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https://doi.org/10.15414/2019.9788055220703

4 International Scientific Conference Abstracts Book
th
45 YEARS OF IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM ABOUT CONSERVATION AND USE OF
AGROBIODIVERSITY IN THE INSTITUTE OF BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND
BIOSAFETY AND DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS AND PLANT BREEDING AT THE SLOVAK
UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE IN NITRE

Ján Brindza, Marián Miko, Ján Gažo
Institute of Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources,
Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Slovak Republic; E-mail.: Jan.brindza@uniag.sk
The solution program for conservation and use of agrobiodiversity began in 1974 at the
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding. In the first period, the focus was on studying the
economic value and quality of the gene pool of registered varieties of summer wheat, peas,
and potatoes. In 1991, the collective of Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding initiated a
long-term research program called 'Conservation of Endangered Gene Pool of Plant Species in
Slovakia'. In 1995, the program grew into the establishment of the Plant Genetic Resources
Conservation Centre at the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding. In 2002, the Centre
was transformed into an independent establishment of the Slovak University of Agriculture,
called the Institute of Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety (hereinafter as the Institute). In
2005, the Institute was incorporated into the administrative structure of the Faculty of
Agronomy and currently is integrated into the structure of the Faculty of Agrobiology and
Food Resources. The establishment of a specialized centre has created the compartment and
conditions for the realization of a research and training program for the biodiversity
conservation, focusing on endangered plant species, agro-biodiversity and its sustainable
exploitation in the plant breeding, seed production, agri-food, nutrition, rural development,
biological and food safety and the conservation of natural and cultural heritage.
The Institute provides research, development, education and counseling activities at
national and international level. For the previous period, the Institute and the Department of
Genetics and Plant Breeding have coordinated a total of 59 research projects, including 3 at
the international level within the research program, 6 integrated projects of applied
character, 3 projects within the APVT-APVV program, 3 VEGA projects, 6 KEGA projects, 6
projects within the PPA, 2 development projects at the international level (NEWS – Nicaragua
with Holland aSAMRS – in Serbia), 7 projects in the research form for a contract (Heineken,
Slovakofarma Hlohovec, EL spol. s r.o. Spišská N. Ves., Algiwo, s. r. o. Lučenec) and 3 projects
within the Structural Funds (ASFU aSIEA). At the same time, the Institute actively participated
as a partner of 11 research projects solved within the TEMPUS program (2), ASFEU (3), state
programs (4), VEGA (1), KEGA (1). The research objects in the projects were 51 traditional
plant species, 87 underutilized species, and 46 less-known plant species.
As part of the scientific training in the 'Conservation of Sustainable Use of
Agrobiodiversity', 28 graduates completed their doctoral studies successfully in both the full-
time and the external form. More than 200 students were involved in the program solution in
the form of a final diploma and bachelor thesis.
As part of the training program, the Institute coordinates and provides the Lifelong
Education Program under the title 'Education for Each One and All'. More than 1700
participants attended specialized accredited courses in 9 focus areas. Many courses
(AgroEduca – Tempus, BiodiversityEduca – Tempus, FarmersEduca and BeeEduca – Visegrad
Fund and GMOEduca – UNDP) were implemented in the framework of international
educational projects with financial support from various Agencies.
In its extensive publishing activities, the collective provided the publication of 98 titles
of the textbooks of the Biodiversity Conservation edition, 71 professional publications, 8
annuals of the Genetic Plant Resources, 84 Proceedings from the conferences and seminaries
of Genotype edition, 7 classifiers, 13 methodologies, and other documents. Within the

|20 4 International Scientific Conference Agrobiodiversity Nutrition, Health and Quality of Human and Bees Life
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September 11–13, 2019