KBSU develops new varieties of food corn for import substitution

Scientists from the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov (KBSU) are working on creating unique varieties of food corn aimed at import substitution. In terms of yield, the new multi-cob lines will exceed existing domestic varieties by 10-15%.

The researchers identified three genes that affect multi-cob production after studying more than 30 lines and 90 hybrids of corn. Both classical and modern molecular genetic methods are used in breeding.

Traditional breeding, despite its reliability, requires up to 15 years to create a new variety. That is why we actively integrate molecular genetic technologies that dramatically reduce the time it takes to breed crops with the desired properties. Our team focuses on developing high-yielding varieties and hybrids of food corn. The key tasks are to assess the genetic diversity of samples and breed multi-cob lines. In the long term, this will not only increase the gross harvest, but will also allow us to obtain products with increased resistance to adverse environmental factors,

— explained the project manager, head of the Department of Biology, Geoecology and Molecular-Genetic Foundations of Living Systems at KBSU Anzor Paritov.

The first harvest of 6 new lines sown in the experimental field is expected in September 2025. The obtained material will become the basis for further selection of hybrids, which will allow us to create even more productive varieties and reduce dependence on imports. There are no domestic analogues of the bred multi-cob lines, KBSU scientists emphasize.