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UDC 633.15: 631. 52         https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0379

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2).198–206.

Cherchel, V. Yu., Kulyk,О. V.

State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS, 14 Volodymyr Vernadskyi St., Dnipro, 49009, Ukraine.

Topicality. Environmental changes are encouraging breeders to develop initial forms of maize combining high plant productivity and resistance to adverse weather conditions. The morphological structure of the ear, in particular its length, diameter, number of kernel rows and number of kernels per row, and 1000-grain weight, is one of the key elements of maize productivity and ecological stability. Purpose. Investigation of the peculiarities of the formation of yield attributes in short-season maize families S₄–S₅ depending on weather conditions during the growing season. Materials and Methods.  Research was based on initial material consisting of 195 maize families S₄–S₅ developed from seven sister hybrids of mixed germplasm: DK2815×DK247MV; DK2815×DK315; DK2815×DK3152; DK2835×DK3152; DK2835×DK247MV; DK3152×DK247MV; DK3152×DK285/315. The experiments were conducted at the breeding nursery of the State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS during 2023–2024 in accordance with generally accepted methods and principles of research design. Results. According to the results of our research, we found that weather conditions have a significant impact on the productivity of maize plants. The study showed that morphometric indicators, such as ear length, ear diameter, number of kernel rows, and 1000-grain weight, varied significantly depending on weather conditions. Under unfavourable conditions, the coefficient of variation increased for all traits, indicating the heterogeneity of the initial material in terms of its response to such changes. The best self-pollinated families based on sister hybrids DK3152×DK285/315 and DK3152×DK247MV were selected in terms of plant productivity and its stability, both in the favourable conditions of 2023 and in the stressful conditions of 2024. Conclusions. The research confirmed the significant influence of weather conditions on both the productivity of self-pollinated maize families and morphometric indicators, including ear length, ear diameter, number of kernel rows, and 1000-grain weight. The results confirm the importance of further research on the adaptive potential of breeding material in the context of climate changes, as well as the development of effective agronomic practices to mitigate the adverse effects of unfavourable weather conditions on maize productivity.

Key words: maze, self-pollinated lines, families, yield attributes, plant productivity, stress resistanc

UDC 633.16:631.527     https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0380

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2). 207–214

Vasko N.I., Mykhailenko Ye.O. 

Yuriev Plant Production Institute of NAAS of Ukraine, 142 Heroiv Kharkova av., Kharkiv, 61060, Ukraine

Topicality. Development of high-yielding hybrid varieties of various crops is a way to ensure food security. This is a challenge in case of barley, as this crop is an obligate self-pollinator with cleistogamous flowering. Research into heterosis helps breeders to select more productive hybrid combinations in early generations, contributing to the optimization of breeding procedures and identification of larger numbers of transgressive segregants in later hybrid generations. Purpose. To investigate types of gene interactions in F₁ hulless barleys with coloured caryopsides in order to select valuable parental components and promising crossing combinations. Materials and Methods. The starting material consisted of 10 samples of hulless barley, including yellow-grained varieties: Yavir, CDC Hilose, CDC Alamo, Mebere, and coloured-grained varieties: UA 0800645 (black seeds), UA 0800663 (green seeds), UA 0805462 (grey-green seeds), Violet 18-1207, Hoem (purple seeds), SGI 7024 (blue seeds). Crossing performed using the topcross method. The degree of dominance (hp) was calculated by B. Griffing’s formula; the data were grouped in accordance with G.M. Beil and R.E. Atkins’ classification; superiority of traits in F₁ over the parents was assessed by heterobeltiosis (H_bt) formula. Results. It was found that plant height was most often inherited by heterosis (36 % of all crossing combinations) or depression (39 %); spike length – by heterosis (42 %) or intermediate inheritance (24 %); number of grains per spike – by intermediate inheritance (33 %) or depression (27 %); spike density – by intermediate inheritance (70 %). The inheritance of grain weight per spike occurred according to all possible types of gene interaction, most often heterosis (36 %) or depression (27 %). The highest heterosis degree in terms of grain weight in the main spike, as the most significant component of productivity, was observed in F₁, where Violet 18-1207 (up to 32.9%), UA 0805462 (26.8 %), and Mebere (23.1 %) were taken as female components. The best male component was SGI 7024. Conclusions. The study of hulless barleys with coloured caryopsides demonstrated that the heterosis effect depended on cros-sing combinations and environmental conditions. At the same time, the heterosis level varied for different quantitative traits: plant height (1.7–15.0 %), spike length (1.1–37.3 %), number of grains per spike (7.4–14.3 %), and grain weight per spike (1.2–50.8 %). The best parental components for hybrid barley combinations that are considered to be promising for performance characteristics-oriented selection of transgressive segregants were identified: as maternal components Violet 18-1207 with purple grain and UA 0805462 with grey-green grain, and paternal component – line SGI 7024 with blue grain.

Key words: heterosis, depression, hybrid plant, parental component, dominance, performance ёstructure, spike length, plant height, number of grains per spike, grain weight per spike.

UDC 575.22:633.16"321" 041.64      https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0381

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2). 215–220

Vashchenko V. V., Shevchenko O. O. 

Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University, 25 Serhii Yefremov St., Dnipro, 49009 Ukraine

Topicality. Based on the study of the morphological and economic characteristics of spring barley varieties bred by various breeding institutions, the parameters of the variety model for unstable moisture conditions have been determined. It was found that in order to realise the full potential of varieties, the main attention should be paid to the characteristics that determine the productivity of varieties – tillering of plants, grain content of the spike, number and size of grains, resistance to biotic and abiotic factors. The optimal ratio of physiological indicators of adaptability parameters in terms of productivity under different growing conditions has been determined. Purpose. Determining crop potential and its realization in changing weather conditions. Materials and Methods. The varieties Stepovyik, Repryz, Stalyi, Avers, Partner, Komandor, Donetskyi 14, Donetskyi 15, and F₁ hybrids obtained using a complete 8x8 diallelic scheme, as well as modern adaptive varieties Bunchuk, Heneral, Shubin, and Pokolinnia were used in the studies. The experiments were conducted in the breeding crop rotation of the Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University of NAAS in 2022–2025. Statistical processing was performed using correlation, variance, and genetic analyses using the OSGE Elite Systems software package. Results. A significant positive correlation was found bet-ween yield and productive tillering (r = 0.71), number of grains per plant (r = 0.84), and 1000-grain weight (r = 0.80**). The presented diallelic scheme shows that the dominant type of gene action is decisive in the general variability of productive tillering, grain weight and spike productivity. It has been established that positive and negative alleles of loci that show dominance are distributed unevenly, and the positive direction of dominance determines the prevalence of dominant genes for the trait ‘productive tillering’ in hybrids (involving the varieties Partner, Stepovyk, Repriz, Avers), and for trait ‘grain size’ (Stalyi, Komandor, Donetskyi 14). Conclusions. In genetic control of inheritance of quantitative traits that determine productivity, overdominance has been established, which is caused by the additive-dominant action of genes. Additive genes determine the variability of grain content of spike and plant. The breeding and genetic characteristics of different varieties of spring barley have been established. Dominant gene effects prevail in the studied varieties. According to the traits ‘number of grains in the spike’, ‘1000-grain weight’ and ‘plant height’, the non-additive effects of dominant genes prevail to a significant extent, with F equal to 139.24, 50.7 and 78.5, respectively.

Key words: spring barley, varieties, productivity, breeding value, adaptability.

UDC 663.17:631.559:621.039.542.3         https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0382

 Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2). 221–227

¹Yalanskyi О. V., ¹Nosov М. H., ²Tahantsova М. М., ³Sereda V. І.  

¹State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS, 14 Volodymyr Vernadskyi St., Dnipro, 49009, Ukraine

²Ukrainian Institute of Plant Variety Examination, 15 General Rodimtsev St., Kyiv, 03041, Ukraine

³Інститут Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture of NAAS, 24 Maiatska Road St., Khlibodarske village, Odesa
district, Odesa region, 67667, Ukraine

 Topicality. For the agro-industrial complex and renewable energy sector, the search for, research into and implementation of new technologies for the production of solid biofuels is a priority. Sorghum crops are considered a strategic direction in terms of supplying raw materials to the bioenergy industry. There is currently almost no scientific literature on the selection of parental components for the development of drystalk sorghum hybrids for bioenergy use. Therefore, the current focus is on establishing approaches for developing such hybrids in order to accelerate the breeding process and use the source material more efficiently. Purpose. Selection of parental components for the breeding of drystalk sorghum hybrids used in the production of solid biofuel. Materials and Methods. The research programme used parental components bred at the Synelnykove Breeding and Research Station, the Henichesk Research Station, and the Research Farm of the State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS. The experiments were conducted at the Synelnykove Breeding and Research Station of the State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS of Ukraine during 2021–2023. Results. The lines DN 19s, A 326 and HOS 11s stood out for their high general combining abi-lity (GCA) in terms of green mass yield. The lines Kafrske kormove 186s, Nyzkorosle 81s and DN 17s had low GCA for this indicator. The lines DN 19s, A 326 and HOS 11s had high GCA for the dry matter yield trait. The Kafrske kormove 186s line had low combining ability for dry matter yield. Among the testers, Karlykove 45 and Sylosne 42 were characterised high GCA for the green mass yield trait. Over the years of research, as tester, Karlykove 45 broom sorghum variety stood out for its high combining ability in terms of green mass yield and dry matter yield. The tester Krasen had low combining ability in terms of green mass yield and high combining ability in terms of dry matter yield. Conclusions. It was established that in order to produce sorghum hybrids for both solid and liquid fuel production, lines with high GCA in terms of the green mass yield trait should be included in the crossbreeding process. Low combining ability for dry matter yield was found in the Kafrske kormove 186s line, which is valuable for developing sorghum hybrids for liquid biofuel production. Testers with high GCA for the green mass yield trait (Karlykove 45 and Sylosne 42) should be included in crosses to obtain sorghum hybrids for both solid and liquid fuel production. The tester Krasen had a low GCA for green mass yield and a high GCA for dry matter yield, which gives it an advantage in breeding drystalk sorghum hybrids.

Key words: sorghum hybrids, green mass, dry matter, bioenergy, solid biofuel.

UDC 633.112.1:631.527:474.4          https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0383

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (2).   

Palamarchuk A. I., Kodzhebash V. F. 

Plant Breeding & Genetics Institute – National Center of Seeds and Cultivar Investigation of NAAS, 3 Ovidiopolska Road, Odesa, 65036, Ukraine

Topicality. Durum wheat is one of the main food products, as it is a source of important amino acids, carbohydrates, mineral elements and vitamins, which are extremely beneficial for humans, so many high-quality pasta, cereals, etc. are made from it. Purpose. To highlight the results of many years of research on durum winter wheat selection of the Plant Breeding & Genetics Institute – National Center of Seeds and Cultivar Investigation of NAAS (Odesa). Materials and Methods. The main breeding method is multiple hybridization with a thorough evaluation of lines and hybrids with desired biological and economic traits. Varieties and forms of common winter wheat characterised by high winter hardiness were used for both intraspecific and interspecific hybridisation. Introgressive hybridization was also used to develop new forms and varieties with high adaptive properties (resistance to frost, drought and major diseases). Results. Over the past 65 years, Ukraine has seen six renovations in durum winter wheat cultivars, and the leading role in the assortment belongs to varieties developed by the Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute. As a result of many years of breeding work, material was developed that contributed to a gradual increase in the productivity potential of durum winter wheat varieties from 2.8 to 7–10 t/ha and, at the same time, increased the protein content and vitreousness of the grain. The last sixth cultivar renovation includes the following winter durum wheat varieties: leucurum (Lainer, Shlyahetnyi, Blyskuchyi, Almaznyi, Yantarnyi, Kryshtalevyi, Zolotystyi, Marmurovyi, Sribliastyi), hordeiforme (Areal Odeskyi, Hranatovyi) and leucomelan (Prestyzhnyi, Yaskravyi). All cultivars belong to intensive type and universal use, characterised by high resistance to lodging, drought and the most common diseases and moderate or high frost resistance. Their grain has high vitreousness. Conclusions. Today, in agricultural production in the Steppe and Forest-Steppe zones of Ukraine, the most widespread and well-established varieties of durum winter wheat of the fifth cultivar renovation are Hardemaryn, Burshtyn, Kontynent, Kreiser, Linkor and Bosfor. New varieties of sixth cultivar renovation are also gradually spreading, namely, Areal Odeskyi, Lainer, Prestyzhnyi, Shliakhetnyi, Blyskuchyi, Yaskravyi, Almaznyi, Yantarnyi, Kryshtalevyi, Hranatovyi, Marmurovyi, Zolotystyi and Sribliastyi, which belong to the selection of the Plant Breeding & Genetics Institute – National Center of Seed and Cultivar Investigation of NAAS.

Key words: durum winter wheat, breeding, cultivar renovation, grain quality.

UDC 681.527:633.16:632.938                         https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0384

Grain Crops. 9 (2). 2025. 

Lehkun I. B., Sheremet O. M., Kovtun I. V.,Skvortsova K. O., Shcherbina Z. V.

Breeding and Genetic Institute – National Center for Seed Science and Variety Researc

Topicality. The world gene pool of barley (Hordeum vulgare L) of winter and alternative development types is quite narrow in terms of genetic diversity, therefore, it requires a constant search for new genetic plasma in terms of breeding. Purpose. Search for new methods for creating genotypes of winter and alternative development types. Materials and Methods. Based on the known existing allelic formulas for controlling the development type (according to Takahashi and Yasuda [4, 5]), the probability of genotypes of different development types occurring when classes are crossed with each other was calculated using the classical genetic method of offspring distribution for independent inheritance – the Punnett square. A test evaluation of spring barley varieties currently involved in the breeding process at the Barley Breeding and Seed Department was conducted to determine their belonging to a specific allele group of the spring development type. tThe χ² criterion was used to assess the difference between the observed and expected variation series of genotypes by development type. A method for field evaluation and distribution of genotypes of F₂ hybrid populations by development type is proposed. Results. A theoretical calculation of the probability of splitting  by type of development in F2 offspring from crossing the allele combination responsible for the winter type of development with genotypes belonging to seven known allele combinations of the spring type of development is proposed. The offspring were divided according to the phenotypic principle of manifestation, i.e. into the spring development type class and the winter development manifested type class, which in fact included both typical winter genotypes and alternative development type genotypes. The analysis showed that the genotypes of the winter group appeared in the offspring from the crossing of winter genotypes with all groups of the spring development type. Also, according to calculated data, these genotypes are produced by crossing spring allelic compositions with each other, namely: 3×1; 3×2; 3×4; 5×3; 6×3; 6×4; 7×1; 7×3; 7×4. A breeding method for mass selection of genotypes with an alternative development type has been tested, which allowed the Barley Breeding and Seed Production Department to obtain such well-known varieties with an alternative development type as: Deviatyi Val, Snihova Koroleva, Valkiriia and many others.

Key words: barley, breeding, hybridisation, selection, spring, alternative, winter type of development.

UDC 633.15:631.522/.524       https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0355

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (1). 5–13.                                      

Cherchel, V. Yu., Kruhlova, M. O.  

State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS of Ukraine (SE IGC NAAS), 14 Volodymyr Vernadskyi St., Dnipro, 49009, Ukraine

Topicality. The high efficiency of Stiff Stalk Synthetic (BSSS) germplasm in the breeding programmes of the world's leading companies has led to the need for wider involvement in the work of Ukrainian breeding companies. However, the distribution of this source material is constrained by a number of factors: late maturity, poor heat and drought resistance, and poor breeding adaptation to the conditions of Ukraine. One of the methods of improving the BSSS germplasm in domestic breeding is crossing their lines with lines of other germplasm adapted to Ukrainian conditions, in particular, Lancaster germplasm. Purpose. The study was aimed to investigate the combining ability in terms of grain yield of families S₄–S₅ developed on the basis of maize line DK2442MV of BSSS plasm. Materials and Methods. The research was carried out in a special three-field crop rotation of the SE IGC NAAS during 2019–2020. For the assessment of combining ability in terms of grain yield of self-pollinated maize families, 94 families S₄–S₅ and 4 original lines were used. The experiment was conducted according to a topcross scheme of crosses based on 4 testers of alternative plasms in terms of the degree of heterosis. Results. Comparatively favourable weather conditions allowed us to obtain a high level of grain yield of maize hybrids at 8.35±0.05 t/ha in 2019 and 7.71±0.06 t/ha in 2020 and to create a good background for the selection of self-pollinated families in terms of combining ability. According to the analysis of self-pollinated families, the samples DK2439 ₅₃₂₃; DK2432 ₅₂₂₁; DK2439 ₄₁₁₂₂; DK2439 ₄₁₁₃₁₁; DK2443 ₁₁₁₁; DK2439 ₅₃₁₁; DK2439 ₅₃₂₁ were classified as the first class of GCA by grain yield and showed plasticity to different conditions of the years of study. In ge-neral, the top 20 included families with indices DK2439 (10), DK2443 (5), DK 2432 (2), DK 2422 (2) and DK2440 (1). We identified hybrids that exceeded the grain yield of the standard hybrids DN Korund (by 0.41–0.81 t/ha) and DK Burshtyn (by 0.37–0.77 t/ha). Conclusions. The study identified self-pollinated maize families that showed high values of combining ability effects in terms of grain yield and their distribution by the type of response to changes in growing conditions. The most productive families in terms of high GCA were the families with the DK2439 index, of which 2 lines DK2439MV and DK4239MV were submitted for qualification examination. They became components of seven promising maize hybrids.

Key words: maize, self-pollinated families, hybrid, topcross, combining ability, grain yield, grain moisture content

UDC 633.15:631.52           https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0356

Cherchel, V. Yu., Kostenko, V. V. 

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (1). 14–22

State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of the NAAS, 14, Volodymyr Vernadskyi St., Dnipro, 49009, Ukraine

Topicality. Modern maize breeding is aimed at accelerating the development of new hybrids with improved valuable economic traits. One of the most innovative methods is the haploidy method, which reduces the time required to obtain homozygous material to 1–2 years instead of 6–7 years with conventional inbreeding. However, this method requires constant improvement to increase its efficiency. Purpose. The study is aimed at evaluating doubled haploids of Iodent plasm maize by morphological traits, combining ability in terms of grain yield, and at selection of promising doubled haploid lines for the selection of high-yielding hybrids. Materials and methods. The study was conducted at the experimental field of the SE Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS in the conditions of the Northern Steppe of Ukraine in 2023–2024. Doubled-haploid lines were evaluated by the duration of growing season, plant height, productive ear insertion height, and their general combining ability in terms of grain yield. Results. Significant variability in morphological characteristics of doubled-haploid lines was established. Plant height varied from 144 cm to 210 cm on average, and the average duration of the period "seedlings – flowering of 50 % of ears" was 62.3±1.1 days. Lines with high general combining ability were identified, including DKD 23-39, DKD 23-31, DKD 23-35. The hybrids developed on the basis of these lines have exceeded the standards in terms of grain yield (up to 1.38 t/ha) and had low grain moisture content at harvesting (10.1–10.9 %). Conclusions. Promising doubled-haploid lines (DKD 23-39, DKD 23-31, DKD 23-35, DKD 23-25, DKD 23-14) with high combining ability in terms of grain yield were identified, which can be further involved in breeding programmes for the development of high-yielding and well-adapted hybrids, especially in the Northern Steppe of Ukraine.

Key words: maize, doubled haploid, hybrid, grain yield, combining ability, morphological traits

UDC 633.13:631.527          https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0357 

Grain Crops. 2025. 9 (1). 23–30.

Solodushko, V. P.

State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS of Ukraine, 14 Volodymyr Vernadskyi St., Dnipro, 49009, Ukraine

Topicality.  In recent years, spring oat yields have increased significantly, but at the same time, their stabi-lity has decreased, resulting in a reduction in the adaptive potential of certain varieties, especially under extreme growing conditions. The breeding process for successful development of modern oat varieties requires the involvement of the most valuable genotypes in terms of their adaptability. The search for and identification of new, more valuable oat genotypes based on a set of characteristics is an ongoing and relevant task. Purpose. To determine the adaptability  of oat samples bred by the State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS in order to select the most promising samples for further breeding process aimed at developing high-yielding varieties for the Steppe zone of Ukraine. Materials and methods. The research was conducted in competitive variety testing using generally accepted methods in the conditions of the Northern Steppe of Ukraine during 2020–2024 To determine adaptability indicators, 18 oat varieties were used as source material, including both promising varieties and varieties listed in the State Register of Plant Varieties Suitable for Dissemination in Ukraine. Results. The most favourable weather conditions for plant growth and deve-lopment were recorded in 2021 (Ij=+1.37), which resulted in an average yield of 5.39 t/ha for the test samples. The worst conditions for growing oats were in 2024 and 2020: the environmental conditions index was -0.68 and -0.36, respectively, and the average yield by varieties was 3.16 t/ha in 2024 and 3.51 t/ha in 2020. The range of yield variability was highest in 2021 (1.38 t/ha) and lowest in 2024 (0.91 t/ha), which affected the coefficient of variation of they ields, which was 11.2% and 8.1%, respectively.   The highest-yielding varieties were Azamat (4.40 t/ha), Doskonalyi (4.23 t/ha), Iren (4.02 t/ha), Busol (3.97 t/ha) and Arhus (3.95 t/ha). The studied varieties differed significantly in terms of the coefficient of variation (V = 14.3–24.4 %). The varieties Doskonalyi (24.29), Azamat (23.74) and Iren (20.04) showed high homeostasis values and had the highest yields during the years of research. The high breeding value was demonstrated by the varieties Azamat – 2.45, Konkur – 2.44, Doskonalyi – 2.42, Iren – 2.41, Reia – 2.39, Busol – 2.39. Conclusions. As a result of the research, we found that the varieties Doskonalyi, Azamat, and Iren with high levels of homeostaticity and breeding value can consistently realise their genotype potential in unfavourable conditions and are valuable source material for breeding oats based on these indicators.

Key words: spring oats, variety sample, adaptability, variability, yield, selection, homeostaticity, breeding value

UDC 633.111 «324»:631.526.3       https://doi.org/10.31867/2523-4544/0358

Grain Crops. 2025. 9(1). 31–39.

Khoroshko, N. M., Murashko, L. A.   

The V.M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat of NAAS of Ukraine, 68 Tsentralna St., Tsentralne village, Obukhivka region, Kyiv oblast, 08853, Ukraine

Topicality. The cultivation of new high-yielding crop varieties with high disease resistance is one of the leading factors in improving the sustainability and efficiency of agricultural production. One of the most widespread and harmful diseases of winter wheat is head smut. Purpose. To evaluate and characterise the infection intensity of winter wheat varieties by Tilletia caries (DC.) Tul. on an artificial infectious background of the pa-thogen and to identify resistant genotypes. Materials and Methods. Thirty-two varieties of soft winter wheat developed by different institutions of Ukraine were selected as the material for the study. The inoculum of the head smut pathogen was collected from winter wheat varieties with different levels of resistance to the pathogen, which were grown in the experimental plots of the laboratory. The resistance of winter wheat varieties to head smut was studied against an artificial infection background in the field conditions. In laboratory conditions, the seed was inoculated with chlamydospores of the Tilletia caries pathogen population at the rate of 1 g of spores per 100 g of grain. The methods used in studies were laboratory, field, and statistical analysis. The disease infection intensity was recorded in the milky-wax ripeness stage of winter wheat using a method based on calculation of the number of healthy and diseased spikes. Results. According to the two-year data of 2023–2024, the best winter wheat varieties in terms of resistance to Tilletia сaries were identified: Nyva Odeska with the infection intensity (1.2 %, 3.0 %, respectively), Zorepad (2.1 %, 1.2 %, respectively), Vahoma (2.9 %, 0.0 %, respectively), Zysk (3.1 %, 0.0 %, respectively), Pokrovska (6.2 %, 0.0 %, respectively), and Heizer (4.0 %, 4.1 %, respectively). The following varieties were characterised by the stability in the Tilletia caries infection intensity during the years of research: Heizer (R = 0.1 %), Vidpovid Odeska (R = 0.4 %), susceptible variety Polka (R = 0.6 %), Hlad, Zorepad (R = 0.9 %), Nyva Odeska (R = 1.8 %), Pontiika (R = 2.0 %), Cantata Odeska (R = 2.4 %). According to the results of our research, we found a different rate of response of Triticum aestivum L. varieties to changes in hydrothermal conditions in different cultivation years (ecogradient). Conclusions. The resistance of 32 varieties of soft winter wheat to head smut infection was evaluated and characterised. The study found that 28 % of the varieties had a very high level of resistance to the pathogen on an artificial infectious background in the experiment for two years. The resistant varieties Vahoma, Zorepad, Zysk, Nyva Odeska, Zhuravka Odeska, Pokrovska, Kantata Odeska, Heizer, and Lira Odeska with an infection percentage less than 5 % were identified and recommended as a source of resistance to head smut.

Key words: pathogen, artificial infectious background, winter wheat, variety, head smut, infection intensity