Georgia: The Representatives of the Scientific-Research Center of SIP Agriculture (SRCA) organized another scientific expeditions to collect traditional varieties in the Racha-Lechkhumi region.
As part of the expedition, samples of old, local varieties of beans, corn, peas, wild grapes, and potatoes were collected from the locals’ labor plots. Potato samples, microcolonies (in vitro) reproduction, and non-virus fertilizer material research laboratory were submitted for further research and conservation. In contrast, after proper processing, the seed samples will be stored in the plant genetic resource bank.
The expedition, which is led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) funded project “Preservation of traditional varieties adapted to climate change in farms and strengthening in-situ/on-farm and ex-situ connections” was led by Levan Ujmajuridze, director of the center and project coordinator.
The director of the Agricultural Scientific-Research Center (SRCA), Levan Ujmajuridze said, “As a result of the implementation of the project, the use and conservation of traditional varieties will be improved, the morphological, agro-agricultural, and passport data of target crop collections will be made available at the national and international level, the distribution of local varieties in agricultural terms, and the preservation of their biodiversity; long-term ex-situ conservation of plants.”
A quality management system and national protocols will be implemented on farms. Seed materials of traditional varieties will be handed over,” stated Levan Ujmajuridze.
The first stage of this project has been completed. The main goal was to study the current situation of target crops in Georgia, enrich the genetic bank collection of plants due to expeditions, and return the genetic resources of target crops taken from Georgia at different times and placed in foreign gene banks.
The scientific expeditions were carried out by the Scientific Research Center working group in up to 270 villages of 24 municipalities in 8 regions of Georgia. This material is preserved as a collection of work. It was also reproduced on the trial and demonstration plot of the center tile, and their morphological descriptions are underway.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) grant project will continue for four years.
