Preface

International Scientific Conference “Fundamental and Applied Scientific Research in the Development of Agriculture in the Far East” (AFE-2021) was successfully held on June 21 - 22, 2021 by Federal Scientific Center of Agricultural Biotechnology of the Far East named after A.K. Chaika, Far Eastern State Agrarian University, and Northern Trans-Ural State Agricultural University. Due to the difficult pandemic (COVID-19) situation around the world, the conference was held in two formats: physically at Federal Scientific Center of Agricultural Biotechnology of the Far East named after A.K. Chaika and in the format of videoconference. The organizers took into account all the necessary requirements for holding an event in a pandemic: separate entrances and exits for the exhibition and conference rooms were equipped with barrier tapes and signs; sessions were shortened to allow for airing and sanitizing of potential contact surfaces; there were no catering or coffee breaks; and all conference participants and guests were provided with medical masks. For virtual involvement, several social network possibilities were available, as well as video conferencing with all interested participants. Contributors and listeners delivered reports and discussed subjects using digital technology, namely the TeamLink software suite. The conference agenda comprised a plenary session as well as other subject sessions: Biodiversity, Environmental Health, Environmental Management, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Industrial ecology, Food Science and Technology, Crop Production, Livestock Farming Technology, Sustainable Aquaculture, Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization, Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Forest Management, Green Economics, Integrating Socioeconomics and Ecology, Creating Sustainable Cities, Energy, Waste management, Land Use, Geodesy and Cadastre, Geology and Geophysics, Glaciology, Hydrology and Water Resources, Soil Science, etc. List of Program committee, Organising Committee are available in this pdf.

“Timiryazevskaya 42” — new variety of spring triticale (×Triticosecale Wittm. ex. Camus)

Исследования выполнены в 2008–2021 годах в ФГБОУ ВО «РГАУ–МСХА им. К. А. Тимирязева» (г. Москва), ФГБУН «Главный ботанический сад им. Н. В. Цицина РАН» (Московская обл., Истринский р-н) и ФГБНУ «Всероссийский научно-исследовательский институт сельскохозяйственной биотехнологии» (г. Москва). Целью исследований являлось создание нового конкурентного сорта яровой тритикале, обладающего комплексом хозяйственно ценных признаков, пригодного для кормления и хлебопечения. Исходным материалом для создания служили сортообразцы, полученные из коллекции ВИР, селекционных учреждений страны, и авторские линии, отобранные из гибридных популяций, созданных с помощью внутривидовой и отдалённой гибридизации. В статье представлен новый конкурентный сорт яровой тритикале (× Triticosecale Wittm. ex. Camus) Тимирязевская 42, переданный на государственной сортоиспытание в 2019 году. Он был создан совместными усилиями коллектива авторов Главного ботанического сада им. Н. В. Цицина РАН и Всероссийского научно-исследовательского института сельскохозяйственной биотехнологии. Сорт предназначен для возделывания в условиях Центрального, Центрально-Чернозёмного, Средневолжского, Северо-Кавказского и Волго-Вятского регионов. Гексаплоид. Колос белый, средней плотности, полностью остистый. Время колошения среднее. Высота растений перед уборкой — 85–95 см. Тимирязевская 42 обладает комплексом хозяйственно ценных признаков: урожайность — 3,5–5,5 т/га, содержание белка — 12–14%, клейковины — 16–18%. Устойчив к полеганию. Вегетационный период — 91–95 дней. Сорт устойчив к мучнистой росе, листовой и стеблевой ржавчине, спорынье. Хорошо поддаётся механизированной уборке. Отзывчив на внесение минеральных удобрений. Для возделывания сорта в ЦРНЗ рекомендуется полуинтенсивная и интенсивная технологии возделывания с внесением азотных удобрений в предпосевную культивацию не менее 120–150 кг/га д.в. азота. The research was caried out at the Russian Timiryazev State Agrarian University (Moscow), Leading Botanical Garden n. a. N. V. Tsitsin (the Moscow region, Istrinskiy district) and All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology (Moscow) in 2008–2021. The aim was to breed new competitive variety of spring triticale carrying the number of economically important traits that can be used both for livestock feeding and bread baking. The initial material — genotypes obtained from the collection of the N. I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources, Breeding Institutions and hybrid populations of intra- and interspecific hybridization. The article reports on new competitive variety of spring triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm. ex. Camus) “Timiryazevskaya 42” that was sent to a State Variety Trial in 2019. The variety was obtained by the collaboration of the Leading Botanical Garden n. a. N. V. Tsitsin and All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology. “Timiryazevskaya 42” is adapted to the conditions of the Central, Central-Chernozem, Middle Volga, North Caucasian and Volga-Vyatka regions. The variety is hexaploid and has awned white head of medium density. Heading time is average. Plant height before harvesting — 85–95 cm. “Timiryazevskaya 42” yields 3.5–5.5 t ha-1 of grain, contains 12–14% of protein and 16–18% of gluten. It is resistant to lodging. Growing season amounts to 91–95 days. The variety shows good tolerance to powdery mildew, leaf and stem rusts as well as ergot. It is suitable for mechanized harvesting and responds well to mineral fertilization. In order to cultivate the variety in the Central Non-Chernozem region semi-intensive and intensive technologies are recommended including the application of minimum 120–150 kg ha-1 of nitrogen prior to seeding

The Role of External Knowledge in the Innovative Activities of Agricultural Biotechnology Multinationals

Objective: To evaluate the influence of external knowledge absorbed on the potential to innovate of multinational companies (MNCs), in the genetically modified (GM) seed sector from 2000 to 2018. Method: A quantitative approach was applied. Data was composed of the main patents filed by MNCs in the GM seed sector, collected from the Espacenet database, the MNCs’ annual reports, and the INPI database. Variables were analyzed using panel regression model. Main results: Results showed that the MNCs’ own resources, as well as the external knowledge absorbed were individually significant. The Interactive variable was not significant in the model. Relevance/ Originality: In addition to addressing literature gaps related for instance to the need to investigate the factors that influence the generation of innovation in multinationals, the present study focused on the agricultural biotechnology sector, which is of paramount importance for the innovations generated in agriculture. Theoretical contributions: This study contributes by filling literature gaps related to the need to understand how important is the influence of the external knowledge and resources to the innovative capabilities of MNCs. Social contributions: This paper helps managers be conscious of the fact that innovation is not only developed internally, involving the MNC’s own network, but in fact, innovation requires relationships with other companies, allowing the access of external knowledge and resources.

Advances in Agricultural Biotechnology

Agricultural biotechnology is becoming the major sector in crop improvement through the use of scientific techniques for the modification of genes conferring resistance to biotic, abiotic stress and improving the quality of crops. With the evolvement from Mendelian genetics to molecular biotechnology, there have been several developments in the field of crop improvement. Recent biotechnological advances have aimed towards removing the physiological constraints of the crops and increasing crop yield potential. With the use of different tools of agricultural biotechnologies like genetic engineering, tissue culture, embryo rescue, somatic hybridization, molecular marker-assisted selection, genome doubling, and omics technologies, various transgenic crops have been developed over the decades and have been approved for commercialization. This development and adoption of transgenic technology have been shown to increase crop yields, reduce CO2 emission, reduce pesticide and insecticide use and decrease the costs of crop production. Even though the biotechnological approach and transgenic organisms have immense potential to contribute to the world’s food security, several concerns of genetically modified crops being a threat to the environment and human health have developed. This review will address applications and concerns of biotechnology in crop improvement considering health hazards and ecological risks.

Considering Ethics in Agricultural Experimental Research with Special Mention to Agricultural Biotechnology Research

Ethics in experimental research equals scientific integrity, a notion principle particularly stressing honesty while implementing discipline concepts on what is excellent and terrible. Some moral responsibility is defined through specifically agreed standards in doing experimental research. Ethics of experimental research in agriculture involves all activities done before, during, and after the study, consisting of personal, research, and social ethics. Ethical code and policy include, but are not limited to, honesty, objectivity, integrity, carefulness, openness, intellectual right recognition, confidentiality, responsible publication, social responsibility, competency, legality, and protecting research object/subject (plant, animal, human) from possible unfair manipulation. One development triggering the controversy of agriculture’s experimental ethics is the progress of agricultural biotechnology which resulted in genetic engineering products. Rules, regulations, and laws concerning the use and development of genetic engineering in agriculture to avoid adverse effects of these products, such as rising environmental hazards, increasing human health degradation, and unfair economic competition, should be considered and implemented.