Genetic Resources and Breeding Strategies for Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Non-Chernozem Zone (NCZ) of Russia: A Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis systematically reviews the genetic and breeding strategies for enhancing spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) adaptation to Russia's vast Non-Chernozem Zone (NCZ). The NCZ presents significant agricultural challenges due to its heterogeneous agro-climatic conditions, which are categorized into four distinct regional groups. The analysis, conducted following PRISMA guidelines, synthesizes data from 152 selected studies to identify key genetic targets and evaluate modern breeding methodologies. The findings reveal that genetic improvement for the NCZ hinges on developing resilience to a complex of abiotic and biotic stresses. Critical abiotic targets include alleles for photoperiod insensitivity (Ppd-1) and vernalization (Vrn-1) to ensure timely maturation, alongside genes for cold tolerance (CBF regulon), drought resilience (root architecture QTLs, dehydrins), and heat stability. For biotic stresses, the strategy emphasizes pyramiding both major resistance genes and durable adult plant resistance (APR) complexes, such as Lr34/Yr18 and Fhb1, to combat evolving pathogens like rusts, Fusarium head blight, and powdery mildew. The review underscores a paradigm shift from conventional breeding to integrated approaches that leverage genomic selection (GS), marker-assisted selection (MAS), speed breeding, and high-throughput phenotyping. These tools enable the rapid pyramiding of complex traits and enhance selection efficiency for polygenic characteristics. The conclusion asserts that the future of spring wheat breeding in the NCZ lies in the synergistic application of advanced genomic tools and precise phenotyping within a multi-trait selection framework to develop high-yielding, climate-resilient cultivars tailored to the zone's unique and demanding constraints.