GENERAL OVERVIEW

1. Brief history

The foundation year of Estonian Research Insitute of Agriculture, Plant Biotechnological Research Centre EVIKA is 1966. This year the first attempts were made to study the virus eradication of potato and carnation plants in Saku, Department of Plant Protection, Research Institute of Plant Production and Land Improvement (EMMTUI). At that time only few successful potato meristem cultivation trials had been reported in the world.
On the basis of Department of Plant Protection of EMMTUI the laboratory of Plant Biotechnics was founded in 1980. Ten years later the laboratory separated from institute and with the edict No 111 14.11.1990 of Minister of Agriculture the independent Estonian Plant Biotechnical Research Centre EVIKA was founded that subordinated directly to the Ministry of Agriculture.
The area of scientific research in Research Centre EVIKA was creation of scientific basis for virus and other disease eradication of plants and propagation of healthy plant material (SU patent No 1025373, 1981; author V. Rosenberg). Deriving from basic research the technologies of microclonal propagation (SU patent No SU 1501313, 1986; authors V. Rosenberg, K. Kotkas) and growth of microclonal propagation of eradicated potato meristem plants (SU patent No SU 1768255, 1988; authors V. Rosenberg, K. Kotkas, K. Kiisk, J. Sarnet) were created. The preliminary ideas of research and applied technology on potato expanded to horticultural crops.
The financing of Research Centre EVIKA was based on target-financed projects, research grants and contracts of applied technology created in EVIKA. The contracts of applied technologies covered the expenses on propagation of planting material. Such “self-earned money” caused the decrease in basic financing. The situation was created where the finances earned from contracts of applied technology had to cover the expenses on scientific research as well as the costs for infrastructure.
Simultaneously with expansion of research topics working conditions improved. The separate building and greenhouse were constructed in 1986-1987. The additional wing of laboratory building was completed in 1992. All activities of research and applied technology and creation of appropriate conditions were coordinated and directed by Viive Rosenberg.

2. Essential events in 1998-2004

With the order No 906-k of the Government of the Republic of Estonia dated at November 26, 1997 the joining of Plant Biotechnical Research Centre EVIKA to Estonian Agricultural University was approved. The joint agreement was signed on December 18, 1997 and the decision of Council of EAU No. 1-98 08.01.1998 validated the Statutes of EVIKA. EVIKA became research and development institution of Estonian Agricultural University (hereinafter EAU) with independent Statutes, budget, bank account and stamp.

3. Main research areas

1. The studies of potato meristem characteristics and somaclonal variation of meristem clones. The main task of research work was to identify the relations between meristem characteristics, methods of eradication technology and somaclonal variation. The identification of above-mentioned relations enables to direct the results scientifically, increase the disease resistance and improve the economically important properties of varieties as well as shorten the breeding process.

2. The studies of resistance problems of potato varieties and breeding lines. The aim was to study the resistance of potato meristem plants and clones to various races of pathogen Phytophthora infestans in vitro and in field conditions. The use of meristem plants in identification of Ph. infestans races was the unique approach in resistance research in the whole world.

3. The research of productivity of potato meristem plants was focused on the discovery of the relations between growth hormones, propagation and acclimatization methods, planting density and productivity.

4. The research of tissue culture and microcloning of horticultural crops. The aim was to study the factors affecting the development and proliferation of regenerating explants, rooting and acclimatization of elongated microshoots and growth and development of established plants ex vitro. The main focus was on stone fruits like sour and sweet cherry and plum tree.

5. The preservation of plant genetic resources. The goal was to study the correlation between the conditions of long-term preservation of plants and morphological characteristics and economical traits of varieties and cultivars. There were 1295 accessions of 21 plant species preserved in vitro in EVIKA genebank. The project of in vitro preservation of Estonian endangered plant species was started in 1999. The first trials were carried out with some rare species of local terrestrial orchids.

4. Workrooms and scientific equipment

The main building of EVIKA is located at Teaduse 6a, Saku, Harju County. Our building was built by the special plan following phytosanitary requirements for plant biotechnological work. There are a laboratory building, greenhouse and hangar in this complex. The laboratory building was built in two stages: first part in 1996 and the second one in 1992. The building has not been renovated since 1997 because during the past five years our institute has not received any money for this. Therefore the workrooms are not in excellent condition.

The plant growth and preservation rooms are equipped with climate regulation equipment, regulated by GEERLOFS sm 7850 system. In plant preservation room the plants are preserved at in vitro temperature (4…50C). The storage room for the storage of potato tests and collection tubers is also equipped with climate regulation equipment, regulated by GEERLOFS sm 7850 system. The hangar is divided with bulkhead into 3 sections and built of metal details imported from Finland. The greenhouse-laboratory is built in 1985 using details together with climate regulation equipment imported from Finland. The greenhouse-laboratory is divided with bulkhead into 3 sections and connected with I part of building.
EVIKA has 9 official computers with appropriate (legal) software. 8 of them are connected into local network and Internet communication.
At present EVIKA has no modern scientific equipment. For the necessary analyses the equipment of other institutes in Estonia and abroad is used. We have all necessary instruments for the work in disease elimination, multiplication and preservation: instruments for sterilization of plant material and media, laminar chambers, analytical and electronical weights and so on.