Molecular genetic analysis and combination capability of sugar beet lines in the creation of heterosis hybrids

Relevance. Molecular genetic research, including microsatellite DNA markers, has recently been used to develop domestic breeding programs and increase the efficiency of the breeding process. The time is saved in selecting the most productive hybrid combinations whith creating heterotic hybrids, where analyzing the combining ability of genotypes is important. Materials and Methods. The study was made at the A.L. Mazlumov All-Russian Research Institute of Sugar Beet and Sugar. The experiments utilized diploid, dioecious, male-sterile sugar beet varieties, which were crossed with fertile diploid (topcross type), unioecious pollinators (selected by the A.L. Mazlumov All-Russian Research Institute of Sugar Beet and Sugar). The resulting hybrids were evaluated for productivity traits (yield, sugar content, and sugar yield). Molecular genetic experimental studies were conducted in triplicate. Eight pairs of primers to microsatellite loci of the genome were used for genotyping sugar beet breeding samples. Results. The parental components selected using molecular genetic markers demonstrated high productivity as compared to the standard. Microsatellite analysis revealed that the highest productivity was demonstrated by parental pairs whose components had the greatest genetic distances. Field trials revealed that hybrid combinations based on MS 9047, MS 94 Ap, and LBS 16 components, combined with OP 15676 and synthetic pollinators containing OP 15676, demonstrated high productivity (yield and sugar content), sugar yield From 7,3 to 9,9 t/ga, significantly exceeding the standard for 43-93%. Conclusion. The results of molecular genetic analysis of SSR markers predicting heterosis in hybrid combinations of sugar beet are confirmed by experimental field studies.