ITEMS FROM THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF THE CENTRAL REGION OF NON-CHENOZEM ZONE
143026, Moscow region, Nemchinovka, Kalinina 1, Russian Federation.

Previously unknown genes of soft wheat. [p. 99-100]

V.G. Kyzlasov.

The author created new lines of soft spring wheat possessing unique features and properties (multipistillate and stamenless flowers and xenia-type caryopsis coloration) that have no analogs in world collections.

Plants with multipistillate flowers were selected (Kyzlasov 1996) from hybrid populations of a T. aestivum/Ag. glaucum cross. From two to five caryopses are formed in every flower of such wheat. The more caryopses formed in a flower, the smaller their size. The weight of the caryopsis in the lines with multipistillate flowers varies from 10 to 90 mg. The share of caryopses formed in a flower decreases as the number of pistils increases. The selected lines had multipistillate flowers more often in years of drought. The progeny of these lines consistently formed three stamens in a flower. The multipistillate feature is a result of duplicate action of three recessive genes in homozygote: A A B B C C (monopistillate line) / a a b b c c (multipistillate line) ð F1 A a B b C c monopistillate line. Segregation in the F2 is 63 monopistillate plants : 1 multipistillate plant. In subsequent generations, the segregation is monohybrid (3:1), dihybrid (15:1), and trihybrid (63:1).

Stamenless plants were found (Kyzlasov 1998) in matromorphic populations obtained by pollination of soft spring wheat with pollen of spring barley. No barley-type plants were found among the progeny examined. The spikes that form pistils instead of stamens are characterized by high degree of sterility of the pistillate sphere. Therefore, solitary caryopses are formed in these spikes after free windblown pollination. The absence of stamens in the flowers is maintained in reproduction at the heterozygous level and is inherited as a recessive trait: a a b b c c (stamenless plant) / A A B B C C (staminate plant) ð F1 A a B b C c (staminate plant). Segregation in the F2 is 63 staminate plants : 1 stamenless plant. The absence of stamens in the flowers is caused by the action of three recessive genes.

Among the progeny of stamenless plants, lines with fertile pollen and dark coloration of caryopses were selected (Kyzlasov 2001). Such coloration is inherited in the dark-caryopsis / light-caryopsis hybrids as a xenia-type feature. The peculiarity of this segregation is the fact that caryopses of different colors are formed within one spike of an F1-hybrid plant. Such caryopsis formation has never been observed previously in any known wheat. The xenia-type inheritance, which was observed in caryopsis coloration, also was found in 1,000-kernel weight. A separate sampling of differently colored caryopses from the same spike (Kyzlasov 2003) showed that the colored caryopses were heavier by 10-12 % than the colorless ones. After pollination by a dark caryopsis wheat, dark-colored caryopses formed in the flowers of maternal light-caryopsis lines. The weight of these hybrid caryopses also is higher than that of the light caryopsis, self-pollinated maternal plants. Among the F1 plants, segregation by caryopsis color is 9 dark-colored caryopses : 7 light-colored. Dark coloration of caryopses appears in the phenotype as a result of complementary interaction of two hypostatic genes. In populations of the second and subsequent generations, dark-colored caryopses is inherited as monohybrid (3:1) or dihybrid (9:7). The dark-colored caryopses differ from normal by enhanced resistance to germination in the spike under damp conditions.

This research has revealed expression of three recessive genes of multipistillate flowers, three recessive genes of stamenless flowers, and two hypostatic genes of xenia-type caryopsis coloration in the phenotype of soft wheat.

References.

• Kyzlasov VG. 1996. The phenomenon of multipistillity of wheat flowers. In: Abstr 5th Internat Wheat Conf, Ankara, Turkey, p. 430.
• Kyzlasov VG. 1998. Wheat flowers of one sex. In: Proc 9th Internat Wheat Genetics Symp (Slinkard AE ed). University Extension Press, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. 2:269-.
• Kyzlasov VG. 2001. Genes controlling xenia development of the caryopsis in soft wheat. Ann Wheat Newslet 47:142.
• Kyzlasov VG. 2003. Genetic linkage between endosperm color and caryopsis size in soft wheat hybrids. Ann Wheat Newslet 49:95-96.

Apomictic development of seed in embryos of rye, soft wheat, and triticale. [p. 100]

V.G. Kyzlasov.

A single specimen of R-1 winter rye was found when planting the soft winter wheat W-1. Five hundred flowers of this plant were emasculated and pollinated by the pollen of soft winter wheat. Seed set was 38 (7.6 % of the number of pollinated flowers). The F1 seed was sown in the autumn. All the plants overwintered successfully. No hybrid plants were found in the progeny. All the plants were matromorphic diploids (2n = 14) of rye. No depression, like that observed in rye inbreeding, was detected in the plants. Upon flowering, 1,000 flowers were emasculated and again pollinated with winter wheat. Sixty-nine caryopses formed in the pollinated flowers (6.9 % of the number of pollinated flowers).

The seed obtained after the second pollination by winter wheat were sown in a greenhouse. At flowering, all the plants appeared to be matromorphic progeny of rye. The results of two pervious years of field experiments were exactly the same. The matromorphic plants of R-1 winter rye may be reproduced by means of pollination of their flowers by wheat pollen. No caryopses form in R-1 winter rye when emasculated and kept from pollination. In case of inbreeding, the percentage of seed set is 0-5 %. Thus, the genes of self-incompatibility in matromorphic progeny of R-1 rye function properly.

The diploid (2n = 14), matromorphic plants of R-1 winter rye created by the method described above differ by culm length (70-160 cm), 1,000-kernel weight (23-33 g), flowering period (1-20 days), and seed shape. The obtained progeny indicate that the original R-1 rye plant was heterozygous. The mechanism of origin and embryonic development of matromorphic progenies still needs to be investigated. Embryos were formed without pollination; possibly originating from haploid cells of embryo sac after their fusion with one another or after diploidization. In the case of apomictic development of seed embryos, the caryopsis endosperm may be of hybrid origin (2n = 14 chromosomes of rye + 1n = 21 chromosomes of wheat). Apparently, somatogamy is manifested in this case.

Matromorphic plants also were discovered after pollinating of R-1 rye with triticale pollen. The fact that matromorphic plants arise after pollinating of soft wheat and triticale by R-1 rye pollen is of interest for breeding. We next emasculated 520 flowers of F1 soft wheat hybrids and pollinated them with R-1 rye pollen. Forty-one caryopses were obtained (7.9 % of the number of pollinated flowers). All the plants grown from these seeds were diploid (2n = 42). The F2 hybrid families reproduced after pollinating of F1 hybrids by R-1 rye pollen did not segregate. This fact indicates that they may be dihaploids. We need to investigate the fertilization and embryogenesis processes of soft wheat and triticale after pollinating of their flowers by R-1 winter rye pollen.

Cytological analysis of pollen grains of several R-1 rye plants showed that they have adequate nutrient reserves. However, vegetative nuclei and sperm are missing in most. Only some plants possess one, or occasionally two, sperm. Viable pollen grains (a vegetative nucleus + two sperms) are nearly absent. In further investigations, more detailed studying of the anatomic peculiarities of R-1 rye pollen grains is planned.

Apomictic development of embryos in soft wheat and triticale is caused by pollination of the castrated flowers with R-1 rye pollen. Matromorphic R-1 rye plants appear after pollination of the flowers by soft wheat or triticale pollen. Investigations aimed at enhancing the technology for reproducing soft wheat, rye, and triticale matromorphic plants will continue. Identifying the genetic factors determining formation of embryos without pollination is still a problem. The regularities of embryo and endosperm formation during the process of embryonic development of the matromorphic plants is needed. Our process for obtaining matromorphic plants may eventually be applied for creating soft wheat and triticale lines that are homozygous for all the genes. In rye breeding, this technology may be applied for selection of lines with a high combining ability.

Induction of doubled haploids in common wheat and its hybrids. [p. 101]

S.V. Klitsov and G.M. Artemeva.

We continued our long-term effort to development genetic stable homozygote material for wheat improvement in 2002-04. Our objective is to produce dihaploids of spring and winter wheat and its hybrids with Ae. speltoides and Agropiron erectus. The 49 accessions include 30 F1 of spring wheat, 15 F1 of winter wheat, three hybrids with Ae. speltoides, and a hybrid with Agropyron. We obtained DH lines by two methods. We started to use the 'wheat/maize' DH system in 2002. Emasculated wheat and hybrid heads were hand-pollinated with mature maize pollen. Embryos were excised 12-14 days after pollination and cultured in tubes containing nutrient agar medium B5. The resulting seedlings were immersed in a 0.1 % colchicine solution, rinsed, and transplanted into pots with soil in the greenhouse. This process was repeated in 2003-04 with eight accessories. We also use anther and microspore culture technique for DH production. Wheat and hybrid anthers were isolated and immersed in a PII nutrient-agar medium for 20-30 days. Embryo-like structures were transplanted onto 192 medium with 0.5 mg/l kinetin. The resulting plantlets were then immersed in a 0.1 % colchicine solution, rinsed, and transplanted in pots in the greenhouse. These experiences were repeated in 2003-04. In total, we obtained four dihaploid lines by in vitro culture and 102 DH lines using the 'wheat/maize' DH system. We are now testing all our dihaploid lines in field plots.

 

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR SOUTH-EAST REGIONS - ARISER

Department of Genetics, 410020 Toulaykov str., 7, Saratov, Russian Federation.

High-yielding biotype of spring durum wheat cultivar Valentina. [p. 101-102]

N.S. Vassiltchouk, S.N. Gaponov, V.M. Popova, Yu.V. Italianskaya, S.V. Tuchin, and E.E. Khudoshina.

Protein markers are a simple and reliable way to identify crop plant genotypes that are some times difficult to distinguish by morphological or other characteristics. In wheat-breeding programs, the analysis of gliadin proteins make it possible theoretically to distinguish up to 20 millions genotypes. Moreover, the quest for new protein markers linked to useful traits is of great interest, because these proteins may be used in improving cultivars for desirable properties, especially in early generation screening. We have analyzed the gliadin electrophoretic spectra of the spring durum wheat cultivar Valentina, which was released for use in 1998. This cultivar was selected from the cross 'Saratovskaya 59/Leukurum 1897 (S3F6)//D-1973/Saratovskaya zolotistaya'. Valentina inherited the best characteristics of Saratov spring durum wheat genotypes; increased resistance to loose smut and barley yellow dwarf virus, lodging and drought resistance, early maturity, high grain quality, and high yield capacity (3.1-3.4 t/ha).

Gliadin proteins were extracted with 70 % ethanol from distal half of the seed and fractionated by PAGE using aluminium lactate buffer (pH 3.1). Although Valentina is homogenous for morphological characters, it is polymorphic for biotypes (designated Valentina I and Valentina II) occurring in a ratio of approximately 1:1. These biotypes differ from one another in gliadin components of a- and w-zones that are controlled by genes on chromosomes 6A and 1B, respectively. The embryo half of the seeds were used for propagation and seed production during the 2 years. Both biotypes were estimated for morphological and useful traits for 3 years, using plots 2.4 m^2^ (4x multiplication). Plants of both biotypes did not differ for morphological characters but were considerably different in head-producing capacity (Table 1).

The data revealed that the increase in all Valentina II indices influenced head productivity compared with biotype I. As a result, grain yield in biotype II considerably exceeded that of Valentina I and the parental cultivar in all years tested (Table 2). Biotype II has been revealed to have stronger gluten (according to higher index of SDS-sedimentation) that of biotype I (Table 2).

Table 2. Yield capacity and micro-SDS test of Valentina biotypes.

Biotype	Yield (t/ha)				Micro-SDS test (ml)
	2001	2002	2003	Average	2001	2002	2003	Average
Valentina	3.9	3.5	3.9	3.8	51	50	55	52.0
Valentina I	3.2	3.2	3.2	3.2	41	41	45	42.3
Valentina II	4.1	3.7	4.2	4.0	50	50	57	52.3
LSD 5 %				0.18				2.2

Biotechnological approaches in developing wheat-rye hybrids. [p. 102]

.I. Diatchouk, S.V. Tuchin, S.V. Stolyarova, Yu.V. Italianskaya, N.F. Safronova, and L.P. Medvedeva.

Rye was used in bread wheat selection and triticale genome reconstruction by in vitro techniques. To increase the effectiveness and acceleration of breeding, different methods of organ and tissue culture are used. Our principle objective was to obtain qualitatively new wheats and triticales that were ecologically adapted (drought- and frost resistant).

Using embryo rescue followed by colchicine treatment, primary hexaploid and octoploid triticales, genomic constitution AABBRR and AABBRRDD, respectively, were developed using Saratov winter bread wheat cultivars Atkara, Gubernia, Saratovskaya ostistaya, and Saratovskaya 90 and the rye cultivars Saratovskaya 5, Saratovskaya 6, Saratovskaya 7, Krasnokoloska, and Marusenka. Secondary triticales were created on the base of intra- and intergenomic recombinations via crossing of the primary hexaploid and octoploid triticales with each other and with the best cultivars. Combining traditional and biotechnological methods allows us to create hexaploid triticale with substitution of some rye chromosomes with wheat D-genome chromosomes.

Doubled haploid plants were obtained on the base of the primary hexaploid and octoploid triticales through anther culture. Maximum embryogenesis was with 300 mg/l glutamine added to the inductive nutrient medium. Protein markers were used in the genetic analysis of the developed triticales, allowing us to study chromosomal fragments in amphidiploids and control substitutions in the breeding process.

Genetic and cytogenetic research of new spring bread wheat-Ae. speltoides lines. [p. 103]

S.N. Sibikeev and S.A. Voronina, and E.D. Badaeva (Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Gubkina St.,3, Moscow).

The gene pool of Ae. speltoides is very useful for bread wheat breeding for resistance to leaf rust. At present, the following Lr-genes have been identified: Lr28 (T4AS·4AL-7S#2S), Lr35 (2B), Lr36 (6BS), Lr47 (Ti7AS-7S#1S-7AS·7AL, T7AS-7S#1S·7S#1L, and Ti7AS·7AL-7S#1L-7AL), and Lr51 (T1AS·1AL-1S#F7-12L-1AL and T1BS·1BL-1S#F7L-1BL).

At ARISER, the bread wheat-Ae. speltoides lines were kindly provided by Dr. Odintsova (N.I. Vavilov Research Institute of Plant Industry, St. Petersburg). The Lr gene(s) of bread wheat-Ae. speltoides lines are highly effective to the Saratov population of P. triticina, IT = 0, 0;. These lines have a strong 'cuckoo' effect. We crossed these lines were with Saratov-bred cultivars and lines of bread wheat. After crosses with cultivars L503 and Dobrynya, the cuckoo effect significantly decreased. In segregating F2 populations of these hybrids for resistance to leaf rust, susceptible plants were observed. Thus, the cultivars L503 and Dobrynya have gene(s) for suppression of gametocidal activity. The C-banding pattern of these lines showed the translocation T2D-2S. We confirmed the presence of the translocation by meiotic analyses of the F1 hybrids between bread wheat-Ae. speltoides lines and the leaf rust-susceptible cultivar Saratovskaya 29. In the majority of PMCs, we detected 21 bivalents but observed univalents, trivalents, and quadrivalents in a few PMCs. The identification of Lr gene(s) in bread wheat-Ae. speltoides lines will be provided in 2005.

The effects of alien Lr-gene combinations. [p. 103-104]

S.N. Sibikeev, M.R. Abdryev, V.A. Krupnov, S.A. Voronina, O.V. Krupnova, and A.E. Druzhin.

The effects of alien Lr-gene combinations on a set of NILs was studied in 2003-04. These NILs have the combinations alien translocations Lr9+Lr19, Lr19+Lr25, and Lr19+Lr26 in the genetic background of cultivars L503, Dobrynya, and line L2032. These combinations of Lr genes are highly effective against the local population of leaf rust (infection type 0; in Dobrynya, L503, and line L2032 the IT = -3). In 2003 and 2004, the majority of leaf rust-resistant isolines had no difference in grain yield from the check cultivars and lines, except for pairs containing Lr19+Lr26 in L503 and line L2032 backgrounds (in the 2004 the grain yield was higher) and Lr19+Lr9 in line L2032 background (grain yield lower) (Table 3). For grain test weight, differences between cultivars Dobrynya, line L2032, and their NILs with Lr9+Lr19 were observed. The NILs had significantly lower parameters. For grain protein content, differences were observed only in 2004. A possible cause of these results is moderate epidemics of leaf rust during the grain-filling period. The significant increase in grain-protein content was detected for combinations of Lr19+Lr25 (in Dobrynya) and Lr19+Lr26 (in L503). For grain quality, the differences for SDS volume was obtained only between cultivars L503 and L2032 and NILs with of Lr19+Lr26.

Intraracial structure and variability in virulence to Ustilago tritici. [p. 104]

A.E. Druzhin, V.A. Krupnov, T.D. Golubeva, and T.V. Kalintseva.

The severity of susceptibility to loose smut in bread wheat cultivars depends on many factors, including the pathogenicity of the inoculum. We inoculated a set of bread wheat cultivars and lines with race 23 of Ustilago tritici for a period of 5 years and noted that the pathogenic reaction varied in highly susceptible cultivars, despite of optimum conditions for pathogen development.

To study the pathotype structure of U. tritici race 23, we selected the pathogen from spikes of cultivar L505. Inoculation of L505 was repeated two times to stabilize the race. This inoculum was used to infect differentials of four cultivars, L505, Saratovskaya 66, Saratovskaya 36, and Saratovskaya 60, and line L164 of bread wheat. After stabilizing the inoculum on these cultivars, we selected L505 isolate A, Saratovskaya 66 isolate B, L164 isolate D, Saratovskaya 36 isolate C, and Saratovskaya 60 isolate F. These isolates then were used to inoculate smut-resistant cultivars differing in Ut genes (Druzhin et al. 2004) and Russian and Canadian differential cultivar sets (Table 4). The isolates differed in their virulence. In the Canadian cultivars, isolates A and F were detected as race 18, but isolates C, B, and D obviously are new races that could not be identified (the Russian set of test cultivars has not proven useful for detecting virulence in isolates). Using of the Canadian set of test cultivars (number of differentials is 19), has allowed us to identify three new races, whereas the Russian set (consisting of nine cultivars) did not elucidate any new races.

Table 4. Level of susceptibility (%) to loose smut in bread wheat cultivars and lines after inoculation by isolates of race 23 of Ustilago tritici. Isolate A was selected from L505, B from Saratovskaya 66, C from Saratovskaya 36, D from L164, and F from Saratovskaya 60.

Cultivar/line	Race 23	Isolates
		A	B	C	D	F
Zhiguljovskaya	7.7	13.3	4.8	41.7	51.7	0.0
Bezentchuokskaya 98	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Saratovskaya 29	27.8	23.3	35.7	65.7	59.3	46.9
Saratovskaya 36	23.5	21.7	30.9	54.2	40.0	33.6
Saratovskaya 70	7.7	10.0	8.33	68.2	31.0	0.0
Saratovskaya 60	7.5	19.8	12.9	26.9	4.0	42.8
Belynka (L400)	32.0	32.0	21.1	55.4	31.0	32.0
L2040	7.8	14.3	10.0	24.0	0.0	6.5
L400/S60	14.0	14.5	8.6	24.6	15.5	14.0
L2772	13.3	4.8	0.0	35.6	35.9	12.7
L2358	0.0	0.0	0.0	4.8	0.0	0.0

Further stabilization (homozygous for virulence) of race 23 has led to a reduction in pathogen aggressiveness in cultivar L505 from which it was selected. The severity of infection in L505 after inoculation with race 23 is 92.8 %, with isolate A (a selection of race 23) 80.9 %, with isolate A1 (a selection from isolate A) 64.7 %, with A2 isolate (a selection from isolate A1) 35.7 %, and with isolate A3 (a selection from isolate A2) 25.6 %.

Reference.

• Druzhin AE, Golubeeva TD, Kalintseva TV, and Buyenkov AYu. 2004. Reaction of cultivars and T. aestivum lines to two races loose smut in Saratov. Ann Wheat Newslet 50:106.

Effects of Lr genes on resistance to preharvest sprouting. [p. 105]

O.V. Krupnova and V.A. Krupnov, and G.Yu. Antonov (Saratov State Agrarian University by Name N.I.Vavilov, Saratov).

A significant reduction in the bread-making quality of spring and winter bread wheats in the Volga Region was produced by preharvest sprouting. In the last few years in this area, cultivars of spring bread wheat carry Lr genes from T. turgidum subsp. durum, T. turgidum subsp. dicoccum, and Ag. elongatum, but the Lr genes in winter wheat are from S. cereale. In 2003 and 2004 we studied the influence of genes Lr9, Lr14, Lr23, Lr19, Lr25, and Lr26 on resistance to preharvest sprouting. This research was done on the spring bread wheats Belynka, Dobrynya, L 503. and L 2032 and their NILs differing for Lr genes. Spike sampling for germination tests began with a plant whose peduncle had turned yellow and with no green color in the glumes. Seeds were harvested and hand-threshed, dried, and stored under refrigeration at -20 C. Germination tests were made in a growth chamber at 20±1 C in the dark on filter paper in Petri plates containing 6 ml water. Results from 2 years of research did not reveal any significant difference for resistance to preharvest sprouting between the controls and the lines containing Lr9, Lr14, Lr23, Lr19, Lr25, and Lr26. The SDS-sedimentation volume tends to decrease in lines with the Lr25 translocation; the decrease is significant decrease in lines with the Lr26 translocation. In other lines, the differences trait were not significant.

Black point: influence on bread-making quality. [p. 105-106]

O.V. Krupnova and V.A. Krupnov, and G.Yu. Antonov (Saratov State Agrarian University by Name N.I. Vavilov, Saratov).

In the Volga Region, black point of the embryo end of grain of spring bread wheat is observed annually. The symptoms are especially strong during seasons with rainy weather, high humidity, and sharp fluctuations of temperature during the period from spike formation to maturation, i.e., in 2003. However, in 2004, under warm and dry conditions during the same period, severe black point infections were observed. We examined the effect of black point on bread-making quality of four popular cultivars, L 503 and Dobrynya (red grains and resistance to preharvest sprouting), Saratovskaya 55 (white grains and moderately resistant), and Belynka (susceptible to preharvest sprouting). Seed was lightly infected with Alternaria spp. The possible cause of black point was the physiological influence of the vegetative conditions. The grains of each cultivar were divided into two groups, with (A) and without (B) black point (control). To analyze a grain, we studied the following parameters: 1,000-kernel weight, grain-protein content, SDS sedimentation, wet and dry gluten content, evaluation of strong gluten (index of gluten deformation), activity of a-amylase (falling number).

In 2004, the average grains yield of all bread wheat cultivars was smaller than in 2003 (Table 5). The mean of 1,000-kernel weight for seed infected with black point in 2003 and 2004 were significantly higher than the control. For grain-protein content, wet and dry gluten content of grain infected with black point in both years not differ from healthy grains. However, activity of a-amylase in the black-pointed grains was significantly higher than the control, especial in the Saratovskaya 55 and Belynka. A similar tendency was seen after evaluation of SDS volume.

New, spring bread wheat cultivars for the Volga River region of the Russian Federation. [p. 106]

A.I. Kuzmenko, R.G. Saifullin, K.F. Guryanova, V.A. Danilova, T.K. Zotova, S.D. Davidov, G.A. Beketova, I.I. Grigoryeva, and O.V. Zubkova.

Wheat is a major cereal crop in Volga River region of the Russian Federation. Crop capacity fluctuates from 0.3 to 4.0 t/ha. The main stress factors are water deficiency, extremely high temperatures, fungal plant diseases, and pests. The breeding programs of ARISER aim to reduce abiotic and biotic stress influence on plant growth and increase yield capacity and grain quality. Plant breeders have been working these problems for the past 95 years.

Two new spring bread wheat cultivars have been released for use in 2004, Saratovskaya 68 and Saratovskaya 70. Saratovskaya 68 has increased yield capacity compared with Lutescens 62, first cultivar developed. Yield gain is 0.72 t/ha (Table 6). The yield gain is 3 times higher than the increase caused by environmental factors. Both Saratovskaya 68 and Saratovskaya 70 are characterized by higher grain yield values when compared with that of the check cultivar Lutescens 62, especially under extreme drought conditions. Yield gain is 60 and 35 % for Saratovskaya 68 and Saratovskaya 70, respectively) (Table 7). The higher yield capacity of Saratovskaya 68 mainly is due to increased grain yield from unit of cultivated area and number of seeds/head. This cultivar is tolerant to leaf rust and powdery mildew, and resistant to lodging and loose smut. Saratovskaya 70 has high values for 1,000-kernel weight, seed-volume weight, and fullness. This cultivar is resistant to loose smut and leaf rust. Both new spring bread wheat cultivars are recommended for growing in arid regions with frequent summer droughts.

New, spring durum wheat cultivars for Volga River region of Russia. [p. 106-107]

N.S. Vassiltchouk, S.N. Gaponov, V.M. Popova, and G.I. Shutareva.

During 20 years of durum wheat breeding, ten cultivars had been produced that showed high values for semolina quality factors (on the world standard level). The descriptions of two newest cultivars are presented here.

Nik. Early and resistant to loose smut, Nik was produced for the conditions of the South-East Region of the Russian Federation. Nik is characterized by high gluten strength and a yellow pigment content equal to that of Saratovskaya zolotistaya (Table 8). This cultivar has higher values for grain yield and falling number than the check cultivars Krasnokoutka 10 and Saratovskaya zolotistaya. Nik is resistant to lodging, true loose smut, and BYDV.

Zolotaya volna. The early, strong gluten cultivar Zolotaya volna is recommended for dry conditions of Russia Volga River Region. This cultivar was derived from crosses of local lines with Siberian cultivars. The protein and yellow pigment content of Zolotaya volna are equal to that of Saratovskaya zolotistaya (Table 8). The yield and micro-SDS- sedimentation tests Zolotaya volna higher than that of cultivars Krasnokoutka 10 and Saratovskaya zolotistaya. Falling number is near the check. Zolotaya volna is resistant to lodging because of strong straw. Zolotaya volna is resistant to true loose smut and highly tolerant to BYDV and leaf spot.

The breeding of winter bread wheat in arid Zavolzhje. [p. 107-108]

A.I. Parkhomenko (Ershov Experimental Station of Irrigation Farming ARISER, Ershov, 413500, Russian Federation).

At present, many plant breeders attempt to create universal cereal crop cultivars adapted to different growth conditions. Scientific practice, however, shows that a greater economical effect may be obtained when cultivars are developed for concrete climatic zones.

Zavolzhje (the left bank of Volga River, the most droughty agricultural area in the Saratov region) is remarkable for a sharp continental climate with cold, not snowy winters. The vegetative period is characterized by irregular soil moisture. The temperature total fluctuates during the growing season from 2,500 C to 3,100 C, whereas winter wheat needs 1,390 C-1,430 C. A considerable part of the thermal energy remains unused, its consumption by plants with moisture during the vegetative period.

Plant breeding experiments at the Ershov laboratory are done under both extremely dry and irrigated conditions using inorganic fertilizers. This scheme reveals lines with high-yielding power and resistance to lodging and the main diseases (leaf rust and powdery mildew). Lines are tested under dry conditions for resistance to natural abiotic and biotic stresses. This technology allows us to predict cultivar behavior under more favorable climatic conditions. The data from cultivar tests in 1996-2004 indicates that the new varieties to have the advantage over standard cultivars (Table 9).

The analysis of cultivar and line productivity in 1989-2000 shows that increases in yield capacity is, to great extent, because of increased productivity, and to smaller degree, to 1,000-kernel weight and larger spikes. The new cultivars Levoberezhnaya 1, Levoberezhnaya 2, and Levoberezhnaya 3 meet these requirements. Levoberezhnaya 2 and 3 are submitted to the state cultivar tests.

White-grained, winter bread wheats also are bred at the Ershov laboratory. This program is because of the great demand for these wheats. The market for Russian, white-grained wheats is for spring types. In 2003-04, two cultivars (Albidum cultivar) Jangal and Obereg were submitted to the state variety tests (Table 10). Table 8 shows that white-grained cultivars are quite competitive with red-grained cultivars in the marketplace.

Ershov spring bread wheat cultivars. [p. 108]

Yu.D. Kozlov, V.P. Kosatchev, and V.V. Sergeev (Ershov Experimental Station of Irrigation Farming, ARISER, Ershov, 413500, Russian Federation).

The zone of spring bread wheat cultivation in the southeast part of the Russian Federation is characterized by variability in weather, high temperatures during the growing period, and frequent hot winds. In these conditions, wheat cultivars are required to be drought- and heat-resistant, and tolerant to disease (especially to leaf rust), but have a high yield capacity (5-6 t/ha) and good, stable grain quality when favorable conditions exist.

Plant breeders at the Ershov Experimental Station, which is situated in the most droughty part of Saratov region, simulate agroecological conditions using different rates of watering and mineral fertilizers that allow selecting and evaluating spring wheat genotypes with yield capacity from 0.1 to 6.0 t/ha. The spring bread wheat cultivars created at the Ershov Station show high competitiveness and are widely distributed.

Prokhorovka. Tests have shown this cultivar to be lodging- and leaf rust-resistant and to have a multispiked and multiseeded head. Prokhorovka is capable of the highest grain yields in favorable conditions. The top grain yield (6.1 t/ha) exceeds that one of standard cultivar Saratovskaya 58 by 1.0-1.5 t/ha. Under drought and heat stress, the grain yield of Prokhorovka (1.0 t/ha) is equal to that of the best, drought-resistant cultivar Saratovskaya 55. Prokhorovka is recommended for use in seven regions of the Russian Federation, from Kuban to Volga River Region. The length of the growth period is 94-97 days. The cultivar has good grain quality and a protein content of 13-14 %.

Yugo-Vostochnaya 2. This cultivar is recommended for regions with black humus soil. The grain yield capacity is high, up to 6.0 t/ha. Yugo-Vostochnaya 2 is resistant to drought, heat, lodging and to main diseases. The cultivar has good grain filling with high volume weight. The red grain is of high quality (protein content is 13-14 %) and ripens in 96 days.

Yugo-Vostochnaya 4. Yugo-Vostochnaya 4 is recommended for dry conditions of Volga River region. This cultivar is drought and heat resistant with a top grain yield of 6.2 t/ha. This cultivar is tolerant to leaf rust and to loose smut and has white, coarse grain. Bread-making quality is high and protein content is 13-14 %.

Table 10. Average grain-yield capacity and quality values of the new white-grained winter bread wheat cultivars Jangal and Obereg, and Ershovskaya 10 (check) in 2002-04 from Ershov Experimental Station of Irrigation Farming, ARISER, Ershov, Russian Federation.

Cultivar	Grain yield (hkg/h)	Protein content (%)	Total hardness (%)	Wet gluten (%)	Flour strength (u.a.)	Loaf volume (cm^3^)	Porosity marks
Jangal	59.8	15.6	80.0	32.6	285.0	773.0	4.7
Obereg	51.1	17.1	85.0	36.6	366.0	817.0	5.0
Ershovskaya 10	50.5	16.2	76.0	38.0	266.0	847.0	4.9

FAR EASTERN RESEARCH INSITUTE OF AGRICULTURE Institute of Complex Analysis of Regional Problems, Karl Marx str., 105 A, kv. 167, Khabarovsk, 680009, Russian Federation.

Selection problems of high quality soft spring wheat cultivars in far-eastern Russian Federation. [p. 109-110]

Ivan Shindin and Vladimir Cherpak.

One of the most important problems when breeding T. aestivum subsp. aestivum cultivars for the far-eastern Russian Federation is good technological and bread-baking qualities. Wheat breeders from the far-eastern region have developed 50 cultivars, including 20 that were entered in the Register of Selection Achievements of the Russian Federation. However, no cultivar that meets the parameters of strong wheat also is resistant to biotic and abiotic factors (drought, high humidity, and fungal diseases).

One of the reasons why we cannot develop a strong wheat cultivar is that there is not an integral wheat-quality index. We have to select a cultivar according to a great number of indicators to define technological properties of a cultivar (Pumpyanskey 1971). There are 20 indicators under the State Russian Standard (GOST).

Second, forming high-quality grain in the far-eastern region of the Russian Federation is limited by heavy precipitation, high temperatures, and high humidity (90-100 %) during the ripening stage. These negative factors increase fermentative process that leads to the decay of starch and protein and to further colonization of spikes and seed by saprophytic and semiparasitic fungus, because the secretion of soluble carbohydrates is a good nutrient medium. As a result, seed carbohydrate and protein is reduced, which leads to the loss of organic substances and deterioration of technological and baking qualities. This phenomenon is called enzyme and mycosis exhaustion in seeds (Shindin et al. 2004).

Despite these difficulties, wheat breeders of the far-eastern region have bred spring wheat cultivars that meet bread baking requirements (Table 1). Lyra 98 is the best among four newest cultivars (the authors were part of the breeding team for this cultivar), but it does not meet the GOST's strong wheat requirements for three indexes (vitreousness, water absorption, and bread output). Thus, Lyra 98 needs further genetic improvement in these indexes. Other cultivars (Amurskaya 1495, Dalgau-1, and Primorskaya 40) are highly productive (5-5.5 t/ha) and resistant to lodging and sprouting, are used in selection as donors of some value technological and agronomic characteristics. Research on improving the technological and bread-making characteristics of soft wheat in the far-eastern region of the Russian Federation is on-going.

Table 1. Seed quality in spring Triticum aestivum cultivars bred for far-eastern Russian Federation by the Far Eastern Research Institute of Agriculture, Khabarovsk.

Characteristic	Russian standard for strong wheat, not less than:	Cultivar
		Amurskaya 1495	DALGAU-1	Primorskaya 40	Lyra 98
1,000-kernel weight (g)	30	38.6	28.5	34.7	30.7
Grain unit (g/l)	740	792	690	745	790
Vitreousness (%)	60	50	53	53	51
Protein (%)	14	13.6	14.0	14.8	14.7
Flour output (%)	65	67	70	70	73
Gluten content in flour (%)	32	28.0	28,8	31.2	32.6
Dough elasticity (alveograph, mm)	80	59	84	63	80
Elasticity and stretching ratio (units)	0.8-2.0	0.5	1.0	1.0	0.8
Flour strength (alveograph units)	280	206	242	147	285
Water absorption (%)	75	62	64	64	64
Dough resistant to dilution (min)	7	7	5	3	8
Dough dilution (pharinograph units)	< 60	70	100	140	50
Valorimetric mark (valorimetric units)	70	70	58	52	70
Bread output from 100 g of flour (cm^3^)	1,200	1,070	1,030	970	1,130
Baking quality (mark)	4.5	4.3	4.0	3.5	4.5

Reference.

• Pumpyanskey AY. 1971. Technological properties of soft wheat. Leningrad. P. 9 (in Russian).
• Shindin I, Cherpak V, and Phirstov S. 2004. Enzyme and mycosis exhaustion in seeds of Triticum aestivum in the far eastern Russian Federation. Ann Wheat Newslet 50:109-111.
  

IRKUTSK STATE AGRICULTURAL ACADEMY
Molodyozhnyi settlement, Irkutsk, 664038, Russian Federation.

Impact of long-term mineral fertilization on the spring wheat harvest on Pribaikal'ye Gray Forest land. [p. 110-112]

V.V. Zhitov, A.A. Dolgopolov, and O.S. Naumova, and A.K. Glyanko (Siberian Institute of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, PO Box 1243, Irkutsk, 664033, Russian Federation).

The interaction of mineral fertilizers (as anthropogenic factor) on all the components of the agroecosystem are obvious. In the long term, soil fertility and harvests are affected. Early investigations (Zhitov et al. 2004) revealed that without mineral fertilizers soil fertility is gradually degraded, most pronounced in the reduction of the humus content of the soil. Long-term mineral fertilization (NPK) in the complex proportions optimal for a given soil type stabilizes this and other parameters of soil fertility. The consolidated results of 20 years investigations on the productivity of spring wheat on the typical Pribaikal'ye (Eastern Siberia) gray forest cultivated land depending on the mineral fertilization are summarized here.

Materials and methods. The studies were made in a five field-crop rotation regime: pure fallow, wheat, barley, side-rate fallow, wheat. and 8-variant scheme as follows: control (no fertilizer); N60; P40; K60; P40 K60; N60K60; and N60P40K60. Tests were repeated four times. Potassium chloride, double super-phosphate, and ammonium nitrate were used as fertilizers. The area under crops equaled 480 m^2^ and the registered area was 240 m^2^. Test sites were located according to the field tests using the spring wheat Tulunskaya 14 and the spring barley Odessky 115. Oily radish (Raphanus sativus L., var. oleifera) was used as a side-rate plant. Productivity in wheat and barley were expressed in metric centner/ha (mc/ha).

Results. Spring wheat productivity in the last 20 years with various predecessors in the crop rotation (Tables 1 and 2) confirms that potential soil productivity depends significantly on the climatic conditions. Productivity fluctuated in the control variant throughout the years. With pure fallow before wheat, productivity ranges from 7.1 to 32.4 mc/ha; with side-rate fallow, from 7.3 to 33.2 mc/ha; and with a crop predecessor, from 7.5 to 26 mc/ha.

The most stable harvests were obtained with pure fallow as a predecessor in the variant with PK introduction, the harvest values ranged between 11.0 and 34.6 mc/ha. This variant demonstrated the highest average productivity in 15 years, 24 mc/ha, which corresponded to the NPK variant, and exceeded the control variant by 3.8 mc/ha. This variant also had the maximum harvests in 2002. With side-rate fallow as a predecessor, the most stable harvests were in the variant with complete mineral fertilization, fluctuating from 11.2 to 37.2 mc/ha in the last 20 years.

When spring barley follows wheat, fairly stable harvests throughout the years were observed in variants with the introduction of nitrogen in combination with phosphorus or potassium and complex.

Considering the efficiency of different forms of mineral fertilizers when crops precede, in the Pribaikal'ye Forest-steppe Zone, introduction of nitrogen fertilizers, particularly with their one-sided use for pure fallow, is inefficient (see multiyear data in Table 1). Significant increase in efficiency follows with the introduction of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and their combination. With side-rate fallow depending on the weather conditions, variants with PK and NPK proved to be the most efficient.

Without nitrogen applied to the fore crop under the weather conditions of our region, we do not expect good results. The highest efficiency is with complete fertilizer (NPK) in moderate doses. In 2002, the barley harvest was doubled compared to control due to N60P40K60 use (Table 3).

Table 3. Long-term mineral fertilization impact on spring barley productivity (side rate fallow as a predecessor, metric center (mc)/ha). Data is for the Pribaikal'ye Gray Forest cultivated land of Eastern Siberia.

Treatment	Average productivity				2002 harvest (mc/ha)	Harvest value, fluctuation (mc/ha)
	1981-85	1986-90	1991-95	For 15 years
Control (no fertilizer)	10.7	9.4	15.8	11.7	16.4	7.5-26.0
N60	14.7	16.3	20.8	17.0	24.8	6.7-27.0
P40	12.8	11.0	17.5	13.5	14.6	8.5-24.0
K60	11.8	9.8	16.2	12.3	17.4	5.4-20.0
P40K60	12.8	11.0	18.7	13.9	17.5	6.2-22.7
N60P40	17.3	18.2	23.9	19.5	28.1	11.0-26.9
N60K60	18.5	18.3	23.3	19.8	27.1	11.7-28.5
N60P40K60	19.3	19.7	26.0	21.3	32.6	11.1-28.9

Analyzing the change in productivity with time shows that by the efficiency of increasing the complexity of mineral fertilization grows compared with the control.

The above results may be summarized as follows: the soil type under investigation possesses a medium potential productivity and fairly stable agrochemical parameters and, therefore, may ensure a relatively high, long-term productivity of crops using established crop-rotation conditions and introducing moderate doses of mineral fertilizers.

Publication and reference.

• Zhitov BB, Dolgopolov AA, and Dmitriyev NN. 2004. Agrochemistry in the south of Eastern Siberia. Irkutsk. 336 pp (In Russian).
  

 

 

MOSCOW STATE UNIVERSITY
119992, Moscow, GSP-2, Leninskye Gory, Biology Faculty, Department of Mycology and Algology, Russian Federation.
www. lekomtseva@herba.msu.ru

 

The analysis of Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici populations in the Russian Federation and the Ukraine in 2001. [p. 112-115]

.S. Skolotneva, V.T. Volkova, Yu.V. Maleeva, L.G. Zaitseva, and S.N. Lekomtseva.

In Russia, stem rust develops on wheat crops at different frequencies during different seasons. In 2001, disease development was noted on many wheat cultivars in separate regions of the Russian Federation and the Ukraine. We analyzed 75 monouredinial clones of P graminis f.sp. tritici that were isolated from samples of infected wheat plants in the Northern Caucasus (the Rostov area), in the central Russia (Moscow and the Moscow area), and in Ukraine (the Kiev area). Twenty-one races of the pathogen were determined based on the standard Pgt scale (Roelfs and Martens 1988) with the addition of Sr lines 9a, 9d, 10, and Tmp (Table 1).

Twelve races from the Northern Caucasus were identified. Race TKNT dominated with a frequency of 27.3 %. Seven races were identified in the Ukraine and central Russian Federation, and race TKNT also prevailed over all others (45.8 % (the Ukraine) and 28.6 % (central Russian Federation)) (Table 2).

The Shannon diversity index (H), which commonly is used to characterize diversity (Magurran 1983) was calculated for evaluating the races in each region. Pathogen populations from the Northern Caucasus have shown the maximum value of the H-index (2,245). Thus, relatively distinct populations were defined by virulence.

RAPD-PCR, which was successfully used earlier to estimate DNA polymorphism in rust fungi, including P. graminis f.sp. tritici (Chen et al. 1993, 1995; Kolmer et al. 1995; McCallum et al. 1999; Kolmer et al. 2000; MacDonald et al. 2000; Maleeva et al. 2003), was used to evaluate the degree of molecular variation between isolates collected from different geographic populations. DNA was extracted by the CTAB method (Griffith and Shaw 1998) from 28 isolates, marked in Table 1. The RAPD-PCR reactions primers Core (5'-GAGGGTGGXGGXTCT-3) and PR3 (5'-(GTG)5-3') were used separately and in combination (Maleeva et. al. 2003). In all cases, polymorphism of the amplification products was found (Figure 1). Dendrograms from the UPGMA clustering (Treecon for Windows) grouped the isolates in almost the same manner. The dendrogram constructed on the data using primer Core by an index bootstrap was the most stable (Figure 2).

Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici isolates tested by RAPD tend to be divided in relation with their geographical region. In the dendrogram, North Caucasus isolates generated one cluster (C) with a high degree of association (93 % at a level of 0.2 relative genetic units). Isolates from Central Russian Federation and the Ukraine formed another cluster (A) (96 % probability of association at a level of 0.1 relative genetic unit). A separate group (B) was formed from isolates allocated with barberry (Figure 2).

The analysis of the population structure in P. graminis f.sp. tritici shows relative geographic separation of the tested isolates. The existence of some common races (on virulence data) and similar RAPD patterns assumed some genetic exchange between populations of P. graminis f.sp. tritici by air during infection of wheat. Distinguishing the Northern Caucasus population in 2001 and the maximum number of races was accompanied by the presence of early local sources of P. graminis f.sp. tritici infection (Lekomtseva 1996). Allocation of separate group of isolates from barberry (RAPD-PCR data) showed that the sexual process contributed to variability in the fungus.

The UPGMA method was used for cluster analysis (Program Treecon for Windows (the version 1.3b). The cluster analysis and calculation of genetic distance after Link et al. (1995). The analysis of reliability was by the bootstrap method on 100 repetitions. A, B, and C the main clusters noticed on the dendrogram. Dominant race was TKNT.

References.

• Chen XM and Leung H. 1993. Relationship between virulence variation and DNA polymorphism in Puccinia striiformis. Phytopathology 83:1489-1497.
• Chen XM, Leung H, and Line RF. 1995. Virulence and polymorphic DNA relationships of Puccinia striiformis f.sp. hordei to other Rusts. Phytopathology. 85:1335-1342.
• Griffith GW, Shaw DS, and Snell R. 1998. Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) on tomato in the Tropics Mycologist 9:87-89.
• Kolmer JA and Liu JQ. 1994. Sies M. Virulence and polymorphism in Puccinia recondita f.sp. tritici in Canada. Phytopathology 85:276-285.
• Kolmer JA, Liu JQ, and Sies M. 1995. Virulence and polymorphism in Puccinia recondita f.sp. tritici in Canada Phytopathology 85:276-285.
• Kolmer JA and Liu JQ. 2000. Virulence and molecular polymorphism in International Collection of the wheat leaf rust fungus Puccinia triticina Phytopathology 90:427-436.
• Lekomtseva SN, Chaika MN, and Volkova VT. 1996. Izoferments of some formae specialis Puccinia graminis Pers. Mycologia i phytopathologia 30(2):35-38 (in Russian).
• Magurran AE. 1983. Ecological Diversity and Its Measurement. University College of North Wales, Bangor.
• McCallum BD, Roelfs AP, Szabo LJ, and Groth JV. 1999. Comparison of Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici from South America and Europe. Plant Path 48:574-581.
• Roelfs AP and Martens JW. 1988. An international system of nomenclature for Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici. Phytopathology. 78:526-533.
  

Pathogenicity of the stem rust Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici in the central Russian Federation in 2003. [p. 115-117].

S.N. Lekomtseva, V.T. Volkova, L.G. Zaitseva, and M.N. Chaika.

In last 20 years, development of a stem rust on wheat in the Russian Federation was serious. A large variability in environmental conditions in the expansive territory provided a background for the occurrence and reproduction of the stem rust infection on wheat (Elansky and Lekomtseva 1996; Maleeva et al. 2003).

Outbreaks of rust on grain crops is known to completely depend on resistance of the plant hosts, favorable climate conditions, infection sources, and susceptibility to the pathogen of plants at different vegetative stages. The interaction between infection period, resistance of wheat cultivars, and environments conditions is difficult to determine (Eversmeyer and Kramer 2000). Resistance is controlled by genes of different genetic origin, many of which have been transferred to wheat plant from wild cereal species (Hulbert et al. 2002).

In the Russian Federation and the countries of the former Soviet Union, P. graminis f.sp. tritici races were studied for 60-80 years in the 1900s (Lekomtseva 1996). Overwintering regions and pathogen reproduction were determined. The race structure was determined at sexual and asexual reproduction stage. Genes for resistance in some of wheat cultivars and virulence genes in the pathogen were determined. Cultivars resistant to stem rust were introduced. Because of a decreased level of stem rust infection on wheat, interest in the populations structure of the fungus has declined. Recent stem rust outbreaks make studying the population structure of the pathogen on different host plants in different regions of the Russian Federation a necessity.

During the last decade, interest in studying stem rust development on barberry (the intermediate host) and wild species (additional host-plants) increased. The barberry can be source new fungus genotypes as a result of sexual recombination. The wild species, in addition to a decreasing level of perennial cereal grasses, can help infection accumulation of the pathogen. We wanted to study P. graminis f.sp. tritici races structure in the central Russian Federation on barberry plants and wild cereal species.

In 2003, no stem rust developed on wheat was not observed because of dry, hot conditions. Separate P. graminis f.sp. tritici aecia were collected from the end of May to June from barberry plants in the botanical garden of Moscow University, the main botanical garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and in private plots in the Moscow region. Fungal uredinia were collected on couch grass (Elytrigia repens) and barley at the end of July and August at different sites in the Moscow regions. A total of 14 samples (eight from barberry, five from couchgrass, and one from barley) were collected. Aeciospores and urediniospores were used to infect the susceptible wheat cultivar Khakasskaya. Five monouredinial clones were isolated and reproduced for each isolate. Races were screened according the Pgt system using 16 isogenic wheat lines (Roelfs and Martin 1998; Long et al. 2004).

In 2003, stem rust on wheat was not found. The aecia of the fungus was found on barberry, barley, and couch grass. Seven pathogen races were identified using 16 Sr wheat lines (Table 3). Two races, TTNT (virulence to Sr5, Sr6, Sr7b, Sr8a, Sr9a, Sr9d, Sr9e, Sr9g, Sr10, Sr11, Sr21, Sr30, Sr36, and SrTmp) and MKNS (Sr5, Sr6, Sr8a, Sr7b, Sr9a, Sr9d, Sr9g, Sr10, Sr30, and Sr36) dominated in the central Russian Federation and comprised 38.1 % and 23.7 %, respectively, of the total population. Race TTNS (Sr5, Sr6, Sr7b, Sr8a, Sr9a, Sr9d, Sr9e, Sr9g, Sr10, Sr11, Sr21, Sr30, and Sr36) made up 14.3 % of the population. Other races were present in much lower quantities. Races TTNT, MKNS, and TKNT were found on wheat in the central Russian Federation, the Northern Caucasus and in the Ukraine in 2001, a season favorable for development of wheat stem rust. Six races on barberry, two races on couch grass, and one on barley were identified (Table 4). All races were characterized by high virulence. In the dominate race TTNT, 14 virulence genes were identified.

Evaluation of isogenic wheat lines indicated that the majority of the genes except Sr9b and Sr17 were susceptible to the stem rust in 2003 (Table 5). The resistance of wheat lines with Sr9b, Sr9e, Sr11, Sr21, Sr30, and Sr36 were susceptible in the hot growing conditions in 2003 (Lekomtseva 2004).

Based on the race structure in 2003 during a light stem rust infection on wheat, we assumed that under unfavorable conditions the fungus maintains virulence phenotypes on the intermediate (barberry) and additional host-plants (wild cereals). Comparing the race structure of P. graminis f. sp. tritici in the central Russian Federation and the race structure in the U.S. during the same year, Long et al. (2004) showed a significant difference between populations of the fungus in the European and American continents. Long-term observations of the decline in the stem rust pathogen on the host and a simultaneous increase of fungus development on wild cereals species can indicate that during years of low infection, infection potential changes from agrocenosis to biocenosis.

References.

• Elansky SN and Lekomtseva SN. 1998. Various fungal taxa spores frequency in the lowermost layer atmosphere in Middle Russia. Micologia i fitopatologia P. 37-43 (In Russian).
• Eversmeyer MG and Kramer CL. 2001. Epidemiology of wheat leaf and stem rust in the Central Great Plants of the USA. 2000. Ann Rev Phytopath 38:491-513.
• Hulbert SH, Webb CA, Smith SM, and Sun Q. 2001. Resistance gene complexes: Evolution and Utilization. Ann Rev Phytopath 39:285-312.
• Lekomtseva SN. 1996. Intraspecial structure of Puccinia graminis Pers. Doctoral dissertation, Moscow State University. 37 pp. (In Russian).
• Lekomtseva SN and Volkova VT. 1999. Susceptibility of grain species to Puccinia graminis Pers. (Mycota, Basidiomycetes, Uredinales) and intraspecial structure of Puccinia graminis Pers. In: Materials of X Moscow Conf in Phylogeny of Plants, Moscow State University, Moscow. Pp. 99-101 (In Russian).
• Lekomtseva SN, Volkova VT, and Chaika MN. 1999. Populations of stem rust pathogen Puccinia graminis tritici on Pgt-lines of wheat. Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, Ser Biologia Pp. 48-50 (In Russian).
• Lekomtseva SN, Volkova VT, and Chaika MN. 2000. 'Ecial populations' of Puccinia graminis on barberry plants in the region where sexual or asexual development of the fungus dominates. Micologia i fitopatologia Pp. 59-62 (In Russian).
• Long DL, Kolmer YJ, Hughes ME, and Wanschura LA. 2004. Wheat rusts in the United States in 2003. Ann Wheat Newslet 50:238-248.

Publications. [p. 117]

• Lekomtseva SN. 2003. The fungies of the genus Puccinia Pers. (Uredinales, Basidiomycota). The Taxonomic analysis. New in Systematics and Nomenclature of fungies. Moscow. The National Academy Mycology. Pp. 402-417 (In Russian).
• Lekomtseva SN, Maleeva YuV, Samochina IY, Insarova ID, and Zhemtchuzhina AI. 2003. Genetic polymorphism in populations of Puccinia triticina in Russia in 2000. In: 'Actual Problems Genetics' Materials II, Conf of Moscow Vavilov Soc of Geneticists and Selectionist, Moscow, 20-21 February. Pp. 151-152 (In Russian).
• Lekomtseva SN, Maleeva YuV, and Insarova ID. 2003. Methodical approaches to estimation of geographical variability of biotrophic fungi. In: 'Actual Problems Genetics' Materials II Conf of Moscow Vavilov Soc of Geneticists and Selectionist. Moscow. 20-21 February. Pp. 131-132 (In Russian).
• Lekomtseva SN, Volkova VT, Zaitseva LG, and Chaika MN. 2003. Pathotypes Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici in Russia and Ukraine. In: 'Actual Problems Genetics' Materials II Conf of Moscow Vavilov Soc of Geneticists and Selectionist. Moscow, 20-21 February. Pp. 121-122 (In Russian).
• Lekomtseva SN, Volkova VT, Zaitseva LG, Insarova ID, and Chaika MN. 2003. The estimation of parameters of inraspecies variability Puccinia graminis Pers. (Basidiomycota, Urediniomycetes, Uredinales). In: Materials of XI Moscow Conf in Phylogeny of Plants. Moscow State University, Moscow. Pp. 99-101 (In Russian).
• Maleeva YV, Lebedeva LA, Insarova ID, and Lekomtseva SN. 2003. Research of genetic variability of geographical isolates of Puccinia graminis Pers. f.sp. tritici. J Rus Phytopath Soc 4:31-40 (In Russian).
• Lekomtseva SN, Insarova ID, and Chaika MN. 2004. Isozyme analysis of special forms of Puccinia graminis Pers. In: Proc 14th Internat Reinhardsbrunn Symp Modern Fungicides and Antifungal Compounds. 25-29 April, Reinhardsbrunn. P. 30 (In Russian).
• Lekomtseva SN, Maleeva YuV, Insarova ID, Skolotneva ES, and Chaika MN. 2004. The estimation of variability of biotrophs fungi. In: Genetics in XXI age: modern condition and prospects of development, Materials III Conf All Russian Soc of Geneticists and Selectionist. Moscow, 6-12 June. 1:457 (In Russian).
• Lekomtseva SN, Volkova VT, Zaitseva LG, and Chaika MN. 2004. Pathotypes of Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici from different host-plants in 1996-2000. Micologia i fitopatologia 38(5):37-43 (In Russian).
• Maleeva YuV, Samochina IY, and Lekomtseva SN. 2004. RAPD-analysis and structure of populations of leaf rust of wheat (Puccinia triticina). In: Genetics in XXI age: modern condition and prospects of development, Materials III Conf All Russian Soc of Geneticists and Selectionist. Moscow, 6-12 June. 2:212 (In Russian).
  

SARATOV STATE AGRARIAN UNIVERSITY named after N.I. VAVILOV

Department of Biotechnology, Plant Breeding and Genetics, 1 Teatralnaya Sg., Saratov 410600, Russian Federation.

Cytogenetic and phytopathologic evaluation of bread wheat-alien lines. [p. 116]

N.V. Stupina, E.D. Badaeva (Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Vavilova St., 36, Moscow), Yu.V. Lobachev, and S.N. Sibikeev (Agricultural Research Institute for South-East regions, Tulaikov St., 7, Saratov, Russian Federation).

Bread wheat-alien lines were produced in the Agricultural Research Institute for South-East Regions by crossing cultivars of bread wheat with T. turgidum subsp. durum cultivars L1078 and L2505, T. turgidum subsp. dicoccoides line L2560, Ae. speltoides lines L2608 and L2166, Ae. umbellulata lines L1046/2 and L1074/2, S. cereale line L2075, Ag. intermedium lines L1740, Multy 6R, and L1059, and Ag. elongatum lines L1015 and L1016. All investigated lines have 42 chromosomes. C-banding patterns of the abovementioned lines showed that some of the lines have a substitution of bread wheat chromosomes by alien chromosomes: L1059 and Multy 6R, 6Agi (6D); L1015 and L1016, 3Age (3D); and L1046/2 and L1074/2, 2U (2A). Other lines have translocations: L2608, T2BL-2SL (these lines were kindly provided by I.F. Lapochkinoj); L2166, T2D-2S; and L2075, T1RS·1BL.

Analysis of the first meiotic metaphase in the F1 hybrids 'L1078/Saratovskaya 29' and 'L2505/Saratovskaya 29 shows that chromosome pairing is normal, but 2 to 4 univalents were observed in the 'L2560/Saratovskaya 29 F1 hybrid. Line L2560 may have a inversion in the from T. turgidum subsp. dicoccoides chromosome, which carries a gene for resistance to leaf rust.

Phytopathologic evaluation of perspective spring bread wheat-alien lines were made. The bread wheat cultivars Saratovskaya 55 and L 503 served as controls. For resistance to leaf rust in 2003-04, we selected lines Multy 6R, L487, L484, and L2870, which had the infection type (IT) 0;. The IT in lines L784, L856, and the check cultivars was 3. To evaluate powdery mildew resistance, all lines had an IT = 3, with the exception of L487, which had an IT = 2. The IT of Saratovskaya 55 was 4 and that of L 503 was 1. For stem rust resistance, lines L784 (IT = 1) and L856 (IT = 0;) were considered resistant; all other lines were IT = 3.

Study of embryogenic processes in the wheat somatic callus with the use of genetic models. [p. 116]

N.V. Evseeva, I.Yu. Fadeeva, and S.Yu. Shchyogolev (Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, 13 Entusiastov Ave., Saratov), and O.V. Tkachenko and Yu.V. Lobachev.

In vitro somatic embryogeny is used widely in investigations of specific gene expression and their translation products, which are representative of the embryogenic potential of plant callus cells. To solve these problems, we need to create experimental genetic models based on isogenic lines with a known functional relationship between the gene expression and the phenotypic behavior of the protein encoded.

Previously, we described the relationship between the embryogenic potential of wheat calli and the content of the proliferative antigen of initial cells (PAI) therein by a genetic model including a tall cultivar (Saratovskaya 29) of soft spring wheat and its NILs differing in the dwarfing gene Rht-B1c. This genetic model is extended here by investigating lines with RhtB1b and Rht14 alleles and their tall sibs. Relative, semiquantitative analysis of PAI content was done on a basis of a solid-phase immunoassay using monospecific antibodies to PAI. Dwarf lines have a higher embryogenic potential than their tall sibs and Saratovskaya 29 in PAI content at certain stages of the callus genesis (24 and 30 days). In addition, the embryogenic potential of dwarf line RhtB1c exceeds that of the other dwarf lines (RhtB1b and Rht14), which have less embryogenic potential in the PAI content. This fact can be used in bioengineering work when evaluating the embryogenic potential of newly produced wheat lines in an in vitro culture.

Contributions from the Russian Federation continue with the Siberian Institute of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.