FORMATION HISTORY OF ADYGEI BRANCH OF THE FEDERAL RESEARCH CENTRE THE SUBTROPICAL SCIENTIFIC CENTRE OF THE RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

The formation history of Adygei Branch of the Federal Research Centre the Subtropical Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (AB FRC SSC of RAS) is inextricably linked with the history of tea growing development in the Republic of Adygea. The paper describes the prerequisites and the main milestones of the scientific and industrial development of AB FRC SSC of RAS, which is engaged in expanding the cultivation area for tea and subtropical crops. The Adygei base station of the All-Union Research Institute of Tea and Subtropical Crops was established on April 1, 1968. This paper provides the chronology of key administrative documents and historical information on further reorganization changes of the institution and names of the heads, as well as describes goals and objectives at different stages of development. Currently, the Branch employs a 1 doctor of sciences, 5 candidates of sciences and 3 researchers without a degree. Research is conducted in three directions: creation, study and preservation of genetic collections of subtropical and ornamental plant resources; study of the fundamental adaptation mechanisms of agricultural crops, ornamental plants and artificially created biocenoses to stress factors of various nature; study of the mechanisms of significant traits inheritance and creation of new highly effective subtropical and floral ornamental cultivars. The main achievements of the Adygei Branch and the results of work on popularization of tea plant are described. Currently, the Branch has become not only a platform for scientific research in the field of tea growing, nut-bearing, southern fruit and subtropical crops, but also a centre for interaction between science, education, business and society.