The Scientific Research Institute of Cotton-Growing Head: Fekhreddin Mamedov Institute settlement, Gyandja 374788, Azerbaijan Tel: +(994 222) 55 5670 Ex situ germplasm conservation: Cotton Institute Code (FAO): AZE008

a z e r b a i j a n

Date of Foundation: 1925
Founded on the basis of the Gyanja selective station.
The first-priority trends in the work of the Institute are to create, on the basis of the newest genetic and selective methods, the aboriginal, adapted, intensive, mid-and-fine-fibre varieties of cotton with high quality of raw cotton and fibre, to elaborate a soil-protecting, energy-and resource-saving, and ecologically efficient technology of growing the cotton to preserve the natural properties of the varieties selected, and to reap high early-ripening crops of cotton.
The Institute comprises the central experimental station (the city of Gyanja), the Shirvan experimental station (the town of Ujary), the Mil experimental station (Bailagan), the Salyan experimental and industrial station (the Salyan district), and the branch of the Institute dealing with the cotton-cleaning industry (Gyanja). The central experimental station of the Institute has a department of cotton selection, a laboratory of genetics and seed growing, departments of agrotechnics, agrochemistry, irrigation and plant protection. Each of the Shirvan and Mil experimental stations has two departments of selection and agrotechnics. The Salyan experimental and industrial station deals with primary seed-growing and first-stage reproduction of prospective varieties of cotton.
The branch of the Institute dealing with cotton - cleaning industry is engaged in elaborating the standards for primary raw-cotton processing.
The Institute has 157 employees of which one is a Doctor and 26 are Candidates of science. Since the establishment of the Institute 20 theses for a Doctor's degree and 181 candidate dissertations have been defended.
When zonal distribution is considered, the Institute has introduced 32 varieties of cotton of which one was fine-fibre. There have been six variety-changes. The seventh variety-change is under way, with basic varieties being AzNIKHI-104 and AzNIKHI-170. The mid-fibre varieties AzNIKHI-195, Gyanja-1, Gyanja-2, Gyanja-3, Gyanja-11, Shirvan-265, and fine-fibre variety Gyanja-46 are ready for zonal distribution. The system of cotton seed growing elaborated and introduced makes it possible to sow the seeds of only first three reproductions.
Among those selected as being closely associated with cotton-growing are four varieties of alfalfa, two of Pisum sativum, two of Onobrychis and one of Trifoliumza.
As to agrotechnics, a system of crop rotation, systems of soil cultivation and fertilization, cotton-irrigation rates and methods have been recommended and used. A number of the newest methods of studying aqua-physical properties of soils and plants have been worked out. All the agrotechnological elements of cotton-growing and protection of cotton from pests, diseases and weeds are being integrated to create an adaptive, ecologically efficient system of agriculture in cotton-growing. Much attention is focused on the development of variety agrotechics, and now new varieties to be introduced have agro-certificates.
The results of most of the above-mentioned scientific achievements have found their practical application. Thus, the cotton varieties created, by the selectionists of the Institute and zonally distributed among the cotton-sowing regions of the Republic are annually sown to take up about 80% of all the area under crop. Some scientists' recommendations and proposals in the area of seed growing, agrotechnics, agrochemistry, irrigation and cotton-plant protection make a great contribution to the development of cotton-growing in the Republic.
The Institute had good links with the former All-Union Academy of Agricultural Sciences, its branches in Central Asia and Caucasus and the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan. Now it cooperates with the Institutes of Genetic Resources, Agrochemistry and Soil Science, and Zoology of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan. It keeps up some relations with the Russian Agricultural Academy (mainly through the "Agricultural Science" magazine) and the Institute of Chemical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The basic results of the scientists' achievements can be found in 72 editions of the proceedings, 115 special editions (booklets, pamphlets, recommendations, agrorules, information leaflets, etc.), 2180 scientific papers were published in the former Union and Republican magazines.