Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates of the Beijing 94-32-cluster (also named “Central Asian/Russian Beijing strain”) constitute an important component of the population structure of the pathogen in the Former Soviet Union (FSU) countries (1-4).…

Fire blight disease of apples continues its worldwide spread, having reached Kazakhstan in 2010. It is a great threat to the wild apple forests of Malus sieversii. The introduction of fire blight is already showing a considerable impact on cultural apple growing and demands radical efforts for conservation of the wild apple forests. A number of studies have been conducted to examine the presence of fire blight distribution within apples in agricultural areas; however, there has been no large-scale monitoring of wild apple tree populations. Here we present the results of three years of monitoring wild apples in three protected areas of Kazakhstan, looking for the presence of fire blight (Erwinia amylovora). A visual inspection showed no signs of fire blight on the trees of M. sieversii in three consecutive years. These findings were confirmed by lateral flow immunochromatography, and conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction tests of the asymptomatic samples. The findings of this study will be used to produce recommendations for state authorities to prevent fire blight in wild apple forests of Kazakhstan.

M. tuberculosis RD-Rio Strain in Kazakhstan

Fire blight, caused by Erwinia amylovora , poses a serious threat to both cultivated and wild apple populations in Kazakhstan, including Malus sieversii , a key progenitor of the domesticated apple. In 2024, systematic monitoring was carried out in the Almaty and Turkestan regions under meteorological conditions favorable for fire blight development. A total of 131 samples was collected from symptomatic and asymptomatic trees of apple, pear, quince, hawthorn, walnut, and wild M. sieversii . Most samples (77.9%) originated from cultivated apple trees, while 9.2% were collected from wild populations, including from the Sayram-Ugam State National Natural Park, where wild and cultivated apple trees coexist. Molecular screening of plant wash samples confirmed E. amylovora in 31 cases, none of which were collected from M. sieversii trees. Pure bacterial cultures were successfully isolated from 24 samples, while for seven additional qPCR-positive samples pure cultures could not be obtained. Diagnostic confirmation relied on real-time PCR targeting the chromosomal amsC gene and immunochromatographic assays. Genotyping was successfully conducted for 26 positive samples, including 24 isolates and two samples of nucleic acids extracted directly from plant washes. Our results revealed the coexistence of two archetypal E. amylovora CRISPR genotypes in Kazakhstan. Genotype A, previously reported lineage in the Almaty region, was predominantly identified in the southeast, while genotype D, in contrast, was detected as major genotype in southern Kazakhstan. The simultaneous detection of these genotypes suggests a diversification of the E. amylovora population after its first introduction in the country, that could be originating from adaptation to local conditions or from a novel introduction event. These findings underscore the importance of continued molecular surveillance to inform quarantine measures and guide strategies for the conservation of wild apple genetic resources.

The method of biological ballistics (biolistic transformation, genetic bombardment) of plants is one of the most modern methods used for direct gene transfer into plant cells. The main advantages of this method include the ability to simultaneously incorporate several target genes into the plant genome, carry out transfer without unnecessary agrobacterial parts and plasmid DNA sequences, and the short time needed to produce transgenic cells. For different plant objects, the efficiency of obtaining transgenic plants by the ballistic method varies from 1 to 3 %. For potato plants, the transformation efficiency is quite low at the moment and the selection of optimal conditions for biolistics is one of the pressing issues of practical biotechnology. This article presents a successful experience of introducing two genes of interest into two potato varieties using the biolistic approach. The results of biolistic transformation experiments are presented for two types of explants: potato internodes and calli of the varieties Aksor and Nevskiy. Of the 862 explants used for transformation, 56 regenerated plants were obtained. PCR screening of transformants revealed one plant with the insertion of the chitinase gene, one with the insertion of the endo-β-1,3-glucanase gene, and co-transformation by both genes was confirmed in four regenerants. The average transformation efficiency for potato explants was 0.7 %. A high number of regenerants (56) as opposed to a low number of transformants (6) reflects an attempt to increase the number of regenerants by using a lower concentration of the selective agent (kanamycin). Although this approach requires more effort, it can be used to produce potato lines with integrated genes of interest for further use in crop breeding. The lines of potato obtained in the current study by introducing two genes associated with the plant response to fungal pathogens will be further assessed for their resistance to fungal diseases and, if successful, will be used in potato crop breeding.

Blackberry (Rubus L.) cultivation in Kazakhstan is constrained by the limited availability of certified planting material and the absence of standardized micropropagation protocols adapted to local conditions. This study aimed to optimize the key stages of in vitro culture for the cultivars ‘Natchez’, ‘Black Magic’, ‘Osage’, and ‘Heaven Can Wait’, including explant sterilization, culture initiation, shoot multiplication, and acclimatization. A sequential sterilization scheme using 70% ethanol followed by 1% sodium hypochlorite ensured high explant survival. Shoot initiation was most efficient on MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/L BAP, whereas multiplication was enhanced by 0.5 mg/L BAP and 0.1 mg/L GA₃. In the subsequent rooting stage, microcuttings formed stable root systems under ex vitro conditions in agroboxes, confirming that the optimized protocol ensured not only high survival during initiation but also a successful transition to the rooting phase, which is essential for further acclimatization. During ex vitro acclimatization, the application of humic acid, nanosilicon, or succinic acid improved survival under agrobox microventilation. The developed approach provides a reliable framework for producing healthy, adapted plants of the evaluated cultivars and contributes to establishing domestic propagation systems for reducing reliance on imported planting material.