30. AP25795105 Creating a bank of healthy potato varieties from domestic, foreign selection, developing virus-free planting material for primary seed production (Suraganova Aizhan Maratovna)
Information on scientific and (or) scientific-technical projects of grant financing by Ministry of Science and Higher EducationRepublic of Kazakhstan
1) Grant financing Grant financing of scientific and (or) scientific-technical projects for 2024-2026 (implementation period 36 months)
Project summary
Project title
AP25795105 Creating a bank of healthy potato varieties from domestic, foreign selection, developing virus-free planting material for primary seed production
Project manager
Suraganova Aizhan Maratovna
Implementation period
2025-2027
Amount of funding
29 938 915
Topicality
According tothe Bureau of National Statistics ofthe Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in Akmola region in 2019 potatoes were cultivated on an area of15.2 thousand hectares, in 2020 - on 14.6 thousand hectares, and in 2021 again on 15.2 thousand hectares.
The gross yield was: in 2019 - 282.7 thousand tonnes, in 2020 - 282.1 thousand tonnes and in 2021 - 268.0 thousand tonnes.The problem is that when potatoes are multiplied, their valuable qualities deteriorate due to mechanical contamination by other varieties, as well as thespread of diseases caused byviruses, fungi and bacteria. In addition, over time, the potato variety ages physiologically, which leads to its degeneration: lower yields, loss ofvarietal traits, marketability, etc.
Viral diseases of potato, such as X-, U-, 8-, M- viruses and leaf curl virus, are the most widespread and reduce yields by 30-80% annually. It is impossible to fight them with chemical means, as the pathogens are inside the cells. Viruses are transmitted through tubers, which become a source of infection. Without recovery of seed material, the numberofinfected plants will grow, andthe variety gradually loses its productivity and disappears.
Therefore, in all countries, seed potato production has switched to virus-free potato production. The most effectivemethod isthe culture of apical meristems free from viruses and other infections.Bacterial and fungal diseases of potato, such as phytophthorosis and rhizoctoniosis, are also transmitted through tubers. Therefore, the recovery of seed material from these pathogens is mandatory to increase yields.In Kazakhstan, farms using seed material obtained by apical meristem culture were able to increase yields by 40-80% in the presence of a centralised seed production system. It is important to realise that the improvement of source material of released varieties should be carried out within the framework of original (primary) seed production.
In his Address dated 01.09.2022, President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev emphasises the importance of agricultural development, noting that the state of the industry directly affects the food security of the country. The strategic priority is to increase production and increase the added value of domestic agricultural products.
Viral diseases of potatoes lead to significant yield losses and reduced quality of products, which negatively affects the economy of agricultural producers.
The creation and introduction of virus-free planting material will help to increase yields, improve product quality and reduce production costs.
The use of virus-free planting material helps to reduce the need for chemical means of plant protection, which favourably affects the ecological situation. Improvement of product quality through the use of virus-free material will reduce losses from spoilage. The development of potato production will contribute to the creation of new jobs in rural areas and improve the socio-economic situation of the region. In general, the creation and evaluation of initial virus-free potato material in Kazakhstan is an urgent task, virus diseases of potato are a serious problem for the agricultural sector, leading to reduced yields, tuber quality and, ultimately, to economic losses. Establishment and utilisation of virus-free potato source material is a keyfactor for effective control of virus infections and increased yields.
Objective
Creation of a bank of improved potato varieties of domestic and foreign selection in in vitro culture and obtaining planting material in the form of minitubers for primary seed production on a virus-free basis in the conditions of Northern Kazakhstan.
Project outcomes
Publication of articles in foreign peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Publication of articles in peer-reviewed foreign scientific journals. At least 2 (two) articles will be published in journals from the first three quartiles of impact factor in the Web of Science database or having a CiteScore percentile of at least 50 in the Scopus database.
2. Prior journals associated with publication: 1 Agriculture (Switzerland): CiteScore - 63 (Agronomy and Crop Science) https://www.scopus.com/sourceid/21100781511. 2. Agronomy - 65 (Agronomy and Crop Science) https://www.scopus.com/sourceid/21100447811
Scope and target beneficiaries of each expected result; The target beneficiaries of the results of the research project will be agricultural communities
2) Development of scientific and technical, scientific documentation.
For effective implementation of agro-approaches of improved technology (observance of technological discipline) recommendations on creation of virus-free healthy potato seed material in Kazakhstan will be developed and will contribute to improvement of agronomic sustainability and productivity of potato production, with inclusion of standard requirements regulating parameters, timing and methodology of their implementation.
3). Dissemination of the results of the work among potential users, the community of scientists and the general public.
The project implementer plans his participation in two international conferences and presentations in them on the directions corresponding to the project subject.
4). Impact of the expected results on the development of the main scientific direction and related areas of science and technology.
Creation of virus-free healthy potato seed material will lead to an increase in the quality characteristics of seed, which in turn will have a positive impact on yields. Successful implementation of the project will become the basis for further research in the field of plant virology and genetics, which will prompt the development of new methods of diagnostics and crop health improvement. The success of the project may stimulate the creation of innovative biotechnological solutions to combat plant diseases, including new forms of resistance induction in other crops. The emergence of methods and technologies based on apical meristems may lead to their adoption in other crops. The development of resistant potato varieties will reduce the use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers, thus contributing to environmental protection. The project can help to conserve local potato varieties and prevent their extinction.
5). Social, economic, environmental, scientific, technical, scientific, multiplicative and (or) other effects of the project results.