Green University is getting involved in forestry development and creating an innovative in-vitro laboratory.

Green University is actively involved in forestry development, opening an innovative in-vitro laboratory.

A ceremony to open the Innovative Laboratory of Forest and Ornamental Plants and the In-Vitro Laboratory for Forest and Ornamental Trees was held at the Central Asian University of Environment and Climate Change (Green University).

A fully-fledged laboratory complex has been created, comprising five divisions: an in-vitro laboratory, a medicinal plant laboratory, a soil science laboratory, a plant protection laboratory, and a laboratory for the preservation, processing, and germination of forest plant seeds.

Bakhodir Eshchanov, Head of the University's Department for Commercialization of Scientific and Innovative Developments, discussed the goals and objectives of the new structure within Green University: "The laboratory is designed for in-vitro plant propagation and the conservation of medicinal, forest, and ornamental plants.

The main goal of the in-vitro laboratory is the propagation of rare plants by cloning, taking them from their growing point. The second goal is to grow plants free of viruses and diseases. This ensures the one-to-one transfer of genes from one plant to another during propagation. After being removed from the in vitro laboratory, these plants undergo an acclimatization process and are then planted in the field, where they perform similarly to the original plant.

The laboratory is currently in the process of opening, but some work is already underway. It is equipped with modern equipment to fully support research and production processes.

The laboratory's responsibilities also include: preparing sterile nutrient media and quality control; selecting, washing, and sterilizing explants; cultivating and micropropagating plants in vitro; rooting and stimulating plant growth; acclimatization and adaptation to greenhouse conditions; obtaining virus-free planting material and conducting phytosanitary control; preserving genetic diversity and creating collections; conducting scientific research, experiments, and innovative developments; analyzing the results and implementing them in practice.

In the laboratory, healthy, young plant material is selected and surface sterilized, meaning it is cleaned under sterile conditions. The material is then planted in a nutrient medium and incubated. Using specific ratios of nutrients and hormones, the shoots are propagated. To develop a root system, the plants are grown in a special nutrient medium. This is followed by an acclimatization stage—adapting the plants to external conditions. Finally, the healthy seedlings are transferred to a greenhouse.

This laboratory will facilitate the production of high-quality, virus-free planting material, the rapid cultivation of large numbers of seedlings, the preservation of genetically stable and valuable varieties, the creation of phytosanitary-safe plantations, the implementation of biotechnological innovations, and improved efficiency in agriculture and forestry.

Research will be conducted here in the fields of breeding fast-growing and valuable tree species producing high-quality timber, as well as breeding, seed production, and growing planting material for nut trees and shrubs.

The research will also be used to develop teaching aids, monographs, and scientific papers in forestry and related fields.

In addition, the laboratory determines humus content and total and mobile forms of essential soil nutrients (NPK): N-NO₃, N-NH₄, P₂O₅, and K₂O. It also determines soil moisture (SW), its mechanical composition and structure, and the degree of salinity. Forestry soils are monitored, the nutrient status of nursery soils is determined, recommendations for fertilizer application are developed, and agronomic and forest reclamation methods are implemented to prevent soil degradation and erosion.

This facilitates the assessment of the ecological status of forestry soils by monitoring their fertility, improving their fertility, and developing scientifically based recommendations for improving the health of forest ecosystems.

Furthermore, the laboratory conducts laboratory analysis of forest, ornamental, and desert plant seeds. Germination, purity, moisture content, and suitability for sowing are determined, and seed material is evaluated and certified in accordance with standard requirements. Recommendations are developed for sorting, cleaning, drying, and storing seeds, storage and processing technologies are improved, scientific research is conducted, new methods and technologies are implemented, research personnel are trained, young researchers are supported, and international cooperation is promoted.

The laboratory analyzes the seeds of birch and coniferous trees, ornamental trees, shrubs, desert plants, medicinal plants, lawn and groundcover plants, subtropical and rare plants, and seeds of other plant species.

The research results will enable the development of high-quality seed material, the accurate determination of seed germination and quality indicators, and the provision of forestry enterprises with high-quality seeds, which increases their shelf life and reduces losses.

Training laboratory personnel or specialists requires specific skills and qualifications, including knowledge of biology, chemistry, and similar sciences.

"We recruit employees with master's and bachelor's degrees who are knowledgeable in these subjects and conduct training for them to become specialists in this field," noted Bakhodir Eshchanov.

As for production, solutions to problems in this laboratory will be studied at both the national and international levels.

"We study the problems faced by local communities or forestry organizations and offer them solutions. This is done at the national level. In addition, our production laboratory also conducts work on a commercial basis, of course." "This means that the seedlings, varieties, and various plants produced there can be sold to local residents or government organizations, or exported abroad," added Bakhodir Eshchanov.

Experts believe the opening of the new laboratory will not only preserve but also develop the gene pool of forest, ornamental, and desert plants.