The study was performed with complete nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial DNA of Wistar rats and prematurely aging OXYS rats, sensitive to the cataractogenic effect of galactose, kept at the Gene pool of laboratory animals shared access center, Institute of Cytology and Genetics (ICG) of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The nucleotide sequences were submitted to GenBank. It was shown that two additional unique nucleotide substitutions between rats OXYS (ICG) and Wistar (ICG) were absent from other known nucleotide sequences of rat mitochondrial DNA of rats and that they did not cause amino acid substitutions, so that all phenotypic differences between the lines were determined only by differences in their nuclear DNA. The comparative analysis showed that Wistar (ICG) rats had a significant number of nucleotide substitutions compared to rat strains derived from an outbred Wistar colony. This observation contradicts the conjectured relationship of Wistar (ICG) rats to the original Wistar rat stock or its descendants. It is assumed that the Wistar (ICG) rats had descended from the Sprague Dawley rat line, at least, through female lineage.

The population of the Northern red-backed vole (Myodes rutilus) from the vicinity of Novosibirsk is polymorphic for coat coloration. Some of its individuals possess an unusual black color of rump. Experimental studies have shown that mature males with the aberrant coloration outperform standard males in such adaptive characteristics as body mass and exploratory activity, rank higher in social hierarchy, have an optimal balance between amicability and aggressiveness, and are more attractive for receptive females. All these features give the aberrant males an advantage at high population density and intensity of social competition as early as the beginning of the mating season. As a result, they produce more offspring, and the proportion of the aberrant individuals increases. However, the early-born aberrant progeny also early matures and starts its reproduction, thus, it is eliminated in the autumn. In a sparser population, the aforementioned advantages are less significant, and the proportion of the aberrant form remains unchanged by the end of the reproductive season. Thus, the ethological mechanisms determining male competitive capacity and female mating preferences contribute in the maintenance of the dynamic coat-color polymorphism in the Northern red-backed vole population.

Nucleotide sequences of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene (ND2) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were determined in stoats (Mustela erminea) from northeastern Kamchatka. Analysis of the data on ND2 variability in stoats presented here and in earlier studies shows that the divergence level between American and Eurasian mtDNA haplotypes is about 5 %, whereas that among Eurasian ones is as low as 0,5 %. The results of phylogenetic analysis also point to a highly significant differentiation between the American and Eurasian mtDNA lineages, whereas a single Kamchatkan cluster of mtDNA haplotypes is recognized in the Eurasian mtDNA clade with high confidence. Molecular dating shows that the separation of ancestral population of the stoat occurred approximately 1,3–1,6 million years before present (BP), but the Eurasian mtDNA lineages diverged about 300 thousand years (ka) BP. The evolutionary age of Kamchatkan mtDNA haplotypes is about 95–120 ka, which contradicts the suggestions of other authors about post-last glacial (19–26,5 ka BP) recolonization of Eurasia by stoat populations. This inconsistency is discussed.

A panel of 96 DNA samples that reflects the breadth of genetic diversity in popular Russian cattle breeds has been designed. The panel of cattle DNA contains 11 dairy breeds and 6 beef and beef-dairy breeds. The numbers of animals in each breed group vary from 4 to 8. The main criterion for selection of individual animals within each breed is to maximize the total number of unshared haploid genomes according to pedigree data. The resulting panel is equivalent to USDA MARC Beef Cattle Diversity Panel version 2.1 in the power of SNP identification (number of unshared haploid genomes = 186,1, minimum allele frequency required for its detection with 95 % probability – 1,6 %). Analysis of three SNPs shows an insignificant difference between the allele frequencies in Galloway, Hereford, Grey Ukrainian, and Black Pied herds and those in the panel. Thus, the diversity panel may be useful for identification of genetic markers associated with economically important traits in cattle, evaluation of purebred and crossbred animals, and, probably, for tentative estimation of allele frequencies in commercial populations.

Molecular analysis of mitochondrial DNA samples (N = 15) of the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age population from the Cis-Baikal region has been performed. East Eurasian haplogroups (D, G2a С, Z, F1b) were identified in the mitochondrial gene pool. The results of phylogeographical analysis suggest that the development of autochthonous East Eurasian genetic components played a major role in the formation of Baikalian populations. Genetic interactions with populations from neighboring regions of Central Asia also contributed to the gene pool structure of the Cisbaikalian population.

In order to optimize artificial pollination in various pea species and subspecies, the efficiency of artificial pollination was analyzed in eight accessions belonging to Pisum fulvum, Pisum sativum ssp. elatius (wild), P. abyssinicum, and P. sativum ssp. sativum (cultivated). Mean numbers of seeds per flower pollinated with its own pollen were determined in three pollination methods: 1) immediately after bud castration before anther dehiscence, 2) after the dehiscence of a flower castrated at the same stage (delayed pollination), and 3) double pollination as in methods (1) and (2). These methods did not differ in efficiency in cultivated accessions. In wild ones, method (2) was similar to (1) or better, whereas method (3) was comparable in efficiency with method (2). Method (2) (delayed pollination) was 12 times as efficient as method (1) in accession 721 (Pisum sativum subsp. elatius), possessing very large flowers. Delayed pollination is recommended for wild pea varieties.

It is shown that cotyledon protein SDS-electrophoresis and inter-simple sequence repeat DNA markers (ISSRs) can be used in identification of hybrid genotypes in Sorbus sibirica Hedl. and Sorbocotoneaster pozdnjakovii Pojark. hybridization. Recombination of molecular and morphological characters was observed in hybrids, which proves close relationships of the parental genomes and, as a consequence, the potential of utilizing Sorbocotoneaster pozdnjakovii genotypes in breeding of Sorbus cultivars. The results confirm that the genus Sorbocotoneaster arose as a result of Sorbus and Cotoneaster hybridization.

Spring common wheat varieties display broad genotypic diversity in response to the stress impact of aluminum ions. The investigated set of varieties contained no sensitive ones. Moderately tolerant varieties constituted about 63 %, and highly tolerant, about 25,5 %. The remaining 11,5 % of varieties were moderately sensitive to aluminum treatment. Accessions of spring common wheat have different levels of aluminum tolerance irrespective of sampling locality. The set of wheat varieties showed a significant genetic diversity in the manifestation of the response of chloroplast pigments to the stressor. The structure-functional rearrangement of the leaf pigment apparatus was variety-specific. It showed no strong relation to the level of aluminum tolerance in the root systems. Cluster analysis divided the entire set of varieties into 5 groups with different combinations of root length and plant vigor both in the control and in the presence of aluminum. The authors suggest that the increase in aluminum tolerance in spring common wheat varieties occurs indirectly alongside the breeding aimed at increasing plant resistance to abiotic environmental factors.

The study concerns the variability of dual lodging resistance and morphoanatomical indices of the culm in 17 spring wheat varieties. Factor, path, and multivariate regression analyses indicate that reliable direct and indirect contributions to plant resistance to lodging are made by the lengths of the second and third lower internodes, the sum of their lengths, and the fractural strength of the culm at lower internodes. It is shown that the selection for lodging resistance in spring wheat can be done in early generations on the base of the lengths of lower internodes.

This article analyzes new data on compactum wheat (Triticum compactum Host.) collected in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR). Two expeditions to various parts of AR, supported by the Science Development Foundation, along with other species, collected 78 accessions of compactum wheat belonging to the groups of varieties convar. rigidicompactum, convar. inflatum, and convar. compactum. The majority of samples (85,5 %) belonged to the varieties var. splendidorigidum, var. fetissovii, var. asiaticicterinum, var. erinaceum, etc., which are a subgroup of subconvar. rigidicompactum. A wide intraspecific variability in growth habit, earing data, resistance to yellow rust, height, architectonic of plants, and ear parameters was revealed.

The authors summarize their own research and data from the literature to overview the current knowledge of the genetics of soft wheat resistance to loose smut. The inheritance and chromosomal location of 12 resistance genes are considered. A bank of donors of efficient genes for spring wheat resistance to the pest has been established.

Local traditional varieties constitute an important portion of grape genetic resources. DNA profiles for microsatellite loci VVMD5, VVMD7, VVMD27, VVS2, VrZAG62, and VrZAG79 were obtained for 11 local grape cultivars grown in the Don region. These SSR-markers are recommended as basic for Vitis vinifera genotyping. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon were used as reference cultivars. The markers were combined in multiple sets for simultaneous evaluation of two loci. The total number of different alleles per locus varied from 5 (VVS2, VMD7) to 11 (VVMD5) within the Don cultivars analyzed. The cultivars possessed different sets of allele combinations for loci under study. The genotyping results were subject to cluster analysis. Sibir’kovyi and Pukhlyakovskiy belyi showed the greatest proximity to each other. Molecular studies of local southern Russia grape cultivars will be continued.

Long-term studies of frost resistance, merchantability, and contents of biologically active compounds in new promising and recommended sweet cherry varieties grown in Krasnodar krai are reported. Frost-resistant varieties valuable for breeding are outlined. Varieties rich in biologically active compounds have been found. Their use in breeding programs will increase the pool of vitamins in fruit of new hybrid accessions.

Fruit biochemical composition of the apple varietal pool was being studied for 58 years in the oldest pomological institution All Russia Research Institute for Fruit Crop Breeding. Contents of soluble dry matter, total sugar, titratable acids, pectin, ascorbic acid, and P-active substances have been studied. Directed apple breeding for higher content of ascorbic acid in fruit has been carried out since 1970. Biochemical compositions have been studied in 265 apple varieties from the Institute collection, 52 varieties raised at the Institute, and 1400 hybrid seedlings, including 373 selected elite ones. Sources of high contents of biochemically valuable substances and features of their inheritance have been determined amongst the apple varieties and hybrid seedlings. Varieties with high contents of sugars, ascorbic acid, and P-active substances in fruit, as well as with best sugar and acid proportions have been developed and included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements Recommended for Use. It is shown that apple breeding for fruit biochemical composition improvement has great prospects, since the introduction of such varieties would allow increasing the nourishing and preventive value of fruit without additional consumption of nonrenewable energy sources.

Problems of the improvement of estimation of the environmental plasticity of varieties and lines are considered. It is recommended to apply the proposed variety stability index. A final version of the analytical expression of the index for practical application is presented, as well as its typical values for Siberia.

The chemical composition of the Soranovskii Miscanthus variety harvested in 2011 and 2012 was separately determined in the whole plant, leaves, and stem. In all cases, cellulose was found to prevail in the Miscanthus stem, and non-cellulosic components (the fat-wax fraction, ash, and lignin), in leaves. Cellulose samples were for the first time obtained from leaves and stems separately by two methods (nitric-acid and combined). The best quality cellulose was derived from stems. For instance, cellulose isolated from stems by the nitric-acid process was better than that from leaves, which was expressed as a higher α cellulose content (94,4 % versus 91,7 %) and polymerization degree (800 versus 580), as well as low weight fractions of non-cellulosic components: ash (0,07 % versus 1,01 %) and acid-insoluble lignin (0,45 % versus 1,51 %). The same tendency is observed in celluloses produced by the combined method: Cellulose from stems had better quality than that from leaves; specifically, it had a greater polymerization degree (1040 versus 640) and lower weight fractions of non-cellulosic components: ash (0,14 % versus 0,75 %), acid-insoluble lignin (0,88 % versus 4,2 %), and pentosans (6,8 % versus 8,53 %). It is obvious that cellulose obtained by the nitric-acid method can be suitable for chemical modifications, including nitration. Cellulose from the combined process can be utilized in paper industry.

It is demonstrated that Saccharomyces сerevisiae Y-1693 yeast (RNCIM) is recalcitrant to aqueous enzymatic Miscanthus hydrolysate. Its good condition indicates that the media have no detrimental impurities characteristic of acid chemical hydrolyzates. Ethanol biosynthesis from enzymatic Miscanthus cellulose hydrolysate occurs best at native active pH 4,5–4,7 pH. Addition of 1 % yeast extract makes the medium of aqueous enzymatic hydrolyzate of Miscanthus cellulose complete. Moreover, in batch fermentation it is sufficient to introduce 10 % yeast inoculum in the log phase of growth. As shown by gas-liquid chromatography, enzymatic digestion of Miscanthus cellulose yields ethanol with low contents of esters and fusel oils. Miscanthus bioethanol is free of methanol.

In 1920s, agricultural research institutions (experimental stations) working at the CER collected many local Manchurian soybean varieties. The experimental stations tested the collected material and raised new cultivars. More than 3000 soybean accessions were submitted to the Vavilov Institute of Plant Industry. The article describes this material and its significance for breeding in the USSR.

The article describes the visit of Аcademician N.I. Vavilov to the Amur agricultural experimental station in 1920s. The station was located at the site of the former Ozerki postal station, presently Sadovoe Village, Tambov raion, Amur oblast. In this year, the Amur experimental station (presently All-Russia Soybean Research Institute) celebrates its 105th anniversary.

The article reviews the development of two leading concepts of speciation, developed in the 1940-s by the British ornithologist and ecologists David Lack (1910–1973). It shows the ways Lack simultaneously developed two different versions of speciation. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of evolutionary thoughts of Lack expressed in his book “Darwin’s Finches”. Evidence is given that Lack, in addition to being a founder of contemporary evolutionary ecology, apparently belongs to the architects of evolutionary synthesis.