Abstract
The article outlines a brief historical background on the introduction to cultivation, distribution and breeding of spring durum wheat in the steppe and forest-steppe regions of Eurasia (the countries of the former USSR: Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan). The approaches and methodology for improving durum wheat during certain scientific selection periods are given. The features of the selection program implementation and the breeding scale expansion during the creation of breeding stations at the beginning of the XX century, after the end of the Great Patriotic War, in the second half of the XX century, and at present are considered. A characteristic according to the main features and properties of varieties created in different periods is given. The achievements of the classical breeding method by comparing old and new varieties are analyzed. The efficiency and rate of wheat selection by periods in different regions of Russia is estimated. The results and methods of breeding for yield, resistance to drought, leaf diseases (Stagonospora nodorum Berk., Septoria tritici (Roeb. et Desm.), Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoemaker, Pyrenophora tritici repentis (Died.) Drechs., Fusarium sp., Puccinia titicina Eriks., Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks., Blumeria graminis (DC.) f. sp. tritici Em. Marchal), grain pathogens Ustilago tritici (Pers.) Rostr.) and pathogens causing darkening of the corcule and endosperm (Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoemaker, Alternaria tenuis (Nees et Fr.), Аlternaria triticina (Prasada & Prabhu)), pests (Cephus pygmeus Lens, Osinosoma frit L., Mayetiola destructor (Say)), grain quality (protein content, amount of yellow pigments, dough rheology, sprouting resistance) and end products are presented. The prospects for the molecular marker application for a number of traits in breeding in the near future are given.