Stem Rust Research Articles

Computational and In silico study of novel fungicides against combating root rot, gray mold, fusarium wilt, and cereal rust.

The exploration of potential candidates for fungicides against four fungal proteins that cause some vital plant diseases, namely Phytophthora capsici, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, and Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, was conducted using in silico, molecular docking simulations, and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation for selecting the nature of binding affinity with actives sites of proteins. First of all, the DFT was employed to optimize the molecular geometry, and get the prepared optimized ligand. From the DFT data, the chemical descriptors were calculated. Next, two docking tools, such as AutoDock by PyRx and Molecular Docking by Glide from the Schrödinger suite, were used to convey the docking score, and ligand protein interactions against four main proteases, for instance 7VEM, 8H6Q, 8EBB, and 7XDS having name of pathogens: Phytophthora capsici, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, and Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, respectively. In case of auto dock from PyRx, the fungicides L01, L03, L04, L13, L14, L17, L18, and L19 demonstrated significantly higher affinities for binding to the four fungal pathogens. Surprisingly, it is conveyed that the L03 illustrated the highest binding score against three of 7VEM, 8EBB, and 7XDS proteins and L09 is highest for 8H6Q. However, MD was performed to check the validation and calculation the docking procedure and stability of the protein ligand docked complex accounting of RMSD, RMSF, SASA, Radius of gyration (Rg), Protein secondary structure elements (SSE), Ramachandran plot which confirm that the stability of docked complex is so high, and number of calculating the hydrogen bonds is more than good enough, as a result it is concluded the docking procedure is valid. Finally, Difenoconazole (L03) has been considered as the most promising antifungal drug evaluated from the studies.

Characterization and identification of stem rust resistance in some Egyptian wheat varieties

Characterization and identification of stem rust resistance in some Egyptian wheat varieties

Evaluation of Different Fungicides for the Management of Stem Rust (Puccinia graminis Pers. tritici Erikss. & Henn.) of Wheat

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the most important cereal crop. It belongs to genus Triticum of the family Poaceae. The most prevalent pathogens on wheat are the three rusts viz., black/stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers. tritici Erikss. and Henn.), leaf/brown rust (Puccinia recondita Rob. Ex. Desm. f. sp. tritici) and yellow/stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis West), which pose serious threat on its production. The present investigations were carried out at Department of Plant Pathology, C. P. College of Agriculture, and Agronomy Instructional Farm, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat during Rabi 2021-22 and 2022-23. The minimum disease severity (21.60 & 22.34%) was recorded in propiconazole 25 EC with maximum (49.01 & 47.28%) disease reduction over control followed by tebuconazole 50% + trifloxystrobin 25% WG during 2021-22 and 2022-23, respectively. The maximum 2727 kg/ha grain yield and 3135 kg/ha straw yield were obtained from the plots treated with propiconazole 25 EC which was followed by tebuconazole 50% + trifloxystrobin 25% WG (2434 kg/ha & 2776 kg/ha), respectively.

Registration of New Bread Wheat Variety (Gutu) for Mid to Highland Altitude Wheat Producing Areas of Ethiopia

Wheat, a staple crop in Ethiopia, is constrained by biotic and abiotic stresses. Despite efforts to develop high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties, most have short agronomic life spans due to mainly yellow rust and stem rust diseases. Therefore, continuous breeding and selection are needed to identify new varieties with high yield potential, resistance to major wheat diseases, and adaptability to different climatic conditions. Thirty advanced bread wheat lines together with standard and local checks were evaluated using row-to-column design in three replications at six and nine locations during the 2021 and 2022 main seasons, respectively. Data such as days to maturity, plant height, yield, TKW, and test weight were taken. The yield data were exposed to statistical analysis. The new variety, EBW192345 (Kenya sunbird/2*Kachu/3/SWSR22T.B/2* Blouk#1//Wbll1*2/Kuruku) outyielded the standard check (Boru) and local check (Dandaá) by 25.43% and 51.9%, respectively. The new variety not only outyielded the checks, but it exhibited better resistance to yellow and stem rust diseases and had better performances in 1000 Kernel weight and test weight compared to the other treatments including the checks. Based on two years of multi-location data and performances on research plots and farmers’ fields, EBW192345 was released by the national variety release committee for commercial production in mid to highlands in Ethiopia during 2023.

Development of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties for Lowland Areas of Ethiopia and Registration of the “Asgori” Variety

Identifying improved crop varieties is crucial for Ethiopia's diverse agroecologies, as different crops respond differently. To meet food grain demand, stable, high-yielding genotypes and resistance to diverse factors are needed. Conducting trials in multiple locations is essential. Multi-location trials in Ethiopia from 2020-2021 involved 75 advanced bread wheat genotypes across 13 environments. The finest genotype, exhibiting high grain yield and stability, was selected based on its performance across different locations. In comparison to the Control Ogolcho, Hawi, Kakaba, Kingbird, Deka, Abay, Dursa, Balcha, and EBW192369, Asgori demonstrated significantly improved agronomic characteristics and enhanced yield by 121.6%, 53.9%, 29.6 %, 29.2%, 14.8%, 13.6%, 9.6%, 5.3%, and 4.1%, respectively. The newly chosen and released genotype, named Asgori, with the pedigree of MUTUS*2/HARIL#1/3/SWSR22T.B./2*BLOUK#1//WBLL1*2/KURUKU/4/MUTUS*2/HARIL#1, was officially developed by the Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia Institute of Agricultural Research in 2023. Asgori is a widely adaptable, high-yielding, medium, erect cultivar with excellent end-use qualities. It is resistant to leaf rust, yellow rust, and stem rust, and has been approved for cultivation under rain-fed conditions.

Effect of Biopesticide Novochizol on Development of Stem Rust Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici in Wheat, T. aestivum L.

The use of biological plant protection products is promising for agriculture. In particular, chitosan-based biopesticides have become widespread for stimulating growth and protecting plants from a wide range of pathogens. Novochizol is a product obtained by intramolecular cross-linking of linear chitosan molecules and has a globular shape, which provides it with a number of advantages over chitosan. Novochizol has previously been shown to have a stimulating effect on the growth and development of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). However, the effect of this preparation on the protective mechanisms against rust diseases has not been studied before. Our studies have revealed the dose effect of the preparation on the development of stem rust of wheat. When treating plants with novochizol at a concentration of 0.125% four days before infection, the best results were obtained, namely: a stable reaction was observed and the number of pustules decreased. To identify critical points of the drug's effect on the protective mechanism against stem rust, we used an adrenaline test, which allows for a quick assessment of the pro/antioxidant status of plant extracts. We also assessed the activity of the major antioxidant enzymes, peroxidase and catalase, using commercial kits and the Folin-Ciocalteu reaction to assess the concentration of phenolic compounds. As a result, two stages were identified in infected plants pretreated with novochizol: early (up to 10 h after inoculation), characterized by antioxidant activity, and late (10-244 h), with prooxidant activity. These stages correspond to two peaks of accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to pathogen infection. The first peak is associated with the accumulation of superoxide anion O2-, which is converted into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide under the action of the enzyme SOD (superoxide dismutase). The second peak is associated with the accumulation of H2O2. Hydrogen peroxide performs a protective function leading to the death of pathogen mycelial cells. In comparison with infected plants without novochizol treatment, we found a decrease in the activity of catalase (an enzyme that breaks down H2O2) at both stages, as well as peroxidase in the interval from 10 to 144 h after inoculation. Also, an increase in the concentration of phenolic compounds was found in the treated infected plants. We suggest that these changes under the influence of pretreatment with novochizol contribute to enhancements in plant defense functions against stem rust. Taking into account the physicochemical advantages of novochizol over chitosan, which provide a very low effective dose of the drug, the obtained results indicate its promise and safety as a biological plant protection product. This work is a preliminary stage for an extended analysis of the effect of novochizol on plant immunity using biochemical and molecular genetic approaches.

Registration of four durum wheat lines carrying Sr13 alleles for resistance to stem rust

AbstractFour durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum) lines Rusty‐KLB (Reg. no. GP‐1098, PI 705448), Rusty‐14803 (Reg. no. GP‐1097, PI 705447), Rusty‐ST464C1 (Reg. no. GP‐1099, PI 705449), and CAT‐A1 (Reg. no. GP‐1096, PI 705446), which carry stem rust resistance gene Sr13 alleles Sr13a, Sr13b, Sr13c, and Sr13d, respectively, are released by USDA‐ARS. These alleles originated from cultivated emmer wheat (T. turgidum ssp. dicoccum) landrace Khapli (CItr 4013), T. turgidum ssp. polonicum accession CItr 14803, durum landrace ST464 (PI 191365), and durum line Camadi Abdu tipo #103 (PI 192168), respectively. Rusty‐KLB, Rusty‐14803, and Rusty‐ST464C1 are near‐isogenic lines with the pedigrees Rusty*7/KL‐B, Rusty*4/3/Rusty/CItr 14803//2*Rusty, and Rusty*7/ST464‐C1, respectively. KL‐B, ST464‐C1, and CAT‐A1 are monogenic lines with the pedigrees Marruecos 9623//Khapli/Marruecos 9623, Marruecos 9623*2/ST464, and Marruecos 9623*2/Camadi Abdu tipo #103, respectively. Sr13 can be detected by perfect markers including Kompetitive allele specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) marker KASPSr13 and semi‐thermal asymmetric reverse polymerase chain reaction (STARP) markers rwgsnp37. Specific alleles can be identified via STARP markers rwgsnp38, rwgsnp39, and rwgsnp40. The Sr13 alleles provide a moderate level of resistance, typically an infection type 2, to a broad spectrum of stem rust races. Sr13c was effective against all 15 stem rust races tested while Sr13a was ineffective only against race TCMJC. Sr13b was ineffective against JRCQC, QCCJC, QFCSC, and TTRTF. Sr13d is notable in being the only Sr13 allele ineffective to TTKSK (Ug99) and TKTTF. These lines are useful for studying the host‐stem rust pathogen interactions, identifying new genes, and breeding durum and bread wheat cultivars with stem rust resistance.

Identification of reference genes for gene expression assessment in Avena sativa under biotic stress triggered by Blumeria graminis

A repeatable and reliable reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) experiment depends upon proper reference genes (RGs) selection. This study aims to examine the expression stability of nine candidate RGs for the Avena sativa – Blumeria graminis experimental setup. B. graminis causes powdery mildew - the most devastating and economically important fungal disease of crops worldwide. RGs were evaluated in Pm3 and Pm4 oat differential lines and the susceptible cultivar Fuchs during compatible and incompatible interactions with different pathotypes of Blumeria graminis f. sp. avenae in six-time points post inoculation. The identification of genes exhibiting high expression stability was done by four algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and deltaCt). The results indicated that regardless of the analysed group, two most stable RGs are required for data normalization. The most sufficient RGs combination was HNR (heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein 27 C) + EIF4A (eukaryotic initiation factor 4 A‑3). ARF (ADP‑ribosylation factor) could also be pondered as demonstrating high expression stability. These genes can be considered universal candidates for RT-qPCR normalization to study interaction with B. graminis as well as Puccinia coronata and Puccinia graminis, as confirmed by our previous research. The worst candidate for data standardisation was TUA (α- tubulin). To our best knowledge, this is the first report regarding RGs’ selection in this pathosystem. Identified RGs are proper normalisation candidates for gene expression studies in the A. sativa infected by B. graminis as well as other related pathogens.

Participation of Reactive Oxygen Species and Nitric Oxide in Defense of Wheat Carrying Sr25 Gene Against Stem Rust

Participation of Reactive Oxygen Species and Nitric Oxide in Defense of Wheat Carrying Sr25 Gene Against Stem Rust

Beyond Asexual: Genomics-Driven Progress in Unveiling Sexual Reproduction in Cereal Rust Fungi.

Recent advances in genomics technologies have revolutionized our understanding of cereal rust fungi, providing unprecedented insights into the complexities of their sexual life cycle. Genomic approaches, including long-read sequencing, genome assembly, and haplotype phasing technologies, have revealed critical insights into mating systems, genetic diversity, virulence evolution, and host adaptation. Population genomics studies have uncovered diverse reproductive strategies across different cereal rust species and geographic regions, highlighting the interplay between sexual recombination and asexual reproduction. Transcriptomics have begun to unravel the gene expression networks driving sexual reproduction, while complementary omics approaches such as proteomics, and metabolomics offer potential insights into the underlying molecular processes. Despite this progress, many aspects of rust sexual reproduction remain elusive. Integrating multiple omics approaches with advanced cell biology techniques can help address these knowledge gaps, particularly in understanding sexual reproduction and its role in pathogen evolution. This comprehensive approach will be crucial for developing more targeted and resilient crop protection strategies, ultimately contributing to global food security.

Markers Linked to Stem Rust Resistance Genes Sr39 and Sr40 for Selecting Wheat Breeding Lines

Markers Linked to Stem Rust Resistance Genes Sr39 and Sr40 for Selecting Wheat Breeding Lines

Stacking beneficial haplotypes from the Vavilov wheat collection to accelerate breeding for multiple disease resistance.

We revealed the neglected genetic relationships of resistance for six major wheat diseases and established a haploblock-based catalogue with novel forms of resistance by multi-trait haplotype characterisation. Genetic potential to improve multiple disease resistance was highlighted through haplotype stacking simulations. Wheat production is threatened by numerous fungal diseases, but the potential to breed for multiple disease resistance (MDR) mechanisms is yet to be explored. Here, significant global genetic correlations and underlying local genomic regions were identified in the Vavilov wheat diversity panel for six major fungal diseases, including biotrophic leaf rust (LR), yellow rust (YR), stem rust (SR), hemibiotrophic crown rot (CR), and necrotrophic tan spot (TS) and Septoria nodorum blotch (SNB). By adopting haplotype-based local genomic estimated breeding values, derived from an integrated set of 34,899 SNP and DArT markers, we established a novel haplotype catalogue for resistance to the six diseases in over 20 field experiments across Australia and Ethiopia. Haploblocks with high variances of haplotype effects in all environments were identified for three rusts, and pleiotropic haploblocks were identified for at least two diseases, with four haploblocks affecting all six diseases. Through simulation, we demonstrated that stacking optimal haplotypes for one disease could improve resistance substantially, but indirectly affected resistance for other five diseases, which varied depending on the genetic correlation with the non-target disease trait. On the other hand, our simulation results combining beneficial haplotypes for all diseases increased resistance to LR, YR, SR, CR, TS, and SNB, by up to 48.1%, 35.2%, 29.1%, 12.8%, 18.8%, and 32.8%, respectively. Overall, our results highlight the genetic potential to improve MDR in wheat. The haploblock-based catalogue with novel forms of resistance provides a useful resource to guide desirable haplotype stacking for breeding future wheat cultivars with MDR.

On-Farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Integrated Wheat Rust Management in Central Ethiopia Region

Ethiopia has enormous potential to produce wheat (Triticum spp) in vast amount. However, the production is curtailed by various biotic and abiotic stresses, among these yellow rust diseases caused by Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici and stem rust caused by (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) are the most devastating wheat production bottleneck in Ethiopia. Thus, the current study was designed with the goal of demonstrating integrated wheat rust management in the Alicho and Mareko districts during the 2018 growing season. Farmers were chosen specifically based on the availability of suitable farm land and their willingness to participate in the demonstration fields. The experiment was conducted in a single plot design with farmers serving as replications. Two best performing moderately susceptible bread wheat varieties were used each at different location. Both fungicides showed significant differences in reducing rust severity. The maximum present diseases control 79.3% of yellow rust was recorded from Rex®Duo. In another location the highest stem rust disease control of 75.6% was recorded from Tilt 250 EC. Both fungicide applications showed a considerable production advantage over untreated plots. Rex®Duo controlled effectively the yellow rust and Tilt 250 EC control the stem rust and increasing yield of bread wheat. Therefore, based on cost benefit analysis, the combination use of Denda'a and Rex®Duo is the best integrated yellow rust management way, whereas the combination of Ogolcho and Tilt 250 EC proved the optimum grain yield by decreasing stem rusts and can be recommended for the area and similar agro-ecologies.

Species Diversity, Host Association, and Evolutionary History of Cronartium: An Important Global Fungal Pathogen to Trees.

Pine stem rust, the most damaging and widespread forest disease occurring in pine trees in the Northern Hemisphere, is primarily caused by Cronartium species (Pucciniales, Melampsorineae). While the phylogenetic relationships of major Cronartium species have been largely elucidated, there is limited understanding of their species diversity and the evolutionary processes shaping their distribution patterns. In this work, we performed broad sampling and sequencing of Cronartium taxa in China together with additional sequence data and other accessions in NCBI to investigate the diversification and to estimate the divergence time of major evolutionary events in this genus. Molecular dating analysis suggested that the divergence of the genus Cronartium probably was around 91.78 Ma during the Upper Cretaceous. It is believed that Cronartium species may have originated in Asia and North America, with intercontinental dispersals occurring primarily during the Middle Eocene, Middle Miocene, and Pliocene. These dispersal events likely took place through the North Atlantic Land Bridge, the De Geer Route, and the Bering Land Bridge, and subsequently diverged through sporadic dispersal and vicariance events. Furthermore, our analysis of host associations revealed that the diversification of Cronartium species was correlated with their telial-hosts, and some species may have experienced host jump events, indicating a complex interplay between host specificity and pathogen-host interaction during Cronartium evolution.

Evaluation of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Germplasm for Wheat Rust Diseases Resistance and Yield Performance

The most important biotic constraints for wheat production in Ethiopia are Wheat rust diseases, insects, and weeds. Among wheat rust diseases, stem rust and yellow rust are the more limiting factors for yield. A study was undertaken at Kulumsa and Melkasa in alpha lattice design with two replications from July to December 2023 to evaluate the performance of introduced bread wheat materials from CIMMYT for wheat rust diseases and yield. Data were collected for stem rust, yellow rust, and agronomic traits, including grain yield. The ANOVA showed high and significant genotypic variation (p<0.05) on Days to heading (DTH), Hectoliter weight (HLW), Thousand kernels weight (TKW), and Yield (YLD). Then, the result from LSD mean comparision revealed genotypes: EBW222102 YLD=7.7 t ha-1, EBW222106 YLD= 7.61 t ha-1, EBW222108 YLD=7.66 tha-1, EBW222136 YLD= 7.76 t ha-1 to be significantly higher than the check variety Daka YLD= 6.22 t ha-1 (p<0.05) at Kulumsa. Genotypes: EBW222108, EBW222109, EBW222111, EBW222112, EBW222114, EBW222125, EBW222142, and EBW222143 showed resistance to moderate resistance for yellow rust and stem rust across both locations. About eighteen genotypes were susceptible to stem rust diseases with the coefficient of infection YRCI≥30 at Melkasa. Genotypes EBW222111, EBW222126, EBW222129, EBW222134, and EBW222142 delivered high yield, greater than or equal to 2 t ha-1 at Melkasa. Generally, selection for disease resistance and high-yielding genotypes enable the development and release of noble varieties for wheat-producing farmers.

A competitive variety of winter wheat Zhila with high-quality grain

Winter wheat is Russia's leading strategic crop. It ensures sustainable grain production, largely determines food security, and political and economic stability of the country. The aim of the research is to create adaptive, stress-resistant genotypes of wheat of a universal type with a complex of basic economic characteristics for cultivation in the conditions of the North Caucasus, Lower Volga and Central Chernozem regions of Russia. The creation of new wheat varieties is carried out using modern methods of classical, haploid and marker-assisted breeding. The basis of these methods is a complex, step-by-step hybridization and purposeful, continuous individual selection in all parts of the breeding process, starting with the third generation of hybrids. The selection of adaptive, competitive wheat genotypes is carried out according to the characteristics of the model of universal varieties of different intensity developed by us. The varieties were studied according to the type of competitive tests, the method of placing variants was systematic, the repetition was 4-fold. At the last stage of crosses, the Solokha wheat variety was used as the maternal form, the Smuglyanka variety was the paternal form. The Zhila variety belongs to the erythrospermum variety. This is a high-yielding variety, on average, over the years of study, the grain yield excess over the standard Grom variety was high, reliable and amounted to 1.62 t/ha. The variety is quickly-ripening; its growing season is 4 days shorter compared to the mid-ripening Grom variety. It has a high resistance to lodging and belongs to the intensive-type varieties. In terms of the main structural elements of yield (the number of grains per ear, the weight of the grain and the weight of 1000 grains) significantly exceeds the Grom variety. The Zhila variety is characterized by high drought resistance and heat resistance. According to flour-baking indicators, the new variety corresponds to strong wheat. It is characterized by high field resistance to a complex of diseases (powdery mildew, brown, yellow and stem rust, loose smut, tan spot, fusarial wilt, septoriose).

Resistance of spring durum wheat varieties to stem rust on the background of natural infection

The scientific study presents the results and indicators of the cultivation of spring durum wheat in the world, the main varieties of spring durum wheat in the south-east of Kazakhstan, the development of stem rust on durum wheat varieties (Triticum durum Desf.), data on the stability of varieties in grain-bearing regions of the republic. Field experiments were conducted in the conditions of the foothill zone of the Almaty region in 2022. The object of research was 15 varieties of spring durum wheat of various origins: Gordeiforme 254, Nauryz 2, Nauryz 6, Seymour 17, Milana, Salauat, Zhakut 20 (Kazakh Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Growing), Altyn dala, Asangali 20, Sharifa (Karabalyk Agricultural Station), Damsinskaya jubileinaya (A.I. Barayev Research and Production Centre for Grain Farming), Bezenchukskaya 182, Kanysh (Russia), Berillo (Italy), Kamillaroi (Australia).Under natural conditions, the manifestation of stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) on spring durum wheat varieties was late, in the phase of flowering and filling of plant grains. In the experience, many varieties of Kazakh and foreign breeding have shown moderate resistance and susceptibility to the disease. In the varieties Salauat and Zhakut 20, the initial and subsequent development of the disease did not exceed 20%, which is a sign of Slow rust development. With a strong lesion of the Nauryz 2 variety (60%), Gordeyforme 254, Milana, Nauryz 6, Damsinskaya jubileinaya, Altyn Dala, Asangali 20, Berillo and Kamillaroi were moderately susceptible. The Seymour 17, Sharifa and Kanysh varieties showed moderate resistance to stem rust.

Transmission pathways for the stem rust pathogen into Central and East Asia and the role of the alternate host, barberry

Abstract After many decades of effective control of stem rust caused by the Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici, (hereafter Pgt) the reported emergence of race TTKSK/Ug99 of Pgt in Uganda reignited concerns about epidemics worldwide because ∼90% of world wheat cultivars had no resistance to the new race. Since it was initially detected in Uganda in 1998, Ug99 variants have now been identified in thirteen countries in Africa and the Middle East. Stem rust has been a major problem in the past, and concern is increasing about the risk of return to Central and East Asia. Whilst control programs in North America and Europe relied on the use of resistant cultivars in combination with eradication of barberry (Berberis spp.), the alternate host required for the stem rust pathogen to complete its full lifecycle, the focus in East Asia was principally on the use of resistant wheat cultivars. Here, we investigate potential airborne transmission pathways for stem rust outbreaks in the Middle East to reach East Asia using an integrated modelling framework combining estimates of fungal spore deposition from an atmospheric dispersion model, environmental suitability for spore germination, and crop calendar information. We consider the role of mountain ranges in restricting transmission pathways, and we incorporate a representation of a generic barberry species into the lifecycle. We find viable transmission pathways to East Asia from the Middle East to the north via Central Asia and to the south via South Asia and that an initial infection in the Middle East could persist in East Asia for up to three years due to the presence of the alternate host. Our results indicate the need for further assessment of barberry species distributions in East Asia and appropriate methods for targeted surveillance and mitigation strategies should stem rust incidence increase in the Middle East region.

Evaluation of oat accessions from different ecological groups in the steppe environments of Krasnodar Territory

Background. Studying genetic diversity and identifying sources of valuable agronomic traits for specific environmental conditions is of great importance for plant breeders when they select source material for crop improvement. Materials and methods. Three hundred and seven oat accessions of various ecogeographic origin were tested under the conditions of the Kuban Experiment Station, a branch of the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR), in 2014–2019. Cv. ‘Valdin 765’ served as the reference. Weather conditions across the years of the study were contrasting in terms of the hydrothermal regime. Results. The inter-cultivar and year-to-year variability of the oat collection was analyzed in Krasnodar Territory and accessions promising for breeding were identified for a set of useful agronomic traits. The most significant differences among the studied oat accessions were recorded for the time of ripening and panicle characteristics. High yield of an accession under the conditions of Krasnodar Territory was associated with its high 1000 grain weight, which positively correlated with the duration of the period from panicle emergence to ripening and negatively with the length of the panicle, number of grains per panicle, plant height, and duration of the periods from germination to panicle emergence and from germination to ripening. Conclusion. The study of useful agronomic traits resulted in identifying oat accessions with the yield exceeding the reference (cv. ‘Valdin 765’) by 114–135%, that ripened 6–8 days earlier than the reference, were resistant to lodging, had short stems, manifested combined resistance (9 points) to crown and stem rust, low filminess (< 25%), good leafiness, high oil content (> 6%), increased protein content (> 14%), and high levels of yield structure components.

Identification of Climate-Smart Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Germplasm for Optimum Moisture Areas of Ethiopia

Ethiopia's Bread Wheat Breeding Program conducts annual multi-environment yield trials to develop advanced wheat genotypes for Ethiopian wheat cultivation, ensuring a steady supply of new and improved varieties to meet production and marketing challenges. The objective of this research was to assess potential yield and the interactions between genotype and environment in wheat across multiple environments, as every cultivar has a distinct response to soil and climate. The BLUP analysis reveals that the 22AA and 22KU trials in 2022, along with 21KU trials in 2021 yielded high grain production, indicating optimal testing locations for distinguishing bread wheat genotypes and agroecologies. The study found that seven out of sixteen trials exhibited a higher genetic variance for yield, indicating high genotype discriminating power, with estimates ranging from 0.043 to 0.989 for genetic variance, 0.084 to 1.147 for error variance, and 72.7 to 96.4 for heritability. EBW202471 and EBW202473 are stable genotypes with good yield performance across correlated locations, with EBW202471 showing the highest yield (4.98 t/ha) and Deka showing a lower yield (4.07 t/ha). Three wheat genotypes, EBW202471, EBW202472, and EBW202473, were found to be moderately resistant to moderately susceptible to stem and yellow rust among 20 wheat genotypes. Finally, the two genotypes, EBW202471 and EBW202473, were advanced to National Performance Trials to evaluate their performance alongside top genotypes from regional federal research centers and to be released as new varieties.