In the period from 4 to 9 April 2011 a training course entitled "LEGUMINOUS CROPS AND THEIR ROLE FOR BREEDING OPTIMIZATION" took place at the N.I. Vavilov Research Institute of Plant Industry.

    The lectures delivered by leading VIR specialists covered all major methodical and methodological aspects of work on plant genetic resources including modern concepts dealing with biological peculiarities, genetic biodiversity of basic leguminous crops and their wild relatives; methods of development of initial breeding material as well as genepool evaluation for commercially valuable traits: biochemical, immunological, physiological. During the course there were delivered lectures addressing modern breeding methods: marker-assisted and symbiotic breeding. Participants got acquainted with methods of variety identification, major statistical analysis software, as well as techniques of mathematical data handling.

    The attendees were also familiarized with the main areas of the Institute work: collection, preservation, study and use of plant genetic resources. They had an opportunity to visit relevant departments and N.I. Vavilov memorial study.