Collections of genetic resources of field crops at ustymivka experimental station of plant production

Abstract

The aim and tasks of the study. To establish patterns of creation and identification sources and donors of valuable economic traits in field crops in the Southern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, to form basic, core, trait and special collections, to provide the gene pool for breeding.

Materials and methods. Field crop collections of Ustymivka Experiment Station of Plant Production were the research object. The work was carried out by methods of scientific research institutions in Ukraine and other countries.

Results and discussion. Working with collections of plant genetic resources, Ustymivka Experimental Station of Plant Production has formed field crop collections comprising 26,259 accessions of 73 crops in total. Researchers of the Experimental Station met a number of challenges of theoretical justification and practical solution of the problem of forming collections of plant genetic resources, taking into account use trends of collection material in breeding and research programs, specificity of each crop, complex and range of morphological and economic traits. As a result of the last 5 years, 4,310 accessions have been introduced in the National Collection of Ukraine; 7,113 collection accessions have been investigated; 1,618 sources and donors of economic and valuable for breeding traits have been distinguished. Over the 25-year period, researchers have formed and registered 25 basic, core and training collections of the gene pool; identified sources and donors of valuable traits, which served as basis for development of oleiferous poppy, millet, bean, winter wheat, corn varieties and hybrids that are listed in the State Register of Varieties of Ukraine; guaranteed preservation of valuable genetic diversity of field crops (26,259 accessions) for current and future generations.

Conclusions. All work on mobilization and preservation of plant genetic resources at Ustymivka Experiment Station of Plant Production is focused on a set of measures based on introduction of new valuable material, investigation of it, selection of donors and sources of economically valuable traits from the existing gene pool, creation of special collections for different areas of use, and provision of research institutions with valuable gene pool and information about it