The oldest Russian breeding institution on fruit and berry crops is 170 years old

Abstract

A brief history of the All Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding for 170 years is presented. The Institute has passed the way from an arboretum to a unique pomology and breeding scientifi c institution on fruit crops. Nowadays, the Institute is the only specialized breeding institution on fruit crops in Russia and round the world. Its tasks are to embrace a comprehensive development of priority directions of researches connected with horticulture development including breeding and variety rearing of fruit and berry crops, progressive forms of market horticulture organization; production of planting material of fruit and berry crops, etc. 177 cultivars have been developed at the Institute, 123 of them have been included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements Admitted for Use. Breeding investigations are being carried out on 13 crops mostly on apples, pears, currants, cherries, etc. The realization of the contemporary breeding programs is fulfilled in a close contact of breeders with the specialists of other laboratories: biochemistry, technological estimation of fruit and storage, molecular genetics, cytology, biotechnology and physiology of fruit plant resistance. The Institute staff is characterized by a high qualifi cation, continuity of generations, and vision of the industry development prospects.