Employees of the Research Institute of Agriculture (NIISH) of the Udmurt Federal Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences have developed six new import-substituting varieties of potatoes adapted to the conditions of the region. Currently, they are undergoing state variety testing, the press service of the Udmurt Federal Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences reports.
According to Andrey Lednev, head of the Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture UdmFITs, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Institute has been engaged in potato breeding for more than 12 years.
“In the context of sanctions, our efforts are aimed at quickly breeding new varieties of grain crops and potatoes that are adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of our region,” Andrey Viktorovich said. “In the coming years, we will provide both agricultural producers and private buyers with a sufficient amount of seeds of our Udmurt varieties of tasty and productive potatoes, which will surpass imported analogues in a number of indicators.
At present, the staff of the Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture of the UdmFITs of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences has bred six new varieties of potatoes, which are undergoing state variety testing. So far, only private consumers can buy them, but after these varieties are included in the official register, they can also be purchased by large agricultural producers.
In 2023, the Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture of the UdmFITs of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences plans to increase the potato planting area to 10-15 hectares in order to grow productive and tasty varieties in sufficient quantities for the population of Udmurtia.
Andrey Lednev recalled that a plan was developed to create a selection and seed center on the basis of the Ural Federal Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which will conduct the selection process not only for potatoes, but also for all major agricultural crops. The center will include a biotechnological laboratory.
- Breeding is traditionally a very long process that takes 10-12 years and includes a number of mandatory steps. Only really worthy varieties can withstand such a serious selection, - Andrey Viktorovich said. — The use of biotechnological methods makes it possible to shorten this period by two or three times - thanks to this, Western firms were able to strongly press Russian varieties on our market. We also plan to apply new biotechnological methods, which will allow us not only to regain lost positions, but even, perhaps, to conquer Western markets with our potato varieties.
Six potato varieties bred by Udmurt scientists are Yugdon, Parus, Tyuragay, Zarni, Melun, Batyr.