Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

varisquliyev@mail.ru 

Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Associate Professor

Determining ways to collect, study and effectively use the gene pool of wild and cultivated fruit and berry plants in the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is one of the urgent problems in modern times.

The purposeful scientific researches are carried out in the direction of research, protection, enrichment by selection, study of agrotechnics, identification of economically important varieties and production of the gene pool of fruits and grapes in the laboratory of "Fruit, vegetable growing and viticulture" of the Institute of Bioresources of Nakhchivan Branch of ANAS. The Laboratory has started scientific research on "Biological bases of study, research, efficient use and protection of biological resources of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic" since 2003.

Two research works on “Collection, research and efficient use of gene pool of wild and cultural fruits and berries, vegetable plants distributed in the territory of Nakhchivan AR”, planned for 2016-2020, as well as “Study and selection of ampelographic features of new grape varieties and sorts obtained experimentally on the basis of improvement of genetic methods” are carried out within the last five years. The staff of the laboratory conducts research on the gene pool of various wild and cultivated fruit species and varieties distributed in the autonomous republic, the composition of varietal diversity, research of genetic features, collection, selection of economically viable varieties and sorts, creation of industrially important varieties, production and use. The important results of the research obtained during this period were published in prestigious scientific journals published in the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as foreign countries, in the USA, Germany, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Georgia, Central Asian Republics, especially in the Russian Federation. In 2003-2020, 1 PhD in Agrarian sciences, 1 PhD in Biology, 1 doctor of agrarian sciences degree, and 3 employees received the title of associate professor in the laboratory.

as a result of the researches carried out in the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, systematic composition and distribution zones of wild fruits and berries, apple, pear, Sorbus, Hawthorn,greengage plum, plum, dog-rose, barberry, blackberry, currant, sandthorn, box-thorn species were studied, natural resources and ways of efficient use were explored. It was determined that at present in the flora of Nakhchivan AR one type, two variations, 21 sorts of apple, 17 types, 3 variations of pear, 6 types and 2 sorts of barberry, 17 varieties of Sorbus, 17 types of hawthorn, one type of sea buckthorn, 3 types of blackberries, 3 types of box-thron, 2 types of currant, 30 types of dog-rose, 4 types of greengage plum and 6 types of plums are found in the wild. As a result of many researches, 29 species, 5 variations and 2 sorts belonging to 9 genera and 6 familis, which are new for the flora of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, were identified for the first time. As a result of the research, the natural resources of the species were calculated and the possibilities of use were determined.

In modern times, fruit growing, as well as viticulture is one of the priority areas of the agricultural sector in the autonomous republic. Two state programs have been adopted in this direction. ” The state program on the development of fruit and vegetable growing in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in 2012-2015“, as well as” The state program on the development of fruit and vegetable growing in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in 2016-2020 " are official documents adopted in the direction of expansion of fruit growing in the Autonomous Republic. Relevant State Programs stimulate the increase of agricultural production in the autonomous republic, and the total fruit production reached 45,000 tons in 2015, this figure is planned to exceed 65,000 tons in 2020. In accordance with the adopted state programs, important research work was carried out in the laboratory of "Fruit, vegetable growing and viticulture" of the Institute of Bioresources of Nakhchivan Branch of ANAS to study the fruit gene pool, determine the variety composition, study, selection and economic evaluation of applied varieties. It should be noted that during the research period, the gene pool of seedy fruit plants, drupes and walnut fruits was studied in the region, new varities were found, several varieties and sorts were identified in each area, and they were assessed. As a result of scientific research, it was determined that seedy fruit plants- apples, pears, quinces, fig, medlar, pomegranates, mulberries, hawthorns, drupes- cherries, apricots, peaches, apricots, greengage plums, cornel, walnut fruits- walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios and other species are widespread. As a result of the expeditions, 116 varieties of apples, 51 varieties of pears, 10 varieties of quinces, 1 variety of mulberry, 5 varieties of figs, 6 varieties of pomegranates, 18 varieties of hawthorn, 14 varieties of apricots, 7 varieties of cherries, 14 varieties of plums, 1 variety of cornel, 21 varities of greengage plum, 2 varieties of blackthorn, 31 varieties of apricots and 14 varieties of peaches were found. Also, 26 varieties of walnuts, 2 varieties of pistachios, 8 varieties of almonds and 4 varieties of lemons were found in the area. Effective use of this rich gene pool is absolutely possible to provide the population of the autonomous republic with tumlu və çəyirdəkli fruit products at the expense of local products with the exception of citrus fruits.

Recently, the attention to the expansion of viticulture has been growing in Azerbaijan, as well as in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated December 15, 2011 on the approval of the “State Program on Development of Viticulture in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2012-2020” defines the current state of viticulture, goals and objectives, main directions, financial sources and expected results. In modern times, the redevelopment of viticulture and related industries in the autonomous republic, the protection of endangered grape genotypes, the achievement of large-scale cultivation of promising varieties on farms and private farms are among the current problems. The laboratory conducts purposeful research work to study the gene pool of viticulture, identify variety diversity, promising genotypes, study ampelographic and genetic features, conduct economic assessments, introduce new varieties, obtain complex resistant and frost-resistant varieties by various selection methods. Due to the ancient history of viticulture in the region, the species of wild grapes were studied, 6 variations were identified, and a new variation was discovered for the first time. Also, the gene pool of cultivated grape varieties was studied, variety and form diversity were studied and evaluated. During the research period, purposeful research was carried out in the Autonomous Republic to identify genotypes and donors with different genetic traits in the gene pool of grapes, study of regularities of quantitative and qualitative changes in viticulture, calculation of economic efficiency, creation of new varieties by selection and important scientific and practical results were obtained. For the first time in the research period, "Methodology for obtaining a gene mutation in the flowering period of grapes, gametogenesis phase" was developed. Grape varities with new autotetraploid (2n = 76) genomes were obtained by meiotic and mitotic polyploidization. 30 new hybrid, 17 clone and 8 autopoliploid grape varities were obtained by experimental polyploidy, hybridization and clone selection methods. A description of the ampelo-descriptor characteristics was prepared on the basis of the relevant methodology for the registration of 92 aboriginal varieties and 14 new varities of grapes on the international genetic resources. The method “Digital ampelographic determination of aboriginal grape varieties in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic” was developed, digital assignment of 92 varieties was carried out. More than 200 grape sorts of hybrid nature were selected by various genetic methods - classical hybridization, purposeful selection work was carried out by experimental polyploidy and clone selection methods, more than 50 promising sorts of economic importance, resistant to stress, high productivity and sugar content were obtained. The biomorphological, agro-technological features and disease resistance of more than 120 grape varieties included in the gene pool were studied, the ampelo-descriptor properties were investigated in the internationally accepted manner, inherited traits are coded and encrypted based on digital ampelography. Adaptation, main biomorphological and agrobiological features of 23 introduced varieties were studied, 5 table and 4 technical varieties were selected for cultivation in vineyards in the territory of the Autonomous Republic. Possibilities of use of different varieties were researched, biomorphological, chemical-technological features of promising new grape sorts obtained by selection were studied and new grape varieties were directed to production. The economically important aboriginal variety Hanagirna and 2 clones obtained from it by selection method were planted in a large area in the newly built modern vineyard plantation in Shamakhi. 28 varieties of Nakhchivan AR were planted in the experimental field of Azerbaijan State Agrarian University, 42 varieties in the experimental field of Azerbaijan Scientific-Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking, and 24 varieties of aboriginal grapes were taken to the United States and planted in vineyards in California. The trial period for 7 new grape varieties obtained by selection method through the State Variety Testing Commission for the Protection of Selection Achievements was completed by planting and testing in the experimental field of “Araz” Scientific Production Union of Nakhchivan Ministry of Agriculture. During this period, the laboratory staff actively participated in prestigious scientific conferences and symposiums. During the research period, 345 scientific works (more than 70 of them were published in foreign journals and international index publications), 16 monographs were published in the laboratory. It should be noted that in accordance with the important state documents on the agrarian policy and strategy of viticulture in the Republic of Azerbaijan, "Ampelography of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic", "Ampelography of Azerbaijan" in 2 volumes were written as a result of many years of scientific research conducted in the laboratory. These works explore the problems and directions of the re-development of viticulture in Azerbaijan, as well as in the agrarian sector of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

At present, purposeful scientific researches are carried out in the laboratory in the direction of studying the fruit and grape gene pool of the autonomous republic and obtaining applied varieties and directing them to production.