Plant breeding programs in Bulgaria
Agricultural land accounts for about 6.2 million hectares (55% of the country area) due to the relatively favourable climate and soil conditions of Bulgaria. The agricultural sector is very important in the economy of this country. The major food crops are wheat, corn, barley and sunflower.
Bulgaria has a rich experience and long tradition in plant breeding, with successful programs leading to important contributions for agriculture. Recently, as a result of the transition period and establishment of a market-based economy, there was a collapse in many spheres that effected directly or indirectly plant breeding research and activities. Plant breeding in Bulgaria is carried out by about twenty public organizations (including research institutes, Regional Centers for Extension Services, and universities) and several small private companies. Due to its geographical profile, Bulgaria is relatively rich in germplasm and these genetic resources are stored in its National Seed Genebank (NSGB).
The major areas of activities are: germplasm enhancement, line development and line evaluation. Line development has major importance for wheat, maize, oilseeds, grain legumes and tobacco. These are also the crops with greatest economic value for the country.
The lack of financial resources is the major limiting aspect for the development of plant breeding programmes in Bulgaria. It is followed by the lack of support from the international community and inadequate knowledge about plant breeding.
Research and education institutes with activities in plant breeding
Public Institutes
The Agricultural Academy
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Institute for Plant Genetic Resources "K.Malkov" (IPGR)
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Institute of Genetics “Acad. Doncho Kostoff”
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AgroBioInstitute (ABI)
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Institute of Agriculture Karnobat
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Dobrudja Agricultural Institute
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Private Institute
GEOSEM select
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Information by Dr. Georgina Kosturkova (2006) - Information based on the Bulgaria's full report from the PBBC survey. Last revised 10-03-2010, Siyka Stoyanova and GIPB