Rye is a crop with relatively high resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the resistance to brown rust (Puccinia recondita f. sp. secalis) and pre-harvest sprouting are still not satisfactory. High α-amylase activity is also among the main disadvantages of this species. Therefore, effective tools, e.g. molecular markers, allowing precise and environmentally independent selection of favourable alleles are desirable. In the present study, two kinds of association mapping—genome-wide association mapping (GWAM) based on sequences of DArTSeq markers and candidate gene association mapping (CGAM) based on sequences of ScBx genes—were chosen for development of molecular markers fulfilling these criteria. The analysed population consisted of 149 diverse inbred lines (DILs). Altogether, 67 and 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in, respectively, GWAM and CGAM, were significantly associated with the investigated traits: 2 SNPs with resistance to brown rust, 71 SNPs with resistance to pre-harvest sprouting and 5 SNPs with α-amylase activity in the grain. Fifteen SNPs were stable across all environments. The highest number (13) of environmentally stable SNPs was associated with pre-harvest sprouting resistance. The test employing the Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR method proved the versatility of four markers identified in both GWAM and CGAM.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11105-017-1030-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Mapping population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) representing 541 × Ot1-3 cross exhibited wide variations of benzoxazinoid (BX) content in leaves and roots, brown rust resistance, α-amylase activity in the grain, and resistance to preharvest sprouting. QTL mapping of major BX species using a DArT-based map revealed a complex genetic architecture underlying the production of these main secondary metabolites engaged in stress and allelopathy responses. The synthesis of BX in leaves and roots was found to be regulated by different QTL. The QTL for the BX content, rust resistance, α-amylase activity, and preharvest sprouting partially overlapped; this points to their common genetic regulation by a definite subset of genes. Only one QTL for BX located on chromosome 7R coincided with the loci of the ScBx genes, which were mapped as two clusters on chromosomes 5RS (Bx3-Bx5) and 7R (Bx1-Bx2). The QTL common for several BX species, rust resistance, preharvest sprouting, and α-amylase activity are interesting objects for further exploration aimed at developing common markers for these important agronomic traits.

A total of 88 Pyrenophora tritici‐repentis (Died.) Drechsler isolates from different hosts and localities were screened for catenarin production using thin layer chromatography. Catenarin was detected in 29% of the tested strains. The level of this compound ranged from 2 to 400 ppm and was especially high in case of fungus variants unable to biosynthesize melanins. The extracted pigment exhibited antibiotic properties against Gram‐positive bacteria (Aureobacterium liquefaciens, Arthrobacter globiformis, Bacillus brevis, B. circulans, B. subtilis and Curtobacterium plantarum). Catenarin also inhibited the growth of fungi accompanying P. tritici‐repentis during the saprophytic phase of development. The most sensitive species was Epicoccum nigrum, whose growth was inhibited up to 90%.

Increased occurrence of cucumber angular leaf spot, Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans, has caused significant losses in cucumber, Cucumis sativus, yield in Poland in recent years. These losses necessitated evaluation of the level of resistance in cucumber cultivars of mainly Polish breeding, cultivated in Eastern Europe, and initiation of a breeding programme for resistance to this disease. Screening for resistance was performed on 84 cucumber accessions under growth chamber conditions using a highly aggressive strain of P. syringae pv. lachrymans. Most of the screened accessions were either susceptible or displayed intermediate resistance. The screening resulted in the identification of five F 1 hybrid cultivars moderately resistant to angular leaf spot. The identified F 1 hybrids were self-pollinated up to the F 4 generation. Individuals resistant to angular leaf spot were identified. These individuals can be used as a source of resistance to angular leaf spot in future breeding efforts.

Several old cultivars, and breeding clones of European pear Pyrus communis L. originating from Belgium, England, Sweden, and Switzerland were evaluated for their resistance/susceptibility to fire blight. Studies were carried out during three consecutive years 2007–2009 in the greenhouse of Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland. Strain 691 of Erwinia amylovora was used for artificial infection of plants. Genotypes included in this study considerably varied in their resistance to fire blight. The most resistant was the old English cultivar ‘Hessle’. The other two genotypes, i.e., ‘Gränna Rödpäron’ originating from Sweden, and Pyrus communis FG 1606 from Switzerland were included in a group of low susceptible ones. The most susceptible were Cra Py H 18, Cra Py V 22 and Cra Py W 14 from Belgium.