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This study aimed to develop an efficient micropropagation protocol for Disanthus cercidifolius Maxim., an ornamental shrub. Sprouting buds of two genotypes (‘Trubaʼ and ‘PdSʼ) were used as an initial plant material. For the in vitro propagation experiment, the nodal segments were cultured on a MS medium supplemented with either N6-benzyladenine (BA) or zeatin (both at 0.5–3 mg l−1). As a control, MS medium without growth regulators was used. The highest number of shoots per explant (6.95 ± 0.33 in genotype ‘PdSʼ and 7.93 ± 0.41 in genotype ‘Trubaʼ) was achieved on a medium supplemented with 2 mg l−1 BA. Half-strength WPM and half-strength MS medium supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (0.1–1 mg l−1) were tested for in vitro rooting of the shoots. Optimal rooting performance was achieved on a half-strength WPM containing 0.5 mg l−1 IBA in genotype ‘PdSʼ, and 0.1 mg l−1 IBA in genotypes ‘Trubaʼ. The rooted plantlets were transferred ex vitro with 85% survival in genotype ‘PdSʼ and 82.5% in genotype ‘Trubaʼ. Eighteen samples from each genotype were subjected to ISSR analysis and flow cytometry to assess plant genetic fidelity after micropropagation. Fifteen ISSR primers gave rise to monomorphic patterns indicating no detected genetic variation in regenerants. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the ploidy level in all tested in vitro regenerants remained stable. The micropropagation protocol optimized here represents a reliable and efficient method for the large-scale production of plants of the ornamental shrub Disanthus cercidifolius. An efficient protocol for large-scale in vitro propagation of Disanthus cercidifolius was developed. No genetic variation was detected among in vitro regenerants.

BackgroundTartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) is a nutritionally balanced and flavonoid-rich crop plant that has been in cultivation for 4000 years and is now grown globally. Despite its nutraceutical and agricultural value, the characterization of its genetics and its domestication history is limited.ResultsHere, we report a comprehensive database of Tartary buckwheat genomic variation based on whole-genome resequencing of 510 germplasms. Our analysis suggests that two independent domestication events occurred in southwestern and northern China, resulting in diverse characteristics of modern Tartary buckwheat varieties. Genome-wide association studies for important agricultural traits identify several candidate genes, includingFtUFGT3andFtAP2YT1that significantly correlate with flavonoid accumulation and grain weight, respectively.ConclusionsWe describe the domestication history of Tartary buckwheat and provide a detailed resource of genomic variation to allow for genomic-assisted breeding in the improvement of elite cultivars.

Hulled wheats (emmer, einkorn, and spelt) have low yields but are suitable for organic and low-input agriculture under marginal or high-stress conditions. However, data on the composition of hulled wheats, often also called ‘ancient wheats’ is still scarce, especially on bioactive components such as vitamins. This chapter shows that einkorn, emmer and spelt have some nutritional benefits compared to modern durum or common wheat varieties. Hulled wheats have superior properties in constituents such as protein, some minerals (e.g. calcium) and carotenoids (e.g. lutein). Einkorn might be an alternative for people suffering from wheat sensitivities due to improved gliadin digestibility and low abundance of amylase-trypsin inhibitors. A significant disadvantage is the lower content of total dietary fibres. The genetic diversity of hulled wheats can be used for breeding e.g. for Zn biofortification or reducing immunogenic potential.

Prezentace a příspěvek popisují rozdíly mezi konvenčním a ekologickém zemědělství v přístupu k výběru odrůdy a prezentují první výsledky hodnocení 11 odrůd pohanky v příjmu a přístupnosti fosforu z půdy. The presentation and paper describe the differences between conventional and organic farming in the approach to variety selection and present the first results of the evaluation of 11 buckwheat varieties in the intake and accessibility of phosphorus from the soil.

The quantity and quality of protein and the rheological traits of wheat are crucial for processing flour in the baking industry, but there are few comparisons in the literature between old and modern wheat species. To help fill this gap, the baking quality characterization, gluten content, protein fraction composition, high molecular weight glutenin subunits, and rheological properties of ancient and modern wheat were determined and compared. These varieties were collected by the gene bank of the Crop Research Institute in Prague-Ruzyne and were grown in organically certified research areas in the Czech Republic. Results revealed differences in protein content and composition between varieties with different ploidy levels, as well as differences in development time and stability between einkorn and bread wheat varieties. Based on the proximity of their positions to the parameter quality in the principal components analysis, such as gluten content, gluten index (GI), Zeleny test, stability, dough development time (C1) and gliadin, the baking performances of cultivars were identified.

Main conclusion: Emerging insights in buckwheat molecular genetics allow the integration of genomics driven breeding to revive this ancient crop of immense nutraceutical potential from Asia. Out of several thousand known edible plant species, only four crops-rice, wheat, maize and potato provide the largest proportion of daily nutrition to billions of people. While these crops are the primary supplier of carbohydrates, they lack essential amino acids and minerals for a balanced nutrition. The overdependence on only few crops makes the future cropping systems vulnerable to the predicted climate change. Diversifying food resources through incorporation of orphan or minor crops in modern cropping systems is one potential strategy to improve the nutritional security and mitigate the hostile weather patterns. One such crop is buckwheat, which can contribute to the agricultural sustainability as it grows in a wide range of environments, requires relatively low inputs and possess balanced amino acid and micronutrient profles. Additionally, gluten-free nature of protein and nutraceutical properties of secondary metabolites make the crop a healthy alternative of wheat-based diet in developed countries. Despite enormous potential, eforts for the genetic improvement of buckwheat are considerably lagged behind the conventional cereal crops. With the draft genome sequences in hand, there is a great scope to speed up the progress of genetic improvement of buckwheat. This article outlines the state of the art in buckwheat research and provides concrete perspectives how modern breeding approaches can be implemented to accelerate the genetic gain. Our suggestions are transferable to many minor and underutilized crops to address the issue of limited genetic gain and low productivity

Sorghum is one of the most important cereal crop and ranks fifth among cereals after wheat, rice, maize and barley for economic importance. Because the demand of food is increasing, sorghum will increase in importance as a source of food, feed, fibre, and fuel; specially in the European continent where sorghum is little cultivated, mainly due to the lack of sorghum varieties well adapted to the soil and climate conditions such as photoperiod, cold and drought; for this reason, the genetic diversity analysis, through molecular characterization, is an important requirement to begin a plant breeding program. The analysis was performed in 46 sorghum genotypes obtained from the Czech Plant Gene Bank, Crop Research Institute, Prague. Genetic variability values were estimated, through the genetic distance using Dice’s coefficient, and dendrogram constructed using DARwing software. Four out of fifteen of the primers evaluated were completely polymorphic (100%), A hundred and twenty-six scorable bands were identified and 89% of them were polymorphic, the bands ranged from 200 to 2000 bp. The dendrogram grouped the accession into six clusters. The results indicate the existence of high genetic distance values up to 0.8776 among the evaluated accessions, even if the accessions were collected in the same country, or by the contrary, lower genetic diversity among accessions collected in different countries. It may be due to the existence of five ancient races of sorghum, from which were originated most of the wild and cultivated species known nowadays. Mainly, the migration of people from the origin centre of sorghum, located in Ethiopia and Sudan, explain the spread of the genetic material out of Africa. The information generated by this study should be useful for a better understanding of the genetic diversity from the sorghum germplasm stored in the Czech Plant Gene Bank for future plant breeding program.

In the present study, various minor cereals including rye, oat, spelt, primitive and wild wheat species (20 genotypes each) were tested for their antioxidative effects in cell biological studies, and the effects were compared with the effects of 12 common wheat genotypes. Ethanol soluble extracts of grains were used and studied in human cancer-derived cell lines including HeLa (cervical) and HCT116 (colorectal) cell lines by analyzing cellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial health, DNA damage and cell survival. The cereal genotypes were also examined for the total phenolic concentration (TPC) and for the relationship between oxidative cell damage and TPC values. Most genotypes of the minor cereal species showed superior antioxidant effects in human cell cultures compared to the common wheat genotypes. Many of the minor cereal genotypes with high antioxidant capacities protected DNA and mitochondrial damage and prevented cell death in HeLa cells and colon-derived HCT116 human epithelial cells. There was no significant relationship between TPC values and oxidative cell damage. However, common wheat genotypes had, on average, lower TPC values. The results show that minor cereals contain potentially high levels of certain antioxidant substances which might be useful in preventing oxidative damage in cellular systems.

Jasmonate-responsive repressors of FtMYBs can be degraded by the 26S proteasome in a COI1-dependent manner in Fagopyrum tataricum and act together with FtSAD2 or FtJAZ1 in the phenylpropanoid pathway., Jasmonates are plant hormones that induce the accumulation of many secondary metabolites, such as rutin in buckwheat, via regulation of jasmonate-responsive transcription factors. Here, we report on the identification of a clade of jasmonate-responsive subgroup 4 MYB transcription factors, FtMYB13, FtMYB14, FtMYB15, and FtMYB16, which directly repress rutin biosynthesis in Fagopyrum tataricum. Immunoblot analysis showed that FtMYB13, FtMYB14, and FtMYB15 could be degraded via the 26S proteasome in the COI1-dependent jasmonate signaling pathway, and that this degradation is due to the SID motif in their C-terminus. Yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays revealed that FtMYB13, FtMYB14, and FtMYB15 interact with the importin protein Sensitive to ABA and Drought 2 (FtSAD2) in stem and inflorescence. Furthermore, the key repressor of jasmonate signaling FtJAZ1 specifically interacts with FtMYB13. Point mutation analysis showed that the conserved Asp residue of the SID domain contributes to mediating protein–protein interaction. Protoplast transient activation assays demonstrated that FtMYB13, FtMYB14, and FtMYB15 directly repress phenylalanine ammonia lyase (FtPAL) gene expression, and FtSAD2 and FtJAZ1 significantly promote the repressing activity of FtMYBs. These findings may ultimately be promising for further engineering of plant secondary metabolism.

Previous studies reported higher antioxidant and mineral micronutrient concentrations in organic compared to conventional wheat flour, but the reasons are poorly understood. Here we report results from a long-term, factorial field experiment designed to assess effects of variety choice, supplementary irrigation and contrasting fertilization regimes used in organic and conventional production on the nutritional quality and yield of spelt wheat grown in a semi-arid environment. Long-straw (Oberkulmer, Rubiota, ZOR) varieties had 10–40% higher grain Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations, while the modern, short straw variety Filderstolz had 15–38% higher grain antioxidant activity. Supplementary irrigation and the use of manure instead of mineral NPK as fertilizer had no substantial effect on the nutritional composition of spelt grain, but increased grain yields by ~ 150 and ~ 18% respectively. Overall, this suggests that breeding/variety selection is the most promising approach to improve the nutritional quality of spelt grain in semi-arid production environments.

Acreage of oat (Avena sativa L.) in Europe was steadily declining during the last century due to less breeding progress compared to other cereals. However, oat remains a valuable crop for food and feed, as well as for sustainable crop rotations. To unravel the genetic and phenotypic diversity in oat breeders’ germplasm collections, a diversity panel including 260 accessions was investigated by molecular markers and in multi-environment field trials. Due to the large genetic variation in the present diversity panel, high heritabilities were observed for most agro-morphological traits, even for complex traits such as grain yield. Population structure analyses identified three subpopulations which were not straightforwardly related to the geographic origin of the accessions. Accessions from France, Germany, and the Czech Republic in particular were present in approximately equal proportions among all three subpopulations. Breeders’ selection after one year of field trials was mainly based on grain yield, grain weight, grading, plant height, and maturity and did not result in a loss of genetic diversity. However, the low number of polymorphic markers must be considered in this case. The present study provides basic knowledge for further oat improvement through the identification of valuable genetic resources which can be exploited in breeding programs as e.g., parental genotypes in crossings.

Demand for organic foods is partially driven by consumers' perceptions that they are more nutritious. However, scientific opinion is divided on whether there are significant nutritional differences between organic and non-organic foods, and two recent reviews have concluded that there are no differences. In the present study, we carried out meta-analyses based on 343 peer-reviewed publications that indicate statistically significant and meaningful differences in composition between organic and non-organic crops/crop-based foods. Most importantly, the concentrations of a range of antioxidants such as polyphenolics were found to be substantially higher in organic crops/crop-based foods, with those of phenolic acids, flavanones, stilbenes, flavones, flavonols and anthocyanins being an estimated 19 (95 % CI 5, 33) %, 69 (95 % CI 13, 125) %, 28 (95 % CI 12, 44) %, 26 (95 % CI 3, 48) %, 50 (95 % CI 28, 72) % and 51 (95 % CI 17, 86) % higher, respectively. Many of these compounds have previously been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including CVD and neurodegenerative diseases and certain cancers, in dietary intervention and epidemiological studies. Additionally, the frequency of occurrence of pesticide residues was found to be four times higher in conventional crops, which also contained significantly higher concentrations of the toxic metal Cd. Significant differences were also detected for some other (e.g. minerals and vitamins) compounds. There is evidence that higher antioxidant concentrations and lower Cd concentrations are linked to specific agronomic practices (e.g. non-use of mineral N and P fertilisers, respectively) prescribed in organic farming systems. In conclusion, organic crops, on average, have higher concentrations of antioxidants, lower concentrations of Cd and a lower incidence of pesticide residues than the non-organic comparators across regions and production seasons.

Spelt (Triticum spelta) is an ancient wheat which is attracting renewed interest with an increasing demand for wholegrains and ancient cereals in the diet. This study evaluates the yield and quality performance of four contrasting European spelt varieties (both landraces and modern cultivars) grown with different fertiliser types (cattle slurry, farm yard manure, and biogas digestate in comparison with mineral N) and rates (50 and 100 kg N ha−1) in contrasting environments, i.e. the UK and CZ in the 2014−15 and 2015−16 seasons. Grain yield was similar in both seasons but was greater in CZ than the UK (4.9 vs 3.2 t ha−1) which was also supported by a much greater harvest index (HI) of 40.4 vs 31.3 % and all yield components measured. The yield differences were largely related to differences in climate and disease levels, i.e. leaf blotch (S. tritici) and yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis), which were much greater in the UK. Clear varietal differences were evident between the two sites especially in susceptibility to yellow rust. Leaf chlorophyll data showed that the uptake efficiency of the biogas digestate was similar to that of mineral N resulting in greater grain yield when averaged across sites and seasons. Significantly lower levels of yellow rust were observed under the biogas digestate treatment in the UK relative to the other fertiliser types. Clear genotype (G) x environment (E) interactions show the benefits of selecting spelt varieties suited to particular environments. Although yields of spelt are lower than common wheat, the crop benefits from lower inputs of fertiliser and the use of biogas digestate where available can provide a clear opportunity for organic and reduced input growers. The ability of the crop to produce a high grain protein content from low levels of fertiliser input shows the clear potential of spelt production systems whereby wheat in the UK struggles to achieve13 % protein from much greater rates of N fertiliser.

The impact of Fusarium spp. contamination on baking quality of common wheat (variety Bohemia) from organic farming system was monitored by rheological system Mixolab. The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) content and standard technological quality characteristics were measured, too. Considerably worse technological parameters were determined in variant with higher Fusarium spp. contamination, evoked by the artificial inoculation of flowering ears. Simultaneously, increased intensity of Fusarium spp. contamination evidently worsened rheological quality and its negative effect on protein and starch part of the grain was obvious from the Mixolab characteristics. Keywords: wheat, Fusarium spp., technological quality, Mixolab

Strong drought tolerance is an important objective in breeding new wheat varieties. We compared the drought tolerance of land races and modern varieties of various spring wheat forms. 13C discrimination (CID) indicated how significantly the tested wheat varieties were inclined to drought tolerance. CID is a trait related to stomatal closure and consequently an important component of the tolerance to drought. Samples were grown in Ceske Budĕjovice (CZ), from 2009 to 2012. Twenty-three varieties, comprising einkorn, emmer, spelt, land races and control variety of bread wheat were grown and tested. Results have shown some varieties achieved low CID values (which meant they were more inclined to the drought tolerance). There were emmer and spelt varieties among them in particular. The spelt varieties which were inclined to the drought tolerance most significantly were — Triticum spelta No. 8930, Tabor 23 and Tabor 22. The emmer varieties called May-Emmer and Weisser Sommer were also inclined to drought tolerance significantly. By contrast, the intermediate forms, the modern (control) varieties of bread wheat, and einkorn varieties, were expected to be less tolerant to drought as well. Some of the wheat land races (the spelt and the emmer in particular) reached low values of CID. Therefore, they can play the role of drought tolerance donors in the wheat breeding programmes.

Hulled wheat species (einkorn, emmer, spelt) are presumed to be an alternative to bread wheat in organic agriculture since the yield penalty is less pronounced under organic farming and generally higher prices can be achieved for specialty grains. The present study analyzed differences between wheat species with respect to biomass production, harvest index, grain yield and protein content. Spring hulled wheat genetic resources and bread wheat check cultivars were grown in organic field trials in the Czech Republic and Austria between 2010 and 2012. Generally, hulled wheat species were inferior in grain yield and distribution of assimilates to the grain compared to modern bread wheat. Biomass production of some emmer and spelt landraces was similar to bread wheat. A higher protein content (+3–6 %) was observed for spelt, however, considering protein yield the differences between spelt and bread wheat became less pronounced. With respect to the recent high market demand for spelt and the absence of available spring grown varieties some of the landraces were identified as valuable resources for the development of spring spelt varieties suitable for organic farming.

Collection of spring form of spelt wheat, emmer wheat and einkorn wheat genetic resources from the Gene Bank of CRI Prague-Ruzyně, cultivated in exact field small-plot trials under organic farming conditions of three experimental localities (Prague-Ruzyně, Prague-Uhřiněves and Ceske Budějovice) was evaluated with the view of basic technological parameters. Two spring cultivars of common wheat - SW Kadrilj and Jara as a check varieties were used. Minor wheat species were in comparison with the check cultivars of common wheat characterized by higher crude protein content and wet gluten content in grain dry matter. Gluten Index and Zeleny test values were low in einkorn and emmer, but in spelt were higher - this indicates wider possibilities of the spelt use for different types of bakery products. Keywords: spelt wheat, einkorn wheat, emmer wheat, organic farming, technological quality

Cereals are the most growing crops under organic conditions. Cereals are supposed to be a source of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium species. Our research was led to describe the differences among natural Fusarium species occurrence in two localities and two growing systems – organic and conventional. The main differences were observed among years and cereal species. No statistically significant differences were determined between localities and farming systems. Keywords: Fusarium natural occurrence, organic farming, conventional farming

In a cultivation experiment 18 different Amaranthus genotypes were cultivated in parallel in Argentina, Mexico, Spain and two different locations in the Czech Republic. The ripe seeds were analysed for their content of 11 polyphenols and the variations among genotype, species and location were analysed by principal component analysis (PCA). The flavonoid, rutin, exhibited large variations with varying environmental conditions whereas the flavonoid, nicotiflorin, was affected less. Amaranthus hypochondriacus displayed the most stable content of polyphenols with a high end content of flavonoids. The variations between location/environmental condition were primarily described by the variations in the content of p-coumaric acid and protocatechuic acid in the seed samples.

A reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of trans -resveratrol with spectrophotometric detection (306 nm) and amperometric detection at carbon paste electrode ( E = + 1,2 V) was developed and tested on real samples of grains, hulls and leaves of six varieties of common buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) and two varieties of tartary buckwheat ( Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.). Optimal conditions for the determination of trans -resveratrol were as follows: column Kromasil C-18 (7 μm), 125 × 4 mm; mobile phase acetonitrile: diluted BR buffer pH 7 (50:50, 30:70 for grains and hulls and 20:80 for leaves); flow rate 1 ml min −1 . Under these conditions, the limit of detection of trans -resveratrol ( L D ) was 3.5 × 10 −8 mol l −1 ( R 2 = 0.9986) for electrochemical detection and 3.2 × 10 −8 mol l −1 ( R 2 = 0.9993) for spectrophotometric detection.

In order to simplify the identification of amaranth accessions in gene banks or seed laboratories, a comprehensive method based on band position and relative band intensity data from the glutelin patterns of the chip microfluidic electrophoresis was developed. Chip electrophoresis protein fraction patterns were compared with the patterns obtained by the classical SDS-PAGE method. Fifty-nine Amaranth accessions ( Amaranthus australis, Amaranthus cannabinus, Amaranthus deflexus, Amaranthus retroflexus, Amaranthus tuberculatus, Amaranthus wrightii and 53 unknown accessions of the grain species Amaranthus caudatus, Amaranthus cruentus and Amaranthus hypochondriacus ) were analysed. Detailed pattern description of each group is provided here in the form of simplified pattern codes in the glutelin polymorphic area, enabling the identification of hybrid accessions and wild species. Inflorescence type and colour, weight of a thousand seeds, and seed colour were tested as additional phenotypic markers. The clustering within the grain amaranths group was related only to the different inflorescence types generally used to discriminate amaranth species. Statistical analysis of pattern similarities resulted in the segregation of the cultivated grain species, the monoecious wild species, and the dioecious wild species into three separate clusters.

Wheat contributes significantly worldwide to antioxidant income with beneficial healthy effects. Two varieties of einkorn wheat (Triticum monococcum L. – Escana and Schwedisches Einkorn), two varieties of wild emmer [Triticum dicoccum Schuebl (Schrank)] (Rudico and Kahler Emmer) and three varieties of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. – Granny, Kartner Fruher and SW Kadrilj) were evaluated for tocols – tocopherols and tocotrienols by high performance liquid chromatography – electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI/MS/MS). Investigated emmer and einkorn wheat varieties have shown minor lower total tocols content in comparison with spring varieties, however significant typical levels of tocopherols and tocotrienols were found in these groups. In einkorn wheat varieties the major abundance of total tocols is represented by tocotrienols (Schwedisches Einkorn 65.0%, Escana 54.9%), in emmer wheat varieties the abundance of tocotrienols and tocopherols were similar (Rudico 48.9% of tocotrienols, Kahler Emmer 47.6%), whereas in spring bread wheat higher tocopherols (SW Kadrilj 54.5%, Kartner Fruher 60.2%, Granny 55.0%) were recorded.

This chapter provides comprehensive information about buckwheat history, cultivation, and traditional and current utilization in the Czech territory. The last few decades have seen a significant increase in the utilization, demand, and growth of healthy buckwheat products. Nowadays, common buckwheat is one of the main cash crops in Czech organic production. Several studies have highlighted the great impact buckwheat has on human health because of the absence of gluten and its well-balanced amino acid composition, fiber, minerals, fat, vitamins, and bioflavonoids; these attributes are discussed taking into account the current research on buckwheat done in the Czech Republic. In addition, the original research data regarding nutritive components from 3 years of experimentation in common and Tartary buckwheat are included. There is also an emphasis on the elevated content of amino acids in buckwheat, the significant levels of minerals and vitamins mainly in common buckwheat, and the higher content of bioflavonoids present in Tartary buckwheat. Dietary aspects of buckwheat consumption on human health highlight its attractiveness for developing new functional cereals-based products.

At least 1.8 million hectares of main cereal species are under organic management (includ‐ ing in-conversion areas). As some of the world’s large cereal producers (such as India, China and the Russian Federation) did not provide land use details, it can be assumed that the area is larger than shown here [1]. Comparing this figure with FAO’s figure for the world’s har‐ vested cereal area of 384 million hectares [2], 0.5 percent of the total cereal area is under or‐ ganic management.

The human species depends on plants. These constitute the basis for food, supply most of our needs (including clothes and shelter) and are used in industry for manufacturing fuels, medicines, fibres, rubber and other products. However, the number of plants that humans use for food is minimal, compared to the number of species existing in nature. Only 30 crops, the most outstanding of which are rice, wheat and maize, provide 95% of the calories needed in the human diet (Jaramillo & Baena, 2002). However, agricultural biodiversity is in sharp decline due to the effects of modernisation, such as concentration on a few competitive species and changes in diets. Since the beginning of agriculture, the world’s farmers have developed roughly 10 000 plant species for use in food and fodder production. Today, only 150 crops feed most of the world’s population, and just 12 crops provide 80% of dietary energy from plants, with rice, wheat, maize and potato providing 60%. It is estimated that about three quarters of the genetic diversity found in agricultural crops have been lost over the past century, and this genetic erosion continues (EC, 2007).

In this study, the genetic diversity and relationships among eight millet genera were investigated by molecular and morphological data analyses. Sixty-nine millet accessions were analysed by using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, and evaluated for morphological traits. Eight AFLP primer pairs were amplified successfully and 779 bands were scored for all accessions, with a high level of polymorphism detected. Nei’s genetic distance among all accessions varied from 0.0123 to 0.4246 and the Shannon’s index was estimated at 0.9708. The neighbour joining tree, using the unweighted neighbour-joining method and Dice’s dissimilarity coefficient, was constructed. The AFLP markers revealed the close relatedness between the Eragrostis and Panicum genera, whereas the greatest distance was found the Pennisetum and Echinochloa genera. Cluster analysis based on the AFLP profiles revealed that the majority of accessions of a given millet genus tend to group together. Clustering from morphological data allocated individuals into three main clusters with high variation. The genetic variability found between the analysed accessions was weakly negatively correlated (r = –0.074) with their morphological attributes. However, high molecular and morphological variability indicated that this collection includes rich and valuable plant materials for millet breeding.

The Horizon 2020 project ECOBREED (www.ecobreed.eu) is coordinated by the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia and is carried out in collaboration with 25 partner organisations from 15 countries, i.e. Austria, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Spain, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, United Kingdom and the United States. ECOBREED will improve the availability of seed and varieties suitable for organic and low-input production. The activities will focus on four crop species, i.e. wheat (Triticum aestivum and T. durum), potato (Solanum tuberosum), soybean (Glycine max) and common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum). Objectives of the project are among others the increase of breeding activities for organic and low-input crop production and the development of breeding material with improved stress resistance, resource use efficiency and quality. In wheat, the focus lies on the development of bunt (Tilletia caries, T. controversa) resistant genotypes by marker-assisted selection (MAS), and the development of new ՙpopulations՚ including genetic material from all involved partners following a multiparent advanced generation intercross scheme. Moreover, genotypic effects will be evaluated with respect to arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation and in vitro root exudation of allelochemicals. MAS will also be exploited in potato to select advanced clones with resistance against potato virus Y (PVY) and late blight (Phytophtora infestans) using the ‘Sarpo Mira’ genepool and other resistant germplasm. Moreover, different strategies for a sustainable control of Colorado potato beetle and wireworms will be evaluated under field conditions. Soybean will be tested for the competitiveness against weeds and for tolerance to naturally occurring biotic stresses and abiotic stress factors such as drought and chilling. MAS will be carried out for the identification of germplasm with low cadmium cadmium accumulation in seeds, supernodulation and drought tolerant biological nitrogen fixation, and resistance against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and the Diaporthe complex. Buckwheat genetic resources and breeding material will be screened for allelopathic activity and for genetic variation in phosphorus mineralisation. To identify the underlying genetic responses to abiotic (cold, drought, salinity) and biotic stresses together with quality traits, the germplasm will by genotyped by sequencing. The specific tasks within the individual crops will be accompanied by the screening of a broad range of genetic material in all four crops in organic multi-environment trials. Based on these and previous results, new crossings among suitable parental genotypes will be carried out and distributed among partners for further selection. Thereby, ECOBREED will enhance the portfolio of wheat, potato, soybean and buckwheat varieties suitable for organic farming in Europe and identify traits and combinations of traits suited to organic and low-input farming. Besides the breeding activities, farmer participatory trials will be established in different ecogeographical regions and training courses on e.g. advanced genotyping and phenotyping methods, and participatory plant breeding will be organised. Demonstration, testing and training activities within ECOBREED, in particular in EU Member States where the organic sector is less developed will help to fulfil this gap.

The effect of Fusarium spp. infestation on rheological quality of rye flour in different growing systems (organic and conventional) was measured by the rheological system Mixolab. The content of mycotoxins (DON, D3G, 3-ADON and ZON) and standard technological quality parameters of grain were determined as well. Significantly worse technological and rheological parameters representing starch quality were determined for rye artificially inoculated by Fusarium spp. in both growing systems compared to rye with natural Fusarium spp. contamination. A statistically significant negative correlation, indicating deteriorated rheological quality, was discovered between the content of mycotoxins and falling number (−0.69* for DON), and also between mycotoxin content and a rate of starch gelatinization, represented by Mixolab parameter C3 (−0.57* for DON, −0.86** for 3-ADON and −0.87** for ZON). Despite the visible shifts of Mixolab curves of samples from the organic and conventional growing system, the Mixolab characteristics were statistically comparable. Distinct differences of Mixolab curves, presumably caused by the weather conditions, were found between the monitored years.

Wheat is worldwide consumed and contributes significantly to the intake of antioxidants with beneficial healthy ef fects. In the precise two-year field experiments in 2008 and 2009 two varieties of wheat einkorn, two varieties of emmer wheat and three varieties of spring wheat and in 2009 in addition two other spring wheat varieties, three einkorn varieties and three emmer wheat varieties were evaluated for selenium content and antioxidants – total polyphenols (TP). Selenium content was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry with hydride generation technique (HGAAS) and total polyphenols with Folin-Ciocalteau assay. Higher selenium content in grain is related to emmer (58.9–68.4 µg/kg DM) and einkorn (50.0–54.8 µg/kg DM) varieties; in spring varieties selenium content ranged from 29.8 to 39.9 µg/kg DM. Among the varieties with high TP (expressed in gallic acid equivalents) em mer varieties prevail (584–692 mg/kg DM), less represented are einkorn (507–612 mg/kg DM) and spring wheat (502–601 mg/kg DM) varieties. Among varieties significant differences were determined. TP were significantly higher in emmer wheat varieties and one einkorn and one spring wheat variety. Between TP and Se significant linear correlation was determined (r = 0.709).

Genetic diversity of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture is a unique and irreplaceable source for further crop genetic improvement. The aim of this paper was the field evaluation of buckwheat genetic resources in the Czech Republic. In the case of the 77 common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) genotypes, most had reddishgreen stems (80%), cordate leaves (82%), white flowers (87%), and grey ovate achenes (44% and 57%, respectively). Vegetative growth duration ranged from 104 to 131 days. The 1000 seed weight (TSW) varied from 18.6 to 33.2 g. In the 15 tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) genotypes, there were no remarkable differences in morphological traits. Vegetative growth duration was 101 to 148 days, and the TSW varied from 8.10 to 20.0 g. Similarity/dissimilarity dendograms were calculated using the results of the field evaluation. Principal component analysis was also performed. The dendrograms showed high diversity in the morphological and phenological characteristics evaluated. Performance of the buckwheat varieties, particularly, their developmental stages, depended highly on the weather conditions of the year. Only days to flowering seemed to be affected by variety. Because the evaluation was made according to the IPGRI buckwheat descriptors the characteristics are compatible with data from other gene banks. Para la mejora vegetal es imprescindible disponer de diversidad genética en los recursos fitogenéticos para la alimentación y la agricultura. El objetivo de este estudio fue la evaluación en campo de la morfología y fenología de 77 accesiones de alforfón de Tartaria (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) y 15 de trigo sarraceno (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) en las condiciones de Europa Central, en la República Checa. La mayoría de los genotipos del trigo sarraceno poseen pedúnculos de color rojo-verde (80%), hojas acorazonadas (82%), flores blancas (87%) y semillas de color gris y oblongas (44% y 57%, respectivamente); el ciclo vegetativo oscila entre 104 y 131 días y el peso de mil semillas (TSW) entre 18,6 y 33,2 g. En el caso del alforfón de Tartaria no se detectaron diferencias significativas en los caracteres morfológicos; el ciclo vegetativo oscila entre 101 y 148 días; y el TSW entre 8,10 y 20,0 g. En base a estos resultados se creó un dendrograma de similitud y disimilitud generado por un análisis de componentes principales. El dendrograma indica una gran diversidad en las características morfológicas y fenológicas. Las fases de desarrollo dependieron principalmente de las condiciones climáticas del año en variedades de trigo sarraceno. Solo el carácter "días hasta floración" parece afectado por la variedad. Debido a que la evaluación se hizo de acuerdo con los descriptores para trigo sarraceno del IPGRI, los resultados son compatibles con los datos de otros bancos de germoplasma.