E-mail: icrts@public.east.cn.net]
Romania
Romania
Current Research Activities
The major objective of seabuckthorn
research in Romania has been the in-
troduction and popularization of se-
abuckthorn cultivation. During the first
stage (1975-1989), the Romanian wild
flora of some hilly areas in the Carpathi-
ans and around the Black Sea was ex-
plored. Numerous biotypes of Hippo-
phae rhamnoides var. Carpatica were
identified in situ and were brought to the
Fruit Research Institute. The most valu-
able and interesting biotypes were
propagated and planted in experimental
plots. During the second stage (1989-
1999), the research work has focused
on the improvement and establishment
of cultivation technology: planting and
distancing systems, training and pruning
of trees, proper propagation and fruit
harvesting methods. The performance
of indigenous and exotic varieties and
selections, physio-chemical fruit char-
acteristics of different biotypes and other
aspects have been studied by the Insti-
tute. Moreover, studies on fruit proc-
essing and different uses of seabuck-
thorn products (nutrition, medicinal
uses, and cosmetics) were carried out.
Future Research Needs
1. Conservation, evaluation and devel-
opment of seabuckthorn genetic re-
sources.
2. Establishment of seabuckthorn
plantations with varieties having the
following characteristics: highly pro-
ductive, large fruits with long pedi-
cels for easy harvesting (by hand or
by shaking without moisture), and
higher picking efficiency.
3. Identification of new valuable geno-
types in the unexplored Romanian
wild flora.
4. More detailed analyses of biochemi-
cal fruit composition (carotene, oil,
amino acids and other components).
5. Studies of the effects of seabuck-
thorn planting on the improvement of
soil physical and chemical charac-
teristics.
6. Study of the symbiotic association
between the plants, fungi and bacte-
ria.
Perspectives for Research Co-operation
We are interested in exchange of
information and biological material. We
can participate in an international re-
search programme within the research
framework of the European Union or in
the context of bilateral co-operation with
countries that have advanced seabuck-
thorn research programmes.
[Submitted by Paulina Mladin, Fruit Research
Institute Pitesti-Maracineni, 0312 Pitesti, Arges,
Romania.
Tel.: +40 48632066, Fax: 486344292
E-mail:
icpp.fruitresearch@geostar.ro
]
Russia
Russia
Among fruit and berry plants culti-
vated in Siberia, seabuckthorn (
Hippo-
phae rhamnoides
L.) occupies a par-
ticular place. It is a dioecious, wind-
pollinated plant, growing as a bush or
small tree.
Current Research Activities
Breeders in Russia face the task of
creating new, highly productive, high-
quality varieties suitable for mechanical
harvesting because manual harvesting
has become a significant cost factor.
At the Institute for Cytology and Ge-
netics, together with the Novosibirsk
Regional Fruit Station, new varieties
