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Low intake of micro- and macroelements and vitamins in food negatively affects the health of more than two billion people around the world provoking chronic diseases. For the majority of the world’s population, these are soft and durum wheats that provide beneficial nutrients, however their modern high-yielding varieties have a significantly depleted grain mineral composition that have reduced mineral intake through food. Biofortification is a new research trend, whose main goal is to improve the nutritional qualities of agricultural crops using a set of classical (hybridization and selection) methods as well and the modern ones employing gene/QTL mapping, bioinformatic analysis, transgenesis, mutagenesis and genome editing. Using the classical breeding methods, biofortified varieties have been bred as a part of various international programs funded by HarvestPlus, CIMMYT, ICARDA. Despite the promise of transgenesis and genome editing, these labor-intensive methods require significant investments, so these technologies, when applied to wheat, are still at the development stage and cannot be applied routinely. In recent years, the interest in wheat biofortification has increased due to the advances in mapping genes and QTLs for agronomically important traits. The new markers obtained from wheat genome sequencing and application of bioinformatic methods (GWAS, meta-QTL analysis) has expanded our knowledge on the traits that determine the grain mineral concentration and has identified the key gene candidates. This review describes the current research on genetic biofortification of wheat in the world and in Russia and provides information on the use of cultivated and wild-relative germplasms to expand the genetic diversity of modern wheat varieties.

One of promising areas of wheat breeding is the creation of varieties with a high concentration of anthocyanins in the grain for the production of functional food products. Nonetheless, the question of how these compounds affect seed viability after long-term storage has remained unexplored. A comparative study on seed viability was conducted using a set of near-isogenic lines on the background of spring wheat variety Saratovskaya 29. These sister lines carry different combinations of recombinant DNA regions (on chromosomes 2A and 7D) containing dominant and recessive alleles at loci Pp3 and Pp-D1 (Pp: Purple pericarp), which determine the anthocyanin color of coleoptiles and of the pericarp. Seeds were germinated on two layers of water-moistened filter paper in a climatic chamber at a constant temperature of 20 °C on a 12-hour daylight cycle. During long-term natural storage of the seeds for up to 9 years in a dry ventilated room in Kraft bags at 20 ± 2 °C, the tested wheat samples experienced a loss of seed germination capacity of ~50 %; anthocyanins were found to not participate in the preservation of germination capacity. Nonetheless, anthocyanins contributed to the preservation of seed viability under unfavorable short-term conditions of a temperature rise to 48 °C at 100 % humidity. The accelerated aging test did not predict poor germination capacity after long-term seed storage. The results showed a neutral role of anthocyanins in the maintenance of seed germination capacity for 6–9 years under natural storage conditions at 20 ± 2 °C. A small statistically significant increase in grain germination capacity during natural aging was associated with the presence of a recombinant region containing the Pp-D1 gene on wheat chromosome 7D.

Genomic selection is a technology that allows for the determination of the genetic value of varieties of agricultural plants and animal breeds, based on information about genotypes and phenotypes. The measured breeding value (BV) for varieties and breeds in relation to the target trait allows breeding stages to be thoroughly planned and the parent forms suitable for crossing to be chosen. In this work, the BLUP method was used to assess the breeding value of 149 Russian varieties and introgression lines (4 measurements for each variety or line, 596 phenotypic points) of spring wheat according to the content of seven chemical elements in the grain – K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu. The quality of the evaluation of breeding values was assessed using cross-validation, when the sample was randomly divided into five parts, one of which was chosen as a test population. The following average values of the Pearson correlation were obtained for predicting the concentration of trace elements: K – 0.67, Ca – 0.61, Mg – 0.4, Mn – 0.5, Fe – 0.38, Zn – 0.46, Cu – 0.48. Out of the 35 models studied, the p-value was below the nominal significant threshold (p-value < 0.05) for 28 models. For 11 models, the p-value was significant after correction for multiple testing (p-value < 0.001). For Ca and K, four out of five models and for Mn two out of five models had a p-value below the threshold adjusted for multiple testing. For 30 varieties that showed the best varietal values for Ca, K and Mn, the average breeding value was 296.43, 785.11 and 4.87 mg/kg higher, respectively, than the average breeding value of the population. The results obtained show the relevance of the application of genomic selection models even in such limited-size samples. The models for K, Ca and Mn are suitable for assessing the breeding value of Russian wheat varieties based on these characteristics.

The most important part of the plant antioxidant system is the ascorbate-glutathione cycle (AGC), the activity of which is observed upon exposure to a range of stressors, including lack of O2, and oxidative stress occurring immediately after the restoration of oxygen access, hereafter termed reaeration or post-anoxia. The operation of the AGC (enzymes and low-molecular components) in wheat (Triticum aestivum, cv. Leningradka, non-resistant to hypoxia) and rice (Oryza sativa, cv. Liman, resistant) seedlings after 24 h anoxia and 1 h or 24 h reaeration was studied. Significant accumulation of oxidized forms of ascorbate and glutathione was revealed in the non-resistant plant (wheat) after 24 h of anoxia and reaeration, indicating the development of oxidative stress. In the resistant plant (rice), reduced forms of these antioxidants prevailed both in normoxia and under stress, which may indicate their intensive reduction. In wheat, the activities of ascorbate peroxidase and dehydroascorbate reductase in shoots, and monodehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione reductase in roots decreased under anoxia and reaeration. The activity of antioxidant enzymes was maintained in rice under lack of oxygen (ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase) and increased during post-anoxia (AGC reductases). Anoxia stimulated accumulation of mRNA of the organellar ascorbate peroxidase genes OsAPX3, OsAPX5 in shoots, and OsAPX3-5 and OsAPX7 in roots. At post-anoxia, the contribution of the OsAPX1 and OsAPX2 genes encoding the cytosolic forms of the enzyme increased in the whole plant, and so did that of the OsAPX8 gene for the plastid form of the enzyme. The accumulation of mRNA of the genes OsMDAR2 and OsMDAR4 encoding peroxisomal and cytosolic monodehydroascorbate reductase as well as the OsGR2 and OsGR3 for cytosolic and organellar glutathione reductase was activated during reaeration in shoots and roots. In most cases, O2 deficiency activated the genes encoding the peroxisomal, plastid, and mitochondrial forms of the enzymes, and upon reaeration, an enhanced activity of the genes encoding the cytoplasmic forms was observed. Taken together, the inactivation of AGC enzymes was revealed in wheat seedlings during anoxia and subsequent reaeration, which disrupted the effective operation of the cycle and triggered the accumulation of oxidized forms of ascorbate and glutathione. In rice, anoxia led to the maintenance of the activity of AGC enzymes, and reaeration stimulated it, including at the level of gene expression, which ensured the effective operation of AGC.

Wheat is one of three main food crops around the world, which has the largest distribution area due to its adaptation to the different environments. This review considers polymorphisms and allelic variation of the vernalization response genes Vrn controlling the major adaptation traits in wheats (the genus Triticum L.): growth habit (spring vs. winter) and length of vegetative period (earliness). The review summarizes available information on the allelic diversity of the Vrn genes and discusses molecular-level relationships between Vrn polymorphisms and their effect on growth habit (spring vs. winter) and earliness (length vegetative period in spring plants) in di-, tetra- and hexaploid wheat species. A unique attempt has been made to relate information on mutations (polymorphisms) in dominant Vrn alleles to the values of the commercially most important trait “length of plant vegetative period (earliness)”. The effects of mutations (polymorphisms) in the recessive vrn genes on vernalization requirement in winter wheats are considered, and this trait was formalized. The evolution of the winter/spring growth habit in the genus Triticum species is discussed. A scheme of phylogenetic interactions between Vrn alleles was constructed on the basis of these polymorphisms; the paper considers the possibilities to enhance the diversity of polymorphisms for the dominant Vrn genes and their alleles using wheat related species and rarely used alleles and discusses the prospects of breeding for improved earliness for concrete agroecological zones.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple food and major source of dietary calories in Pakistan. Improving wheat varieties with higher grain yield and disease resistance is a prime objective. The knowledge of genetic behaviour of germplasm is key. To achieve this objective, elite wheat varieties were crossed in 4 by 3, line × tester design, and tested in 2019 in a triplicate yield trial to estimate genetic variance, general and specific combining ability, mid-parent heterosis and stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis L.). High grain 3358 kg·ha–1 was recorded in F1 hybrid (ZRG-79 × PAK-13). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant genotypic variance in grain yield. Broad sense heritability (H2) was recorded in the range of 28 to 100 %. General combining ability (GCA) significant for grain yield in parents except FSD-08 and PS-05 was recorded, while specific combining ability (SCA) was recorded to be highly significant for grain yield only in two crosses (ZRG-79 × NR-09 and ZRG-79 × PAK-13). Mid-parent heterosis was estimated in the range of –28 to 62.6 %. Cross combinations ZRG-79 × PAK-13 depicted highly significant mid-parent heterosis (62.6 %). Highly significant correlation was observed among spike length, spikelets per spike, plant height and 1000-grain weight. Rust resistance index was recorded in the range of 0 to 8.5. These findings suggest exploitation of GCA for higher grain yield is important due to the presence of additive gene action and selection in the filial generations will be effective with improved rust resistance, while cross combinations ZRG-79 × PAK-13 high GCA are best suited for hybrid development.

March 12, 2023 is the anniversary of Lyubov Vladimirovna Khotyleva, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) of Belarus, one of the world’s largest specialists in the field of genetics of agricultural plants. She published more than 400 scientific works, received 18 copyright certificates for varieties and inventions. Lyubov V. Khotyleva directed the Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the NAS of Belarus for almost a quarter of a century, raised several generations of scientists. Under her leadership, six Doctors and 43 Candidates of Sciences defended their theses. In different years, Lyubov Vladimirovna was the Vice-President of the N.I. Vavilov All-Union Society of Geneticists and Breeders, the President of the Belarus Society of Geneticists and Breeders, was a member of the presidium of the Higher Attestation Commission (VAK) of Belarus and VAK of Russia, was an Academician-Secretary of the Biological Department of the NAS of Belarus. L.V. Khotyleva carries out important scientific and organizational work as one of the prominent experts in the field of plant genetics, member of the editorial boards of several specialized periodicals.

The response of 250 common winter wheat breeding lines was investigated for resistance to the causative agent of Puccinia triticina under conditions of an infected field on the territory of Dobrudzha Agricultural Institute – General Toshevo, Bulgaria, during three successive seasons. Twenty lines with different degrees of resistance under field conditions were selected. Multi-pathotype testing was used to study the response of these lines at seedling stage under greenhouse conditions to individual pathotypes of P. triticina. Based on the response of the lines at seedling and adult stages, we found out that 20 % of them carried race-specific resistance. One of the lines (99/08-52) reacted with full resistance to the pathotypes used under greenhouse conditions. The reaction demonstrated by this line coincided with the response of isogenic lines carrying the genes Lr9, Lr19, Lr22a, Lr22b and Lr25. The other three lines (19/06-108, 82/08-43 and 82/08-35) showed a resistant reaction to 6 or 5 of the pathotypes used in the study. Their response partially coincided with the reaction of 5 isogenic lines, and the presence of some of these genes in the above lines is quite possible. Lines carrying this type of resistance are to be subjected to further genetic and breeding investigations to prove the presence of a race-specific gene. Twenty-five percent of the lines combined partial race-specific resistance at seedling stage with the resistance of race non-specific nature at adult stage. Forty percent of all studied lines carried race non-specific resistance, and 15 % of the lines possessed resistance of the “slow rusting” type. As a result of the study we carried out, the lines that demonstrated stable resistance to leaf rust can provide sufficient protection of the host and can be included in the breeding programs for developing varieties resistant to P. triticina.

On June 3, 2023, we celebrated the 75th birthday of Olga Pavlovna Mitrofanova, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Chief Researcher of the VIR Department of Wheat Genetic Resources.

Wheatgrass (Th. intermedium) has been traditionally used in wheat breeding for obtaining wheat-wheatgrass hybrids and varieties with introgressions of new genes for economically valuable traits. However, in the 1980s in the United States wheatgrass was selected from among perennial plant species as having promise for domestication and the development of dual-purpose varieties for grain (as an alternative to perennial wheat) and hay. The result of this work was the creation of the wheatgrass varieties Kernza (The Land Institute, Kansas) and MN-Clearwater (University of Minnesota, Minnesota). In Omsk State Agrarian University, the variety Sova was developed by mass selection of the most winter-hardy biotypes with their subsequent combination from the population of wheatgrass obtained from The Land Institute. The average grain yield of the variety Sova is 9.2 dt/ha, green mass is 210.0 dt/ ha, and hay is 71.0 dt/ha. Wheatgrass is a crop with a large production potential, beneficial environmental properties, and valuable grain for functional food. Many publications show the advantages of growing the Kernza variety compared to annual crops in reducing groundwater nitrate contamination, increasing soil carbon sequestration, and reducing energy and economic costs. However, breeding programs for domestication of perennial crops are very limited in Russia. This paper presents an overview of main tasks faced by breeders, aimed at enhancing the yield and cultivating wheatgrass efficiency as a perennial grain and fodder crop. To address them, both traditional and modern biotechnological and molecular cytogenetic approaches are used. The most important task is to transfer target genes of Th. intermedium to modern wheat varieties and decrease the level of chromatin carrying undesirable genes of the wild relative. The first consensus map of wheatgrass containing 10,029 markers was obtained, which is important for searching for genes and their introgressions to the wheat genome. The results of research on the nutritional and technological properties of wheatgrass grain for the development of food products as well as the differences in the quality of wheatgrass grain and wheat grain are presented.

April 2, 2022 marks the anniversary of Lyudmila Andreevna Bespalova, an Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, one of the prominent wheat and triticale breeders, the author of many varieties introduced into agricultural practice both in our country and abroad, which are cultivated in areas encompassing millions of hectares, thus making a significant contribution to solving the global food security problem. Lyudmila A. Bespalova is a recognized classic in the field of wheat breeding and seed production, she has published over 300 scientific papers, and received about 120 copyright certificates and patents. Acad. Bespalova is a bright representative of domestic breeders, who maintains the traditions of one of the largest scientific schools and takes an active part in the life of the community of geneticists and breeders in this country by training young specialists and increasing the prestige of and demand for the profession of a breeder.

An infrared thermometer was first used to assess drought and heat tolerance in plant breeding more than 40 years ago. Soon afterward, this method became widely used throughout the world. However, Russia has not yet applied the described method for evaluating stress tolerance. This paper presents an overview of using infrared thermometry in plant breeding. Taking wheat as an example, it shows major advantages and disadvantages of canopy temperature depression (CTD) values measured by the infrared thermometer. The paper also demonstrates that genotypes with higher CTD values, and therefore with a lower canopy temperature, use more available soil moisture under drought stress to cool the canopy by transpiration. It refers to CTD as an integrative trait that reflects an overall plant water status. Its coefficient of variation lies in the interval of 10 to 43 %. A large number of publications illustrate a close relation between CTD values and yield and indicate a high heritability of the former. Meanwhile, the same works show that yield has a higher heritability. Moreover, some researchers doubt that CTD should be used in applied wheat breeding as there are many factors that influence it. CTD has a high correlation with other traits that reflect plant water status or their adaptation to drought or heat stress. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with CTD are localized in all chromosomes, except for 3D. These QTLs often explain a small part of phenotypic variance (10–20 %, more likely less than 10 %), which complicates the pyramiding of canopy temperature genes through marker-assisted selection. The paper concludes that the evaluation of CTD appears to be a reliable, relatively simple, labor-saving, objective, and non-invasive method that sets it apart from other methods as well as shows the best results under terminal drought and heat stress conditions.

Intraspecific classification of cultivated plants is necessary for the conservation of biological diversity, study of their origin and their phylogeny. The modern cultivated wheat species originated from three wild diploid ancestors as a result of several rounds of genome doubling and are represented by di-, tetra- and hexaploid species. The identification of wheat ploidy level is one of the main stages of their taxonomy. Such classification is possible based on visual analysis of the wheat spike traits. The aim of this study is to investigate the morphological characteristics of spikes for hexa- and tetraploid wheat species based on the method of high-performance phenotyping. Phenotyping of the quantitative characteristics of the spike of 17 wheat species (595 plants, 3348 images), including eight tetraploids (Triticum aethiopicum, T. dicoccoides, T. dicoccum, T. durum, T. militinae, T. polonicum, T. timopheevii, and T. turgidum) and nine hexaploids (T. compactum, T. aestivum, i:ANK-23 (near-isogenic line of T. aestivum cv. Novosibirskaya 67), T. antiquorum, T. spelta (including cv. Rother Sommer Kolben), T. petropavlovskyi, T. yunnanense, T. macha, T. sphaerococcum, and T. vavilovii), was performed. Wheat spike morphology was described on the basis of nine quantitative traits including shape, size and awns area of the spike. The traits were obtained as a result of image analysis using the WERecognizer program. A cluster analysis of plants according to the characteristics of the spike shape and comparison of their distributions in tetraploid and hexaploid species showed a higher variability of traits in hexaploid species compared to tetraploid ones. At the same time, the species themselves form two clusters in the visual characteristics of the spike. One type is predominantly hexaploid species (with the exception of one tetraploid, T. dicoccoides). The other group includes tetraploid ones (with the exception of three hexaploid ones, T. compactum, T. antiquorum, T. sphaerococcum, and i:ANK-23). Thus, it has been shown that the morphological characteristics of spikes for hexaploid and tetraploid wheat species, obtained on the basis of computer analysis of images, include differences, which are further used to develop methods for plant classifications by ploidy level and their species in an automatic mode.

Pyrenophora tritici-repentis is a causative agent of tan spot in wheat. In recent years, there has been an increasing spread and harmfulness of wheat tan spot. The aim of the research was to study the racial composition of the P. tritici-repentis population in the Republic of Kazakhstan. A collection of 30 common wheat accessions, including promising lines and cultivars from Kazakhstan and CIMMYT–ICARDA, was assessed for resistance to P. triticirepentis in a greenhouse and characterized using the Xfcp623 molecular marker, diagnostic for the Tsn1 gene. Monosporic isolates of P. tritici-repentis isolated from the southeastern region were assigned to certain races based on the manifestation of symptoms of necrosis/chlorosis on standard differentials (Glenlea, 6B662, 6B365). Five races of P. tritici-repentis have been identified, including races 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8. It has been shown that races 1 and 8 of P. tritici-repentis are dominant. As a result of the analysis of the frequency of occurrence of the P. tritici-repentis races, it was found that race 1 (50 %) producing Ptr ToxA and Ptr ToxB and race 8 (35 %) producing Ptr ToxA, Ptr ToxB and Ptr ToxC turned out to be dominant. From a practical point of view, of greatest interest are 16 wheat samples, which demonstrated resistance to race 1 and confirmed insensitivity to Ptr ToxA in a molecular screening. These include eight Kazakhstani (4_PSI, 10204_2_KSI, 10204_3_KSI, 10205_2_KSI, 10205_3_KSI, 605_SP2, 632_SP2, Dana) and seven foreign lines (KR11-20, KR11-03, KR11-9014, 11KR-13, KR12-9025, KR12-07, GN-68/2003). The results of this study are of interest in wheat breeding programs for tan spot resistance.

Awns are bristle‐like structures, typically extending from the tip end of the lemmas in the florets of cereal species, including such economically important crops as wheat (Triticum aestivum L., T. durum Desf.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), and rye (Secale cereale L.). The presence of long awns adhered at tip end of glumes is a characteristic feature of “Persian wheat” T. carthlicum Nevski spike. Glume outgrowth of T. carthlicum Nevski spike passes into a long awn, equal in length to the lemma awn. Awned glumes can be formed in T. aestivum and T. aethiopicum wheats, however, such forms are rare. Features of the awned glume development and the genetic determinants of this trait have been little studied. In this paper, we described the features of the development and inheritance of the tetra-awness (awned glume) trait of the bread wheat T. aestivum line CD 1167-8, using classical genetic analysis, molecular genetic mapping, and scanning electron microscopy. It was shown that the trait is inherited as a recessive monogenic. The gene for the awned glume trait of CD 1167-8 was mapped in the long arm of chromosome 5A, using the Illumina Infinium 15K Wheat Array (TraitGenetics GmbH), containing 15,000 SNPs associated with wheat genes. Results of allelism test and molecular-genetic mapping suggest that the gene for awned glumes in bread wheat is a recessive allele of the B1 awn suppressor. This new allele was designated the b1.ag (b1. awned glume). Analysis of the CD 1167-8 inflorescence development, using scanning electron microscopy, showed that awns had grown from the top of the lemmas and glumes simultaneously, and no differences in patterns of their development were found.

Lodging is one of the main factors in reducing the yield and grain quality of winter and spring wheat varieties. The resistance of wheat cultivars to lodging largely depends on environmental factors, biological and morphological features of the stem and root systems. Selection of the varieties for resistance to lodging is relevant in many countries of the world and has a number of achievements. Plant height is one of the most important morphological characters associated with lodging resistance. Breeding of the varieties carrying the dwarfing genes (Rht) is the main direction to reduce the risk of lodging. The Rht-B1b, Rht-D1b, Rht8 and Rht11 genes are widely used throughout the world due to their significant influence on agronomically valuable traits, including lodging. It turned out to be important to study the anatomical and morphological features and chemical composition of stem tissues, which complement the assessment of resistance to lodging and allow the varietal material to be more fully characterized. The thickness of stem internodes and their anatomical structure play an important role in the stem strength. The diameter of the stem, its thickness and weight, a large number of vascular bundles and a wide ring of mechanical tissues correlate with resistance to lodging. The content of lignin, silicon and cellulose are important structural components and provide the stem strength of wheat plants. Molecular genetic analysis and mapping of genes and quantitative trait loci are of great importance in identifying the genetic basis of the relationship between the anatomical and morphophysiological characters of the stem and root system and lodging. Genetic factors reflecting correlations between the lodging and the thickness of the stem wall, the number of vascular bundles and other characters were mapped to chromosomes 1A, 1B, 2A, 2D, 3A, 4B, 4D, 5A, 5D, 6D and 7D. It has been found that loci with high phenotypic effects on lodging tolerance are colocalized with loci responsible for plant height, stem diameter and stem strength. To increase resistance to lodging, it is necessary to develop a set of agrotechnical methods that reduce the influence of soil and climatic factors and create wheat varieties tolerant to lodging.

Tan spot caused by the fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis is an important leaf spot disease in wheat growing areas throughout the world. The study aims to identify wheat germplasm resistant to tan spot based on phytopathological screening and molecular marker analysis. A collection of 64 common wheat germplasms, including cultivars and breeding lines from Kazakhstan and CIMMYT, was assessed for tan spot resistance in greenhouse conditions and characterized using the Xfcp623 molecular marker, diagnostic for the Tsn1 gene. All wheat cultivars/lines varied in their reaction to tan spot isolate race 1, ranging from susceptible to resistant. Most accessions studied (53 %) were susceptible to Ptr race 1. Spring wheat cultivars were more susceptible to race 1 than winter wheat cultivars. As a result of genotyping, an insensitive reaction to Ptr ToxA was predicted in 41 wheat cultivars (64 %). The tsn1 gene carriers identified included 27 Kazakhstani and 14 CIMMYT cultivars/lines, demonstrating insensitivity to Ptr ToxA. The majority of the Tsn1 genotype were sensitive to race 1 and showed susceptibility to the pathogen in the field. Disease scores from seedling stage positively correlated with field disease ratings. Of particular interest are 27 wheat accessions that demonstrated resistance to spore inoculation by Ptr race 1, were characterized by insensitivity to ToxA and showed field resistance to the pathogen. The results of this study will contribute to wheat breeding programs for tan spot resistance with Marker Assisted Selection using the closely flanking markers.

The review is devoted to the disclosure of the modern concept of plant immunity as a hierarchical system of plant host protection, controlled by combinations of major and minor resistance genes (loci). The “zigzag” model is described in detail for discussing the molecular bases of plant immunity with key concepts: pathogen-associated molecular patterns triggering innate immunity, ambivalent effectors causing susceptibility, but when interacting with resistance genes, a hypersensitive reaction or alternative defense mechanisms. There are three types of resistance in cereals: (1) basal resistance provided by plasma membrane-localized receptors proteins; (2) racespecific resistance provided by intracellular immune R-receptors; (3) partial resistance conferred by quantitative gene loci. The system ‘wheat (Triticum aestivum) – the fungus causing leaf rust (Puccinia triticina)’ is an interesting model for observing all the resistance mechanisms listed above, since the strategy of this pathogen is aimed at the constitutive use of host resources. The review focuses on known wheat genes responsible for various types of resistance to leaf rust: race-specific genes Lr1, Lr10, Lr19, and Lr21; adult resistance genes which are hypersensitive Lr12, Lr13, Lr22a, Lr22b, Lr35, Lr48, and Lr49; nonhypersensitive genes conferring partial resistance Lr34, Lr46, Lr67, and Lr77. The involvement of some wheat R-genes in pre-haustorial resistance to leaf rust has been discovered recently: Lr1, Lr3a, Lr9, LrB, Lr19, Lr21, Lr38. The presence of these genes in the genotype ensures the interruption of early pathogenesis through the following mechanisms: disorientation and branching of the germ tube; formation of aberrant fungal penetration structures (appressorium, substomatal vesicle); accumulation of callose in mesophyll cell walls. Breeding for immunity is accelerated by implementation of data on various mechanisms of wheat resistance to rust diseases, which are summarized in this review.

Currently, studies on the mechanisms of the pathogenesis of plant diseases and their distribution in crops are intensively conducted in Russia and the world. First of all, this interest is associated with a significant effect of pathogens on the harvest. In Western Siberia, brown rust and powdery mildew are almost annually recorded in the crops of spring and winter wheat, reaching in some years up to the epiphytotic level. In this regard, methods for monitoring the condition of crops in order to predict their dynamics and plan agrotechnological events to control the state of plants in crops, including the development of fungal infection are developing. Models of fungal infections development on the wheat leaf (for example, brown rust) are used to monitor, predict and control the state of crops in order to optimize the growing process. Mathematical models allow computational experiments to make predictions about the risk dynamics of infections in different scenarios of global weather changes. Such designation of models assumes their hierarchical structure characteristic of multilevel modeling systems. This review presents models for the development of foliar fungal infections in crops, and formulates the methodological aspects of system modeling that can be used for adapting existing models and their units, and developing new models based on them. The article presents the structure of the hierarchical system for modeling the development of leafy infection, provides an overview of the units constituting the system, and discusses the issues of parametric adaptation of submodels. We demonstrated that, to date, plant growth and development models have been developed with varying degrees of detail. Currently, to develop a system for modeling the development of an infection in a crop, it is necessary to determine a large body of available experimental data and, by taking into account this data, we can put together a model as a system consisting of model modules, for which the models of basic processes have already been developed and described.

Wheat stem rust caused by the biotrophic fungus Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici is a dangerous disease that seriously damages the economics in many countries of the world. The review contains information about epidemics of wheat stem rust and causes of their emergence worldwide. Recently wheat stem rust epidemics have been recorded in the northern regions of Kazakhstan and on the territories adjacent to Omsk Region of Russia. It has been shown that severe wheat stem rust epidemics occur mainly due to the emergence of new virulent races of the disease agent and to growing susceptible wheat cultivars. New methods of studying the race composition of the fungus are described as well as the use of the previous and current differential sets for race determination of P. graminis f. sp. tritici. The results of developing molecular markers and assessing their effectiveness in studying stem rust races are presented. Wheat stem rust races dominant in major grain-growing countries of the globe and their typical peculiarities are described. The paper contains information on identifcation of race Ug99 and of its variations including data on areas of their dissemination and on their virulence to Sr-resistance genes. The existence and emergence of other races of the agent potentially dangerous for commercially important genes for stem rust resistance is also described. Currently in nature strongly virulent races of P. graminis f. sp. tritici are circulating with wide geographical coverage and their virulence is absolutely different from the virulence of race Ug99. Historical and modern data on studying the race composition of the pathogen in Kazakhstan are summarized. It is stated that the use of the old standard differential set and an incomplete North American system of race nomenclature in experiments prevents measuring similarity between Kazakhstani races and the worldwide known races of the pathogen. It has been shown that there is a need to continue studies on the intraspecies structure of the disease agent’s population in Kazakhstan with the use of the modern differential set, on determination of race composition and ways of emergence of new races potentially dangerous for commercial wheat varieties.

Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Ptr) is the causative agent of tan spot, one of the yield limiting diseases of wheat, rapidly increasing in wheat growing countries including Kazakhstan. The aim of this study was the identifcation of wheat genotypes with resistance to Ptr race 1 and race 5 and their host­selective effectors (toxins) Ptr ToxA and Ptr ToxB. A common wheat collection of 41 accessions (38 experimental and 3 controls) was characterized using the molecular markers Xfcp623 and XBE444541, diagnostic for the Tsn1 and Tsc2 genes conferring sensitivity to fungal toxins. The coincidence of the marker XBE444541 with resistance to race 5 was 92.11 %, and with Ptr ToxB, 97.37 %. Genotyping results using the marker Xfcp623 confrmed the expected response to Ptr ToxA; the presence/absence of the marker Xfcp623 completely (100 %) coincided with sensitivity/resistance to race 1 and Ptr ToxA. This demonstrates the reliability of the diagnostic marker Xfcp623 for identifying wheat genotypes with resistance to the fungus and insensitivity to Ptr ToxA. The study of the reaction of wheat germplasm to the fungal inoculation and toxin infltration showed that out of 38 genotypes analyzed 30 (78 %) exhibited resistance to both race 1 and race 5, and insensitivity to toxins Ptr ToxA and ToxB. Of most signifcant interest are eight wheat genotypes that showed resistance/insensitivity both to the two races and two toxins. The results of phenotyping were reconfrmed by the molecular markers used in this study. Sensitivity to Ptr ToxB is not always correlated with susceptibility to race 5 and is dependent on the host’s genetic background of the wheat genotype, i. e. on a specifc wheat genotype. The results of the study are of interest for increasing the efciency of breeding based on the elimination of the genotypes with the dominant alleles Tsn1 and Tsc2 sensitive to the toxins Ptr ToxA and ToxB. The genotypes identifed will be used in wheat breeding for resistance to tan spot.

The leaf epidermis of a monocotyledonous plant is a widely used model system for studying the differentiation of plant cells, as it contains readily observable specialized cells. The approach proposed in this paper uses a growing cereal leaf to study stress-induced dynamic changes in morphogenesis. In the process of formation, the linear leaf of wheat remains in the stationary growth phase for long. This fact permits us to observe a series of successive morphogenetic events recorded in the cellular structure of the mature leaf. In studying the cellular architecture of the wheat leaf epidermis, we obtained and processed confocal 3D images of wheat leaves stained with fluorescent dyes. This procedure allows an accurate morphometric description and determination of quantitative characteristics of the leaf epidermal pattern. Low temperatures are among the factors limiting the growing of crop plants in the temperate zone. In the present work, we show significant aberrations of stomatal morphogenesis in the epidermis of boot leaves of wheat varieties Saratovskaya 29 and Yanetskis Probat in response to cold stress. We found that nonfunctional stomata predominated in the zone of maximum manifestation of stress, whereas in the zones formed before and after the stress impact, the developmental anomalies come to the disturbance in the morphogenesis of subsidiary cells. In Saratovskaya 29, a significant amount of ectopic trichomes formed in rows predetermined to stoma formation. The proposed approach can provide standardized qualitative and quantitative data on stress-induced morphogenesis aberrations in wheat leaf epidermis. Subsequently, these data can be used for verification of computer models of leaf morphogenesis. Further study of the mechanisms of the effect of cold stress on morphogenesis will add to the search for additional opportunities to increase wheat yields in areas of risky agriculture.

In this study, naturally and artificially inoculated winter wheat varieties were studied with respect to their productivity and resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB). We used the following set of disease assessment parameters: the percentage of visually and latent Fusarium-damaged grains (FDG); the DNA content of Fusarium fungi; the productivity of inoculated plants compared with non-inoculated plants; and the amount of mycotoxins in the grain. In case of naturally infected grains, the average FDG was found to be about 6.1 % (range of 0–15 %). The amount of DNA of Fusarium graminearum was found to be in the range of (1.1–42.7) × 10–5 ng/ng wheat DNA. The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) was detected in 15 samples of grain from plants that were grown under natural infection. The maximum DON amount was found to be 420 μg/kg. Fumonisin B1 (FB1) was not be detected in naturally infected grain. In case of artificially inoculated plants, the average FDG was found to be 25.8 % (2–54 %). The amount of F. graminearum DNA was found to be significantly higher (4.24– 49.8) × 10–3 ng/ng than it was detected in grain of non-inoculated plants. The wheat varieties inoculated with F. graminearum contained DON in high amounts from 20255 to 79245 μg/kg. Furthermore, a significant amount of FB1 was detected in all wheat varieties in the range of 980–20326 μg/kg. Among the analysed wheat varieties, Adel was characterized to be the most resistant to fungal infection as well as to the contamination by mycotoxins. Antonina, Lebed and Pamyat varieties were classified more relatively resistant than that of other varieties, and Utrish variety was found to be the most susceptible to FHB. The similar resistance of wheat varieties against F. graminearum and F. verticillioides infection was recorded, and the interactions between the fungi during the colonization of grain were shown.

Using chromosome C-banding and electrophoresis of grain storage proteins, gliadins, 17 Triticum aestivumAegilops columnaris lines with substitutions of chromosomes of homoeologous groups 1 and 6 were examined. Based on their high polymorphism, gliadins were used to identify alien genetic material. For all of the lines examined, electrophoretic analysis of gliadin spectra confirmed substitution of wheat chromosomes 6A, 6D or 1D for the homoeologous Aegilops chromosomes of genomes Uс or Xс. The substitution manifested in the disappearance of the products of gliadin-coding genes on chromosomes 6A, 6D or 1D with the simultaneous appearance of the products of genes localized on alien chromosomes of genomes Uс or Xс. Thus, Aegilops chromosomes were shown to be functionally active in the alien wheat genome. The absence of alien genes expression in the lines carrying a long arm deletion in chromosome 6Xc suggested that the gliadin-coding locus moved from the short chromosome arm (its characteristic position in all known wheat species) to the long one. This is probably associated with a large species-specific pericentric inversion. In spite of losing a part of its long arm and combination with a non-homologous chromosome of a different genome (4BL), chromosome 1D was fully functioning. For Aegilops, the block type of gliadin components inheritance was shown, indicating similarity in the structural organization of gliadin-coding loci in these genera. Based on determining genetic control of various polypeptides in the electrophoretic aegilops spectrum, markers to identify Ae. columnaris chromosomes 1Xс, 6Xс and 6Uс were constructed.

According to the Food Security Doctrine of the Russian Federation, there are plans for the nearest future to expand the assortment of healthy food products for the country’s population, so a search for relevant food sources is needed. The substances that may aid to prevent a number of serious human diseases include antioxidants, while one of the important quality parameters in food products and their ingredients is their antioxidant activity. Today, the aggregate content of antioxidants and their antioxidant activity have been identified with sufficient accuracy for vegetables and fruits. At the same time, the whole cereal grain has been found to provide higher quantities of bound polyphenols than the equivalent portion of soft fruits or widely consumed vegetables. These compounds are available for metabolism in the large intestine, and thus can produce a beneficial effect on human health. Additionally, a case study of 30 different breakfast cereals has shown that the levels of polyphenols in an average portion of oat-based cereals (40 g) are matchable with those of vegetables or fruits. It is widely known that oat and barley grains have high nutritional value, contain unsaturated fatty acids, basic minerals, proteins and β-glucans (the highest levels among cereal crops), and are characterized by the presence of diverse chemicals with antioxidant properties. In recent years, research efforts have been started in a number of Western countries to analyze the content of antioxidants in the grain of various cereal crops. In today’s Russia, only a small number of works are dedicated to studying these important chemical compounds in oat and barley grain. It should be mentioned that, although cereal crops are recognized as one of the main components in human diet, the research conducted to determine their antioxidant activity has clearly been insufficient. In order to attract the attention of Russian plant scientists, plant breeders, plant physiologists, geneticists and biotechnologists, a survey of modern publications on this problem is presented.

The study of seed mineral composition of wheat and its wild relatives revealed higher content of all elements in Aegilops ovata and Ae. triuncialis, as well as an overall increased background in relatives compared to modern varieties of Triticum aestivum (standards). By content of macro- and microelements, synthetic forms of wheat occupy an intermediate position between wild relatives and modern varieties. Transitional forms with the level of mineral composition typical of wild forms (Zhetysu×T. militinae; Zhetysu×T. kiharae; Bezostaya 1×Ae. cylindrica) have been identified. All genotypes have been differentiated into 3 clusters. The first consists predominantly of introgressive forms, Ae. triaristata and the Komsomolskaya 1 variety, which has wild forms in its origin. The second cluster includes mainly varieties (parental forms), T. timopheevii and the introgressive form (Steklovidnaya 24×T. militinae). The third cluster consists largely of T. militinae, T. kiharae, Ae. cylindrica species and introgressive forms originated from them: Zhetysu×T. militinae and Bezostaya 1× Ae. cylindrica. Such division allows us to classify genotypes according to the level of metabolism: wild relatives (3rd cluster), varieties (2nd cluster) and an intermediate group – introgressive forms (1st cluster). In general, inclusion of cultural forms (backcrossing with varieties) to crosses with introgressive forms is usually accompanied by a decrease in the total metabolic level, but it varies in cultivars and wild species characterized by polymorphism. Sources of high content of elements have been revealed: wild relatives and introgressive forms, some of which are donors. According to the results of topcross breeding with testers – commercial common wheat varieties Steklovidnaya 24, Almali, Zhetysu – inheritance of this trait by progenies in F2–F3 generations has been revealed in two constant lines: (Bezostaya 1×Ae. cylindrica)×T. kiharae and Zhetysu×T. kiharae.

The structure of the ear is one of the most important features of cereals associated with such agronomically important traits as productivity, resistance to environmental factors and pests, threshebility. Ears differ in shape, size, density, awnedness, color, etc. Analysis of the ear traits requires visual inspection, manual measurements and is very time-consuming. The effectiveness of ears’ phenotyping can be improved by the introduction of an automated image processing technology, storage of information in databases, use of machine learning algorithms to analyze this information. This paper presents a new approach for collecting, storing and analyzing of information about morphometric characteristics of ears of wheat. Two protocols for obtaining digital images of the ear have been developed. The computer-aided information system SpikeDroidDB has been developed, which allows you to store digital images of the ear, annotate their phenotypic features (14 features, including plant variety description, links to parent genotypes, generation, planting number, ear morphology description). The interface provides a flexible query system to access the data. SpikeDroidDB represents an interconnected representation between genotype, phenotype, location, and growing conditions. The web interface of SpikeDroidDB is available at http://spikedroid.biores. cytogen.ru/ and allows you to work with the system as with desktop computers or mobile devices. We used SpikeDroidDB for the digitization and annotation of a collection of ears of F2 hybrids from crosses between the Australian cultivar of common wheat Triple Dirk and accession KU506 of Chinese wheat Triticum yunnanense. This experiment includes analysis of 104 plants, 230 spike images. The analysis of the variability of ears in form, length, and other traits allowed determination of the type of their genetic control: compactness is controlled by two recessive genes, awn type and hairi ness at the site of attachment of the spikelet to the axis is controlled by single dominant gene type, hairiness on the axis of the spike is controlled by two dominant genes.

One of the key genes that influence the adaptability of wheat to environments and yield are the VRN1 genes. In recent studies, an association of missense mutations within VERNALIZATION-A1 exon-4 with modulation of quantitative values of such agronomically valuable traits as frost tolerance, vernalization requirement duration and flowering time of wheat was shown. However, these investigations were carried out exclusively in T. aestivum varieties and have not covered other species of polyploid wheat and different VRN-A1 alleles. The earlier studies did not consider more than one copy of VRN-A1 per genome. Furthermore, only recently it was shown that only several SNPs distinguish the VRN-D4 and VRN-A1 genes. In the present study, VRN-A1 exon-4 polymorphism was investigated in 158 accessions of 6 tetraploid and 5 hexaploid wheat species carrying the different VRN-A1 alleles. To identify the VRN-A1 exon-4 haplotypes, a co-dominant marker was designed, based on modulation of the curvature of the DNA molecule. Polymorphism of the VRN-A1 exon-4 was revealed only in hexaploid wheat accessions and was associated with the presence of not less than two copies of VRN-A1 per genome. With the exception of one accession, the mutant type of exon-4 was identified only in combination with the wild type. Furthermore, allele-specific primers were designed to identify the VRN-D4 gene or in order to exclude its impact on the results during analysis of the VRN-A1 haplotypes. By expanding the region being analyzed, additional haplotypes, which are associated with polymorphism of adenine tracts within intron-4, were identified. Haplotype segregation was attained among accessions carrying only intact exon-4 of VRN-A1 and among dominant alleles of this gene. Finally, based on the associations revealed between the VRN-A1 alleles and haplotypes, the new putative dominant VRN-A1 allele (designated Vrn-A1k) carrying a 42-bp insertion within the promoter region was identified in tetraploid wheat of Triticum dicoccum.

Allopolyploid organisms can be formed by hybridization between closely related plant species with similar genomes. It is believed that many plant species have passed through allopolyploidization, which played a significant role in the formation of a huge diversity of plants, as well as their high adaptive capacity. Thanks to the whole genome sequencing of a wide range of angiosperm species and comparative analysis of genome structure, the sequence of events that formed the genomes of modern plant taxa was restored. These studies have shown that many diploid species have passed through more than one cycle of polyploidization-diploidization. The purpose of this review is to summarize the estimates of what proportion of genes is undergoing changes due to allopoly-ploidization and to illustrate the variety of mechanisms underlying the functional divergence of homoeologous copies (orthologous genes in allopolyploid subgenomes). Changes of individual copies can be associated with epigenetic features of the gene organization (the methylation status of the promoter region or the presence of copy-specific small interfering RNA) or can affect structure of the coding or regulatory regions of the gene. Studies on artificial allopolyploid plants showed widespread transcriptional dominance and change of the transcription level as compared with the genes of diploid parental forms. The study of the transcription of certain homoeologous gene copies allowed estimating the extent of the complete suppression of certain homoeologous genes in newly synthesized (0.4–5.0 %) and natural (30 %) allopolyploids. One the whole, full or partial suppression affects up to 49% of the wheat genes.

Development of resistant cultivars is one of the effective ways for protection of common wheat T. aestivum L. from fungal pathogens. The gene pool of wild and cultivated wheat relatives is often used for widening the wheat genetic diversity of resistance genes. However, alien genetic material introgressed into the wheat genome can contain genetic factors negatively affecting agronomically important traits. T. aestivum/ T. timopheevii introgression lines derived from different common wheat cultivars have characteristically good resistance to leaf rust and powdery mildew. A comparative assessment of these lines and initial wheat varieties during four field seasons revealed a significant effect of environmental factors on the phenotypic differences between traits that have relevance to productivity. Averaged data obtained for individual introgression lines and for cross combinations revealed both positive and negative tendencies in variations of agronomical traits. The positive effects include a significant increase in the numbers of tillers and spikelets per spike of the lines derived from cv. Skala. Reduction in spike productivity was found in groups of the lines derived from cv. Tselinnaya 20 and cv. Novosibirskaya 67. However, no significant differences in 1000-grain weight were found between most lines and original wheat cultivars. Analysis of the data obtained showed no apparent correlation between the reduction of agronomic traits and the amount of alien genetic material introgressed into the common wheat genome. T. aestivum/T. timopheevii introgression lines can be used as a source of resistance genes without reducing the yield of wheat cultivars.

Under drought conditions, water shortage of varying duration and intensity is often combined with heat and other stresses, and years with favorable moisture are occasional. In these contrasting conditions, the key role in grain yield is played by growth habit, growing period, and technology. For example, in the late twentieth century temperate winters in the Volga region of Russia and improved technology allowed winter wheat to supplant spring wheat almost everywhere in the region. Identification and labeling of QTL has opened up new opportunities for identifying genetic differences between genotypes for each trait underlying traditional breeding, obtaining more information on parents to choose a pair of crosses, and performing selection. However, the effect of QTL, typically depends mainly on the genetic background (pleiotropy, epistasis, and use of alien genes), environment (time and intensity of drought, growth technology) and interaction between alleles and the environment. These factors demand that in each breeding cycle each new recombinant genotype be subjected to genetic identification together with accurate phenotyping. With resource-limited funding of breeding, the greatest benefit from the use of DNA technology can only be expected when working on populations, derived from crosses between of elite varieties and promising lines, and when traits cannot be improved solely by traditional phenotyping, not supplemented by genotyping.

The results of an international expedition to the Republic of Armenia in the summer of 2013 are presented. An important result of field work is the discovery of several habitats of wheats Triticum araraticum Jakubz. and T. boeoticum Boiss.

The authors summarize their own research and data from the literature to overview the current knowledge of the genetics of soft wheat resistance to loose smut. The inheritance and chromosomal location of 12 resistance genes are considered. A bank of donors of efficient genes for spring wheat resistance to the pest has been established.

Spring common wheat varieties display broad genotypic diversity in response to the stress impact of aluminum ions. The investigated set of varieties contained no sensitive ones. Moderately tolerant varieties constituted about 63 %, and highly tolerant, about 25,5 %. The remaining 11,5 % of varieties were moderately sensitive to aluminum treatment. Accessions of spring common wheat have different levels of aluminum tolerance irrespective of sampling locality. The set of wheat varieties showed a significant genetic diversity in the manifestation of the response of chloroplast pigments to the stressor. The structure-functional rearrangement of the leaf pigment apparatus was variety-specific. It showed no strong relation to the level of aluminum tolerance in the root systems. Cluster analysis divided the entire set of varieties into 5 groups with different combinations of root length and plant vigor both in the control and in the presence of aluminum. The authors suggest that the increase in aluminum tolerance in spring common wheat varieties occurs indirectly alongside the breeding aimed at increasing plant resistance to abiotic environmental factors.

The transition from vegetative to reproductive development in wheat is regulated by seasonal cues, including vernalization and photoperiod. Here we present a simple logical model of the wheat development gene network. Vernalization accelerates flowering in winter cereals. It is regulated mainly by the vernalization genes VRN1, VRN2, and VRN3. After vernalization, VRN1 downregulates the VRN2 flowering repressor, thereby increasing the VRN3 level. The expression of VRN3 promotes further increases in the VRN1 transcription level, generating a positive feedback loop, which enhances VRN1 transcription to a threshold level required to initiate flowering. The products of the PPD1 and CO2 photoperiod genes increase VRN3 expression under long daylight conditions. Seasonal changes in day length are perceived by plant photoreceptors and transmitted to the circadian clock to modulate flowering time. Here we integrate data on vernalization and photoperiod genes in a gene network. Using a synchronous Boolean model, we have simulated the network dynamics. This model can be useful to test the coherence of experimental data and to hypothesize gene interactions that remain to be discovered.

Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici induces stem rust, which is the cause of a considerable crop loss. Race Ug99 of P. graminis f. sp. tritici (pathotype TTKS) is virulent to the majority of wheat varieties. According to FAO reports, major wheat-producing countries to the east of Iran (Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan) are greatly endangered. It is necessary to seek resistance sources to stem rust with identified Sr genes. Screening with PCR SSR and STS markers associated with effective Sr genes (Sr2, Sr22, Sr24 and Sr46) was undertaken to identify Sr gene sources. Twelve accessions with the Sr2-gene were identified. Seven resistant lines were found to possess Sr24/Lr24 genes. Sr46 was identified in one line. PCR analysis revealed the presence of Sr22 in six promising lines. The results are used in wheat breeding programs for stem rust resistance with marker-assisted selection.

DELLA proteins are a subfamily of transcriptional regulators from the GRAS protein family. They act as growth repressors. Gibberellins (GA) promote growth by overcoming the DELLA-mediated growth restraint. A number of dominant mutations in highly conserved orthologous DELLA genes are known in various plant species. These mutations reduce plant height owing to production of more active forms of growth repressors. The aim of the current study is to estimate the genetic similarity of DELLA nucleotide and amino acid sequences stored in GenBank and to identify mutant and wild type alleles that encode DELLAs in modern Ukrainian winter bread wheat varieties. We have performed nucleotide and amino acid sequence search and alignment of the Rht-D1 wheat dwarfing gene and DELLA-encoding genes of other plant species with BLAST and MUSCLE software. A dendrogram illustrating phylogenetic relations among DELLA sequences of 35 plant species has been constructed using MEGA v5. In addition, PCR-based genotyping for the major wheat dwarfing genes Rht-B1 and Rht-D1 has been performed in wheat cultivars from different regions of Ukraine. It is shown that the mutant Rht-D1b allele is the commonest dwarfing allele among those tested in Ukrainian wheat cultivars (68 %), but its distribution over Ukraine is not random.

Antifreeze proteins are a class of proteins synthesized by poikilothermic organisms under cold stress. These proteins have random phylogenetic distribution, differ in primary and secondary structures, have different regulatory pathways, but they all display a common feature: the ability to be adsorbed onto the surface of ice crystals and to modify their growth. The review summarizes data on the origin of antifreeze proteins, activities and mechanisms mediating their action with emphasis on cereals, including wheat.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are low-molecular-weight defense polypeptides, produced in all living organisms either constitutively or upon perception of signals from pathogenic microorganisms. They are important components of the immune system in both animals and plants. AMPs differ in structure and mode of action. Most of them belong to cysteine-rich peptides; their molecules contain even numbers of cysteine residues involved in the formation of disulphide bonds, which stabilize the peptide structure. A number of families of plant AMPs have been isolated on the base of amino acid sequence similarity and 3D structure. Plant AMP genes can be used in the engineering of pest resistance in crops and development of novel antibiotics and antimycotics. We provide a concise review of properties and gene structures of major AMP families discovered by the authors in Triticum kiharae seeds, including glycine-rich peptides, defensins, hevein-like peptides and the so-called 4-Cys peptides.

Coloration of some wheat organs may be of adaptive significance. Coloration traits are widely used in wheat taxonomy and variety identification. They also provide a suitable model for genetic and molecular studies. Here, data on chromosome location, genetic mapping, and structural and functional organization of all known genes determining coloration in wheat are reviewed. To date, thirty genes determining coloration in wheat have been mapped. These genes are represented mainly by homoeologous loci in the A, B and D genomes, and most of them are located in the 1S0.8 and 7S0.4 gene-rich regions of wheat genome. Comparative mapping in cereals shows that some orthologous genes determining coloration occur in a few species (homoeologous series Rg has been found in wheat and Aegilops only, and R, in wheat, Aegilops and rye), whereas others (genes determining anthocyanin pigmentation) widely occur in Poaceae. The data on comparative mapping together with the results of recent studies dedicated to cloning and functions of genes determining coloration in wheat suggest that these genes belong to the Myb- and Myc-like families of genes, encoding transcriptional activators for structural genes involved in plant flavonoid pigments biosynthesis.

Gene engineering techniques and transgenic plants are frequently used in plant molecular genetics. Promoters from wheat genes with verified patterns of activity (annotated in TransGene Promoters Database, TGP) are discussed. The TGP database can be used as an information resource for planning various genetic engineering experiments.

Botanical and ecological study of material collected in different areas of Kyrgyzstan showed a broad variability of ecological and morphological forms in wheat landraces. A total of 60 subspecies of spring wheat belonging to 6 species were found. Several ecological groups are recognized in Kyrgyzstan. The most common ecotypes, subrigidum and rigidum, are related to the Iran-Asian subspecies. At the present time, about 80 wheat varieties bred in FSU countries are successfully passing the state variety trial. The following winter and spring wheat varieties were identified on the base of analysis of productivity and quality: Dordoi 16 Mereke 70, Kiyal (st), Suleiman, Kasiet, and Araket. Up to 35 varieties of winter wheat and 12 varieties of spring wheat bred in Kyrgyzstan and abroad are tested annually and recommended for growing in various ecological zones of Kyrgyzstan.

It is demonstrated that modified micromethods of grain quality assessment can be applied to bread wheat against the background of sunn pest damage. It has been found that, that use of dilute solutions of organic acids in gluten quality assay with an IDK device and farinographic measurement of dough rheological properties reduces the paratypic noise caused by sunn pest.