A brief overview of the current state of expansion of Aegilops cylindrica in agrocenoses of grain crops (especially wheat) in Ukraine and the world is presented. Based on our analysis of available evidence and literature data, as well as our own observations in Ukraine, it is shown that these processes pose a real threat to food security, which is facilitated by several factors. Since representatives of the genus Aegilops are quite closely related to the genus Triticum (they belong to the same tribe, Triticeae, and were the donor of one of the subgenomes of hexaploid wheat), this causes a rather high similarity of plants of these genera, in particular Aegilops cylindrica and Triticum aestivum, in their ecological parameters and requirements, physiological processes and reactions, which significantly complicates weed control. Possible exchange of genetic material between the two species could lead to genetic erosion of wheat cultivars and the emergence of herbicide-resistant genetic lines of weeds, although the available evidence for this remains quite contradictory. The search for solutions of the problem should be based on an integrated approach considering and combining data, methods, and approaches from ecology, phytocoenology and phytosociology, physiology, and biochemistry, phylogenetics and genetics, as well as applied plant breeding and agricultural management.

Keywords: Aegilops, competitive relations in cenosis, imidazolinones, resistance of weed biotypes

Full text: PDF (Ukr) 245K

1. Arora S., Steuernagel B., Gaurav K., Chandramohan S., Long Y., Matny O., Johnson R., Enk J., Periyannan S., Singh N., Asyraf Md Hatta M., Athiyannan N., Cheema J., Yu G., Kangara N., Ghosh S., Szabo L. J., Poland J., Bariana H., Jones J. D. G., Bentley A. R., Ayliffe M., Olson E., Xu S.S., Steffenson B.J., Lagudah E., Wulff B.B.H. 2019. Resistance gene cloning from a wild crop relative by sequence capture and association genetics. Nature Biotechnology, 37(2): 139–143. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-018-0007-9
2. Avni R., Lux T., Minz-Dub A., Millet E., Sela H., Distelfeld A., Deek J., Yu G., Steuernagel B., Pozniak C., Ens J., Gundlach H., Mayer K.F.X., Himmelbach A., Stein N., Mascher M., Spannagl M., Wulff B.B.H., Sharon A. 2022. Genome sequences of three Aegilops species of the section Sitopsis reveal phylogenetic relationships and provide resources for wheat improvement. The Plant Journal, 110(1): 179–192. https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.15664
3. Baik N., Bandou H., Gonzales Garcia M., Benavente E., Vega J. M. 2021. Genetic diversity of ribosomal loci (5S and 45S rDNA) and pSc119.2 repetitive DNA sequence among four species of Aegilops (Poaceae) from Algeria. Ukrainian Botanical Journal, 78(6): 414–425. https://doi.org/10.15407/ukrbotj78.06.414
4. Ball D.A., Young F.L., Ogg A.G. 1999. Selective control of jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) with imazamox in herbicide-resistant wheat. Weed Technology, 13(1): 77–82. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0890037X00044948
5. Desheva G., Valchinova E., Pencheva A., Kyosev B., Deshev M. 2025. Tolerance of Aegilops cylindrica Host to sodium chloride salinity. Bulgarian Journal of Crop Science, 62(3): 61–69. https://doi.org/10.61308/PNIQ9348
6. Domínguez-Mendez R., Cruz R., Rojano-Delgado A., Fernández-Moreno P., Aponte R., Prado R. 2017. Multiple mechanisms are involved in new imazamox-resistant varieties of durum and soft wheat. Scientific Reports, 7: 14839. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-13874-3
7. Donald W. 1991. Seed survival, germination ability, and emergence of jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica). Weed Science, 39(2): 210–216. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043174500071496
8. Donald W.W., Ogg A.G. 1991. Biology and control of jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica), a review. Weed Technology, 5(1): 3–17. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0890037X00033170
9. Donaldson D., Kiely T., Grube A. 2002. Pesticides industry sales and usage. 1998 and 1999 market estimates. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances), v + 33 pp. Available at: https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/200001G5.PDF?Dockey=200001G5.PDF
10. Kiani R., Arzani A., Habibi F. 2015. Physiology of salinity tolerance in Aegilops cylindrica. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 37: art. 135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-015-1881-0
11. Lyon D., Barroso J. 2021 (revised). [original autors: Yenish J.P., Ball D.A., Schirman R. 2009]. Integrated management of jointed goatgrass in the Pacific Northwest. Available at: https://wpcdn.web.wsu.edu/wp-ecommerce/uploads/sites/2/product-3774-sku-EB2042E.pdf
12. Fandrich L., Mallory-Smith C. 2005. Temperature effects on jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) seed germination. Weed Science, 53(5): 594–599. https://doi.org/10.1614/WS-05-03R1.1
13. Fleming G.F., Young F.L., Ogg A.G. 1998. Competitive relationships among winter wheat (Triticum aestivium), jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica), and downy brome (Bromus tectorum). Weed Science, 36(4): 479–486. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043174500075238
14. Gaines T.A., Henry W.B., Byrne P.F., Westra P., Nissen S.J., Shaner D.L. 2008. Jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) by imidazolinone-resistant wheat hybridization under field conditions. Weed Science, 56(1): 32–36. https://doi.org/10.1614/WS-07-033.1
15. Gaurav K., Arora S., Silva P., Sánchez-Martín J., Horsnell R., Gao L., Brar G. S., Widrig V., Raupp J.W., Singh N., Wu S., Kale S.M., Chinoy C., Nicholson P., Quiroz-Chávez J., Simmonds J., Hayta S., Smedley M.A., Harwood W., Pearce S., Gilbert D., Kangara N., Gardener C., Forner-Martínez M., Liu J., Yu G., Boden S.A., Pascucci A., Ghosh S., Hafeez A.N., O’Hara T., Waites J., Cheema J., Steuernagel B., Patpour M., Justesen A.F., Liu S., Rudd J.C, Avni R., Sharon A., Steiner B., Kirana R.P., Buerstmayr H., Mehrabi A.A., Nasyrova F.Y., Chayut N., Matny O., Steffenson B.J., Sandhu N., Chhuneja P., Lagudah E., Elkot A.F., Tyrrell S., Bian X., Davey R.P., Simonsen M., Schauser L., Tiwari V.K., Kutcher H. R., Hucl P., Li A., Liu D.-C., Mao L., Xu S., Brown-Guedira G., Faris J., Dvorak J., Luo M.-C., Krasileva K., Lux T., Artmeier S., Mayer K.F.X., Uauy C., Mascher M., Bentley A.R., Keller B., Poland J., Wulff B.B.H. 2021. Population genomic analysis of Aegilops tauschii identifies targets for bread wheat improvement. Nature Biotechnology, 40(3): 422–431. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-021-01058-4
16. Gornish E., Case E., Valle M., Bean T., Moore-O'Leary K. 2018. A systematic review of management efforts on goatgrass (Aegilops spp.) dominance. Plant Ecology, 219(4): 549–560. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-018-0817-3
17. Häfliger E., Scholz H. 1981. Grass weeds 2. Basle, Switzerland: CIBA-GEIGI Ltd., xx + 137 pp. + 23 tab.
18. Hanson D.E., Ball D.A., Mallory-Smith C.A. 2002. Herbicide resistance in jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica): simulated responses to agronomic practices. Weed Technology, 16(1): 156–163. https://doi.org/10.1614/0890-037x(2002)016[0156:hrijga]2.0.co;2
19. Heap I. 2026. The International Herbicide-Resistant Weed Database. Available at: www.weedscience.org (Accessed 5 April 2025).
20. Johnston C.O., Heyne E.G. 1960. Distribution of jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica Host.) in Kansas. Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science, 63(4): 239–242. https://doi.org/10.2307/3626901
21. Kishii M. 2019. An update of recent use of Aegilops species in wheat breeding. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10: 585. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.00585
22. Levy A.A., Feldman M. 2022. Evolution and origin of bread wheat. The Plant Cell, 34(7): 2549–2567. https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koac130
23. Li H., Nie F., Zhu L., Mu M., Fan R., Li J., Shaheen A., Liu Y., Li C., Liu W., Liang H., Zhao X., Bai S., Guo G., Li Z., Hu Y., Jiao Y., Adams J., Distelfeld A., Sun G., Li S., Zhou Y., Song C.-P. 2022. New insights into the dispersion history and adaptive evolution of taxon Aegilops tauschii in China. Journal of Genetics and Genomics, 49(3): 185–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgg.2021.11.004
24. Lyon D.J., Baltensperger D.D. 1995. Cropping systems control winter annual grass weeds in winter wheat. Journal of Production Agriculture, 8: 535–539. https://doi.org/10.2134/jpa1995.0535
25. Mallory-Smith C., Kniss A.R., Lyon D.J., Zemetra R.S. 2018. Jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica): a review. Weed Science, 66(5): 562–573. Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/26505879
26. Martins B.A.B., Leonard J.M., Sun L., Zemetra R.S., Mallory-Smith C. 2016. Selection pressure effects on the proportion and movement of resistant alleles introgressed from wheat to Aegilops cylindrica. Weed Research, 56: 293–303. https://doi.org/10.1111/wre.12211
27. Morgun V.V., Rybalka O.I., Morgun B.V. 2021. New scientific approaches in genetic amelioration of cereal crops. Plant Physiology and Genetics, 53(3): 187–215. https://doi.org/10.15407/frg2021.03.187
28. Mykhalska L.M., Schwartau V.V. 2022. Identification of acetolactate synthase resistant Amaranthus retroflexus in Ukraine. Regulatory Mechanisms in Biosystem, 13(3): 231–240. https://doi.org/10.15421/022230
29. Prokudin Y.N., Vovk A.G., Petrova O.A., Ermolenko E.D., Vernichenko Y.V. 1977. Grasses of Ukraine. Kyiv: Naukova Dumka, 517 pp.
30. Saufferer S.M. 2007. Aegilops. In: Flora of North America Editorial Committee (eds.). Flora of North America North of Mexico. Vol. 24 (Magnoliophyta: Commelinidae (in part): Poaceae, part 1). Oxford & New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 261–263.
31. Schoenenberger N., Guadagnuolo R., Savova-Bianchi D., Küpfer P., Felber F. 2006. Molecular analysis, cytogenetics and fertility of introgression lines from transgenic wheat to Aegilops cylindrica Host. Genetics, 174(4): 2061–2070. https://doi.org/10.1534/genetics.106.058529
32. Schwartau V.V., Mykhalska L.M., Makoveychuk T.I., Tretiakov V.O. 2023. Identification of a herbicide-resistant biotype of Echinochloa crus-galli in Ukraine. Biosystems Diversity, 31(3): 297–304. https://doi.org/10.15421/012334
33. Seefeldt S.S., Zemetra R., Young F.L., Jones S.S. 1998. Production of herbicide-resistant jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) × wheat (Triticum aestivum) hybrids in the field by natural hybridization. Weed Science, 46(6): 632–634. https://doi.org/10.1017/s004317450008961x
34. USDAVIS. 2013. Aegilops cylindrica; Aegilops triuncialis. 2013. In: Weed Control in Natural Areas in the Western United States. Weed Research and Information Center, University of California. Available at: https://wric.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk15316/files/media/documents/Aegilops_cylindrica-triuncialis.pdf
35. USDA Forest Service. 2014. Invasive Plant Fact Sheet: Jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Available at: https://biodiversity.sk.ca/Docs/InvasiveSpeciesCouncilFactSheets/Jointed%20Goatgrass.pdf
36. van Slageren M.W. 1994. Wild wheats: a monograph of Aegilops L. and Amblyopyrum (Jaub. & Spach) Eig (Poaceae). Wageningen, The Netherlands: Joint Publication of ICARDA, Aleppo, Syria and Wageningen Agricultural University, 512 pp.
37. Wang Z., Wang W., He Y., Xie X., Yang Z., Zhang X., Niu J., Peng H., Yao Y., Xie C., Xin M., Hu Z., Sun Q., Ni Z., Guo W. 2024. On the evolution and genetic diversity of bread wheat D genome. Molecular Plant, 17(11): 1672–1686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molp.2024.09.007
38. Young F., Ball D., Thill D., Alldredge J., Ogg A., Seefeldt S. 2010. Integrated weed management systems identified for jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) in the Pacific Northwest. Weed Technology, 24(4). https://doi.org/10.1614/WT-D-10-00046.1
39. Young F.L., Gallandt E.R., Alldredge J.R. 2000. Predicting winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) yield loss based on jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) populations from the previous season. Weed Technology, 14(2): 423–427. https://doi.org/10.1614/0890-037X(2000)014[0423:PWWTAY]2.0.CO;2
40. Zhang P., Dundas I.S., McIntosh R.A., Xu S.S., Park R.F., Gill B.S., Friebe B. 2015. Wheat–Aegilops introgressions. In: Molnár-Láng M., Ceoloni C., Doležel J. (eds). Alien Introgression in Wheat. Springer, Cham: 221–243 pp. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23494-6_9
41. Zhang D., Li X., Bei F., Jin T., Jia S., Bu R., Wang J., Wang H., Liu W. 2022. Investigating the metabolic mesosulfuron-methyl resistance in Aegilops tauschii Coss. by transcriptome sequencing combined with the reference genome. Journal Agriculture and Food Chemistry, 70(36): 11429–11440. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.2c04529
42. Zhou Y., Zhao X., Li Y., Xu J., Bi A., Kang L., Xu D., Chen H., Wang Y., Wang Y.-g., Liu S., Jiao C., Lu H., Wang J., Yin C., Jiao Y., Lu F. 2020. Triticum population sequencing provides insights into wheat adaptation. Nature Genetics, 52(12): 1412–1422. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-020-00722-w