Plant Breeding Institute Research Articles

Evaluating initial forms of strawberry for anthocyanin content in fruits

In this paper, we evaluate strawberry varieties of different geographical origin in terms of anthocyanin content in fruits under the conditions of a particular region with the purpose of identifying valuable genotypes for inclusion in further breeding work and practical use. The research was conducted in 2015–2020 at the Kokino collection site of the Federal Research Center for Gardening, located 24 km south-west of the city of Bryansk, in the village of Kokino, Vygonichsky district, Bryansk region. The effect of genotype and weather conditions on the accumulation of anthocyanins in strawberry fruits was studied. The research objects included 35 strawberry varieties of domestic and foreign breeding. Observations were carried out in accordance with the conventional methodology for varietal study of fruit, berry and nut crops. Fruits for the analysis were collected in dry sunny weather, at the stage of optimum maturity. Anthocyanin content in fruits was determined according to the color scale developed by A. A. Zubov and K. V. Stankevich in Michurin Research Institute of Genetics and Fruit Plant Breeding. Most of the varieties (57.1%) were characterized by medium variability of the indicator by year (V = 10–20%). The varieties Sudaruska (24.9%), Darselekt (24.2%), Polka (20.2%), Mieze Schindler (34.1%), Tenira (28.3%) showed a high dependency of fruit anthocyanin content on climatic conditions during the ripening period. The varieties with dark-coloured fruits were found to be Rubinovy Kulon, Barynya, Tsaritsa and Amulet. Their coloring was associated with high anthocyanin levels (more than 80 mg/100 g). These varieties comprise a valuable source material for further breeding and practical use.

Influence of wheat-rye translocations on grain quality indices during bread winter wheat breeding in the South of Ukraine

Topicality. The use of introgressive material developed due to the involvement of wheat-rye translocations 1AL.1RS, 1BL.1RS in the modern gene pool of bread winter wheat is quite relevant at this stage of breeding development. This makes it possible to expand the genetic diversity of breeding material to identify new genetic sources of valuable traits and obtain genotypes based on introgressive material with wheat-rye translocations 1AL.1RS, 1BL.1RS with a sufficiently high grain quality in breeding programs in the southern Ukraine. Purpose. To establish the role of genetic environment as a factor of directional influence of wheat-rye translocations on baking properties, and to develop breeding techniques for neutralizing the negative effects of translocations to produce genotypes with high grain quality indices of valuable and strong wheat. Materials and Methods. Field experiments were carried out in the fields of the Plant Breeding and Genetic Institute - National Center for Seed Breeding and Variety Research in the 2010–2020. Meteorological conditions over the years of research were generally typical arid for the Steppe zone. The lines developed by crossing local varieties-carriers of translocations and the best varieties of the Plant Breeding and Genetic Institute breeding were studied that to identify the influence of wheat-rye translocations 1AL.1RS, 1BL.1RS on the quality of winter wheat grain in the process of breeding. Results. It was established that the winter wheat grain quality indices were changed (protein content increased, rheological properties decreased) by the introduction of wheat-rye translocations 1AL.1RS, 1BL.1RS into the local gene pool. These changes depend on the genetic environment, hybrid combination and the influence of genetic factors that reduce the negative effect of wheat-rye translocations on baking properties of the lines. It was proved that development of recombinant lines combining high yield and increased baking properties increases when using introgressive lines with wheat-rye translocations 1AL.1RS. Conclusions. It is possible to reduce the negative impact of wheat-rye translocations on the bread winter wheat grain quality and develop varieties with quality parameters of valuable and strong wheat by combining wheat-rye translocations with alleles in genotype positively influencing baking properties, and also by creating heterogeneity in genotypes with and without wheat-rye translocations in a certain ratio. An example is the highly heat-resistant variety of strong wheat Oktava Odeska, which is included in the State Register for dissemination in all agroclimatic zones of Ukraine. Keywords: bread winter wheat, recombinant lines, baking quality, wheat-rye translocations 1AL.1RS and 1BL.1RS

M. ‘Teresita Lantin-Rosario’ and M. ‘Dolores A. Ramirez’ – New Varieties of Mussaenda [RESEARCH NOTE

An outstanding selections of Mussaenda developed in the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB), College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) were registered to the National Seed Industry Council as new varieties. These are Mussaenda ‘Teresita Lantin-Rosario’ and Mussaenda ‘Dolores A. Ramirez’, named after an ornamental plant breeder and a National Scientist, respectively, in recognition to their significant contributions in the fields of genetics and plant breeding. Mussaenda ‘Teresita Lantin-Rosario’ is a hybrid and a progeny from a cross between M. ‘Maria Makiling’ and M. ‘Diwata’. The calyx lobes are all petaloid, numerous, and hairy. Petaloids are creamy white (157C) with visible midrib and pale yellow-green veins underneath, are ovate to suborbicular in shape, and are 5.0 - 9.3 x 3.7 - 7.5 cm in size. M. ‘Dolores A. Ramirez’ is also a hybrid from the cross M. ‘Maria Makiling x M. ‘Doña Trining’. The calyx lobes are all petaloid, two to three of which are more enlarged while the rest are partially expanded in a cluster, are elliptic-lanceolate to ovate-orbicular in shape, 4.5 - 9.0 x 0.3 - 6.2 cm in size, and are empire rose (48A) with prominent pinkish white veins above and orient pink (36D) below with a tinge of yellow-green (145A) towards the apex.

Productivity of high-oleic sunflower when grown in the conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine

In modern agricultural systems, the basis of cultivation technology and an important factor determining the yield and quality of high-oleic sunflower seeds is regulation of mineral fertilizer rates. Therefore, the determination of their influence on the productivity of the culture determines the relevance of the conducted research. The purpose of the study is to determine the optimal rates of mineral fertilizer application to increase the yield of high-oleic sunflower hybrids in non-irrigated conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine. To achieve the goal, a field study was conducted in the fields of the Mykolaiv State Agricultural Research Station of the Institute of Irrigated Agriculture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine. The subjects of the study are high-oleic sunflower hybrids Kadet, Hektor and Oplot, the originator of which is the V.Ya. Institute of Plant Breeding. Yuryev of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine. As a result of the study, it was found that when applying N90P90K60, the Kadet hybrid formed the largest diameter of the basket - 19.5 cm, under the same feeding conditions, the diameter of the basket in the Hektor and Oplot hybrids was 14.3 cm and 16.4 cm, respectively. The largest mass of 1000 seeds for the level of N90P90K60 fertilization was established in the hybrid Cadet – 59.8 g, and at the level of fertilization N30P40K30 the lowest mass of 1000 seeds – 41.7 g was formed in the hybrid Hector. In addition, in the high-oleic sunflower hybrid Kadet, the content of crude fat in seeds and oleic acid in oil was the highest compared to other hybrids in all variants of fertilization. The application of mineral fertilizers also affected the yield of high-oleic sunflower, so the yield of the Kadet hybrid was 24.1% higher with the application of N90P90K60, compared to the variant of application of N30P40K30, and the yield of the Hektor and Oplot hybrids was 33.3% and 28%, respectively, which makes it possible to state that the level provision of mineral fertilizers helps to increase crop productivity. The obtained results provide an opportunity to improve the technology of growing high-oleic sunflower under conditions of insufficient moisture, and the perspective of further research may be to study the effect of increased norms of each individual macroelement or their joint effect on the productivity and quality of the high-oleic sunflower crop

Yield and grain quality parameters in domestic and foreign varieties of soft winter wheat

Topicality. One of the main indicators that determine the commercial value of wheat grain, its baking and technological properties is the mass fraction of protein. The results of scientific research and agricultural production practices show that over the past 80–90 years in the southern regions of Ukraine, the protein content of winter wheat grain has decreased from 17–18 % to 10–12 %, and in unfavourable weather conditions, the amount of protein in grain can even decrease to 8.0–9.5 %. Improving the wheat grain quality is one of the challenges facing Ukraine today. Ukraine has a high position in the global grain market: its share in wheat exports averages 5 %. Purpose. To estimate the yield and biochemical parameters of grain quality of soft winter wheat at the current stage. Methods. Field trials were conducted according to the B. A. Dospekhov’s methodology of field experience. Agricultural technology of winter wheat cultivation is generally accepted for the Steppe zone of Ukraine. Accounting the yield was carried out according to the methodology of state variety testing the agricultural crops. The protein content in the grain was determined by infrared spectrometry and the Kjeldahl method. The level of protein sedimentation was determined by the SDS 30 method. Results. When comparing the obtained data on yield in the collection, it was found that modern domestic and foreign varieties (I, II, III group) in the optimal conditions of growing season had an average yield of 103–107 % higher than varieties of early stages of breeding. The soft winter wheat varieties developed by the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute – National Center for Seeds and Cultivar Investigation are the leaders in terms of yield. Foreign varieties are not sufficiently adapted to local weather conditions, which significantly affects the realisation of yield potential. As a result of the negative correlation between yield and grain quality, with each stage of breeding, including in modern varieties, grain protein content decreases by 0.5–1.5 % along with yield growth. In terms of sedimentation level, the varieties of the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute – National Center for Seeds and Cultivar Investigation prevail over the varieties of the early stages of breeding. The group of varieties of Ukrainian breeding has a great diversity in terms of sedimentation level. Foreign varieties have rather low sedimentation rates. The realisation of the genetic potential of grain yield and quality of the studied varieties depended on weather conditions and doses of mineral fertilisers. Conclusions. Given the negative correlation between yield and grain quality, the significant success of breeding in increasing the yield of Ukrainian and foreign varieties was accompanied by decreasing protein content at each stage of breeding by 0.5–1.5 %. Compared to the varieties of the early stages of breeding, the SDS-30 sedimentation index was the highest only in the varieties of Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute – National Center for Seeds and Cultivar Investigation, while domestic varieties of other research institutions were slightly inferior to the varieties of the early stages of breeding. The group of foreign varieties had the lowest sedimentation index. In addition to the genetic factor, such factors as weather conditions and rates of mineral nutrition have a great influence on the formation of grain yield and quality. Key words: wheat yield, wheat adaptability, grain protein content, sedimentation, fertilizers, biochemical parameters

Ecological variety testing of chickpeas in a changing climate in the West of Kazakhstan

This research was carried out within the framework of the scientific and technical program BR10765000 “Creation of highly productive varieties and hybrids of leguminous crops based on the achievements of biotechnology, genetics, physiology, biochemistry of plants for their sustainable production” under the budget program 267 “Increasing the availability of knowledge and scientific research”. The article presents the results of ecological variety testing of chickpeas in the arid conditions of Western Kazakhstan. The West Kazakhstan region sharply differs in soil and climatic conditions from other regions of Kazakhstan. Naturally, in such difficult environmental conditions, varieties that will be able to fully solve the problem of overcoming the negative complex influence of limiting environmental factors that are strictly specific to a particular zoning zone become crucial. Among leguminous crops, chickpea occupies a leading position as a source of vegetable protein and has very high nutritional value. Moreover, its value lies in its ability to improve soil fertility by enriching it with nitrogen. Chickpea is an excellent precursor to spring durum wheat. The main goal of this scientific work is to systematically study chickpea breeding material, identifying sources of valuable traits and properties through ecological selection, and creating new competitive and patentable varieties adapted to the agroecological conditions of our region. The article presents a summary of the results of ecological variety testing of chickpea breeding carried out by various research institutes including the Kazakh Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Breeding, Krasnokutsky Breeding and Experimental Station, Volgograd State Agricultural Academy, Krasnovodopadsky Agricultural Experimental Station, and the Scientific and Production Center of grain economy named after A.I. Baraev.

Variability and stability of the main valuable economic traits of the chickpeas collection specimens in conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Purpose. The research is aimed at an in-depth study of the genetic diversity of the existing collection samples from the basic collections according to morphological, biological and economic features in conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine and selection of reliable sources of these traits in order to create a new highly productive, adaptive breeding material. Methods. Field (conducting phenological observations and records), biometric and measuring and weighting (for recording productivity and yield), mathematical and statistical (objective evaluation of experimental data obtained). Results. During 2018-2021, on the experimental fields of scientific crop rotation of the Institute of Feed Research and Agriculture of Podillia of NAAS, evaluation of 223 chickpea samples obtained from the Breeding and Genetic Institute of the National Center for Seed Science and Varietal Research and 210 samples of the kabuli type and 13 samples of the desi type from the V.Ya. Yuryev Institute of Plant Breeding of NAAS was carried out. Using the coefficient of variation (V, %), the level of variability of the main morphological traits (“stem length”, “lower bean attachment height”, “number of branches of the 1st order per plant”), elements of seed productivity (“number of beans per plant”, “number of seeds per bean”, “weight of 1000 seeds” and “seed weight per plant”) and productivity was established in these samples. The ecological stability (stability and plasticity) of the main valuable morphological traits, elements of seed productivity and yield in chickpea collection samples selected for productivity features were studied. Conclusions. According to the data of four years of research (2018-2021), in conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, 16 collection samples of chickpeas (12 of the kabuli and 4 of the desi type) resistant to adverse abiotic and biotic factors with increased productivity were selected. These samples are valuable sources of the main morphological traits plasticity and stability, elements of the seed productivity structure for the purpose of breeding the increased the adaptability of chickpea varieties in conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine.

Somatic Embryogenesis, Genetic Modification, and GMOs at the Department of Plant Biotechnology and Cytogenetics at the IHAR

AbstractAt the Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute, National Research Institute (IHAR), research on plant tissue cultures began in 1970s. Some in vitro methods, such as anther cultures or isolated microspore cultures, have been directly used to produce homozygous lines in plant breeding. These methods are also a prerequisite for genetic manipulation for both scientific and practical purposes. Here, we describe the achievements of the Department of Biotechnology and Cytogenetics over the last few decades in the area of somatic embryogenesis of cereals, genetic modifications, GMO detection and identification, and GMO legislation. This long-term research on plant regeneration systems has led to the development of the first transgenic triticale plants in the world and the first transgenic plants in Poland, which was followed by a multi-generation study of triticale transgene stability. The gene flow of transgenic triticale and transgenic maize investigated in field studies under Polish environmental conditions, as well as the evaluation of triticale pollen flow, provided scientific data for the development of coexistence measures and GMO risk assessment in case of plant authorization for cultivation. Based on the experience gained over the years, a GMO Controlling Laboratory was established to support the official control of GMOs in Poland and the EU. It was later nominated as one of the National Reference Laboratories collaborating with the Joint Research Center (JRC) of the European Commission, providing scientific and technical support in areas related to health and consumer protection. The GMO Controlling Laboratory is accredited by the Polish Center for Accreditation according to the ISO 17025 standard, ensuring high-quality analyses and flexible accreditation scope. It participates in the ongoing debate in Poland and the EU on the legal aspects of new genomic techniques in plant breeding through publications, lectures at scientific conferences, and by providing expertise to relevant bodies.

The Vigor of Seed Potatoes from Organic and Conventional Systems

In the research carried out in 2018–2020 at the Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute, the vigor of seed potatoes from two production systems—organic and conventional—was examined. The characteristics of the tubers and the plants grown from them were assessed. It was found that seed potatoes from the organic system were characterized by features showing symptoms of weaker vigor, i.e., a shorter resting period, a smaller percentage of germinating eyes, a smaller mass of sprouts produced, and a shorter length of the longest sprout. The weaker vigor of seed potatoes from the organic system was reflected in the development and yield of the plants derived from them. It was expressed in weaker emergence, lower stem number, and smaller yield per plot. However, there were no differences in the yield structure. A large varietal differentiation was demonstrated for most of the studied traits. The differences in the vigor of individual cultivars were not related to the length of the growing season. The conditions prevailing in the research years had the greatest impact on the length of tuber dormancy, the percentage of germinating eyes, and the percentage of plant emergence.

GENETIC DIVERSITY AMONG THE PHILIPPINE TRADITIONAL MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) POPULATIONS BASED ON SSR MARKERS

This paper reports the first genetic diversity analysis of Philippine traditional maize populations performed through a cost-effective DNA pooling strategy. The diversity among selected 100 traditional maize populations collected from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao was evaluated using twenty simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers at the Institute of Plant Breeding, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. A total of 138 bands ranging from two to 12 bands per primer were detected. The average number of polymorphic alleles, polymorphism rate, effective multiplex ratio, marker index, resolving power, and expected heterozygosity are 6.283, 87.17%, 5.798, 4.104, 15.897, and 0.658, respectively. The polymorphism information content (PIC) varied between 0.141 to 0.848, with an average value of 0.620. A dendrogram was constructed with a dissimilarity coefficient ranging from 0.14 to 0.55 and a mean dissimilarity index of 0.425. Cluster analysis revealed 13 groups based on the result of Approximately Unbiased (AU) p-values from 10,000 bootstrap iterations. The cluster analysis enabled the classification of populations with ambiguous places of origin. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed higher within-population diversity (70%) than among-population diversity (30%) with PhiPT (pairwise genetic differentiation metric) of 0.298 (P = 0.001). These results revealed the significant diversity of traditional maize populations in the Philippines and the power of SSR markers in diversity and cluster analyses despite the age of this marker technology. These findings will aid plant breeders in developing approaches towards knowledgeable and efficient execution of breeding programs using traditional maize populations.

Influence of wheat-rye translocations on yield and productivity elements of soft winter wheat in southern Ukraine

Topicality. The level of genetic yield potential and adaptive properties of modern bread winter wheat varieties at this stage of breeding development is at a fairly high level. So breeding, improve-ment of bread winter wheat is becoming increasingly difficult. For this purpose, the creation and identification of new genetic sources of valuable traits and creation of genetic diversity, evaluation and selection of desired genotypes is extremely relevant. Issues. Introduction of alien translocations into the gene pool of bread winter wheat can serve as one of such sources of new original genetic material. However, the effects of these translocations are manifested to varying degrees depending on the genetic environment of hybrids and agroclimatic conditions of genotype selection. Aim. To compare the changes in the yield of recombinant lines and plant productivity elements based on their drought and heat tolerance depending on their genetic effects of wheat-rye translocations (WRT) 1AL.1RS and 1BL.1RS. To determine the use effectiveness of each WRT in order to create more perfect varieties of bread winter wheat under the conditions of soil-air drought in the Steppe zone of Ukraine. Materials and Methods. In 2010-2020, field trials were carried out on the Institute’s fields on the by black fallow as the annual predecessor with the optimal agricultural background for breeding work. During the analysis of experimental data, all changes in meteorological conditions over the years of research were taken into account. In general, weather conditions were arid, which is typical for the Steppe zone. The studies of 112 lines (9.2 %) were carried out in the Department of Genetic Basis of Breeding of the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute at the National Center of Seeds and Cultivar In-vestigation led by A. I. Rybalka, the rest 1093 lines (90.8 %) were studied in the Institute of Plant Pro-tection NAAS led by N. A. Kozub and I. O. Sozinov. The material of competitive variety trials was tested on the presence of translocations and their state by DNA markers in the Department of General and Molecular Genetics of the the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute at the National Center of Seeds and Cultivar Investigation led by V. I. Fait. Mathematical processing and analysis of the study results were performed using the methods of B. A. Dospekhov and P. F. Rokitskyi, and with Microsoft Excel 2007. Results. It was established that genetic effects of the most widespread in the world breeding practice wheat-rye translocations 1АL.1RS and 1ВL.1RS are considerably modified by features of their interaction in genetic environment and depending on agroclimatic conditions of growing introgressive genotypes. The positive effect of 1AL.1RS on the yield, total and productive tillering, and head productivity elements was significantly revealed due to simultaneous positive effect of translocation on drought and heat tolerance of plants. As a result of complete breeding cycle, a series of bread winter wheat varieties was developed on the material of 1AL.1RS, such as Zhytnytsia Odeska, Oktava Odeska, Liha Odeska, Duma Odeska, Versiia Odeska, which provided 10–15 % increase in yield to standards according to the station and state variety testing. These varieties are listed in the State Register of Ukraine and Moldova. Conclusions. The use of WRT 1AL.1RS is perspective for further bread winter wheat breeding, and in the the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute at the National Center of Seeds and Cultivar Inves-tigation as one of the next stages of improvement of bread winter wheat varieties for arid conditions of the South of Ukraine. The use of 1ВL.1RS in wheat breeding in the region is less promising method, but does not exclude the possibility of obtaining a positive result in a favorable combination with highly adapted local varieties. Keywords: bread winter wheat, recombinant lines, yield, wheat-rye translocations 1AL.1RS and 1BL.1RS.

Associative and Physical Mapping of Markers Related to Fusarium in Maize Resistance, Obtained by Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS).

On the basis of studies carried out in the last few years, it is estimated that maize diseases cause yield losses of up to 30% each year. The most dangerous diseases are currently considered to be caused by fungi of the genus Fusarium, which are the main culprits of root rot, ear rots, and stalk rot. Early plant infection causes grain diminution, as well as a significant deterioration in nutritional value and fodder quality due to the presence of harmful mycotoxins. Therefore, the aim of the research was to identify new markers of the SilicoDArT and SNP type, which could be used for the mass selection of varieties resistant to fusarium. The plant material consisted of 186 inbred maize lines. The lines came from experimental plots belonging to two Polish breeding companies: Plant Breeding Smolice Ltd., (Co., Kobylin, Poland). Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute—National Research Institute Group (51°41′23.16″ N, 17°4′18.241″ E), and Małopolska Plant Breeding Kobierzyce, Poland Ltd., (Co., Kobierzyce, Poland) (50°58′19.411″ N, 16°55′47.323″ E). As a result of next-generation sequencing, a total of 81,602 molecular markers were obtained, of which, as a result of the associative mapping, 2962 (321 SilicoDArT and 2641 SNP) significantly related to plant resistance to fusarium were selected. Out of 2962 markers significantly related to plant resistance in the fusarium, seven markers (SilicoDArT, SNP) were selected, which were significant at the level of 0.001. They were used for physical mapping. As a result of the analysis, it was found that two out of seven selected markers (15,097—SilicoDArT and 58,771—SNP) are located inside genes, on chromosomes 2 and 3, respectively. Marker 15,097 is anchored to the gene encoding putrescine N-hydroxycinnamoyltransferase while marker 58,771 is anchored to the gene encoding the peroxidase precursor 72. Based on the literature data, both of these genes may be associated with plant resistance to fusarium. Therefore, the markers 15,097 (SilicoDArT) and 58,771 (SNP) can be used in breeding programs to select lines resistant to fusarium.

RNA-Seq Reveals Differentially Expressed Genes Associated with High Fiber Quality in Abaca (Musa textilis Nee).

Despite the importance of and current demand for abaca (Musa textilis Nee) fiber, there has been limited study that capitalizes on RNA-seq to identify candidate genes associated with high fiber quality and bunchy top virus (AbBTV) resistance. Three varieties (Abuab, Inosa, and Tangongon), one wild banana variety (Musa balbisiana Colla) Pacol, and two developed backcrosses (Abuab × Pacol BC2 and BC3) were grown at the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB), Laguna, Philippines. The pseudostems of 3-month-old suckers of each genotype were sampled for RNA-seq. Datasets were analyzed for differential expression (DE) implementing various model frameworks, including pairwise, genotypic and non-DE models. Results indicate that Abuab and BC3 induce the highest proportion (70%) of abaca-specific genes. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis showed several genes associated with cellulose synthase activity, callose synthase, ß-glucosidase activity, glucan biosynthetic process, etc. KEGG pathway analysis showed several genes encoding for enzymes involved in the lignin biosynthetic pathway. Analysis using genotypic DE (GDE) between abaca bunchy top virus (AbBTV)-resistant and -susceptible groups revealed genes such as pathogenesis-related protein and NBS-LRR. As the genotypes were not infected with the pathogen, these genes are yet to be confirmed for their roles in disease resistance and are an interesting subject for further investigation.

Computerized System of Data Organization at the Philippine Plant Germplasm Repository

The National Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory (NPGRL) serves as the national repository of important and potentially useful agricultural crops, including the wild and weedy relatives in the Philippines. NPGRL is committed to conserving for national posterity the endemic and introduced plant genetic resources (PGR) to provide a broad genetic base for crop improvement by the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) plus national and international programs, as well as to coordinate with national efforts in the conservation and management of PGR. NPGRL practices ex situ approach in the conservation of seeds and live plants of different PGR. PGR conservation and management entails acquisition, characterization, conservation and management, regeneration, documentation, and distribution.

The Analysis of Wheat Yield Variability Based on Experimental Data from 2008–2018 to Understand the Yield Gap

Among European countries, Poland has the largest gap in the grain yield of winter wheat, and thus the greatest potential to reduce this yield gap. This paper aims to recognize the main reasons for winter wheat yield variability and shed the light on possible reasons for this gap. We used long-term datasets (2008–2018) from individual commercial farms obtained by the Laboratory of Economics of Seed and Plant Breeding of Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute (IHAR)-National Research Institute (Poland) and the experimental fields with high, close to potential yield, in the Polish Post-Registration Variety Testing System in multi-environmental trials. We took into account environment, management and genetic variables. Environment was considered through soil class representing soil fertility. For the crop management, the rates of mineral fertilization, the use of pesticides and the type of pre-crop were considered. Genotype was represented by the independent variable year of cultivar registration or year of starting its cultivation in Poland. The analysis was performed using the CART (Classification and Regression Trees). The winter wheat yield variability was mostly dependent on the amount of nitrogen fertilization applied, soil quality, and type of pre-crop. Genetic variable was also important, which means that plant breeding has successfully increased genetic yield potential especially during the last several years. In general, changes to management practices are needed to lower the variability of winter wheat yield and possibly to close the yield gap in Poland.

Selection of duplicates of flax accessions – an important task in the management of collection of genetic resources ofLinum usitatissimumL.

SummaryIntroductionThe Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants National Research Institute (IWNiRZ) – formerly Institute of Natural Fibres, together with Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute (IHAR) in Radzików carry out tasks related to the protection of genetic resources of flax (Linum usitatissimumL.). Genetic resources of flax are stored as seeds in IHAR refrigeration chambers. The research material consisted of passport data of genetic resources of flax.ObjectiveThe aim of the presenting the identification of duplicates of accessions of flax in documentation of the National Center of Plant Genetic Resources (IHAR). This will facilitate the management of the collection of flax genetic resources. Removal of duplicate accessions from the collection of flax genetic resources will save storage space in long-term chambers, savings in storage costs, savings in working hours.MethodsThe working methods were studying the passport database and the institute’s gene bank documentation.ResultsIn the cooling chambers of the seed bank at KCRZG at IHAR, unintentional duplicates are stored: 29 flax accessions with the same accessions number and 19 flax accessions with two different accession numbers.ConclusionsThe presentation in the article of two types of duplicates of flax accessions is very helpful in managing the collection of genetic resources of flax. Reducing the number of genotypes in the flax collection will facilitate the faster collection of all valorization data, which will be very helpful for users of the collection of genetic resources of flax.

Nomenclatural standards, voucher specimens and genetic passports of potato cultivars created in the Siberian and Ural breeding centers

The present paper discusses methodological approaches to the creation of nomenclatural standards and genetic passports for Russian cultivars, currently being developed at the N.I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) in collaboration with different breeding research centers. Plant material of potato cultivars bred in the Siberian Research Institute of Plant Cultivation and Breeding was collected by the cultivar creator A.D. Safonova in the experimental field of this institute and transferred to the VIR herbarium for preparation of their nomenclatural standards. Plant shoots and tubers of potato cultivars bred in other Siberian research centers in collaboration with the A.G. Lorkh All-Russian Research Institute of Potato Farming (VNIIKH) was collected by the representative of this institute in the experimental field of VNIIKH. As a result of joint research, nomenclatural standards were accomplished for 11 cultivars, namely ‘Аntonina’, ‘Zlatka’, ‘Lina’, ‘Lûbava’, ‘Nakra’, ‘Pamâti Rogačeva’, ‘Sarovskij’, ‘Safo’, ‘Solnečnyj’, ‘Tuleevskij’, ‘Ûna’** bred in five different Siberian breeding institutes including cultivars developed in collaboration with VNIIKH. Nomenclatural standards were prepared according to the ‘International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants’. DNA samples isolated from nomenclatural standards were used for preparation of genetic passports of these 11 cultivars. These genetic passports include information of the polymorphism of eight chromosome-specific microsatellites, data on the markers of 11 R-genes conferring resistance to various harmful organisms, as well as the information about cytoplasm types. Voucher specimens of additional three Siberian cultivars ‘Kemerovčanin’, ‘Kuznečanka’, ‘Tanaj’ and five Ural cultivars ‘Аlâska’, ‘Bravo’, ‘Irbitskij’, ‘Lûks’, ‘Terra’ from the Ural Research Institute for Agriculture were also registered in the VIR herbarium collection. For these eight cultivars, the genetic passports were not issued, but the results of SSR genotyping and molecular screening of voucher specimens performed with the same set of the DNA markers are presented in this report. A similar set of DNA markers was used for genotyping cultivar accessions from the in vitro and field collections of various institutes as well as cultivar specimens from eco-geographical tests performed within the framework of the Comprehensive Research Plan of the subprogram “Development of potato breeding and seed production in the Russian Federation”. The comparison of cultivar genetic passport data with genotyping results of specimens having the same name, but obtained from different sources made it possible to verify this plant material.

Environmental trial of pea breeding acessions

The aim of the study was to determine the information content and adequacy of the ecological testing points of the pea breeding material and to identify the "ideal" genotype.
 Materials and methods. The breeding material in the experiments was represented by cultivars bred at the PPI nd.a. V.Ya. Yuriev (Tsarevych, Oplot, Otaman, Metsenat, Korvet, Haiduk, and Malakhit) and ten breeding lines (SL 11-129, SL 11-213, SL 11-55, SL 11-58, SL 10-37, SL 11-32, SL 10-132, SL 09-118, SL 11-166, and SL 11-176). In addition there was one cultivar (Svit) bred at the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute. All the cultivars are leafless, semi-dwarf, mid-ripening, except for Tsarevych (mid-early). The field experiments were carried out in accordance with the methods of field experimentation, using the conventional pea growing technology. The seeding rate was 1.2 million germinable seeds/ha; the plot area was 10 m2. To evaluate the accessions for the variability in different environments, we used a regression model developed by S.A. Eberhart and W.A. Russel, where the regression coefficient is an indicator of the genotype-environment interaction. This model is included in "Guidelines for Environmental Trials of Corn".
 Results and discussion. Thus, comparing the regression coefficient in pea cultivars Oplot, Tsarevych, Haiduk, Korvet, and Metsenat, we could conclude that these accessions were highly intensive in the OSES conditions and extensive in the PPI NAAS conditions (except for Metsenat). Regarding the regression coefficient in the breeding lines, none of them had a regression coefficient of 1.0. Over the study period, the regression coefficient was 1.4 only in line SL 11-58 (PPI NAAS) and 1.2 (OSES), characterizing this line as intensive regardless of the place of cultivation.
 Taking into account that the regression coefficient values of <1 are intrinsic to extensive accessions, lines SL 10-132 (RC = 0.4) and SL 11-176 (RC = 0.8) are preferred. Because these accessions also have a high genotypic effect. In addition, the regression coefficient in breeding line SL 09-118 was 0.9, with a genotypic effect of 0.07. Such combination of the indicators characterizes the line as relatively stable, with sufficient potential performance, and this breeding line will not be demanding to growing conditions similar to the OSES ones.
 Conclusions. Thus, the evaluation of both cultivars and breeding lines in the environmental trial showed that the pea breeding at the Plant Production Institute named after VYa Yuryev had a significant potential to create cultivars that would be well-adapted to both eastern and southern conditions, and that environmental trials remained an effective tool for assessing breeding material and selecting accessions with the maximum fulfillment of the genetic potential

Myronosets – a new productive and high-protein winter triticale cultivar, adapted to the woodlands/forest-steppe and forest-steppe of Ukraine

The creation of new triticale genotypes, the potential of which to a certain extent would meet scientific and production needs, will never lose its relevance.
 Purpose and objectives – to create a new productive and high-protein winter triticale cultivar, adapted to the Woodlands/Forest-Steppe and Forest-Steppe of Ukraine.
 Materials and methods. The breeding work to expend the triticale diversity was continued at the Educational and Research Center of Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University in 2007–2017. The control and environmental trials were conducted in 2009-2019 in the Woodlands (Polissya Institute of Agriculture NAAS (2007–2009); predecessor: seeded fallow), central Forest-Steppe (V.M. Remeslo Myronivska Institute of Wheat NAAS (2016–2019); forecrops: mustard, soybean, pea for seeds; Bila Tserkva NAU (2009–2016); predecessors: seeded fallow, potato), and northern Forest-Steppe (Institute of Horticulture NAAS (2016–2017); forecrop: perennial grasses). No mineral fertilizers were applied. No plant protection measures were taken. Hybridization was performed by manual emasculation of female components. Plants were pollinated by the twirl method 2–3 days after emasculation. The breeding material was studied in compliance with the guidelines of the All-Union Research Institute of Plant Breeding and the methodology of the state cultivar trials. Data were statistically processed, as B.А. Dospekhov described, using Statistica-5.5 and Excel-2003 software.
 Results and discussion. We focus on the importance of triticale for mankind both at the present and in the future. We retrospectively reviewed data on the creation of a new winter triticale cultivar, Myronosets. Bioecological features and morphological characteristics of the new cultivar are given. The grain yield and quality are also summarized. The article covers the quantitative parameters of dough and bread from Myronosets grain. We compared the yields, resistance to lodging, in-spike germination, resistance to fungal pathogens and unfavorable abiotic environmental factors in the new triticale cultivar and previously created ones.
 The data of the 2019–2020 state variety trials of Myronosets are analyzed, and they indicate that the new cultivar has a high potential in agroecosystems of the Woodlands and Forest-Steppe of Ukraine.
 Myronosets was found to be a source of the short stem (£90 cm) in subsequent hybrid generations.
 In 2008, interspecific hybridization within the notogenus × Triticosecale and double individual selection from F2–F4 hybrid populations derived from crossing (♀Avhusto x ♂Yahuar) x ♂K9844/93 followed by repeated improving selections in F10 allowed us to distinguish the best line, LCh97, which was later named as cultivar Myronosets.
 The new triticale cultivar can give > 7.5 t/ha. The average yield is 5.7 t/ha in the Forest-Steppe – Woodlands transition belt, 6.3 t/ha in the central Forest-Steppe, and 3.5 t/ha in the Woodlands. It is noticeable for high lodging resistance, high shedding resistance, low spike brashness, resistance to in-spike germination, complex resistance to Puccinia recondita f. sp. tritici Rob. ex Desm (8.5 points), Blumeria graminis (DC.) Speer (9 points.), and Fusarium graminearum Schwabe (8.5 points) and to to the pest Mayetiola destructor Say (8.5 points), high frost tolerance, high winter hardiness, and high drought resistance (8.5–9 points). About 70% of plants survive the laboratory freezing at -18.3°C. The cultivar is also resistant to spring and autumn frosts (9 points).
 Myronosets plants were revealed to be able to regulate their performance under the influence of unfavorable extreme bio- and abiotic factors, leaving 3–4 (more seldom 1–2) fruiting stems, often 1–3 stems with underdeveloped spikes and 1–2 unfertile stems without spikes, which form a radical rosette.
 Conclusions. As it was shown in the state variety trials, Myronosets is a mid-protein cultivar and recommended for cultivation in agroecosystems of the Woodlands and Forest-Steppe. Myronosets was proven to be a source of the short stem

Over 50 Years of Potato Parental Line Breeding Programme at the Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute in Poland

The paper describes the potato parental line breeding programme developed in Poland from the 1960s. The aim of the programme was to create parental forms useful for speeding up the breeding of new potato varieties and getting higher efficiency in directed selection for desired traits. The programme introduced new sources of resistance and quality traits into the Polish breeding pool by conducting research and breeding of tetraploid and diploid parental lines. The programme had significant impact on potato breeding, with 72 Polish potato varieties originating from crossings involving parental lines. These varieties show higher levels of resistance to major pathogens of potato crops, including resistance to Potato virus Y and late blight in starch group. Besides the direct impact on potato breeding, the programme was the stimulus for developing studies focused on potato genotype.