Bashkir breeders need help of geneticists - scientists

UFA, 8 August 2019. /Bashinform News Agency/ translated by Tatiana Aksyutina/.

In Bashkiria, it is planned to establish a Center for Breeding and Genetic Research in Plant Production. The Ministry of Agriculture discussed organizational issues on the infrastructure and personnel of the future institution. According to the department, the Center will consist of seven laboratories, the work of which will accelerate the selection process.

In Bashkiria, as in Russia as a whole, the selection of cultivated plants is mainly based on phenotypic characteristics, which requires much time. It takes an average of 15 years to create one variety in the Chishminsky breeding center, Anvar Shakirzyanov, deputy director of Bashkir Agricultural Research Institute cited the example. Breeders around the world are collaborating with geneticists to meet the competition. In Bashkiria, the Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics of the Ufa Scientific Institute RAS ​​helps the breeders.

The scientist noted that a breakthrough in genetic engineering “does not yet cancel the laws of nature. For example, a quality gene is very difficult to connect with yield. Good grain quality means the low yield of varieties. And vice versa - high productivity means low grain quality. The same thing with the ratio of frost resistance and productivity. The harvesting variety of winter wheat has low frost resistance. Excellent frost resistance - low yield and small grains. Novosibirsk varieties are all frost-resistant and with fine grain, ”said Anvar Shakirzyanov.

The project to create a Center for Breeding and Genetics is planned to be implemented until 2024.