The aim of the present work was to compare the drought tolerance of three new Bulgarian common winter wheat varieties (Sashez, Ginra and Gizda) with one older variety Fermer, that is sensitive to drought stress. The sensitivity of investigated varieties to 3 and 7 days dehydration and their ability to recover after a period of 3 days re-watering were evaluated by following the alterations in the leaf pigment content, lipid peroxidation (MDA), generation of reactive oxygen species (H2O2) and levels of protective substances (anthocyanins). Results revealed that varieties Ginra and Gizda were the most resistant to applied dehydration, Sashez had medium resistance, while Fermer showed high sensitivity to water deprivation. Variety Sashez responded to 7 days of water deprivation with a significant increase of lipid peroxidation, but after re-watering for 3 days recovered successfully. After 3 days of dehydration, the level of protective anthocyanins was enhanced in Sashez, Ginra and Gizda, while during the whole experimental setup their level was very low in Fermer. Data demonstrated as well that the dehydration-induced lipid peroxidation and levels of H2O2 were highest in variety Fermer. The photosynthetic pigments were decreased after 7 days dehydration in all varieties, except in Ginra, and recovered after rewatering. The results obtained in respect to drought resistance and ability to recover after the stress of the investigated wheat varieties will be of interest to breeders for the development of new high-yielding drought tolerant wheat and achievement of sustainable agriculture in water-limited environments.

Progress in application of techniques, analyses and procedures used in EEC grapevine certification schemes are discussed. Biotechnology, virology and molecular biology as a successful approaches for genetic improvement of the existing grapevine varieties and rootstocks are also considered. Development, maintenance and evaluation of Bulgarian pre-basic grape genebank and a certification scheme related to the European Legislation appeared to be a promising step for solving the key problem for revitalisation of Bulgarian viticulture. Wild grapevines are being endangered in their natural habitats and high priorities are given to the collection and preservation of Vitis germplasms. Enlargement and unification of European Vitis database are also discussed.

The study was conducted during the period 2017-2019 in the experimental field of IPGR Sadovo. Wheat is the most important agricultural crop worldwide. Bulgarian wheat production in 2019 amounts to 6.162 thousand tons - an increase of 5.7% compared to 2018, due to the relatively favorable climatic conditions in the process of crop development, which led to an increase in average yield (with 6.8%). Twenty nine common winter wheat varieties (Triticum aestivum L.) with Belorusian origin and two Bulgarian varieties - Sadovo 1 and Enola were evaluated. The studied materials were sown in 2 rows with the length - 2 m, at the row spacing - 20 cm and the distance in rows - 5 cm. The standard technology adopted in IPGR for cultivation of common winter wheat was used. The aim of this study is to investigate the genetic distance of common winter wheat genotypes with a view to their use in the breeding process as sources of initial material for the formation of new and highly productive wheat varieties. Biometric measurements were made on 20 plants of each genotype and the main productivity indicators were recorded. To evaluate the genetic similarity between the different varieties, cluster analysis and PC analysis were applied. Based on the cluster analysis, the studied genotypes are classified into five large cluster groups. With the most genetic closeness to each other are characterized the varieties Vasilisa and Uzlet, followed by Daria and Rostan. The greatest genetic distance is shown between the Bulgarian varieties Sadovo 1 and Enola to the varieties from Belarus. The greatest genetic difference was found between Sadovo 1 and Rassvet, followed by Enola and Rassvet. Genetically distant varieties belonging to different cluster groups can be used as sources of initial material to achieve genetic diversity in the breeding of common winter wheat.

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