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Visit of a group of Chinese researchers to Jighaura

Within the framework of the cooperation between the LEPL Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture and Beijing Agricultural University (China), a group of researchers from Beijing Agricultural University visited the Center's Jighauri Experimental Base. The delegation was led by Professor, Dr. Huiqin Ma. The guests were met in Jighauri by the Director of the Center, Professor Levan Ujmajuridze.

Chinese scientists visited the collection plantations of local and foreign varieties of vines and fruit trees, scientific laboratories, and museum space located at the Jighaura base of the Scientific Research Center and received information about the research projects underway at the center and programs implemented with state support. During the visit, the scientists participated in a joint scientific expedition aimed at studying the biodiversity of wild populations of fig (Ficus carica) in Western Georgia. The expedition was attended by the Chinese researcher and the head of the Center's Fruit Research Division, Professor Zviad Bobokashvili.

The study included recording GPS coordinates of samples, evaluating phenotypic and morphological characteristics, collecting analytical materials (cuttings, leaves) and subsequently conducting their molecular DNA analysis. At the initial stage of the project, it is planned to identify genetic and morphological similarities of fig samples and compare them with material from neighboring regions — the South Caucasus and Asia Minor. One of the important directions of the research is to study the hypothesis of the probable expansion of the place of origin of fig culture, as well as to discover local Georgian genotypes that are distinguished by improved storage and transportation properties.

The next stage of the project plans to expand the research to other regions of Georgia and based on the results obtained, to cultivate a collective fig plantation.

It is noteworthy that the Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture and Beijing Agricultural University have been connected by many years of cooperation, which includes sending young Georgian scientists to China for training, as well as large-scale research into the molecular-genetic characteristics of grape varieties together with leading institutions around the world.