Resource Potential of Wild Populations of Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) from the Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts of Russia: Findings from an Expedition Survey

Abstract

Introduction. The success of breeding work with cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) is largely determined by the selection and use of valuable source material, which are wild forms of local origin. The biological diversity of natural wild populations makes it possible to identify genetic sources of winter hardiness, resistance to abiotic environmental factors, regrowth intensity, and productive longevity for breeding.
Aim. To study the potential for the spread of natural populations of the plant in the North Caucasus and Southern regions of Russia and to select promising wild forms for use in breeding work.
Material and methods. The work was carried out in 2024-2025 as part of 17 trips to 15 municipal districts of the Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories, the Republics of Kalmykia, Adygea and Karachay-Cherkessia in accordance with the methodological guidelines for expeditionary surveys of the All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources named after N.I. Vavilov.
Results. The study revealed significant morphological and biological diversity of wild populations of the cocksfoot, including lodging-resistant tall (up to 175 cm) and low-growing (up to 40 cm) with vegetative shoots forms. Of particular interest are the adaptive properties of various ecotypes - from drought-resistant populations of Kalmykia to moisture-loving forms of the Krasnodar Territory and Adygea, demonstrating high potential for use in breeding.
Conclusions. The organization and conduct of expeditionary surveys made it possible to replenish the collection fund of genetic resources of orchard grass with wild forms. Based on the results of introduction studies and evaluation in the collection nursery, these forms will be used in the breeding work of the North Caucasian Federal Scientific Agrarian Center.

To cite: Chumakova V.V., Mironova T.M., Chumakov V.F., Derevyannikova M.V. Resource Potential of Wild Populations of Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata L.) from the Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts of Russia: Findings from an Expedition Survey. Agrarian Bulletin of the North Caucasus. 2025;15(3):88-97. https://doi.org/10.31279/2949-4796-2025-15-3-88-97