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MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs about 20-24 nucleotides long. They play an important role in the gene regulation at the post-transcriptional level. They affect the plant genome response to environmental stress. The miRNA-based molecular markers is type of functional markers reported in very few plants. However, the information connected to the evaluation of genotypes by this type of markers within a single species is missing. Considering the stability, polymorphism, functionality and transferability potential of miRNA-based markers, the research was conducted to apply selected types of them (miR156b, miR408a and the combined type of miR156b/miR408a) for the genotyping analysis of eight flax genotypes of different origin together with the morphology analyses. A total of 145 miRNA loci were identified, of which 19 were unique. The highest numbers of miRNA loci (57) and unique fragments (9) as well as the highest percentage of polymorphism and the extent of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of miRNA fragments have been observed with the combination of miR156b-F and miR408-F markers. By means of the miRNA markers has been recorded the unique profile of the miRNA loci for individual accessions. The morphology study has shown that the genotypes are the same in the expression of selected morphological traits despite the different use and different places of origin. However, we have identified an interface between some of morphological traits and miRNA-based markers for genotyping the genetic resources of flax. By mutually linking these two types of markers, we were able to determine unique genotypes of flax.

This review is devoted to the description of chemical peculiarities of industrial oil crops cultivated (or prospective for cultivation) in Russia, which are stored in the VIR collection. Different crops have similar fatty acids biosynthesis pathways, but each species has its own individualities in the chemical composition of the oil and its genetic control. The diversity of oil crop chemical composition opens the possibility of its multipurpose utilization practically in all industrial segments. Sunflower, rapeseed, flax, mustard, camelina and safflower are cultivated in Russia as oil crops. Castor beans, perilla, lallemantia and noog are not cultivated on an industrial scale, but have original oil properties and are prospective for future cultivation. Hemp and poppy seeds contain oil valuable for food, but they are not widespread. Cotton and peanut oils are prospective for industrial purposes when early, already created varieties of these crops will be cultivated in Russia. Oil properties depend on the ratio of its basic fatty acids: saturated (stearic, palmitic) and unsaturated (oleic, linoleic, linolenic). As a rule, lauric, myristic and palmitoleic acids are determined in minor quantities. The oil of Brassicaceae crops also includes arachidic, eicosenoic, eicosadienoic, behenic, erucic and lignoceric acids. Fatty acids accumulation is influenced by growing conditions, though it has strict genetic control.

Background. Structuring and phenotyping genetic diversity is an important aspect of the work with breeding sources and materials. In the Introduction, the authors pointed out the role of N.I. Vavilovs scientific foresight in defining the topical trend in researching the genetic diversity of a crop, particularly the analysis of its biochemical composition. As the target of their research, the authors chose biochemical characters identifiable in the process of metabolomic analysis conducted by means of gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Materials and methods. The object was the grain of naked and covered forms of common oat (Avena sativa L.) from the collection held by the Oat, Rye and Barley Genetic Resources Department of VIR. The analysis of oil fatty acid content and metabolomic research were performed using the method of gas-liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry on the chromatograph Agilent 6850 (USA). Results. The obtained metabolomic spectra which reflected the metabolomic status of genotypes of various ecogeographic origin were compared among themselves using statistical (principal component) analysis methods. The results of the comparison are discussed by referring to the most important groups of metabolites significant for forming the traits of resistance to stressors as well as the characters related to food qualities of grain products. Special attention has been paid to biologically active compounds determining the functional value of the products for human nutrition: the sum of phenolics in covered forms is five times higher than that in naked ones and the content of glycine amino acid in covered forms is five times higher than in naked grain, with a similar proportion in the content of organic acids, sugars, etc. Conclusion. Differences between metabolomic profiles of naked and covered forms have been detected and statistically verified. Accessions with the most optimal nutritional composition have been identified for food purposes and for the development of resistance to biotic and abiotic environmental stresses.