The Schroeder Institute in Uzbekistan: Breeding and Germplasm Collections

Abstract

on tree fruits; grapes (Vitis vinifera L.); various vegetables; fi ber crops, such as cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. and G. barbadense L.), kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), and hemp; (Cannabis sativa L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), cereal crops, and forage crops. Later, separate research institutes were established to focus on individual crops and initiate specifi c breeding programs. TAES was the fi rst institute in Central Asia established for studies of genetics/breeding and the cultural management of fruits, grapes, and nuts. Schroeder developed improved cultivars of cotton, rice, corn (Zea mays L.), and other crops (Schroeder, 1956). In tree fruits, he focused on improving cold-hardiness, resistance to diseases and insects, and yield. In 1911, Schroeder participated in the 7th International Congress of Arid Lands in the United States for cotton and orchard crops. While in the United States, he collected seeds of legumes, sorghum, and cotton cultivars and evaluated them in Central Asia. Shortly thereafter, Schroeder published an agricultural monograph that was widely distributed throughout the Russian Empire and, later, the USSR (Schroeder, 1913). Following Richard Schroeder's death in 1944, his son, Alexander R. Schroeder, continued the apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) breeding program, developing and releasing cultivars that are still popular in Central Asia: '

Genetic Resources of Almond Species in the Former USSR

“…In Uzbekistan, a significant portion of almonds is grown in Tashkent, Surkhandarya, and Samarkand Provinces and in the Ferghana Valley, which spans adjacent regions of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The total land area of almonds in Uzbekistan is more than 2500 ha with 1000 ha being cultivated (Mirzaev et al, 2004). The FAO estimated that 2012 almond production (area harvested) in Uzbekistan was 6400 ha (FAOSTAT, 2014).…”

Genetic Resources of Apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) in Central Asia

“…In general, apricot trees start producing fruit at 3 to 4 years when grafted and 4 to 5 years when grown from seed. Depending on the cultivar, the average yield is generally 10 to 15 t • ha -1 (Mavlyanova et al, 2005;Mirzaev et al, 2004). The average productivity of a cultivated apricot is 80 to 100 kg per tree, but exceptional trees can yield 500 to 600 kg with some reports of up 1100 kg per tree (Pulatov, 1976).…”

“…Although PPV strain D was detected in both plum and apricot trees there, it was reported that the plum displayed severe leaf symptoms, whereas only a single apricot tree showed obvious symptoms. Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan still appear to be free of the virus (S. Kozubaev (Mirzaev et al, 2004). Since 1928, the Uzbek Scientific Research Institute of Plant Industry has maintained a living collection of 650 apricot cultivars originating from different geographical regions (Mavlyanova et al, 2005;Smirnova, 1980).…”

“…After extensive testing of cultivars from this subgroup, the Schroeder Uzbek Research Institute of Fruit Growing, Viticulture, and Wine Production (formerly known as the Schroeder Institute), Tashkent Provence, Uzbekistan, recommended Kursadik and Rukhi djuvanon miona for cultivation in the Ferhgana valley and other regions of Central Asia (Mirzaev, 2000;Mirzaev et al, 2004).…”

Genetic resources of Pistacia vera L. in Central Asia

“…In Uzbekistan, pistachio research is currently being conducted at the Shroeder Uzbek Research Institute of Fruit Growing, Viticulture, and Wine Production (Mirzaev et al 2003); The Uzbek Scientific Research Institute of Plant Industry (Mavlyanova et al 2005); Tashkent State Agrarian University; and the Republican Scientific Center for the Production of Ornamental Plants and Forest Management. The first germplasm collection was planted in 1976 at the Sarikurgan Forestry Farm in the Nurata Range of Samarqand Province.…”