KazNU scientist brings perennial wheat to market

Dean of the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Associate Professor, Doctor of Biological Sciences Meruert Kurmanbaeva was among the holders of the State Scientific Scholarship 2023.

The scientist presented a scientific project "Introduction of perennial wheat in farming to preserve biodiversity and soil fertility in the south and southeast of Kazakhstan".

The goal of the project is to bring to the market perennial wheat that is ecologically and economically efficient. According to the project leader, currently annual wheat, despite abundant yields, leads to soil damage. Besides, a lot of money is wasted every year in sowing annual wheat. And perennial wheat, proposed by scientist Meruert Kurmanbaeva, protects the soil from erosion. It does not require annual plowing and sowing.

"One of the national brands of Kazakhstan is wheat. Perennial wheat is sown only once, it yields for 5-6 years. It is very profitable for our country. Currently, more than forty scientific centers around the world are engaged in research on perennial crops. For the first time we studied perennial wheat in Kazakhstan. We are confident that the results of the project will be in demand in the market. The advantage of perennial crops over annual crops is that they have a well-developed root system. In addition, they have a great impact on improving soil quality, increase carbon absorption, provide water penetration. And also help to solve the problem of fodder deficit in the country", - said Meruert Kurmanbaeva.

Today scientists of KazNU have received a patent for the scientific project. The work on commercialization is currently underway.

Press-service of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University