The relationship between the genetic status of the Vrn-1 locus and the size of the root system in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Development, results and prospects of the spring durum wheat breeding in Russia (post-Soviet states)

The article outlines a brief historical background on the introduction to cultivation, distribution and breeding of spring durum wheat in the steppe and forest-steppe regions of Eurasia (the countries of the former USSR: Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan). The approaches and methodology for improving durum wheat during certain scientific selection periods are given. The features of the selection program implementation and the breeding scale expansion during the creation of breeding stations at the beginning of the XX century, after the end of the Great Patriotic War, in the second half of the XX century, and at present are considered. A characteristic according to the main features and properties of varieties created in different periods is given. The achievements of the classical breeding method by comparing old and new varieties are analyzed. The efficiency and rate of wheat selection by periods in different regions of Russia is estimated. The results and methods of breeding for yield, resistance to drought, leaf diseases (Stagonospora nodorum Berk., Septoria tritici (Roeb. et Desm.), Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoemaker, Pyrenophora tritici repentis (Died.) Drechs., Fusarium sp., Puccinia titicina Eriks., Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks., Blumeria graminis (DC.) f. sp. tritici Em. Marchal), grain pathogens Ustilago tritici (Pers.) Rostr.) and pathogens causing darkening of the corcule and endosperm (Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoemaker, Alternaria tenuis (Nees et Fr.), Аlternaria triticina (Prasada & Prabhu)), pests (Cephus pygmeus Lens, Osinosoma frit L., Mayetiola destructor (Say)), grain quality (protein content, amount of yellow pigments, dough rheology, sprouting resistance) and end products are presented. The prospects for the molecular marker application for a number of traits in breeding in the near future are given.

Duplicate Genes Contribute to Variability in Abiotic Stress Resistance in Allopolyploid Wheat

Gene duplication is a universal biological phenomenon that drives genomic variation and diversity, plays a crucial role in plant evolution, and contributes to innovations in genetic engineering and crop development. Duplicated genes participate in the emergence of novel functionality, such as adaptability to new or more severe abiotic stress resistance. Future crop research will benefit from advanced, mechanistic understanding of the effects of gene duplication, especially in the development and deployment of high-performance, stress-resistant, elite wheat lines. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of gene duplication in wheat, including the principle of gene duplication and its effects on gene function, the diversity of duplicated genes, and how they have functionally diverged. Then, we discuss how duplicated genes contribute to abiotic stress response and the mechanisms of duplication. Finally, we have a future prospects section that discusses the direction of future efforts in the short term regarding the elucidation of replication and retention mechanisms of repetitive genes related to abiotic stress response in wheat, excellent gene function research, and practical applications.

The use of drought resistance indices in the study of the spring bread wheat collection under the conditions of Aktobe Region

Background. Due to the global climate warming trend, the breeding of new drought-resistant cultivars of spring bread wheat remains a priority task for Western Kazakhstan breeders. However, an increase in resistance is often accompanied by a decrease in genotype productivity, and searching for an optimal combination of these characteristics is a trend in contemporary plant breeding.

Materials and methods. In 2017–2019, 175 spring bread wheat accessions from the collection of the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) and locally developed contemporary cultivars were studied under the conditions of Aktobe Agricultural Station. The field study was carried out according to VIR’s guidelines. To assess the drought tolerance of the accessions, the following indices were used: mean productivity (MP), stress tolerance (TOL), yield stability index (YSI), drought resistance index (DI), and stress tolerance index (STI).

Results and discussion. Drought tolerance indices were calculated for all accessions using yield data in the driest (2019) and more favorable (2017) year. The total score of ranks for all indices was calculated for each accession. The total score correlated most strongly with the yield in an unfavorable year. As a result, 20 cultivars with the best total scores were identified, including 11 accessions bred in Aktobe Region, the reference cultivar, and promising accessions from other countries.

Conclusion. The cultivars identified according to a set of indices are promising in terms of their use in breeding for drought resistance under the conditions of Aktobe Region. The proposed index system makes it possible to combine assessments of different drought tolerance aspects.