VIR World Collection Research Articles

Genetic diversity of naked barley accessions from the VIR collection for resistance to powdery mildew in the North-West Region of the Russian Federation

BACKGROUND: Barley is an important grain crop characterized by adaptability to various growing conditions. In recent years close attention has been paid to groups of naked barley which compared to covered barley is more susceptible to the influence of pathogens, that decreases the yield and quality of grain. Powdery mildew is the most harmful diseases of barley (caused by the biotrophic fungus Blumeria graminis (DC.) Golovin ex Speer f. sp. hordei Marchal). The search for new promising sources of resistance to powdery mildew is necessary for barley breeding. AIM: The aim is studying the powdery mildew resistance of naked spring barley accessions from the world collection of VIR and identifying promising sources for economically valuable traits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In field and laboratory conditions 271 of naked barley accessions of different ecological and geographical origin were studied for powdery mildew resistance and other economically valuable traits (lodging resistance, duration of the vegetative period, yield). The pathogen inoculum for laboratory work was represented by the north-western population of the pathogen. The resistance of barley samples was assessed in the field using the VIR point scale, in the laboratory using the E.B. Mains, S.M. Dietz point scale. The highly effective to powdery mildew resistance allele mlo11 was identified using PCR. RESULTS: The diversity of barley of different origins in resistance to powdery mildew is shown. 16 samples mainly from Europe, local forms from Ethiopia, Japan and India, were found to be resistant in field condition. According to the results of the assessment at the juvenile stage, 1 highly resistant sample k-31058 and 5 moderately resistant (k-20923, k-25801, k-27165, k-29911, k-30231) were identified. The naked forms k-20923 from Germany and k-29911 from Poland were resistant at all stages of plant development. The mlo11 allele was detected in the Arabische variety (k-20923) and heterogeneous pathogen resistance accessions k-20921, k-25793, k-27080, k-29440, k-29820. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of the work the sources of resistance to powdery mildew with a complex of economically valuable traits were identified, which can be involve in the breeding.

A variety of potato cultivars from the VIR World Collection in northern conditions

Relevance. Potatoes are one of the most popular agricultural crops in Russia. The unique chemical composition characterizes potatoes as a valuable food product in the diet of the population. One of the important factors for increasing and stable potato yields is the selection of the optimal assortment for each region of the Russian Federation. Therefore, the varieties most adapted to local growing conditions should be used in production. The world potato collection allows solving various issues of modern breeding, such as: early maturity, resistance of tubers to various diseases, seed quality, adaptation to climatic stresses, history and systematics. The study and evaluation of new potato breeding varieties makes it possible to identify promising source material for the creation of future varieties suitable for cultivation in the northern regions of the country.The purpose of this study is to characterize the studied potato samples in extreme climate conditions.Material and methodology. In 2013-2023, 543 potato samples from the World Collection of VIR were studied at the experimental field of the Polar Experimental Station VIR branch according to the main biological and economically valuable characteristics. For a comprehensive assessment of the varieties according to the main economic and biological characteristics, phenological observations were carried out, the harvest was taken into account during early and final harvesting, including the structure of the crop. Visual assessment of diseases was carried out in the field and during storage. Starch was determined in the laboratory. All basic accounting is performed according to the VIR methodology.Results and discussion. Over the years, 15 potato varieties with the best characteristics of economically valuable traits have been identified. According to the results of the final harvest, 6 varieties had a stable harvest – Favorit, Meteor, Tekes, Severny, Gusar, Lingonberry. The yield of these varieties was 1034-1409 g/bush.

Amino acid content in spring common wheat grain

The aim of the study was to determine the differences in the content of amino acids in wheat grains of the world collection of VIR in the agro-climatic conditions of the Republic of Tatarstan and to search for sources of increased content of essential amino acids for the use of these data in breeding. The study was conducted in 2021-2022 at the experimental base of the Tatar Research Institute of Agriculture of the Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, located 15 km away from Kazan, the soil of the experimental site is gray forest. 354 samples of spring wheat were studied. The determination of the content of seventeen amino acids and protein in wheat grain was carried out using the near-infrared spectroscopy method on the DS 2500F device from FOSS. The protein content in the grain has a significant effect on the amount of essential acids. The correlation between the protein content and the amount of essential acids in wheat grain is high in 2021. r = 0.91 ± 0.02 and average in 2022. r = 0.69± 0.04. The highest content of glutamine in wheat grain was noted - up to 2.22 % and proline - up to 1.55 %. The source of high grain content of histidine 0.38- 0.40 %, isoleucine 0.53-0.54 %, lysine 0.61-0.62 %, methionine 0.28-0.30 %, phenylalanine 0.66-0.67 %, threonine 0.52-0.56 % and tyrosine 0.31-0.36 % was the Ranee sample (k-26982). The Panifor sample was a source of high grain content of cysteine 0.58-0.63 %, histidine 0.39 % and threonine 0.51-0.58 %. The Arrino sample (k-65995) is a source of high grain content of leucine 0.82-0.91 %, tyrosine 0.31-0.34 % and valine 0.75-0.78 %. According to the lysine content in protein (grams of amino acid per 100 grams of protein), samples Ranee (k-26982) - 3.63-3.66 and NIL Avocet Yr15 (k-66241) - 2.86-4.52 were isolated. According to the content of methionine in the protein, samples of Uffo (k- 66798) - 1.80-1.8 and Fiorina (k-66034) - 1.70-1.91 were isolated. According to the threonine content, three samples Ranee (k-26982) - 3.04-3.36, Panifor (k-66039) - 3.09-3.20 and Cub (k- 62510) - 3.07-3.20 were distinguished. The source of the high tryptophan content in the protein were samples Ethos (k- 65002) - 2.00-2.27, Tulaykovskaya 108 (k- 65452) - 2.01-2.26 and Ekada 109 (k-66239) - 2.07-2.14.

The use the VIR world collection in the selection of new varieties and hybrids of sugar sorghum for arid regions of the Russian Federation

Relevance . Currently, a highly productive agricultural crop, unique in drought resistance, sugar sorghum is traditionally used in the crop industry of the agro-industrial complex mainly for fodder purposes for the production of hay, silage, haylage, monofeed, briquettes from biomass, and in recent years the direction related to technical and food processing has been developing. Breeders are widely attracted to the source material from the world collection of VIR, on the basis of which new highly productive varieties and hybrids are created, characterized by a high sugar content in the juice of stems, as well as maturing in the conditions of the cultivation region. The multidirectional selection of new varieties of sugar sorghum with specified economic characteristics is relevant for providing raw materials for various branches of the agro-industrial complex. Methods . The field assessment of morphometric indicators, the yield of biomass and seeds of the studied samples was carried out according to the Methodology of the state variety testing of agricultural crops, as well as according to the Broad unified classifier of cultivated species of the genus Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. Results . The study of the gene pool of sugar sorghum made it possible to identify 18 samples that are donors of economically valuable traits, which are included in the working collection for the creation of new forms. Some samples are donors of several economically valuable signs: 6 signs — Volonter, 5 signs — Scheherezada, k-302, L-39/12; 4 signs — Izolda, Sahara, Seviliay, k-256, k-257, k-10092, L-66/13, L-67/13; 3 signs — Moment, Chaika, k-327, L-44/13. According to the developed model of the variety and the results of the tests, a new variety of sugar sorghum Izolda was isolated, surpassing the zoned variety Volzhskoe 51 in biomass yield by 21,0% and in seeds yield — by 11,1% in the conditions of 2020–2021.

Сравнительная оценка степени повреждения клеточных мембран образцов чечевицы мировой коллекции ВИР различного эколого-географического происхождения

Differences in the degree of damage to cell membranes in small-seeded and large-seeded (plate) varieties of lentils of the world collection of VIR named after V.I. N.I. Vavilov. An assessment of the relative drought resistance of lentils by determining the exosmosis of electrolytes from plant leaves made it possible to identify samples with the lowest cell membrane permeability as an indirect indicator of drought resistance. High resistance to "physiological drought" in laboratory conditions was noted in the following samples: 2021 - k-2872 (USA), k-2850 (Russia), k-1043 (Italy), k-2839 (Canada), k-2365 (Sweden), k-1964 (Ethiopia); 2022 - k-1850 (Armenia), k-2850 (Russia), k-2365 (Sweden). Therefore, it is purposeful to include samples k-2850 (Russia) and k-2365 (Sweden) as highly resistant in breeding programs to create a valuable initial material of lentils in the arid zones of the Russian Federation. Samples of lentils with increased adaptive potential are proposed. Keywords: LENTILS, COLLECTION, SAMPLE, EXOSMOSIS, DEGREE OF DAMAGE, CELL MEMBRANES

Comparative assessment of the resistance of introduced spring oat varieties to arid climate of the Astrakhan region

In the semi-desert zone of the north of the Astrakhan region, a comparative assessment of spring oat varieties from the world collection of VIR was carried out. The 2019-2021 studies included 57 variety samples. Based on the results of the study, the most resistant samples were identified, capable of producing a stable crop, regardless of the climatic conditions of the current years. These samples are distinguished by: high field germination, early maturity, high levels of plant productivity elements, and, consequently, high genetic potential of variety samples. Selected varieties: Leo, Scorpion and Borets (Moscow region) with a yield of 3.48, 3.00 and 2.70 t/ha, respectively.

Resistance of oats to smut diseases in the forest-steppes of the Pre-Ob region

Loose smut (Ustilago avenae (Pers.) Jens.) and covered smut (Ustilago kolleri Wille) are considered to be the most harmful and widespread in the forest-steppes of the Pre-Ob region. The poor grain yields in some years could reach up to 25%, and up to 50% in the years of epiphytoties. The purpose of the current study was to identify the resistance of oat varieties to dusty and covered smut in the forest-steppes of the Pre-Ob region. The study was carried out at the phytopathological plot of the laboratory for plant gene pool of the SRIPCB, the branch of Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of RAS in 2018–2021. The objects of research were Russian varieties from the world collection of VIR named after V.I. Vavilov. There have been studied 64 oat genotypes for resistance to local populations of loose and covered smut. There has been established a significant correlation between plants’ damage caused by loose and covered smut and soil temperature during the period ‘third decade of May – the first decade of June’ (r = 0.76 and r = 0.73). There was no significant correlation between plants’ damage and the average daily air temperature (r = 0.32 and r = 0.48). There has been determined a negative relationship (r = –0.77 and r = –0.71) between the manifestation of the disease and the amount of precipitation during the period ‘sowing-sprouts’. There has been established that most varieties are susceptible to pathogens. According to smut fungi resistance under conditions of an artificial infectious background, there have been identified such oat varieties as ‘Sibirsky Gerkules’, ‘Fakel’, ‘Rysak’ and ‘Uralets’. These varieties are characterized by large productivity, 1000-grain weight, resistance to lodging.

Selection of the starting material with winter soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for selection for virus resistance

In the Volgograd region, in the dry-steppe, and especially in semi-desert zones, favorable hydrothermal conditions for obtaining maximum yields are not so often - about 20% of the years, but in these years, as a rule, various diseases, including viral ones, cause significant damage to the crop. Field and laboratory research was carried out on the basis of the laboratory of breeding, seed production and nursery breeding of the Federal Research Center of Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, located in the Kamyshinsky district, in the right-bank zone of the Volgograd region, in 2019/20. Samples of the world collection of VIR were studied, by origin they were presented from: Russia - 132 pcs., Kazakhstan - 10 pcs., USA - 8 pcs., Ukraine - 8 pcs., Poland - 3 pcs. and one - Belarus and Japan. Collection samples were sown in a wide row, with a row spacing of 0.45 cm, with a cassette seeder SKS - 6 - 10, the area of the plot for each sample was 1 m2, the number of plants on five rows of the experimental plot was 300 pcs. Collection samples were studied and evaluated in accordance with methodological guidelines, assessment of resistance to various diseases on a 5-point scale, cleaning by pulling out plants. The resistance to the harmfulness of plants was evaluated in the field during the phase of milky-waxy ripeness. To determine the harmfulness of viruses, each sample was divided into healthy and affected plants, the ratio of healthy plants to damaged plants was calculated, followed by an analysis of their elements of the crop structure. A biometric analysis of plants was carried out, which included a sample of 30 plants and the determination of: plant height (cm), ear length (cm), the number of spikelets - total and including developed (pcs), the number of grains and the weight of grain from the ear (pcs). Of the varieties of local breeding, Kamyshanka 3 and Kamyshanka 5 showed relative stability. With a viral lesion, in tolerant varieties, the greatest decrease in plant productivity structure elements was observed by the grain weight of the main ear - 27.9% (due to a decrease in the number of grains -27.5%) and the grain weight of side shoots - 49.6%, in susceptible varieties, complete plant death was observed.

The Biological Traumatization of Crops Due to the Enzyme Stage of Enzyme-Mycotic Seed Depletion

In the light of Vavilov’s Law, grain traumatization in the standing crop of wheat and other crops due to the enzyme stage of enzyme-mycotic seed depletion (EMSD) was confirmed, the parameters of open and hidden harmfulness were detected, and a scale of plant resistance to such traumatization was developed. The current study demonstrates that pathogen contamination in grains occurs before harvesting and its degree is determined by favorable humidity and temperature conditions and by the open and hidden grain traumatization due to the enzyme stage of EMSD, i.e., the grain’s hydrolytic enzymes providing a growth substrate for a fungal spread that is later substituted by pathogen enzymes leading to grain spoiling and self-warming. The most common technique to preserve grain quality is to support a moisture level that prevents further spreading of the fungi. The grains that are contaminated with very low temperature and humidity levels facilitate the germinability and high quality of the grain. The new ways to withstand EMSD should, first of all, include a selection of activities. Using biological, biochemical and physical (X-ray) methods, genetic sources of resistance towards EMSD were found in the VIR world collection that is recommended for further selection. These sources have become a basis for the varieties, such as Moskovskaya 39, Ilot (winter wheat), Gremme and Gremme 2U (hulless spelt), Alcoran (winter spelt) and Kanysh (spring wheat).

Breeding value of leafy and root turnip samples from the VIR collection

Turnip, Brassica rapa L. subsp. rapa is the oldest vegetable crop in Russia. Turnip varieties are fastgrowing, productive, have valuable biochemical properties, cold-resistant, relatively easy to grow. To expand the vegetable assortment, new varieties and hybrids should be created, first of all, the types of varieties that are not in the State Register of Russia. The purpose of the work: using the data of a long-term study of the VIR collection to identify valuable material for breeding.Methods. Field study of 170 samples of the VIR collection was carried out in the NPB "Pushkin and Pavlovsk laboratories of VIR" (Leningrad region) in 2001-2020. Sowing was carried out on June 26- 28. Each sample was sown on a single-row plot 2 m long in three repetitions. As a control, turnip varieties included in the State Register were used – the variety of leaf turnip Sapphire, the table turnip variety Petrovskaya-1 and the fodder turnip variety Osterzundomsky. The description was carried out according to the Methodological Guidelines for the study and maintenance of the VIR world collection, with author's additions.Results. The best leaf turnip samples, found during the study has a large plant mass (up to 1.42±0.32 kg in the Early top F1 sample (k-366, Japan), many samples exceeded the Sapphire standard for this trait. Some of the samples of table turnips also exceed the Petrovskaya-1 standard by weight of the root (Purple top (k-1345, Nepal), Pekki (vr.2176, Finland)). Samples Solovetskaya (k-803, Russia, Murmansk region), Gul Findlandsk (vr.2175, Norway) have a bright yellow flash of the root, are easy to store and resistant to damage by cabbage flies. Among the turnip samples distinguished by yield (Table 5), the most interesting are the turnips Ova Dæhnfeldt (vr.2183, Denmark) and Korova (vr.2187, Sweden), which have yellow flesh and an increased content of β-carotene in roots.Conclusion. It was possible to identify new samples belonging to groups of leaf and root turnips, that are not represented on the seed and food market of Russia. Such samples belong to morphologically different forms, are productive, carry a complex of valuable economic and biochemical characteristics and are perspective material for inclusion in programs for the selection of leaf and root crops.

Use of Factor Analysis in Grain Sorghum Breeding

The article presents the results of calculating factor loads for 2015-2018 obtained by the method of principal components of grain sorghum varieties. Field studies were laid and carried out in the fields of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution RosNIISK Rossorgo. The objects of the study were grain sorghum plants of the Institute's selection, as well as samples presented by the VIR world collection. 25 economically valuable indicators in 32 samples were analyzed. The main role in selection of indicators for inclusion in the correlation model is assigned to the expert approach in assessing breeding material. Effective and combinational groupings of correlation coefficients by hypothetical factors are very important tools in solving the issue of selecting indicators in a correlation model of interrelationships of selectively valuable indicators of various plant populations. Grouping the correlation coefficients makes it possible to assess the general nature of the interaction of the indicators included in the experimental data matrix. Calculations of the loads on hypothetical factors in the experiment made it possible to identify factors whose contribution to the accumulated variance is more than 5 %.

Identification of the photosynthetic potential of spring oat varieties in the Lower Volga Re-gion

In 2017-2019, in the agro-climatic conditions of the Lower Volga region, the experience of studying spring oat varieties of different ecological and geographical origin from the world collection of VIR was laid, in order to determine their photosynthetic potential, and to identify varieties with high photosynthetic productivity. Over the years of research, the most adapted varieties of this crop were selected, their photosynthetic potential was determined, and the intensity of photosynthesis during the reproductive period of development (during the main growth phases) of spring oats in the conditions of the Lower Volga region was analyzed. On average, for 3 years of studying the collection varieties of spring oats in terms of the net productivity of photosynthesis, samples were noted: Myrtle, Athlete, Urs guara, Urs penca, p. 1. 3326 It was determined that with the growth of (FP) and (BPF), the yield of oats also increased. Since this indicator directly depends on the physiological and bioclimatic processes occurring in plants during ontogenesis. In the highest yield in 2017, it varied from 0.66 to 2.01 / ha. In 2018, the minimum yield values for all varieties were obtained from 0.51 t / ha of the Dookie 10 variety to 1.78 t / ha of the Mir variety. In the conditions of 2019, the yield variability by variety was from 0.60 t / ha to 1.94 t / ha. Thus, out of the 8 studied varieties, 5 were identified - p.1. 3326, Guara Urs, Urs foam, Athlete, Myrtle, as highly productive, and therefore the most resistant to abiotic stresses of the conditions of the Lower Volga region.

Peculiarities of grain productivity formation and its elements in varieties of spring barley in conditions of arid climate of Astrakhan region

On the territory of the Astrakhan region, the experience of studying varieties of spring barley of the VIR world collection, of various ecological and geographical origin, was laid in nonirrigation agriculture. According to the results of the studies, highly productive varieties of this crop were isolated. Selected varieties will be recommended for use in the selection process when creating new productive and locally adaptive varieties.

Methods of Improving the Awnless Brome Productivity in Yakutia

The article presents an author’s long term works results on the development of the agroecological technique for growing seeds and hay of awnless brome in permafrost floodplain soils on the Lena river middle reaches. The awnless brome Ammachaan and Kamalinskiy 14 varieties seeding rate and row space for cultivars are recommended. Varieties morphological changes in Oymakonya conditions are given. Recommended agroecological methods of cultivation provide guaranteed seed yield from 1.9 to 2.25 C/ha and hay yield up to 21-54 C/ha in conditions without irrigation and irrigation. It should be noted that the awnless brome Ammachaan and Kamalinskiy 14 varieties despite meteorological conditions during the research years showed excellent winter hardiness in the conditions of Central Yakutia, and the Pole of Cold of Yakutia (Oymyakonye). At the same time, it was conducted the agroecological assessment of the initial material (150 samples) in the Oymyakonye region. Mostly varieties from the world collection of VIR were presented. Also, the Yakut breeding hybrids and local populations from the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) were tested. As a result of the research, the local samples were selected that exceed the Kamalinskiy 14 variety by selection indicators. It was determined the potential of awnless brome’ seeds and green mass formation using a wide-row method of sowing with 60 cm row space and a seeding rate of three million pieces per one hectare. The conducted researches have shown that the Kamalinskiy 14 variety are well-prepared to the winter grazing of horses in Yakutia.

Status and prospects of breeding of cultivated species of Lupin in Russia

The article describes the types of white lupine (Lupinus albus L.), narrow-leaved lupine (Lupinus angustifolius L.) and yellow lupine (Lupinus luteus L.) cultivated in Russia. Easn of them has its own biological snaracteristics, differs in the length of the growing season, grain quality, yield, adapted to certain soil and climatic conditions and does not exclude one another. Among the cultivated species, white lupine has the highest yield potential (6-7 t / ha), the grain quality is close to soy and exceeds it in productivity and protein collection per unit area. Selection of these species is carried out in the all-Russian researsn Institute of Lupin. The directions of selection and the gene pool for their implementation are shown. The article describes some varieties included in the State register of breeding asnievements of the Russian Federation. The world collection of VIR, as well as its own hybrid and mutant material, is widely used as the source material for the selected traits. The introduction of new varieties of white, yellow and narrow-leaved lupine into the Russian feed production systems will increase the production of sneap, environmentally friendly feed protein, reduce the import of expensive genetically modified soy protein components, and increase the efficiency of domestic livestock production.

АНАЛИЗ ПРОДУКТИВНОСТИ СОРТООБРАЗЦОВ ТРИТИКАЛЕ И ИСХОДНЫХ ВИДОВ ПШЕНИЦЫ И РЖИ

A comparative analysis of the productivity and morphobiological characteristics of varieties of wheat, rye and triticale was carried out and promising forms were identified. The work was carried out at the Dagestan experimental station VIR. We studied 14 samples of hexaploid triticale from the world collection of VIR, as well as 2 released varieties of rye and wheat. Sowing for each sample was carried out on 1 m2 in 3 replications. The following were analyzed: yield of green mass, yield of dry mass, seed yield, number of stems, foliage, plant height, heading period and weight of 1000 grains. The polyploidity of triticale contributes to the formation of a good vegetative mass, which is suitable for cultivation in the conditions of irrigated agriculture in Southern Dagestan in the production of fodder. The yield of dry and green mass of triticale depends mainly on the number of stems per 1 m2 and the weight of the 1st stem with leaves and spike, and to a lesser extent on the height of the plants. In terms of yield, only some varieties of triticale are superior to zoned varieties of wheat and rye. We have identified samples with a high yield of vegetative and dry mass (PRAG 45/6, PRAG 45/7, PRAG 82, and Creslawicka), the grain of these varieties is also suitable for fodder purposes. Forage grades of triticale usually have large, undersized grains.

The main results of breeding and seed production of perennial grasses on the Don area in 2010–2020

The current paper has presented an overview of the work of the laboratory for breeding and seed production of perennial grasses of the ARC “Donskoy” over a ten-year period. There has been presented a brief history of the development of the laboratory from the moment of its establishment to the present day. The main purpose of the work in this period was the breeding, reproduction, introduction into production of the new alfalfa and sainfoin varieties with a wide range of resistance to various stress factors with high productivity of forage and seeds. In the collection farms of alfalfa there have been tested and agro biologically estimated more than 600 varieties from the world collection of VIR, other research institutions and local hybrids. Based on this work there have been developed an initial material with a wide variability of economically-biological useful characters using the methods of hybridization and selection. The best lines and hybrids were included in the complex hybrid populations, which became the basis for the development of the new alfalfa varieties ‘Selyanka’ (2013) and ‘Golubka’ (2019). Throughout the history of the laboratory, great attention was paid to the development of the new sainfoin varieties, as a result of which there were zoned such varieties as ‘Severokavkazky dvuukosny’ (1947), ‘Zernogradsky 2’ (1998), ‘Zernogradsky 3’ (2001), ‘Atamansky’ (2004), ‘Veles’ (2010). Over the past ten years, there were developed the sainfoin varieties ‘Sudar’ (2013) and ‘Shuravi’ (2019) protected by a patent, the varieties undergone the State Variety Testing, were included into the State List of Breeding Achievements approved for use in several regions of the Russian Federation. There has been given a brief description of the current problems of breeding and primary seed production of perennial grasses, as well as the directions of the laboratory's work to solve them. There has been presented the publication activity of the researchers of the laboratory.

ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА СЕЛЕКЦИОННО-ЦЕННЫХ ПРИЗНАКОВ ТРИТИКАЛЕ РАЗЛИЧНОГО МОРФОТИПА

The article studies triticale samples from the VIR world collection by morphological characteristics and identifies among them those combining economically valuable characteristics. When selecting the material, we adhered to the principle of sampling from a wide variety of the most typical representatives. All studied forms have 42 chromosomes in the genome. According to their lifestyle, they are subdivided into winter crops (29 samples) and spring crops (27 samples). According to the presence of a complete or partial set of rye chromosomes in the genome, triticale are grouped into typical (RR) – 43 in total and substituted "R" by "D" (R/D) – 13. Information on the origin of the studied samples is given in Table 1. The most significant material represented by triticale samples obtained at the VIR Dagestan experimental station and from Mexico. Almost all triticale from Russia and European countries are winter crops; those from Mexican and other American countries are spring crops. The study of hexaploid triticale selectively valuable traits showed that R/D substituted forms have better indicators compared to the triticale with a complete rye genome (RR) in the following traits: 1000 grain weight, grain fullness, grain size and lodging resistance. For the rest of the studied traits (stem weight with spike, spike weight, grain weight per spike, number of grains per spike, and resistance to fungal diseases), the RR of triticale exceeds the R/D substituted forms. However, it should be noted that by such traits as the weight of the ear and the weight of the grain from one ear, their percentage to the weight of the whole plant is higher in R/D triticale.

Method of assessment ecological plasticity of cereal crop varieties

The results of testing new Agrostab computer program “Indicators of stability of agricultural crops varieties” based on long-term (2017–2019) field research data in Novosibirsk region are presented. The program implements modern methods for assessing the ecological plasticity of varieties and allows to evaluate the stability of genotypes by a set of phenotypic characters. The research material was common spring wheat varieties from the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Novosibirskaya 15, Novosibirskaya 31, Sibirskaya 12), and collection forms of spring hexaploid triticale from the VIR world collection Lt-F6544-6 (k-3992), variety Ukro (k-3644) and Sears 57 × Ukro hybrid received as a result of breeding. The samples had a different ecological and geographical origin and belonged to different ripeness groups. Plants were grown organically without the use of fertilizers and pesticides. They were sown at different times after bare fallow in four repetitions. In the course of the experiment, the following genotype stability indicators were determined: environmental variance, coefficient of homeostaticity, weighted homeostacity index, steadiness of stability index, coefficient of multiplicativity, specific adaptive ability, superiority measure, ecovalence, regression to environmental index, non-parametric stability index. The necessity of using the complex value of the integrated selection index to calculate the parameters of plasticity and genotype stability is shown. Testing of the Agrostab program for breeding of spring triticale made it possible to determine the targeted vector for the selection of varieties in the agroclimatic conditions of Western Siberia and adaptive samples to be included in hybridization. The use of new models and methods of statistical data analysis to determine the environmental plasticity of varieties and hybrids will increase the efficiency of the breeding process.

Evaluation of the cucumber gene pool of the VIR collection on precocity and fruiting period under the conditions of the Lower Volga region

Relevance. In connection with the annual epiphytotic development of peronosporosis (Pseudoperonospora cubensis(Berk. and Curt.) Rostow. on cucumber and the absence varieties immune to this disease, it is advisable to create and cultivate precocious varieties and hybrids that can form the main part of the yield before the period of mass spread of the disease. In order to rationally use the cucumber gene pool long-term research of the world collection is carried out to search of sources of yield, precocity and resistance to peronosporosis.Material and methods. The studies were conducted at Volgograd Experimental Station of VIR (Volgograd province). The research material was 370 cucumber accessions from the world collection of VIR. Evaluation of accessions on a complex of signs was carried out according to methodical guidelines of VIR.Results and conclusions. Long-term study of cucumber accessions of various geographical origin showed that the duration of the interphase period "mass seedlings - the first harvest of fruits" did not differ significantly in samples of different geographical groups, most of them belong to the early ripening. It was found that the duration of the fruiting period depended on the degree of resistance of plants to peronosporosis: the higher the resistance of the variety or hybrid, the longer the fruiting period. A number of precocious, yielding hybrids and varieties, as well as samples with a long period of fruiting and relative resistance to peronosporosis, were allocated. The perspective material for the decision of separate problems in breeding of a cucumber is recommended.