Tamar Shamatava

The using virus free, healthy seed is the key factor  in the potato seed production system wich can only be  achieved using modern biotechnology method. Production of virus free potato elite seed is based on  in vitro technology. Selection  best of the best MS medium for in vitro potato according varieties are guarantee of their in vitro growth and further reproduction ability.

 The aim of this work is  to study the influence of MS medium with  different combination of vitamins  (B_1, B_6,PP ) on the in vitro growth-development of potato varieties  “Agria”, “Sante”, “Jelly” amd “ Nevsky”. Parameters of morphogenesis (high, number of nodes, rooting) were evaluated after 16 day.

It was revealed that various concentration of vitamins  had different influence depending on the potato varieties. It was showed that the combination of  vitamins 2.5mg/l B₆+1.0mg/l B₁+2.5mg/ml PP positively effected  on the in vitro development of potato varieties “Agria and  “Jelly”, while the combination 2mg/l B₆+1.0mg/l B₁+2.0mg/ml PP was the best for  in vitro  regeneration of potato varieties “Sante”, and “Nevsky”. In vitro plants with 6-7 nodes and strong stem were observed only after 16 days.

Within this work the best combination of vitamins for in vitro growth-development of potato varieties: “Agria”, “Sante”, “Jelly” amd “ Nevsky” were selected.

The major losses during storage of pear fruit are related to the damage caused by their physiological disorder. Calcium chloride positively effected on the storability of apples, peaches and plums but there is not information is scarce informacion  about pear storage.

Our research goal was to determine the optimal concentration of Calcium chloride and influence on some chemical properties of pear variety “Conference” during long term storage (60 days) at +3+4 ⁰ C-temperature. Biochemical parameters were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of storage

The loss causing of pathogenic microbiological diseases during storage has a high economic impact. The research aim was to study effect of eucalyptus extract with combination calcium chloride on microflora of grapevine during storage. Two grapevine varieties were selected for study: “Alphonse Levallée" and "Italia". Two combination of eucalyptus extract and calcium chloride were selected for experiment:

I.1 % CaCl₂ and 2% eucalyptus extract

II. 2% CaCl₂ and 1% eucalyptus extract

III. Control-untreatment grapevine

Treatment and control both were stored storage refrigerator -POLAIR Standard (temperature-0- 1⁰C, humidity- 85-90%). Pathogenic clear culture were extracted from infected grapevine during storage (60-120 day).

It was revealed that botrytis cinerea and Penicilium expansum were two major infected agent which causing microbiological disease of grapevine varieties “Alphonso levalee" and "Italia". Characterization and identification of fungi carried out using  40X-2500X professional infinity Trinocular Compoud Microscope (SKU:T690C).

As a result showed the loss caused from phytopatohenic fungi were different-Control for grapevine varieties "Italia" with Botrytis cinerea was-55.3% and Penicilium expansum-37,6%. For "Alphonso Levalée” by Botrytis cinerea-54,1% and Penicilium expansum-35,2%. The best result for grapevine varieties "Italia" was showed 2% CaCl₂ and  1% eucalyptus extract, in this case loss causing by Botrytis cinerea-42, 8%, and Penicilium expansum- 32,4%, but inhibition effect caused from Botrytis cinerea for "alphonso levalee" was-45,1% and Penicilium expansum-30, 4%.

Thus, the combination of 2%CaCl₂ and 1% eucalyptus extract had inhibition influence on developments of  Botrytis cinerea and Penicilium expansum,especilly on Botrytis cinerea.

In this study, the effect of Eucalyptus extract and calcium chloride (CaCl2) on grape storage ability was investigated. The treatment includes control (Sulfur dioxide (SO2) 20-30 minutes exposure, once a month) and two combinations: I. 1% CaCl2+0.5% Eucalyptus extract; II. 2% CaCl2+1% Eucalyptus extract. Two grape varieties: Italia and Alphonse Levallee were selected for the study, which are the most popular cultivars among consumers in Georgia. After the treatments grape were stored at 0-1°C, relative humidity of 85-90%. Evolution of qualitative features such as percentage of decay caused by microbiological and physiological diseases was done in the middle of the storage (60 days) and at the end of the storage (120 days). Results showed that the loss caused by microbiological and physiological diseases in the middle stage of the storage (60 days) on two species grapes was unimportant control- 0.9%; with the 1% CaCl2+0.5% Eucalyptus extract-1.5% and 2% CaCl2+1% Eucalyptus extract-1%. Therefore, at the end of the storage (120 days) control loss was 6.1%; on condition 1% CaCl2+0.5% Eucalyptus extract-11.4% and 2% CaCl2+ 1% Eucalyptus extract-7.3%. Thus, 2% CaCl2+1% Eucalyptus extract solution showed the best result from the combined compounds, loss after storage was 7.3%. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) condition loss was less but it is noteworthy that the solution of 2% CaCl2+1% Eucalyptus extract is an ecologically pure mix and the stored grapevines are ecologically pure products, which is a key factor in choosing a storage facility.

Among  vegetables in Georgia tomato culture is very important. A variety of microorganisms is widely distributed in its rhizosphere. Including, the appearance and development of specific types of pathogenic agents which depends on the climate and soil conditions.

Our research goal was to isolate microorganisms in the tomato rhizosphere, to study their antagonistic interaction to choose strong antagonists to be applied against pathogenic microorganisms in the tomato culture.

We studied the tomato rhizosphere microbial flora according to the plant vegetation phases. 120 cultures were isolated, the antagonistic action of these cultures was tested by the diffusion and streak inoculation methods. The result showed that the strong antagonist strains are: N6, N20, thay have inhibited the growth of microbes, by accordingly.

For the identification we hade studied  morphological, physiological and cultural features of antagonist strains. Bacillus subtilis. st. N6.

In conclusion, we isolated a strong antagonist Bacillus subtilis st. N6, which had inhibited the growth of microorganisms by 25-30% extracted from tomato rhizosphere

In the thesis, on the bases of study and analysis of the newest achievements there are overviewed technological processes of biomass utilization and its transformation into biofuel. There are determined the modern and comprehensive technologies of gaining the biofuel from biomass which are adjusted to Georgian conditions. In addition, there are given ecological and economic estimations and elaborated recommendations for biofuel industry development in Georgia.

For achievement of the above targets, there were solved the following issues:

Analysis of the world tendency in the field of biofuel production of different generations;

Analysis of the general methods of transformation of biomass into biofuel;

Analysis of the up to date condition of the raw material base for biofuel production and perspectives of its utilization in Georgia;

There are considered the possibilities of broadening raw material base for biofuel production by formation of energetic forest plantations, utilization of water-plants and phytoplankton, waste waters and mud sediments of reservoirs;

There are considered the most effective ecological and economic methods for transformation of biomass into biofuel and ways of their implementation in energetic sector of the country;

During the estimation of technological processes of biofuel production in conditions of Georgia, it has been revealed that from ecological and economic opinion, one of the most effective methods of biofuel production is cultivation of water-plant “Eichhornia” (Eichhornia crasipes) and utilization of its biomass for biogas production. No one from plants existed in nature is able to compete with “Eichhornia” by bioproductivity and intensity of photosynthesis. It is because of high productivity, industrial cultivation and biotechnological conversion of “Eichhornia” is one of the most perspective directions in the field of biofuel extraction.    

During the estimation of technological processes of biofuel production in conditions of Georgia, it has been revealed that from ecological and economic opinion, one of the most effective methods of biofuel production is cultivation of water-plant “Eichhornia” (Eichhornia crasipes) and utilization of its biomass for biogas production. No one from plants existed in nature is able to compete with “Eichhornia” by bioproductivity and intensity of photosynthesis. It is because of high productivity, industrial cultivation and biotechnological conversion of “Eichhornia” is one of the most perspective directions in the field of biofuel extraction.  Taking into account that the given plans is quite invasive species, it was held an experiment on revelation of vital capacity of “Eichhornia” in natural and climate conditions of Georgia (in situ) and also, abilities of its cultivation in laboratory conditions (in vitro).  Conclusion: “Eichhornia” is not able to naturalize and survive in open reservoirs. In conditions of certain safety measures and proper monitoring, it can be cultivated in reservoirs of Georgia and the biomass harvest can be collected.    The fact that on the territory of Georgia, the total area of water surface of lakes and basins makes up approximately 275, 4 Sq m, makes evident a real possibility of “Eichhornia” cultivation and proves the perceptiveness of obtaining of biofuel from its biomass. The preliminary estimations show us that even in the presence of minimal productivity index of “Eichhornia” per 1 ha of water surface and by utilization of only 40% of water surface, it can be possible to obtain 154 M m³ of biogas.  The results of the given research can be used at working out of the principal indices on biomass utilization and also at working out of the acting plan and traveling chart for creation of biofuel industry considering medium-term (2030) and long-term (2050) perspectives.            

During the estimation of technological processes of biofuel production in conditions of Georgia, it has been revealed that from ecological and economic opinion, one of the most effective methods of biofuel production is cultivation of water-plant “Eichhornia” (Eichhornia crasipes) and utilization of its biomass for biogas production. No one from plants existed in nature is able to compete with “Eichhornia” by bioproductivity and intensity of photosynthesis. It is because of high productivity, industrial cultivation and biotechnological conversion of “Eichhornia” is one of the most perspective directions in the field of biofuel extraction.  Taking into account that the given plans is quite invasive species, it was held an experiment on revelation of vital capacity of “Eichhornia” in natural and climate conditions of Georgia (in situ) and also, abilities of its cultivation in laboratory conditions (in vitro).  Conclusion: “Eichhornia” is not able to naturalize and survive in open reservoirs. In conditions of certain safety measures and proper monitoring, it can be cultivated in reservoirs of Georgia and the biomass harvest can be collected.   The fact that on the territory of Georgia, the total area of water surface of lakes and basins makes up approximately 275, 4 Sq m, makes evident a real possibility of “Eichhornia” cultivation and proves the perceptiveness of obtaining of biofuel from its biomass. The preliminary estimations show us that even in the presence of minimal productivity index of “Eichhornia” per 1 ha of water surface and by utilization of only 40% of water surface, it can be possible to obtain 154 M m3 of biogas.  The results of the given research can be used at working out of the principal indices on biomass utilization and also at working out of the acting plan and traveling chart for creation of biofuel industry considering medium-term (2030) and long-term (2050) perspectives. 

Analysis of the world tendency formed in bioenergetics proves the perceptiveness of biofuel industry development which on the bases of utilization of renewed sources and namely, utilization of biomass (all organic substances of vegetable and animal origin and wastes of their vital activities) provides the world by cheaper and environmentally safe fuel.  In Georgia, there is no authentic data base on energetic potential of biomass.

Doctoral Thesis Referee

Master Theses Supervisor

Doctoral Thesis Supervisor/Co-supervisor

Scientific editor of monographs in foreign languages

Scientific editor of a monograph in Georgian

Editor-in-Chief of a peer-reviewed or professional journal / proceedings

Review of a scientific professional journal / proceedings

Member of the editorial board of a peer-reviewed scientific or professional journal / proceedings

Participation in a project / grant funded by an international organization

Participation in a project / grant funded from the state budget

Patent authorship

Membership of the Georgian National Academy of Science or Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Membership of an international professional organization

Membership of the Conference Organizing / Program Committee

National Award / Sectoral Award, Order, Medal, etc.

Honorary title

Monograph

Handbook

Research articles in high impact factor and local Scientific Journals

Publication in Scientific Conference Proceedings Indexed in Web of Science and Scopus