Materials and methods. Four amylopectin varieties Chabanivske, Zhyvynka (NSC Institute of Agriculture) and Osoblyve and Alternatyvne (Institute of Plant Industry named after V.Ya. Yuriev) were taken as experimental material. The main economically valuable characteristics of the varieties and their biochemical properties of grain were made in 2018–-2020. The main technological indicators of the dough and the assessment of the quality of bread from a mixture of spring wheat flour of the Myronivska variety and grain flour of the Chabanivske variety were carried out in accordance with the current methods. Millet flour was added to wheat flour in proportions of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0%. The purpose of our research was to study the main economically valuable traits, biochemical properties and resistance to 13 smut races of Ukrainian amylopectin varieties of millet and to determine the optimal percentage of adding millet flour to spring wheat flour to improve the quality of bread. The discussion of the results. According to the results of scientific work, it has been established that millet waxy varieties differ in their economically valuable characteristics. So, varieties Chabanivske and Zhyvynka have a short growing season, on average, 75 and 77 days, respectively, and varieties Osoblyve and Alternatyvne – 93 and 100 days, respectively. Due to the increased height of the plants of the Osoblyve and Alternatyvne varieties, they can also be grown for animal feed. In terms of biochemical parameters, modern amylopectin varieties did not differ significantly, but showed a high content of protein (13.50–14.0%) and carotenoids (4.8–5.6 mg/kg). Amylos-free starch genotypes varied significantly in terms of head smut resistance. Variety Chabanivske was affected by 13 smut races, varieties Alternatyvne and Osoblyve received 8 and 7 points in 1 and 10 races. Variety Zhyvynka showed high resistance to 8 smut races: Rs 1, Rs 4–Rs 7, Rs 9–Rs 11 – 9 points. The addition of flour from amylos-free starch millet improved the elasticity and extensibility of the dough, increased the balance of these physical properties of the dough with each other, improved the strength of the flour, but did not affect the sedimentation rate. Bread baked with the addition of 2.5% or 5.0% Chabanivske grain flour to the Myronivska spring wheat flour had a larger volume, better taste and appearance compared to the standard. Conclusions. Waxi varieties (Chabanivske, Zhyvynka, Osoblyve, Alternatyvne), were developed in Ukraine, are characterized by high economically valuable traits and high indicators of grain quality. The main use of these varieties is grain and fodder. The Zhyvynka variety is characterized by high resistance (9 points) to 8 races of smut (Rs 1, Rs 4–Rs 7, Rs 9–Rs 11). The addition of Chabanivske grade waxy-millet flour to wheat flour improves its baking qualities and the taste of bread, while the films are additional fiber that promotes digestion

The aim of the work was to study the impact of drought on the millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) seed germination and morphological parameters of seedlings and to identify millet genotypes with balanced rhizo- and organogenesis under arid conditions. Since the soil drought weakens plant immunity during seed germination and provokes development of various diseases, especially smut (Sorosporium destruens (Schlecht) Yanki), it is necessary to identify plant genotypes with high resistance to virulent smut races. We studied resistance of 28 millet varieties to 13 smut races registered in Ukraine. The osmotic PEG 6000 (23 %) was used to simulate soil drought during the seed germination. After six days of incubation, seed germinability was assessed and the length of shoots and roots of seedlings was measured. The stress resistance of millet varieties was evaluated by the root length/shoot length ratio (R/S). Water deficit in the soil decreased seed germinability to 50.12 %. Morphological changes were more pronounced in shoots (decrease in length by 77.3 %) than in roots (decrease by 37.7 %). Under favorable weather conditions, the rhizo- and organogenesis in seedlings was even (R/S=0.75±0.02). In case of soil drought, the ratio R/S dropped to 2.19±0.03. Most of the varieties were resistant to smut races Rs 1, Rs 5–Rs 7, and Rs 9–Rs 11; in addition, around 10 % of the studied varieties was highly resistant (9–8 points) to smut races Rs 2, Rs 8, Rs 12, and Rs 13. Millet genotypes resistant to Rs 3 smut race were not found. Thus, the varieties with R/S ratio around one and higher should be considered the most valuable genetic material in selection for drought resistance. High R/S ratios were observed in the varieties Zapovitne (1.77), Zolushka (1.54), Olitan (1.4), Skado (1.79) and Danilo (1.79). The varieties Olitan and Danilo were highly resistant to the smut races Rs 1, Rs 4, Rs 7, Rs 9–Rs 11, while the varieties Novokyivske 0.1 (2.17) and Konstantynivske (2.22) to the smut races Rs 1, Rs 4–Rs 7, Rs 9–Rs 12. The variety Bila Altanka was not affected by the most virulent smut races Rs 2, Rs 8 and Rs 13. We recommend to include these millet genotypes in selection for drought and smut resistance.

Aim. Creation and transfer to the National Center of Plant Genetic Resources of Ukraine genetic sources of millet with race-specific resistance against smut in combination with other economically valuable traits. Methods. In 2019 was laid a breeding nursery of raw material with signs of improved technological qualities of grain (high mass of 1000 grains, optimum film density, high grain alignment and spherical grain shape). In order to isolate forms of millet that are immune to different races of smut and to create sources of simultaneous resistance against damage to the most aggressive races of smut an analysis of the virulence of races was carried out and the most virulent of them were selected, which can characterize resistance against all 13 pathotypes in total. Results. A reconsideration for the resistance of millet against smut was carried out on a p infectious background of the most effective races of the pathogen for a well-established method of assessing the race-specific resistance of millet to smut, developed in the National Research Center of Institute of agriculture. Conclusion. In 2020 5 lines – sources of group resistance against smut – were selected in the nurseries of trials of breeding material of millet ( (l. 1110-05, l. 1727-14, l. 2142-14, l. 3199-16, l. 3267-16), which combined resistance in different ratios against the most virulent and aggressive pathotypes of smut – Rs2, Rs3 and Rs12 with economically valuable traits. 3 samples are also selected (l. 1427-08, l. 2098-14, l. 2155-14), which overwhelm the standards for a complex of economic and valuable signs: resistance to lodging (8.5 points), resistance to melanosis damage (lesion – 0%), high weight of 1000 grains > 9g, low film density (13.5–15.0%), spherical grain shape, race-specific resistance to the soot race group with the most virulent and aggressive races of the pathogen – Rs2 and Rs12. These lines of own breeding were transferred to the National Center of Plant Genetic Resources of Ukraine under catalog numbers IUDS019538, IUDS019539, IUDS019540, IUDS019541, IUDS019542, IUDS019543, IUDS019544, IUDS019545) as genetic sources of resistance of millet to the most common race of smut in combination with other economically valuable traits for use in breeding and scientific programs of scientific-research institutions of Ukraine.