ANNEX-VII, Azerbaijan country report on ECO-ABN

Information on the activities carried out in the field of biotechnology by the relevant research institutes of the Ministry of Agriculture

of the Republic of Azerbaijan

The following 3 scientific research projects are being conducted in the microclonal reproduction laboratory of the Scientific Research Institute of Fruit and Tea Growing of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the topic of "Developing the technology of reproduction of healthy (virus-free) rootstocks of fruit plants using modern methods of biotechnology (microclonal reproduction)":

- optimization of the technology of obtaining rootstock regenerants of stone fruit plants under in vitro conditions - implementation period: 2020-2024;

- development of technology for reproduction of tea plants by microclonal method - implementation period: 2021-2024;

- development of technologies for microclonal propagation of varieties (hazelnuts, chestnuts) and rootsrock varieties (pistachios, walnuts) of nut fruit plants - implementation period: 2022-2026;

In addition, during 2020-2022, in the microclonal reproduction laboratory micropropagation technology of the MaxMa14, Garnem15, GF677, Krymsk 5, Myrobalan 29C, OHF87 rootstocks of stone and pome fruit plants, Tomentosa variety of Paulownia plant (lat. Paulownia), Patriot, Duke, Bridgit varieties of blueberry plant (lat. Vaccínium uliginósum), Alata Azman variety of banana plant, Nero and Viking varieties of Aronia plant (lat. Aronia), grape plant was developed by in vitro culture.

In the current year, research works on in vitro propagation of hazelnut and raspberry plants have been started.

DNA extraction and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) analyzes were carried out by taking dry and fresh samples from plant tissue for molecular analyzes in the Modern Selection and Molecular Biology laboratory established in the Research Institute of Crop Husbandry under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Currently, cooperation opportunities with Russian, Israeli and Hungarian scientists for the application of the CRISPR/CAS9 method are being explored.

In addition, the following field selection experiments were carried out in the laboratory:

- Ecological tests of sunflower hybrids of Turkey and Belarus origin were carried out at Apsheron and Agstafa Supporting Experimental Stations, and two hybrids of Belarus origin were tested in second planting after harvest of ultra-early mature cereals.

- Ecological tests of corn hybrids of Turkey origin were carried out in a large area at Apsheron Supporting Experimental Station and Zagatala Regional Experimental Station of the Research Institute of Crop Husbandry.

- Ecological tests of groundnut and mung bean samples of Turkey origin were carried out.

- The genetic relationship of seven pure lines obtained within the project in 2019 using the Double haploid method was determined with ISSR markers and hybridization of genetically distant lines was carried out.

In the microclonal reproduction laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan of Fruit and Tea Cultivation, there are 3 joint scientific research works on the topics of "Using modern methods of biotechnology (microclonal reproduction), developing the technology of improving the health of the crop plants of the Institute (virus-free), and developing the technology of reproduction of understory material":

§  optimization of the technology of obtaining pod regeneration of pome fruit plants under in vitro conditions - implementation period: 2020-2024;

§  development of technology for the reproduction of tea plants by microclonal method - implementation period: 2021-2024;

§  development of technologies for microclonal propagation of varieties (hazelnuts, chestnuts) and varieties (pistachios, walnuts) of fruit plants - implementation period: 2022-2026

In addition, in 2020-2022, in the microclonal reproduction laboratory, the MaxMa14, Garnem15, GF677, Krymsk 5, Myrobalan 29C, OHF87 cultivars of fruit plants with seeds and pods, varieties of Paulownia plants (lat. Paulownia), Patriot, Duke, Bridgit varieties, AlataAzman variety of banana plant, Nero and Viking varieties of Aronia plant (lat. Aronia), grape plant by in vitro culture and micropropagation technology were developed.

In the current year, research works on in vitro propagation of hazelnut and raspberry plants have been started.

DNA extraction and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) analyses were carried out by taking dry and wet samples from plant tissue as molecular analyses at the Modern Selection and Molecular Biology laboratory at the Agricultural Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Currently, Russian, Israeli, and Hungarian scientists are investigating the possibility of using the CRISPR/CAS9 method.

In addition, selection field experiments were conducted in the laboratory:

§  Ecological testing of sunflower hybrids of Turkish and Belarusian origin was carried out at Absheron and Agstafa Auxiliary Experimental Farms, and two hybrids of Belarusian origin were tested in replanting after ultra grain harvest.

§  Extensive environmental tests of corn hybrids of Turkish origin were conducted at the Absheron Auxiliary Experimental Farm and Zagatala Regional Experimental Station of the Agricultural Scientific Research Institute.

§  Ecological testing and exercise beans of Turkish origin were controlled.

§  In 2019, the seven pure systems of the double haploid method, whose genetic affinity was determined by ISSR markers, and genetically distant lines were hybridized.

With the help of the Animal Husbandry Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, it is applied by the sponging method in sheep farming.

"In cattle breeding, activities related to embryo transfer and breeding copy formation and the establishment of the "Genetic research and embryo storage" laboratory are carried out.

A cooperation agreement was signed between the Evolutionary Genetics Laboratory (EGL) of the Faculty of Agriculture of Ankara University of the Republic of Turkey and the company "AgrigenomicHab Biomedical Laboratory" and the Animal Husbandry Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which produced the genetic laboratory.

At present, the establishment of a genetic laboratory at the Animal Husbandry Scientific Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan was discussed regarding the measures implemented in connection with the Organization of Food Safety of Islamic Countries.

From April 20, 2023, artificial insemination technology is applied to sheep for the first time in Azerbaijan.

The 2019-2023 participants of the Scientific Research Institute of Viticulture and Oenology of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan were discovered as a result of joint analysis and research through investigations and expeditions in the wine-growing regions of Azerbaijan (InstitutfürRebenzüchtungGeilweilerhof), to create 4 wild grape samples at the National Agrarian Research Center of France ( INRA) was studied.

On the basis of research, grapes of Azerbaijani origin were initially identified with 50 molecular-genetic markers and two alleles each.

In addition, the exact identification of other genotypes showing the same profile from the morphological, morphometric, and biological point of view is carried out, and research is being continued to clarify the identity of the genetic profiles.