 10 microsatellite markers. High levels of polymorphism were detected, and 63 distinctive alleles were identified; on average 6.3 alleles per primer. Both the principal component analysis, derived from the morphological data, and the unweighted pair group method, with arithmetic mean from the molecular analysis, clustered the tobacco cultivars according to their type (oriental and flue‐cured tobacco). Furthermore, a Bayesian clustering approach analysis allowed a more detailed grouping of subpopulations.

Intraspecific taxonomy of plant genetic resources – Important for differentiation of medicinal and aromatic plants?

Taxonomy of plant genetic resources is an important input in characterising and evaluating cultivated plants and essential for identification and documentation of the diversity of genebank collections. In former times taxonomical determination was based only on morphological characters. Nowadays, new molecular and chemical methods and techniques are available for providing additional information. As examples, investigations of parsley ( Petroselinum crispum [Mill.] Nyman, Apiaceae) and opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L., Papaveraceae) collections of the German genebank are demonstrated. In addition to morphological description, the molecular distance and the phylogenetic relationship of the accessions were performed with molecular marker analysis. Essential oil compound and content for parsley and the content of the five main alkaloids (morphine, codeine, thebaine, noscapine, papaverine) for opium poppy were measured with GC (gas chromatography) and HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography), respectively. For parsley the results of the three methods support the existing taxonomy partly, a separation of root and leaf parsley was confirmed. However, the taxonomy of opium poppy should be revised because molecular and chemical data do not verify the morphological results. But nevertheless taxonomy of cultivated plants is an important tool to describe the variability of plant genetic resources.

Historic American Apple Cultivars: Identification and Availability

Apples (Malus Mill.) have been economically and socially important throughout the centuries in North America. Apple cultivar (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) collections that include historic cultivars are valued for their unique diversity, historical significance, and also as a resource to identify unknown trees; however, not all of the historically significant apple cultivars are currently included in these collections. We used historic books, publications, and nursery catalogs to develop an inventory of apple cultivars that were propagated and grown in the United States before 1908. We collected synonym, introduction date, and original source country information for 891 historic apple cultivars. Most of the historic American cultivars originated as seedlings first planted in the United States. Some cultivars were brought to the United States from the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Germany, and other European countries. We classified historic apple cultivars based on their availability over time and popularity in nursery catalogs. Ninety percent of the most popular historic apple cultivars in the United States were available in 2015 in the U.S. and U.K. national collections and within several commercial and private collections. This work identified high priority historic cultivars that are not currently protected within genebanks that could be added to genebank collections in the future.

Whole-genome sequence data uncover loss of genetic diversity due to selection.

BackgroundWhole-genome sequence (WGS) data give access to more complete structural genetic information of individuals, including rare variants, not fully covered by single nucleotide polymorphism chips. We used WGS to investigate the amount of genetic diversity remaining after selection using optimal contribution (OC), considering different methods to estimate the relationships used in OC. OC was applied to minimise average relatedness of the selection candidates and thus miminise the loss of genetic diversity in a conservation strategy, e.g. for establishment of gene bank collections. Furthermore, OC was used to maximise average genetic merit of the selection candidates at a given level of relatedness, similar to a genetic improvement strategy. In this study, we used data from 277 bulls from the 1000 bull genomes project. We measured genetic diversity as the number of variants still segregating after selection using WGS data, and compared strategies that targeted conservation of rare (minor allele frequency <5 %) versus common variants.ResultsWhen OC without restriction on the number of selected individuals was applied, loss of variants was minimal and most individuals were selected, which is often unfeasible in practice. When 20 individuals were selected, the number of segregating rare variants was reduced by 29 % for the conservation strategy, and by 34 % for the genetic improvement strategy. The overall number of segregating variants was reduced by 30 % when OC was restricted to selecting five individuals, for both conservation and genetic improvement strategies. For common variants, this loss was about 15 %, while it was much higher, 72 %, for rare variants. Fewer rare variants were conserved with the genetic improvement strategy compared to the conservation strategy.ConclusionsThe use of WGS for genetic diversity quantification revealed that selection results in considerable losses of genetic diversity for rare variants. Using WGS instead of SNP chip data to estimate relationships slightly reduced the loss of rare variants, while using 50 K SNP chip data was sufficient to conserve common variants. The loss of rare variants could be mitigated by a few percent (up to 8 %) depending on which method is chosen to estimate relationships from WGS data.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12711-016-0210-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Combination of high resolution melting (HRM) analysis and SSR molecular markers speeds up plum genotyping: case study genotyping the Greek plum GeneBank collection

AbstractIn a germplasm bank collection the conservation and characterization of genetic resources is a prerequisite in order to use the material in breeding projects aiming the creation of new cultivars. In the present study, 54Prunus salicina domesticaandPrunus domesticagenotypes (including seven Greek cultivars), maintained in theex situNational Genebank Collection of Greece, were classified using microsatellite (simple sequence repeat, SSR) markers on high resolution melting (HRM) analysis. The SSR primer pairs were chosen from the published literature as originally designed onPrunusspecies. This combined approach was used to genotype all plum accessions of the collection highlighting the benefits of either method (HRM and SSRs) for cultivar identification. Dendrograms forP. domesticaandP. salicinaand a combined one with all the genotypes assayed were produced. A total of 15 from the 19P. domesticaaccessions analysed, including all the Greek accessions but ‘Avgati Skopelou’, were grouped into the same clade in the combined dendrogram, whereas the remaining four were dispersed into theP. salinicaclades. Bayesian structure analysis confirmed that ‘Avgati Skopelou’ differs from the rest of the Greek plum cultivars since it was not grouped into the same cluster. The combination of HRM and SSRs, provided a considerably faster, cost-effective, closed-tube microsatellite genotyping method for molecular characterization of plum cultivars.

Evaluation of the Production Traits and Fruit Quality of German Plum Cultivars

Due to the substantial damage caused in Hungarian plum orchards by the spread of plum pox virus (PPV), high-yielding, often self-fertile German, Serbian and Romanian cultivars with better resistance to PPV have been introduced. Observations on growth characteristics, flowering and harvest time, yield potential and PPV resistance have been made in commercial plum orchards and gene bank collections since 2006, and these were supplemented with laboratory analysis on the fruit. German cultivars have spread widely in recent years, so it is particularly important to investigate the production value of these cultivars. In addition to field observations, a detailed analysis has been made over the last two years of the physical and chemical properties of the fruit of the most promising German cultivars (‘Topfive’, ‘Toptaste’, ‘Tophit’, ‘Topend Plus’ and ‘Jojo’) and of the control cultivars ‘Cacanska rodna’ and ‘Stanley’. The use of the German cultivars led to a lengthening of the harvest period, as fruit could still be harvested from ‘Topend Plus’ even in the middle of October. The onset of bearing was early for these cultivars, which had good yield potential, producing large numbers of buds not only on the spurs, but also on the long shoots. With the exception of ‘Jojo’ the cultivars exhibited greater initial vigour and the scaffold branches grew at a steeper angle, so greater care was required to form a favourable crown structure. The cultivar most resistant to PPV was ‘Jojo’, and ‘Topend Plus’ exhibited moderately severe leaf symptoms, while the other cultivars had only mild leaf symptoms. Among the cultivars included in the study, ‘Topend Plus’ and ‘Tophit’ had the largest fruit size, while ‘Toptaste’ had outstanding chemical properties, especially as regards the soluble solids and polyphenol contents.

Development and validation of chloroplast DNA markers to assist Aegilops geniculata and Aegilops neglecta germplasm management

The genus Aegilops includes a number of wheat wild relatives representing a valuable gene pool for stress adaptive traits. Collection of new accessions and proper management of Aegilops germplasm is thus essential for wheat improvement progress. Among the most worldwide distributed Aegilops species, A. geniculata Roth (2n = 4x = 28), A. neglecta Req. ex Bertol. (subsp. neglecta; 2n = 4x = 28) and A. recta (Zhuk.) Chen. (syn. A. neglecta Req. ex Bertol. subsp. recta (Zhuk.) Hammer; 2n = 6x = 42) are particularly difficult to distinguish each other because of their high morphological and genomic similarities. Based on their distinct cytoplasmic lineage, we have developed two chloroplast DNA-based molecular markers that accurately discriminate A. geniculata from A. neglecta and A. recta. The use of these markers, aided by chromosome counting to differentiate A. neglecta from A. recta, has allowed to assess the accuracy of species assignment in 125 accessions from Germplasm Genebank collections and recent collecting expeditions. This study has revealed taxonomic mistakes or inaccuracies in 18 % of the entries examined. The ambiguous use of the same species name for the allotetraploid A. neglecta and the allohexaploid A. recta, very extended among germplasm banks and managers, is in the origin of some of the errors detected.

Eco-geographical assessment of Avena L. wild species at the VIR herbarium and genebank collection

On the bases of analysis of the collecting sites of 1160 herbarium specimens and 1640 genebank accessions of wild Avena L. species from the world collection of the Vavilov Institute of Plant Genetic Resources maps of areas of the species were produced data base. A comparison of the climate conditions of the Mediterranean, Southwestern Asiatic and Abyssinian centers of diversity with those of the oat species distribution areas shows that all oat species mostly prefer the moderately hot, semi-arid and dry climate. An analysis of the range of soils in the areas of wild oat species distribution has shown that the collected accessions, preferred different types of soil. When considering the soil diversity within the areas of natural distribution of wild oat species, it could be established that the majority of diploid and tetraploid taxa prefer to grow on mountain or plain cinnamon soils; the hexaploid taxa favorites were the mountain forest brown or red-brown soils, as well as subtropical desert soils. An analysis of the database of geographic distribution on wild oat species showed a full picture of oat species diversity, and a basis to make plans concerning further collecting activities or a basis for selecting potential sources of novel genes that can improve some valuable traits and characters to use them for practical purposes.

Diversity of morpho-physiological traits in worldwide sweet cherry cultivars of GeneBank collection using multivariate analysis

This study presents an assessment of morpho-physiological diversity for one hundred and forty-six sweet cherry (Prunus avium) cultivars, originating from different countries and maintained in an ex situ GeneBank collection. Data of thirty-five traits, describing phenology, plant morphology, yield and fruit quality were recorded over three years and analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). An unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis was performed the different cultivars using the Euclidean distance metric and the Ward's agglomeration method. Significant positive and negative correlations were detected among the different morpho-physiological traits. The sweet cherry cultivars were classified into three main clusters, suggesting that the characterized sweet cherry collection has high potential for specific breeding goals. Correlations among the traits, which will be useful for breeding in fruit size and quality, are discussed. Sweet cherry cultivars, which were classified in diverse clusters, could be potential parents for hybridization and new genotypes could be created with a combination of desirable traits that complement one another. These new genotypes could have a high heterotic behavior and thus could substantially contribute to existent sweet cherry breeding programs.

Screening Genetic Resources of Capsicum Peppers in Their Primary Center of Diversity in Bolivia and Peru.

For most crops, like Capsicum, their diversity remains under-researched for traits of interest for food, nutrition and other purposes. A small investment in screening this diversity for a wide range of traits is likely to reveal many traditional varieties with distinguished values. One objective of this study was to demonstrate, with Capsicum as model crop, the application of indicators of phenotypic and geographic diversity as effective criteria for selecting promising genebank accessions for multiple uses from crop centers of diversity. A second objective was to evaluate the expression of biochemical and agromorphological properties of the selected Capsicum accessions in different conditions. Four steps were involved: 1) Develop the necessary diversity by expanding genebank collections in Bolivia and Peru; 2) Establish representative subsets of ~100 accessions for biochemical screening of Capsicum fruits; 3) Select promising accessions for different uses after screening; and 4) Examine how these promising accessions express biochemical and agromorphological properties when grown in different environmental conditions. The Peruvian Capsicum collection now contains 712 accessions encompassing all five domesticated species (C. annuum, C. chinense, C. frutescens, C. baccatum, and C. pubescens). The collection in Bolivia now contains 487 accessions, representing all five domesticates plus four wild taxa (C. baccatum var. baccatum, C. caballeroi, C. cardenasii, and C. eximium). Following the biochemical screening, 44 Bolivian and 39 Peruvian accessions were selected as promising, representing wide variation in levels of antioxidant capacity, capsaicinoids, fat, flavonoids, polyphenols, quercetins, tocopherols, and color. In Peru, 23 promising accessions performed well in different environments, while each of the promising Bolivian accessions only performed well in a certain environment. Differences in Capsicum diversity and local contexts led to distinct outcomes in each country. In Peru, mild landraces with high values in health-related attributes were of interest to entrepreneurs. In Bolivia, wild Capsicum have high commercial demand.

Mediterranean basin Ficus carica L.: from genetic diversity and structure to authentication of a Protected Designation of Origin cultivar using microsatellite markers

The selected germplasm of Ficus carica established in a gene bank collection will be useful for conservation and management and important for fig tree breeding programs. Advancement in plant breeding is assisted by accurate information on genetic diversity and structure. A collection of ninety fig tree (Ficus carica L.) cultivars originating from the Mediterranean basin and conserved in an ex situ gene bank collection was genotyped using seven microsatellite markers. A total of 91 alleles were detected presenting an average of 13 alleles per locus. The gene bank fig tree collection preserved a high level of genetic diversity. The mean expected and observed heterozygosities over the seven single locus microsatellites averaged 0.747 and 0.784, respectively. The total value of the probability of identity was 2 × 10−6. The 90 fig tree accessions formed four clusters in the unweighted pair group method using arithmetic averages (UPGMA) dendrogram, although the clustering did not indicate any clear division among the fig tree accessions based on their geographical origin. Moreover, the 90 fig tree accessions could be divided into two clusters based on STRUCTURE analysis. Additionally, microsatellites coupled with high-resolution melting analysis enabled both the distinction, identification and authentication of the ‘Kymis’ fig tree Protected Designation of Origin cultivar and its products. In conclusion, results presented here are significant for the management of gene bank collections, breeding programs and authentication of fig tree cultivars.

Phenotypic or Molecular Diversity Screening for Conservation of Genetic Resources? An Example from a Genebank Collection of the Temperate Forage Grass Timothy

ABSTRACTGenebanks around the world represent a large source of genetic variation in both wild and crop species and may prove invaluable in the future. However, much of this is uncharacterized and this hampers both management and utilization, specifically of wild species and minor crops. In this paper we study a large genebank collection of wild populations of the cool‐season forage grass timothy (Phleum pratense L.) to investigate different methods for characterization and their implications for conservation. Populations covering the entire geographic distribution range of timothy were analyzed for simple‐sequence repeats (SSRs), chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequence, and phenotypic variation in 14 morphological and phenological characters. The east–west distribution of two major cpDNA haplotypes indicates a classic postglacial expansion pattern, with most populations originating from two refugia. No signs of geographic structuring of SSR variation were evident, indicating a large inherent effective population size, possibly in combination with extensive gene flow. In contrast to the lack of geographic structuring of variation in neutral markers, phenotypic variation was clearly structured, indicating natural selection and local adaptation. This study demonstrate the importance of using multiple characterization systems—both molecular and phenotypic—for assessing diversity in genebank collections, specifically when it comes to evaluating adaptive potential.

J Trevor Williams (1938–2015): IBPGR director and genetic conservation pioneer

John Trevor Williams (always known as Trevor), who was Executive Secretary and first Director of the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) between 1978 and 1990, passed away at the age of 76 on 30 March 2015 at his home in Cheshire, UK after a long respiratory illness. One legacy of Trevor’s contribution to the conservation of plant genetic resources can be found deep beneath the Arctic permafrost on the island of Spitsbergen, where millions of seeds of crop varieties and wild species—many collected through the efforts of IBPGR in the 1970s and 1980s—are in backup storage in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault (SGSV), popularly known as the ‘Doomsday Vault’. Opened 7 years ago, the SGSV is one major achievement of a plan set in motion three decades earlier by IBPGR to establish an international network of regional and national genebanks. The proposal to store backup samples of international genebank collections under the permafrost was first developed by IBPGR in 1988 (IBPGR 1990, p. 10), building on the experience of the Nordic Genebank that had already used an abandoned coal mine on Svalbard for the same purpose.

Breeding and usage of sugar beet cultivars and hybrids resistant to sugar beet nematode Heterodera schachtii

Heterodera schachtii Schmidt, 1871 is one of the most economically important pests of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) worldwide. It is also widespread in most sugar beet growing regions in Ukraine causing serious yield reduction and decreasing sugar content of sugar beet in infested fi elds. An advanced parasitic strategy of H. schachtii is employed to support nematode growth, reproduction and harmfulness. In intensive agriculture systems the nematode control measures heavily rely on nematicides and good agricultural practice (crop rota- tion in the fi rst place). But alternative strategies based on nematode resistant sugar beet cultivars and hybrids are required as none of nematicides approved for the open fi eld application are registered in Ukraine. Here we review the achievements and problems of breeding process for H. schachtii resistance and provide the results of national traditional breeding program. Since the beginning of 1980s fi ve sugar beet cultivars (Verchnyatskyi 103, Yaltuschkivska 30, Bilotcerkivska 45, BTs-40 and Yuvileynyi) and seventeen lines partly resistant or toler- ant to H. schachtii have been obtained throughout targeted crossing and progenies assessment in the infested fi elds. The further directions for better utilization of genetic sources for nematode resistance presented in na- tional gene bank collection are emphasized. There is a need for more accurate identifi cation of resistance genes, broader application of reliable molecular markers (suitable for marker-assisted selection of nematode resistant plants in the breeding process) and methods for genetic transformation of plants. Crop cash value and national production capacity should drive the cooperation in this fi eld. Knowledge as well as germplasm exchange are thereby welcomed that can benefi t breeding progress at national and international level.