The branches and research units of the Siberian Federal Scientific Centre of Agro-BioTechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences are finalizing the assessment of field trials and the harvesting of seed material, and are summarizing the preliminary results of their 2026 research activities.
A methodological commission conducted an acceptance review of field trials at the SFSCA RAS breeding center. Regarding red clover breeding, diploid and tetraploid varieties—representing both early- and late-maturing types—were evaluated in the breeding nursery and in competitive variety trials using both standard-row and wide-row sowing methods. A nursery has been established to maintain the new early-maturing tetraploid variety "Assol." High ratings were awarded to the collection, breeding, and competitive variety-testing nurseries for Sudan grass and sorghum-Sudan grass hybrids. Primary seed production is underway for the Sudan grass variety "Novosibirskaya 84." Regarding spring rapeseed breeding, "00" and "000" type varieties are being evaluated in breeding and competitive nurseries.
A large amount of work has been done on soybean breeding. Variety samples are presented in collection, breeding, control nurseries, and competitive variety trials. Since 2021, research on genomic selection has been carried out with ICiG SB RAS, studying sixth-generation hybrids in competitive variety trials. Primary seed production is underway for the soybean varieties “SibNIIK 9” and “SibNIIK 315”. Soybean varieties are being prepared for submission to the Russian State Variety Testing system. The commission evaluated the methodology for establishing field and laboratory experiments, the conduct of observations, the layout of experimental plots, and the maintenance of primary documentation. All field experiments received a high rating from the methodological commission.
The Siberian Research Institute of Agriculture and Peat—a branch of the SFSCA RAS (Tomsk)—has harvested greenhouse-grown, disease-free potato minitubers. This year, 8–10 high-quality, disease-free minitubers were obtained from each planted potato microplant. The potato plants were initially grown under laboratory conditions using meristem technology; the resulting seed stock is free from viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases and is highly productive. Improving the health of the planting material is an important step in the seed-growing process and the key to a good harvest.
The Tuvan Research Institute of Agriculture—a branch of the SFSCA RAS—has completed the acceptance inspection of field trials established in accordance with the 2026 research plan. The studies aim at enhancing and fully realizing the bio-resource potential of forage crops within the sharply continental climate of Eastern Siberia. Scientists are identifying high-yielding and highly productive annual forage crops best adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of the steppe zone of the Republic of Tuva, and are also working on developing forage crop rotations. The study includes winter rye, ryegrass, mustard, rapeseed, sweet clover (and its mixtures with millet and Sudan grass), as well as pea-oat and pea-barley mixtures. It is noted that the establishment of experiments, observations, and data collection are carried out in accordance with established experimental methodologies, work programs, and schedules. These studies are particularly relevant for a livestock-farming region, where one of the primary objectives is to establish a robust forage base.
Field and production trials have undergone formal acceptance review at the Buryat Research Institute of Agriculture —a branch of the SFSCA RAS. Research activities cover the breeding and seed production of cereal and berry crops, the introduction of medicinal plants, the refinement of adaptive crop production technologies, the evaluation of fertilization systems and plant nitrogen nutrition diagnostics, as well as the development of new sheep genotypes and innovative feeding rations. As part of the cereal crop breeding program, competitive variety trials are ongoing for 17 varieties of soft spring wheat, 10 varieties of spring oats, and 18 varieties of spring barley. Seeds of the new spring barley variety "Nuker" and the spring oat variety "Tamir" have been transferred to branches of the FSBI “State Commission for Variety Testing” (Gossortkomissiya) for testing at 11 trial sites across the East Siberian region. Research on the breeding of berry crops is ongoing: varieties of blue honeysuckle, black and red currant, and sea buckthorn are currently undergoing competitive variety trials. A patent application has been filed for a new blue honeysuckle variety, "Nina." In 2026, a 0.5-hectare plot of medicinal and aromatic plants was established for the first time. Research into the effectiveness of fertilizer systems within a four-field grain-fallow crop rotation continues at the long-term agrochemical experimental site, which has been in operation since 1967. An inspection confirmed that the experimental plots were established in accordance with methodological requirements and are in good condition.
Breeders at the Irkutsk Research Institute SFSCA RAS have summarized the results of the season's work. Institute scientists presented their findings to a regional commission led by Marina Kozharina, the Minister of Agriculture of the Irkutsk Region. Sixteen varieties of cereal crops—including wheat, oats, and barley—are currently undergoing trials at the institute's nursery and fields, located in the Ushakovsky administrative district. Staff successfully completed sowing operations on an area of 161 hectares and prepared 121 hectares of fallow land. Research is being conducted in the fields on 16 locally bred seed varieties, 14 of which are Tulun varieties developed at the Tulun Breeding Station. A particular pride of the scientists is the progeny testing nurseries, where 8 crops of the 1st and 2nd year are born and mature. In 2025, the institute patented three new varieties: "Tulunskaya Marsianka," "Tulunskie Zori," and "Tulunskaya Agata". Marina Kozharina emphasized that the research results will be shared with agricultural producers and also discussed with the leaders the possibilities of the NIISKh’s participation in the national project “Technological Support for Food Security”.
The Kemerovo NIISKh — a branch of the SFSCA RAS — continues breeding research as part of the 2026 state assignment. The main focus is on potato and cereal crops. This year, as part of the state assignment, they plan to study over 1,300 breeding lines and 78,000 agricultural crop objects. In order to scale up the original and elite potato seeds of SFSCA RAS, 9 samples from the breeding nursery and 9 varieties/hybrids from the Siberian Research Institute of Agriculture and Peat were sent to the branch. The genetic material is aimed at creating high-yielding varieties and breeding lines of table and industrial potatoes that are suitable for industrial processing and adapted to the agro-ecological conditions of the Siberian region.