The Institute of Biotechnology of the Qinghai Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences (QAAFS) is primarily engaged in research on potato resources, potato breeding, potato detoxification, and seed potato production. The institute consists of eight departments: the Plant Virus Detection Laboratory, Potato Resource Research Laboratory, Potato Seed Potato Breeding Center, Potato Cultivation Research Laboratory, Molecular Biology Laboratory, Potato Alpine Experiment Station, Achievements Transformation Department, and Scientific Research Management Department.
The institute has established several key research platforms, including the Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Biotechnology of the Ministry of Education, the Qinghai Province Potato Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center, the Qinghai Province Key Laboratory of Potato Breeding, the Qinghai High-Oil Rapeseed and Potato Improved Variety Creation Engineering Research Center, and the Northwest Potato Engineering Research Center of the Ministry of Education.
Currently, the institute has 19 employees and is equipped with specialized research laboratories such as the Molecular Biology Laboratory, Virus Detection Laboratory, Cultivation Physiology Laboratory, and Microbiology Laboratory. It manages 25 mu of experimental fields and operates a 2,300 m² greenhouse for potato original seed production. Additionally, the institute has invested over 40 million yuan in building a Potato Alpine Experimental Station in Sizhai Township, Huangyuan County. This facility includes a 1,000 m² potato breeding greenhouse, a 1,500 m² net shed, a 4,000 m² seed potato storage warehouse, a 2,000 m² seed potato drying field, and supporting facilities such as agricultural machinery storage and living quarters.
The institute is one of the pioneers in China in researching and applying virus-free technology. It has established a comprehensive virus-free potato seed production system in Qinghai Province, currently producing 2 million virus-free original potato seeds and 2,000 tons of high-quality seed potatoes annually. These seeds support the cultivation of more than 15,000 mu of seed potato bases in the province, contributing significantly to poverty alleviation in mountainous areas and rural revitalization.
Over the past five years, the institute has developed five new potato varieties. Among them, Qingshu No. 9, a high-yield, drought-resistant, and disease-resistant variety, has been widely promoted and planted across China. The annual planting area nationwide exceeds 8 million mu, with record yields surpassing 10,000 kg per mu in multiple regions.
More information (in Chinese): https://nky.qhu.edu.cn/jgsz/kxyjbm/7ae0378d5f10400185704b69e2a1c741.htm.
