News

Within the framework of the FAO project, the conservation of endemic species and local varieties of wheat culture in farms has begun

The representatives of the LEPL Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture within the framework of the FAO project "Maintenance of traditional varieties adapted to climate change in farms and strengthening linkages between in-situ/on farm and ex-situ connection" started on farm conservation of endemic species of wheat culture and local varieties.

The first stage of the mentioned project, which involved conducting scientific expeditions in eight regions of Georgia (Samtskhe-Javakheti, Imereti, Guria, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Shida Kartli, Racha-Lechkhumi) was successfully completed. As a result of the expeditions, 158 samples of corn, 250 samples of beans, and 14 samples of wheat were found in 96 villages of 24 municipalities.

Autumn sowing was held for the first time on a farmer's home plot in the village of Tsiferchi, Tsageri municipality. Wheat varieties were planted: Chelta and Gvatsa Zanduri, Makha, Shavfkha and Ipkli. The mentioned varieties represent the material received from the International Gene Bank, namely from the Gene Bank of Germany (IPK), the USDA-ARS Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), the National Botanical Garden of Georgia, and the center's Tsilkani demonstration plot.

Based on the goals of the project, local varieties of wheat will be propagated in 5 regions with 5 selected farmers, and from the spring of next year, local varieties of beans will be propagated in 3 regions, corn - in 2 regions. The regions are selected according to the centers of origin of the local varieties of the mentioned crops.