Potatoes ... from a test tube. In this laboratory, scientists are engaged in the propagation of planting material from samples obtained from the Lorkh Institute of Potato Farming. The source codes have been completely revitalized, and the task of breeders is to increase their number, as well as maintain a state of purity.
- In the room behind my back - 6 thousand pots. There are three varieties with very ambitious names in total: Gulliver, Prestige and Luck. Subsequently, these six thousand pots will turn into 30 thousand units of planting material.
Allowed to go inside only to scientific personnel, so as not to infect and preserve the meaning of the term "virus-free".
Selection of optimal conditions for cultivation of Invitro, that is, in artificial nutrient media. The selection of hormones, nutrients, light conditions, temperature, in fact, a lot of factors,
- Roman Papikhin, Head of the Scientific Center for Biotechnology and Breeding, Michurinsk State Agrarian University.
After the mini-tubers are prepared for planting, they are handed over to industrial partners, and the potatoes will take their rightful place in the fields. Last year, 32 thousand virus-free mini-tubers were obtained using this technology.
This is very important both in the context of the import substitution policy and in the context of supporting domestic varieties and domestic breeding. Especially in the interests of the Tambov region. This is very important, because we must be absolutely free of Dutch varieties, we must have our own potatoes, especially since Tambov potatoes are one of the brands of the Tambov region,
- Galina Korotkova, Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation Work, Michurinsk State Agrarian University.
The work is carried out within the framework of the Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Agriculture for 2017-2025. As noted in the Michurinsky Agrarian University, after the end of the program, they will not close the research, and will continue to work on creating, if not ideal, then close to ideal potatoes.