Identification of hybrid necrosis genes in winter varieties of common wheat Triticum aestivum L.

Genotypes of 135 modern winter varieties of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) selected in the republics of the former USSR were scored for the prese nce of hybrid necrosis genes (Ne1 and Ne2). It was shown that 39.3% of vari eties carry the Ne2 gene, 60.0% are free of hybrid necrosis genes, and only one variety (0.7%) contains the Nel gene in the genotype. Modern breeding is shown to have an essential influence on the redistribution of the allele s of the Ne2 gene over some regions. This can be explained by the specifici ty of selection of the original material. The absence of selective advantag es of the Ne2 allele over the ne2 allele is shown.