Snow Mold Research Articles

Pink snow mold in winter cereal crops in Belarus and in the South of Russia

The article presents an analysis of the distribution and development of pink snow mold (pathogenMicrodochium nivale(Fr.) Samuels & I.C. Hallett) on winter cereal crops in the Republic of Belarus and in the South of Russia. Pink snow mold is currently one of the most harmful diseases of winter cereal crops, as it can cause damage not only to various parts of the plants, but also lead to their complete death. The intensity of the disease development mainly depends on weather conditions in the autumn-spring period, namely, on the duration of snow cover, its height and the rate of melting in spring. We determined the dependence of the disease development progress on agroclimatic conditions. There is a description of weather conditions in combination with a gradation of the disease development level in the Republic of Belarus and in Krasnodar Krai (southern Russia) during the epiphytotic and depressive years of the pink snow mold development. The article provides a retrospective analysis of the crops infected with pink snow mold and the treated cereal crops in southern Russia in 2011 -2019.

Effect of green manuring on the phytosanitary condition of agrocenosis and the yield of winter rye during the development of fallow land

Land resources were and continue to be one of the main natural resources of any state, the rational use of which depends on its food security, political stability and economic independence. The reformation of the Russian agroindustrial complex in the 90-ies of XX century, due to the transition to market relations, led to the fact that significant areas of arable land have been transferred to the country’s deposits. However, now to eliminate the negative phenomena that have arisen in agriculture, it is necessary to involve previously abandoned lands in the circulation, which are often in poor phytosanitary and cultural-technical condition. Researches on studying of influence of a sideration on optimization of a phytosanitary condition of agrocnosis and the yield of winter rye on sod-podzolic soil of the Eastern part of the Volga-Vyatka zone in the development of fallow lands are conducted. The effectiveness of the use of sideration is revealed. By cultivating of a winter rye on a green manure fallow the phytosanitary condition of crops improves and grain yield significantly increases. Accounting of a contamination of winter rye crops showed that the use of sideration promotes weed control. Preliminary sideration of a fallow land and the subsequent cultivation of winter rye on a green manure fallow reduced contamination of a culture agrocnosis at 18.0-20.0% in comparison with the cultivation on occupy fallow and 11.2-12.2 % – on a fallow land. Winter rye cultivated on a green manure fallow, in comparison with the cultivation on occupy fallow, was exposed less to diseases. The development and distribution of snow mold was lower on 20.0% and 6.1%, root rot – 16.7-17.8 and 13.7 to 15.3% respectively, and the development of Helminthosporium and Septoria blotch – 3.5-11.2 and the 38.4-46.2 % and the spread, respectively, 10.8-13.7 and 24.3-30.8 %, depending on the phenological phases of development and growth of winter rye. The grain yield of winter rye in the cultivation on a green manure fallow was 2.72 t/ha, which 830 kg/ha are more than control variant and on 730 kg/ha in comparison with the placement of a fallow land.

Poacic acid suppresses dollar spot and snow mould in amenity turfgrass

Plant‐based antifungal agents offer an alternative to synthetic fungicides in amenity turfgrass disease management. Poacic acid is a by‐product of the biofuel production process that has exhibited antifungal activity, and the objective of this research was to determine its ability to serve as an effective management tool for economically important turfgrass diseases such as dollar spot and snow moulds. In vitro and field tests were conducted in Wisconsin and Michigan, USA from 2015 to 2017 to determine the efficacy of poacic acid in suppressing the economically important turfgrass pathogens Clarireedia jacksonii and Microdochium nivale. Poacic acid demonstrated strong antifungal activity against both pathogens in vitro, inhibiting growth of C. jacksonii and M. nivale by 93% and 74% relative to nonamended media, respectively. Poacic acid reduced dollar spot in the field in one of two years, but failed to suppress snow mould when applied alone. Poacic acid was an effective mix partner for snow mould control when combined with a synthetic fungicide, an important attribute because no single fungicide currently on the market provides acceptable snow mould control under heavy disease pressure. Future research should focus on improving poacic acid field efficacy so that it can be incorporated into plant‐based disease management strategies for amenity turfgrass.

Genetic Dissection of Snow Mold Tolerance in US Pacific Northwest Winter Wheat Through Genome-Wide Association Study and Genomic Selection.

Snow mold is a yield-limiting disease of wheat in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) region of the US, where there is prolonged snow cover. The objectives of this study were to identify genomic regions associated with snow mold tolerance in a diverse panel of PNW winter wheat lines in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and to evaluate the usefulness of genomic selection (GS) for snow mold tolerance. An association mapping panel (AMP; N = 458 lines) was planted in Mansfield and Waterville, WA in 2017 and 2018 and genotyped using the Illumina® 90K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. GWAS identified 100 significant markers across 17 chromosomes, where SNPs on chromosomes 5A and 5B coincided with major freezing tolerance and vernalization loci. Increased number of favorable alleles was related to improved snow mold tolerance. Independent predictions using the AMP as a training population (TP) to predict snow mold tolerance of breeding lines evaluated between 2015 and 2018 resulted in a mean accuracy of 0.36 across models and marker sets. Modeling nonadditive effects improved accuracy even in the absence of a close genetic relatedness between the TP and selection candidates. Selecting lines based on genomic estimated breeding values and tolerance scores resulted in a 24% increase in tolerance. The identified genomic regions associated with snow mold tolerance demonstrated the genetic complexity of this trait and the difficulty in selecting tolerant lines using markers. GS was validated and showed potential for use in PNW winter wheat for selecting on complex traits such tolerance to snow mold.

Рожева снігова плісень (Microdochium Nivale (Fr.) Samuels & I.C. Hallett) на газонних травостоях та заходи з обмеження її розвитку

The aim of the study was to establishdistribution of pink snow mold on turfgrass and to improve the measures for disease control. The crop survey was carried out in the Polissya, Forest-Steppe and Steppe areas. For the identification of pathogens, a selection of plant samples was carried out with further analysis in laboratory conditions. Experiments were carried out during 2015-2018 on the lawn mixture "Universalna". The effect of fungicides of various chemical groups and their mixtures was investigated. Treatment was carried out prophylactically in the fall before installing the snow cover. The assessments were performed according to generally accepted methods; disease spread, disease severity and technical efficiency of pesticides were determined. Symptoms of pink snow mold were fixed annually with a large variation in the spread and severity of disease. Its highest development was recorded in the Zhytomyr region during the vegetative period 2017/2018 , which is associated with a longer period of snow cover. The use of fungicides and their mixtures significantly reduced the number of infected plants, but the protective fungicidal action varied. The most effective was the use of a tank mixture of fungicides Maxim 025 FS (0.4-0.75 l/ha) with Horus 75 WG (0.3-0.6 kg/ha). The average level of fungicidal action was demonstrated by Horus 75 WG, Amistar Gold 250 SE and Amistar Extra 280 SC - 51.4-60.5%. In addition, due to the decrease in the disease development, positive effect on the formation of the quality of the lawn was achieved, projective coverage increased from 62 to 86%. During 2015-2018, the results of the monitoring of the emergence and development of diseases showed that turfgrass was annually affected by snow mold. Development of the disease reached 14,7-26,4%. Preventive spraying of grass in the autumn period protects plants against pink snow mold in the spring. Under application of a mixture of fungicides Maxim 025 FS + Horus 75 WG high level protection was obtained. Depending on the flow rates it varied from 85.3 to 91.5%. Projective coverage thus increased from 62% to 80-86%.

Cold-modulated small proteins abundance in winter triticale (x Triticosecale, Wittm.) seedlings tolerant to the pink snow mould (Microdochium nivale, Samuels and Hallett) infection.

Two winter triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) model cultivars: Hewo (tolerant to pink snow mould) and Magnat (sensitive) were used to test the effect of cold-hardening (4 weeks at 4°C) on soluble ≤50 kDa protein profiles of the seedling leaves. The presence and abundance of individual proteins were analysed via two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and Surface-Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight (SELDI-TOF). Up to now, no proteomics analysis of triticale response to hardening has been performed. Thus, the present paper is the first in the series describing the obtained results. In our experiments, the exposure to the low temperature-induced only quantitative changes in the leaves of both cultivars, causing either an increase or decrease of 4-50 kDa protein abundance. Among proteins which were cold-accumulated in cv. Hewo's leaves, we identified two thioredoxin peroxidases (chloroplastic thiol-specific antioxidant proteins) as well as mitochondrial- β-ATP synthase subunit and ADP-binding resistance protein. On the contrary, in hardened seedlings of this genotype, we observed the decreased level of chloroplastic RuBisCO small subunit PW9 and epidermal peroxidase 10. Simultaneous SELDI-TOF analysis revealed several low mass proteins better represented in cold-hardened plants of tolerant genotype in comparison to the sensitive one and the impact of both genotype and temperature on their level. Based on those results, we suggest that indicated proteins might be potential candidates for molecular markers of cold-induced snow mould resistance of winter triticale and their role is worth to be investigated in the further inoculation experiments.

Influence of snow mold on winter rye productivity in the Kirov region

In the conditions of the Kirov region, the major factor reducing the productivity of winter crops is infestation with snow mold (Microdochium nivale (Fr.) Samuels et. Hallet. - synonym Fusarium nivale (Fr.) Ces.), which annually grows by 80-100%. Therefore, the main direction of breeding is receiving winter rye varieties having maximum resistance to this disease. During the period of 2003-2017 there was carried out the assessment of zoned and perspective cultivars of domestic breeding of various ecological-and-geographical origin for snow mold infestation in natural provocative conditions. Weather conditions differed greatly in all periods of rye development. It has been established that plant resistance to M. nivale pathogen is influenced greatly by the condition of plants before wintering regulated by the sowing time. Well-developed plants of Falenskaya 4 variety formed the optimum density of an agro-phytocenosis, accumulated bigger amount of sugars (more than 7%), regenerated during spring re-growth by more than 90%, and produced stable high yield (more than 4.9 t/ha). In order to realize the biological potential of the variety, there was a need to shift the previously established sowing time to 5-10 days later period. The productivity was influenced greatly by April conditions, namely, by the period of total clearing of sowings from snow, which took only several days (3-6). Warm and dry weather favored an active re-growth of rye and prevented disease development. Cold and damp weather provoked fungus development, which affected quickly the plants weakened after rewintering. It was revealed that winter rye varieties of different ecological-and-geographical groups responded to this disease differently. The variability in productivity of each cultivar by years was high (CV = 25.8…65.4%). The greatest stability was characteristic for varieties bred in FARC North-East. The main methods of breeding for the resistance to snow mold are crossing and selection in the conditions of a provocative background. The efficiency of a selection method is confirmed with creation from Falenskaya 4 a highly winter-hardy variety Flora with active regeneration after snow mold infestation (100%) and stable productivity by years – 4.62 t/ha (addition yield to an initial cultivar was 0.27 t/ha). The distinctive feature of Flora variety is active formation of powerful green mass in spring that is important for the early use for green forage for cattle and poultry. Since 2012 the variety is included in the State Register of breeding achievements in Volga-Vyatka and North-West regions of the Russian Federation.

Population genetic structure of Microdochium majus and Microdochium nivale associated with foot rot of cereals in the Czech Republic and adaptation to penthiopyrad

Microdochium nivale and Microdochium majus cause brown foot rot and snow mould in cereals. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the population genetic structure of Microdochium spp. associated with foot rot of wheat in the Czech Republic and the reaction of that population to the succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicide penthiopyrad. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis to examine genetic structure, agar dilution to measure inhibitory effect, and various statistical methods to analyse populations, two genetic populations were found corresponding to the species Microdochium majus and M. nivale and restricted gene flow in populations between years was determined. This study demonstrates for the first time the occurrence of SDHI-insensitive reaction in populations of M. nivale and M. majus. Low sensitivity was identified in both species, but it was observed more frequently in M. majus populations.

Climate change, snow mold and the Bromus tectorum invasion: mixed evidence for release from cold weather pathogens.

Climate change is reducing the depth and duration of winter snowpack, leading to dramatic changes in the soil environment with potentially important ecological consequences. Previous experiments in the Intermountain West of North America indicated that loss of snowpack increases survival and population growth rates of the invasive annual grass Bromus tectorum; however, the underlying mechanism is unknown. We hypothesized that reduced snowpack might promote B. tectorum population growth by decreasing damage from snow molds, a group of subnivean fungal pathogens. To test this hypothesis, we conducted greenhouse and field experiments to investigate the interaction between early snowmelt and either fungicide addition or snow mold infection of B. tectorum. The greenhouse experiment confirmed that the snow mold Microdochium nivale can cause mortality of B. tectorum seedlings. In the field experiment, early snowmelt and fungicide application both increased B. tectorum survival, but their effects did not interact, and snow mold inoculation had no effect on survival. We did find interactive effects of snowmelt and fungal treatments on B. tectorum seed production: with ambient snowpack, M. nivale inoculation reduced seed production and fungicide increased it, whereas in the early snowmelt treatment seed production was high regardless of fungal treatment. However, treatment effects on seed production did not translate directly to overall population growth, which did not respond to the snow melt by fungal treatment interaction. Based on our mixed results, the hypothesis that reduced snowpack may increase B. tectorum fitness by limiting the effects of plant pathogens deserves further investigation.

Ecological stability of varieties of winter rye with various type of a short-stem

Results 10 years' (2008-2017) comparative studying of varieties of winter rye with recessive-polygenic (the first group) and dominant- monogenic (the second group) short-stem type are presented. In each group tested 5 varieties which estimated on 6 traits: productivity, winter hardiness, plant height, weight is 1000 grains, number of falling and viscosity of water extract of grain meal. Determined by each trait: stability of a phenotype (SF), ecological variation (CV), ecological plasticity (bi), general (GAА) and specific (SAА) adaptive ability, selection value of a genotype (SVG). Average productivity on groups of varieties was identical (respectively 6,69 and 6,62 t/ha), however varieties with dominant-monogenic type of a short-stem differed authentically in the best winter hardiness of plants (for 6,3%) and had shorter stalk (on 9,3 cm). On the ecological variation of traits was influenced significantly by all three factors: weather conditions of year (75,5-95,0%), variety genotype (1,1-2,5%) and interaction variety x years (2,9-22,3%). The most strongly weather conditions of year influenced a productivity variation (86,3% for the first group and 95,0% for the second). On the trait of winter hardiness force of influence of a factor a variety x years was higher, than on other traits, and made respectively 9,3 and 22,3%. Ecological stability at varieties of the second group was twice higher (CV=12,4%), than at varieties of the first group (CV=24,3%). The conclusion is made that varieties of winter rye with a dominant-monogenic short-stem have lower norm of reaction to the adverse conditions of a rewintering developing in years with a high snow cover. Therefore regions where the main limiting factor is the low rewintering because of strong defeat of plants a snow mold have to be the main area of cultivation of such varieties of winter rye. The opinion is expressed that in the main winter rye regions of Russia it is expedient to cultivate varieties of winter rye with different types of a short-stem, but taking into account their agroecological specifics.

Influence of weather factors on separate periods of fungus Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul development and level of ergot harmfulness in Kirov region

In 2001-2017 in the conditions of Kirov region 36 winter rye varieties were assessed according to the character of interrelation in a "Secale cereale - Claviceps purpurea" pathosystem. The article provides the results of this research. For assessment of the change in meteorological conditions and their influence on ergot development the average daily air temperature and amount of precipitations from May 1 to May 31 (the period of screrotia germination) and from June 5 to June 15 (the period of plants infection) were used. The study of varieties was carried out by artificial inoculation of flowers with pathogen suspension. The ergot recording was carried out at a phase of milk-wax ripeness of grain according to infection of biocenoses (quantitative trait) and on contamination of grain mass with sclerotia (qualitative trait). At an artificial inoculation all rye varieties under study were infected by ergot in limits from 8.3 up to 100% that demonstrated their strong susceptibility to disease. Only 6 varieties (Falenskaya 4, Kirovskaya 89, Rada, Flora, Dymka, and Volkhova) were infected at the level of 8.3-27.3%, contamination of grain mass by sclerotia – 0.4-1.9%. The standard variety Falenskaya 4 had a high productivity and efficiency of plants (660 g/m2 and 11.0 g), which was characterized by a high degree of re-growth after infestation with a snow mold (100%), the smallest distribution of an ergot in sowing and contamination of grain mass with sclerotia. During the correlation analysis a close relation between the infestation of plants with an ergot and contamination of grain mass with sclerotia (r = 0.76) was established. The same immunological traits significantly influenced on the productivity (r = -0.67 and -0.55) and insignificantly - on plants efficiency. The positive dependence between immunological traits and 1000-grain mass was revealed. Possibly, sterilization of an ear leads to formation of a larger grain in fertile flowers (r = 0.42 and 0.37). The regression equations between the amount of sclerotia in an ear, mass of grain per ear and a number of grains in it have proved with 95-97% probability that with 1 sclerotium increase in contamination per ear, the grain mass per ear decreases by 0.18 grams, and the amount of grains per ear – by 4.7 pieces.

Registration of the Finch‐Eltan Winter Wheat Recombinant Inbred Line Mapping Population

The Finch‐Eltan winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) recombinant inbred line (RIL) population (Reg. No. MP‐11, NSL 528074 MAP) was developed by Washington State University from soft white winter wheat cultivars ‘Finch’ and ‘Eltan’. This population of 155 RILs was developed by single seed descent from the F2 generation to the F5 generation. It was genotyped using the 9k iSelect single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip, simple sequence repeat markers, and 90k iSelect SNPs. A total of 1258 markers were polymorphic and were mapped to 21 linkage groups that locate to 15 of the wheat chromosomes. The population has been phenotyped to study the genetics of freezing tolerance, snow mold tolerance, stripe rust resistance, straw residue breakdown, and Cephalosporium (Cephalosporium gramineum) stripe resistance. Markers were identified that are closely linked to quantitative trait loci (QTL) that influence these traits, and there is potential for this population to be used to detect QTL for other traits. Because the parents are elite breeding lines developed for the US Pacific Northwest, this population is particularly well‐suited to facilitating breeding efforts in this region.

Impact of three integrated crop protection treatments on the varieties of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Moscow area, Russia

In Russia, winter wheat occupies a key important place in the grain production with a significant proportion in the whole agricultural system. However, wheat pests and diseases, particularly fungal diseases, induce high quantitative and qualitative losses causing critical damages with significant economic losses. The current study aimed at investigating the impact of three integrated crop protection treatments: basic, intensive and highly intensive. The treatments included: fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and growth regulators at different combinations and concentrations. Two winter wheat varieties and two winter wheat lines were studied: Moscovckaya 40 (V1), Nemchinovckaya 17 (V2), Line 708/12 (V3) and Line 3512/10 (V4). Yield performances and grain quality (measured through protein content) were determined according to the tested treatments. The infection rates were measured for snow mold, root rot disease, septoria, powdery mildew, fusarium and wheat leaf rust. The results showed that the highly intensive treatment was the most effective against fungal diseases with the most important values in terms of wheat yield and grain quality. The results were varietydependent revealing the intrinsic genetic performances and the different patterns of resistance against diseases. The current results open real opportunities for a large-scale application of the tested treatments in different regions of Russia.

Changes in phenolic acid abundance involved in low temperature and Microdochium nivale (Samuels and Hallett) cross-tolerance in winter triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack)

Tolerance to the pink snow mould resulting from Microdochium nivale infection is an essential trait of triticale (x Triticosecale) for winter survival. In the present study, we aimed to verify whether the presence and concentration of free and cell wall-bound phenolic acids are important factors in triticale responses to M. nivale infection. Based on 3 years’ testing of triticale tolerance, 2 out of 92 doubled haploid triticale lines derived from ‘Hewo’ × ‘Magnat’ F1 hybrid were selected, which are the most tolerant and the most sensitive to M. nivale infection. Plants were grown along with their parents under controlled conditions, pre-hardened and cold-hardened, while non-hardened plants served as the control. Hardened plants were covered with the artificial snow-imitating covers and inoculated with M. nivale mycelium, while the control plants were treated the same way except the infection. The aim of the study was to identify differences in the initial content and composition of phenolics under the influence of applied stresses. Conducted HPLC analysis showed that the most abundant were ferulic, rosmarinic, chlorogenic, sinapic, and trans-cinnamic acids. The contents of most of phenolics depended on genotype and growth conditions. Two cell wall-bound sinapic and trans-cinnamic acids, could be indicated as potentially related to the increased snow mould tolerance of winter triticale seedlings. A correlation between the total phenolic levels with the tolerance was not found; however, the proportion between the total levels of cell wall-bound and free phenolic compounds under low temperature could play a role prior to M. nivale infection.

EFFECTS OF SEED DRESSER APPLICATION TO OBTAIN HEALTHY SEEDS AND CROPS OF WINTER CEREALS UNDER CONDITIONS OF BELARUS

Long-term data (2010–2018) of investigation of the role of fungicides in protection of winter cereals crops against diseases in the Republic of Belarus are given. The efficacy of fungicides including systemic and contact compounds against the snow mold, the most harmful disease in the Republic, was estimated during the periods of outbreaks, low and moderate severity of the disease. Root rot severity was observed at moderate level. Phytopathological analysis of winter wheat and triticale seeds showed high prevalence of genera Fusarium and Alternaria. Biological efficacy of fungicides against seed contamination varied from 78.8 to 100 % against Fusarium and from 73.3 to 99.9 % against Alternaria depending on the fungicide and crop. It was shown that fungicides containing fludioxonil or prochloraz were more effective against seeds contamination and snow mold severity. The maximum biological efficacy of fungicides reached 60.2 % and 66.9 % for protection of winter wheat and winter triticale, respectively. Fungicide seed treatment in periods of snow mold outbreaks allowed to save up to 38.1 c/ha of winter wheat grain and up to 29.5 c/ha of winter triticale.

Controlling Snow Molds with CIVITAS TURF DEFENSE in Utah

Core Ideas Civitas had some efficacy on gray snow mold (T. incarnata) in Salt Lake City under moderate (75-day) snow cover. Civitas had poor efficacy on speckled snow mold (T. ishikariensis) in Park City where snow cover lasted over 100 days. Mixing Civitas with Instrata fungicide did not impact disease control but did enhance turf quality and spring greenup when snow melted.

The endophyte Allantophomopsis cytisporea is associated with snow blight on Calluna vulgaris in the Alps—An effect of climate change?

ABSTRACTShoots of Calluna vulgaris, Erica carnea, Juniperus communis subsp. nana, Picea abies, and Pinus mugo subsp. mugo covered with felty, melanized epiphytic mycelia typical for brown felt blight caused by Herpotrichia pinetorum were collected at several locations in the Swiss Alps. Most cultures prepared from the mycelia on J. communis subsp. nana and P. abies were H. pinetorum, whereas the majority of cultures from P. mugo subsp. mugo and C. vulgaris were identified by internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequencing and morphology as Allantophomopsis cytisporea. The fungus tolerates low temperatures, has an optimum between 16°C and 24°C, and ceases to grow at 28°C. 35°C is lethal. A. cytisporea is known as the causal agent of cranberry black rot on Vaccinium macrocarpon but has never been described as a snow mold. A. cytisporea is an endophyte in C. vulgaris but seems able to kill leaflets and whole shoots during winter. The epiphytic mycelium can expand from C. vulgaris to neighboring shoots of P. mugo subsp. mugo and J. communis subsp. nana below the snow where it forms epiphytic mycelial mats reminiscent of H. pinetorum. H. pinetorum has a strong antibiotic effect against A. cytisporea at 4°C and 20°C, whereas A. cytisporea grows faster at these temperatures. The effects of climate change on the interaction between the two snow mold fungi and their consequences on regeneration of woody plants at timberline are discussed.

Evaluating Selection of a Quantitative Trait: Snow Mold Tolerance in Winter Wheat

Core Ideas Six quantitative trait loci for snow mold tolerance were detected in a winter wheat recombinant inbred line population. Marker‐assisted selection to incorporate QTL is unlikely to help breed for highly quantitative traits. Genomic selection could replace initial phenotyping for quantitative traits. Selection for snow mold tolerance (SMT) in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is complicated by the influence of numerous quantitative trait loci (QTL) and of environmental conditions. The goals of this study were to identify QTL for SMT, determine the effectiveness of marker‐assisted selection (MAS), and model the effectiveness of genomic prediction for SMT. Quantitative trait loci analysis of a recombinant inbred line (RIL) subpopulation, derived from a cross between Xerpha and Münstertaler, detected six unique QTL. Progeny from the same cross were advanced by MAS and compared with the unselected subpopulation to evaluate the efficacy of MAS. No significant difference was found between the SMT means (p = 0.41). Similarly, genomic selection had very poor accuracy (−0.07) in the Xerpha–Münstertaler (XM) RIL subpopulation. This contrasts with the apparent effectiveness of genomic selection (0.65) in a Finch–Eltan RIL population, also evaluated for SMT. The failure of selection tools to improve SMT in the XM population is likely due to the challenges of rating a quantitative trait that requires highly specific environmental conditions for phenotype development.

Analysis of varietal resources of rye (Secale cereale L.) in the State Register of Plant Varieties of Ukraine

Purpose. Analysis of winter rye varietal resources formation for Ukrainian producers. Results. Rye varieties (Secale cereale L.) were analyzed for a number of economically valuable traits and resistance to abiotic factors. Accor­ding to the yield data in the zones of Steppe, Forest-Steppe and Polissia, one can see that the variety of foreign selection occupies the leading place. The analyzed cultivars are early maturing, what allows to get crops in a shorter time. The State Register of Plant Varieties includes plants which were 100–140 cm in height. The mass of 1000 grains of all analyzed varieties was 32–34 g. The protein content in grains of varieties ranged from 9 to 12%. High rates of resistance to abiotic factors, such as droughts, and undesirable events like lodging and shedding, allow growing these varieties in all soil-climatic zones on the territory of Ukraine. It is worth noting that the varieties have a high resistance to powdery mildew and snow mold. The State Register of Plant Varieties includes 43 varieties of winter rye as of August 10, 2018. Varieties that are listed in the State Register of Plant Varieties suitable for distribution in Ukraine have high rates of resistance to abiotic factors, what is the basis for their inclusion in the Registry.Conclusions. A detailed study and analysis of the resistance of plant varieties to stress factors allows us to assess them thoroughly. In addition to the assessment of frost and winter resistance, drought and heat resistance of field crops, it is necessary to assess the cold resistance, resistance to winter thaws, asphyxiation, ice crust, rotting and other adverse factors. Such analysis will allow a better description of new varieties and the selection of those that in addition to high yields, are resistant to abiotic factors. In climate changes it will allow obtaining high yields of winter rye.

Possible cold-adaptation for the fungal kinesin in compensation for thermal stability acquired by single amino acid substitution

The amino acid sequence of the motor domain of AnKinA, kinesin-1 from Aspergillus nidulans, growing optimally at 37°C, was compared with that of SbKin1, kinesin-1 from the snow mold Sclerotinia borealis. For cold-adaptation, some enzymes are thought to exhibit augmented protein structure flexibility, acquired most effectively by substituting a glycine residue for another amino acid residue. By the comparison described above, two glycine residues proximal to tightly bound ADP were identified in the SbKin1 motor domain, of which the corresponding residues of AnKinA were non-glycine ones (P60 and S323). We made AnKinA recombinant kinesin (AnKinA-WT (WT)) along with P60G and S323G mutants. From the basal ATPase activity (without microtubules), these kinesins showed similar characteristics in activation energies, while deviation from the linearity of the ATPase activity time-course was detected at 34°C for WT and P60G but at 24°C for S323G. The microtubule translocation velocity of WT, P60G or S323G exhibited an activation energy of 60, 58 or 53 kJ/mol, respectively; for S323G, the activation energy was lower and the velocity at low temperatures was higher than those for the other two. These results suggest that the point mutation S323G would offer possible cold-adaptation in compensation for thermal stability.