Loose Smut Research Articles

Loose Smut of Wheat (Ustilago tritici) and Its Managements: A Review Article

Among all diseases of wheat, seed-borne diseases such as smuts and bunts are found in every area where the wheat is grown. It is one of quarantine diseases of wheat that reduces the quality of grain seeds. Loose smut of wheat is occurred in cool and moist climate conditions. The successful infection of loose smut can occur after the anthesis. The pathogen remains dormant in the mature seed and germinates with germinating seeds. The mycelium of the fungus grows in the crown node and finally invades the inflorescence tissues. It develops with the seed embryo. It is disseminated by infected seeds and air by short distance. The pathogen has different types of host range especially all species of triticum. It is also pathogenic on Aegilops and rye (secale cereal). Most of the inoculums sources of loose smut are infected wheat seeds and air borne teliospores from smutted heads. In every infected areas of wheat by loose smut, a new race may arise by recombination of pre-existing virulence genes or through mutations. So, different types of management systems such as using of certified seeds treated with protectant fungicides, planting of resistant cultivars is very important. Keywords: Wheat seeds, Loose smut, Ustilago tritici, seed-borne diseases DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/9-8-05 Publication date : April 30 th 2019

AAC Warman Canada Western Red Spring wheat

AAC Warman (BW1025) is a high-yielding Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat adapted to production in western Canada. AAC Warman was 3% higher yielding than Unity, the highest yielding check in the Central Bread Wheat Cooperative registration trials (2014–2016). Within the same test, AAC Warman was 11% higher yielding than Carberry, a popular CWRS wheat variety across the Canadian prairies. AAC Warman matured 3 d earlier than Carberry and a day later than Unity, the earliest maturing check. AAC Warman was shorter than Unity and had better stem strength compared with Unity; however, the lodging score for AAC Warman was higher than the mean of the checks. Over 3 yr of testing (2014–2016), the test weight and thousand-kernel weight of AAC Warman was similar to Carberry. The grain protein content of AAC Warman was 0.3% lower than both Unity and Carberry. AAC Warman was rated moderately resistant to Fusarium head blight (Fusarium graminearum Schwabe) and loose smut [Ustilago tritici (Pers.) Rostr.], resistant to leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Erikss.) and stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Erikss. & E. Henn), moderately susceptible to stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis Westend.) and common bunt [Tilletia caries (DC.) Tul. & C. Tul.], and intermediately resistant to leaf spot complex. AAC Warman was resistant to orange wheat blossom midge (Sitodiplosis mosellana Géhin). Based on its milling and baking performance over 3 yr (2014–2016), as evaluated by the Grain Research Laboratory, Canadian Grain Commission, AAC Warman was registered under the CWRS market class.

Marker-assisted breeding of hexaploid spring wheat in the Canadian prairies

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important crop and export commodity for Canada. Increased global population, demand for superior quality grains, and rapidly evolving pathogens have necessitated the breeding of high-yielding, disease-resistant wheat cultivars. Significant improvements in breeding efficiency can be made through advances in wheat genetics and genomics to develop tools that accelerate genetic gains in wheat. The identification of genes and quantitative trait loci for economically important traits and the development of associated molecular markers have the potential to improve selection efficiency. Marker-assisted selection enriches desirable allelic frequency, complements phenotypic data, and facilitates gene stacking. Molecular markers have been developed for various genes and quantitative trait loci conferring resistance to leaf rust, stripe rust, stem rust, Fusarium head blight, loose smut, common bunt, leaf spot, wheat blossom midge, and wheat stem sawfly. Markers are available for wheat grain and flour characteristics as well. Agronomic traits such as vernalization requirement, day-length sensitivity, and plant height can also be selected using molecular markers. Validated single nucleotide polymorphism based markers are a useful tool in breeding new wheat varieties for the Canadian prairies. In the current review, we present a compilation of validated molecular markers that are polymorphic and potentially useful for Canadian wheat breeding.

Multienvironmental evaluation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm identifies donors with multiple fungal disease resistance

Production and productivity of wheat crop is hampered by the biotic and abiotic stresses putting the world food security at risk. Among the biotic stresses, rusts are the major threat throughout the wheat growing areas in the world whereas Karnal bunt, powdery mildew, Fusarium head blight and loose smut are of minor importance. These diseases severely affect the yield and quality of wheat grain. Till date these diseases have been contained by the use of host resistance alongwith the chemical fungicides. However, the host resistance is overcome with the evolution of new virulent pathotypes. Deployment of diverse and durable sources of resistance in breeding programmes is the most economic and effective means of reducing yield losses caused by these diseases.With an aim to identify novel sources of resistance to these pathogens, 247 Indian wheat accessions were evaluated for multiple disease resistance at six different hot spots in order to identify potentially new sources of resistance. Of the 247 accessions of wheat, 14 accessions highly resistant to stripe rust, 142 for Leaf rust and 146 for stem rustwere identified. Thirty-two accessions were found resistant to all the three rusts. Thirty accessions showed immune reaction to powdery mildew and 61 were recorded resistant. Data obtained from spot blotch experiment revealed one accession immune to spot blotch infection while two accessions were recorded resistant with 10% infection. Karnal bunt (KB) resistance (infection level < 5) was observed in 186 lines. Out of 247 lines 69 and 93 accessions were found to have resistance against spot blotch and loose smut respectively. Accession No. IC128643 was found to be the most promising accession that has resistance against three rusts, powdery mildew, Karnal bunt, loose smut and spot blotch. Accession no. IC36900, IC397999 and IC416249 showed resistance against three rusts, powdery mildew, Karnal bunt and loose smut while accession no. IC415971 and IC415977 showed resistance against three rusts, powdery mildew, spot blotch and loose smut. The resistant germplasm lines, identified in this study can be used for introgressing resistance to high yielding backgrounds and are expected to contribute towards food security at national and global levels.

CREATION OF WHEAT CULTIVAR SIBIRSKAYA 21 ADAPTED TO THE WESTERN SIBERIA CONDITIONS

The paper presents biological, economic and technological characteristics of the new spring common wheat cultivar Sibirskaya 21. Breeding work on the creation of the cultivar was carried out in Novosibirsk region on chernozem soils of the forest-steppe zone in 2004-2012 preceded by bare fallow. Observations and studies were carried out according to the conventional methods in comparative analysis with the standard cultivar Novosibirskaya 31. Cultivar Sibirskaya 21 was created by a single individual selection from a hybrid population (Novosibirskaya 67 × Udacha) × Sibirskaya 17, obtained as a result of intraspecific hybridization by the Tvel method and the estimation of recombinants in yield, intensity of plant productivity elements, flour-baking qualities of grain and resistance to the fungal pathogens on a provocative background to artificial infection. Cultivar Sibirskaya 21 is a variety of Lutescens. It is a mid-early cultivar, with the growing period of 72-82 days. Plant height is 95-105 cm. The average yield in fallow over the years of competitive variety testing amounted to 3.27 t/ha, which is 0.57 t/ha higher than the standard. The maximum yield was 6 t/ha. The cultivar is characterized by high drought resistance. In the highly arid year 2012, the yield was 1.97 t/ha, which is higher than the standard by 0.59 t/ha. Baking qualities of grain are average. The weight of 1000 grains is 29.0-37.0 g. The nature of the grain is 750-800 g/l. The content of crude gluten is 28.0 – 36.0%. The volume output of bread is 500-640 cm3/100 g. The total baking score is 3.7-4.2 points. The cultivar is resistant to covered and loose smut, slightly susceptible to powdery mildew, and moderately susceptible to leaf brown rust. The cultivar is included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements for the West Siberian region. It is recommended for cultivation in different areas of the Altai territory, Novosibirsk and Omsk regions.

Importance, Biology, Epidemiology, and Management of Loose Smut (Ustilago nuda) of Barley (Hordeum vulgare): A Review

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is an economically, nutritionally and industrially important cereal crop worldwide. Ethiopia is believed to be the center of origin and diversity of the cultivated barley crop. The crop has been cultivated in the country since time immemorial. The midlands and highlands of Ethiopia are suitable for barley cultivation. However, there are many biotic and abiotic factors that reduce production and productivity of the crop in Ethiopia and elsewhere. Of the various fungal plant diseases limiting barley productivity, loose smut (Ustilago nuda) is one of the major cosmopolitan and destructive seedborne pathogen in many barley-producing countries in the world. This piece of work was undertaken to: 1) review the economic importance and ecological requirements of barley and extent of grain loss due to barley loose smut; 2) review the biology and ecological requirements of the pathogen leading to epidemics; and 3) compile the management options for sustainable barley production and productivity. To achieve these objectives, data and information were gleaned from scientific journal publications, PhD dissertations, Master’s theses, research reports, books and book chapters, proceedings and symposia papers, relevant compendia, internet resources, personal communications, and similar other resources. From the reviews made, it could be deduced that barley loose smut on average causes estimated grain yield losses that range from 25 to 30% in the world. The systemic pathogen is embedded in the scutellum part of the embryo and easily transmitted to the next cropping season. The pathogen sori commonly replace the spike during anthesis and healthy ears are infected at flowering through the teliospores blown by wind. Warm soil when seedlings emerge is more conducive to loose smut than cold soil; however, moderate temperature (15 to 22 oC) and damp cloudy weather or heavy rainfall at flowering time are the preconditions required by the pathogen for heavy infection because of elongated or extended period of open flowers. Barley loose smut can be better managed through the use of proper cultural practices in integration with hot water and solar heat seed treatment, use of resistant varieties, and effective systemic fungicides, like Azoxystrobin, Carboxin, Difenoconazole, Mancozeb, Propiconazole, Tebuconazole, Triadimenol, and Triticonazole. It could, thus, be concluded that barley loose smut is a very important disease that seriously affects barley production and productivity worldwide, but can be reasonably managed through the use of smut-free seed, certified seed, host resistance, and hot water/solar heat or systemic fungicidal seed treatment or their integration.

Физиологические эффекты действия на растения фунгицидов триазольной природы

The integrated protection of plants from diseases, pests and weeds is an essential element of technologies for their cultivation. Contemporary crop research involves the widespread use of fungicides, which is important not only for increasing plant productivity, but also in order to obtain a high-quality crop. Under conditions of significant spread, diseases such as wheat fusarium head blight, loose smut of wheat and rye, rye spur and others not only reduce the productivity of crops, but also prevent the use of grain crops for human nutrition or animal feed purposes. In addition to plant protection, measures aimed at managing crops are of great importance in cultivation technology. This is ensured by various technological methods, including the use of a variety of chemicals, including stimulants and regulators of plant growth and development. In addition to their main target effect, many pesticides are known to cause additional effects on plants. This is expressed not only in varying degrees of phytotoxic manifestations, but also in stimulating and growth-regulating effects. Knowledge of the direction of these effects will allow for more competent application of chemical plant protection products, as well as for obtaining positive and avoiding negative effects. Many contemporary large companies working in the field of plant protection inform agrarians about possible additional effects of the preparation. In addition to practical application, studying the influence of the physiological effects of preparations helps agriculturalists to understand the formation mechanisms of plant resistance to stress. The review discusses the physiological and biochemical effects of triazole fungicidal preparations on plants. Their retardant effect, ability to increase the content of photosynthetic pigments and sugars, effects on respiration, changes in the composition of fatty acids, increased resistance of plants to temperature stresses, water deficiency, as well as chloride salinity and oxidative stress are also clarified. The review also includes the results of our own research on the effects of tebuconazole and tebuconazole-containing protectants on the mechanisms of cold and frost resistance of cereals.

Impact of Climate Change on Epidemiology of Various Pests of Wheat Crop in Punjab Pakistan

Wheat [Triticum aestivum L. (Poaceae)] is the staple diet of people in Pakistan. It is attacked by many types of pests. Therefore the purpose of this study was to assess the impact of climate change on the ecology and epidemiology of various wheat pests in Punjab, Pakistan. Results indicate that maximum weeds hot spots 242 (5.98%) Phalaris minor, 45 (1.18%) wild oat and 203 (5.01%) broad leaf weeds were noted in 2015. Aphid 31 (0.86%) hot spots were recorded in 2016 while maximum army worm 13 (0.26%) hot spots were noted in 2017. Maximum 70 (1.73%) spots of yellow rust and 85 (2.10%) hot spots of brown rust were observed during 2015 while 84 (4.16%) spots of loose smut were observed during 2017. ANOVA shows that years have no significant difference (P > 0.05) but weeks have significant effect on occurrence of these pest incidences except brown rust. But regression ANOVA was significant (P ≤ 0.05) and regression models equations have been developed on the bases of recorded data. Pest incidence was taken as dependent variable Y and weather factors i.e. minimum temperature as X1, maximum temperature as X2, relative humidity as X3 and rain fall as X4 were taken as independent variables. This study will help in recommendations for moving forward aiming at integration of biology of rust and smut diseases of wheat with changing climate for development of resistant varieties for resilient and durable management of these pathogens.

EFFECT OF SEED DRESSING CHEMICALS ON EMERGENCE, YIELD AND AGAINST SOIL &amp; SEED BORN DISEASES OF WHEAT

Field studies were carried out at Adaptive Research Farm, Sheikhupura Punjab, Pakistan having rice- wheat cropping system to evaluate the efficacy of three different fungicides against seed or soil borne wheat diseases (Root rot, Loose smut &amp; Black Point disease) during two successive seasons 2015-16 &amp; 2016-17.The fungicides were Thiophenate methyl, compound fungicides i.e. Tubeconzol+ imidachloprid and Difenoconazol + cypnoconazol used as seed treatment at the rate of 2.5 g , 4 ml &amp; 1 ml per kg of seed respectively. Incidence of root rot, loose smut &amp; black point disease was recorded by selecting 15 plants, 100 plants &amp; 100 seeds randomly of each treatment from each plot respectively in comparison with untreated control. All the fungicides significantly increased the seedling emergence per square meter about 15 percent as compared to untreated plot. Tubeconzol+ imidachloprid and Difenoconasol +cypnoconazol were the most effective seed dressing fungicide and reduced the number of rotted roots , loose smut infected spikes and black point infested seeds. Maximum number of productive tillers per square meter, healthy grains per spike and yield kg per hectare were recorded with compound fungicide Tubeconzol+ Imidachloprid followed by Difenoconazol + Cypnoconazol treated plots as compared to untreated plot.

ОЦЕНКА ЯРОВОЙ МЯГКОЙ ПШЕНИЦЫ ИЗ НОВЫХ ПОСТУПЛЕНИЙ В КОЛЛЕКЦИЮ ВИР ПО УСТОЙЧИВОСТИ К ПЫЛЬНОЙ ГОЛОВНЕ

Background. Loose smut caused by Ustilago tritici (Pers.) Rostr. is one of the major diseases of wheat widespread in all areas of its cultivation. Breeding centers in Russia constantly need new sources of resistance to this disease. Screening of spring wheat accessions for resistance to loose smut has been carried out since 2016 in the Genetics Department of the N. I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) in collaboration with the Wheat Genetic Resources Department. Materials and methods . In the 2016-2018 growing seasons, new 139 accessions of spring bread wheat were screened for resistance to loose smut against a severe infection background according to the well-known method (Krivchenko, 1984). During wheat's flowering phase, from 7 to 10 ears of each accession were inoculated with a fungal infection collected on VIR's experimental field. The severity of the infection was determined by the disease symptoms on the susceptible reference cultivars: 'Reward', 'Diamant' and 'Scala'. Assessment of the infection lesions was carried out in the next year after inoculation by counting the diseased and healthy ears in each accession. Results and conclusion . The ears of eleven accessions were resistant to loose smut during two years of evaluation. During three years of evaluation the disease symptoms were not detected on the plants of eight accessions: 'Salavat Yulaev' (k-65560, Bashkortostan), 'Fori 4' (k-65592, Leningrad Province); 'Diablon' (k- 65444, Germany), 'Ke Feng 10' (k-65472, China), k-65479 (Algeria), k- 65482 (Turkey), 'Alikat' (k-65586, Canada) and 'Selection 1403' (k- 65828, USA). Three years of evaluation showed that 10 varieties were moderately resistant (no more than 5% affected ears): 4 from Russia, 2 from Canada, and single accessions from Spain, China, Pakistan and Tajikistan. The mentioned accessions are of interest for the development of spring bread wheat cultivars with resistance to loose smut for cultivation in the North-Western region of Russia.

Zealand hard red spring wheat

Zealand hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was developed using a modified bulk breeding method at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, AB. Zealand is an apically awn-letted, hollow-stemmed cultivar with a combination of high yield potential, tall plant type, large leaves, and early maturity. In three years of testing in the Western Bread Wheat Cooperative Registration Test during 2013–2015, Zealand exhibited grain yield similar to Glenn and Carberry and 5%–6% lower than Unity and AAC Viewfield, though this difference was not significant (p &gt; 0.05). Zealand yielded 37% greater than the highest-yielding Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) check, CDC Osler, in A-level testing at a certified organic farm. Zealand matured 1–4 d earlier and was taller than all the check cultivars, but exhibited lodging resistance better than Unity and similar to the other checks. The test weight of Zealand (79.1 kg hL−1) was lower than Glenn and similar to the other checks, while its seed mass was in the range of the check cultivars. Overall, Zealand was rated as resistant (R) to the prevalent races of leaf rust, moderately resistant (MR) to stripe rust and loose smut, intermediate (I) to stem rust and leaf spot, and moderately susceptible (MS) to common bunt and Fusarium head blight. Three years of end-use quality evaluation indicated that Zealand is acceptable for the CWRS class, with relatively few weaknesses. The tall plant type, large leaves, and early maturity render Zealand suitable for organic/high weed environments.

Assessment of farmers’ perceptions of production constraints, and their trait preferences of sorghum in western Ethiopia: implications for anthracnose resistance breeding

ABSTRACTSorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench is an important food security crop widely grown by smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including Ethiopia. In SSA, the potential of sorghum production and productivity has not been realised due to an array of constraints. Colletotrichum sublineolum disease is one of the main biotic constraints causing significant yield losses. The objectives of this study were to assess farmers’ perception, preferences and constraints to sorghum production and productivity in western Ethiopia, and to identify key drivers for anthracnose resistance breeding. A participatory rural appraisal study was undertaken in six selected districts in the East Wellega and West Shewa Administrative Zones in Ethiopia. Data were collected through structured questionnaires involving 165 respondent farmers. Further focus group discussions were held with 180 farmers and development agents. Sorghum is the third most preferred cereal crop after Eragrostis tef and Zea mays in western Ethiopia. About 79% of interviewed farmers cultivated sorghum during the study season. Farmers perceived that sorghum production is constrained by anthracnose disease, bird attack, loose smut and covered smut diseases. The most important farmer-preferred traits in sorghum varieties in the study areas were anthracnose resistance and tolerance to bird attack. Breeding sorghum varieties with the farmer-preferred traits is an important consideration to enhance productivity and adoption of improved sorghum cultivars in western Ethiopia.

Yield stability, canopy characteristics and seed-borne diseases of spring barley genotypes under organic management

ABSTRACTThe objectives of this study were to identify stable and high-yielding genotypes grown in organically managed fields in Latvia and Estonia and to determine their canopy parameters and susceptibility to seed-borne diseases. Field trials with barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were conducted using 26 varieties and breeding lines including 20 covered and six hulless genotypes at three locations over three growing seasons. Estonian breeding line 4533.4.3.6 yielded significantly above the average (3.99 t ha–1; LSD = 0.230 t ha–1) and showed wide adaptability as indicated by the coefficient of regression (bi = 1.05), relatively small deviation from regression (s2d = 0.04) and one of the lowest value of ecovalence (Wi = 1.41%). There were significant differences between genotypes according to the canopy parameters measured, such as growth type, early vigour, crop ground cover and canopy height. High-yielding barley genotypes were characterized by more planophile growth habit and shorter canopy height, thus providing good ground cover in the early stages of plant growth. Rasa was the only variety found to have no plants infected with loose smut or leaf stripe, in either of the locations.

A NEW SPRING SOFT WHEAT VARIETY ‘VORONEZHSKAYA 18’ FOR THE CENTRAL-BLACKEARTH REGION

The purpose of our study is to create and introduce new drought-resistant and heat-resistant spring wheat varieties adapted to the conditions of the Central Blackearth region with high and stable yields, resistance to lodging, tolerance to unfavourable environmental factors and to the most harmful diseases and pests, and with high indicators of grain quality as well. The article presents the morphological and economic-biological characteristics of the new middle-ripened, drought-resistant variety of spring soft wheat ‘Voronezhskaya18’, introduced in 2017 into the State List of Breeding Achievements of theRussian Federationfor the Central Blackearth Region. Spring soft wheat variety ‘Voronezhskaya18’was created in the RIA CBP named after V.V. Dokuchaev by intraspecific hybridization with a further individual selection from a hybrid population: F (‘Voronezhskaya 10’/’Krestyanka’)/’Krestyanka’. The new variety possesses a high productivity (up to 6.96 t/ha). It has been determined that the high productivity of the variety ‘Voronezhskaya18’is connected with a denser productive stand (up to 544 heads per 1 m2versus 472 heads per1 m2of the standard variety ‘Prokhorovka’), while the variety ‘Voronezhskaya18’forms the same size of grain as that of the variety ‘Prokhorovka’ (33.5 g). It has been discovered that the variety ‘Voronezhskaya18’surpasses the regional variety ‘Prokhorovka’ in its resistance to atmospheric and soil drought. The new variety has got a rapid initial growth in the initial period. It has been established that the plants of the variety ‘Voronezhskaya18’are characterized by high preservation of green leaves before the period of waxy ripeness and the new variety exceeds the standard by the content of chlorophyll ‘a’. The protein content in kernels is up to 17.7%, the gluten content is up to 36.3%, the flour power is up to 457 e. a. It has been proved that on an infectious background the new variety is more tolerant to loose smut than the standard variety. As for brown rust infection on natural and artificial backgrounds, the new variety was at the level of the stable variety ‘Prokhorovka’. Sprouts of the new variety can resist the temperature up to -80C.

AAC W1876 hard red spring wheat

AAC W1876 hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has grain yield and time to maturity within the range of the check cultivars: Katepwa, Laura, Lillian, Carberry, and CDC Kernen. AAC W1876 has an awned spike, a low lodging score indicative of strong straw, and a short plant stature typical of a semidwarf wheat. AAC W1876 expressed resistance to prevalent races of leaf rust, moderate resistance to stem rust, and intermediate resistance to Fusarium head blight, yellow rust, common bunt, and loose smut. Compared with the Canada Western Red Spring check cultivars, AAC W1876 had improved flour yield and lower flour ash. AAC W1876 is eligible for grades of Canada Western Red Spring.

Soil spatial distribution in a smut fungus-annual grass interaction: Exploring patterns to understand disease dynamics at plot scale

Abstract Infection of large crabgrass by loose smut occurs in the first centimetres of the soil profile. To understand the spatial-temporal disease dynamics, we try to find out the importance of the spatial distribution of spores and seeds in a field. Two soil sampling strategies were carried out after doing soil tillage, and propagules were counted; in the following season the level of disease was assessed. There was spatial autocorrelation in the case of the spores, but not in that of the seeds. Spores were arranged in a single patch. A significant relationship was found between the density of spores and the percentage of diseased host plants in the next season. Both variables displayed a spatial structure based on multiple regression. The role that the different zones of the field, varying in spore abundance, may play in the coexistence of both partners is discussed in the light of the results.

Registration of ‘Canmore’ Barley

Interest has been growing in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars that meet the specialized needs of a diverse marketplace while still providing producers with robust, high‐yielding types. In response to this challenge, the Alberta Barley Commission worked closely with Sanwa Shurui Co., Ltd. and the Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) to develop selection criteria in barley for shochu production. Shochu is a popular alcoholic beverage in Japan. As part of the project, ‘Canmore’ (Reg. No. CV‐366, PI 685640; Canadian Food Inspection Agency Reg. No. 7392; Canadian PBR Appl. No. 5237), a two‐rowed, hulled, spring barley for food and general purpose uses, was developed. Canmore was derived using single seed descent from one F2 seed to a F5 headrow. It was tested as J02039005 in FCDC trials from 2004 to 2012 and as TR10694 in Prairie Recommending Committee for Oat and Barley trials in 2010 and 2011. It was registered in Canada as Canmore. Canmore has excellent pearling properties, starch content, and alcohol yield for shochu production. It is resistant to surface‐borne and loose smuts, moderately resistant to scald and spot form of net blotch, and intermediately resistant to common root rot, spot blotch, and Fusarium head blight. Canmore has good potential in the food barley market for shochu as well as good yield, disease resistance, and agronomic traits for general production in the northern Great Plains.

High-density genetic mapping of a major QTL for resistance to multiple races of loose smut in a tetraploid wheat cross.

Loose smut, caused by Ustilago tritici (Pers.) Rostr., is a systemic disease of tetraploid durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.). Loose smut can be economically controlled by growing resistant varieties, making it important to find and deploy new sources of resistance. Blackbird, a variety of T. turgidum L. subsp. carthlicum (Nevski) A. Love & D. Love, carries a high level of resistance to loose smut. Blackbird was crossed with the loose smut susceptible durum cultivar Strongfield to produce a doubled haploid (DH) mapping population. The parents and progenies were inoculated with U. tritici races T26, T32 and T33 individually and as a mixture at Swift Current, Canada in 2011 and 2012 and loose smut incidence (LSI) was assessed. Genotyping of the DH population and parents using an Infinium iSelect 90K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array identified 12,952 polymorphic SNPs. The SNPs and 426 SSRs (previously genotyped in the same population) were mapped to 16 linkage groups spanning 3008.4 cM at an average inter-marker space of 0.2 cM in a high-density genetic map. Composite interval mapping analysis revealed three significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) for loose smut resistance on chromosomes 3A, 6B and 7A. The loose smut resistance QTL on 6B (QUt.spa-6B.2) and 7A (QUt.spa-7A.2) were derived from Blackbird. Strongfield contributed the minor QTL on 3A (QUt.spa-3A.2). The resistance on 6B was a stable major QTL effective against all individual races and the mixture of the three races; it explained up to 74% of the phenotypic variation. This study is the first attempt in durum wheat to identify and map loose smut resistance QTL using a high-density genetic map. The QTL QUt.spa-6B.2 would be an effective source for breeding resistance to multiple races of the loose smut pathogen because it provides near-complete broad resistance to the predominant virulence on the Canadian prairies.

Methodology of Breeding Ecologically Resistant Varieties of Oats

To breed ecologically resistant varieties, it is necessary to determine breeding methods and their sequence and combinations, i.e., to develop a methodology. In 2003, hybrid material of covered oats was obtained on 76 cross combinations. In 2008–2009, 345 of the best elite plants were selected, and further selection was made under different ecologic conditions: sufficient or excess humidification and drought on neutral and aluminum-acid sod-podzolic soils (Kirov region), short growing season on sod-podzolic soils (Udmurt Republic), on dark-grey heavy loam forest soils (Chuvash Republic), and drought on middle-loam chernozem (Samara region). Screening on disease resistance and improving selection under field and laboratory conditions was performed. As a result, the new, adaptive variety Berber was passed into State Varietal Test in 2016. The variety combines high productivity (7.8 t/ha) and valuable grain quality: test weight 608 g/L, huskiness 26.3%, raw protein content 13.87%, raw fat content 3.18%, and resistance to loose smut and crown rust.

TECHNOLOGY OF BARLEY BREEDING FOR RESISTANCE TO SMUT FUNGI

The technology of creating varieties of barley resistant to the smut diseases has been developed. Their cultivation will help to reduce crop losses, increase the profitability of seed production, improve the quality of seeds, and reduce the environmental risk from the use of chemical plant protection products. This technology was first implemented in the Kemerovo Region in 1988-1999. The wide distribution of species Ustilago nuda (Jens.) Kell. et Sw. (65 %) and U. nigra Tapke (35 %) was revealed. The covered smut ( Ustilago hordei (Pers.) Kell. Et Sw.) was registered in individual collection varieties. The first and tenth races of a loose smut and the sixth race of a black loose smut were identified. The sources of individual and group immunity to the smut fungi from the world gene pool of barley are distinguished: Moskovsky 3/125, Suzdalets, Ramos (Moscow Region); Kazer (Rostov Region); line 3 KM-1192 (Belarus); Kumir Odessky (Ukraine); Guardian (Canada). The donor properties of resistance to a loose smut in the Bagan variety, line 53 HVS 91/76, line 1899 were studied. They are recommended for use in breeding programs. With their participation a new hybrid fund was created. Variability and inheritance of quantitative traits of productivity of hybrids was studied. To select the recombinants immune to the loose smut in combination with high productivity, the most promising combinations of hybrids have been identified: Bagan × Viner; Bagan × KM-16; l. 53 HVS 91/76 × KM-7; KM-7 × l. 1899; l. 1899 × KM-7. Among them, prospective breeding lines have been selected. The results of the implementation of technology elements in the selection of barley for resistance to smut fungi is the creation of immune highly productive varieties of a new generation: Simon and Luka (Kemerovo Region). They are included in the State register of breeding achievements since 2004.