Brief description of the project
(2025-2027)
Project title: IRN AP26195327 «Genome-wide association mapping of resistance to common root rot caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana in wheat germplasm from Kazakhstan».
Relevance: Common root rot (CRR), caused by the fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana, is one of the most destructive diseases of wheat and other cereal crops worldwide. Average wheat yield losses due to this disease reach 15–20% and may increase to as much as 70% under favorable conditions. Breeding for resistance to CRR is an effective strategy for disease management. This project aims to identify resistant genotypes and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers using field and laboratory screening, as well as modern genomic approaches such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The study will deepen our understanding of the genetic factors contributing to disease resistance, thereby facilitating the development of more resistant wheat cultivars. Identification of previously unmapped sources of CRR resistance in Kazakhstan will enable marker-assisted introgression of these traits into new varieties. This will be the first GWAS study focused on root rot resistance in the Kazakh wheat collection.
The goal of the project: Mapping of genetic factors determining resistance to common root rot caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana using genome-wide association studies in a wheat collection.
Expected results:
1. A collection of 228 wheat accessions will be formed and phenotyped for common root rot resistance (CRR) and productivity.
1.1 Monitoring and collection of infectious material of root rot will be carried out. Monospore isolates of B.sorokiniana will be created, morphological and molecular identification and assessment of their pathogenicity will be carried out.
1.2 Phytopathological screening of wheat germplasm for CRR at the adult plant stage will be carried out in field conditions in Almaty and Kostanay regions.
1.3 A target set of genotypes (at least 228) will be formed, differing in resistance to the disease. A structural analysis of productivity components from 2 regions of Kazakhstan will be conducted.
Scientific Supervisor of the project:
Kokhmetova Alma – doctor of biological sciences, professor, Academician of the National academy of sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, head of the laboratory of Genetics and breeding, Institute of plant biology and biotechnology; Republic of Kazakhstan, 050040, Almaty, 45 Timiryazev street, tel.: +7(727)394-75-52, fax: +7(727)394-75-62, e-mail: gen_kalma@mail.ru
Research group:
Kumarbayeva Madina – PhD (6D080100 – Agronomy), senior researcher, laboratory of Genetics and breeding, Institute of plant biology and biotechnology; Republic of Kazakhstan, 050040, Almaty, 45 Timiryazev street, tel.: +7(727)394-75-52, e-mail: madina_kumar90@mail.ru
Nurzhuma Makpal – master of pedagogical sciences, PhD doctoral student (6D05105 – Biotechnology), senior researcher, laboratory of Genetics and breeding, Institute of plant biology and biotechnology; Republic of Kazakhstan, 050040, Almaty, 45 Timiryazev street, tel.: +7 (727) 394-75-52, fax: +7 (727) 394-75-62, e-mail: maki_87@mail.ru
Dutbayev Yerlan – candidate of agricultural sciences, associate professor, department of Fruit and Vegetable Production, plant protection and quarantine, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University; 050010, Almaty, 8g/3 Abay street, tel.: +7(747) 961-88-74, e-mail: yerlan.dutbayev@kaznaru.edu.kz
Kharipzhanova Aidana – PhD (8D08104 – Plant protection and quarantine), researcher, laboratory of Genetics and breeding, Institute of plant biology and biotechnology; Republic of Kazakhstan, 050040, Almaty, 45 Timiryazev street, tel.: +7 (727) 394-75-52, fax: +7 (727) 394-75-62, e-mail: aidana.kharipzhanova@kaznaru.edu.kz
Keishilov Zhenis – master of agricultural sciences, researcher, laboratory of Genetics and breeding, Institute of plant biology and biotechnology; Republic of Kazakhstan, 050040, Almaty, 45 Timiryazev Street, tel.: +7(727) 394-75-52, fax:+7(727)394-75-62, e-mail: jeka-Sayko@mail.ru
Bolatbekova Ardak – master of environmental sciences, PhD doctoral student (8D08104 – Plant protection and quarantine), junior researcher, laboratory of Genetics and breeding, Institute of plant biology and biotechnology; Republic of Kazakhstan, 050040, Almaty, 45 Timiryazev street, tel.: +7 (727) 394-75-52, e-mail: ardashka1984@mail.ru
Bakhytuly Kanat – master of natural sciences (7M05109 – Biotechnology), junior researcher, laboratory of Genetics and breeding, Institute of plant biology and biotechnology; Republic of Kazakhstan, 050040, Almaty, 45 Timiryazev street, tel.: +7(727) 394-75-52, fax: +7 (727) 394-75-62, e-mail: kanat1499@gmail.com
Kokhmetova Assiya – bachelor’s degree, laboratory assistant, laboratory of Genetics and breeding, Institute of plant biology and biotechnology; Republic of Kazakhstan, 050040, Almaty, 45 Timiryazev street, tel.: +7 (727) 394-75-52, fax:+7(727)394-75-62, e-mail: asia.k68@mail.ru
Mukhametzhanov Kanat – agronomist-organizer, laboratory assistant, laboratory of Genetics and breeding, Institute of plant biology and biotechnology; Republic of Kazakhstan, 050040, Almaty, 45 Timiryazev street, tel.: +7(727) 394-75-52, fax: +7(727) 394-75-62, e-mail: kanat.mukhametzhanov@mail.ru
List of publications of the project’s participants: No
Results for 2025:
1 Development and phenotyping of a wheat collection comprising 228 samples for traits associated with resistance to common root rot CRR and productivity.
1.1 Monitoring and collection of infectious material of common root rot. Development of monospore isolates of B.sorokiniana, morphological and molecular identification and assessment of their pathogenicity.
In 2025, a phytopathological monitoring of wheat crops was conducted, and infectious material of common root rot (CRR) was collected in the Almaty and Kostanay regions. This enabled the establishment of 50 monosporic isolates of Bipolaris sorokiniana and the isolation of associated Fusarium spp., followed by their morphological and molecular identification and assessment of pathogenicity. Molecular identification using the primers COSA_F/COSA_R and GPD1/GPD2 confirmed that 19 isolates belonged to B. sorokiniana, while 31 isolates were assigned to species of Fusarium, Curvularia, and Alternaria. Pathogenicity assessment on the susceptible wheat cultivar Glenlea revealed differences in isolate virulence. The isolates were classified as highly virulent (82a, 76a), moderately virulent (837), and weakly virulent (958, 836, 35c). The results indicate substantial diversity of CRR pathogens of wheat in the Almaty and Kostanay regions.
1.2 Phytopathological screening of wheat germplasm for CRR at the adult plant stage in field conditions of Almaty and Kostanay regions.
The results of phytopathological screening in the Almaty region revealed pronounced genotypic variability in the resistance of wheat cultivars and lines (Triticum aestivum L.) to the CRR pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana. It was shown that 18 wheat accessions belonged to the highly resistant (R) group, with disease severity scores ranging from 0 to 1.9. Phytopathological screening results in the Kostanay region demonstrated that 40 wheat accessions were classified as highly resistant (R).
1.3 Formation of a target set of genotypes (at least 228) differing in disease resistance. Structural analysis of productivity components of wheat from 2 regions of Kazakhstan.
In the Almaty region, the collection included 94 resistant and moderately resistant forms, 118 moderately susceptible, and 16 susceptible wheat accessions. In the Kostanay region, 136 resistant and moderately resistant forms, 82 moderately susceptible, and 10 susceptible accessions were identified. Structural analysis of yield components of wheat from the two regions of Kazakhstan made it possible to characterize the collection based on key productivity traits and to select promising accessions combining resistance to common root rot (CRR) and high productivity. Based on the screening results, a target set of 228 wheat genotypes differing in their level of resistance to CRR was fоrmed. Phenological observations revealed significant differences in heading dates between regions and within the collection. NDVI values also varied, ranging from 0.24 to 0.64 in the Almaty region and from ≤0.37 to ≥0.45 in the Kostanay region, reflecting differences in plant biomass and physiological condition. Analysis of yield structure parameters showed a wide range of variation in spike length, number of spikelets, and number of grains per spike. These differences confirm substantial genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of the collection, providing a foundation for further investigation of the mechanisms of wheat resistance to CRR and the identification of valuable sources for breeding programs.
Publications (2025): No
