Genetic Resources of Triticale in the Polish Gene Bank

Abstract

The aim of the research, conducted at the Institute of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin since 1982, is the systematic gathering and multi-annual characterization of triticale accessions collected in the Polish gene bank, as well as regeneration of materials preserved in the seed stores in case of reduced germination capacity or a small sample of grains. Valorisation of accessions is carried out in a 4-year cycle of field experiments and includes botanical identification and a description of morphological and useful traits (agricultural and qualitative), conducted every year according to the same methodology. The valorisation data include both traits determined in field evaluation (assessment of emergence, overwintering, lodging, fungal disease resistance, and heading and full maturity dates) and measurements of biometric features (plant height, spike length, number of spikelets per spike, number and weight of grains per spike, 1,000 grain weight, protein content in grain). As part of the research, accessions have been made available for use in breeding programmes and have been donated to research and development institutes as a broad spectrum of variation for genetic similarity analysis and to provide genetic sources of such traits as resistance to pre-harvest sprouting, response to toxic aluminium ions, and disease resistance.