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Key messageSnow mold resistance is a complex quantitative trait highly affected by environmental conditions during winter that must be addressed by resistance breeding.Snow mold resistance in winter cereals is an important trait for many countries in the Northern Hemisphere. The disease is caused by at least four complexes of soilborne fungi and oomycetes of which Microdochium nivale and M. majus are among the most common pathogens. They have a broad host range covering all winter and spring cereals and can basically affect all plant growth stages and organs. Their attack leads to a low germination rate, and/or pre- and post-emergence death of seedlings after winter and, depending on largely unknown environmental conditions, also to foot rot, leaf blight, and head blight. Resistance in winter wheat and triticale is governed by a multitude of quantitative trait loci (QTL) with mainly additive effects highly affected by genotype × environment interaction. Snow mold resistance interacts with winter hardiness in a complex way leading to a co-localization of resistance QTLs with QTLs/genes for freezing tolerance. In practical breeding, a multistep procedure is necessary with (1) freezing tolerance tests, (2) climate chamber tests for snow mold resistance, and (3) field tests in locations with and without regularly occurring snow cover. In the future, resistance sources should be genetically characterized also in rye by QTL mapping or genome-wide association studies. The development of genomic selection procedures should be prioritized in breeding research.

In northern regions, annual and perennial overwintering plants such as wheat and temperate grasses accumulate fructan in vegetative tissues as an energy source. This is necessary for the survival of wintering tissues and degrading fructan for regeneration in spring. Other types of wintering plants, including chicory and asparagus, store fructan as a reserve carbohydrate in their roots during winter for shoot- and spear-sprouting in spring. In this review, fructan metabolism in plants during winter is discussed, with a focus on the fructan-degrading enzyme, fructan exohydrolase (FEH). Plant fructan synthase genes were isolated in the 2000s, and FEH genes have been isolated since the cloning of synthase genes. There are many types of FEH in plants with complex-structured fructan, and these FEHs control various kinds of fructan metabolism in growth and survival by different physiological responses. The results of recent studies on the fructan metabolism of plants in winter have shown that changes in fructan contents in wintering plants that are involved in freezing tolerance and snow mold resistance might be largely controlled by regulation of the expressions of genes for fructan synthesis, whereas fructan degradation by FEHs is related to constant energy consumption for survival during winter and rapid sugar supply for regeneration or sprouting of tissues in spring.

The paper reports on the work which was carried out in Kirov oblast in 2021–2024 with the aim of assessing winter rye gene pool for resistance to snow mold and root rots in order to find genotypes that would be the most resistant to fungal diseases and most adapted to the environmental conditions of Kirov oblast. Nine varieties created in the Federal Agricultural Scientific Center of the Northeast (Vyatka 2, Kirovskaya 89, Falenskaya 4, Snezhana, Rushnik, Flora, Grafinya, Batist, and Lika) and eight promising populations (Grafit, Grafit FP, Garmoniya, Perepel, Simfoniya, Kiprez, Talitsa, and Falenskaya universal’naya) were the material for study. Two varieties showed resistance to snow mold, namely, Lika (88.1%) and Flora (82.5%). Juvenile resistance to root rots was demonstrated by Garmoniya (disease rate 13.3%), Flora (13.5%), Grafit (14.6%), Grafit FP (14.9%), Rushnik (15.1%), and Perepel (15.2%) and adult resistant by Garmoniya, Flora, Grafit, Grafit FP, Rushnik, Perepel, and Simfoniya (13.3–15.7%). These varieties may be of interest for root rot resistance breeding. The most favorable environmental conditions for high grain yields were observed in 2022 when the average yield was 749.1 g/m 2 with the environmental index I j = 168.8. The Lika, Simfoniya, Grafit FP, Batist, Perepel, Flora, and Snezhana varieties showed statistically higher yields than the standard variety Falenskaya 4 (LSD 05 = 143.8 g/m 2 ) by 118.5–212.0 g/m 2 . Batist, Perepel, Grafit FP, Flora, and Lika were characterized by the highest yield plasticity ( b i = 2.33–1.24) and can be considered as highly responsive to the improvement of growth conditions. Flora and Batist showed high yield stability ( S 2 d i = 495.08–1034.31). Vyatka 2, Snezhana, Grafit, and Simfoniya ( Y max – Y min = –248.0– –174.0) showed the highest stress tolerance in the contrasting environmental conditions of the region. Several varieties showing the best combination of the studied traits were selected: Flora, Batist, Lika, Grafit FP, Perepel, and Simfoniya.

Microdochium nivale is one of the most harmful fungal diseases, causing colossal yield losses and deteriorating grain quality. Wheat genotypes from the world collection of the N.I. Vavilov Institute (VIR) were evaluated for fifty years to investigate their resistance to biotic stress factors (M. nivale). Between 350 to 1085 of winter wheat genotypes were investigated annually. Ten out of fifty years were identified as rot epiphytotics (1978, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2021). The wheat collection was investigated by following the VIR methodological requirements and CMEA unified classification of Triticum aestivum L. The field investigations were carried out in the early spring during fixed-route observations and data collection was included on the spread and development degree of the disease, followed by microbiological and microscopic pathogen identifications. The observations revealed that the primary reason for pink snow mold to infect the wheat crops was abiotic stress factors, such as thawed soil covered in snow that increased the soil temperature by 1.0–4.6 °C above normal. Under these conditions, the plants kept growing, quickly exhausting their carbohydrate and protein resources, thus weakening their immune systems, which made them an easy target for different infections, mainly cryophilic fungi, predominantly Microdochium nivale in the Moscow region. In some years, the joint effect of abiotic and biotic stresses caused crop failure, warranting the replanting of the spring wheat. The investigated wheat genotypes exhibited variable resistance to pink snow mold. The genotypes Mironovskaya 808 (k-43920) from Ukraine;l Nemchinovskaya 846 (k-56861), from Russia; Novobanatka (k-51761) from Yugoslavia; Liwilla (k-57580) from Poland; Zdar (UH 7050) from the Czech Republic; Maris Plowman (k-57944) from the United Kingdom; Pokal (k-56827) from Austria; Hvede Sarah (k-56289) from Denmark; Moldova 83 (k-59750) from Romania; Compal (k-57585) from Germany; Linna (k-45889) from Finland and Kehra (k-34228) from Estonia determined the sources, stability and tolerance to be used in advanced breeding programs.

Snow mold is a yield-limiting disease of wheat in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) region of the US, where there is prolonged snow cover. The objectives of this study were to identify genomic regions associated with snow mold tolerance in a diverse panel of PNW winter wheat lines in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and to evaluate the usefulness of genomic selection (GS) for snow mold tolerance. An association mapping panel (AMP; N = 458 lines) was planted in Mansfield and Waterville, WA in 2017 and 2018 and genotyped using the Illumina® 90K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. GWAS identified 100 significant markers across 17 chromosomes, where SNPs on chromosomes 5A and 5B coincided with major freezing tolerance and vernalization loci. Increased number of favorable alleles was related to improved snow mold tolerance. Independent predictions using the AMP as a training population (TP) to predict snow mold tolerance of breeding lines evaluated between 2015 and 2018 resulted in a mean accuracy of 0.36 across models and marker sets. Modeling nonadditive effects improved accuracy even in the absence of a close genetic relatedness between the TP and selection candidates. Selecting lines based on genomic estimated breeding values and tolerance scores resulted in a 24% increase in tolerance. The identified genomic regions associated with snow mold tolerance demonstrated the genetic complexity of this trait and the difficulty in selecting tolerant lines using markers. GS was validated and showed potential for use in PNW winter wheat for selecting on complex traits such tolerance to snow mold.

Multi-component fertilization has been found to have effects on grass metabolism, such as the stimulation of life processes and the reduction of adverse environmental conditions and pathogens. The research aimed to determine the bonitation value (assessment of the value in use) of turfgrass under the influence of using a multi-ingredient fertilizer. The experiment was carried out at the Experimental Station of the University of Agriculture in Krakow (Poland). The solution was applied through foliar application at three rates: 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 L·ha−1. This fertilizer contains essential minerals and growth stimulants. An increase in the concentration of the test fertilizer used for spraying was associated with increased effectiveness. The plants with the highest dose of the multi-component fertilizer (treatment III) were characterized by the highest aesthetic values. The use of the concentrate reduced the occurrence of fungal plant diseases. Compared to control plants, 13% less snow mold infection and 25% fewer brown leaf spots were found. Satisfactory effects were also obtained on objects where mineral-organic concentrate was applied at a dose of 2.0 L·ha−1 (treatment II). Plants that received Treatment II and III resulted in 9% less snow mold and 15% less brown leaf spot compared to controls. In the object with the highest concentration dose (treatment III), the green index (NDVI) was also higher by 8% and the leaf greenness index (SPAD) by 7% compared to the plants from the control objects.

The purpose of this study was to identify new sources of nonspecific resistance against most harmful diseases for the purposes of winter rye phytoimmunity breeding. The study was conducted in 2020–2022 in Kirov oblast. More than 140 domestic winter rye varieties were examined against the following infection-provocation backgrounds: snow mold, powdery mildew, brown and stem rust, Septoria leaf blotch, root rot, and ergot. The disease rates were estimated using commonly accepted techniques. The progress of fungal diseases in varietal biocoenoses was analyzed over the course of plant ontogenesis (phases 31 to 85 on the Zadoks growth scale). The plant–microbial interactions and resistance parameters were assessed based on two indices: AUDPC (area under disease progress curve) and RI (resistance index). In total, 28 varieties distinguished by nonspecific resistance to two or more diseases and slow progress of diseases in varietal biocoenoses (the slow rusting trait) were identified: Lika, Garmoniya, Simfoniya, Perepel, Grafit, Grafit FP, Era, Evrika, Vikras, Yantarnaya, Chusovaya, Saratovskaya 7, etc. These varieties can be used as sources in phytoimmunity breeding. Among them, the most high-yielding (840–1060 g/m 2 ) varieties are Batist, Dymka, Perepel, Lika, Simfoniya, Kiprez, Grafit FP, Flora, Evrika, Dana, Marusen’ka, Era, Saratovskaya 7, and Chusovaya. The correlation coefficient ( r ) between yield capacity and aftergrowth after snow mold damages varies from 0.49 (2022) to 0.87 (2020), which confirms the high harmfulness of this disease in the studied region. The following varieties are of certain immunological value in terms of breeding for ergot resistance: Rada, Kiprez, Flora, Lika, Batist, Garmoniya, Simfoniya, and Chusovaya; compared to the standard and other varieties, they are significantly more resistant to ergot. The composed regression equations are linear (R 2 = 0.96–0.99) and indicate daily progress of brown rust (5.4–16.4%) and stem rust (4.7–26.5%).

TAD1 (Triticum aestivum defensin 1) is a plant defensin specifically induced by low temperature in winter wheat. In this study, we demonstrated that TAD1 accumulated in the apoplast during cold acclimation and displayed antifungal activity against the pink snow mold fungi Microdochium nivale. When M. nivale was treated with TAD1, Congo red-stainable extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) were produced. The EPS were degradable by cellulase treatment, suggesting the involvement of β-1,4 glucans. Interestingly, when the fungus was treated with FITC-labeled TAD1, fluorescent signals were observed within the EPS layer. Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that the EPS plays a role as a physical barrier against antimicrobial proteins secreted by plants. We anticipate that the findings from our study will have broad impact and will increase our understanding of plant–snow mold interactions under snow.

The control of wheat diseases using bioagents is not well studied under field conditions. The present study was aimed at investigating, during four consecutive growing seasons (2017–2020), the efficacy of two integrated crop protection (ICP) systems to control the common wheat diseases for enhancing the productivity and profitability of winter wheat crops and ensuring nutritional and food security. Two environmental-friendly treatments were tested, biological (T1), which contained bioagents and fertilizers, and combined (T2), which included fertilizers and bioagents coupled with lower doses of fungicides. The chemical treatment (T3) was used for comparison with (T1) and (T2). Furthermore, two Russian winter wheat varieties (Nemchinovskaya 17 (V1) and Moscovskaya 40 (V2)) were studied. A randomized complete block design was used with four replicates. Diseases infestation rates for snow mold (SM), root rot (RR), powdery mildew (PM), and Fusarium (Fus), yield performances, and grain quality (measured through protein content) were determined according to the tested treatments, and the economic efficiency was calculated for each treatment. The combined treatment (T2) was the most effective against fungal diseases with 1.8% (SM), 1.2% (RR), 0.9% (PM), and 0.9% (Fus). The highest grain yield (6.8 t·ha−1), protein content (15.2%), and 1000-grain weight (43.7%) were observed for winter wheat variety Moscovskaya 40 with the combined treatment (T2). The highest number of productive stems (N.P.S) (556 stems/m2) was attained for combined treatment (T2), followed by biological treatment (T1) (552 stems/m2) with the variety Nemchinovskaya 17. The profitability (cost–benefit ratio) of the combined treatment (T2) was 2.38 with the Moscovskaya 40 variety (V2), while 2.03 was recorded for the biological treatment. Applying environmentally friendly combined and biological treatments resulted in high wheat yield and net income, as well as healthy products.

Shoots of Calluna vulgaris, Erica carnea, Juniperus communis subsp. nana, Picea abies, and Pinus mugo subsp. mugo covered with felty, melanized epiphytic mycelia typical for brown felt blight caused by Herpotrichia pinetorum were collected at several locations in the Swiss Alps. Most cultures prepared from the mycelia on J. communis subsp. nana and P. abies were H. pinetorum, whereas the majority of cultures from P. mugo subsp. mugo and C. vulgaris were identified by internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequencing and morphology as Allantophomopsis cytisporea. The fungus tolerates low temperatures, has an optimum between 16°C and 24°C, and ceases to grow at 28°C. 35°C is lethal. A. cytisporea is known as the causal agent of cranberry black rot on Vaccinium macrocarpon but has never been described as a snow mold. A. cytisporea is an endophyte in C. vulgaris but seems able to kill leaflets and whole shoots during winter. The epiphytic mycelium can expand from C. vulgaris to neighboring shoots of P. mugo subsp. mugo and J. communis subsp. nana below the snow where it forms epiphytic mycelial mats reminiscent of H. pinetorum. H. pinetorum has a strong antibiotic effect against A. cytisporea at 4°C and 20°C, whereas A. cytisporea grows faster at these temperatures. The effects of climate change on the interaction between the two snow mold fungi and their consequences on regeneration of woody plants at timberline are discussed.