EN
Main achievements in revealing the complex genetic background of cereal sprouting are reviewed. In spite of the identification of some morphological, anatomical, biochemical and molecular mechanisms and genes underlying sprouting we are still far from satisfactory understanding of causes that make particular genotypes resistant to precocious initiation of metabolic processes leading to germination of grains in ears. Current knowledge allows to assume polygenic control of sprouting with the main effect of a few major genes such as: R alleles encoding red grain colour, giberellin-insensitive Rht genes or Vp1 gene underlying sensitivity to abscisic acid (ABA). Depending on the species and variety the resistance mechanism may represent: long dormancy, reduced contactof anembryo with water and oxygen, aleuroneand embryo sensitivity to GA and ABA, high inhibitor content or decreased amylase diffusion through the endosperm cells. The main breeding perspective is to combine several mechanisms of resistance in a given variety. Thiscan beachieved by applying different gene sources and strategies of selection, including molecular marker assisted selection and biotechnology.