Winter Cultivars Research Articles

The phytochemical quality of Camelina sativa seed and oil

ABSTRACTA field experiment with 66 spring biotypes and 9 winter biotypes of Camelina sativa was conducted in Poland in a two-year cycle (2016–2017). The quantitative profile of 8 flavonoid aglycones, 12 phenolic acids and the fatty acid profile were analysed. There were no significant differences in the concentration of total flavonoids, phenolic acids and fatty acids in the camelina seeds during the research years, but there were differences between the spring and winter cultivars. The total concentration of flavonoids in the spring forms amounted from 404 ± 38.5 to 429.9 ± 13.8 mg/kg; in the winter ones from 507.3 ± 51.4 to 526.4 ± 10.4 mg/kg. Similarly with phenolic acids, the concentration ranged from 2043.6 ± 62.5 to 2174.0 ± 145.2 mg/kg in the spring forms and from 3936.0 ± 210.8 to 3704.7 ± 195.4 mg/kg in the winter forms. The linoleic acid comprised 14% of total fatty acid content in spring biotypes and 16% in winter ones, while α-linolenic acid had similar content (37–38%). Camelina's adaptation to vast areas of the world, high oil concentration and its composition and properties makes it a suitable oil source for the production of biofuels, jet fuel, biobased-products, feed and food.

A novel resistance against powdery mildew found in winter barley cultivars

AbstractBarley powdery mildew caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei can be effectively controlled using genetic resistance. Moreover, specific resistances are also important for characterizing cultivars and verifying their origin, purity and authenticity. Winter barley is distinguished by several specific resistances, which are usually absent in spring barley. Besides responses caused by known genes, many cultivars showed a response suggesting the presence of an unknown resistance. Therefore, the aim of this research was firstly, to test winter barley cultivars, suspected to carry an unknown resistance gene, using a large collection of pathogen isolates for their expression of this specific response and to characterise the corresponding resistance. A set of 16 winter barley accessions originating from four gene banks was studied where each accession was represented by five single plant progenies. For resistance tests, 56 isolates of the pathogen were used. A new resistance with a proposed designation of Lu was found in all 16 selected accessions. Apart from Lu, eight well‐known Ml genes (a6, a8, a12, g, h, Lo, ra and Ru2) were postulated. Two accessions of cv. 'Borwina' originating from different gene banks were found to differ in their set of resistance genes.

Determination of Yield, Yield Components and Oil Ratio of Some Winter Canola (Brassica napus L.) Cultivars under Semi-Arid Conditions

This study was carried out to determine the yield, yield components and
 oil ratio of some canola cultivars under semi-arid conditions. Trials were
 established in the trial field of Department of Field Crops, Faculty of
 Agriculture, Harran University in randomized complete blocks trial design as 3
 replications. In the experiment, Licord, Es-Astrid, Embleme, Eldo, Elvis,
 EGC-102, Licrown, Bristol, Es-Nectas and Es-Hydromel winter cultivars were
 used. In the results of study; the highest seed yield was obtained from Elvis
 cultivar (2270.3 and 2081.7 kg ha-1) in two years of the experiment.
 According to the results of two years between the cultivars; the plant height
 was from 125.13 to 146.57 cm, number of branches 3.83-5.76 (per plant-1),
 number of pods 115.20-194.73 (per plant-1), number of seeds
 21.00-27.30 (per pod-1), 1000 seed weight 3.07-3.78 g, oil ratio
 27.16-44.96%, number of flowering days 157-169, and the number of maturation
 days was from 198 to 214. Because of seed yield and especially oil ratio were
 observed very high, Elvis variety can be recommended in conditions of less
 rainfall areas with limited irrigation facilities.

Managing Fusarium Head Blight in Winter Barley With Cultivar Resistance and Fungicide.

Although there has been research on managing Fusarium head blight (FHB) in spring barley, little has been published on cultivar resistance and optimal fungicide timing for FHB management in winter barley. A 3-year (2015 to 2017) field experiment was conducted to measure FHB resistance of winter barley varieties, gauge the potential benefit from a fungicide, and help determine the optimal timing for fungicide application. The split-plot experiment took place in a misted, inoculated nursery in Raleigh, North Carolina using main plots of four winter barley cultivars (Atlantic, Endeavor, Nomini, and Thoroughbred). Three fungicide treatments were applied to subplots: prothioconazole + tebuconazole at full spike emergence, the same fungicide 6 days later, or no fungicide. The late applications significantly reduced FHB index in each of 3 years and significantly reduced deoxynivalenol (DON) in harvested grain in 2 of the 3 years. Applications at full spike emergence also yielded significant benefit in 1 of the 3 years for each parameter. Neither disease symptoms nor DON gave reason to prefer one of the fungicide timings over the other. Across the 3 years, DON ranked the cultivars Endeavor < Nomini = Thoroughbred < Atlantic. Combining the moderate resistance of Endeavor with a fungicide application and averaging the two timings resulted in a 75% DON reduction compared with unsprayed Atlantic. Taken together, our results indicate that barley growers concerned about minimizing DON should both plant moderately resistant varieties and apply fungicide if there is scab risk. During the same period, 16 commercial winter barley cultivars were tested in from three to seven Virginia and North Carolina environments each, and the DON results were compared after standardization across environments. The winter two-row malting barley cultivars Endeavor and Calypso displayed superior and robust DON resistance across environments.

Study of antioxidant activity during the malting and brewing process

In this study the evolution of antioxidant activity was investigated during malting of different barley cultivars, and during the production of different types of beers on laboratory scale and in pilot brewery. Samples were taken at technologically important points of productions. Malts were produced from 3 spring and 3 winter barley cultivars. Two types of beers were brewed under laboratory conditions, and two in a pilot brewery. For the determination of antioxidant activity five commonly used assays were applied such as ABTS Radical Scavenging Activity, Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity, DPPH Radical Scavenging Activity, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power and Total Polyphenol Content. Prior to malting it was observed that there are orders of magnitude differences between the antioxidant activities of the barley varieties. During malting, the biggest increase was noticed during steeping. Spring and winter cultivars showed similar trends during steeping and germination, but kilning had different effect on antioxidant activity of the varieties. The antioxidant activity of malts was always higher than the corresponding barleys. During the brewing process antioxidants were released to the highest extent during the early stages of mashing. Adequate sparging and hop boiling could further improve the antioxidant potential of the wort. Furthermore, differences between the equipment used for wort separation and hop boiling under laboratory conditions and in the pilot brewery had effect on antioxidant activity. In the course of malting and brewing by selecting the appropriate raw materials and technological parameters, the conditions for the release and retention of antioxidants can be optimized.

Potential yield benefits from increased vernalisation requirement of canola in Southern Australia

Long season, winter-type canola cultivars have the potential for significantly higher yields than short-season, spring-type canola, yet until recently, breeding of new canola cultivars in Australia has focussed on spring-type canola. This has been to accommodate the typically drier, warmer conditions across the Australian cropping belt where long-season varieties do not perform well due to delayed flowering and risk of water-stress during grain fill. However, as cropping continues to expand into the Australian High Rainfall Zone (500–900 mm, HRZ), breeders have become increasingly interested in developing winter-spring crosses (not yet commercially available) which have an intermediate phenology between that of a spring and winter-type canola. As the vernalisation requirement for these crosses is lower than winter-type canola, the areas where such cultivars can be grown profitably in Australia is potentially much wider than for winter-type canola. Field experimentation and crop simulation studies across the potential cropping region of southern Australia were used to determine the yield potential of these winter-spring canola crosses compared with currently available spring-type and winter-type cultivars. Our analysis showed that the four winter-spring crosses evaluated had a range of vernalisation requirements which were between the small requirements of spring-types and the large requirement of winter-types. In this study the Catchment Analysis Tool (CAT) spatial modelling framework was used to determine the expected canola yields of four cultivars across the entire cropping region of southern Australia. These cultivars were the spring-type 45Y88CL, winter-type Hyola® 970CL and two winter-spring crosses K50057 and K50058 with vernalisation requirements at the higher end and the lower end of the range of winter-spring crosses, respectively.The potential benefit of some increase in the vernalisation requirement, based on the area currently sown to canola, was an additional 381 M tonnes per year (based on 50-year average) of canola, if K50058 was sown in areas where it proved superior to 45Y88CL. At the 5-year average canola price of $486 t−1, this would provide an additional AUD 185 Mil/annum for the industry. In general, the modelled yield advantage from canola cultivars with increased vernalisation requirement was greater in the areas of southern Australia that had milder climates and higher rainfall. The value to the Australian canola industry of substituting spring cultivars (e.g. 45Y88CL) with winter x spring (K50057) or winter (Hyola970CL) cultivars where they had a yield advantage, was AUD 82.8 M and AUD 29.2 M, respectively.

Effects of Growth Type, Sowing Date, and Sowing Rate on the Canopy Architecture, Protein Yields, and Oil Yields of Winter Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.)

A split-split-plot design was used to evaluate the effects of sowing dates and sowing rates on three winter rape cultivars, including ‘PR45D03’, a semi-dwarf hybrid, ‘PR46W31’, a traditional hybrid, and ‘Californium’, an open-pollinated cultivar. August 25 was the optimal sowing date for maximizing protein and oil yields across all three cultivars. Of the cultivars, the traditional hybrid, ‘PR46W31’, produced the highest protein and oil yields on that date. The yields of the semi-dwarf hybrid, ‘PR45D03’, were greater than those of the open-pollinated cultivar, ‘Californium’, when these were sown later than the optimal date. Protein and oil yields did not differ significantly among different seeding densities.

Analysis of Distribution of Selected Bioactive Compounds in Camelina sativa from Seeds to Pomace and Oil

Camelina sativa is an oilseed plant that produces seed oil rich in vitamins, UFA (unsaturated fatty acids), phytosterols, and polyphenols. Most, but not all, bioactive compounds are soluble in oil. So far, studies have been based analyzing the profile of bioactive compounds only in oil. As part of this work, it was decided to examine the seeds, oil, and pomace of four genotypes of Camelina sativa (three spring genotypes and one winter cultivar). The transmission of bioactive compounds to oil and pomace was compared to their content in seeds. The quantitative profile of selected bioactive compounds was analyzed: eight flavonoid aglycons, 11 phenolic acids, three carotenoids, and 19 fatty acids. As a result of pressing more than 80% of flavonoids entered oil, whereas 20% remained in the pomace. When the content of phenolic acids in seeds and in oil was compared, it turned out that on average 50% of these compounds entered oil. Among all the phenolic acids under analysis the highest contents of chlorogenic, caffeic, and sinapic acids were found both in camelina seeds and oil. Similarly to the other bioactive compounds, more than 70% of fat-soluble carotenoids were extracted from camelina seeds with oil. Most of the genotypes had the fatty acid composition and the ω-6/ω-3 ratio characteristic of camelina oil. Camelina oil is characterized by properties that enable its extensive use in the food industry.

Silicon mitigates cold stress in barley plants via modifying the activity of apoplasmic enzymes and concentration of metabolites

Apoplasm is the first compartment encountering environmental stresses and is important for plant’s tolerance to low temperature. The effect of silicon (Si) on tolerance to low-temperature stress, e.g., chilling and freezing, has been shown in some plant species, while the involvement of leaf apoplasm in the Si-mediated amelioration of cold stress has not been investigated to date. In this work, one winter and one spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars were grown without or with Si (56 mg L−1 as Na2SiO3) and exposed to gradual temperature decrease from + 25 to + 5 °C for cold acclimation and then treated with freezing (− 5 °C) temperatures. Growth inhibition, photosynthesis reduction, and loss of membrane integrity under low-temperature conditions were higher in the spring than in the winter cultivars, but these parameters were similarly alleviated by Si in both cultivars. Cold acclimation decreased the lethal temperature (LT50) and increased survival (%) of plants exposed to freezing temperatures. The effect of acclimation treatment on reduction of LT50 was substituted completely by Si in both cultivars, while in the case of survival rate, Si substituted for acclimation treatment only in the winter cultivar. The activity of antioxidative enzymes and concentrations of soluble carbohydrates and proteins in the leaf apoplasm were increased upon cold acclimation and particularly on Si treatment; the highest values were observed in Si–cold-acclimated plants. Our data demonstrated an ameliorative effect of Si under both chilling and freezing stresses in barley via modification of biochemical properties in the leaf apoplasm.

Creation of gene pools with amplified fragment length polymorphis markers for development of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) hybrid cultivars

The genetic diversity of two winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) collections was investigated using amplified fragment length polymorphism marker technology. The first collection of 78 genotypes was analyzed using 11 primer-enzyme combinations and PCR products were resolved by 13.35% denaturing polyacrylamide gels. The second collection was investigated using seven fluorescent-labeled AFLP primer combinations and PCR products were separated using capillary electrophoresis. A total of 262 polymorphic AFLP markers were obtained for the first collection and 423 polymorphic markers for the second. On the basis of all markers, principal component analysis was performed for both collections separately. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic method based on the coefficient of dissimilarity separated the genotypes in collection 1 into two clusters and those in the second collection into three distinct clusters. Resynthesized lines formed a cluster that was clearly distinct from 42 winter oilseed rape parental lines in the cytoplasmic male sterility ogura system. Analysis of molecular variance showed that 79% and 81% of the detected variation was found to be within the groups (in the two collections, respectively), while the variation between groups contributed, respectively, to only 21% and 19% of the variance. Our results indicate that AFLP technology can be useful for the creation of a gene pool of parental components of winter oilseed rape hybrid cultivars. Additionally, de novo resynthesized Brassica napus lines provide a significant opportunity for enrichment of the gene pool of winter rapeseed.

Development and investigation of common wheat lines of winter cultivar Bezostaya 1 with combinations of dominant alleles of VRN-1 loci

VRNgenes, determining wheat sensitivity to vernalization, are the main genetic system that defnes the duration of the entire growing period and the durations of the main organogenesis phases. To date, several alleles have been described forVRN-1loci, and allele­specifc primers have been developed that allow rapid identifcation of allelic spectra in common wheat varieties and lines. The unequal influence of different alleles ofVRN-1loci on the duration of the growing period has also been shown; however, there is little information on the effect of the combination of different alleles on heading time. In developing genotypes having different alleles of dominantVRNgenes on the base of the same genetic background, it is necessary to study the genetic effects ofVRNgenes on the duration of the growing season and the individual developmental phases, as well as on productivity. Most varieties presently grown in Russia carry the dominant alleles of twoVRN-1genes:Vrn-A1aandVrn-B1aorVrn-B1c; thus, the task was to create lines combining the dominant alleles ofVrn-A1awithVrn-B1aandVrn-B1cagainst the genetic background of the winter variety Bezostaya 1 (Bez1Vrn-A1a/Vrn-B1aand Bez1Vrn-A1a/Vrn-B1c). Homozygous plants were isolated in the F2 generation by using known allele­specifc primers for theVrn-A1andVrn-B1loci. The durations of the tillering–frst node period, which is the key stage determining growing duration, and the period from shoots to heading were signifcantly reduced in lines with a combination of two dominant alleles ofVRN-1loci compared to isogenic lines of Bezostaya 1 with the dominant allelesVrn-B1aandVrn-B1c. The duration of these developmental phases also decreased in the obtained lines as compared to the isogenic line containing the dominantVrn-A1aallele, but the differences were not signifcant. No substantial differences were found in the duration of other growing phases in lines with two dominant alleles of theVRN-1loci as compared to isogenic lines of Bezostaya 1.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alleviate low-temperature stress and increase freezing resistance as a substitute for acclimation treatment in barley

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is cultivated globally under a wide range of climatic conditions and is subjected to chilling and freezing stresses under temperate and cold climatic conditions. As a mycorrhizal crop, barley may benefit from this association for increasing cold resistance. In order to investigate the effects of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on cold-stress resistance in barley plants, one winter and one spring cultivar were grown under control (25°C day, 17°C night) and low, non-freezing (LT: 5°C day, 3°C night) temperatures for 3 weeks in the absence (−AMF) or presence (+AMF) of two species of AMF, Glomus versiforme and Rhizophagus irregularis. In addition, the influence of LT (as an acclimation treatment) was studied on plant survival after a 2-day exposure to freezing temperature (FT: −5°C in dark). Biomass production, membrane integrity and survival rate of plants indicated that the winter cultivar was more tolerant than the spring cultivar. Inoculation with AMF resulted in improved growth, photosynthesis, osmotic and water homeostasis, and potassium uptake under both control and LT conditions, whereas the effect on membrane integrity, antioxidative defence and phenolics metabolism was mainly observed in LT plants. AMF inoculation substituted partially or completely for acclimation treatment and increased the survival rate of FT plants, with the highest survival achieved in a combination of AMF and LT. Mycorrhizal responsiveness was higher in LT plants. Despite the lower AMF colonisation, G. versiforme was often more effective than R. irregularis for the alleviation of low temperature stress in both cultivars, whereas R. irregularis was more effective in increasing the survival rate. Our data suggest that the right combination of fungus species and host-plant cultivar is important for successful utilisation of AMF under cold conditions.

The responses of winter cultivars of common wheat, durum wheat and spelt to agronomic factors

AbstractA field experiment with the 35–1 fractional factorial design and five factors (k = 5) at three levels (s = 3) was performed in 2007–2010 at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Bałcyny, north-eastern (NE) Poland. The results of the experiment carried out under the agro-ecological conditions of NE Poland confirmed the high yield potential of common wheat and satisfactory yield potential of spelt and durum wheat. On average, durum wheat and spelt yields were 2.14 and 2.55 t/ha lower, respectively, than common wheat yields. Sowing date was not correlated with the yields of analysed Triticum species. Seed rate (350, 450 and 550 seeds/m2) had no significant influence on the grain yield of winter cultivars of common wheat, durum wheat and spelt. Common wheat cv. Oliwin and durum wheat cv. Komnata were characterized by the highest yields in response to nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates calculated based on the Nmin content of soil. An increase in the spring fertilizer rate by 40 kg N/ha in excess of the balanced N rate was not justified because it did not induce a further increase in the grain yield of common wheat and durum wheat. The grain yield of spelt cv. Schwabenkorn continued to increase in response to the highest rate of N fertilizer in spring (40 kg N/ha higher than the optimal rate). Intensified fungicide treatments improved grain yield in all Triticum species.

The effect of biostimulators on the content of crude oil and total protein in winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) seeds

ABSTRACTThe objective of the study was to determine the effect of the experimental factors on the seed quality of three winter oilseed rape cultivars. The following factors were studied: I-three winter oilseed rape morphotypes: population, hybrid restored characterised by a semi-dwarf growth pattern, hybrid restored characterised by a conventional growth pattern; II-two sowing methods: a spacing of 22.5 cm, a spacing of 45.0 cm; III-four types of biostimulants: control-no biostimulants, the biostimulant Tytanit®, Asahi®SL, Silvit®. Seed samples were subjected to chemical analysis to determine: crude oil, total protein and crude fibre. Natural stimulants of plant growth and development contributed to an increase in crude oil ranging from 7.4 to 9.5 g kg–1 d.m., on average, compared with control. The biostimulants applied did not affect total protein content which was, however, affected by meteorological conditions in individual study years as well as the genetic factor. Biostimulants increased crude fibre content compared with control.

Dual-purpose cereals offer increased productivity across diverse regions of Australia’s high rainfall zone

Dual-purpose (DP) cereals provide an opportunity to graze vegetative crops in autumn and winter when pasture forage levels are low, and then harvested for grain after the exclusion of stock. The dual use provides significant increases in mixed farm returns and the area of DP crops is expanding from traditional areas in south-eastern Australia. DP crops have particular potential in the 9 M ha high rainfall zones (HRZ, >500–600 mm annual rainfall) where the crop growing season is longer, increasing the potential grazing period and the capacity to recover high grain yield. To capitalise on this potential, management packages that combine the most suitable varieties and sowing times to maximise forage and grain production are required. We conducted six experiments across the south-eastern, north-eastern and south-western regions of Australia’s HRZ to assess potential forage and grain production of DP cereal species (wheat, barley and triticale) and phenology types. In the south-eastern HRZ, slow winter cultivars out-performed spring types due the increased forage production in the ‘safe’ grazing period (stem elongation, DC30) providing up to 2600 DSE.days/ha and 7.5 t/ha grain yield from a mid-March sowing. Early-sown spring cultivars provided a shorter period of ‘safe’ grazing as the lack of vernalisation requirement hastened development and reduced grain yield potential. In the south-western HRZ, early sowing opportunities (March) are rare and the season much shorter. The best results were achieved with mid-April sowing of barley and longer season spring and facultative wheat, providing 640 DSE.days/ha and grain yields of 3.0 t/ha and 3.4 t/ha, respectively. In the north-eastern HRZ, grain recovery was more sensitive to grazing, however 2000 DSE.days/ha and 6.5 t/ha grain yield were achieved with winter cereals sown in early April. Grazing in the safe phenological window had no effect on grain yield in the south-west region, but reduced yield of some cultivars in the eastern regions. The reduction in grain yield of early-sown winter wheat cultivars due to grazing (17–28%) was greatest when yield potential was high (>6.8 t/ha). Overall, the experiments confirm the predicted potential for dual-purpose production of cereals across the Australian HRZ region provided appropriate cultivar and sowing dates are combined with careful grazing management. Further work is required to refine grazing management to reduce reductions in grain yield in well-managed DP crops grazed prior to stem elongation.

The Enhancing Effect of Plants Growth Biostimulants in Garlic Cultivation on the Chemical Composition and Level of Bioactive Compounds in the Garlic Leaves, Stems and Bulbs

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of biostimulants enhancing plant growth and development, i.e. organic stimulator based on metal sulphates, Bacillus subtilis, humic acids, on the chemical composition and level of bioactive compounds in garlic leaves, stems, and bulbs. The study was conducted in three growing seasons on the ‘Ornak’ winter garlic cultivar. The propagating material was treated in solutions of the biostimulants and after emergence the plants were sprayed with the products three times. The most valuable edible organ proved to be the leaves, which contained the most protein, fat, and mineral components expressed as ash, were the richest source of fibre, vitamin C, and polyphenols, and also had the highest antioxidant activity among the organs tested. The nutritional value of the stems was comparable to that of the bulbs, and the level of polyphenols and antioxidant activity were even higher. The use of the growth and development biostimulants influenced the chemical composition of the garlic, but the effect was modified by the course of weather in different years of the research and also depended on edible organ. On average for years and organs all biostimulants increased the level of protein, minerals expressed as ash and enhanced antioxidant activity, whereas decreased the level of total carbohydrates.

Winter Camelina: Crop Growth, Seed Yield, and Quality Response to Cultivar and Seeding Rate

Winter annual camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] is a freeze‐hardy, early‐maturing crop that allows potential for dual cropping in short‐season temperate environments. However, few studies have compared winter cultivars for variation in key agronomic traits, or have addressed optimizing seeding rate for their production. Traits such as freeze hardiness and improved seed yield and quality would benefit large‐scale adoption of winter camelina. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of four winter camelina cultivars (‘Joelle’, ‘Bison’, ‘HPX‐WG1‐35’, and ‘HPX‐WG4‐1’) grown at three seeding rates (334, 668, and 1000 seed m−2) on winter survival and growth, seed yield, seed oil and protein content, and fatty acid composition in west‐central Minnesota. Joelle had the greatest winter survival rate, averaging 64% across three growing seasons. Plant density increased with seeding rate, but did not significantly affect seed yield. Overall, Bison yielded the greatest (944 kg ha−1) followed by Joelle (865 kg ha−1), whereas HPX‐WG1‐35 (650 kg ha−1) yielded the least. Both HPX‐WG1‐35 and HPX‐WG4‐1 flowered earlier than the other two cultivars and had greater seed protein content. Joelle seed had the greatest oil content, averaging 407 g kg−1, and had significantly greater oleic (C18:1) and lower linoleic acid (C18:2) contents than the other cultivars. Cultivars did not differ in erucic acid (C22:1) content, which averaged 2.2% across cultivars. Seeding at 334 seeds m−2 was sufficient to achieve maximum seed and oil yield. Variation in some key traits was identified among cultivars that may benefit breeding programs by improving winter camelina productivity and increasing its use in dual‐cropping systems.

Effects of host plant resistance and fungicide application on phoma stem canker, growth parameters and yield of winter oilseed rape

Multifactorial field trials were conducted over three cropping seasons (2012–2015) to assess the effects of selection of triazole fungicides when applied either alone or in combination on growth of winter oilseed rape, development of phoma stem canker, crop wintering and crop yield. The plots consisted of four winter oilseed rape cultivars differing in their levels of resistance to phoma stem canker and subplots of five fungicides with growth regulatory activity (prochloraz/tebuconazole, mepiquat/metconazole, tebuconazole, tebuconazole/prothioconazole and a mixture of fluxapyroxad/tebuconazole) which were applied twice; in autumn (BBCH 14–18) and in spring (BBCH 30–39). Visual scoring such as growth parameters like plants per m2 and plant height, yield parameters like number of side branches, pods and seeds per plant, thousand grain weights and seed yield as well as evaluation of phoma leaf spots and basal stem canker were performed using standard procedures. Plant height was significantly affected by cultivars and fungicide treatments. In contrast, winter killing (%) was not reduced significantly. Application of mepiquat/metconazole reduced the winter killing below 10% compared to the untreated control. Development of phoma stem canker was affected by fungicides and cultivars. At the final rating date (BBCH 81), the moderately resistant cultivars Genie and Vitara exhibited less disease severity than the susceptible cultivars Elektra and PR 46W20 in untreated plots. Fungicide treatments were more effective in reducing the disease in moderately resistant cultivars than in susceptible ones. The lowest percentage of disease severity was achieved when fluxapyroxad/tebuconazole combination was applied to plants. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report multi-year efficacy of fluxapyroxad/tebuconazole against phoma stem canker in oilseed rape cultivations. Cultivars showed differences in all yield parameters. However, with the exception of seed yield the application of fungicides did not significantly impact the different yield parameters. Application of fluxapyroxad/tebuconazole was the most effective treatment in reducing yield losses.

Phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of colored oats

Phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of 20 oat genotypes differing in hull color were investigated. Phenolic aldehydes, phenolic acids, avenanthramides and mono-, and diglycerides were identified in the soluble phenolic fraction of the genotypes. The bound phenolic fraction proved to be less diverse with phenolic aldehydes, phenolic acids and a ferulic acid dehydrodimer detected. Investigating the scavenging capacity of the hull and groat toward 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), an increased antioxidant activity (AOA) of hull compared to groats and a color dependence of the hull AOA could be observed. Principal component analysis on the determined variables revealed that the black-hulled samples were different from the white ones due to their increased phenolic content detected in the hull. However, reddish-hulled varieties were grouping with the accessions of the other colored groups. In addition, a distinction between spring and winter cultivars was also observed.

SEASONAL LIFE HISTORY PLASTICITY OF THE GROUP OF WINTER WHEAT AND TRITICALE ACCESSIONS

The application of “spring analogs” to explore winterhardiness of wheat gives the possibility to obtain cultivars with higher hardiness. Seasonal life history plasticity of winter cultivars gives the possibility to obtain such “analogs”. Winterhardiness of 34 winter wheat and triticale accessions from Krasnodar was tested in West Siberia environment. Their ofsprings were sown early in the spring near Novosibirsk to study their plasticity and to obtain “spring analogs”. In the fall the percentage of fertile plants was equal to 0 in the case of 5 accessions and to not more than 59.3 in other 29 accessions partly because of the presence of sterile plants. The progeny of this sowing was sown next year late in the spring. As a result, in the fall fer tile plants were observed in the progeny of only 15 winter accessions. Also plants at the stage of tillering were observed in the progeny of 28 accessions at the beginning of winter. Some of them survived and developed seeds next year earlier than winter cultivars. Variability in performance was observed between these plants in spite of sandy soil (low humidity content) and May-June strong drought. So, such “winter-spring” plants can be used for breeding wheat and triticale accessions suitable for sowing late in the spring or early in the summer and harvesting next year earlier than winter cultivars. They can be developed in accordance with sustainable agriculture, because “winter-spring” plants were generated in an extremely unfavourable environment: sandy acid soil (pH 4.9–5.3) with low fertility (nitrogen content in the upper 40-cm layer was below 25 kg/ha) without fertilizer application. There is a theoretical posibility to breed “winter-spring” plants in simultaneous sowings with spring cultivars.