In major wheat-growing regions, rust diseases and common bunt significantly reduce wheat productivity, especially in years with favorable conditions for phytopathogen development and limited resistant cultivar use. Thus, the development of genetically resistant wheat cultivars carrying combinations of valuable resistance genes is an effective strategy to mitigate these losses. In this study, 156 advanced winter wheat breeding lines were evaluated for resistance to yellow (stripe) rust, leaf (brown) rust, and common bunt under an artificial infection background. Concurrently, molecular screening was performed using DNA markers to detect rust (Yr5, Yr10, Yr15, Lr9, Lr34/Yr18, and Lr37/Yr17) and common bunt resistance genes (Bt8, Bt9, Bt10, Bt11, and Bt12). Based on the integrated analysis of phenotypic and DNA marker-based molecular data, fourteen and five lines resistant to common bunt and yellow rust, respectively, were identified, and alleles associated with resistance were also detected. Notably, one line (9909) exhibited high resistance to both rust diseases and common bunt. These selected advanced breeding lines represent promising candidates for the development of wheat cultivars with enhanced disease resistance, thereby supporting sustainable productivity in wheat-growing regions.

Kazakhstan possesses considerable potential for the development of organic agriculture. In organic production systems, the use of chemical plant protection products is restricted or completely excluded, making the cultivation of genetically resistant wheat lines to major fungal diseases one of the most effective approaches for maintaining stable grain production. The current study aimed to evaluate disease resistance in wheat genotypes by integrating phenotypic screening and marker-assisted selection and their validation under organic farming conditions. A total of 50 facultative and introgressive wheat lines were evaluated under an artificial infection background for resistance to yellow rust, leaf rust, stem rust, and common bunt. Molecular marker analysis was performed to identify resistance-associated alleles. Integrated phenotypic and molecular analyses enabled the identification of three promising genotypes, namely 1675-52, 1723-32, and 1716-24. They combined a high level of resistance to yellow rust and common bunt with the presence of resistance-associated alleles. These selected genotypes were subsequently validated under organic field conditions. The results demonstrated that these lines maintained stable resistance to yellow rust and common bunt and produced seed yield ranging from 5.45 to 5.94 t/ha, exceeding that of the standard cv. Almaly (4.88 t/ha). The obtained results confirm the effectiveness of integrating phenotypic screening with marker-assisted selection for identifying wheat genotypes with complex disease resistance. These genotypes represent promising prebreeding resources for organic agriculture, subject to validation across a wider range of environments.

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.

Предпосылки и цель. Нут (Cicer arietinum L.) – одна из важнейших зернобобовых культур, возделываемых в засушливых регионах мира, однако его гибридизация затруднена из-за мелких размеров цветка и высокой чувствительности репродуктивных органов к механическим повреждениям. Целью исследования являлось повышение эффективности гибридизации нута в условиях юго-востока Казахстана посредством применения комплексного подхода, сочетающегоиспользование морфологических и молекулярных маркеров.Материалы и методы. В 2024–2025 гг. исследованы 33 генотипа нута экотипов «Дези» и «Кабули». Для оценки генетического полиморфизма родительских форм использовали пять STMS-маркеров (TA37, TA110, TA27, TA96 и TA194). Эффективность четырех методовгибридизации оценивали по показателю завязываемости бобов, а гибридное происхождениепотомства подтверждали с использованием молекулярных маркеров.Результаты. Наиболее информативными для дифференциации родительских форм оказались STMS-маркеры TA96 и TA194, выявившие 8 и 9 аллелей соответственно. Результаты гибридизации выявили завязываемость бобов 2% и 4,7% в методах с кастрацией и без кастрации, соответственно. Различие между методами было статистически значимым (χ2 = 4,027; p = 0,045). Среди отдельных вариантов опыта наибольшая завязываемость (4,9%) была отмечена присочетании метода без кастрации с обработкой смесью фитогормонов GA₃, NAA и кинетина.Заключение. Гибридизация нута без кастрации обеспечивает более высокую, но всё ещё практически низкую завязываемость бобов, что указывает на необходимость дальнейшей методической оптимизации. Для селекционной практики метод без кастрации рекомендуется применять в сочетании с обязательной молекулярной верификацией гибридов, поскольку доля истинных гибридов при этом методе ниже, чем при кастрации.

Rivers are pivotal in the life processes of all living organisms, including humans. The engagement of rivers in daily human economic endeavours has precipitated and continues to precipitate disturbances in the ecological equilibrium, long-established by the forces of evolution. Consequently, providing clean, high-quality water is paramount for sustaining all life forms. This investigation aimed to examine the mutagenic potential of water samples from the Kaskelen River, which is subjected to anthropogenic influences, employing plant-based test subjects. The water’s mutagenic properties were assessed through an assay for chromosomal aberrations (utilizing the metaphase approach) on Hordeum vulgare L. The results demonstrated a statistically significant decline in the mitotic index under all experimental conditions compared to the negative control (p<0.05), indicating the cytotoxic effects of the water samples under study. Further analysis of the water’s mutagenic activity elucidated its capacity to induce structural mutations within the root meristem cells of barley, manifesting a significant uptick in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations relative to the negative control (p<0.05). The extensive array of observed chromosomal rearrangements underscores the existence of mutagenic agents in the river’s water, possessing a broad spectrum of effects.

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.