Kazakhstan studies genetic fund of wild plants

During an eight-day expedition to North Kazakhstan, researchers collected dozens of valuable samples, including rare wild types of melon, watermelon, and carrot.

The project is part of an agreement between the Kazakh Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Growing and Japan’s National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO).

Seeds and samples will be stored in a genetic bank, with DNA analysis to identify useful traits for agriculture.

Kazakhstan is one of the richest in plant diversity. It hosts over 6,000 plant species, including 500 endemics found nowhere else.

About 400 species are under state protection.

Globally, more than 600 plant species have disappeared in the past three centuries due to deforestation, land use, urbanization, climate change, and pollution.

Japanese researcher Tomohiro Kakizaki noted the expedition collected 50 valuable genetic resources, praising Kazakhstan’s biodiversity.

Kazakh scientist Aiyp Iskakov emphasized the goal of creating new varieties resistant to diseases and climate change.

“Our goal is to develop new plant varieties that are resistant to diseases and climate change. To achieve this, we are studying the genetic potential of closely related plants growing in their natural environment. The collected seeds will also be analyzed in Japan, where scientists will identify the useful genes they contain,” said Aiyp Iskakov.

Professor Saki Yoshida from Tokyo University of Agriculture highlighted Kazakhstan’s role as the origin of several vegetable crops and its rich genetic diversity.

It is worth reminding, since the beginning of 2026, more than 1 million trees have been planted countrywide, over 200 ecological events have been held with the participation of 4 million people, including 510,000 volunteers as part of the Taza Qazaqstan campaign.