The Omsk Region has introduced an advanced method for producing virus-free seed potatoes using meristem culture, commonly known as in vitro or “test-tube” technology. Based at the Omsk Agricultural Center and a local greenhouse complex, the method relies on sterile laboratory conditions and specialized nutrient media to prevent infection from viruses and pathogens. Trials are already underway at two sites in the region, delivering fully sanitized planting material. After being transferred to open fields, this clean stock increases commercial yields by an impressive 20–30%, according to regional specialists.
The work is being carried out under the national project “Technological Support for Food Security.” At the potato department of the Omsk State Agrarian University’s agricultural center, breeders are cultivating both locally developed Omsk varieties and varieties from other Russian regions. Two varieties have already proven themselves: “Khozyayushka,” known for its high starch content, and the early-ripening “Alyona,” which allows farmers to harvest the first crop as early as the second half of July. The in vitro method effectively breaks the chain of disease transmission—most potato diseases spread through soil and seed material—offering a sustainable solution that significantly boosts productivity in the region.
