DIVERSITY OF WIDE HYBRIDIZATION DERIVATIVES OF WINTER WHEAT FOR RESISTANCE TO DISEASES AND OTHER ALIEN CHARACTERS

Introduction. The global climate change conduces spreading of main diseases of winter bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and increases the yield losses caused by both these diseases and drought. Preventing the devastating impact of these factors on the yield depends on development of donors carrying the resistance genes. Aim. The diversity of new introgression wheat lines derived from complex interspecies crosses was evaluated for resistance to widespread diseases, drought and other agricultural traits. Methods. The trial was conducted consecutively during two vegetative periods (2018-2019 and 2019-2020) on the black earth area under the arid system in a control nursery design. Genetic material includes seventy-eight introgression wheat lines of different origin with two check cultivars for the arid climate zone of Ukraine. The data on nine agronomic (quantitative scores) and five plant pathological (point scores) traits were collected and subjected to both variance and correlation analysis to comprehend the contribution of the factors towards general diversity and connections between the characters. Results. Most lines were resistant to rust species due to the successful introgression of alien Lr, Yr and Sr genes from all sources involved in hybridization. High long-term resistance to stem rust was observed mainly among the derivatives of the collection sample H74/90-245 from Bulgaria, whose genetic background was favorable for generating a positive effect of 1BL.1RS translocation on both productive and adaptive traits in southern Ukraine and the ability to combine with other resistance genes. The yield traits did not correlate with the resistance to diseases except stem rust (Rsp = 0.34**) and Septoria blight (Rsp = −0.23*). Resistance to stem rust correlated with the grain and protein yield, test weight and flour density, which may be due to the presence of translocation 1BL.1RS. Negative correlation was observed between quality traits and grain yield, but quality traits mainly positively correlated with each other. The plant height had the highest contribution to grain yield followed by volume of 1000 kernels and WTK. Conclusions. The introgression lines were found to be diverse and potential for use in the wheat improvement programs for resistance to the diseases or drought in Southern Ukraine.

Assessment of introgression wheat lines for yield, protein yield and resistance to diseases

Aim. To determine the value of breeding traits from new sources by studying the resistance to diseases, protein content and their relationship with the productivity of introgression wheat lines. Methods. Growing plants under infection backgrounds of wheat diseases was combined with the laboratory methods for determining protein content and weight of 1000 kernels. Results. Disease resistance has depended on the pathogen species and the source of alien variability. Prolonged resistance to stem rust has been observed only among the derivatives of the collection sample H74/90-245, containing the translocation 1BL.1RS in the karyotype and T. timopheevii in the pedigree. Derivatives Ae. tauschii gradually lost the resistance to the time of full maturation. Conclusions. The parameters of plant resistance to diseases, protein content and yield, absolute protein content in 1000 kernels should be used for the material selection. The best lines have been selected from 736 introgression lines. They characterized by high productivity in some years, large grain, high protein content, disease resistance, adaptability to local environments and devoid of the wild species negative qualities. The lines are of interest for further breeding work in the south of Ukraine. Lines with leaf pubescence from T. timopheevii and with modified translocation 1BL.1RSm were characterized by low productivity.Keywords: wheat, introgression lines, disease resistance, protein content, productivity.

Health traits in current dairy cattle breeding: A review

The review focuses on breeding practices aimed at improving resistance to diseases and health disorders that are associated with better efficiency, welfare and longevity of cows. It is commonly known that diseases like mastitis, foot and claw disorders, metabolic and reproductive issues seriously violate dairy cows’ well-being. The cause of prevailing health and fertility deterioration has been the intensive selection merely based on higher milk production starting after the Second World War. Therefore since the last decades of the 20th-century genetic selection programs have been increasingly focused on increasing resistance to diseases and improving fertility traits using several omics techniques, including genomics. The first steps for maintaining the goal of genetic breeding for disease resistance were the introduction of disease data collection at national levels followed by an elaboration of gene evaluation systems. It was proved that diseases exhibit additive genetic variability exploitable in the breeding. For greater breeding efficiency, the indicator traits are used, which were strongly genetically correlated with health traits, have higher heritability, and above all, are usually easily measurable at low cost. Genome-wide association studies have identified several polymorphisms associated with disease liability that could also be used for speeding up selection efforts. Keywords: cow; clinical mastitis; foot and claw disease; metabolic disease; genomics

Agroecological stability of cultivars of sparsely distributed legumes in the context of climate change

A prerequisite for increasing the area of sparsely distributed leguminous crops lies in the analysis of their cultivars according to agroecological indicators. Therefore, the purpose was to develop the State Register of plant cultivars suitable for distribution in Ukraine for 2021 and Official descriptions of plant cultivars and indicators of economic suitability, highlighted in the information and reference system “Sort” (cultivar) regarding the assessment of agroecological resistance of cultivars of sparsely distributed legumes. The highest potential seed yield, according to the State Register of plant cultivars of Ukraine, is attributed to horse bean cultivars Tiffani and Fanfare, lentil cultivars YeS Maksymum, Blondi and SNIM 18, chickpea cultivars Goksu, Aras, Zehavit, YeS Alunt and a cultivar of grass pea Ivolha. The highest resistance to diseases is attributed to the cultivars of horse beans Birgit, Apollo, and Stella, cultivars of lentils Blondi, Khryzolit, SNIM 18, Harri, Linza, cultivars of chickpeas Odysei, Zodiak, Rodin, Oven, Stepovyi velet, and all cultivars of grass pea. The most resistant to pests are horse beans Sirius and Fanfare, lentil cultivars Harri, Blondi, Khryzolit, SNIM 18, cultivars of chickpea Dostatok, Zodiak, Lara, Yaryna, YeS Alunt, Rodin, Stepovyi velet, Kozeroh and Odysei. The most drought-resistant is the cultivar of grass pea Ivolha, as well as most cultivars of horse beans, except Sirius and Fanfare, lentil cultivars, except YeS Maksymum, Antonina, and Harri, chickpeas, except Zehavit and Budzhak cultivars. Analysis of agroecological resistance of cultivars of sparsely distributed leguminous plants and their potential seed yield showed that to a large extent, high productivity is ensured by resistance to adverse agroecological factors: the influence of diseases, pests, and drought. The practical value of the study is to recommend the production of cultivars of sparsely distributed legumes with the highest indicators of resistance to diseases, pests, and drought with the highest potential yield

Tomato varieties and heterotic hybrids for re-growing

Изучали коллекцию ранних и среднеранних сортов и гетерозисных гибридов томата в повторной культуре, на основе комплексной оценки выделили из них перспективные, устойчивые к заболеваниям, вредителям и экстремальным условиям, способствующие получению до осенних заморозков урожая не менее 28-30 т/га, пригодные для потребления в свежем виде и переработки. Эксперименты проводили в 2018-2020 годах на орошаемых лугово-сероземных почвах Самаркандской области. Рассаду высаживали с 5-6 настоящими листьями 25-28 июня по схеме 70×20 см. В статье приведены результаты оценки 35 сортов и гетерозисных гибридов томата в повторной культуре по скороспелости, урожайности, темпам роста, устойчивости к заболеваниям, вредителям и экстремальным условиям произрастания. Самую высокую всхожесть семян (88,6-90,2%) отметили у сортов Дар Заволжья, Новичок, Финиш, Сурхон-142 и гибридов F1 Султон, F1 Ложайин. Самыми высокорослыми (75,1-81,0 см), облиственными (71,2-77,6 шт/раст.) были растения у сортов Дони, Дар Заволжья Финиш, Намуна-70, Солярис и гибридов F1 Султон, F1Ложайин. Урожайность товарных плодов по сортам и гибридам составила 17,7-35,2 т/га. Наибольший товарный урожай (25,1-32,1 т/га) был получен у сортов Новичок, Перст, Дар Заволжья, Финиш, Солярис, Боходир, Мустакиллик-28 и у гибридов F1Амулет, F1 Madera, F1 Ложайи, F1 Султон. При этом прибавка урожая составили у сортов 7,5-10,8, а у гибридов 7,7-14,5 т/га. Доля урожайности от первого и второго сбора у этих выделенных сортов и гибридов была наибольшей и составила 73,4-85,4% от общей урожайности. Выявлено, что широкое возделывание выделенных ранних и среднеранних сортов и гибридов томата в повторной культуре способствует получению до осенних заморозков товарного урожая 25-28 т/га и более, пригодных для потребления в свежем виде, переработки и экспорта. The research is aimed at studying the collection of early and mid-early varieties and heterotic hybrids of tomato in repeated growing and, on the basis of a comprehensive assessment of them, the selection of promising ones, differing in resistance to diseases, pests and extreme conditions, contributing to obtaining a ripe harvest of at least 28-30 t/ha before autumn frosts per hectare, suitable for consumption and processing. The experiments were carried out in 2018-2020 on irrigated meadow-serozem soils of the Samarkand region. Planting of seedlings with 5-6 true leaves in tomato varieties and hybrids was carried out on June 25-28 according to the 70×20 cm scheme. The article presents the results of evaluating 35 varieties and heterotic hybrids of tomato in re-growing by early maturity, harvest, growth rate, resistance to diseases, pests and extreme growing conditions. It was found that the highest seed germination (88.6-90.2%) was observed in the varieties Dar Zavolzhya, Novichok, Finish, Surkhon-142 and hybrids F1 Sulton, F1 Lozhain. The tallest (75.1-81.0 cm), leafy (71.2-77.6 leaves per plant) were varieties Doni, Dar Zavolzhya Finish, Namuna-70, Solaris and hybrids F1Sulton, F1 Lozhayin. The yield of marketable fruits by varieties and hybrids was 17.7-35.2 t/ha. The highest marketable yield (25.1-32.1 t/ha) was obtained in the varieties Novichok, Finger, Dar Zavolzhya, Finish, Solaris, Bohodir, Mustakillik-28, F1 Amulet, F1 Madera, F1Lozhain, F1 Sulton hybrids. At the same time, the yield increase was 7.5-10.8 t/ha for varieties, and 7.7-14.5 t/ha for hybrids. The share of first and second harvesting of these selected varieties and hybrids were the largest and amounted to 73.4-85.4% of the total. It was revealed that the widespread cultivation of selected early and mid-early varieties and hybrids of tomato in repeated growing contributes to the receipt of a marketable crop 25-28 t/ha or more, suitable for fresh consumption, processing and for export, before the autumn frosts.

Nutritional Value and Phytochemical Content of Crop Landraces and Traditional Varieties

Over the years, crops have been improved through breeding, mainly to increase production and, secondly, to introduce resistance to diseases and to achieve tolerance to abiotic stresses, these two latter by resorting to Crop Wild Relatives (CWR). This has resulted, in most cases, in homogeneous and nutritionally poor commercial varieties. Landraces and traditional varieties, barely taken into account, are key resources as they retain nutrients frequently “washed away” in the commercial varieties and also harbour a great genetic variability. They could represent a shortcut when compared to CWR in breeding, saving time and resources. The consumer’s growing interest in health and food quality has caused breeders to redirect their attention toward them. This chapter provides information about the content in compounds with health benefits, such as phenolics, minerals, vitamins, etc., of landraces and traditional varieties of the most important crops, which could help to obtain healthier and more nutritious products.

RESISTANCE OF POPLAR SPECIES (POPULUS SSP.) TO DISEASES AND THE COMPLEX OF PESTS

The review analyzes the relationship between the evolution of the formation of representatives of the genus Populus and resistance to diseases and the complex of pests. The introduction of various poplar species and their hybrids in Europe is associated with the use of their wood due to the low density and thermal conductivity, which is almost twice lower than the values established for oak, beech or hornbeam. Poplar wood has found wide application as construction and fuel materials. Poplar genus (Populus L.) is widely used for landscaping settlements and creating protective plantings. The widespread distribution of poplars and their hybrids is limited by their instability to various diseases and pests. There are interspecific differences in resistance to diseases and the action of pests in representatives of the genus Populus due to the peculiarities of evolution and the appearance of several properties in representatives of this genus that contribute to resistance to fungal diseases and the effects of various insects.