Identification of sources of winter barley resistance to smut (Ustilago hordei)

The current paper presents the 3-year assessment results of domestic and foreign winter barley varieties and lines for smut resistance. The smut pathogen in the Rostov region causes one of the most harmful diseases, which, in addition to direct crop losses (head destruction), causes the so-called hidden losses, which can several times exceed direct ones. An effective way to counteract the disease is to cultivate resistant varieties, and farmers need the reliable sources of resistance to the pathogen. The immunological properties of winter barley varieties were studied in an infectious nursery (2016–2018). Seed infection with spores was carried out by S. Dimitrov’s method (1968) using a nutrient medium. Inoculated seeds were sown at the end of the optimal time. There was estimated a number of infected stems. The variety “Dobrynya 3” was used as a susceptible test-variety, which percentage of infection throughout the years ranged from 20.6 to 71.8%. There were studied 115 domestic and foreign varieties and lines. Among 69 domestic commercial varieties and breeding lines, 11 ones (15.9%) showed good resistance, 21 ones (30.4%) showed weak susceptibility, 30 ones (43.5%) possessed average susceptibility and seven varieties (10.1%) were severely affected by the pathogen. Among foreign varieties, resistance to barley smut has been established in seven German varieties, in three French varieties, in two Swiss varieties, one Czech variety and one Ukrainian variety. The varieties “Rocca”, “Nixe” (Germany), “Metelitsa” (Ukraine) are classified as the best ones in resistance to the pathogen during the artificial infection. The French variety “18513 ЕН11” had no affected plants during the study and was identified as an immune variety. The identified sources of winter barley resistance to smut are recommended for use in breeding programs for immunity.