The role of breeding in the creation and conservation of agrobiodiversity with climate change in Tajikistan

Title : The role of breeding in the creation and conservation of agrobiodiversity with climate change in Tajikistan

Abstract:

The article provides information on the role of breeding in the creation and conservation of agro biodiversity under climate change in Tajikistan. The Institute of Botany, Plant Physiology and Genetics of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan (IBFGR NAST) has combined classical breeding methods and modern biotechnology to produce new promising varieties of important field crops such as wheat (Triticum aestivum L), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.), corn (Moise L.), sunflower (Helianthus annus L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsútum L), oats (Avena sativa L.), sorghum (Sorghum L.), Chicory (Checorium L.), legumes (Legumes L.), vegetables (Vegetable) and other crops, which are more adapted to climate change when they are cultivated in various agro ecological conditions of Tajikistan. These crops play an important role in ensuring food security in the republic and enriching their gene pool and preserving them for future generations is one of the main goals and objectives of scientists in Tajikistan. In this regard, scientists at the IBFGR NAST Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding widely use breeding methods such as genetic screening and the introduction of new useful genotypes, hybridization of valuable source forms, and natural and artificial mutagenesis. In particular, when using the selective breeding method - targeted selection back in 2010 among the plant population of the local wheat variety "Zafar", valuable modified plants were identified, which differed significantly in leaf color, height of the main stem, precocity and yield. Further study of these altered genotypes for more than 12 years has shown that the isolated wheat samples differ significantly from the maternal “Zafar” variety in a number of genetic features. We have established that these altered traits are of a genetic nature, based on the natural process of mutagenesis in the conditions of the experimental site of the IBFGR NAST. The new modified forms of the plant were studied and propagated during 2011-2021 in various breeding nurseries. Thus, in 2022, based on the decision of the IBFGR NAST Scientific Council, the new wheat line was named the “Bakhti Istiklol” (“Happiness of Independence”) variety and transferred to the State Commission for Variety Research and Protection of New Varieties of Agricultural Plants under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Tajikistan. Thus, it was found that the new wheat variety "Bakhti Istiklol" significantly exceeds the maternal wheat variety "Zafar" in such genetic characteristics as the length of the ear, the weight of the aboveground part of the plant, the weight of the ear, the number of grains in the ear, the weight of the grains of one ear, the weight of 1000 grains and other morphological characteristics.
Keywords: Breeding, Variety, Field crops, Wheat, Oats, Potatoes, Jerusalem artichoke

Biography:

Professor Kurbonali Partoev was born on 10 December 1952 in the Republic of Tajikistan. He graduated with distinction from the Faculty of Agronomy, Tajik Agrarian University (1968–1973). He began his scientific career at the Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture, Tajik Academy of Agricultural Sciences, where he served in various research positions from 1973 to 1983. Between 1984 and 2008, he worked at the Scientific Research Institute of Horticulture, Viticulture and Vegetable Growing as a leading researcher, Head of the Potato Research Laboratory, and Deputy Director for Scientific Affairs. Since 2009, he has been the Head of the Plant Genetics and Breeding Laboratory at the Institute of Botany, Plant Physiology and Genetics, Tajik National Academy of Sciences, and since 2014, a Leading Researcher at the Center for Innovative Development of Science and New Technologies. He earned his Candidate of Agricultural Sciences degree in 1982 and his Doctor of Agricultural Sciences degree in 2013. He was elected a Corresponding Member and Professor of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences in 2016. His research focuses on plant genetics, breeding, seed science, and biodiversity. He is the author of nine potato varieties, one wheat variety, and one Jerusalem artichoke variety, holds three scientific patents, and has published more than 300 scientific papers, including over 20 books. His contributions have been recognized with several national and international honors, including the Medal for Outstanding Achievements (2024).