Connection Between Ecological Plasticity of Elite Winter Wheat Varieties and DNA Methylation Pattern Polymorphism within Variety

Connection between ecological plasticity of eight elite winter wheat varieties and DNA methylation pattern polymorphism within variety using seedlings from seeds with different germination rate was investigated. Polymorphism degree or «epigenetic distance» in restriction fragments’ range of PCR products was assessed using Nei index. Correlation (Rs=0,69) between variety grade determined by its productivity and ecological plasticity and degree of DNA methylation pattern polymorphism within variety was found. The prevalence of the greatest «epigenetic distance» (D≥0,1) in most productive and ecologically plasticized varieties was proved. The application of the «epigenetic distance» assessment in selection of new varieties for arias with unstable climate conditions was recommended.