Rye Populations Research Articles

Principles of rye breeding for low content of water-soluble pentosans in grain

Winter rye is the second cereal crop after wheat. Rye exceeds other cereals in terms of nutritional value due to the high content of lysine, methionine, valine, as well as the balance of other essential amino acids in its protein. The direct use of baking rye grain as an animal feed is limited by the presence of water-soluble pentosans (arabinoxylans) in it. Therefore, the creation of low-pentosan rye with highly nutritious grain is a very perspective direction in the grain feed cultivar breeding. Under the leadership and with direct participation of Vladimir D. Kobylyansky, a technology for breeding multiple-use low-pentosan rye was worked out at the N.I. Vavilov VIR in 2004-2021. A relationship between the low pentosan content and grain coat thinness has been revealed. For the first time, an effective method of low-pentosan genotypes identification by selecting thin-coat grains has been developed. This method was used to study 562 accessions from the VIR collection represented by cultivar populations, weedy and wild rye. It has been established that the number of thin-coat grains in a sample varies from 12 to 70%, depending on the accession. Varieties with the highest frequencies of low-pentosan genotypes can be used as initial material for breeding. The dependence of low content of water-soluble pentosans in grains on the expression of recessive alleles of the gene/genes responsible for the manifestation of the trait has been revealed. To create grain feed cultivars, it is proposed to use the method of cumulative intrapopulation crosses and the method of pairwise cross-pollinations of the plants with indicator ears. As a result, new cultivar populations of low-pentosan rye for universal use have been created, namely ‘Vavilovskayaʼ, ‘Bereginyaʼ, ‘Podarokʼ, ‘Yantarnayaʼ, ‘Krasnoyarskaya Universalnayaʼ, ‘Novaya Eraʼ, and ‘Argaʼ. These cultivars are characterized by a low, as in wheat, genetically determined content of pentosans. They have been evaluated in the main rye growing regions, tested as raw material for fodder production and bread baking, and found to match the previously released commercial (bread) cultivars in terms of yield. The baking properties of new cultivars do not exceed those of bread rye. The use of low-pentosan cultivars in animal diets eliminates the problem that exists when feeding them with bread rye grain. These cultivars have no analogs in the world; they are listed in the State Register for Selection Achievements Admitted for Usage (2023).

Breeding assessment of winter rye population GC-494/15vv with high viscosity of water extract of grain meal

Breeding assessment of winter rye population GC-494/15vv with high viscosity of water extract of grain meal

QTL Mapping Using RIL Population.

Genetic maps are an excellent tool for the analysis of important traits, the development of which is the result of the combined expression of several genes, enabling the genomic localization of the factors determining them. Such features, characterized by a normal distribution of values, are referred to as quantitative or polygenic. The analysis of their genetic background using a chromosome map is called the mapping of quantitative traits loci (QTL). QTL analysis is a statistical method of determining the genetic association of phenotypic data (trait measurements) with genotypic data (DNA markers assigned to linkage groups).There are numerous tools developed for QTL mapping. This chapter introduces Windows QTL Cartographer with Composite Interval Mapping (CIM) method, which estimates the QTL position by combining interval mapping with multiple regression. The genotypic and phenotypic data used in the exemplary QTL mapping procedure were obtained for the recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of rye. Plant height, assessed in three seasons, was the exemplary trait under study.

Evaluation of Population and Hybrid Varieties of Winter Rye in the Conditions of Eastern Siberia

Winter rye has a high adaptive capacity to abiotic and biotic stressors compared to other winter crops (wheat, triticale, barley, and oats). High resistance of winter rye to adverse environmental factors and a wide range of its uses increase interest in this crop. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the adaptive capacity of population and hybrid varieties of winter rye and to identify varieties suitable for the soil and climate conditions of Eastern Siberia. A number of winter rye varieties of various geographical origins were tested during three field seasons. In all the field seasons, the population varieties (Tagna, Mininskaya, and Chulpan) were the most productive and most resistant to adverse environmental factors compared to the hybrid wheat (KWS Aviator, KWS Prommo, and KWS Ravo). Statistically significant (p < 0.001 in 2019/2020 and p < 0.001 in 2021/2022) differences in field survival and yield between the population and hybrid varieties were noted.

Survey of ACCase and ALS resistance in winter annual grasses identifies target-site and nontarget-site imazamox resistance in Secale cereale.

Early detection of herbicide resistance in weeds is crucial for successful implementation of integrated weed management. We conducted a herbicide resistance survey of the winter annual grasses feral rye (Secale cereale), downy brome (Bromus tectorum), and jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) from Colorado winter wheat production areas for resistance to imazamox and quizalofop. All samples were susceptible to quizalofop. All downy brome and jointed goatgrass samples were susceptible to imazamox. Out of 314 field collected samples, we identified three feral rye populations (named A, B, and C) that were imazamox resistant. Populations B and C had a target-site mechanism with mutations in the Ser653 residue of the acetolactate synthase (ALS) gene to Asn in B and to Thr in C. Both populations B and C had greatly reduced ALS in vitro enzyme inhibition by imazamox. ALS feral rye protein modeling showed that steric interactions induced by the amino acid substitutions at Ser653 impaired imazamox binding. Individuals from population A had no mutations in the ALS gene. The ALS enzyme from population A was equally sensitive to imazamox as to known susceptible feral rye populations. Imazamox was degraded two times faster in population A compared with a susceptible control. An oxidized imazamox metabolite formed faster in population A and this detoxification reaction was inhibited by malathion. Population A has a nontarget-site mechanism of enhanced imazamox metabolism that may be conferred by cytochrome P450 enzymes. This is the first report of both target-site and metabolism-based imazamox resistance in feral rye. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

100 Years of Chromosome Research in Rye, Secale L.

Although microscopy and genetics were still in their infancy, there are cytological results produced a hundred years ago that are still relevant today. Since the 1920s, rye has been a subject of chromosome research. It started by plotting its mitotic and meiotic chromosomes to determine genome size. After controversial evidence, it became clear that the base number is n = 7. However, structural differences exist between species within the genus Secale. Some rye populations even carry accessory chromosomes evolutionary derived from the A genome. The development of tetraploid strains significantly promoted chromosome analysis. Various techniques have tried to stabilize the disturbed chromosome pairing of the induced tetraploids. Although slight improvements could be achieved, they did not lead to a breakthrough. However, the various aneuploid derivatives of the polyploids found major advances in the genetic analysis of rye. Trisomics, telo-trisomics, and reciprocal translocation have served as important tools for gene mapping. Since the 1970s, various chromosome banding techniques have stimulated scientific progress. The seven haploid chromosomes could be diagnosed unequivocally, not only in S. cereale but also in related species. These findings led to a clear homoeologous assignment to the genomes of related grass species such as wheat, barley, rice, etc. Current applications of in situ fluorescence staining methods, such as GISH and FISH, allow even more precise results, depending on the specificity of the DNA samples. Advanced preparation techniques are supplemented by the variety of innovations in the field of molecular genome analysis. They replace complex cytological examinations. In this way, introgressions can be safely detected by DNA markers and be much more detailed. In addition, CRISPR/CAS-mediated chromosome engineering will become an important method of the future.

Multiple Parameter Assessment of Grain Quality for Populations of Winter Rye with Various Viscosity of Water Extract

Multiple Parameter Assessment of Grain Quality for Populations of Winter Rye with Various Viscosity of Water Extract

Long-term breeding progress of yield, yield-related, and disease resistance traits in five cereal crops of German variety trials

Key messageConsiderable breeding progress in cereal and disease resistances, but not in stem stability was found. Ageing effects decreased yield and increased disease susceptibility indicating that new varieties are constantly needed.Plant breeding and improved crop management generated considerable progress in cereal performance over the last decades. Climate change, as well as the political and social demand for more environmentally friendly production, require ongoing breeding progress. This study quantified long-term trends for breeding progress and ageing effects of yield, yield-related traits, and disease resistance traits from German variety trials for five cereal crops with a broad spectrum of genotypes. The varieties were grown over a wide range of environmental conditions during 1988–2019 under two intensity levels, without (I1) and with (I2) fungicides and growth regulators. Breeding progress regarding yield increase was the highest in winter barley followed by winter rye hybrid and the lowest in winter rye population varieties. Yield gaps between I2 and I1 widened for barleys, while they shrank for the other crops. A notable decrease in stem stability became apparent in I1 in most crops, while for diseases generally a decrasing susceptibility was found, especially for mildew, brown rust, scald, and dwarf leaf rust. The reduction in disease susceptibility in I2 (treated) was considerably higher than in I1. Our results revealed that yield performance and disease resistance of varieties were subject to considerable ageing effects, reducing yield and increasing disease susceptibility. Nevertheless, we quantified notable achievements in breeding progress for most disease resistances. This study indicated an urgent and continues need for new improved varieties, not only to combat ageing effects and generate higher yield potential, but also to offset future reduction in plant protection intensity.

Explaining the variation in historical trends for agriculture and population density using soil, climate, and topography data. A case study from Denmark

ABSTRACT Agricultural land use and population density have been increasing around the world. Determining if physical geography is a driving factor of historical change on a larger scale has received little research interest in the past outside local-scale case studies. The aim of this study was to model historical agricultural development and population density throughout Denmark using geographically weighted regression with environmental variables and data for parishes from 1860 to 1890. We analysed rye production, sheep count, and population density on the national scale. The incorporated variables were selected to represent aspects of soil, climate, and topography. Models for rye and sheep had high explanatory power (global R2: between 0.60 and 0.68) for both time periods whereas the model for population density had low explanatory power (global R2: 0.09 in 1860 and 0.25 in 1890). The results indicate that historical development in agricultural geography can be explained using physical geography. However, population density is more complex due to influences of industrialization, culture and scalar structure. This questions the classical understanding that soil quality is a strong determinant of population density on its own in Denmark. We instead argue that soil quality has a dynamic multidirectional interplay with human and agricultural activity.

Genetic Variability in Winter Rye (Secale cereale L.) Accessions at Early Stage of Self-Pollination Manifested through Fertility, Plant Height and Secalins

Selection of winter self-pollinated plants with short to medium stem height was initiated in 15 cultivated rye populations. About 8.8% seed set per selfed spike was registered in the first two years. In inbred S2 families, self-fertility varied between 0–73 seeds per isolated ear and plant height ranged from 76 to 115 cm. Response to selection and genetic advance in percent of the mean characterized the S3 families for one cycle of selection. SDS-PAGE gel patterns showed two major protein bands for the rye HMW secalins—one slowly moving x-subunit expressed as 2r, 5.2*r and 5.3r, and the second quickly moving y-subunit, expressed as 6r, 6.5r, 7r and 9r. Regarding alleles in Glu-R1 and Gli-R2 loci, nine progenies appeared to show genetic homogeneity in proteins, supporting by low coefficients of variation for plant height. The HMW compositions 2r (alone band) and 5.3r + 7r, were defined as new secalin subunits. 75 K γ-secalins, encoded at Gli-R2, were composed by alleles a, b, c, for subunits d1, d2 and t1, respectively. The results showed that among all, four selfed rye progenies were considered as homogeneous genotypes and could be used as inbred lines in further genetic and breeding experiments.

Feral rye control in quizalofop‐resistant wheat in central Great Plains

AbstractFeral rye (Secale cereale L.) is one of the most troublesome winter annual grass weed species in semi‐arid winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production systems across the central Great Plains (CGP). Lack of effective herbicide options further complicates the selective control of feral rye in winter wheat. The main objectives of this research were: (a) determine the sensitivity response of 10 feral rye populations collected from Kansas wheat fields to quizalofop‐p‐ethyl in a dose‐response assay, and (b) to determine the effectiveness of various rates and application timings (fall or spring) of quizalofop‐p‐ethyl for feral rye control in quizalofop‐resistant winter wheat in the CGP. Dose‐response assays indicated that all tested feral rye populations were highly sensitive to quizalofop‐p‐ethyl with GR90 values (doses of quizalofop‐p‐ethyl needed for 90% reductions in shoot biomass at 3 wk after treatment) ranging from 33 to 72 g a.i. ha−1. A field study conducted in Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma for a total of 5 site‐years indicated that quizalofop‐p‐ethyl applied at ≥77 g a.i. ha−1 in the fall or spring provided season‐long feral rye control at 92–100% in quizalofop‐resistant winter wheat. Irrespective of tested rates and application timings, a quizalofop‐p‐ethyl treatment protected winter wheat yield loss of 17–27% due to reduced feral rye competition compared to the nontreated weedy check in Colorado and Oklahoma. Results suggested that quizalofop‐p‐ethyl at labelled use rates (77–92 g a.i. ha−1) applied in fall or spring can provide effective feral rye control in quizalofop‐resistant winter wheat.

Is canopy temperature suitable for high throughput field phenotyping of drought resistance of winter rye in temperate climate?

Abstract The present study investigated genotypic differences in canopy temperature of 218 testcross progenies of a recombinant inbred lines mapping population of winter rye. For this purpose, we repeatedly measured canopy temperature (Tc) and air temperature (Ta) differences (Tc − Ta) in field trials on two locations with sandy soils in northern Germany, two water treatments (rainfed and irrigated) in two experimental years. The experimental conditions therefore covered a wide range of drought stress conditions between stem elongation and ripening under a high variation of environmental boundary conditions. Genotype effects on (Tc − Ta) were significant in both water treatments and were correlated to grain yield reduction under drought stress. With the chosen statistical model, we were able to account for moderate time-series effects and short-term fluctuations caused by changing boundary condition during single screens of (Tc − Ta). We could show that under certain weather conditions (Tc − Ta) can detect differences in drought stress tolerance more accurate than grain yield determination of rye.

Genetic resources in Finnish landrace rye (Secale cereale) and experimental evolving of its spring-habit from winter rye

Rye was the most important grain crop in Finland towards the end of the 19th century. Rye was largely grown in burned lands, kaski (slash-and-burn) and kytö, in the past. In the primary form of kytö, shoveled topsoil was heated on fires slowly combusting extraneous wood, brushwood or reed, or in the secondary form, a dry upper layer of organic topsoil of field was burned in a prescribed frontal mode in situ. The kytö selected against the brittle spike type, largely eliminating the weedy seed banks in the soil. Likewise, seed handling, especially the common cleaning with a pohdin -device further eliminated partially brittle spike types and selected against weedy rye. Rye was a cash-crop for the peasants in the past and was mainly attempted to be exported as seed. The commonly used smoky riihi-drying sanitized and conserved grains, which retained germinabilty, and in part increased demand for seed abroad. The grains produced on burned lands were fortified with minerals, including the minor elements, and good winter-hardiness occurred in the Finnish rye. The immigrant Finns were probably the first since 1638 to grow rye from seeds brought along with them to New Sweden in North America, where de-domesticated or feral rye became a weed problem in the 1950s. Some genetically variable landraces could be sown during different times of the year, thanks to segregate plants adapted to different sowing-times. Sowing of a winter rye landrace in May, the season of spring grain sowing, enabled selection of spring-habit mutants or segregants, which could be used to establish a true-breeding spring stock of rye shown experimentally. In the past, mid-summer sowing could occur with co-cultivation, e.g. with the traditional slash-and-burn turnip as the first season crop, or the autumn seedling of rye could be used as pasture. The Finnish rye populations frequently had cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) and nuclear restorer genes of anther fertility effective in the CMS. A non-leaky CMS and a leaky CMS (with male fertility in the late stems) are shown. Homozygosity obtained through forced self-pollination in a Finnish rye revealed unnoticed genes, such as dwarfs. A local rye population originating from Putkosjärvi area (64° 27’ N), in Ristijärvi Municipality, evidently devoid of the frequently contaminating weed, rye brome (Bromus secalinus), is thought to present an uncontaminated, ancient Finnish rye. The rye brome has contaminated growth in Finland at least since the Iron Age. Morphological variants, like brown spike or glume color and awnlessness were detected in the landrace. Two of 18 Finnish landraces were found to carry accessory or B chromosomes in a study in 1964. B chromosomes are known to interfere with the expression of some genes, perhaps also ensuring variation in the vernalisation needs of the plants.

Response of Kansas Feral Rye Populations to Aggressor Herbicide and Management in CoAXium Wheat Production System

Response of Kansas Feral Rye Populations to Aggressor Herbicide and Management in CoAXium Wheat Production System

Maize system impacts of cover crop management decisions: A simulation analysis of rye biomass response to planting populations in Iowa, U.S.A.

Cover crops provide environmental services that can effectively reduce the negative impacts from otherwise highly productive row-crop systems in the US Midwest. In this context, winter rye [(Secale cereale sp.)] is the most commonly used cover crop among producers because it overwinters and produces considerable biomass in the spring. While the soil and water benefits of a maize-rye system are well documented, the extent to which these benefits change under different rye planting densities has not been fully explored. In particular, shoot-biomass of a fall-seeded rye cover crop is expected to respond to increasing plant populations (PP), influence maize system productivity overall, and provide additional income for growers to justify the higher establishment costs of the cover crop. Field data for a long-term biomass assessment is costly and hard to generalize, so we used 25-year weather records to run the field-scale model APSIM at three Iowa locations to: 1) Quantify the relationship between rye biomass and rye PP, 2) Test if this relationship is further controlled by maize Nitrogen (N) rates or vary across locations and soil types, 3) Investigate if changes in maize system outcomes, i.e. grain yield, nitrate leaching, soil erosion, and runoff are significantly related to rye biomass, and 4) Estimate changes in farm returns for maize operations that utilize rye biomass under alternative management scenarios (i.e. grazing). Overall, we found a positive relationship between rye biomass and PP, with spring biomass increasing by 30% when populations double. No evidence for a biomass plateau was found, although spring biomass differed by soil type and location. Relative changes in soil erosion and N-leaching were negatively correlated with rye biomass (−30 and − 25% change relative to no cover crop, p < 0.01). Further, for a 200-acre (≈80 ha.) maize-cattle operation, the rye cover crop was shown to impact maize yields minimally albeit reducing annual farm income across Iowa when its biomass is not grazed (−4149 to −5198 $. year−1); or even when grazed early (−1800 to −3321 $. year−1). Late grazed rye could help farmers to turn positive returns in central and southern locations (+2688 to +6902 $. year−1) but not in northerly areas. Results from this study indicates that cover crops could effectively benefit maize system performance overall although the economic incentives for increasing rye populations are not applicable to every location in Iowa.

Genetic and ecogeographical diversity of rye (Secale L.) species growing in Iran, based on morphological traits and RAPD markers

Assessing the genetic diversity is an essential step for breeding programs and the optimal use of genetic resources. In this study genetic and phenotypic diversity of 70 rye (Secale L.) populations collected from different regions of Iran were evaluated based on 14 qualitative morphological traits and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Among the evaluated traits spike shattering, leaf pubescence and stem and auricle color showed a high taxonomic value. Based on the morphological diversity assessed using descriptive statistics and discriminant function analysis, 38 S. cereale L. subsp. cereale, 28 S. cereale L. subsp. ancestrale Zhuk., eight S. strictum C. Presl, subsp. strictum, and three populations of S. strictum C. Presl, var. ciliatoglume (Boiss.) Fred. et Peters. were identified. Genetic diversity of 20 populations of identified species by RAPD markers confirmed the results of morphological evaluation. The rate of polymorphism was 45.26% of total amplified DNA fragments. Cluster analysis of RAPD data effectively separated the two species of rye (S. cereale L. and S. strictum C. Presl).

Peterhof collection of rye and its use in genetic studies

The article provides information about the history and methods of development of Peterhof rye genetic collection, founded by V.S. Fedorov, Associate Professor of the Leningrad University. Isolation of self-compatible mutants, their crosses with self-incompatible rye plants, and subsequent self-pollination of hybrids allowed to reveal the allele diversity in heterogeneous and heterozygous rye varieties. In the course of genetic collection assembly the study of inheritance of qualitative and quantitative morphological traits, genetic control of self-compatibility, genetics of meiosis, genetics of interspecific incompatibility was performed. The corresponding genes were identified and, in most cases, mapped using isozymes and molecular markers. Fundamental research was introduced into practical breeding. Under the direction of V. S. Fedorov, and V. G. Smirnov the first in Russia tetraploid rye variety Leningradskaja Tetra was produced. Currently, based on the study of the genetics of self-fertility, the initial material is being obtained and used for improving rye population varieties. The possibility of using the genetic collection of rye to solve the fundamental problems of plant genetics is discussed.

Dynamic quantitative trait loci (QTL) for plant height predict biomass yield in hybrid rye (Secale cereale L.)

The biomethane production from agricultural biomass will be a key component of the future energy mix. Rye (Secale cereale L.) is ideally suited for this purpose due to its high adaptability to a wide range of soils, weather and cropping conditions. Its high biomass yield is achieved with the lowest input of fertilizer and pesticides of all small-grain cereals. For the selection of cultivars with high kernel and biomass potential in the same breeding program, a prediction of biomass yield by indirect traits would increase the selection progress. To analyze quantitative-trait loci (QTL) for plant height in three developmental stages (BBCH 32, BBCH 51–55, BBCH 73) and biomass yield, 258 experimental rye hybrids were grown at three and four locations in Germany in 2011 and 2012, respectively. A genetic linkage map was constructed with 911 molecular markers. The QTL analysis identified a total of 18 QTL for plant height at the three assessment dates and of three QTL for dry matter yield at milk ripening. A major QTL on chromosome 2R explained 46, 12, and 25% of the total genetic variance for plant height at BBCH 51–55, BBCH 73, and for biomass yield, respectively. Furthermore, two large-effect QTL for plant height in two growth stages and dry matter yield were identified on chromosomes 3R and 5R. For eleven of the identified QTL in rye the respective QTL/genes on syntenic rice chromosomes were detected that could serve as candidate genes in follow-up experiments. A set of sequence-tagged site (STS) markers flanking the three QTL alleles for dry matter yield (QDmy-2R, QDmy-3R, and QDmy-5R) enables to the achievement of an indirect selection gain for biomass yield. This marker-assisted strategy allows for the screening of large hybrid rye populations already at early developmental stages without the resource-demanding harvest for biomass yield.

Dynamics of technological and baking qualities of winter rye grain depending on flour yield and water extract viscosity

Dynamics of technological and baking qualities of winter rye grain were studied depending on flour yield and water extract viscosity (WEV). Initial material consisted in six populations of winter rye obtained after ten cycles of divergent selection for WEV, which was carried out on the basis of cultivars Al’fa and Moskovskaya 12. For each cultivar, three populations contrastingly differing for WEV were identified: low viscosity ones (LV) obtained in minus selection, mean viscosity ones (MV) obtained on the basis of the original populations without selection, and high viscosity (HV) ones obtained in plus selection. For each population, three grades of flour were obtained: wholemeal flour (100% yield), medium flour (87% yield), and pure flour (63% yield). Comparative testing was carried out in 2015 and 2016: in a field experiment on 8-m2 plots in three repetitions. The following traits were studied: weight of 1000 grains, nature of grain, glassiness, protein and starch contents, flour whiteness, falling number, amylogram height, starch gelatinization temperature, H/D ratio, bread volume, and crumb porosity. A prominent feature of LV-populations is the trend towards small grains, low grain nature, and lowered starch contents. For most traits, HV-populations were at the level of MV-populations. It was concluded that, during production of pure rye flour, almost all pentosans together with bran are removed from external layers of caryopsis. As a result, the share of pentosans within endosperm essentially increases. These pentosans belong to the water-soluble fraction, which is proven to be true by a sharp increase in WEV in pure rye flour in comparison with wholemeal flour. An increase in WEV in the grades of thin grinding flour occurs due to water-soluble pentosans, which are contained in bran, in deep layers of endosperm. As compared to rough grinding flour (wholemeal flour), thin grinding flour (pure flour) differed by higher whiteness (by 46.6 units), better amylogram (by 46 a. units), higher H/D ratio (by 0.04), volumetric yield (by 38 cm3), and porosity of crumb of a square loaf (by 9.9%). WEV also had significant influence, which, at high expression, positively affected flour whiteness, falling number, amylogram height, starch gelatinization temperature, and shape stability of toppling bread.

Comparative analysis of genetic architectures for nine developmental traits of rye

Genetic architectures of plant height, stem thickness, spike length, awn length, heading date, thousand-kernel weight, kernel length, leaf area and chlorophyll content were aligned on the DArT-based high-density map of the 541 × Ot1–3 RILs population of rye using the genes interaction assorting by divergent selection (GIABDS) method. Complex sets of QTL for particular traits contained 1–5 loci of the epistatic D class and 10–28 loci of the hypostatic, mostly R and E classes controlling traits variation through D–E or D–R types of two-loci interactions. QTL were distributed on each of the seven rye chromosomes in unique positions or as a coinciding loci for 2–8 traits. Detection of considerable numbers of the reversed (D′, E′ and R′) classes of QTL might be attributed to the transgression effects observed for most of the studied traits. First examples of E* and F QTL classes, defined in the model, are reported for awn length, leaf area, thousand-kernel weight and kernel length. The results of this study extend experimental data to 11 quantitative traits (together with pre-harvest sprouting and alpha-amylase activity) for which genetic architectures fit the model of mechanism underlying alleles distribution within tails of bi-parental populations. They are also a valuable starting point for map-based search of genes underlying detected QTL and for planning advanced marker-assisted multi-trait breeding strategies.