Conservation and rational use of gene pool of wild fruit trees of global significance to be discussed in Almaty

02:12, 23 February 2012

ALMATY. February 23. KAZINFORM On February 23 Almaty will be hosting the International Scientific Conference 'Wild Fruit Forests in Kazakhstan: Conservation and Rational Use of the Gene Pool of Global Significance', where more than 70 participants - representatives of government and international organisations, scientists from Central Asian countries and Russia, specialists of national parks and reserves in Kazakhstan - will discuss conservation and rehabilitation of ecosystems of unique wild fruit forests in Kazakhstan, and exchange experiences of their effective management.

Scientists from Kazakhstan, the United States and a number of European countries have proven that the Kazakhstani dichka wild apple (Sievers apple) is a forefather of the apple culture in our planet. At the same time, with heavier anthropogenic impact, environment pollution and climate change, this natural gene pool and world-famous species obtained from it lose immunity and degrade. To ensure development of the fruit industry and food safety, these natural genetic resources must be preserved. Kazakhstani wild fruit forests are a natural reservoir of such resources. Some natural gene combinations can be found here that may help in preserving the existing species and obtain new high-yield and pest-resistant ones, the press service of the UNDP in Kazakhstan reports.

The conference participants are supposed to draft recommendations on main activities in conservation of the wild fruit forest genetic resources to be submitted to the interested ministries and agencies in this country.

The conference is organised by the Forestry and Hunting Committee under Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture; UN Development Programme in Kazakhstan; Kazakh Research Institute of Forestry; KazAgroInnovation JSC under Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture; CACILM: Multi-Country Capacity Building Project, and RK Government and GEF/UNDP Project 'In Situ Conservation of Kazakhstan's Mountain Agrobiodiversity'.

Agriculture UN Government Environment