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Isogenic triticale lines differing in a type of cytoplasm and male fertility (4 male sterile lines with T. timopheevi cytoplasm and 4 maintaining lines with T. aestivum cytoplasm) were examined for susceptibility to seedling blight caused by Fusarium culmorum. Grains of triticale were inoculated with isolate IPO 348-01 originated from the Institute of Plant Protection, Wageningen, the Netherlands. Single isolates of Fusarium culmorum were cultivated on PDA medium (Potato Dextrose Agar- Sigma) on Petri dishes. Inoculated grains were incubated for 7 days at 22°C. Male sterile triticale lines with T. timopheevi cytoplasm showed higher leaf and roots susceptibility to F. culmorum than did male fertile lines with T. aestivum cytoplasm. In the set of male sterile lines, a leaf infection score and root infection score were, respectively, 3 and 1.5 times as high as those in the set of male fertile lines. A coefficient of correlation between leaf and root infection was 0.97. When the male sterility based on T. timopheevi cytoplasm is utilized to produce triticale hybrid varieties, it is advisable to recognise a level of resistance to F. culmorum of female parent lines.

Crosses between diploid rye with male-sterilizing Pampa cytoplasm and winter triticale were performed in the years 2000 and 2001. Both tetraploids and hexaploids of triticale proved to be successful as male parents in production of the F1 hybrids. Back-crossing of the hybrids caused transfer of the Pampa cytoplasm into tetraploid and hexaploid triticale. In 2002, female fertility of the plant material was high enough to start selection of male sterile lines as well as of those with restored male fertility. The results for pollen shed from the year 2004 showed a full range of variation, from complete sterility to full fertility. The sterilizing effect of the Pampa cytoplasm was stronger in tetra- than in hexaploid triticale. Among the tetraploids, eight of 14 lines brought full sterility to all investigated B1F1 generation hybrids. Among the hexaploids, only two of 20 lines caused a similar effect. However, selection progress in fertility restoration was only observed in the tetraploids. An increase in vegetative vigour in Pampa-cytoplasmic F1 was only found in the tetraploid group. Among the hexaploids, the vigour was distinctly diminished in the majority of genotypes, compared to the male parents and F1 with another rye cytoplasm.

The studies included 8 wild species of rye (Secale sp.): Secale afghanicum (Vav.), Secale ancestrale (Zhuk.), Secale dighoricum (Vav.), Secale kuprijanovii (Grossh.), Secale montanum (Guss.), Secale segatale (Roshev.), Secale silvestre (Host.), Secale vavilovii (Grossh.). Phenotypic differences were determined on the basis of morphological features of rye plants and grain, and genetic differences were measured based on polymorphism of storage proteins, assayed with the SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. To differentiate the rye species, morphological features of grain, such as: length, width and area of kernels, were found to be better measures than morphological features of plants. The results of experiments showed that among the tested genotypes there were differences in the number and weight of polypeptides and polypeptide patterns in particular fractions. The similarity between the genotypes ranged from about 29% to 55%. S. ancestrale and S. segetale were found to be the most similar genetically.

The aim of the studies was to determine diversity of 42 barley breeding lines, examined in 2004 in a pre-registered trial, in relation to their usefulness as parents in crossing programme. Phenotypic distance and genetic similarity were evaluated. Phenotypic divergence regarding yield-related traits, plant hight and heading date treated simultaneously was estimated using multivariate analysis of variance and canonical variate analysis. Genetic similarity was calculated on the basis of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers. Narrow genetic diversity was found in the analysed barley lines. Phenotypic divergence was much higher, but no close relationship between genetic and phenotypic distances was observed. Line STH363 considerably differed from the other lines at a molecular level. This line could be used as a parent in crossing programme.

The results of the geostatistical analysis of spatial variability of spring barley grain yield and protein content within production fields in the years 1998–2003 are presented. The calculations were done on the base of grain samples taken in points of 24 × 24 m (1998–1999) and 36 × 36 m (2000–2003) geostatistical grid. The number of measurement points in the following years was: 130, 106, 102, 106, 94, 102. The analysis was done with the method of isotropic semivariance, which describes spatial variation dependent on the distance, but not on the direction variability (unisotropy). The semivariance was presented in graphical form of isotropic semivariograms, separately for each field. The parameters of the semivariograms (nugget effect, sill, range) were used for the interpolation of barley grain yield and protein content with the point kriging method, which enables visual presentation of spatial distribution of studied characteristics in the form of isoline map.

The purpose of the study was estimation of spring barley grain yield and protein content variation on the area of production field and determination of the reasons for the variation. The studies were conducted in the Experimental Station BaborĂłwko, Poland, in 1998–2003 on the fields where the methods of precision agriculture were used. It was found that the range of grain yield is determined by both weather and soil conditions and the range of protein content are dependent mainly on weather conditions. Canopy indices describing plant growth (plant number and dry matter yield, LAI values) and plant nitrogen nutrition status in the development stages until an thesis (N percentage in dry matter, NNI values for both maximal yield and optimal grain protein content, SPAD values) can be used for diagnosis of the crop status and prognosis of grain yield. The indices of plant nitrogen management during anthesis are useful for diagnosis and prognosis of grain protein content.

The effect of far-red to red radiation ratio (FR/R) on plant height and tillering was investigated on four barley cultivars with different stand density requirements. Single plants were grown in Mitcherlich pots and kept in two growth chambers (Heraeus type) with different FR/R ratios: 0.1:1 and 1.1:1. Under the higher FR/R ratio, two cultivars with low seeding rate requirements showed a remarkable decrease in number of tillers, whereas the other two cultivars, requiring more dense stand, had the same (low) level of tillering, independently on the radiation spectral composition.

Results are presented of a field experiment carried out in Prusy, at the Experimental Unit of Plant Production Department, Agricultural University of KrakĂłw, in the years 2000–2002. Two cultivars of spring barley: husked Rodos, naked Rastik and two cultivars of oat: husked Chwat and naked Akt were cultivated in pure stands and in all combinations of barley-oat mixtures with equal proportion of each component. The husked forms of barley and oat yielded significantly higher than the naked ones. The difference in oats reached 58% and in barley 11%. Yielding of the mixture of two husked cultivars was also superior over the other mixtures, but lower in relation to the pure stand of Chwat oat. The lowest yielding mixture was that of two naked components, however the yields were significantly higher than for the pure Akt naked oat. Generally, cultivation in mixtures increased yielding level by 5.7%–8.9% in relation to the mean yields of pure components. The naked cultivars of oat and barley contained more protein in grain than the husked alternatives. In mixtures, protein content in separated grain of the barley and oat cultivars was similar to that recorded for the grain harvested from pure stands.

Investigation of pathogenicity of barley powdery mildew population (B. graminis f. sp. hordei) in Poland in 2001 was conducted using leaf samples of susceptible cultivar Manchurian infected by powdery mildew collected in 12 locations. Twenty single — spore isolates were obtained from leaf sample in each location. Based on their resistance reaction on 32 differential cultivars virulence of each specific single — spore isolates was determined. Virulences Vg + CP (93.2%), Va7 + Ab (100%), Vh (98.6%), V(La) (100%), V(Ru2) (100%), Vra (100%) were present in Poland in 2001 with frequency more than 90%. Low frequency showed virulences such as: Va1 +? (24.3%), V(St1) + St2 (27,2%), Va9 + k (28.3%) and Va3 + (Tu2) (10.1%). Virulences which were present with frequency 30%–50% were: Va7+ k +? (38.4%), Va3 (42.1%), Va9 (39.1%), Vat (45.4%), Va3 (42.1%) and Va22 (49.1%). Virulences Va23, Vp and Vo5 were not present at any of the tested locations. The strong influence of population of B. graminis f. sp. hordei from neighboring countries was observed on V(Bo) and V(La) frequencies. Virulences Va1, Va3, V(St1) + St2 and Va3+ Tu2 were present in population of barley powdery mildew in Poland in spite that their corresponding resistances have not been used in cultivars grown in Poland in 2001.

The aim of the presented paper was genetic and breeding studies of F2 hexaploid hybrids Avena sativa L. × Avena byzantina Koch. RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) method was used to confirm hybrid character of the analyzed cross combinations. Close similarity of A. sativa and A. byzantina was probably the reason of lack of DNA fragments, which could confirm hybrid pedigree of the analyzed forms. Behaviour of chromosomes in metaphase I, anaphase I and late telophase II of meiosis, viability and size of pollen grains were analyzed in order to estimate cytogenetic stability of the hybrids. The obtained results testify to good cytogenetic stability of the analyzed genotypes. The hybrids were compared to their parental forms regarding some quantitative traits. The plants of combination Santor × A. byzantina were significantly taller than the initial forms and had longer panicles. The weight of 1000 kernels of hybrids was higher than that of the initial forms. Kernels of the hybrids Santor × A. byzantina contained significantly more protein than the maternal variety.

Effect of selection for ear rot and stalk rot resistance was tested in two flints and two dent maize synthetic varieties. Ear rot was observed after inoculation by Fusarium graminearum and F. culmorum. Stalk rot was estimated at natural infection. The inoculation of maize ear was effective for differentiation of the tested plant material. The investigated synthetic varieties were characterized as susceptible to ear rot and weekly resistant to stalk rot. The lines have been selected with much higher resistance to the diseases, in relation to the initial synthetic varieties.

This work is a concise summary of literature concerning cutworms, their occurrence, biology, harmfulness and crop protection. The article includes also observations made on maize fields belonging to HR Smolice breeding station in the season of 2004. Cutworm infestation of one of the experimental fields gave authors the opportunity to recognize differences in stalk lodging susceptibility among tested maize hybrids due to cutworm larvae injury. Increasing importance of this pest to the Polish agriculture has been pointed out.

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Recent changes in climate and agricultural practices (growing acreage of maize and winter wheat, reduced tillage) increase the danger of a wide scab (fusarium head blight) attack on winter wheat in Europe. Majority of the countries, where the risk of the disease has been low, including Poland, are not well prepared to the imminent epiphytosis. There is no common European system for screening and elimination of grain and flour contaminated with the Fusarium toxins, however some work on proper regulations is in progress. The present attitudes in variety testing and registration usually do not accept some yield decrease in forms showing higher resistance to the fusarium head blight. Fungicides are insufficiently effective, if applied on susceptible varieties or at low level of agrotechny. Therefore, the improvement of scab resistance is a serious challenge for wheat breeders. The European population of wheat varieties is much variable in respect of the resistance. The known sources, as Sumai 3 and Type II, are difficult in routine breeding application; they are usually lost in early generations of crosses, if artificial inoculations are not applied. In Germany, spread of post-harvest remains of maize proved to be an effective inoculation method, which ensures constant and long lasting dissemination of the spores. In comparison with the spraying methods, the inoculation proceeds in a more natural way, from beneath. The prospects of DNA markers use are also optimistic. The co-operation between agricultural institutes and private breeders is expected to prevent the catastrophic epiphytosis, similar to that occurred in North America. There is a demand, addressed to the institutes, for pre-breeding of appropriate wheat forms, which combine short stature with high level of the resistance. There is also a need for research on the relationships between the resistance and flowering biology.

Genotype-environment interaction and yielding stability of some cultivars of winter wheat were evaluated in variable environmental conditions of commercial production. Data from survey investigations conducted in period the 1992–2003 were used. Cultivation regions, soil conditions and agriculture technology level were factors making differences. Among the cultivars tested in variable environmental conditions stable, unstable and unpredictable ones were separated.

Genotype-environment interaction and yielding stability of some cultivars of winter wheat were evaluated in variable environmental conditions of commercial production. Data from survey investigations conducted in period the 1992–2003 were used. Cultivation regions, soil conditions and agriculture technology level were factors making differences. Among the cultivars tested in variable environmental conditions stable, unstable and unpredictable ones were separated.

The paper analyzes the changes in yielding of spring and winter wheat on the basis of breeding trials conducted in the years 1981-2004. Results of trials from Pustków and Henryków (Dolny Śląsk) were used for spring wheat, and results from Pustków and Polanowice (Małopolska) for winter wheat. The trend of changes was estimated by locally weighted linear regression. For spring wheat the regression line shows no genetically determined increase of yielding until 1999; only in the last five years the productivity rised. For winter wheat the trend of general mean and the mean for standard varieties is increasing, which shows that new varieties with better productivity were continuously introduced. In the whole period the yield of the best varieties was substantially higher than the yield of the best standards, which proves high effectively of Polish breeding with respect to improvement of yielding.

This paper presents the possibilities of utilization of introgressive hybridization for breeding requirements of winter wheat T. aestivum L. by the production of initial materials. The part I is concentrated on the ways of using of the wheat genetic systems for homoeologous / homologous pairing and crossability, aimed at obtaining the F1-bridge hybrids and breakage of the crossability barriers between T. aestivum L. and the species of genera Triticum, Hordeum, Secale, Aegilops, Agropyron, Lolium. Subsequently, the accessible genetic sources, methods of their use and their usefulness in introgressive hybridization were presented. Particular attention was paid to the genotypes of homoeologous pairing Ph1 ph1, ph1b ph1b and crossability kr1 kr1 kr2 kr2.

This paper presents the possibilities of utilization of introgressive hybridization for breeding requirements of winter wheat T. aestivum L. by the production of initial materials. In the part II, breeding effects of introgressive hybridization, based on the genetic systems of wheat T. aestivum L., are presented. They include improvements of spike in respect of length (cm), number of spikelets, number of florets per spikelet, number of kernels, kernel weight (g) and the grain quality parameters as protein content (%), sedimentation index (ml) and falling number (s). The recorded values of these characters have never been reached in wheat breeding based on recombination within the species. The obtained materials are demonstrated, which can be used in winter wheat breeding programs. The most effective sources for improvement of the characters of spike and grain quality were the species T. boeoticum Boiss., T. timopheevii Zhukov. v. 5013, 5030, T. dicoccoides Schweinf., T. durum Desf. (cvs. Mirable, Khapli, Fuensemiduro, Mutico Mucur, DF624), Ae. speltoides Taush., L. perenne L. (cv. Anna) and E. giganteus L.

Inheritance of HMW glutenin subunits coded by the chromosome 1A was investigated in F2 progenies obtained from eight cross combinations. Two parental components — winter wheat cultivars Begra and Euris — which contain “silent” gene for Glu A1 locus were crossed with four winter wheat forms with subunits Glu A1-1 (cultivars Mikon and Astron) or Glu A1-2 (cultivar Tortija and line MIB 496). We have tested whether three alleles of glutenin gene on the chromosome 1A segregated according to the theoretically assumed ratio 3:1 for presence: absence of Glu A1 subunits using the c2 test. The observed segregation ratio agreed with the Mendelian 3:1 ratio in some crosses but significantly differed in another ones. In two extreme cases of progeny coming from combinations with cultivar Tortija gene coding for Glu A1-2 subunit was almost completely eliminated whereas in combinations with variety Mikon the variant with “silent” gene was not observed.

A field trial has been carried out in randomized blocks design at experimental station in Swadzim near Poznań in the years 2001–2003. The goal was to evaluate diversity of grain quality parameters of twenty spelt genotypes and to select forms with the best quality. The spelt genotypes differed significantly in the tested quality parameters. The highest protein content had HTRI 4473 and HTRI 9631, the lowest: 001950 — RadzikĂłw, Osterreischer Burgdorf and Spelt. inz Drogendijk. The highest gluten content was in HTRI 4473 and HTRI 9631, the lowest in Spelt. inz Drogendijk. The highest Zeleny index (ca. 30 ml) was observed in two varieties: Blauer Wi. Kolbendinkel and HTRI 4473. Despite different weather conditions in both seasons, varieties HTRI 9631 and HTRI 4473 had high baking quality measured with the RMT ratio. The varieties HTRI 9631 and HTRI 4473 had high protein and gluten content and the best baking quality.

Winterhardiness, earliness, resistance to brown rust (Puccinia recondita f. sp. triitici) and powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici) were evaluated, under field conditions, in four wide hybrid strains, together with their parental forms. The strains were derived from crosses of Aegilops juvenalis and Ae. ventricosa with Triticum aestivum (cvs. Arda, Begra, Panda, CZR 1406–1BL/1RS) and T. durum (cv. Grandur). The percentage of living plants in spring was a measure of winterhardiness. The earliness was determined by the number of days from May 1st to ear emergence. The diseases evaluation was performed at the stages of heading and milk maturity. Natural infections with brown rust and powdery mildew were evaluated using a nine-grades score (1 — most susceptible, 9 — completely resistant). From the conducted investigations it follows that in the climate conditions of eastern Poland the hybrids had a little lower winterhardiness than the CZR 1406 line and the Begra wheat cultivar, but they were more winter hardy than the Aegilops species. Among the hybrids, good winterhardiness showed the strains (Ae. juvenalis × CZR 1406) × Begra and {[(Ae. juvenalis × CZR 1406) × CZR 1406] × Panda} × CZR 1406. The earliest heading was observed in the Aegilops species, later — in the hybrid strains and the latest — in the wheat cultivars. The strains (Ae. juvenalis × CZR 1406) × Begra and {[( Ae. ventricosa × Grandur) × Panda] × Arda} × Arda were highly susceptible to brown rust. The hybrids [(Ae. ventricosa × Grandur) × Panda] × Panda and {[(Ae. juvenalis × CZR 1406) × CZR 1406] × Panda} × CZR 1406 showed high resistance to brown rust. All hybrid strains showed good resistance to powdery mildew. The highest resistance to the mildew was noted in the strain {[(Ae. ventricosa × Grandur) × Panda] × Arda} × Arda.

Present global trends for cereal quality requirements are discussed, especially for wheat in relation to end-uses, indicating the direction of breeding and selecting works within the group of the most strategic cultivated crops. There are two new ways of cereal grain utilization, as a rich source of bioactive substances with promoting effect on human health, first of all dietary fibre and its constituents and as a raw material for the production of bioethanol as a biofuel. In the last years many possibilities of improving end-use quality of cereals have been opened due to utilization of molecular techniques of genetic engineering for a transgene introduction. The improvement of cereal quality traits is still possible by exploiting the methods of conventional breeding. Donors of desirable traits can be searched within varieties, presently cultivated and old ones stored in gene banks, as well as among wild and primitive forms.

Experiments were performed on stems of four durum wheat lines (Triticum durum Desf.): two long -straw and two short-straw ones. Biometrical measurements served to set geometrical parameters of the stem (internodes length, outer and inner diameter, wall thickness, area of the cross- section) and its mechanical properties (Young’s modulus of elasticity and longitudinal rigidity). Essential differences appeared between the short — and long-straw lines for majority of the analysed parameters. The short-straw lines were characterized by much thicker stems as well as by a thicker wall of the stem, especially in the second and third internode from the top. They were also characterized by higher numbers in the area of cross-section and lower Young’s modulus of elasticity.

Incidence of stem-base diseases and yielding of winter wheat varieties Kobra, Juma and Korweta depending on a frequency of ploughing the straw were evaluated in the long-term crop rotation experiment conducted on a good rye soil complex in 1998–2001. The following variants of straw ploughing were compared: 1) control treatment (without straw); 2) straw ploughing once in a rotation (rape straw); 3) straw ploughing twice in a rotation (rape and wheat straw); 4) straw ploughing three times in a rotation (rape, wheat and barley straw); 5) straw ploughing three times in a rotation, without additional application of nitrogen on straw (rape, wheat and barley straw). The experiment was established in the random blocks in four replications. The area of each plot was 45 m2. No significant effect of straw ploughing on the occurrence of diseases and winter wheat yielding was found, although some differences between varieties were observed. A significant decrease in yielding of var. Korweta was observed, which was a consequence of plants cultivation in monoculture for two successive years, with straw ploughing applied only once in a rotation. The decrease in yielding of this variety might be connected with the occurrence of stem-base diseases. No significant differences between variants of fertilization with straw on nitrogen nutrient status in winter wheat were found. The increase in available nutrients and humus content of soil after fertilization with straw was observed.

Resistance of winter and spring wheat genotypes to Fusarium head blight was evaluated. The genotypes known as the valuable sources of resistance to this disease, as well as the genotypes which could be prospective alternative resistance sources, were used. Wheat heads were inoculated with Fusarium culmorum spores, and both disease severity and reductions of yield components were estimated. Based on the results highly resistant genotypes of winter and spring wheat were identified, and the published data concerning resistance sources could be verified under Polish conditions. The most resistant were spring wheat genotypes originating from China and Japan, such as: Sumai 3, Ning 8343, Ning 8331, Shinchunaga, Wangshuibai, and W14. As regards winter wheat genotypes, the most resistant were: Praag 8, Novokrymka-102, and SVP 72017-17-5-10-1. The most resistant genotypes, with acceptable agronomic characters, will be used to improve the resistance of Polish wheat cultivars.

A comparison of grain yields obtained from uninfected and Cephalosporium gramineum infected tillers of winter wheat grown in monoculture showed that infection caused a 40% loss of grain yield in cv. Kobra, and 22% and 23% losses in cvs Roma and Zyta, respectively. Weight of 1000 seeds from infected ears, compared to that from uninfected control, was reduced by 23, 17 and 15% in cvs Kobra, Roma and Zyta, respectively. The content of total proteins was slightly higher in grain from infected tillers than in grain from uninfected ones. No infection with C. gramineum was detected in seeds harvested from infected tillers of the winter wheat cultivars under study.

The study material comprised 42 breeding lines of malting barley and three standard cultivars: Startus, Blask and Scarlett. The lines were evaluated in field trials for kernels yield, weight of 1000 kernels and plant height. The results obtained in the experiment were analysed using uni- and multivariate methods. As compared to the standard cultivars, the breeding lines were characterized by a great variability of the estimated traits. The analysis allowed to select strains that significantly exceeded the standards in yielding ability. It was also possible to group the lines depending on the place of their origin.It was found based on the comparison of three best lines from each group that lines from three breeding stations yielded at the level comparable to that of the standard cultivars, whereas yields of the other lines were significantly lower.

The aim of the study was to determine new extraction conditions to be applied in the assay of grain extract viscosity, which would reflect similarity and complexity of traits determining the malting and feeding values of barley. The methodological studies were initiated by selection of seven testing varieties of variable malting quality, then establishing a most appropriate kind of solvent and its degree of dilution in relation to the grain. The varieties, all originating from the same environmental conditions, were evaluated for malting and feeding values. In a feeding trial broiler chickens, known to be very susceptible to the viscous components of the diet, were used. The results showed that varieties Rudzik, Binal and Blask, which characterised with the highest malting and feeding values, had also the lowest extract viscosity, regardless of a solvent used, and the lowest content of soluble nonstarch polysaccharides. Preliminary results indicate that the assay of extract viscosity can be a handy tool in selection of barley for high brewing and feeding values. Further studies, involving larger testing material, have been planned.

The malting quality of spring barley harvested in 2004 was evaluated for 60 breeding lines and 3 standard cultivars grown in preliminary and pre-preliminary field trials at ZD HAR Strzelce, SHR ModzurĂłw and ZD HAR RadzikĂłw. The malting quality was estimated on the basis of the following parameters: 1000 grains weight, grain plumpness, total grain protein, total and soluble malt protein, Kolbach index, malt friability, extractability, wort viscosity, diastatic power, content of b-glucan and final fermentation degree. Coefficients of variation (CV%) and correlation were estimated for the investigated traits. The influence of environment was the highest for malt friability, protein and b-glucan content.

In Poland, growing of the same variety within the crop is most commonly performed, mainly for technical and organisational reasons. However, genetically uniform crops are especially susceptible to unfavourable biotic and abiotic factors. They are, among others, affected at the higher rate by fungal diseases. It has been demonstrated, both experimentally and in agricultural practice that mixtures of varieties can be a promising alternative to crops grown in pure stands. It was found that environmental factors acting within a mixed culture inhibit the disease development, which in consequence results in a higher and more stable yield of grain, as compared to that obtained with varieties grown in pure stands. In the paper, the results of three experiments performed on mixtures of winter barley varieties with or without chemical control, are presented. First experiment was carried out in the years 1993–1997. It comprised three winter barley varieties and four mixtures. Second experiment (1998–2001) included five varieties and twelve mixtures, and in third experiment (2001–2004) four varieties and three mixtures were evaluated. The first and the second experiments were done without chemical control, whereas in the third experiment fungicides were applied in different doses and at different times during the vegetation period. The incidence of powdery mildew in variety mixtures was compared to that in varieties grown in pure stands. In the experiments in which plants were grown without chemical control the highest rates of reduction of powdery mildew infestation in variety mixtures were recorded till the end of heading. The results of experiment in which chemical control was applied show that growing of variety mixtures, combined with the reduced using of fungicides, can be recommended as a low-input and environment-friendly method of winter barley cultivation.

Incidence of stem-base diseases and yielding of spring barley varieties Rodos, Bryl, Stratus depending on a frequency of ploughing the straw were evaluated in the long-term crop rotation experiment conducted on a good rye soil complex in 1998–2001. The following variants of straw ploughing were compared: 1) control treatment (without straw); 2) straw ploughing once in a rotation (rape straw); 3) straw ploughing twice in a rotation (rape and wheat straw); 4) straw ploughing three times in a rotation (rape, wheat and barley straw); 5) straw ploughing three times in a rotation, without additional application of nitrogen on straw (rape, wheat and barley straw). The experiment was established in the random blocks in four replications. The area of each plots was 45 m2. No significant effect of straw ploughing on spring barley yielding was found in this experiment, although some differences between varieties were observed. These might be a consequence of barley infection with stem-base diseases. No significant differences between variants of straw ploughing on nitrogen nutrient status in spring barley were found. The increase in available nutrients and humus content of soil after fertilization with straw was observed.

Genetic resistance to powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei) of 10 winter barley cultivars and 12 spring barley cultivars from Polish Registration trials 2003 is presented. All winter cultivars have one or more genes for resistance in loci Mlra, Mla6, Mla14, and Ml(St). Ten different resistance genes: Mla1, Mla9, Mla12, Mla13, Mlg, Ml(Ab), Ml(IM9) Mlk, Ml(St) and mlo, as well as two unknown genes were detected in spring cultivars. Only cultivars with gene mlo show a high level of resistance to powdery mildew in Poland.

The preliminary trials with triticale strains were conducted at 5 locations in 2003 and 2004. In 2003, winterhardiness had the greatest effect on yield formation, whereas the lodging resistance was of lesser importance. In 2004 the most important was resistance: mainly mildew and septoria — like diseases.

The study was undertaken to determine the possibility of exploiting Agrotriticum for improving end-use quality of triticale. Experimental materials consisted of two hybrids derived from Agrotriticum and triticale, variety Presto and line [(Lanca × L506/79) × CZR 142/79], as well as their parental forms. The following physico-chemical features were analyzed: thousand-kernel weight (TKW), mass of hectoliter (MHL), content of: protein, ash, dietary fibre (TDF) and its constituent polysaccharides and viscosity of water extract. Biological value on a laboratory scale was also examined. Agrotriticum showed the highest content of protein (15%) and MHL (78) but the lowest TKW (42) within tested grains. The remaining features were at a level similar to triticale parental forms. Hybrids of Agrotriticum and triticale characterized by increased content of dietary fibre and its fractions as compared to triticale. The greatest differences were found in nonstarch polysaccharides (31%) and arabinoxylans (43%) in the hybrid derived from line [(Lanca × L506/79) × CZR 142/79], whereas the content of protein was increased in the highest degree in the hybrid with variety Presto. Agrotriticum did not have any impact on digestibility of protein and dry matter in the hybrids but significant one on biological value, which seems to be related to the concentration of protein. The preliminary results indicate usefulness of Agrotriticum to improve quality of triticale and possibly other cereals. Recombination of triticale and Agrotriticum genes increased the range of variability of protein and dietary fibre contents.

Phenol reaction of winter triticale and colour of the coleoptile were investigated according to DUS methodics. Three generations of varieties Bogo and Presto and a control (initial material sown every year) were obtained at three different locations. The result obtained indicated that the phenol reaction and colour of coleoptile depended on the year of harvest. No significant differences between a control and reproduction were found. Varieties Bogo and Presto did not differ significantly from the standards in the examined characters. Only the colour of the coleoptile of var. Presto was lower than that of the standard.

Two F2 populations of the interline crosses and a set of 62 recombinant inbred lines (RILs-F7) of rye developed from the cross 541 × Ot1-3 were analyzed during this study. The existence of linkage between formerly found three RAPD markers and the restorer locus for cytoplasm C was affirmed. Additionally, a set of five new RAPD markers linked with Rfc1 locus was identified, but only one of these markers was close enough to be attempted in using in marker assisted selection programme.

The molecular analysis included male-sterile (P), their analogous maintainer (N) and restorer (R) inbred lines of rye originating from the Plant Breeding and Acclimatisation Institute, Danko Plant Breeding Co. Ltd. and Poznań Plant Breeding Co. Ltd. Presented data are the results of a preliminary study on identification of markers of fertility restoration for male sterility of "Pampa" type. The aim of this study was to document the utility of proposed PCR technique for differentiation the components of rye hybrids: male sterile, maintainer and restorer lines. The use of considerable number of starters gave also a possibility to select semi-specific primers that seem to be the most useful for further studies. The evaluation of indices of dissimilarity among accessions and cluster data was based on the analysis of 1482 DNA fragments. The results indicated essential genetic differences between restorer and non-restorer inbred lines. The data presented also confirmed a high level of similarity between male sterile lines and their normal analogues.

The chemical elements N, P, K, Ca and Mg, although present in soil in great amounts, are hardly available to plants because they often occur in quite insoluble forms. Morever, in the soil and climate conditions of Poland, these elements are fairly lost due to leaching out. They must be therefore complemented in soil by introducing  with fertilizers. Effective application of fertilizers, as well as reduction of their harmful effects upon soil, require the good knowledge of soil properties. In this work the content of Mg, Ca, K, P, Na and Cl of above-ground parts and roots of 2-week old seedlings of six winter rye varieties: Kier, Motto, Walet, Luco, Klawo and Nawid was determined. The seedlings were treated with NaCl applied at the concentrations of 0, 100, 150 and 200 mM. The salinity stress effected in the distinct decrease in the content of P, Ca, K and Mg, and in the increase in Na and Cl content. Slight differences in the content of particular elements between the rye varieties were found. Only var. Luco, which appeared to be most tolerant to salinity, contained relatively more calcium, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium, and the greatest amount of chlorine and sodium.

In this paper the studies on 89 lines of rye developed at the n IHAR RadzikĂłw are presented. The aim of the studies was to determine the variability of selected morphological and mechanical traits of culm. Moreover, the relationships between these traits were examined. The lines were characterized for the culm length and mass, diameter of 1st and 2nd internodes as well as for such mechanical properties as spring constant and average culm flexural rigidity. The significant differences between the genotypes in all tested traits were found. The highest coefficients of variability were recorded for mechanical parameters, i.e. spring constant (41.3) and average culm flexural rigidity (29.3). High correlations were observed between spring constant and culm length (-0.65) and average culm flexural rigidity (0.42). The latter trait depended both on culm mass and a diameter of 1st and 2nd internodes.