Description of activities

The main task of the Plant Biotechnology Department is the preservation of an in vitro collection of vegetatively propagated crops and the use of non-transgenic plant biotechnology methods in plant breeding. The Department is engaged in basic agricultural research, applied research and development activities.

In vitro preservation of potato varieties to obtain the virus-free and uniform material.
Storage of tissue cultures of horticultural crops (plum, cherry, sour cherry, pear, strawberry, raspberry, apple) to maintain varietal purity.
The genetic differentiation and cataloging of potato using SSR markers.
Testing markers used in marker-assisted selection on Estonian potato varieties.
Micro-propagation of potato meristem for the production of seed potatoes and research goals.
Healing of potato chips from viral diseases by applying thermotherapy.
Development of methods for micropropagation of horticultural crops according to the needs of Estonia.
Field tests to describe potato varieties and initial breeding material.