A biotechnological laboratory in Manash Kozybayev North Kazakhstan University creates virus-free seeds. More than fifty varieties of ten agricultural crops have already been studied. As a result, the most promising and persistent ones for the region’s climate have been selected. The virus-free material is obtained here using micropropagation method. This is essentially the same vegetative propagation of plants, but in vitro, in artificial conditions. The method has a number of advantages compared to the traditional one.  

“The advantages of the method include, first, of course, a genetically homogeneous source material. Second is a high multiplication factor we obtain during this procedure, and third is a healthy material freed from viruses and bacteria,” said Ainura Balakhmetova, Associate Dean of the Agrotechnological Department in the university.  

New opportunities are the result of mutually beneficial scientific cooperation with the Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University (NWAFU) in China. Graduate students and young scientists of the Agrotechnology Department of Manash Kozybayev North Kazakhstan University work to develop new varieties in the laboratory. All conditions have been created for this.  

“Students here have the opportunity to learn the process from preparing a culture medium to obtaining virus-free seeds of agricultural crops,” noted Fariza Mukanova, Head of Agronomy and Forestry Department.   Young researchers believe that the recommendations they developed will become a breakthrough and will be useful for Kazakhstan’s agriculture.

Source: https://kazakh-tv.kz/en/view/business/page_217798_young-kazakh-scientists-create-virusfree-seeds