Winter Durum Research Articles

The use of breeding indices when estimating winter durum wheat productivity

Special attention is currently being paid to the role of genetic and physiological systems that contribute to improving productivity and can be estimated in the form of indices.The current study was carried out in the southern part of the Rostov region at the experimental plots of the FSBSI «ARC “Donskoy”» in 2021–2023 aimed at studying the breeding indices of promising winter durum wheat varieties and lines and their effect on productivity. There have been considered such breeding indices as Mexican, Canadian, ear potential, plant productivity and prospects.Considering the Mexican index, which reflects the capabilities of the mechanical tissues of straw, there have been identified 8 samples Lakomka, Khrizolit, Pridonie, 536/19, 971/19, 1147/19, 1174/19, 1037/17 with high values (0.020–0.023 g/cm) in comparison with the standard variety Kristella. The Canadian index ranged from 4.93 pcs./cm for the standard variety to 7.13 pcs./cm for the variety Khrizolit. According to ear potential index, the varieties and lines varied from 0.082 cm/cm for the standard variety Kristella to 0.097 cm/cm for the line 536/19. The index of prospects shows the ability of straw to transport plastic substances into grain. According to this indicator, the studied samples ranged from 42.7% (the variety Grafit) to 55.4% (the line 536/19). According to the classification, the winter durum wheat varieties and lines varied from low (IPR < 7.0; grain weight per ear was up to 1.5 g) to high productivity (IPR > 11.0; grain weight per ear was more than 2.0 g). In these studies, there was a significant correlation between yield and the ear potential index (r = 0.57 ± 0.22).

Winter Durum Wheat Disease Severity Detection with Field Spectroscopy in Phenotyping Experiment at Leaf and Canopy Level

Accurate disease severity assessment is critical for plant breeders, as it directly impacts crop yield. While hyperspectral remote sensing has shown promise for disease severity assessment in breeding experiments, most studies have focused on either leaf or canopy levels, neglecting the valuable insights gained from a combined approach. Moreover, many studies have centered on experiments involving a single disease and a few genotypes. However, this approach needs to accurately represent the challenges encountered in field conditions, where multiple diseases could occur simultaneously. To address these gaps, our current study analyses a combination of diseases, yellow rust, brown rust, and yellow leaf spots, collectively evaluated as the percentage of the diseased leaf area relative to the total leaf area (DA) at both leaf and canopy levels, using hyperspectral data from an ASD field spectrometer. We quantitatively estimate overall disease severity across fifty-two winter durum wheat genotypes categorized into early (medium milk) and late (late milk) groups based on the phenophase. Chlorophyll content (CC) within each group is studied concerning infection response, and a correlation analysis is conducted for each group with nine vegetation indices (VI) known for their sensitivity to rust and leaf spot infection in wheat. Subsequent parametric (linear and polynomial) and nonparametric (partial least squares and kernel ridge) regression analyses were performed using all available spectral bands. We found a significant reduction in Leaf CC (>30%) in the late group and Canopy CC (<10%) for both groups. YROI and LRDSI_1 are the VIs that exhibited notable and strong negative correlations with Leaf CC in the late group, with a Pearson coefficient of −0.73 and −0.72, respectively. Interestingly, spectral signatures between the early and late disease groups at both leaf and canopy levels exhibit opposite trends. The regression analysis showed we could retrieve leaf CC only for the late group, with R2 of 0.63 and 0.42 for the cross-validation and test datasets, respectively. Canopy CC retrieval required separate models for each group: the late group achieved R2 of 0.61 and 0.37 (cross-validation and test), while the early group achieved R2 of 0.48 and 0.50. Similar trends were observed for canopy DA, with separate models for early and late groups achieving comparable R2 values of 0.53 and 0.51 (cross-validation) and 0.35 and 0.36 (test), respectively. All of our models had medium accuracy and tended to overfit. In this study, we analyzed the spectral response mechanism associated with durum wheat diseases, offering a novel crop disease severity assessment approach. Additionally, our findings serve as a foundation for detecting resistant wheat varieties, which is the most economical and environmentally friendly management strategy for wheat leaf diseases on a large scale in the future.

Comparison of phenotypic variability of winter durum wheat varieties and lines according to the color characteristics of grain, cereals and pasta

There have been given the study results of grain color characteristics of winter durum wheat varieties and lines (Triticum durum Desf.). There has been studied the effect of factors (‘variety’, ‘year’ and their correlation) on the expression of the main breeding-valuable traits that affect the quality of the final product. The purpose of the current study was to determine the variability of phenotypic characteristics of grain associated with the number of yellow pigments in grain, the color of semolina and finished pasta, to study the correlation between indicators and to identify the most promising ones for further work. Field trials were carried out in the scientific crop rotation laboratory of breeding and seed production of winter durum wheat of the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy”. Laboratory and analytical study was carried out in the laboratory of biochemical, technological and agrochemical estimation in accordance with generally accepted methods and GOST. As a result of the study, there has been established that the main effect on such characteristics of grain quality of winter durum wheat as ‘general hardiness’, ‘mass fraction of protein in grain’ and ‘grain color index b’ was produced by the factor ‘year of study’ by 67.0 %, 48 .2 % and 65.4 % respectively. The ‘cereal color index b’, ‘dry pasta color index b’ and visual estimation of dry pasta were mainly influenced by the factor ‘genotype’ by 62.3 %, 82.5 % and 48.3 %, respectively. The severity of the trait ‘content of carotenoid pigments’ depended on all factors. Over the years of the study, the winter durum wheat varieties and lines developed by the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy” according to color characteristics met the international requirements for durum wheat grain. As a result, the varieties ‘Grafit’ and ‘Karotinka’ stood out according to several studied characteristics in connection with which we recommend expanding the production crops of these varieties. There can be recommended to use promising lines 1147/19 and 971/19 and the variety ‘Solntsedar’ in the breeding process as sources with high color characteristics of grain and pasta.

Height inheritance in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) hybrids with D<sub> 2</sub> and D<sub> 3</sub> hybrid dwarfing genes

Background. Durum wheat (BBAuAu, 2n=28) carries the D2 and D3 hybrid dwarfing genes. A study of the nature of D genes and a research of their influence on the adaptive and selectively valuable traits of hybrid plants with hybrid dwarfing genes is of theoretical and practical interest. It was previously established that the dominant alleles of the D2 and D3 genes significantly reduce the height of durum wheat hybrid plants and positively affect the kernel size and vitreousness. The purpose of the present work was to study the inheritance of height in hybrids obtained by crossing a semi-dwarf durum winter wheat cultivar with lines carrying hybrid dwarfing genes. Material and methods. The material of the study was four lines of durum wheat: L-961, L-962, L-963 and L-964 carrying hybrid dwarfing genes D2 and D3, a cultivar of semi-dwarf winter durum wheat ‘Krupinka’ (k-64725) with the rht1 gene, and hybrids of these lines with this cultivar. ‘Krupinka’ was used as the female parent in hybridization by controlled pollination. The degree of dominance was determined according to Beil and Atkins. Statistics were performed using the Pearson’s -x2 test. Results and conclusions. The analysis of plant lines of durum wheat with the D2 and D3 hybrid dwarfing genes showed that the average height of the ‘Krupinka’ × L-962 and ‘Krupinka’ × L-963 hybrids was 30 cm lower compared to the tall parent, the degree of dominance was 0.9 and 1.9 respectively. In hybrids with lines L-961 and L-964, there was no dominance of short stature. The height variability in F2 hybrids was continuous and prevented combining them into any phenotypic classes. The F3 families of ‘Krupinka’ × L-962 and ‘Krupinka’ × L 963 hybrids segregated by height into three phenotypic classes. The actual ratio of phenotypic classes did not contradict the theoretical one of 10:3:3. The obtained numerical ratios of F3 families are generally similar to those found in the literature. A distinctive feature is the absence of recessive alleles in D genes. It is assumed that the latter are regulators of phytohormone gene depression and do not have recessive alleles. It will be more correct to designate the observed phenotypic classes as D2D2 i and D3D3 i, where D2 i и D3 i denote homologues of chromosomes with a different number of multigenes. Conclusion. The study of height inheritance in the obtained hybrids indicated the presence of dominant D2 and D3 genes in the L-962 and L-963 lines and of the semi-dominant D3 gene in the L-961 line. A distinctive feature of height inheritance in durum wheat lines with the D2 and D3 hybrid dwarfing genes is the absence of recessive alleles in the D genes, i.e. no dominance of short stature

Ways to increase durum wheat yield in the south of Russia

The experiment showed that in the risky farming zone where the experiment was carried out, the introduction of mineral nutrition into southern chernozem significantly influenced the content of nutrients in the soil. Experimental studies were carried out in 2018-2021 on the southern chernozem of the Volgograd region, on the fields of the «Eliseev A.N.» peasant farm, located in the Mikhailovsky district. The varieties of spring durum wheat Donskaya Elegiya, Krasnokutka 13 and winter durum wheat Aksinit and Agat Donskoy were compared with the addition of the calculated amount of mineral nutrition for given yield levels. The experience showed that in variants without the addition of mineral nutrition, it accumulated in the early spring (this was the maximum accumulation) from 5.02 (Don Elegy) to 5.07 (Aksinit) mg per 100 g of soil. The application of N147P5K90 to all varieties was marked by the maximum accumulation of the amount of nitrate nitrogen, and it varied between varieties from 7.01 (Aksinit variety) to 7.57 (Krasnokutka 13 variety) mg per 100 g of soil. By the end of the growing season the least amount of nitrate nitrogen was retained on the Aksinit variety – 4.11 mg per 100 g of soil. While the Krasnokutka 13 variety retained the level of 4.71 mg per 100 g of soil. A similar dependence was observed for the accumulation and consumption of mobile phosphorus. As a result, in varieties without the use of mineral nutrition, the yield ranged from 1.34 t/ha (Krasnokutka 13) to 3.41 t/ha (Aksinit). The maximum yield values were obtained from the application of N74Р27К45 and it ranged from 2.41 t/ha (variety Krasnokutka 13) to 4.02 t/ha (variety Aksinit).

ARMOSA Model Parametrization for Winter Durum Wheat Cultivation under Diverse Cropping Management Practices in a Mediterranean Environment

In anticipation of climate changes, strategic soil management, encompassing reduced tillage and optimized crop residue utilization, emerges as a pivotal strategy for climate impact mitigation. Evaluating the transition from conventional to conservative cropping systems, especially the equilibrium shift in the medium to long term, is essential. ARMOSA, a robust crop simulation model, adeptly responds to varied soil management practices such as no tillage, minimum tillage, and specific straw management options such as chopping and incorporating crop residue into the soil (with or without prior nitrogen and water addition before ploughing). It effectively captures dynamic fluctuations in total organic carbon over an extended period. While challenges persist in precisely predicting grain yield due to climatic intricacies, ARMOSA stands out as a valuable and versatile tool. The model excels in comprehending and simulating wheat cultivar responses in dynamic agricultural ecosystems, shedding light on phenological patterns, biomass accumulation, and soil organic carbon dynamics. This research significantly advances our understanding of the intricate complexities associated with past wheat cultivation in diverse environmental conditions. ARMOSA’s ability to inform decisions on conservation practices positions it as a valuable asset for researchers, agronomists, and policymakers navigating the challenges of sustainable agriculture amidst climate change. Its real-world significance lies in its potential to guide informed decisions, contributing to global efforts in sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.

The effect of sowing dates and seed rates on field germination of new varieties of wheat

The article presents the effect of sowing dates and seed rates on the field gemination of seeds of new varieties of durum wheat Javahir, Mingchinor, Langar, Yoqut-2014 in drought conditions. The complete harvest of winter durum wheat and its wintering, storage until harvest, and ultimately, obtaining an abundant and high-quality grain harvest from the crop directly depend on the correct determination of the optimal sowing period and norms. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of sowing dates and seed rates on the field germination of new durum wheat in the conditions of typical gray soils of the drought conditions of Kashkadarya region. In research, the highest germination of durum wheat seeds was observed when planted on October 21, that is, the fertility of seeds compared to when planted on October 1 (control) was 2.9 in accordance with Javokhir, Mingchinor, Langar, Yoqut-2014 varieties; 2.7; 3.2; increased by 3.3%. A decrease in field fertility of all durum wheat cultivars was observed with late sowing. This indicator is 5.8 in the Jawakhir variety compared to the one planted on October 21 in the first ten days of December; 6.1 in Mingchinor; 6.3 at anchor; Ruby decreased by 6.4% in 2014. In the Mingchinor variety, 2.1% delay in planting dates from October 21 and 6.6% decrease in seed germination in field conditions were found. In the article, the impact of planting dates and standards of durum wheat varieties Javahir, Mingchinor, Langar, Yoqut-2014 included in the State Register of Agricultural Crops on field germination was studied and recommendations were given based on the experimental results.

Water consumption of spring and winter wheat on chernozem soils of the Volgograd region

Scientific and practical research was carried out with the aim of establishing new approaches to the cultivation of durum varieties of spring wheat and winter wheat, the main task when starting the experiments was to obtain a wheat yield at the existing level, while offering alternatives to the classic mineral nutrition, which allows not only to obtain the planned harvest wheat but preserve the natural fertility of the soil. No less important is the fact that the experiment was carried out in a risky farming area. In this regard, it is necessary to know how the water consumption of winter and spring durum wheat develops. We used pre-sowing treatment of seed material with modern biofertilizers. But the root mass of durum wheat has a distinctive feature from the root mass of soft wheat. The root mass of durum wheat contains mycorrhiza, which interacts better with soil microflora. Together with biofertilizers, a more favorable water regime is created, which has a positive effect on yields. Along with zoned varieties, modern wheat varieties with higher plasticity and adaptability to arid conditions were studied. The experiment was carried out in 2020…2023. in the Volgograd region, on the peasant farm “Eliseev A.N” in the Mikhailovsky district, located in the southern black soil zone. The objects of testing in the experiment were varieties of durum spring wheat: Donskaya Elegiya, Krasnokutka 13 and winter durum wheat: Agat Donskoy and Aksinit with pre-sowing treatment with biofertilizers. The experiment showed that the lowest water consumption indicators were in the variants without seed treatment and they varied between varieties from 259.5 mm (Krasnokutka 13 variety) to 521.0 mm (Aksinit variety). The maximum values were observed in the variant with seed treatment with biofertilizer Gumi 20 and they amounted to 263.2 mm for the Krasnokutka 13 variety, and 265.7 mm for the Aksinit variety, respectively.

Varieties of spring and winter durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) by alleles of the Ppd-A1 gene

Purpose. Identification and evaluation of the frequencies of dominant and recessive alleles of the Ppd-A1 gene in winter and spring durum wheat varieties of different geographical origins. Methods. DNA isolation, allele-specific PCR, electrophoresis in agarose and polyacrylamide gels and statistical analysis were used in the research. Results. Using diagnostic molecular markers, the genotypes of 81 spring and winter durum wheat varieties from different geographical origins were identified by alleles of the Ppd-A1 gene, which determines differences in photoperiodic sensitivity. Four alleles were found in spring varieties and three in winter varieties (the dominant allele Ppd-A1a.2 was absent). The recessive allele Ppd-A1_del303 was not found in any of the examined varieties. Conclusions. No significant differences were found between winter and spring genotypes in the frequency of one or the other allele. In winter and spring varieties, the recessive allele Ppd-A1_del2ex7 is the most frequent (68.5 and 47.9%, respectively). The recessive allele Ppd-A1b is significantly lower in winter varieties and almost identical in spring varieties. The frequencies of the dominant alleles Ppd-A1a.2 and Ppd-A1a.3 are lower than the two above and generally very low. The Ppd-A1a.2 allele was detected only in the Georgian variety ‘Merliuri’ (spring type); Ppd-A1a.3 – in the Ukrainian varieties ‘Luhanska 7’, ‘Metyska’ (spring) and ‘Koralovyi’ (winter). The possibility of using varieties carrying the dominant alleles Ppd-A1a.2 and Ppd-A1a.3 as donors in hard winter wheat bree­ding programmes is currently being discussed, in order to increase their adaptive potential in conditions of drought and high temperatures and to increase grain yield. The use of marker analysis will ensure the selection of breeding material with the optimal combination of alleles of the Ppd-A1a gene.

Response of promising winter durum wheat varieties and lines according to productivity and some traits of grain quality to various forecrops

There has been presented a three-year estimation of winter durum wheat samples developed by the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy” sown after various forecrops according to such indicators as productivity, protein and gluten content, SDS-sedimentation, grain hardness. The purpose of the study was to estimate productivity and grain quality of promising winter durum wheat varieties and lines sown after various forecrops in the conditions of the southern part of the Rostov region. The research material included 12 samples sown after peas, maize for grain and sunflower, and in green-manured fallow. The variety ‘Kristalla’ was used as a standard. As a study result (2020–2022), there was found that the mean grain productivity of winter durum wheat varieties and lines of was ranked as follows: 8.60 t/ha when sown in green-manured fallow; 6.55 t/ha when sown after peas; 6.38 t/ha when sown after maize for grain; 4.57 t/ha when sown after sunflower. The maximum mean productivity according to forecrops was shown by two winter durum wheat varieties ‘Yakhont’ (6.98 t/ha) and ‘Lakomka’ (6.96 t/ha). According to the forecrops, the protein percentage in grain varied from 13.79 to 14.71 %, which corresponded to the first quality class, the gluten content was 25.7–27.8 % (class 2). There has been revealed that 25 % of the samples had very strong SDS-sedimentation, 67 % had strong and 8 % had an average one. According to grain hardness, there have been identified such samples as ‘Kristella’ (92 %); ‘Yakhont’ and ‘Almaz Dona’ (87 %); ‘Lakomka’ and ‘483/17’ (85 %).

Features of photosynthetic activity in durum wheat crops in the southern chernozem zone

An experiment conducted over 4 years showed that in order to obtain specified levels of productivity of durum wheat varieties, pre-sowing treatment of seed material with new types of biofertilizers should be used. At the same time, the indicators of photosynthetic activity exceed the values of the corresponding indicators of the control variants. As a result, with lower costs for their acquisition when using biofertilizer Gumi 20, the yield of spring wheat increases to 2.85 t/ha (variety Donskaya Elegiya), and for winter durum wheat to 4.16 t/ha (variety Aksinit) . Based on the experimental materials obtained, conclusions were formulated about the mechanism for obtaining specified yield thresholds for durum wheat varieties belonging to the spring and winter types.

Use of effective sources of winter wheat resistance in breeding for immunity

Winter wheat is one of the most important crops in Ukraine, and modern varieties have the potential to produce high yields under favourable conditions. The realisation of the genetic yield potential of a variety is the result of a complex interaction of genotype and environmental variables. In order to find effective sources of resistance, a collection of winter wheat accessions of different ecological and geographical origin was studied. The research was conducted in 2017-2019 in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe, and the analysis of plant resistance of the winter wheat collection of the National Centre of Plant Genetic Resources of Ukraine was tested against a synthetic infectious background of septoria, brown rust and smut as opposed to the natural background of powdery mildew, leaf yellowing (pyrenophorosis) and other root rot. The collection of 32 varieties was represented by 9 countries, most of them of Ukrainian origin. In the field, on artificial and natural infectious backgrounds, we identified varieties characterised by group resistance to pathogens of major diseases. The studies of adult plant resistance under conditions of infectious natural background and the use of the method of artificial complex infectious background have established that it is possible to investigate and identify sources of resistance to both individual pathogens and a complex of pathogens. As a result, no accessions were found to possess group resistance against the six pathogens presented. The selected varieties, Zdoba Kyivska, Vykhovanka Odeska and Feonia, can be used as sources of group resistance, which allows for excellent breeding efforts leading to the development of resistant wheat varieties. The selected sources are suitable for inclusion in breeding programmes as starting material for the development of modern high-yielding winter durum wheat varieties resistant to diseases and other environmental factors

Study of the initial material and its use in winter durum wheat breeding for resistance to the Rostov population of the smut pathogen

The current paper has presented the study results of the resistance of winter durum wheat varieties to the causative agent of smut under infectious background conditions. The purpose of the study was to identify new sources of smut resistance of winter durum wheat under conditions of artificial inoculation and their use in breeding programs. In the period from 2010–2022 there were studied annually more than 100 varieties and samples. According to the results of 2010, practically resistant varieties of Competitive (CVT) and Interstation Variety Testing (IVT) amounted to 1.4 and 6.7 % of those studied. The bulk has been represented by moderately susceptible and susceptible varieties. By 2015, among the selection samples, practically resistant and slightly susceptible ones amounted to 12.5 and 15.0 %. In 2022, the number of practically resistant ones increased to 26.9%, and weakly susceptible ones raised to 27.9 %. There have been identified the sources of resistance to the Rostov population of the smut pathogen. After introducing into the breeding process such sources of resistance as ‘Delta Odesskaya’, ‘Perlina Odesskaya’, ‘Dnepryana’, ‘Kermen’, etc., there have been developed the varieties ‘Agat Donskoy’, ‘Lazurit’, ‘Kremona’, ‘Oniks’ with practical resistance to the pathogen at the ARC “Donskoy”. Subsequently, when updating the initial material, there have been studied the new varieties of MSI and there have been identified such smut-resistant varieties as ‘Poseidon’, ‘Pributkova’, ‘Andromeda’, ‘Zhivitsa’, ‘Prikumskaya 142’, ‘Kharkovskaya 32’, etc. Using several of them in hybridization, because of many years of selection, there have been developed new winter durum wheat varieties with practical resistance, weak and medium susceptibility to smut, such as ‘Yubilyarka’, ‘Zoloto Dona’, ‘Lakomka’, ‘Dinas’, ‘Solntsedar’, ‘Karotinka’, ‘Grafit’, etc. Among the CVT samples there have been also identified such lines with smut resistance as ‘1273/19’, ‘335/20’, ‘893/20’, ‘1383/20’, etc. The identified sources and the developed pathogen-resistant varieties are recommended for use in breeding programs for winter durum wheat.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE TECHNOLOGY OF DURUM WHEAT CULTIVATION IN THE ZONE OF THE CHERNOZEM SOUTHERN IN THE LOWER VOLGA REGION

The conducted research allowed us to identify new approaches in the technology of improving the cultivation of durum wheat in the southern chernozem zone, which are aimed not only at increasing the yield and quality characteristics of this crop, but also to show new ways to preserve and increase soil fertility. In experimental surveys, both zoned varieties of spring (Krasnokutka 13 - control, Don elegy) and winter (Aksinite and Agate of the Don) durum wheat were studied. The experimental part was carried out in 2018...2021 on the territory of the farm "Eliseev A.N.", which is located in the chernozem zone of the southern Mikhailovsky district of the Volgograd region. The norms of mineral nutrition for yields of 2.00, 4.00 and 6.00 t/ha were calculated. The long-term experience has shown that biofertilizers (Benefit +, Gumi 20) can compete with mineral nutrition to obtain a given yield of durum wheat. The use of biofertilizer Gumi 20 contributed to a yield of 3.11 t / ha in the Don Elegia variety, and in winter durum wheat Axinite up to 3.73 t / ha. The highest yield level has Axinite), which amounted to 5.96 t/ha (with a planned yield of 6.00 t/ha). On the spring durum wheat variety, the maximum yield was achieved in the Don Elegia variety (5.03 t/ha) on the Gumi 20+N221P87K135 variant.

The influence of water-soluble secretions of saffron seed on the germination of seeds of soft winter wheat varieties

Due to climate change, there is a need to introduce new crops into agricultural production in Ukraine, among which Crocus sativus L., a herbaceous perennial tuberous plant, whose allopathic properties have been insufficiently studied, can take a leading place. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the effect of water-soluble flower secretions and their individual elements on the initial stages of seed germination of two winter durum wheat varieties (Vidrada and Koshova). In the course of the study, generally accepted methods were used: laboratory research, analysis, synthesis and statistical. It was found that water-soluble extracts of flowers of different states and elements of C. sativus flowers do not have a significant effect on the morphometric and quality parameters of wheat kernels during germination. Water-soluble secretions of flowers of different states have an inhibitory effect on the development of the root system; secretions of the bud and the bloomed flower inhibit the growth of coleoptiles. The effect of water-soluble secretions of sowing saffron flowers elements has varietal peculiarities: for winter wheat seedlings of Vidrada variety, the petals have a stimulating effect on the total length of roots and their weight; for seedlings of Koshova variety, the opposite effect is observed. The water-soluble secretions of petals and stamens have a stimulating effect on the coleoptile of Vidrada plants, and the water-soluble secretions of petals have a stimulating effect on Koshova seedlings. The correlation between the length of roots and coleoptile under the influence of watersoluble secretions of flowers of different states and their elements, as well as the index of allelopathy have varietal characteristics. The obtained scientific results will contribute to the development of agrotechnical measures for the cultivation of saffron in Ukraine, selection of winter wheat varieties for joint cultivation and use of plant residues as biological stimulants

Selection of forecrops and sowing time for the new winter durum wheat varieties ‘Yubilyarka’ and ‘Yantarina’

The current study was carried out in the southern part of the Rostov region in the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy” in 2020–2022. The purpose of the current study was to identify the best forecrops and optimal sowing time for the new winter durum wheat varieties ‘Yubilyarka’ and ‘Yantarina’. There has been established that the winter durum wheat varieties ‘Yubilyarka’ and ‘Yantarina’ respond well to the choice of a forecrop and sowing time. The effect of forecrops on productivity of the winter durum wheat varieties ‘Yubilyarka’ and ‘Yantarina’ was 90 % and 85 %, respectively. There has been revealed that weedfree fallow was the best one for the studied varieties, providing the formation of a mean grain productivity of 6.25–6.31 t/ha over the years of the trial when sown from September 10 to 30. At the same sowing time when sown after sunflower, productivity of the varieties of 3.73–4.02 t/ha was the lowest during the entire period of the study. There has been established that for all forecrops, the lowest grain productivity of the varieties ‘Yubilyarka’ and ‘Yantarina’ was obtained when sown on October 10 (late date) and averaged 5.60 and 5.77 t/ha in 2020–2022 when sown after weedfree fallow; 4.16 and 4.35 t/ha when sown after peas; and 3.51 and 3.63 t/ha when sown after sunflower. The studied varieties formed the largest number of productive stems of 540–609 pcs/m2 when sown in weedfree fallow, and the smallest number of 382–410 pcs/m2 when sown after non-fallow forecrops. The quality indicators of grain of the winter durum wheat varieties ‘Yubilyarka’ and ‘Yantarina’ were mainly affected by forecrops and slightly by sowing time. The production of high-quality winter durum wheat grain is cost-effective. The conditional net income reached 52908–53268 rubles/ha, and the profitability of grain production was 127–129 %. When sown after sunflower, the productivity was the lowest during the entire period of study and averaged 3.73–4.02 t/ha over three years. There has been found a productivity decrease on 0.5–0.7 t/ha with a late sowing date (October 10).

Effect of organic mineral fertilizers and growth regulator on winter durum wheat crops under irrigation conditions in the Terek-Sulak subprovince of the republic of Dagestan

The current study has been carried out to determine the effect of mineral and organic mineral fertilizers, as well as a growth regulator on the productivity of promising winter durum wheat varieties, under irrigation conditions of meadow-chestnut heavy loamy soil in the Terek-Sulak subprovince of the Republic of Dagestan. In 2019–2021 there were laid on two trials on the experimental plot. In the first case, there were studied four variants of the effect of fertilizers on the productivity of promising varieties ‘Krupinka’ (control), ‘Krucha’, ‘Odari’ under irrigation conditions. There was used ammophos (background), 65 kg/ha a.i. under plowing; ammophos (background), 65 kg/ha a.i. for plowing + Polydon bio universal, 0.5 l/ha in the tillering phase + Polydon bio universal, 0.5 l/ha in the earing phase; ammophos (background), 65 kg/ha a.i. under arable land + ammonium nitrate 150 kg/ha in spring tillering + Polydon bio universal 0.5 l/ha in the tillering phase + Polydon bio universal 0.5 l/ha in the earing phase; ammophos (background), 65kg/ha a.i. for plowing + ammonium nitrate 150 kg/ha in spring tillering. In the second, three winter durum wheat varieties were treated before sowing with 0.5 l/t of Sprintalga and foliar top dressing was carried out in the spring tillering phase, in comparison with the control when seeds were treated with 10 l/t of the working liquid disinfectant Maxim KS. The conducted study has shown that the largest productivity of the studied winter durum wheat varieties was achieved in the third variant of the trial, where grain productivity of 8.36 t/ha was achieved for the variety ‘Odari’, the variety ‘Krucha’ was in second place with 7.91 t/ha of productivity, which was on 0.27 t/ha more than for the control variety ‘Krupinka’ and on 0.45 t/ha less than in the variety ‘Odari’. The use of a growth regulator has shown its significant effect on the grain productivity improvement. Seed treatment of winter durum wheat varieties and crops in the tillering phase with Sprintalgi had a positive effect on the growth, development, and improvement of grain yield. On average, over the years of research, the largest grain yield of 7.88 t / ha was obtained for the variety ‘Odari’, in the variant of seed and crop treatment with a growth regulator Sprintalgi. The productivity difference in the variant with seed treatment with Sprintalgi and with the working liquid treater Maxim KS was 0.67 t/ha for the variety ‘Odari’, 0.71 t/ha for ‘Krucha’ and 0.79 t/ha for ‘Krupinka’.

Study of baking properties of the winter durum wheat varieties

The current paper has presented the study results of rheological and baking properties of 4 winter durum wheat varieties in mixtures with common wheat. The purpose of the study was to research the rheological properties of the dough and estimate the baking qualities of winter durum wheat varieties of the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy” mixed with winter common wheat and in its pure form. The objects of the study were 4 varieties ‘Kristella’, ‘Amazonka’, ‘Eirena’, ‘Yakhont’ grown in the competitive variety testing of the laboratory for breeding and seed production of winter durum wheat in 2019–2021. In the preparation of mixtures, there has been used the winter common wheat variety ‘Univer’. There was added 10 %, 30 %, 50 %, 70 %, 90 % of each durum wheat variety to the flour of the variety ‘Univer’. The laboratory baking was carried out in accordance with the method, a non-dough method with repeated kneading. The physical and rheological properties of the mixtures were determined using a farinograph. The configuration of the farinogram was estimated according to the method proposed by Vasilchuk N. S. The varietal grinding of the samples was carried out on an MLU-202 Buller mill. Mathematical and statistical processing of the study results was performed according to B. A. Dospekhov using MS Excel 2010. There has been found out that the winter common wheat variety ‘Kristella’ is most appropriate to use in mixtures with common wheat, but not more than 50%. The rheological and baking properties of the winter durum wheat variety ‘Amazonka’ in a mixture with common wheat of the variety ‘Univer’ were most fully revealed at a ratio of 10–50%. The winter durum wheat varieties ‘Eirena’ and ‘Yakhont’ can be used to improve common wheat flour, as well as in an independent form for baking. In the process of current study, there have been established the varietal differences in rheological and baking properties. The use of farinographic analysis in winter durum wheat breeding made it possible to identify samples with the required severity of the rheological and physical properties of the dough. Selection of durum wheat can be carried out in two such directions as pasta quality and baking properties.

Allelic Variation of Glu-A1 and Glu-B1 Genes in Winter Durum Wheat and Its Effect on Quality Parameters

Winter durum wheat is a relatively young crop that is highly adaptable due to its winter type of growth habit. The priority of breeding and genetic improvement of winter durum wheat is to improve grain quality and pasta quality, largely determined by the glutenin storage proteins. In the present study, a collection of 76 accessions of winter durum wheat from P.P. Lukyanenko National Grain Centre was studied. The allelic state of high-molecular-weight glutenin genes, Glu-A1 and Glu-B1, using PCR markers and SDS-PAGE was identified and grain and pasta quality traits were assessed in a two-year field experiment. The positive effect of the Glu-A1a allele and a negative effect of Glu-A1c on the gluten index were shown. It was found that Glu-B1al and Glu-B1f have a positive effect on the quality and quantity of protein and gluten, while the Glu-A1c + Glu-B1al genotypes were closest to the high-quality category in protein-associated quality traits.

Productivity and grain quality of winter durum wheat of various maturity groups

The current paper has presented the results of environmental testing of winter durum wheat varieties in the conditions of the southern part of the Rostov region. The purpose of the study was to estimate productivity and grain quality of winter durum wheat varieties of various maturity groups. The objects of the study were 53 winter durum wheat varieties of various environmental origins of breeding, namely FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy”, FSBSI RCG named after P. P. Lukiyanenko, FSBSI FRAC and other institutions. The variety ‘Kristella’ was used as a standard variety. According to the results of the study there was found that 22.6 % (12 pcs.) of winter durum wheat samples belonged to the middle-early maturity group with a heading stage starting on May 20–22; 49.1 % (26 pcs.) of samples belonged to the middle-maturing group (May 23–25); 28.3 % (15 pcs.) of samples belonged to middle-late maturing group (May 26–29). The maximum productivity for the study period (2020–2022) was identified among the samples of middle maturity group (8.40 t/ha). High quality indicators were formed by winter durum wheat varieties of the middle-early maturity group with 15.24 % of protein, 27.0 % of gluten, 38 ml of SDS-sedimentation, 567 Mkg/% of carotenoids. On average for three years, the samples of the middle maturity group (78 %; 777 g/l) have formed high kernel hardness and grain unit in the trial. During the correlation analysis, there have been obtained significant positive correlations in middle-early genotypes (with protein content (r = 0.95±0.04), gluten content (r = 0.94±0.04), kernel hardness (r = 0.48±0,12), SDS-sedimentation (r = 0.92±0.04), carotenoid content (r = 0.96±0.04)) and in middle-late genotypes (with kernel hardness (r = 0.41±0.13)). Among middle maturing samples there have been found no significant correlations.