The article describes the new soft winter wheat Tour variety, which combines valuable agronomic and biological traits and is capable of exhibiting high productivity and grain quality. Due to its consistently high grain productivity (over 9 tons per hectare) and increased protein content (over 14.8% on average over the years of the study), the Tour variety boasts leading indicators for gross protein yield per unit area, reaching 1.4 tons per hectare (an average of 1.2 tons per hectare). The high productivity of the Tour variety is largely due to its consistently high natural grain weight, reaching 859 g/l. The maximum yield of 108.4 centners of grain per hectare for the Tour variety was recorded in 2021 in the competitive variety testing being preceded with the occupied fallow. Tour is a semi-dwarf variety. Plant height is 80−95 cm. Type is lutescens. The variety is characterized by high frost resistance and increased drought tolerance. When artificially inoculated, the Tour variety is highly resistant to leaf rust and moderately resistant to septoria and powdery mildew. It is moderately susceptible to yellow and stem rust, fusarium head blight, and viral diseases. It is also susceptible to common smut. The grain is red, ovoid, and vitreous, with an average 1,000-kernel weight of 40.4 g. Tour produces high-quality grain. According to all characteristics, it can be defined as strong wheat. The main advantage of the Tour variety is its ability to produce high yields of high-quality, high-protein grain with a high natural weight.

This scientific article reflects the results of two years of research on the influence of changes in weather and climatic conditions on the basic baking properties of winter soft wheat grain of zoned varieties of breeding Belgorod FANC RAS. The study analyzed in detail certain technological properties of grain, and identified features related to changes in weather conditions. Thus, the work made it possible to establish a relationship between the weather and climatic changes in the region, varietal characteristics and the quality of the resulting grain, which is important for breeding and crop forecasting. The study of winter soft wheat varieties in the Belgorod region revealed differences in the most important indicators of grain quality and technological properties.

The article describes the biological characteristics of the soft winter wheat Arena variety, bred at the FSBSO "NCG P.P. Lukyanenko", with the following developing aa accurate agroecological passport. This variety possesses a unique combination of high frost resistance, early maturity, consistently high yield and grain quality, resistance to a major range of foliar diseases, and high responsiveness to intensified cultivation techniques. The article presents the results of a three-year study of the variety in 114 agronomic options, including its response to key agronomic factors: precursor crops, sowing time, seeding rates, and fungicide treatments. A statistical analysis of the key economically valuable traits of the variety was carried out and their relationships were assessed. Based on the data obtained, an agroecological passport for the variety has been prepared.

The article discusses the results of introgression and pyramiding of Lr genes into widely adapted soft winter wheat varieties. The research material consisted of breeding lines obtained by crossing zoned varieties susceptible to leaf rust with donors—nearly isogenic Thatcher lines carrying Lr genes providing leaf rust resistance. The leaf rust resistance genes Lr10, Lr19, Lr34, Lr24, Lr26, Lr37, Lr25, Lr45, Lr50, and Lr29 were identified at the Department of Biotechnology of the FSBSO "NCG P.P. Lukyanenko". Resistance assessment was carried out under natural conditions and against an artificial infection background. Lines with single Lr genes were slightly more productive than lines with different gene combinations. All studied samples demonstrated resistance to leaf rust under both natural and artificial infection backgrounds. Considering grain quality, the studied lines surpassed or remained at the level of the standard varieties Grom and Bezostaya 100. The resulting breeding material is used in breeding programs to improve resistance to leaf rust.

The article presents the results of 2022−2024 research on the winter wheat variety bred at the Kursk Federal Agrarian Research Center (Kursk FARC) in collaboration with the FSBSO National Center of Grain named after P.P. Lukyanenko. The research focused on yield and the adaptability of new varieties to the soil and climatic conditions of the Central Chernozem Region. The research was carried out at the A. Ya. Aydiev Breeding and Seed Production Laboratory of the Kursk FARC. The assessment of the new promising winter wheat Rath variety is presented including indicators of productivity and yield structure, as well as a set of economically valuable traits, for practical use in production. The soil of the experimental plot was typical chernozem. The experiment was set after bare fallow, with six replicates, each plot measuring 10 square meters. All studies were carried out according to the State Methodology for Variety Testing of Agricultural Crops. The results were primarily influenced by weather conditions during the overwintering period and throughout the growing season, which were uneven. The studied variety is capable of producing consistently high yields of 66.2 to 84.6 c/ha, a 1000-kernel weight of 45.7 g, productive tillering of 3.9 stems per plant, and 41 grains per ear. It can be concluded that the studied variety is promising for cultivation in the soil and climatic conditions of the Central Chernozem Region.

The article presents the preliminary results of research on the development and implementation of effective speed breeding protocols for durum winter wheat. The study was carried out in the phytotron-greenhouse complex of the FSBSO "NCG P.P. Lukyanenko" using modern methods for effecting plant vegetation with physical and biological factors. A comparative analysis of the effects of light intensity, ozonation, and biostimulants (Chlorella vulgaris) on the development and yield of the variety was carried out. The article contains a detailed description of the experimental design, environmental parameters, statistical processing of the results, a comparative analysis with international research, and practical recommendations for the implementation of speed breeding in Russian and regional breeding programs

The article presents the results of studying the effect of mutant factors Na2CO3 and HEFC on the growth and development of plants of the winter barley variety Mir generation M1. With an increase in the concentration of Na2CO3 (0.1n-1.0n), HEFT (0.5−2.0 l/t) and exposure (6, 12, 18 hours), the negative effect on the studied biological signs increased. The greatest deviation from the control was noted when treating the canopy with a solution of increased concentration: 1,0н Na2CO3 2 l/t CPO. Higher toxicity of chloroethylphosphonic acid was revealed.

The article presents the results of the assessment of the biochemical profile of the dent corn hybrids grain bred at the FSBSO National Center of Grain named after P. P. Lukyanenko. Samples of different ripeness groups have been examined. The aim of the study was to identify hybrids with the highest grain nutritional value based on a combination of yield and chemical composition. Fifty hybrids grown using a unified agricultural technology were assessed at a control nursery in the Central zone of Krasnodar Krai in 2025. Yield, harvest moisture, oil, protein, and starch content were determined; phenological and morphological characteristics were assessed using international descriptors; and grain quality was assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy. Most hybrids produce 60−70% starch with a protein content of 10−14%. A very strong negative correlation was found between starch and protein (r = -0.94), while the relationship between starch and yield was weakly positive. A trend was identified whereby drier grain at harvest (8−10% moisture content) was more often characterized by higher protein and fat contents, while higher harvest moisture was associated with greater starch accumulation. Based on a comprehensive assessment, universal hybrids with a favorable starch-to-protein ratio, as well as specialized high-protein and high-starch varieties, have been identified. Thus, they are recommended to be used as starting material for breeding and as promising hybrids for general-purpose, forage, and starch production.

Selection for heterosis is associated with cytoplasmic male sterility. Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a common feature of all higher plants; it can be found in natural populations or arises through distant (sexual and somatic) hybridization. CMS traits and fertility restoration are important factors in species formation and are among the most significant for hybrid breeding. The primary objective of this research was to obtain sterile and fertile analogues and to study the degree and stability of sterility and the completeness of fertility restoration. The testing was carried out on experimental plots by crossing an analogue with a sterile sample. Based on the results of testing in 2025, five restorer analogues and six sterile analogues have been developed. The article presents data on the propagation of the collection of sterile and fertile analogues. All these analogues can serve as sources for new parental forms of corn hybrids. The new genetic material can accelerate the breeding process.

Cultivation of new varieties requires a scientific approach to the fertilizers and crop protection products application. The research was carried out on a test field in Moscow with grain legumes as the precursor crop. The article presents the data for the 2022−2024 study years. The varieties studied in the experiment demonstrated high responsiveness to the increased intensification. Ear height increased by 0.7−0.8 cm for the Radmira variety in the intensive and highly intensive treatments, by 1.0−1.1 cm for the Belyana variety, and by 1.6−1.7 cm for the Agros variety, compared to the options with standard treatments. The 1000-kernels weight of the Agros variety increased up to 41.9 g and up to 39 g in the Radmira variety. The technologies for cultivating soft spring wheat made it possible to obtain the following yields on sod-podzolic soil over the years of the research: the Agros variety — 5.49 t/ha, the Radmira variety — 5.10 t/ha and the Belyana variety — 5.39 t/ha.

The effect of various tillage methods on soil fertility and soybean yield in a grain-row crop rotation in the Central zone of Krasnodar Krai was studied. Compared to the surface and loosening tillage systems, the lowest amount of organic matter (3.51%) in the 0−20 cm layer was formed with moldboard tillage. Soil bulk density in the spring during sowing did not differ significantly between the experimental options; in the 0−20 cm layer, it was at the optimal level for soybean plant growth and development, ranging from 1.21 to 1.28 g/cm3. Soil bulk density in the autumn period for the experimental options in the 0−20 cm and 20−40 cm layers ranged from 1.27 to 1.38 g/cm3 and from 1.40 to 1.60 g/cm3, respectively. The mineral fertilizers application resulted in the greatest increase in soybean yield (1.03 tons per hectare) in the combined moldboard tillage option. Cultivating the crop with shallow tillage results in a decrease in certain soil fertility factors and soybean yield, regardless of fertilizer application.

The article describes the research carried out in the Central zone of Krasnodar Krai, on leached chernozem at the FSBSO "NCG P.P. Lukyanenko", in the Agrotechnology department. In the course of the research the effect of silicon-containing mineral fertilizers NanoKremniy and Controlfit (produced by Controlfit Si) on the economic efficiency of winter barley (variety Dar Kubani) cultivation was studied, depending on its productivity. It was found that the inclusion of silicon-containing fertilizers in winter barley cultivation technology increases yield by 0.51−0.68 t/ha, without affecting protein content, but reduces grain specific gravity when applying Controlfit (TM Controlfit Si) fertilizer. An economic assessment of the silicon-based preparations application in the cultivation of winter barley (variety Dar Kubani) showed high efficiency: the net income per 1 hectare, when using NanoKremniy, was 41,345 rubles, and with the Controlfit Si preparation it was 41,055 rubles, which is higher than the control by 2,471 and 2,181 rubles, respectively.

Wheat is a major food crop and a primary export crop. In light of climate change and the increasing pressure on agroecosystems from unfavorable biological and abiotic factors, expanding the use of the wide species and intraspecific diversity of the genus Triticum L., as well as wheat wild relatives, in breeding practices is an important task. In this regard, within the framework of the additional professional educational program "Wheat: Taxonomy, Genetic Resources, and Genomic Approaches in Breeding" (Derbent, April 22−28, 2025, organizer: Federal Research Center, All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources named after N.I. Vavilov), special attention was paid to immersing learners in the taxonomy and nomenclature of cultivated cereals, teaching practical skills in the agrobiological evaluation of collections of various wheat and triticale species, the tools of modern molecular genetics, genomics, as well as digital analysis methods for genetic and breeding research. Each theoretical block was accompanied by practical training — in the laboratory, at the computer, and on plots of the Dagestan Experimental Station, where samples of various wheat species, triticale, and wild relatives from the world collection of VIR are presented. Fifteen learners participated in the program, including employees of the Lukyanenko National Grain Center, the Samara Research Institute of Agriculture (branch of the Samara Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences), the North Caucasus Federal Scientific Agrarian Center, and the Omsk Agricultural Research Center. This additional professional educational program is organized as part of the development program of the National Center for Plant Genetic Resources, established on the basis of VIR by Decree No. 44 of the President of the Russian Federation dated February 8, 2022.

A genomically enhanced form of T. miguschovae, developed in the Biotechnology Department of the National Center of Grain named after P.P. Lukyanenko, exhibits high resistance to soft wheat diseases. Crossing the synthetic form of T. miguschovae Zhir. with the soft winter wheat variety Bezostaya1 resulted in a large set of introgressive lines with diverse morphological and biological traits. To ensure the effective use of these lines in breeding, they are assessed for disease resistance, grain quality, and productivity factors. This article presents the results of the study of 16 introgressive lines of soft wheat. Introgressive lines differ in their resistance to both a single disease and a combination of diseases. Lines with group resistance to three diseases have been identified: DM7, DM189, DM247, DM415, DM417, and DM530. Lines DM39, DM173, DM201, DM245, DM297, DM528, and DM530 have high protein and gluten content. Lines DM7, DM193, DM247, and DM417 combine group resistance to diseases with good baking qualities. The DM193 line was selected, combining high productivity with group resistance to leaf rust, yellow rust, and powdery mildew, as well as good grain quality. These results demonstrate the feasibility of combining disease resistance with good grain quality and other valuable characteristics in the studied lines.

The article presents a comparison of two methods for doubling the chromosome set of haploid corn seedlings to produce dihaploid (DH) lines: standard injection of a colchicine solution and an experimental seedling dipping method. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of the dipping method and its applicability in breeding practices for the speed development of homozygous lines. The study was carried out on haploid kernels of a single genotype, identified with the R1-nj marker. The injection method involved injecting a colchicine solution into the seedling stem at the 3−5 leaf stage. The dipping method involved treating trimmed 3-day-old seedlings with a colchicine solution for 8 hours, followed by planting. The results showed that the overall success rate (the proportion of kernelized ears out of the number of treated haploids) was comparable: 28.9% for dipping and 23.2% for injection (χ² actual = 0.42). However, seedling survival was significantly higher with injection — 72.5% versus 48.9% with the dipping method (χ² actual = 4.21). Moreover, plants treated with the dipping method subsequently outperformed control plants upon visual indicators of development. Despite similar final chromosome doubling efficiency, the dipping method is characterized by a higher embryotoxic effect but a less stressful impact on subsequent plant development. The method is promising for optimizing and automating the mass production of dihaploid corn lines.