Purpose. Assessment and selection of self-pollinated S5 maize (Zea mays L.) families with high combining ability and wide adaptive capacity obtained on the basis of specially produced hybrids by crossing elite lines of various genetic plasms with the best main agronomic characters. Methods. Field studies, mathematico-statistical evaluation. Results. An amplitude of grain yield ranging from 5.96–10.96 t/ha (x = 8.44 t/ha) in 2013 to 2.67–7.59 t/ha (x = 5.08 t/ha) in 2014 was determined in the course of study of the testcrosses of self-pollinated S5 families. It was found that different response of genotypes of the studied testcrosses to the year conditions significantly affected the average yield level, which decreased in the stressful 2014 by 3.4 t/ha as compared to 2013. The results of the assessment based on the general and specific combining ability of new parent material of mixed germplasm were shown. A significant variability of the estimates of GCA (general combining ability) effects depending on the year conditions was observed in the course of study. A marked difference in the estimates of GCA effects based on the grain yield was revealed. They were persistently high in 19% of the best self-pollinated families in both years, 14% of the families had persistently low estimates of GCA effects, 67% changed their value depending on the genotype and year conditions. Conclusions. 17 best self-pollinated families with persistently high estimates of GCA, 6 families featuring high tolerance to drought and 4 families with persistently high variances of SCA were selected. The selected families will be used as a parent material in selection programs aimed to create new high performance hybrids.

Мета. Обґрунтувати морфофізіологічні та гетерозисні моделі високопродуктивних гібридів кукурудзи ФАО 150–490 для умов зрошення та створити відповідні генотипи зі специфічною адаптивністю до агроекологічних чинників. Методи. Загальнонаукові, спеціальні селекційно-генетичні та розрахунково-порівняльні. Результати. Викладено дані багаторічних досліджень з розробки моделей гібридів кукурудзи різних груп стиглості в умовах зрошення. Визначено основні параметри моделей гібридів кукурудзи різних груп ФАО. Наведено результати реакції нових гібридів на способи поливу та режими зрошення. Встановлено, що гібриди ФАО 190 мають стабільний прояв урожайності за різних режимів зрошення. Використання цих гібридів доцільне за умов водозберігаючих режимів зрошення на поливних землях з низьким гідромодулем. У середньостиглих гібридів (ФАО 300–390) виявлено сильну генотипову реакцію на екологічний градієнт вирощування. Урожайність гібридів такого типу різко зменшується за водозберігаючих режимів зрошення. У групі середньопізніх гібридів встановлено гібриди кукурудзи інтенсивного типу ‘Арабат’, ‘ДН Гетера’,              ‘ДН Аншлаг’, ‘ДН Рава’ з урожайністю зерна 15–17 т/га за краплинного зрошення і дощування в умовах Інгулецького та Каховського зрошуваних масивів. Гібриди такого типу недоцільно використовувати на поливних землях з низьким гідромодулем та за водозберігаючих режимів зрошення, оскільки така технологія призводить до вагомих втрат урожаю, тому вони не можуть конкурувати з сучасними гібридами ФАО 190–290. Висновки. Розроблені моделі та створені на їх базі гібриди кукурудзи групи ФАО 150–490 для умов зрошення півдня України з урожайністю зерна 11–17 т/га адаптовані до різних режимів зрошення, виявляють адекватну прогнозовану реакцію на технологічне забезпечення, мають високий потенціал продуктивності. За високого агрофону диференціювальна здатність середовища вища, ніж в умовах, наближених до екстремальних, де екологічні чинники спричиняють нівелюючий ефект на фенотипову реалізацію ознак продуктивності гібридів ФАО 400–490. Морфобіологічні ознаки, що визначають урожайність зерна, стабільно реалізуються тільки на високому агрофоні, тому добір за фенотипом надійний тільки у сприятливих умовах. Універсальні гібриди, адаптовані до широкого спектру зовнішніх умов, за інтенсивних технологій на зрошенні поступаються за продуктивністю генотипам, що мають вузьку адаптивність.

Мета. Оцінити електрофоретичні спектри зеїнів ліній кукурудзи для створення панелі паспортизації. Методи. Електрофорез запасних білків, кластерний аналіз. Результати. Наведено результати досліджень 31 лінії кукурудзи за запасними білками насіння з використанням електрофоретичного розділення компонентів зеїну. На основі визначення відносної електрофоретичної рухливості зеїнів встановлено, що досліджувані лінії кукурудзи є однорідними та мають відмінності за компонентним складом зеїнів, що дає змогу їх ідентифікувати. Визначено, що найбільш подібними лініями є ‘ДК744’ та ‘ДК298’, ‘ДК3070’ та ‘ДК633/325’, ‘PLS61’ та ‘Chi31’, у яких виявлено більшу кількість спектрів з однаковою відносною електрофоретичною рухливістю. Визначено унікальні компоненти зеїну 96, 32 та 41 у досліджуваних лініях ‘ДК267’, ‘ДК129-4’ та ‘ДК236’. Кластерний аналіз дав змогу з’ясувати, що лінії ‘ДК325’, ‘ДК267’ та ‘ДК276’ перебувають на найбільшій відстані від усіх досліджуваних ліній. Відповідно до генетичних дистанцій достатній рівень подібності (300–400) за спектрами зеїну виявлено між лініями зародкової плазми Айодент та Ланкастер. Висновки. Для оцінки генофонду кукурудзи доцільно застосовувати метод електрофорезу запасних білків, оскільки він дає змогу оцінити їхню однорідність та визначити ступінь генетичної спорідненості. Виявлено, що найвіддаленішими дослідженими лініями є ‘ДК315’, ‘ДК267’ та ‘ДК276’. Встановлено, що загальновідомі еталонні лінії ‘PLS61’ та ‘Chi31’ сформували окремий кластер. Отже, застосування методу електрофорезу запасних білків дало змогу виділити найбільш віддалені лінії, які належать до одного типу зародкової плазми, та визначити подібні компоненти зеїну в ліній різних геноплазм.

Purpose. To review publications relating to the key point of the genotyping technology that is competitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (which is called now Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR, KASPTM) and its use in various genetic-breeding researching (a study of maize). Results. The essence of KASP-genotyping, its advantages are highlighted. The requirements for matrix DNA are presented, since the success of the KASP-analysis depends on its qua­lity and quantity. Examples of global projects of plant breeding for increasing crop yields using the KASP genoty­ping technology are given. The results of KASP genotyping and their introduction into breeding and seed production, in particular, for determining genetic identity, genetic purity, origin check, marker-assisted selection, etc. are presented using maize as an example. It is demonstrated how geno­mic selection according to KASP genotyping technology can lead to rapid genetic enhancement of drought resistance in maize. Comparison of the effectiveness of creating lines with certain traits (for example, combination of high grain yield and drought resistance) using traditional breeding approaches (phenotype selection) and molecular genetic methods (selection by markers) was proved that it takes four seasons (two years in case of greenhouses) in order to unlock the potential of the plant genotype using traditional self-pollination, test-crossing and definitions), while using markers, the population was enriched with target alleles during one season. At the same time, there was no need for a stress factor. Conclusions. KASP genotyping technology is a high-precision and effective tool for modern genetics and breeding, which is successfully used to study genetic diversity, genetic relationship, population structure, gene­tic identity, genetic purity, origin check, quantitative locus mapping, allele mapping, marker-assisted selection, marker-assisted breeding. It is expedient and timely to introduce KASP genotyping technology in our country to solve a wide range of modern genetics, breeding, seed production tasks.

Purpose. To review publications relating to the key point of the genotyping technology that is competitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (which is called now Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR, KASPTM) and its use in various genetic-breeding researching (a study of maize). Results. The essence of KASP-genotyping, its advantages are highlighted. The requirements for matrix DNA are presented, since the success of the KASP-analysis depends on its qua­lity and quantity. Examples of global projects of plant breeding for increasing crop yields using the KASP genoty­ping technology are given. The results of KASP genotyping and their introduction into breeding and seed production, in particular, for determining genetic identity, genetic purity, origin check, marker-assisted selection, etc. are presented using maize as an example. It is demonstrated how geno­mic selection according to KASP genotyping technology can lead to rapid genetic enhancement of drought resistance in maize. Comparison of the effectiveness of creating lines with certain traits (for example, combination of high grain yield and drought resistance) using traditional breeding approaches (phenotype selection) and molecular genetic methods (selection by markers) was proved that it takes four seasons (two years in case of greenhouses) in order to unlock the potential of the plant genotype using traditional self-pollination, test-crossing and definitions), while using markers, the population was enriched with target alleles during one season. At the same time, there was no need for a stress factor. Conclusions. KASP genotyping technology is a high-precision and effective tool for modern genetics and breeding, which is successfully used to study genetic diversity, genetic relationship, population structure, gene­tic identity, genetic purity, origin check, quantitative locus mapping, allele mapping, marker-assisted selection, marker-assisted breeding. It is expedient and timely to introduce KASP genotyping technology in our country to solve a wide range of modern genetics, breeding, seed production tasks.

Purpose. The analysis of allelic status of such key genes of carotenogenesis as gene of lycopene-ε-cyclase (lcyε) and gene of β-carotene hydroxylase (crtRB1) for DNA-markers in domestic maize lines and their hybrids. Methods. DNA isolation, PCR, gel electrophoresis. Results. Allelic status of key genes of carotenogenesis was investigated in eight maize inbred lines and their single crosses. Molecular genetic polymorphism in the studied sample of maize lines and hyb­rids has been detected in gene of β-carotene hydroxylase for marker crtRB1-3’TE. For this gene, codominant character of inheritance of alleles of parental lines in single crosses was confirmed. For markers of gene of lycopene-ε-cyclase lcyε-3’INDL and lcyε-SNP216, polymorphism in the group of investigated lines and hybrids has not been identified, genotypes included only one variant of alleles for each marker. For lines ‘DK253ZSZM’, ‘DK633/266zS,zM’, ‘DK366zS,zM’ and hybrids ‘DK296S×DK253ZSZM’, ‘DK272S×DK633/266zS,zM’ and ‘DK231S×DK366zS,zM’, the decrease of the activi­ty of β-carotene hydroxylase owing to the mutation of gene crtRB1 under the influence of transposone element at the 3’-end, the inhibition of β-carotene transition into β-cryptoxanthin can be expected, that allows to predict β-carotene accumulation in grain. Conclusions. The study of allelic status of carotenegenesis gene of lycopene-ε-cyclase in maize showed no polymorphism for markers lcyε-3’INDL and lcyε-SNP216 in eight inbred lines and their single crosses, along with this, for marker lcyε-3’INDL in genomes of all studied samples the allele was identified to be favorable for the accumulation of β-carotene. For marker crtRB1-3’TE of gene of β-carotene hydroxylase, the studied breeding material was polymorphic. Allele of crtRB1 being favorable for the accumulation of β-carotene was identified in lines ‘DK253ZSZM’, ‘DK633/266zS,zM’, ‘DK366zS,zM’ and hybrids ‘DK296S×DK253ZSZM’, ‘DK272S×DK633/266zS,zM’ and ‘DK231S×DK366zS,zM’. Single crosses inherit maternal and paternal alleles of gene of β-carotene hydroxylase codominantly.

Purpose. To select promising high productive maize hyb­rids of middle-early maturity group in terms of stability and plasticity of main economic characters. Methods. Field study, laboratory test, analytical procedure and statistical evaluation. Results. 14 maize hybrids recorded in the State Register of Plant Varieties Suitable for Dissemination in Ukraine in 2015 were studied for plasticity and stability of such traits as productivity, protein and starch content. Intensive highly-plastic hybrid ‘SI Tiptop’ was selected among the studied ones for productivity trait that can respond properly to changes of growing conditions. It was defined that for the starch content such hybrids as ‘SI Tiptop’, ‘SI Enigma’, ‘SI Arioso’, ‘Svich 38’, ‘Svich 35’, ‘HU 8653’, ‘Zdobutok’ and ‘SI Contrakt’ belonged to the intensive type and combined rather high values and the stability of the studied trait under variable conditions. The following hybrids as ‘NS 2642’, ‘DK S3016’, ‘Svich 38’, ‘NS 2632’ were qualified as intensive for protein content and appeared to be highly-plastic but stability values of this trait were low. ‘Svich 38’ hybrid was intensive simultaneously for two traits such as protein and starch content and showed rather high values of plasticity. ‘SI Tiptop’, ‘SI Enigma’ and ‘Svich 35’ were defined as hybrids of extensive type that provided stable protein content in adverse cultivation conditions. Conclusions. On the condition that intensive crop growing technologies should be used, for obtaining stable yields it is advisable to sow only highly-plastic hybrids that can adapt to unfavorable environmental factors, including ‘SI Tiptop’ – for productivity trait, ‘Zdobutok’ and ‘SI Kontrakt’ – for starch content, ‘MAC 24N‘, ‘NA 2642‘ and ‘Danubio’ – for protein content.

Purpose. Assessment and selection of self-pollinated S5 maize (Zea mays L.) families with high combining ability and wide adaptive capacity obtained on the basis of specially produced hybrids by crossing elite lines of various genetic plasms with the best main agronomic characters. Methods. Field studies, mathematico-statistical evaluation. Results. An amplitude of grain yield ranging from 5.96–10.96 t/ha (x = 8.44 t/ha) in 2013 to 2.67–7.59 t/ha (x = 5.08 t/ha) in 2014 was determined in the course of study of the testcrosses of self-pollinated S5 families. It was found that different response of genotypes of the studied testcrosses to the year conditions significantly affected the average yield level, which decreased in the stressful 2014 by 3.4 t/ha as compared to 2013. The results of the assessment based on the general and specific combining ability of new parent material of mixed germplasm were shown. A significant variability of the estimates of GCA (general combining ability) effects depending on the year conditions was observed in the course of study. A marked difference in the estimates of GCA effects based on the grain yield was revealed. They were persistently high in 19% of the best self-pollinated families in both years, 14% of the families had persistently low estimates of GCA effects, 67% changed their value depending on the genotype and year conditions. Conclusions. 17 best self-pollinated families with persistently high estimates of GCA, 6 families featuring high tolerance to drought and 4 families with persistently high variances of SCA were selected. The selected families will be used as a parent material in selection programs aimed to create new high performance hybrids.

Purpose. To select promising high productive maize hyb­rids of middle-early maturity group in terms of stability and plasticity of main economic characters. Methods. Field study, laboratory test, analytical procedure and statistical evaluation. Results. 14 maize hybrids recorded in the State Register of Plant Varieties Suitable for Dissemination in Ukraine in 2015 were studied for plasticity and stability of such traits as productivity, protein and starch content. Intensive highly-plastic hybrid ‘SI Tiptop’ was selected among the studied ones for productivity trait that can respond properly to changes of growing conditions. It was defined that for the starch content such hybrids as ‘SI Tiptop’, ‘SI Enigma’, ‘SI Arioso’, ‘Svich 38’, ‘Svich 35’, ‘HU 8653’, ‘Zdobutok’ and ‘SI Contrakt’ belonged to the intensive type and combined rather high values and the stability of the studied trait under variable conditions. The following hybrids as ‘NS 2642’, ‘DK S3016’, ‘Svich 38’, ‘NS 2632’ were qualified as intensive for protein content and appeared to be highly-plastic but stability values of this trait were low. ‘Svich 38’ hybrid was intensive simultaneously for two traits such as protein and starch content and showed rather high values of plasticity. ‘SI Tiptop’, ‘SI Enigma’ and ‘Svich 35’ were defined as hybrids of extensive type that provided stable protein content in adverse cultivation conditions. Conclusions. On the condition that intensive crop growing technologies should be used, for obtaining stable yields it is advisable to sow only highly-plastic hybrids that can adapt to unfavorable environmental factors, including ‘SI Tiptop’ – for productivity trait, ‘Zdobutok’ and ‘SI Kontrakt’ – for starch content, ‘MAC 24N‘, ‘NA 2642‘ and ‘Danubio’ – for protein content.

Purpose. To analyze peculiarities of Ukrainian cereals and oilseeds trade, the situation on the world market, and determine future prospects of its development. Methods. Analysis and synthesis, comparative evaluation, graphic procedure. Results. The role and place of Ukraine in a total grain supply to the world market was determined. Ukraine is a world’s top ten grain producer. Among domestic agricultural products, cereals, oilseeds and sunflower oil are in the highest demand in the world. In recent years, our state has reinforced its status as one of the leading exporters of cereals. The commodity pattern of cereals and oilseeds export was analyzed with specifying most in-demand positions and the main countries purchasing these pro­ducts. According to the results of 2015, Ukraine obtained the highest foreign currency revenue from export of corn, wheat and barley (in grain structure) including soybeans and rapeseed (among oil crops). Key domestic and multinational operators are the main exporters of cereals and oilseeds in Ukraine and still hold their leading position. It was found a significant excess of import price of seeds as compared with export price of crops grown in Ukraine. Assortment of maize and sunflower seeds offered by major companies-producers in Ukraine was studied. Main trends of the world grain market development are considered. Conclusions. It was established that Ukraine is one of the major exporters of cereals and oilseeds. However, volatility of their prices significantly affects the export revenue that was decreasing even with increasing export quantities in kind. The dependence of domestic grain industry development on high-quality imported seed of maize and sunflower hybrids was recorded. It is expected that in the years to come Ukraine will maintain its strong positions in the world’s grain market.