Maral Orazbayeva, a senior lecturer of the Department of Plant Growing of the Turkmen Agricultural Institute and a candidate of agricultural sciences, is working with her colleagues to develop a new pumpkin variety suitable for mass production in the climatic conditions of the Dashoguz velayat. Belonging to the genus of herbaceous plants, pumpkin has occupied an important place in the agricultural production of the local population since time immemorial. Due to its gastronomic properties, it is an indispensable food product.
The teachers of the institute set themselves the task of growing a variety based on selection and hybridization, containing new features and properties, most suitable for the soil and climatic conditions of the velayat, characterized by high yield and rich taste, resistance to various diseases, unpretentious cultivation on land plots with different characteristics. Such varieties of pumpkin as "Adaty", "Muscat" and "Uly miveli kadi" were chosen as breeding material.
The seeds obtained as a result of crossing were experimentally planted for two years in the educational farm of the institute. During the vegetation period of the plant, consistent observation of many parameters was carried out, including germination, requirements for soil and air temperature, humidity and light, moisture consumption, ripening time, etc. Work on the variety continues.
In case of successful results of multi-stage tests, it will be able to replenish a large number of varieties of this farm crop, both domestic and foreign selection, successfully grown in the north of the country. Among them, by the way, two species are especially popular here - "Bal kädi" or honey pumpkin, and "Palow kädi" - nutmeg pumpkin.
It should be noted that the Turkmen Agricultural Institute takes an active part in solving the tasks set by the state for the domestic agro-industrial complex to increase production volumes, further improve the level of selection and seed production work, improve agricultural technology for cultivating various crops, and improve the melioration condition of lands.
