In particular, a Russian-Belarusian project is being implemented, where Karelian scientists under the leadership of Maria Yurkevich, Head of Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Dept. for Multidisciplinary Research KarRC RAS, work on regionalization of cultivated berry varieties: strawberries, raspberries, honeyberries, and actinidia – a woody climber rare in our area, producing fruit that people call ‘mini-kiwi’. Also, specialist study how different fertilization dosages influence berry growth and development.
Raspberries from a test plot
Another topical area is potato growing. Vilga Agrotechnology Laboratory is engaged in breeding seeds of regionalized potato varieties, including elite ones. The planting stock is cloned in the laboratory in a controlled environment, so it carries no viral, bacterial or fungal diseases.
Researchers are also working on a technology for non-stop supply of locally produced potatoes to the regional market. It’s a streamlined process of producing different commercial potato cultivars with different maturity timing and bulking rates. Thereby, the regional market can receive fresh produce earlier. Besides, this approach helps create an efficient sales system by augmenting sales volumes and reducing costs.
Actinidia plantations at KarRC RAS Agrobiological Station
Medicinal plants in Karelia can be grown both as agricultural produce and as raw material for the pharmaceutical industry. Within a project supported by the Russian Science Foundation, researchers investigate how different agrotechnologies influence the yields and the process cost-efficiency. Specialists study how the plants develop in a northern environment if grown as a single-species vs. a mixed crop. E.g., marigold inhibits the growth of lemon balm and mint, while dill, on the contrary, enhances their yield. Another group of valuable medicinal species is perennial alliums, which feature high nutritive value and substantial content of vitamin Ñ, are rich in vitamins, micronutrients, and amino acids.
Collection of medicinal plants
Karelian Research Centre RAS has a good background of cooperation with farms but the goal is to establish regular practical interactions with local entrepreneurs.
– We idea we’re currently pursuing is to streamline our relationships with farmers to ensure that our results are actively implemented in the real economy. We’re willing to collaborate with local companies – help them with planting stock, choosing the optimal cultivars and technologies for cultivating certain crops in the Karelian climate. There are however some challenges related to the legislative regulation of interactions between science and business. Resolving them at the regional level would ease the transfer of scientific results to the economy, – remarked Corr. Academician Olga Bakhmet.
In addition, KarRC RAS leader and Karelia’s Prime Minister discussed the possibility of using part of the Agrobiological Station for demonstrating and exhibiting the biotechnologies developed by Karelian scientists to the guests and residents of Petrozavodsk.
Photos: Maria Yurkevich, Tatyana Popova / KarRC RAS Agrobiological Station
