Studying polymorphism of the gene CslF6 associated with β-D-glucan biosynthesis in diploid oat accessions of Avena strigosa Schreb. from the VIR collection

Background. Oat is one of the most widespread and important cereal crops in the global agricultural production. Searching for new high-yielding and high-quality genotypes remains relevant, especially in the context of the global trend of climate change, when most local oat varieties may become economically ineffective.

Materials and methods. The material for this study included 50 local varieties of the diploid cultivated oat species Avena strigosa Schreb. from the VIR collection, having diverse geographical origins. The material was studied under the conditions of Pushkin and Pavlovsk Laboratories of VIR in 2023–2024. As a result of the study, main valuable agronomic traits and biochemical properties of grains were identified. The field testing of the oat collection was carried out on the basis of the guidelines for the study of the VIR collection; biochemical indicators were assessed using conventional techniques. Molecular genetic research methods (DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction, and Sanger sequencing) were applied to contrasting oat accessions. The allelic state of the genes associated with the biosynthesis of β-glucans was analyzed.

Results and conclusion. The data are presented on the content of β-glucans, a group of soluble polysaccharides, in A. strigosa accessions from the VIR collection. The biochemical composition of diploid oat grains was studied, and the percentage of β-glucans was calculated. Using modern molecular genetic research methods, the allelic state of the key gene for the biosynthesis of this group of compounds, CslF6, was identified. Sanger sequencing of the gene’s coding part did not reveal any rearrangements in the nucleotide sequence of this gene.

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