A.M. ABEKOVA, R.S. YERZHEBAYEVA, S.O. BASTAUBAYEVA, K. KONUSBEKOV, T.A BAZYLOVA., D.I. BABISSEKOVA, and A.A. AMANGELDIYEVA SUMMARY Sugar beet is a highly valuable and profitable crop in the Republic of Kazakhstan. It is the only source of raw materials for the production of crystalline sugar and incidentals (tops, bagasse, and molasses).

The photoperiodic sensitivity of soybean (Glycine max L.) is one of the limiting factors affecting plant growth and yield. At higher latitudes, early flowering and maturity with neutral reaction to photoperiods are required for adaptation of soybean plants to long-day conditions. Currently, the production and distribution of new varieties of soybeans adapted to widespread agricultural regions in northern Kazakhstan is in strong demand. Eleven soybean hybrid populations were obtained from crosses between 17 parents with four maturity groups, MG 000, 00, 0, and I. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) was assessed for suitable SSR markers and successfully applied for genes E1, E3, E4, and E7, targeting homozygous genotypes with recessive alleles. The identified and selected genotypes were propagated and tested in the conditions of 53° N latitude in the Kostanay region of northern Kazakhstan. Finally, 20 early maturing F₄ breeding lines were identified and developed with genotypes e1 e3 E4 e7, e1 E3 E4 e7, and e1 E3 e4 e7, all completing their growth period within 92–102 days. These breeding lines were developed by MAS and should provide very prospective superior varieties of soybean for northern Kazakhstan through a strategy that may be very helpful to other countries with high latitudes.

Soybean is a major legume and oilseed crop with enormous economic importance, but its production is highly dependent on optimal rainfall or ample irrigation. In Kazakhstan, soybean production is highly vulnerable to drought and irrigation shortages. The aim of this study was to assess the level of drought escape and tolerance of soybean genotypes in different maturity groups, grown in well-watered conditions or without irrigation. Field trials were conducted in the very dry conditions of Kazakhstan with the hydrothermal coefficient 0.46–0.67. Nineteen soybean cultivars from five maturity groups were tested over four seasons under two conditions, with and without irrigation. The main indicators of drought tolerance were seed yield, seed weight per plant, percentage of seeds with smooth coats compared to wrinkled and shriveled ones, and 1000 seed weight. Under drought, seed yield of the studied genotypes decreased by 45.5–69.5% compared to well-watered controls. The most optimal genotypes for cultivation without irrigation were soybean cultivars from medium maturity group MG I (Vilana, Cheremosh, Xin-D11-252, and Desna) with a vegetation period of 115–128 days when avoiding drought during flowering, and the average yield for the group (1.7 t/ha) was slightly below that of those in drought-tolerant genotypes from medium–late/late maturity groups MG II–III (1.9–2.0 t/ha). Based on yield under drought, the best cultivars were identified as follows: Ivushka (1.2 t/ha) for MG 00 group; Ustya (1.3 t/ha) for MG 0; Vilana (1.8 t/ha) for MG I; Zen (2.3 t/ha) for MG II; and Sponsor (2.5 t/ha) for MG III. The identified genotypes can be used in breeding programs to reduce drought effects on soybean crops.

A. AMANGELDIYEVA, A. DANIYAROVA, L.K. TABYNBAYEVA, S. BASTAUBAYEVA, N. KOVALCHUK, and R. YERZHEBAYEVA Citation: Amangeldiyeva A, Daniyarova A, Tabynbayeva LK, Bastaubayeva S, Kovalchuk N, Yerzhebayeva R (2023). Assessment of the genetic diversity in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) using SSR markers. SABRAO J. Breed. Genet. 55(5): 1616-1628. http://doi.org/10.54910/sabrao2023.55.5.15. Summary The

Molecular-genetic analysis of soybean yield and yield components under drought is a crucial element for the development of effective breeding strategies and sustainable agricultural production. The aim of this review is to critically analyse current data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and identified genetic loci, SNP markers, and candidate genes associated with yield components in soybean in dry conditions with limited water supply and adequate watering (controls). In the results, 346 genetic associations, and 229 candidate genes with KEGG-based potential functions were sufficiently described in published papers and selected for the current study. Three statistically significant metabolic pathways were identified with isoflavonoid biosynthesis, glycosaminoglycan degradation and cysteine and methionine metabolism. The main limitation of the presented analysis was found in the low level of heritability for the studied traits, together with human factors such as carrying out and interpreting GWAS affecting the results presented in the current study. Additionally, complex multigenic controls were reported for the studied traits in soybean and a high level of genotype × environment interactions. Nevertheless, the presented data provide a basis for developing molecular strategies to improve soybean yield in conjunction with better potential drought tolerance.

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a key cornerstone of hybrid breeding in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). Reliable identification of cytoplasmic types and evaluation of their phenotypic stability are therefore important for the effective use of CMS in breeding programs. The aim of this study was to comprehensively characterize 30 sugar beet breeding lines of different origins using molecular and phenotypic approaches. Mitochondrial minisatellite markers TR1–TR3 and the CAPS marker in chloroplast region petG-psbE were employed, together with evaluation of phenotypes for anther morphology and pollen fertility over three years under the conditions of southeastern Kazakhstan. Based on the molecular analysis, most CMS breeding lines were classified as carriers of mitotype min04, the O-type control lines with mitotype min18, and alloplasmic breeding lines with min06, which indicated the presence of an alternative origin of CMS. Combined analysis of mitochondrial and chloroplast markers revealed cytoplasm heterogeneity in several accessions, confirming the need for individual molecular control during the maintenance of CMS breeding lines. The evaluation of phenotypes over three years demonstrated that anther dehiscence and pollen fertility varied significantly depending on hydrothermal conditions. Combining molecular study with multi-year evaluations of phenotypes enables reliable cytoplasm type identification, cryptic heterogeneity detection, and the selection of breeding lines with stable male sterility for breeding of sugar beet hybrids.