Krasnodar, 8 December. Aleksei Ryndin, Director of the Subtropical Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Science, relates why hardy tea is needed, how fast a new fruit tree variety can be bred, and how tangerines became a symbol of friendship.
Q.: How important is the activity of the Scientific Centre under import substitution conditions?
A.: Owing to our studies on preservation, mobilisation and use of genetic resources for subtropical horticulture and floriculture, we have 2,744 varieties of ornamental, subtropical and southern fruit plants that made up a unique and one of the largest genetic pools in the country. Over the past three years, our collections increased by 146 varieties. In 2020–2022, 25 varieties of our selection were included in the Russian State Register. All opportunities have been created to use tangerine, feijoa, date-plum and tea varieties for production purposes.
Q.: At present, you are working on selection of hardy tea varieties. How is this work going on? What other exotic plants may be grown in more northern areas owing to your Centre?
A.: Yes, our scholars are doing research and developing recommendations to expand the geographical range of growing areas of southern fruits and subtropical plants. Hardy tea varieties and those of other subtropical cultures are developed to expand their geographical range and further industrial growing. Say, common persimmon and some varieties of kaki, or Japanese persimmon, are now grown in Adyghea, Krasnodar and Daghestan. Some hazelnut varieties are grown beyond the damp subtropics – in the Stavropol Region, Daghestan and Belgorod Region. Our research fellows are selecting new clones, and doing interspecific and intervarietal hybridisation work. They are selecting new varieties that are resistant to biotic and abiotic stress factors.
Q.: How can new plant varieties be bred?
A.: Breeding is scrupulous work that needs time, much labour, and of course scientific knowledge. It takes up to 15 to 25 years to breed a new variety of a horticultural crop, because one has to see flowering and fruit-bearing come and do all required varietal tests. Our Centre has selected more than 70 varieties of horticultural, small-fruit, and decorative flower cultures. For selection purposes, a classical hybridisation method is applied, as well as clonal and mutation-assisted breeding.
