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50 years old seeds revived at Yeditepe University

 

50 years old seeds stored at Istanbul Commodity Exchange depots were germinated once again to be used as a gene pool thanks to the scientific research conducted by Genetics and Bioengineering Department of Yeditepe University. The research and development team specialized on seeds also discovered two novel scientific techniques during the process.

The scientific cooperation between Istanbul Commodity Exchange and Genetics and Bioengineering Department of Yeditepe University aiming to reduce Turkey’s dependence on foreign sources in terms of seed growing started to pay off. At the end of a 30 month research, wheat, rye and chickpea seeds having been stored for more than 50 years in Istanbul Commodity Exchange’s depots have now germinated once again. The project aiming to revive the Ancient seeds was initiated by Istanbul Commodity Exchange. Genetics and Bioengineering Department of Yeditepe University and General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM) are two major stakeholders of the project which is supported by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock.

Two novel scientific techniques discovered

New discoveries were also made during the course of the Project. The research team discovered two novel techniques to purge infections and to revive old seeds.

Research activities continues under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Fikrettin Şahin. The project is implemented by Dr. M. Müge Yazıcı and supported externally by Prof. Dr. Metin Turan, biologist Leyla Tarhan and agricultural engineer Okan Demir.

How did the seeds germinate?

The process summary of the research made on the seeds is as follows: the team first developed a formulation to germinate the seeds which were identified as live seeds. In the meantime, a novel sterilization technique was developed to purge the infections caused by microorganisms both during and after germination. The project demonstrated for the first time that even very old seeds of different plant species can be germinated and be used as a gene pool.

The project had a wide coverage in the press:

http://www.aa.com.tr/tr/sirket-haberleri/gundem/5244005

http://www.dunya.com/ekonomi/ekonomi-diger/turk-tohumculugunda-yeni-bir-donem-basliyor-261408h.htm

http://www.sozcu.com.tr/egitim/eski-tohumlara-akademisyen-eli-degdi.html

http://www.habermrt.com/genel/turk-tohumculugunda-yeni-bir-donem-basliyor-h406137.html

http://dhapro.vol.io/haberdetay.asp?Newsid=926236