Search Results (8)

×Trititrigia cziczinii Tzvelev is a promising crop developed through distant hybridization between Elytrigia intermedia (Host) Nevski (=Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey) and Triticum aestivum L., followed by backcrossing with wheat. This study elucidates the genomic composition of this hybrid and its parental taxa using molecular phylogenetic analysis of nuclear (ITS, ETS) and chloroplast (trnK–rps16, ndhF) DNA markers, complemented by Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) of the 18S–ITS1–5.8S rDNA region. Results from Sanger sequencing revealed that the primary nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of the hybrid originates from Triticum aestivum; a finding strongly supported by both Bayesian inference and Maximum Likelihood analyses. Chloroplast DNA data unequivocally indicate maternal inheritance from T. aestivum. In contrast, ETS sequence analysis showed phylogenetic affinity to Elytrigia intermedia, suggesting complex genomic reorganization or chimeric sequence formation in the hybrid. NGS data corroborate the dominance of T. aestivum-like ribotypes in the hybrid’s rDNA pool, with only a minor fraction identical to the main ribotype of E. intermedia. Genetic structure analysis further revealed geographic heterogeneity in the genomic composition of E. intermedia populations. The predominance of the wheat genome in ×T. cziczinii is likely a consequence of stabilizing backcrosses and illustrates a case of rDNA elimination from one parental genome during hybridization. This research underscores the complex genomic dynamics in artificial hybrids and the utility of multi-marker phylogenetic approaches for clarifying their origins. Full article

Against the backdrop of growing climatic variability, the identification of genotypes combining high yield with stability and resilience to stress factors has become a central objective of contemporary wheat breeding. Therefore, the objective of this work was to assess the stability and adaptability of a collection of 13 wheat–wheatgrass hybrids (WWHs, lines) (Triticum aestivum L. (2n = 42)) in comparison with 10 commercial spring bread wheat (Tr. aestivum L.) cultivars under various meteorological conditions. This study was conducted in one location (Moscow region, Russia) over three growing seasons (2020, 2021, and 2022), which included a highly stressful year (2021) characterized by a severe combination of drought and heat during critical growth stages. Statistical analysis employed analysis of variance (ANOVA), clustering, and modern models for assessing the genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI)—AMMI (Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction). The results showed a significant effect of year conditions on all yield components. Under the stressful conditions of 2021, most genotypes exhibited a 30–70% decrease in productivity. Cluster analysis revealed a dynamic regrouping of genotypes depending on the conditions of the growing season. The AMMI model identified genotypes with high stability, such as Sudarinya (ASV = 9.3) and WWH 200 (ASV = 11.2), as well as genotypes specifically adapted to certain conditions: KWS Akvilon (ASV = 52.1) to stressful conditions and WWH 127 (ASV = 55.9) to favorable conditions. Under stress, lines WWH 107, WWH 127, and WWH 2430 exhibited the most adaptive strategies, including compensatory mechanisms, making these hybrids promising for further breeding. In conclusion, although wheat–wheatgrass hybrids demonstrate high productive potential under favorable conditions, their successful use in breeding requires the selection of genotypes that combine productivity and stress resistance. The identified stable and adaptive genotypes are valuable for developing new competitive cultivars under changing climatic conditions. Full article

The review summarizes the historical and current research on perennial grain breeding in Russia within the context of growing global interest in perennial crops. N.V. Tsitsin’s pioneering work in the 1930s produced the first wheat–wheatgrass amphiploids, which demonstrated the capacity to regrow after harvest and survive for 2–3 years. Subsequent research at the Main Botanical Garden in Moscow focused on characterizing Tsitsin’s material, selecting superior germplasm, and expanding genetic diversity through new cycles of hybridization and selection. This work led to the development of a new crop species, Trititrigia, and the release of cultivar ‘Pamyati Lyubimovoy’ in 2020, designed for dual-purpose production of high-quality grain and green biomass. Intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) is native to Russia, where several forage cultivars have been released and cultivated. Two large-grain cultivars (Sova and Filin) were developed from populations provided by the Land Institute and are now grown by farmers. Perennial rye was developed through interspecific crosses between Secale cereale and S. montanum, demonstrating persistence for 2–3 years with high biomass production and grain yields of 1.5–2.0 t/ha. Hybridization between Sorghum bicolor and S. halepense resulted in two released cultivars of perennial sorghum used primarily for forage production under arid conditions. Russia’s agroclimatic diversity in agricultural production systems provides significant opportunities for perennial crop development. The broader scientific and practical implications of perennial crops in Russia extend to climate-resilient, sustainable agriculture and international cooperation in this emerging field. Full article

This work is devoted to the study of the dynamics of changes in the composition of the heap of cereal crops during maturation and identifying the optimal stage at which the grain heap has a high feed value. We studied the grain heap of winter wheat of the Admiral variety, perennial winter wheat (Trititrigia) of the Pamyati Lyubimovoy variety, and gray wheatgrass of the Sova variety for the amino acid composition, and protein, moisture, iron, phosphorus, selenium, zinc, starch, and vitamin E contents. Cereal crops harvested at the hard wax ripeness stage demonstrated a 3–4% higher protein content, along with increased levels of certain amino acids and minerals such as iron and selenium. The grain heap of hard waxy ripeness wheat was studied for prebiotic properties. The study found that it increases the number of lactic acid bacteria in the intestinal microbiota and therefore is a promising prebiotic for agriculture. Based on this study, the recommended concentration of grain heap of waxy ripeness wheat as a feed additive is 1%. Full article

The leaf surface micromorphology and the size of the stomatal complex of hybrids in the eighth seed generation from the crossing of ×Trititrigia cziczinii × Elymus farctus (f11814) on the wheat-like wheat-wheatgrass hybrid w107 were investigated by performing scanning electron microscopy of frozen samples (cryoSEM). The micromorphological characteristics of the paternal plants (w107) were dominant in the hybrid leaves. Costal long cells with silicified wavy walls, characteristic of w107 but absent in the mother plants f11814 and E. farctus, were observed in all hybrid samples examined. Conversely, shield-shaped prickles, a characteristic feature of E. farctus, were retained only in some hybrids. In addition, the maternal feature of Ω-shaped junctions of long epidermal cells in the intercostal zone was completely absent in hybrids. Quantitative parameters of the stomatal apparatus showed a weak correlation with micromorphological markers. Stomatal density on the adaxial side was inversely correlated with stomatal size, while variation in these parameters on the abaxial side occurred independently. The prevalence of paternal micromorphological traits in the hybrids seems to be a consequence of the elimination of genetic material from E. farctus, analogous to the loss of chromosomes from wild species observed in other distant crosses. Full article

Thinopyrum intermedium (2n = 6x = 42, E^eE^eE^bE^bStSt or JJJ^sJ^sStSt) contains a large number of genes that are highly adaptable to the environment and immune to a variety of wheat diseases, such as powdery mildew, rust, and yellow dwarf, making it an important gene source for the genetic improvement of common wheat. Currently, an important issue plaguing wheat production and breeding is the spread of pests and illnesses. Breeding disease-resistant wheat varieties using disease-resistant genes is currently the most effective measure to solve this problem. Moreover, alien resistance genes often have a stronger disease-resistant effect than the resistance genes found in common wheat. In this study, the wheat-Th. intermedium partial amphiploid line 92048 was developed through hybridization between Th. intermedium and common wheat. The chromosome structure and composition of 92048 were analyzed using ND-FISH and molecular marker analysis. The results showed that the chromosome composition of 92048 (Octoploid Trititrigia) was 56 = 42W + 6J + 4J^s + 4St. In addition, we found that 92048 was highly resistant to a mixture of stripe rust races (CYR32, CYR33, and CYR34) during the seedling stage and fusarium head blight (FHB) in the field during the adult plant stage, suggesting that the alien or wheat chromosomes in 92048 had disease-resistant gene(s) to stripe rust and FHB. There is a high probability that the gene(s) for resistance to stripe rust and FHB are from the alien chromosomes. Therefore, 92048 shows promise as a bridge material for transferring superior genes from Th. intermedium to common wheat and improving disease resistance in common wheat. Full article

The article presents the research results on the cultivation of a new perennial cereal crop of winter wheat hybrid and wheatgrass—perennial winter wheat (Trititrigia) of the “Pamyati Lyubimovoy” variety (hereinafter—Trititrigia) in the southern zone of the Rostov region over two years. The purpose of the research is to assess the degree of suitability for the use of a new perennial cereal crop—Trititrigia in the southern zone of the Rostov region. The yield, technological indicators of grain, and baking properties of flour were taken as evaluation criteria. The study of all aspects of Trititrigia cultivation was carried out in comparative sowings with winter wheat of the Stanichnaya variety, common in the Rostov region, of the Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy” (ARC Donskoy). As a result of the research, it was found that the average biological yield of Trititrigia in the southern zone of the Rostov region in two years was 4.28 t ha⁻¹, which was 1.57 t ha⁻¹ less than that of the control sowing of winter wheat of the Stanichnaya variety. The weight of the straw part with an ear of Trititrigia is 1.9 times higher than that of winter wheat of the “Stanichnaya” variety. Technological indicators of the quality of Trititrigia grain corresponded to the first class in terms of amount of protein (more than 19%), gluten (33.34%), and falling number (274 s); the third class according to the gluten deformation index (GDI) (81.5 points); the fifth class according to the natural mass of grain (691 g L⁻¹). The general baking evaluation of Trititrigia grain allowed it to be classified as valuable wheat. Full article

The halophytic wild relatives within Triticeae might provide valuable sources of salt tolerance for wheat breeding, and attempts to use these sources of tolerance have been made for improving salt tolerance in wheat by distant hybridization. A novel wheat substitution line of K17-1078-3 was developed using common wheat varieties of Chuannong16 (CN16), Zhengmai9023 (ZM9023), and partial amphidiploid Trititrigia8801 (8801) as parents, and identified as the 3E(3D) substitution line. The substitution line was compared with their parents for salt tolerance in hydroponic culture to assess their growth. The results showed that less Na⁺ accumulation and lower Na⁺/K⁺ ratio in both shoots and roots were achieved in K17-1078-3 under salinity compared to its wheat parents. The root growth and development of K17-1078-3 was less responsive to salinity. When exposed to high salt treatment, K17-1078-3 had a higher photosynthesis rate, more efficient water use efficiency, and greater antioxidant capacity and stronger osmotic adjustment ability than its wheat parents. In conclusion, a variety of physiological responses and root system adaptations were involved in enhancing salt tolerance in K17-1078-3, which indicated that chromosome 3E possessed the salt tolerance locus. It is possible to increase substantially the salt tolerance of wheat by the introduction of chromosome 3E into wheat genetic background. Full article