N. G. Kon’kOva

Background. Kok-saghyz is an emerging promising natural rubber crop plant, but there is still no economical and convenient seed-quality grading or screening method for production. Materials and methods. We took accession k-445 of kok-saghyz from Russia as the study object, using four sieves with different meshes to screen its seeds into four grades, and studied the effects of seed size on seed germination, plant growth, and yield. The study was carried out in 2020–2022 under the conditions of a field experiment at the experiment station in Harbin (45.592729°N, 126.581668°E). Results. It was established that sieves No. 28 and No. 30 with mesh sizes of 0.83 mm and 0.60 mm retained about 90% of the total seed mass. The germination capacity of seeds selected with sieves No. 28 and No. 30 was significantly higher compared to seeds selected with sieves No. 32 and No. 35 with mesh sizes of 0.50 mm and 0.43 mm. No significant differences in germination energy or germination uniformity were found among seeds of different fractions. The duration of growth stages of kok-saghyz plants sorted with sieves having different mesh sizes generally increased as the seed size decreased (with increasing sieve number) and was prolonged by one to four days. With an increase in the sieve number, rubber yield in kok-saghyz plants gradually decreased. Conclusions. Thus, in production practice, sieves No. 30 and No. 35 can be directly used to improve operational efficiency by separating kok-saghyz seeds into two fractions. The use of sieves No. 30 and No. 35 for two-fraction seed sorting is a convenient and cost-effective method for grading and selecting kok-saghyz seeds according to quality.

Due to increased interest in new functional food products, 20 accessions of chufa tubers from the collection of the N.I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Industry, grown in the Kuban–Azov Plain in 2022, as well as bread samples made from mixed flour (70% whole-grain wheat flour, 30% chufa tuber flour) were studied. Biochemical, farinographic, and baking evaluations were carried out. Differences between the properties of dough with the addition of flour from various accessions of chufa tubers were recorded. According to the results of comparative, dispersion, and principal component analysis, all biochemical indicators (oil, fiber, sum of phenolic substances, antioxidant activity) of chufa tuber flour and bread with added chufa flour surpassed control samples (whole-grain wheat flour and wheat bread), with the exception of protein and starch content. Viscoamylographic, farinographic sedimentation, and baking quality evaluations indicated that the dough made from mixed flour was stronger than the control (dough from whole-grain wheat flour), more resistant to kneading, and had a lower degree of liquefaction. In terms of organoleptic properties, differences were also identified, and the accessions that enhance the taste of mixed bread were selected. Therefore, a preliminary conclusion can be drawn that chufa tubers grown in the conditions of the Kuban–Azov Plain with high rheological properties and high sedimentation values of the mixed dough can be recommended for improving the baking properties not only of wheat but also of other bread cereals. Chufa is also a promising crop in the manufacture of functional food products in the Krasnodar region and for the food industry in general as a potential thickener.

Background . Kok-saghyz, or Russian dandelion, is one of the three most promising natural rubber plants in the world. This study examined the seed quality of kok-saghyz from different sources with reference to the methods in the International Rules for Seed Testing. Materials and methods . A kok-saghyz accession from the VIR collection (k-445) and an accession of American origin were analyzed. The study was carried out in 2018–2020 under the conditions of a field experiment at the experiment station in Harbin (45.592729°N, 126.581668°E). Results . Sampling principles and methods were established, and the seed quality of kok-saghyz was thoroughly evaluated. A seed purity test showed above 80% of pure seeds for both accessions. The thousand-seed weight was approximately 0.5 g when measured by the hundred-seed method. The moisture content was about 5.4% according to the low-temperature drying technique. The time required for reaching a natural imbibition rate was 2.5 h. The authenticity test demonstrated that koksaghyz seeds can be distinguished from those of other Taraxacum spp. according to their appearance. The health test found 4 types of mold inside and outside the kok-saghyz seeds. Conclusion. This study provides technical support for kok-saghyz seed quality testing, and offers recommendations for koksaghyz seed trade.

Background. Calibration models were developed for rapid assessment of crucial agronomic indicators in the grain of winter and spring triticale from the VIR collection using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). These calibration models will enable users to find the most optimal utilization trends for individual triticale accessions. Materials and methods. Indicators of agronomic value (coloration, moisture, and the content of ash, protein, starch, amylose and fiber) were studied on a set of 32 grain samples collected from winter and spring triticale forms (Triticosecale Wittm. & A. Camus) reproduced in 2021–2022 at the Dagestan Experiment Station, a branch of the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR). Calibration models for the assessment of the said agronomic characters in triticale grain were developed on the platform of the MATRIX-I IR analyzer (Bruker Optics, Germany) and based on the values obtained by classical methods of biochemical analysis adopted at VIR. Results. Reliability of the calibration models was tested on a randomized batch of triticale grain samples: the results of the new calibrations were compared with those of the conventional biochemical analysis. This verification showed that the data obtained through the use of calibration curves were reliable for protein and ash content, while other models required further improvement. Conclusion. Calibration models for measuring protein and ash content developed on the basis of the MATRIX-I IR analyzer can be used to perform rapid assessment of the winter and spring triticale grain. This method makes it possible to accelerate the process of obtaining crop characteristics for a number of basic agronomic characters and preserve valuable breeding material.

CLAVATA3 (CLV3)/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REGION (ESR)-related (CLE) genes encode a group of peptide hormones, which coordinate cell proliferation and differentiation in plants. Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) is a perennial monocot plant that produces oil-rich tubers. However, the mechanisms regulating tuber development in tiger nut are poorly understood, and nothing is known about CLE genes in tiger nut. In this study, we identified 34 CLE genes in the genomes, proteomes, and transcriptomes of C. esculentus (CeCLE). We analyzed their gene structures and expression profiles in different parts of the plant, at three stages of tuber development and in roots in response to dehydration stress. We found a relatively high expression level of CeCLE13 in growing tuber and suggested that the corresponding CLE peptide could be involved in the regulation of tuberization. We also analyzed CeCLE gene sequences in the genome of the most productive K-17 variety in the N. I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources collection and found many single nucleotide polymorphisms, insertions, and deletions. Our data provides fundamental information for future research on tiger nut growth and tuberization.

Background. A calibration model has been developed for rapid assessment of economic value indicators (protein, oil, and quinolizidine alkaloid contents) in the seeds of narrowleaf lupine accessions from VIR using near-infrared spectroscopy, with the help of which it is possible to decide on the further use of the accessions.Materials and methods. Biochemical quality indicators (protein, oil, and quinolizidine alkaloid content) were studied in the seeds of narrowleaf lupine (Lupinus angustifolius L.) grown in 2019 in the northwest of Russia. Calibration models for measuring protein, oil and alkaloids in lupine seeds (62 accessions) were developed using a MATRIX-I IR analyzer (Bruker Optics, Germany). To construct calibration models, we used the values obtained by chemical analysis methods accepted at VIR. The oil content in lupine seeds was assessed by the defatted dry residue technique in Soxhlet extractors, protein by the Kjeldahl method, and quinolizidine alkaloids by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. All indicators were recalculated on the dry-weight basis.Results and conclusion. Statistical significance of the developed models was verified according to the results of measuring the content of protein, oil and alkaloids in the seeds of the test batch. The protein and oil content data obtained using a calibration curve did not differ significantly from the results of chemical studies, in contrast to alkaloid indicators. Consequently, the developed calibration model for the MATRIX-I IR analyzer can be used for rapid assessment of protein and oil content in narrowleaf lupine flour samples, thus accelerating the process of obtaining data on the main economic value indicators. The analysis does not require reagents and is safe.

This study includes an assessment of the VIR (Center N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources) chufa collection, grown in various ecological and geographical conditions of the Russian Federation: “Yekaterininskaya experimental station VIR” in the Tambov region and “Kuban experimental station VIR” in the Krasnodar Region during the years 2020–2021. The main indicators of the economic value of chufa accessions were studied: yield structure and nutritional value (oil, protein, starch, and fatty acid profile). The accessions were grown in regions with different climatic conditions. As a result of the study, the variability of the biochemical and yield characteristics and the correlation between the studied indicators and the factor structure of its variability were established. Of the 20 accessions used in the study, the accessions with the highest protein, starch, oil and unsaturated fatty acid contents were selected, which are the most promising for their use as a raw material to expand the range of regional functional food products, as well as for future breeding efforts in the development of new, promising regional chufa varieties.

Taraxacum kok-saghyz (TKS) is one of the most promising rubber plants in the world. The question of how irrigation affects its yields and biochemical composition has not yet been studied well. The effects of irrigation frequency on the growth and yield of Taraxacum kok-saghyz were analyzed. According to the obtained results, it was established that an increase in irrigation frequency (extension of the watering interval) gradually decreased TKS rubber and total sugar yields. With the soil water content increasing from 22.8 to 38.9%, TKS rubber and sugar yields were changing in line with a cubic polynomial equation. Regular watering once every 6 days maintains soil moisture at a level above 28.0%, which makes it possible to increase the yield of Taraxacum kok-saghyz while enhancing the water-use efficiency under the conditions of Northeastern China (Harbin).

Background. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an important source of nutrients, such as starch, protein, and various dietary fibers. β-Glucans are soluble fibers found in high amounts in oat and barley grain, so they are becoming increasingly interesting due to their numerous functional and bioactive properties. The increased interest in β-glucans as a dietary supplement and a functional component of food calls for a convenient, inexpensive and affordable method for quantitative determination of these compounds.Materials and methods. An overview is given on the existing techniques for determining and isolating β-glucans in cereals: IR spectroscopy, enzymatic, colorimetric, and alkaline-enzymatic methods. Their advantages and disadvantages are shown. The disadvantages of the methods considered include high costs of reagents and equipment, duration of performance, and labor intensity.Results. This study promotes the weight method for isolation and quantitative determination of β-glucans in the grain of covered and naked barley. It is based on the modified alkaline method adapted to barley; we developed it earlier for oat grain. The amount of β-glucans in the grain of the studied barley accessions ranged from 4.12±0.23% to 5.34 ± 0.31% for naked cultivars, and from 3.57 ± 0.18% to 4.29 ± 0.32% for covered ones.Conclusion. Based on the conducted research, optimal conditions for the isolation and quantitative determination of β-glucans from barley grain were selected: centrifugation modes, temperature and extraction ratio, concentration of compounds, precipitation and drying procedures. The main advantage of the described method is its accessibility and practical applicability when conducting mass analysis, including studying a collection of cereal crops.

Taraxacum kok-saghyz (TKS) is a promising natural rubber plant. In the current study we investigated effects of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium base fertilizers on growth and yield of TKS through the field experiments. We found that appropriate application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium base fertilizers can significantly increase root, rubber and total sugar yield of TKS. The TKS rubber yield enhanced significantly when the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus, potassium increased accordingly to 107.2, 10.5 and 35.3 g m–2. Maximum accumulation of rubber in the TSK roots is caused by application of potassium fertilizer.According to the obtained results the recommended amount of base fertilizers under conditions of Harbin Experimental Station (N45.592729°, E126.581668°) is 107.2 g m–2 of urea, 43.4 g m–2 of calcium superphosphate, 10.5 g m–2 of potassium chloride.