The Scientific Research Institute of Viticulture and Wine-Making Head: Mail Amanov Mehdiabad district, Baki, 373270, Azerbaijan Tel: +(994 12) 43 5331 Ex situ germplasm conservation: Cultivated and wild grapevine Institute Code (FAO): AZE007

a z e r b a i j a n

Founded in March, 1977. The first-priority trends in the work of the Institute are to create new high-yielding varieties of grapes, to study them, to introduce them, to grow grapes in nursery gardens, to work out variety-based agrotechnics, to improve the methods of combating pests and diseases, to preserve and dry grapes, and to improve the production of wine. 82 species of wild primogenitors of fruit-berry and grape plants can be found in the republic. The first investigation of wild grapes has been carried out since 1995.Now the Institute with its peripheral branches has 13 scientific units. Eight of them are at the Institute, i. e. the departments of grape agrotechincs, selection and variety studies, agrochemistry, biochemistry, grape preservation and drying, etc.; three ones-at the Gyanja control station; one is at the Shemakha control station. The total number of employees is 125 people of which 66 are research workers including 18 candidates of science. The workers, as a rule, take postgraduate course and defend their theses on a competitive basis to raise the level of their professional skills. For 20 years, the Institute has trained 34 candidates of science.
The Institute keeps close scientific and business contacts with a lot of scientific institutions of the republic and the scientists and experts working within the framework of the Tasis program of the European Union.
The following is to be referred to the achievements of the Institute: the scheme of zonal distribution of table -varieties of grapes in accordance with the terms of their ripening; the hybrid fund containing about 40 prospective species of various purpose; the basic seeds of prospective and selective varieties and those of American species; the six recommended prospective varieties of phylloxera-resistant wildings; the method of graft growing without preliminary stratification (with the efficiency being not less than 50 percent); the system and basic elements of the agrotechnical measures to be taken in dealing with the basic material of grafted vine; the variety-based agrotechnics; the system of using fertilizers; the raising of pesticide efficiency with magnetized water; the new method of artificial grape drying; the technology of producing the "Gyanja" and "Shafa" natural juices, bekmez, abgora, jams, pickles, "Uzum jovhari" and "Khayat meti" concentrates; the production of high-quality champagne wine materials and selection of specific grades; the technology of flavoured wine making with the use of nectar of the pollen of wild grapes; the improved technology of producing "Kurdamir" wine (a kind of Cahors wine); and the production of food oil from grape seeds. The State Commission has distributed five grape varieties, accepted ("Azeri" and "Gyanjevi", "Shiraly", "Bahraly", "Kapaz", "Gey-Gol") for testing, and four varieties are expected to be taken in 2000.
For the period from 1996 to 1997 the research workers of the Institute have published over 500 scientific articles, 9 volumes of proceedings, a textbook on viticulture; a training aid; six books, 2 monographs, a collection of technological instructions and standards applicable in wine - making industry, methodical directions, recommendations, and booklets. They have received five author's certificates.