The correctness of the genealogical approach to the estimation of genetic diversity has been substantiated. The approach implies a comparison of the estimates of similarity based on genetic markers and coefficients of parentage. A method of the application of the genealogical approach to the formation of the core collection has been developed. The adequacy of the core set has been estimated using Shannon's diversity index adapted for genetic profiles and the correlation between the distributions of ancestors' contributions. A core collection has been formed. This collection contains 25% of the accessions of the original winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) collection from the Czech Genebank and represents 70-76% of the intracluster diversity. A decrease in intercluster diversity has not been found in the core collection.

Vavilov Research Institute of Plant Production St Petersburg 190000 Russia