Loose smut resistance and adaptability of spring soft wheat varieties of VIR collection
In 2013-2019 in the conditions of Kirov region 178 varieties of spring soft wheat from the collection of the Federal Research Center of N.I.Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) were studied according to loose smut resistance, plasticity and yield stability. Among studied varieties 36 immune and 12 practically immune to loose smut infestation samples have been revealed. They can be used as sources of resistance in selection. The most favourable conditions for infestation of spring soft wheat plants with loose smut develop since the beginning of blossoming till grain filling. The higher the air temperature and the amount of precipitation during this period, the higher is the percentage of wheat plants affected with this disease. As the percentage of the stems affected by loose smut increased, total yield losses grew as well (r = 0.99). Nineteen varieties of spring wheat significantly exceeded the standard variety Bazhenka (Russia) in yield on an infection background. Five mid-susceptible varieties which showed tolerance to the disease have been selected. They are Tulaykovskaya Nadezhda (Russia), Samgau, Dostyk, Karabalykskaya 91 (Kazakhstan) and Visa (Belarus). During the years the following varieties revealed the highest and stable productivity: Stepnaya 50, Dostyk (Kazakhstan), Kazanskaya Yubileynaya, Niva 2, Provincia, Egisar 29, Sudarushka, Tulaykovskaya Nadezhda (Russia), Hoffman (Canada), UL Pettit (USA) and Leguan (Czechoslovakia). The following varieties were designated as the intensive type: Tyumenskaya 26, Elizaveta, Maria 1, Melodiya, Niva 2 (Russia), Kharkovskaya 10 (Ukraine), Samgau (Kazakhstan), Visa (Belarus), and American varieties Ranger and UL Pettit (b i > 1). Varieties Ranger and UL Pettit showed high productivity in favorable cultivation conditions. Varieties Mazhor (Ukraine), Favorit (Russia) and Karabalykskaya 91(Kazakhstan) (bi<1) should be used on an extensive background. By deterioration of cultivation conditions the productivity of these varieties decreased insignificantly. The relationship between productivity and adaptability parameters has been established (bi , Ноm). The highyielding varieties have been characterized as more plastic (r = 0.69) and stress resistant (r = 0.73).