Barley accessions resistant to a complex of leaf diseases from the VIR collection of plant genetic resources

Background. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a universal cereal crop with resistance to adverse conditions and broad adaptability. Its cultivars grown in Krasnodar Territory demonstrate high yields and good grain quality. The main factor causing a decrease in these indicators is the complex of leaf diseases dominating in the region: brown rust (Puccinia hordei G.H. Otth), net blotch (Pyrenophora teres Drechsler), and spot blotch (Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoemaker). The objective of the study was to search for sources of resistance to the pathogens of the most relevant leaf diseases in the south of Russia among wild barley (H. vulgare subsp. spontaneum, and H. bulbosum L.) accessions from the collection of the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR).

Materials and methods. The materials for the study were 73 wild barley accessions from the VIR collection. The study was conducted in 2020–2023 under artificial infection conditions in the field nursery of the Federal Research Center of Biological Plant Protection in accordance with VIR’s guidelines.

Results and conclusions. Several years of studying resulted in identification of 11 accessions with resistance to dwarf rust, 58 to net blotch, and 20 to spot blotch. Fifteen accessions manifested resistance to two pathogens, and seven to all three pathogens. The identified sources of resistance are of practical interest for breeders involved in the development of resistant barley cultivars, including those with group resistance to several pathogens.

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