Applicability assessment for seed endophytic fungal microbiome structure in the breeding of soft spring wheat

F. Duksi, G.N. Bondarenko, V.A. Burlutsky, Yu.V. Tsvetkova, G.O. Dekin, N.V. Davydova

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Abstract: The paper presents the research outcomes for community structure of the endophytic fungi in the seed of some new highly productive genotypes in soft spring wheat, created using complex breeding and genetic methodologies: haplo-biotechnology, the ecological and geographical selecting parental forms in the design of complex spring-winter hybrids (ecological valents), to reveal the possibility of evaluating breeding material when breeding new commercial varieties.
Aim. To investigate the endophytic community (pathogenic and non–pathogenic), in wheat seeds to determine the feasibility of this type of evaluation to assess resistance to fungal diseases, as well as to understand the complex interactions between these fungi, plants and the environment.
Materials and methods. Genotypes of soft spring wheat created using modern breeding and genetic approaches (haplo-biotechnology, ecological and geographical selection of parental pairs in the construction of complex spring-winter hybrids). A microbiological technique is used (isolating the pathogen on a growth medium, obtaining a pure culture), which includes morphological identification (microscopy). The initial diagnosis is confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on primers developed for the (ITS)
region, followed by Sanger sequencing.
Results. Differences are shown in the community structure of endophytic fungi in the seed material, depending on the breeding lines (genotypes) of spring wheat. 7 species of fungi belonging to 5 genera are identified. Pathogenic fungi from the genera Fusarium and Alternaria, as well as non-pathogenic fungi from Trichoderma and Clonostachys, are found among them.
Conclusions and recommendations. The results of this study contribute to a broader understanding of the formation of beneficial endophytic communities in agriculture and breeding (selection of resistant wheat varieties, which would reduce the need for pesticides). The study of such fungi is a promising area of research for the breeding of soft wheat.

Keywords: breeding, plant protection, soft spring wheat, cultivar, endophytic microorganisms, fungi, Fusarium head blight, microscopy, Sanger sequencing

For citation. Duksi F., Bondarenko G.N., Burlutskiy V.A., Tsvetkova Yu.V., Dekin G.O., Davydova N.V. Applicability assessment for seed endophytic fungal microbiome structure in the breeding of soft spring wheat. News of the Kabardino-Balkarian Scientific Center of RAS. 2025. Vol. 27. No. 4. Pp. 70–84. DOI: 10.35330/1991-6639-2025-27-4-70-84

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Information about the authors

Fatima Duksi, Agronomist Testing laboratory center of the All-Russian Plant Quarantine Center;
140150, Russia, Moscow region, Ramensky municipal district, Bykovo urban settlement,
32 Pogranichnaya street;
Postgraduate student of the Agrarian faculty of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba;
117198, Russia, Moscow, 6 Miklukho-Maklaya street;
f.duksi@gmail.com, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7353-7816, SPIN-code: 9937-6393

Galina N. Bondarenko, Candidate of Biological Sciences, Senior Researcher, Head of the testing laboratory center of the All-Russian Plant Quarantine Center;
140150, Russia, Moscow region, Ramensky municipal district, Bykovo urban settlement,
32 Pogranichnaya street;
Associate Professor of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba;
117198, Russia, Moscow, 6 Miklukho-Maklaya street;
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2172-7634; SPIN-code: 2631-5209
Valeriy A. Burlutskiy, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences, Senior Lecturer, Agrarian and Technological Institute, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba;
117198, Russia, Moscow, 6 Miklukho-Maklaya street;
Leading Researcher, Research Unit, Plant Production Technology, Kaluga Research Agriculture Institute – branch of Russian Potato Research Centre;
249142, Kaluga Region, Peremyshlsky District, Kaluga Experimental Agricultural Station, 2 Tsentralnaya street;
burlutskiy-va@rudn.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5072-4766, SPIN-code: 4167-4646
Yulia V. Tsvetkova, Researcher, Mycology Laboratory, Testing Laboratory Center, All-Russian Plant Quarantine Center;
140150, Russia, Moscow region, Ramensky municipal district, Bykovo urban settlement,
32 Pogranichnaya street;
SPIN-code: 2744-1123
Ghebriel O. Dekin, Postgraduate Student of the Agrarian faculty of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba;
117198, Russia, Moscow, 6 Miklukho-Maklaya street;
ghebrielokba@gmail.com, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4460-1077
Natalia V. Davydova, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Head of the Laboratory of Selection and Primary Seed Production of Spring Wheat Federal Research Center “Nemchinovka”;
143026, Russia, Moscow Region, Odintsovo, Novoivanovskoye, 6 Agrokhimikov street;
SPIN-code: 5470-3052