Abstract. Pentaradial symmetry is a distinctive property of living organisms. Flowers of rose species (genus Rosa L.) have a surprising variant of this symmetry. Among the five sepals, two have entire (smooth) margins and alternate with two toothed margins. The fifth sepal is asymmetric or bipolar, one side smooth, other side toothed. This configuration was noted centuries ago. However, a systematic analysis of the unique symmetry of roses from the standpoint of genetics has not been carried out. We carried out such an analysis for the first time. We studied the expression of pentaradial symmetry in wild rose species according to world flora reports and in nature (North America); in rose gardens among old varieties, new cultivars and varieties from private gardens. Most species of Asia and North America have sepals with entire margins. Whereas most species of Europe and many cultivars have entire and serrated sepals. Analysis of symmetry variability led to the conclusion that symmetry determination in development occurs in one of two mirror images: R – to the right clockwise and L – to the left. Both options are found among different flowers of the same plant. The choice of the R or L option in plants of different varieties is equally probable. Deviations from canonical symmetry occur with noticeable frequency. Rose cultivars differ genotypically in the degree of stability of maintaining typical symmetry. They are divided into three groups: relatively stable, with a moderate level of deviations and unstable. The main reason for deviations is the loss of teeth. Four superunstable cultivars mosaic on flower color out of 21 studied had a cultivar-specific variation in the number of sepals, either 6–7 or 4–3. The reason for this deviation was the doubling or fusion of sepals. Among the symmetry deviations, homeotic transformations were regularly observed. All three studied cultivars exhibiting mosaic petal flower coloration also showed increased sepal symmetry instability. This association may be mediated by the insertion of ME in genes controlling both petal color and sepal symmetry.This study is important for further analysis of the genetic control of the unusual fiveradial symmetry of roses and its evolution.
Key words: rose; Rosa L.; sepals; fiveradial symmetry; right and left variants; symmetry variability; homeosis
For citation: Golubovsky M.D., Akulova-Barlow Z. Analysis of variability of mirror pentaradial symmetry of sepals in rose flowers (genus Rosa L.). Pisma v Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genetiki i Selektsii = Lett Vavilov J Genet Breed. 2026;12(2):51-63. doi 10.18699/letvjgb-2026-12-08
Acknowledgements. The authors are grateful to Dr. Sci. (Biology) Professor Emil Khavkin for his interest in the idea of the work and valuable advice, as well as to Dr. Sci. (Biology) Inna Golubovskaya for her ongoing support, assistance in the research and discussion of the results.

Abstract. The potential for cultivating perennial grain crops, as exemplified by wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium), is linked to the potential for diversifying grain production, improving environmental sustainability, and increasing the economic efficiency of agrocenoses. In the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia, the best biotypes selected from populations of wheatgrass accessions from The Land Institute (Kansas, USA) and Omsk SAU were studied in an experimental field from 2023 to 2025. The results showed that the target traits for selection cycles aimed at increasing wheatgrass grain yield are a higher thousand kernel weight and a shorter plant height. Promising biotypes were selected that significantly exceeded standard Sova on thousand kernel weight (average 13.1–15.3 g): TLI-701-1, TLI-801-1, TLI-801-2, #61-1, and 65-2. The average number of grains per spike for all studied biotypes was 57.2 in 2024 and 30.9 in 2025, due to unfavorable weather conditions. Biotypes TLI-701-2, TLI-704-1, TLI-704-2, and 14 (1) from population # 22 were identified with increased resistance to shattering (grain survival per spikelet: 76.4–84.7 %) and are of interest for further breeding. The conducted studies on the assessment of morphometric parameters of plants of selected biotypes in populations of the international collection of accessions of medium wheatgrass indicate the feasibility of increasing the thousand kernel weight, reducing the height of plants and increasing resistance to shattering for breeding of grain yield under conditions of Western Siberia.
Key words: intermedium wheatgrass; biotype; population; plant height; productivity components; resistance to shattering
For citation: Shamanin V.P., Aydarov A.N., Pototskaya I.V., Morgounov A.I. Morphometric parameters of plants of grain wheatgrass biotypes (Thinopyrum intermedium) for breeding under conditions of Western Siberia. Pisma v Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genetiki i Selektsii = Lett Vavilov J Genet Breed. 2026;12(2):64-69. doi 10.18699/letvjgb-2026-12-09
Funding. The research was carried out with the support of Russian Science Foundation (agreement No. 25-16-20042 dated April 17, 2025).

Abstract. The article provides a description of the life path, scientific, organizational, and main scientific achievements of outstanding scientist Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Antonina V. Goncharova. Antonina Vasilievna is the author and co-author of 28 varieties of forage crops, zoned / included in the State Register of the Russian Federation. She is a recognized scientist in the field of breeding and seed production fodder crops, and the stabilization of feed production in Siberia, Ural region and the Far East, the greening of crop production, etc.
Key words: А.V. Goncharovа; Siberian Institute of plant industry and breeding; agriculture; plant breeding; seed production; fodder plants; commercial cultivars
For citation: Kosolapov V.M., Goncharov N.P. Outstanding scientists of Russia. Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Antonina V. Goncharova Pisma v Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genetiki i Selektsii = Lett Vavilov J Genet Breed. 2026;12(2):70-85. doi 10.18699/letvjgb-2026-12-10
Funding. The work was supported by the budget project of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS FWNR-2026-0033.
Acknowledgements. The authors would like to thank the reviewers for their careful reading of the article and advice on how to improve it.

Abstract. Тhe article provides a description of the life path, scientific and organizational activities, teaching work and main scientific achievements of an outstanding scientist in the field of genetics and breeding Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences R.I. Rutz (1936–2025).
Key words: R.I. Rutz; SARI; FSBSI “Omsk Agrarian Scientific Center”; plant breeding; winter and spring wheat; winter rye; commercial cultivars
For citation: Evdokimov M.G., Kovtunenko A.N., Yusov V.S., Nikolaev P.N. Outstanding scientists of Russia. Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Reingold I. Rutz. Pisma v Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genetiki i Selektsii = Lett Vavilov J Genet Breed. 2026;12(2): 86-93. doi 10.18699/letvjgb-2026-12-11

Abstract. This article is dedicated to the history of creation and the remarkable fate of the “Decimal System of Genetic Symbols” proposed by the outstanding geneticist Alexander Sergeyevich Serebrovsky in 1921. Faced with chaos in the naming of genes, the scientist developed a coherent hierarchical system where each gene was assigned a unique numerical code based on a classified external trait of the organism. Later, for the convenience of oral communication, he proposed converting these numbers into euphonious syllables. This ideal, but overly rigid system did not take root in live scientific practice, giving way to freer and sometimes quirky names – Sonic Hedgehog, Pikachurin. However, a certain parallel exists with the modern system of ferment classification and with idea of gene ontology. Serebrovsky’s idea of a multifaceted classification proved to be prophetic and has been embodied in modern genomic databases
Key words: A.S. Serebrovsky; decimal system of gene symbols; gene classification; gene nomenclature; history of genetics; gene ontology
For citation: Borodin P.M. Trule, аtrule, C9orf72, and Mothers against decapentaplegic: on the centenary of A.S. Serebrovsky’s decimal genetic nomenclature. Pisma v Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genetiki i Selektsii = Lett Vavilov J Genet Breed. 2026;12(2):94-99. doi 10.18699/ letvjgb-2026-12-12
Funding. This work was supported by State Budgeted Project FWNR-2026-0024