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Resistance of 31 winter wheat varieties (bred in 6 European countries) to Fusarium head blight (FHB) was evaluated in field trials lasting for three years (2007, 2008, 2009) after artificial inoculation with Fusarium culmorum. The data on deoxynivalenol (DON) content were supplemented by symptom scores and determination of % of Fusarium damaged grains and % reductions of thousand-grain weight and grain weight per spike due to infection. These varieties and also 120 advanced breeding lines from the Úhřetice Breeding Station, SELGEN company were examined for the presence of gibberellic acid (GA) insensitive semi-dwarfing genes to evaluate their effect on FHB. The conditions of experimental years highly influenced the performance of all characters. The highest production of DON occurred in 2008 at a high temperature and high moisture content during the infection period. In all years the moderate resistance to accumulation of DON (at the level of Swiss variety Arina) was detected in the Czech varieties Bakfis, Federer, Baletka, Samanta and Sakura. Among these varieties, Federer showed a low accumulation of DON at a relatively higher symptom expression and greater reduction of grain weight per spike, but the other four varieties and the reference variety Arina expressed resistance in all the examined traits. The varieties Pitbull, Cubus, Kodex and Bagou were found to be highly susceptible to FHB. The presence of the dwarfing allele Rht-D1b resulted in a significantly higher mean symptom score and also in a higher affection of the other traits. Nonetheless, the analysis of frequency distributions in symptom scores showed the presence of resistant lines also among the GA insensitive lines, but with a lower frequency than in the group of GA sensitive genotypes. A relatively greater effect on manifestation of the disease had plant height, and therefore it is suggested that the adverse impact of Rht-D1b on FHB resistance could be to a high degree excluded by opting for taller Rht-D1b genotypes.

The leaf spotting disease complex is a major biotic constrain in enhancing grain production in the major wheat growing regions. Two leaf spotting diseases, tan spot, caused by an ascomycete fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, and Stagonospora nodorum blotch besides causing average yield losses of 5-10%, cause significant losses in grain quality by red smudge, black point and grain shriveling. Conservation agriculture in combination with wheat monoculture involving cultivation of susceptible cultivars has resulted in frequent onset of leaf spots epidemics worldwide. Development of resistant wheat cultivars, in conjunction with crop rotation, will provide an effective, economical, and environmentally safe means of controlling leaf spot. International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico has initiated major efforts to mitigate the threat of tan spot. Efforts include screening of wheat germplasm, identification of new sources of resistance, characterization of new tan spot resistance genes through classical and molecular genetic analysis, incorporation of resistance into adapted cultivars, and assessing the variability in the tan spot fungus. Screening studies reveal that elite CIMMYT germplasm has high level of resistance to tan spot caused by P. tritici-repentis race 1. These germplasm have diverse genetic make-up and the resistance is likely broad based. Association mapping studies done with CIMMYT germplasm reconfirmed the presence of previously identified genomic regions for tan spot resistance; however, novel genomic regions on long arm of chromosomes 6A and 7B have also been identified. Studies done to date indicate that CIMMYT germplasm possess high level diverse genetic based resistance to tan spot of wheat. Efforts are in place to develop desired wheat cultivars with tan spot resistance. Virulence studies indicate presence of P. tritici-repentis race 1 only with some variability in level of toxin Ptr ToxA produced in each of the 76 isolates studied.

Reactions of winter triticale cultivars mostly from central Europe to recent and old leaf rust isolates were tested in the greenhouse. In one trial 20 cultivars were tested with 8 leaf rust isolates, collected recently from official wheat and triticale trials in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In another trial 15 cultivars were tested with 6 old leaf rust isolates, used to identify leaf rust resistance genes in wheat. The cultivars Cando, Hortenso and Tricolor, registered in the Czech Republic, were resistant to the majority of the recent isolates. The Hungarian cultivar Tatra was resistant to all the recent isolates. The old leaf rust isolates were virulent only to a few of the triticale cultivars. Randomly selected isolates from wheat and triticale were tested on triticale cultivars and on Thatcher near isogenic lines with different Lr genes. On average, leaf rust isolates from triticale were virulent to a higher number of triticale cultivars than isolates collected from wheat and vice versa.

Bread-making quality of wheat flour is influenced by wheat storage proteins. The percentage of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)-unextracted polymeric proteins in total polymeric proteins (% UPP), as one important factors determining bread-making quality, is largely influenced by the individual and interactive effect of genetical background and environmental conditions. Four spring wheat cultivars were grown in green house. Two of the cultivars have high molecular weight glutenin subunits 5+10 while the other two have 2+12. Four different nitrogen regimes and two different temperature levels (distinguished as low and high temperature) were used. The results highlighted the importance of interactive influence of cultivars, nitrogen regimes and temperature levels for creating differences in the amount of % UPP during grain maturation period (GMP) and at maturity. The shift to end up with either high or low % UPP at maturity happened early during GMP (around 12 days after anthesis). Influences of cultivars on % UPP was found early during the GMP while influences of temperature and nitrogen regimes were seen much later during the GMP. The results will help in understanding the relationship between quality parameters of wheat flour and how these are influenced by different environmental and genetic factors.

Approximately 20 years ago, we began our efforts to understand grain yield in winter wheat using chromosome substitution lines between Cheyenne (CNN) and Wichita (WI). We found that two chromosome substitutions, 3A and 6A, greatly affected grain yield. CNN(WI3A) and CNN(WI6A) had 15 to 20% higher grain yield than CNN, whereas WI(CNN3A) and WI(CNN6A) had 15 to 20% lower grain yield than WI. The differences in grain yield are mainly expressed in higher yielding environments (e.g. eastern Nebraska) indicating genotype by environment interactions (G × E). In studies using hybrid wheat, the gene action for grain yield on these chromosomes was found to be mainly controlled by additive gene action. In subsequent studies, we developed recombinant inbred chromosome lines (RICLs) using monosomics or doubled haploids. In extensive studies we found that two regions on 3A affect grain yield in the CNN(RICLs-3A) with the positive QTLs coming from WI. In WI(RICLs-3A), we found a main region on 3A that affected grain yield with the negative QTL coming from CNN. The 3A region identified using WI(RICLs-3A) coincided with one of the regions previously identified in CNN(RICLs-3A). As expected the QTLs have their greatest effect in higher-yielding environments and also exhibit QTL × E. Using molecular markers on chromosomes 3A and 6A, the favorable alleles on 3A in Wichita may be from Turkey Red, the original hard red winter wheat in the Great Plains and presumably the original source of the favorable alleles. Cheyenne, a selection from Crimea, did not have the favorable alleles. In studying modern cultivars, many high yielding cultivars adapted to eastern Nebraska have the WI-allele indicating that it was selected for in breeding higher yielding cultivars. However, some modern cultivars adapted to western Nebraska where the QTL has less effect retain the CNN-allele, presumably because the allele has less effect (is less important in improving grain yield). In addition many modern cultivars have neither the WI-allele, nor the CNN-allele indicating we have diversified our germplasm and new alleles have been brought into the breeding program in this region.

: The bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar PBW65 has shown hight levels of resistance to the most frequent and highly virulent Indian race 77-5 of leaf rust (Puccinia triticina). The infection type and disease severity indicated a non-hypersensitive type of resistance against the race 77-5 in PBW65. The cultivar PBW65 was crossed with the leaf rust susceptible cultivar WL711 to determine the mode of inheritance of the resistance. The segregation for resistant and susceptible plants in the F₂ and F₃ generations revealed, that two genes, each showing additive effects, were likely to confer resistance to leaf rust in PBW65. Intercrossing of PBW65 with Cook (Lr34), RL6058 (Lr34) and HD2009, possessing a similar resistance level like PBW65, revealed that the genes for leaf rust resistance in PBW65 were non-allelic to Cook (Lr34), RL6058 (Lr34) as well as to the gene(s) in HD2009. It is concluded that the cultivar PBW65 is a novel source of non-hypersensitive leaf rust resistance.

The results from monitoring of two endemic species of Uzbekistan flora are shown. The first species examined was Otostegia bucharica B. Fedtsch. (Lamiaceae). This is an endemic species of Uzbekistan which is critically endangered. The second focus of this research was Thesium minkwitzianum B. Fedtsch. (Santalaceae), also an endemic species of western Tien Shan, that grows in the territory of the Chatcal Reseserve.

The paper gives information about both the genesis, and a survey of, the descriptors used for the documentation of plant genetic resources held in ex situ crop collections. The first international documentation standards were developed by the FAO in the 1950s. In 1974, a specific body for plant genetic resources, the IBPGR (International Board for Plant Genetic Resources), was established within the FAO. Since the 1970s, the descriptor lists for main crop collections have been developed, including passport descriptor sets. For the most part, the passport descriptors were common to all crops, with only slight differences. In 1997, the first attempt to create a standard set of descriptors resulted in 24 passport descriptors developed by FAO and IPGRI (International Plant Genetic Resources Institute) working in cooperation. In 2001, the official Multi-Crop Passport Descriptor list (MCPD) was published, including a revised standard set of 28 descriptors. The European ex situ crop catalogue (EURISCO) enlarged the standard set of passport descriptors by adding 6 additional fields in 2002; and another 2 new descriptors were added in November of 2008. A global level of data compatibility is preferred; therefore projects aimed at world-wide utilization and standardization of systems, such as GRINGlobal, and Accession-Level Information System (ALIS), are supported.

The must characteristics of some old varieties (present on the list of varieties allowed for land wine making) were compared with their commercial relatives, in order to estimate their specific benefits and advantages for wine processing. In the case of Portuguese blue and Pinot noir pr飯ce, we additionally identified the influences of environmental conditions on their must composition and wine quality. Clear differences in sugar accumulation among varieties were detected, as well as differences in earliness.

By 2008, twelve localities had been investigated. At each location we assessed the degree of threats to the wild grapevine. Flowering plants were seldom found. The plants found were localized geographically, and 149 vines were described using the characteristics of shoot types and leaves, using the O.I.V. descriptor list. Morphological differences of the leaf shape, hair or bristle density are high. A few seeds which were found in dry black berries are much smaller in size than the seeds of Vitis vinifera ssp. sativa. From plants that were easily attainable, cuttings were taken with the objective to multiply the Vitis sylvestris and to establish an ex situ collection. In 2008, we repeated the procedure with 54 vines. The state of health of the vines in situ is very good. No fungal diseases were visible, and mites occurred only rarely. In the nursery, some plants were contaminated by mildew.

In 2005, 2006 and 2008 the virulence of wheat leaf rust population was studied on Thatcher near-isogenic lines with Lr1, Lr2a, Lr2b, Lr2c, Lr3a, Lr9, Lr10, Lr13, Lr15, Lr17, Lr19, Lr21, Lr23, Lr24, Lr26 and Lr28. Samples of leaf rust (141 in total) were obtained from different parts of Slovakia. Resistance gene Lr9 was effective to all tested isolates except three isolates from 2008. No virulence was found to Lr19 and genes Lr24 and Lr28 were also highly effective. Low incidence of virulence to Lr2a was observed. Sixty-five winter wheat cultivars registered in Slovakia were tested with seven leaf rust isolates in the greenhouse. Cultivar Bona Dea was the most resistant of all.

To assess the different origins of Portuguese grapevine varieties, we used six nuclear and four chloroplastidal microsatellites as molecular markers, in order to compare the genetic structure of native wild-vines with native grapevine varieties. Both native subspecies have a great diversity, and a high interrelationship across the six nuclear microsatellites. Although identical numbers of alleles were found in each population, their distribution was different in the vinifera and sylvestris subspecies. Portuguese wild-vines have only chlorotypes A and B; A being the most frequent. The fifty-seven analysed Portuguese varieties have chlorotypes A, B, C, and D. The most frequent was the chlorotype A (75%), followed by D (21%). The results obtained reinforced the idea of Western Europe as having been one of the domestication centres for the grapevine, with contributions from the Eastern European gene pool. The observed genetic structure is a starting point from which to clarify the high number of native cultivars found in Portugal, and reinforces their probable origin in the Iberian Peninsula.

The German Federal Gene Bank at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) in Gatersleben comprises ca. 148 000 accessions of crop plants and their wild relatives. Among these, material from Albania and Greece is represented with ca. 1100 and more than 2700 accessions, respectively. IPK's collection of Albanian germplasm is the world's largest collection, while IPK's Greek germplasm collection is the third largest holding of Greek crops and their wild relatives. The largest part of this material (ca. 200 and 1600 accessions from Albania and Greece, respectively) originates from two collecting expeditions carried out by Hans Stubbe, the founder of the Institute for Cultivated Plant Research, and other German collectors during the Second World War, in 1941 (ca. 700 accessions) and 1942 (ca. 1100 accessions). Stubbe's expeditions are described with respect to the regions visited, species collected, plus a comparison between the original collections and their present state in the IPK Gene Bank is provided. A formal scientific report about the results of these expeditions had never been published before. The material from these expeditions can be freely requested from the IPK Gene Bank, after signing a Material Transfer Agreement.

The composition of high molecular weight (HMW-GS) and low molecular weight (LMW-GS) glutenin subunits was examined in a collection of 86 Czech registered winter wheat varieties. These proteins were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. An inter-varietal polymorphism of the HMW and LMW glutenin subunits was detected. Twenty-one different patterns for HMW were identified, and eighteen for the LMW-glutenins. The different alleles encoded at the six glutenin loci were determined. Three, six, and four alleles were observed, respectively at the Glu-A1, Glu-B1, and Glu-D1 loci (encoding high HMW-GS). Three, eight, and three alleles of LMW-GS were found, respectively, at the Glu-A3, Glu- B3, and Glu-D3 loci. The evaluated varieties were split into four categories of baking quality, and these variety groups were analyzed for the presence of different HMW-GS and LMW-GS alleles. While the alleles Glu-B1c (7+9), and Glu-D1d (5+10) were detected exclusively in bread wheat varieties, the alleles Glu-B1d (6+8), Glu-D1a (2+12), and Glu-A3e/f only occurred in those varieties that are not suitable for bread-making.

In situ conservation is considered as conservation of wild biota in the natural habitat (locality). The authors extend the term to cultivated fruit species naturalised in the landscape, such as occasional spontaneous seedlings, and planted material such as old solitary trees among fields, old groves, avenues (country lanes), wind-breaks, and abandoned remnants of orchards. In situ conservation is also used to mark unique materials during collecting expeditions, before they will be taken as ex situ or proclaimed as permanent in situ. Important landraces found within 12 regions of the Czech Republic were registered, evaluated, and in situ localised by Global Positioning System (GPS). The following accessions were marked for in-situ conservation: apple (401), sweet cherry (263), pear (91), plum (42), sour cherry (27), and berry fruits (18).

Four on-farm plantations (KRNAP Vrchlabí, the Orchard of Reconciliation in Neratov, Podyjí National Park, and Šumava National Park) were successfully established in a traditional form, with large orchard trees on seedling rootstocks. Certain accessions (cultivars) for on-farm conservation in the given locality were selected, according to the incidence and presentation of genotypes in these particular areas. This information was obtained by localization of fruit trees in situ and the determination of certain cultivars. Nursery stock production for onfarm plantations is described. Because of the longevity of the plantation, seedling rootstocks were used for the production of planting materials for the on-farm plantations. Techniques of on-farm plantation establishment and orchard management are stated within the paper. Four established on-farm plantations have ensured the long-term preservation of landraces in their original areas.

Meadow grassland communities were monitored in situ in the region around the town of Bansk᠂ystrica (Central Slovakia) over the 2008 growing season. The botanical compositions were determined at the sites listed in NATURA 2000 (Donovaly, Tajov, and Priechod). The respective site coordinates were determined using a Global Position System, and then put on the digital map of the Google server. A range of rare, endangered, and protected plant species were found at the monitored sites (e.g. Gymnadenia densiflora, Lilium bulbiferum, Lilium matragon, and Stipa joannis).

The proportions of landraces in the Czech collection of wheat genetic resources significantly differentiates among wheat species, 4.2% in bread, 77.6% in emmer, and 80.0% in the einkorn wheat collections. A set of 10 selected emmer wheat landraces has been characterized by high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs). They were evaluated for 3 years in field trials, and described by grain quality parameters. Emmer wheat accessions differ considerably in the polymorphisms of HMW-GSs. Out of the total of 10 studied emmer wheat landraces, 5 accessions appeared to be homogeneous in the electrophoretic patterns of HMW-GSs; they were formed by a single glutenin line. Much higher crude protein content was detected in all of the emmer wheat accessions, in comparison with the control bread wheat cultivar. The proportion of this important component varied between 15.5% and 22.2%. On the other hand, SDS sedimentation, an important parameter of bread making quality, was very low (1.2-4.4 ml); and a similar situation has been recorded in the gluten index. Based on such results, the emmer wheat landraces can be considered potentially more suitable for other purposes than for the preparation of bread (e.g. for different grain mixtures, purée, etc.).

Two sets of winter wheat landraces and obsolete cultivars were studied in three-year field experiments, and compared with 3 modern control cultivars. The higher spike productivity in modern cultivars could mainly be attributed to an increased number of grains in a spikelet and harvest index (HI), whereas thousand grain weight (TGW) has only a slight effect. Landraces and old cultivars proved to have a higher content of crude protein. Spike productivity characteristics, except for TGW, showed a negative correlation with the crude protein content in the grain. The number of kernels in a spikelet strongly affected the spike's productivity, whereas the TGW has only half the effect. The mean yield of four modern cultivars was 51% higher than the mean yield of 31 landraces and obsolete cultivars. Regression analysis proved the much stronger response of modern cultivars to environment (b = 1.63), then was the response of old cultivars (b = 0.87). Different responses to environments were found within the set of 31 landraces, as well. We could also identify potentially valuable donors of earliness and winter hardiness among the old cultivars. High crude protein content (up to 18%), and other valuable quality characteristics, were rather frequent. In both sets, HMW Glu-subunits were described, and we have additionally studied 67 selected lines. Among them, 10 lines showed the crude protein content of 17.5% to 18.3% (where the gluten index and Zeleny test varied from 28.5 to 54.0 and 36.8 to 61.7, respectively). High values of all quality characteristics showed lines gained from the cultivars Mindeszentpusztai (HUN), Szekacz 19 (HUN), Bartweizen linie a (AUT), Viglašská červenoklasá (CZE), as well as some others.

Based on NIRS (near infrared reflectance spectroscopy) measurements carried out in a collection of 262 samples of winter oilseed rape with a different content of fatty acids (FA) in oil, calibration equations for the laboratory instrument Foss-NIRSystem 6500 were developed. Calibration was focused on the possibility of screening seed samples of different composition of oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2) and linolenic acid (C18:3) using NIRS analysis. The reference method was gas chromatography (GC). The content of FA in segregating F₂ generations after crossing between lines with different contents of FA and lines with standard content of FA in oil ranged from 32.3 to 82.0% for C18:1, 10.2-26.8% for C18:2 and 3.3-11.8% for C18:3. The verification of a validation equation in 50 randomly selected samples of F₂ generation in the year 2006 proved high correlation coefficients (r) between NIRS analysis and GC values, r = 0.86 for C18:1, r = 0.82 for C18:2 and r = 0.85 for C18:3. Non-destructive NIRS analysis enables rapid and reliable selection of materials with different composition of FA in the seed of oilseed rape (lines with desirable high content of C18:1 and low content of C18:3).

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and oat (Avena sativa L.) are important crop species. 1865 accessions of winter barley, 2707 accessions of spring barley and 1998 accessions of oat are maintained in RICP Gene bank. The expert core collection is used to be established as a tool for germplasm study, conservation of genetic variability and for the identification of useful genes. The main aim of this study was to evaluate genetic diversity of barley and oat genotypes within the expert core collections. Genetic variation of 176 barley accessions was analyzed using 26 microsatellite loci, covering all 6 chromosomes. 330 oat accessions were analyzed using 26 microsatellite loci that are mapped only into linkage groups. For 26 barley microsatellite loci, 328 alleles were detected. The average number of alleles per locus was 12.6. In oat, for 26 oat microsatellite loci, 353 alleles were detected. The average number of alleles per locus was 13.6. The average DI (diversity index) was 0.11 in barley and 0.09 in oat. Dendrogram and PCA (Principal Component Analysis) based on microsatellite data showed a different influence of the place of origin, age of variety and pedigree on grouping into clusters. PCA showed that the breeding process had a negative impact on the level of genetic diversity and therefore there is a necessity of barley and oat germplasm conservation.

Resistant starch (RS) has been recognised as a functional fibre with many health-promoting effects. RS exists in four forms - RS₁, RS₂, RS₃, and RS₄. The RS₃ type is generated by amylose retrogradation typically resulting from food processing procedures. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the potential ability of six agriculturally important cereals to generate type RS₃ resistant starch after retrogradation of their amylose. In comparison with all tested cereals, the statistically significant highest level of RS₃ (5.28% ± 0.68) was detected in triticale, mainly in the Pinokio, Presto, Tricolor, and Kendo cultivars. Significant highly content was also found in rye (4.93% ± 0.73), especially in Selgo, Esprit, Dankowskie Nowe, and Apart cultivars, in comparison with wheat, spring and winter barley, tritordeum and oat. There were unsignificant differences between triticale and rye in RS₃ levels. Wheat contained less RS₃ (3.87% ± 0.55) in comparison to triticale and rye. The best wheats with this trait were the Athlet, Boka, Trane, Versailles, and Torysa cultivars. The content of RS₃ in barley was not high (2.35% ± 0.45 in winter barley, 2.51% ± 0.25 in spring barley), similar to tritordeum (2.26% ± 0.36). The RS₃ content in high amylose barley mutant Glacier was two-fold higher than in other tested barley cultivars (P < 0.01). Only minimal level of RS₃ can be generated from oat seed starch (0.41% ± 0.09). These results indicate that plant species as well as crop cultivar screening are important for the identification of suitable natural sources of resistant starch. Concerning the production of functional foods, it is important to recognize that valuable bread cereals such as wheat and rye are superior sources of this type of dietary fibre and are highly beneficial to the human health. However, it is advisable to continue for other years in these annual results and localities too.

In 2003-2005 faba bean accessions were evaluated in laboratory and field inoculation tests with a mixture of differently virulent isolates for susceptibility to anthracnose caused by the fungus Ascochyta fabae Speg. All tested commercial faba bean cultivars, both colour and white flowering, were found to be susceptible or highly susceptible. The highest level of resistance was found only in declared sources of resistance: 29H, L-8 and Petra. Segregation of F₂ plants derived from the cross of cultivar Merlin (susceptible, white flowering) with line Petra (resistant, colour flowering) was observed. The plants were moderately susceptible to highly susceptible. This finding indicates a multigenic character of resistance. Repeated selection cycles with the selection of resistant plants in F₂ and F₃ generations were performed. In the F4 generation, colour flowering lines with a high level of resistance, nearly at the same level as in line Petra, were obtained. In comparison with the parental cultivar Merlin an increase in the resistance of selected white flowering lines was proved. Resistance will be increased/stabilized in further repeated selection cycles.

The genetic diversity of 140 accessions of Triticum turgidum ssp. carthlicum Nevski em. A. Löve & D. Löve and 159 accessions of T. turgidum ssp. polonicum L. em. Thell. was evaluated by the analysis of HMW glutenin subunits. Seven allelic variants were found among the carthlicum accessions: three at the Glu-A1 locus (two of them were novel alleles) and four at the Glu-B1 locus (one of them novel). More variability was found among the polonicum accessions with 16 allelic variants: six at the Glu-A1 locus (three of them novel), and ten at the Glu-B1 locus (five of them novel). Totally, ten new alleles were found, one of which appeared in both subspecies. Out of 19 different combinations of alleles detected in both subspecies, 14 were novel. Based on the available passport data, the carthlicum accessions could be separated by origin into 18 groups, and the polonicum accessions into 33 such groups. The genetic diversity was lower among the carthlicum (Ht = 0.174) than among the polonicum accessions (Ht = 0.562). In both subspecies, most diversity was present between groups differing in origin, whereas diversity within the groups was very low. The detected variability offers possibilities for the improvement of bread making quality in durum wheat through introduction of newly detected alleles and for the broadening of genetic diversity in this wheat species.

The review focuses on recent progress in the breeding of small grain cereals (barley, wheat, oats) for resistance to the barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). First, the symptomatology of barley yellow dwarf (BYD) disease is briefly described and the genome of BYDV, its serotypes and mechanisms of its replication and translation in host plants are characterized. Great attention is paid to the description of resistance genes and sources of BYDV resistance that are currently used in some breeding programmes of barley, wheat and oats. In barley, the introduction of the Ryd2 gene into high-yielding cultivars is still desirable. An example of recent success reached in a European programme aimed at a pyramiding of resistance genes is the registration of the Italian feeding barley cultivar Doria, carrying resistance genes Ryd2, rym4 and Rdg1. The release of this cultivar resulted from the cooperation between EICR, Fiorenzuola d'Arda and CRI in Prague-Ruzyně in the field of virus resistance. Finally, some experiments employing transgenic techniques in the construction of resistant plants are mentioned. In conclusion, the advantages and disadvantages of classical breeding methods using crossing and transgenic techniques are compared and newly arising approaches are discussed.