There are many reports describing chromosome structure, organization and evolution within goatgrasses (Aegilops spp.). Chromosome banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques are main methods used to identify Aegilops Linnaeus, 1753 chromosomes. These data have essential value considering the close genetic and genomic relationship of goatgrasses with wheat (Triticumaestivum Linnaeus, 1753) and triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack, 1899). A key question is whether those protocols are useful and effective for tracking Aegilops chromosomes or chromosome segments in genetic background of cultivated cereals. This article is a review of scientific reports describing chromosome identification methods, which were applied for development of prebreeding plant material and for transfer of desirable traits into Triticum Linnaeus, 1753 cultivated species. Moreover, this paper is a resume of the most efficient cytomolecular markers, which can be used to follow the introgression of Aegilops chromatin during the breeding process.

Association mapping is a powerful approach to detect associations between traits of interest and genetic markers based on linkage disequilibrium in molecular plant breeding. The aim of this study was the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and SilicoDArT markers associated with yield traits and morphological features in maize. Plant material constituted inbred lines. The field experiment with inbred lines was established on 10 m2 plots in a set of complete random blocks in three replicates. We observed 22 quantitative traits. Association mapping was performed in this study using a method based on the mixed linear model with the population structure estimated by eigenanalysis (principal component analysis applied to all markers) and modeled by random effects. As a result of mapping, 969 markers (346 SNPs and 623 SilocoDArT) were selected from 49,911 identified polymorphic molecular markers, which were significantly associated with the analyzed morphological features and yield structure traits. Markers associated with five or six traits were selected during further analyses, including SilicoDArT 4591115 (anthocyanin coloration of anthers, length of main axis above the highest lateral branch, cob length, number of grains per cob, weight of fresh grains per cob and weight of fresh grains per cob at 15% moisture), SilicoDArT 7059939 (anthocyanin coloration of glumes of cob, time of anthesis—50% of flowering plants, time of silk emergence—50% of flowering plants, anthocyanin coloration of anthers and cob diameter), SilicoDArT 5587991 (anthocyanin coloration of glumes of cob, time of anthesis—50% of flowering plants, anthocyanin coloration of anthers, curvature of lateral branches and number of rows of grain). The two genetic similarity dendrograms between the inbred lines were constructed based on all significant SNPs and SilicoDArT markers. On both dendrograms lines clustered according to the kernel structure (flint, dent) and origin. The selected markers may be useful in predicting hybrid formulas in a heterosis culture. The present study demonstrated that molecular SNP and Silico DArT markers could be used in this species to group lines in terms of origin and lines with incomplete origin data. They can also be useful in maize in predicting the hybrid formula and can find applications in the selection of parental components for heterosis crossings.

Leaf rust caused by the fungus Puccinia recondita f. sp. tritici is one of the most dangerous diseases of common wheat. Infections caused by fungal pathogens reduce the quantity and quality of yields of many cereal species. The most effective method to limit plant infection is to use cultivars that show rust resistance. Genetically conditioned horizontal-type resistance (racial-nonspecific) is a desirable trait because it is characterized by more stable expression compared to major (R) genes that induce racially specific resistance, often overcome by pathogens. Horizontal resistance is conditioned by the presence of slow rust genes, which include genes Lr34 and Lr46. This study aimed to identify markers linked to both genes in 64 common wheat lines and to develop multiplex PCR reaction conditions that were applied to identify both genes simultaneously. The degree of infestation of the analyzed lines was also assessed in field conditions during the growing season of 2017 and 2018. Simple sequence repeat anchored-polymerase chain reaction (SSR-PCR) marker csLV was identified during analysis in line PHR 4947. The presence of a specific sequence has also been confirmed in multiplex PCR analyses. In addition to gene Lr34, gene Lr46 was identified in this genotype. Lines PHR 4947 and PHR 4819 were characterized by the highest leaf rust resistance in field conditions. During STS-PCR analyses, the marker wmc44 of gene Lr46 was identified in most of the analyzed lines. This marker was not present in the following genotypes: PHR 4670, PHR 4800, PHR 4859, PHR 4907, PHR 4922, PHR 4949, PHR 4957, PHR 4995, and PHR 4997. The presence of a specific sequence has also been confirmed in multiplex PCR analyses. Genotypes carrying the markers of the analyzed gene showed good resistance to leaf rust in field conditions in both 2017 and 2018. Research has demonstrated that marker assisted selection (MAS) and multiplex PCR techniques are excellent tools for selecting genotypes resistant to leaf rust.

The aim of this research was to analyze genetic polymorphism between nine wild species and three cultivars of rye (genus <em>Secale</em> L.). The genetic polymorphism was assessed by means of the RAPD method (random amplified polymorphic DNA). The coefficients of genetic similarity between the species were calculated on the basis of amplified products and they were presented in a dendrogram. The highest genetic similarity was found between the <em>Secale cereale</em> ‘Amilo’ and <em>S. cereale</em> ssp. <em>ancestrale</em> ecotype 30226 (70%), whereas the lowest genetic similarity was observed between <em>S. sylvestre</em> and <em>S. cereale</em> ssp. <em>dighoricum</em> (33%). The results indicate considerable usefulness of the wild species for crossbreeding with the cultivars of the genus <em>Secale</em> and as genetic resources for breeding programs.

Among cereals, triticale (×Trititcoseale Wittmack ex A. Camus) represents a number of advantages such as high grain yield even in marginal environments, tolerance to drought, cold and acid soils, as well as lower production costs. Together with high biomass of grain and straw, triticale is also considered as an industrial energy crop. As an artificial hybrid, it has not evolved naturally, which is reflected in narrow genetic diversity causing a resistance collapse in recent years. Here, we describe a novel, synthetic tetraploid triticale, which was developed by the crossing of rye (Secale cereale L.) with einkorn wheat (Triticum monococcum spp. monococcum), which possess Sr35 stem rust resistance gene. Three subsequent generations of alloploids were obtained by chromosome doubling followed by self-pollination. The cytogenetic analyses revealed that the amphiploids possess a set of 28 chromosomes (14 of Am-genome and 14 of R-genome). The values of the most important yield-shaping traits for these tetraploid triticale form, including thousand-grain weight, plant height and stem length were higher compared to parental genotypes, as well as standard hexaploid triticale cultivars. This study shows that this tetraploid triticale genetic stock can be an interesting pre-breeding germplasm for triticale improvement or can be developed as a new alternative crop.