Introduction of grain cowpea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vigna unguiculata</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">cylindrical</Emphasis> (L.) Verdc.) in the Lower Volga

Introduction of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata subsp. cylindrical (L.) Verdc.) in the Lower Volga region is the possibility of using this culture for agricultural production, fodder production, and expanded range of food products. Selection for earliness in the model population of cowpea should be accompanied by the identification of genotypes with high intensity of biomass accumulation in the shoots-flowering interphase period.     

Allelopathic effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thymus kotschyanus</Emphasis> on seed germination and initial growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bromus tomentellus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trifolium repens</Emphasis>

The allelopathic influence of aqueous extracts of Thymus kotschyanus on Bromus tomentellus and Trifolium repens germination (%), germination speed, and seedling growth (length, fresh and dry weight) was examined. It was noted that aqueous extracts had a considerable inhibitory effect on target plant germination, and the effect at 50%, 75%, and 100% concentration was found to be significantly higher than that at lower concentrations (5% and 25%) and control treatment (distilled water). Seedling length in addition to fresh and dry weights was also reduced significantly over control. The inhibitory effect was increased as the extract concentration was increased. B. tomentellus showed a higher sensitivity against T. kotschyanus in allelopathic effects compared to T. repens, which indicates that B. tomentellus planted in rangelands with leaf litter of T. kotschyanus will be adversely affected in terms of its germination, growth, and ultimately low forage production.     

Screening and identification of antagonistic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis> spp. against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clavibacter michiganensis</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">michiganensis</Emphasis> from tomato rhizosphere

The objectives of our present study were to isolate antagonistic Streptomyces from tomato rhizosphere, and evaluate the potential strain for the biological control of bacterial canker of tomato. One hundred and seventy strains of isolated from tomato rhizosphere were tested for antibiosis activity against Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis on double-layer agar. Sixty-three isolates showed antibiosis activity with diameter of an inhibition zone ranging from 1.0–6.5 cm. Fifteen Streptomyces strains had strong antibiosis activity against C. m. subsp. michiganensis with diameter of the inhibition zone above 4.0 cm on double-layer agar. Especially, the strain named Z-L-22 showed the strongest antibiosis activity with 6.5 cm inhibition zone. The fermentation filtrate also showed a high inhibition activity against Gram-positive bacteria such as Streptomyces scabies, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis. Morphological, physiological and biochemical tests combined with 16S rDNA sequence analysis were carried out to identify the strain Z-L-22. Characteristics of the Z-L-22 were similar to those of Streptomyces setonii, and the 16S rDNA sequence showed 99.4% homology to S. setonii. Based on the polyphase taxonomic views, the Z-L-22 was identified as S. setonii.     

Assessment of salt tolerance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegilops</Emphasis> L. from the VIR collection

The effect of high NaCl concentrations on accumulation of biomass and change in content of sodium and potassium ions in 17 accessions of nine species of Aegilops L. is studied. Three salt-tolerant accessions (Ae. tauschii k-677 and 674 and Ae. cylindrica k-676) containing the D genome and having a high K/Na ratio are identified.     

Characteristics of interspecific hybrids between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pleurotus ostreatus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. eryngii</Emphasis>

In this study, three species of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus osturatus, P. eryngii and P. cornucopia) were crossed together in order to aggregate benefit special attributes to the genotype (s). The monokaryon of each of these species was prepared. Then, the monokaryons of two species were placed at 5 mm distance from each other to produce dikaryon. The results showed that, from among 700 crosses, only the crosses of eryngii and osturatus monokaryons were grown toward each other and produced clamps (dikaryons). Four produced hybrids were noted H₁, H₃₂, H₁₁ and H₄₀. The spans of produced hybrids were prepared; then, they were grown into sterile media and attributions of hybrids were studied. The results indicated that H₁₁ hybrid was an appropriate hybrid in terms of the number of days until growing, number of days until the observation of the first pin and the days from planting to harvest. However, H₄₀ was the best hybrid based on cap diameter, dry and fresh weight of fruit body, yield and biomass. It is expected that these interspecific hybrids employ for future oyster mushroom breeding programs.     

Selenium enriched Garden gress (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lepidium sativum</Emphasis> L.): Role of antioxidants and stress markers

Selenium (Se) is considered as an essential micronutrient for humans and animals. Sprouts of Garden cress (Lepidium sativum) were treated with different concentration of Se, growth parameters, antioxidant enzymes and stress markers were studied. 10 μM Se would be more beneficial, as at this concentration it showed altered biochemical traits without showing any toxicity symptoms.     

Expression analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">RUS1</Emphasis> and construction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">RUS1</Emphasis> plant expressing vector

RUS1 was one of the disease resistance gene analogs obtained from Setaria italica Beauv. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis result showed that RUS1 gene could be induced by Uromyces setariae-italicae and had relation to the resistance response of Setaria italica Beauv. against Uromyces setariae-italicae infection. Promoter sequence of RUS1 was obtained by the method of Genome Walking, and its length was 675 bp. RUS1 promoter and pCAMBIA1300 vector were fused to construct RUS1::GUS vector. GUS histochemical staining result showed that promoter could activate gene expression. RUS1 gene (including the promoter sequence) was obtained through PCR amplification and then fused with pCAMBIA1300 vector to construct pCAMBIA1300:RUS1 plant expressing vector. The research laid a foundation for gene functional identification of RUS1.     

Viral Diseases and Rehabilitation of Honeysuckle (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lonicera caerulea</Emphasis> L.) Plants

The prevalence of viruses in honeysuckle plants depends on the location of the plantation and the variety composition. TBRV virus had the maximal prevalence (28–60%) in most blue-berried honeysuckle stands. Prevalence of the ArMV virus ranged from 0 to 26%, that of the RpRSV virus ranged from 6 to 17%, and that of the SLRSV virus ranged from 7 to 25%. Most varieties of honeysuckle (67%) were infected with a complex of viruses, whereas no viruses were detected in certain varieties. The varieties produced at the Lisavenko Research Institute for Selection and Seedage had a higher degree of viral infection than those produced at the All-Russia Vavilov Research Institute of Plant Breeding. The viruses found in blue-berried honeysuckle plants were mostly in the latent form, but green leaf mottle and interstitial chlorosis were observed on individual bushes from a number of varieties. A tendency for virus infection accumulation with the extension of plant life was observed. TBRV and SLRSV transmission through seeds was registered, which is indicative of the need for improvement of the hybrid forms involved in the breeding process. The duration of dry air thermotherapy of honeysuckle plants should not exceed 30–45 days. Combined use of thermotherapy and meristem culture provided for an 80% yield of healthy plants.     

Monitoring cotton (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gossypium hirsutum</Emphasis> L.) germination using ultrahigh-resolution UAS images

Examination of seed germination rate is of great importance for growers early in the season to determine the necessity for replanting their fields. The objective of this study was to explore the potential of using unmanned aircraft system (UAS)-based visible-band images to monitor and quantify the cotton germination process. A light-weight UAS platform was used, which carried a consumer-grade red, green, and blue camera stabilized by a built-in gimbal system. In order to obtain ultrahigh image resolution during the germination stage, the UAS platform was flown at an altitude of approximately 15–20 m above ground. By applying the structure-from-motion (SfM) algorithm, the images were rectified and orthographically mosaicked with a ground sampling distance of approximately 6–9 mm/pixel. A novel solution was then developed for calculating the average plant size and the number of germinated cotton plants according to the leaf polygons extracted from the orthomosaic images. By using the estimated number of germinated cotton plants, the plant density and the cumulative germination rate can also be estimated in a straightforward manner using field-specific parameters. An assessment of the proposed solution was conducted by comparing the estimated number of the germinated cotton plants against ground observation data collected from six cotton row segments. The results demonstrated that the average estimation accuracy achieved 88.6% in terms of identifying the number of the germinated cotton plants. The accuracy may be further improved if images with near infrared band are employed.     

Use of molecular markers of potato golden nematode resistance genes <Emphasis Type="Italic">H1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">GRO1</Emphasis>

By means of DNA markers of potato golden nematode resistance genes H1 and Gro1, 109 Russian- and foreign-bred potato varieties are assessed. A sufficiently high level of coincidence of the presence of marker alleles with phenotypic resistance of potato varieties is revealed. However, not all resistant forms have specific amplification products. The use of DNA markers of only two genes H1 and Gro1 will not make it possible to completely replace mass laboratory testing, but it will make it possible to select potato forms resistant to this parasite by a simple and reliable method in a shorter time and thereby to considerably reduce the number of genotypes in the sample for further breeding.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">GH</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">DGAT1</Emphasis> gene polymorphism on feeding qualities of bull calves

The aim of this paper is to study effects of GH and DGAT1 gene polymorphisms on feeding qualities of Hereford and Limousin bull calves bred in conditions of the Cis-Ural steppe zone. SNPs of genes GH and DGAT1 are investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The studied population of animals was assessed by defining the allele frequency and animal genotype occurrence for the studied gene SNPs, indicators of the actual and expected heterozygosity, and Pearson’s test. A study of polymorphism C214G of gene GH revealed that genotype LL prevails in Hereford and Limousin animals, 47.37 and 57.7%, respectively, while frequency of allele L is higher in Limousin bull calves (0.731). A study of polymorphism K232A of gene DGAT1 gene in both the populations showed absence of genotypes AA, which can be related to the low number of the studied animals. Expected heterozygosity indicators of gene GH are higher than the observed ones, and the observed heterozygosity is higher for DGAT1. The number of efficient alleles for the studied genes is higher for Hereford bull calves. In general, according to Pearson’s test, both the studied populations are in equilibrium. There is a significant effect of GH gene polymorphism on live weight gain rates at the end of sagination and total and average daily weight gains during animal raising.     

Induced morphological mutants in soybean [<Emphasis Type="Italic">Glycine max</Emphasis> (L.) Merrill]

The seeds of two soybean cultivars viz., Pusa-16 and PK-1042 were treated with 15, 30, and 45 kR of gamma rays, three concentrations of ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%), and their combinations. Various morphological mutants were recorded in M₂ and M₃ generations. These morphological mutants were named on the basis of the part of the plant body affected. Eight different morphological mutants, i.e., tall, dwarf, gigas, black pod, smooth pod, black spotted seed, bold seeded, and early maturing were isolated. Among them, early maturing and bold seeded mutants had the potential to be incorporated into breeding programs.     

Founder effect and genogeography of <Emphasis Type="Italic">CV</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">BL</Emphasis>-mutations in black-and-white cattle

The results are obtained by simultaneous diagnostics of mutant CV- and BL-alleles. Five groups of animals–carriers and noncarriers of mutations are identified. In Russia the mutant CV-alleles are met more frequently because of the intensive use of their carriers. While elimination of BL-allele was started earlier due to developed methods, the diagnostics of CV-mutations has been undertaken later. Propagation of missense-mutations in the world and the Russian Federation has been occurring through the breeding bulls and cows–carriers. Initially spermobanks and, afterwards, cows were reserves for the diagnosed BLand CV-mutations.     

Activity of the photosynthetic apparatus and antioxidant enzymes in leaves of transgenic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum lycopersicum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nicotiana tabacum</Emphasis> plants,with <Emphasis Type="Italic">FeSOD1</Emphasis> gene

Introduction of the FeSOD gene enhanced the stability of the photosynthetic apparatus of plants to the action of oxidative stress caused by UV irradiation. The expression of Arabidopsis thaliana FeSOD gene, targeting the enzyme in chloroplasts due to a signal sequence, leaded to significant changes in ultrastructure of cell subcompartments of tobacco and tomato leaves. The activity of superoxide dismutase in leaves of transgenic tomato plants exceeded the value of activity of this enzyme of control plants. Transgenic tobacco plants showed increasing in SOD activity compared with control non-transgenic tobacco. The activity of AP in the leaves of transgenic tobacco and tomato plants was similar with that of control non-transgenic plants, but activity of one accession of transgenic tomato, which is also characterized by high values of SOD activity, exceeded the value of control plant. Differences in ultrastructural organization of chloroplasts in the cells of transgenic and control tobacco and tomato plants have been manifested in a strong enlargement in the size of plastoglobuli. These distinctions were evident especially in the cells of the leaf parenchyma of transgenic tomato as well as transgenic tobacco. Also, a quantity of starch grains in the plastids of guard cells was increased. Chloroplasts in the cells of leaf parenchyma in transgenic plants contained less a starch grains than in wild-type plants.     

Effects of NaCl stress on two blue fescue varieties (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Festuca glauca</Emphasis>)

Blue fescue is a widely used ornamental grass worldwide. Research on its salt resistance is propitious to its application in northern China where there are large areas of saline-alkali land. This study was conducted to examine the effects of NaCl stress on two blue fescue varieties Valesiaca and Select. Percentage of green leaves (PGL) of both Valesiaca and Select responded similarly to 0.3% and 0.6% NaCl treatments. Under a higher NaCl application level (1.2% NaCl), Valesiaca was reduced by below 60% at the 12th day and reached 20% at the end of the experiment, but Select to 71.67% at the 12th day and stayed over 50% unto the end. The 0.9% and 1.2% NaCl treatments sharply increased Proline content, and then reached and maintained at a maximum level throughout the treatment. Proline content of Valesiaca increased to 2.28 mmol·L⁻¹ at the 8th day after the 1.2% NaCl treatment, but only 0.95 mmol·L⁻¹ in the treatment of 0.3% at the same day. For Valesiaca, 1.2% NaCl treatment significantly increased its SOD activity to 30.69 units·mg⁻¹, nearly 50% higher than 0.3% treatment at the 8th day after treatment, and over 53% higher at the 27th day. POD activity of Valesiaca increased to 6.92 units·mg⁻¹ at the 8th day after the 1.2% NaCl treatment, but it was 2.59 units·mg⁻¹ for 0.3% stress treatment. In conclusion, similar changes of determined index were observed for both cultivars under low NaCl stress levels (0.3%–0.6%). However, Valesiaca was more sensitive and less tolerant to high level NaCl stress (0.9%–1.2%) than Select, indicating that Valesiaca was less resistant to NaCl compared with Select.     

Analysis of spring bread wheat varieties (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.) using microsatellite markers

The genetic polymorphism of 62 genotypes of spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) of different ecological and geographical origin has been studied for 13 microsatellite loci using SSR-markers. A cluster analysis has revealed samples for use in hybridization that are most genetically distant from the varieties of selection in Primorsky krai. Lines 161 and 168, which combine the resistance to spike and grain fusarium with a high productivity, were developed with the involvement of the selected varieties, Long 98-4081 (China) and Primorskaya 39 (Russia, Primorsky krai).     

Growth and yield response of wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.) to phosphobacterial inoculation

In this study growth and yield response of wheat crop to phosphobacterium inoculum was observed under sandy loam conditions. The investigations were carried out at field experiment. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design. The treatments were; 120-0-0 NPK kg/ha⁻¹ (T ₁), 120-50-0 kg/ha⁻¹ (T ₂), 120-100-0 NPK kg/ha⁻¹ (T ₃), T ₁ + Phosphobacterium inoculum (T ₄), T ₂ + Phosphobacterium inoculum (T ₅) and T ₃ + Phosphobacterium inoculum (T ₆).The results showed that bacterial strain (Pseudomonas spp.) was able to effect on yield and its attributes in wheat crop. The crop showed significant positive results. The inoculation significantly stimulates the germination count (m⁻²), number of tillers and spikes (m⁻²), 1000 grains weight (g) and grain yield (kg/ha⁻¹). We suggest that application of 120-100-0 kg/ha⁻¹ NPK along with coating of seed with phosphobacterium (Pseudomonas spp.) all the way through inoculation is a better practice to reduce the exploit of phosphatic fertilizers which are much costly.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in glandless upland cotton (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gossypium hirsutum</Emphasis> L.)

Glandless upland cotton has an important economic value. Embryogenic calli and regenerated plants were obtained from the hypocotyl explants of glandless upland cotton seedlings, cultivar Jisheng1. The results indicated that somatic embryogenesis was significantly influenced by the types of auxin and cytokinin. 2, 4-D was advantageous to induce cotton callus, but embryogenic callus could not be obtained on the 2, 4-D medium. Embryogenic calli were also not obtained on the MSB sold medium with the combination of IBA and BA. However, embryogenic calli were induced when the hypocotyl explants were cultured on the IBA and KT medium. More than 31% of the hypocotyl segments produced embryogenic calli when the MSB medium was supplemented with 1.0 mg·L⁻¹ IBA and 0.5 mg·L⁻¹ KT. Embryogenic calli with somatic embryos could be observed within three months. Somatic embryo germination and maturation occurred on the hormone-free MSB medium with 1.0 g·L⁻¹ Gln and 0.5 g·L⁻¹ Asn. A number of regenerated plants could be obtained in six months. In the present study, a simple and efficient system was established to induce a number of embryogenic calli and regenerate plantlets from hypocotyl explants.     

Prospects of using the <Emphasis Type="Italic">lsb</Emphasis> mutation in breeding of determinate buckwheat cultivars

The effect of variants of the action of allele lsb differing in strength of manifestation on productivity of buckwheat plants against the background of a recessive homozygote for gene D is studied. An increase of reduction of the branching potential of upper branches leads to a decrease in both biological and grain productivity of plants. However, such plants are much more tolerant to thick planting and to a lesser degree they reduce productivity in a dense crop.