Kazakh Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine

The locust Oedaleus decorus undergoes massive outbreaks and engages in round-trip migratory flights across northern China and Mongolia. However, its specific genetic structure remains poorly understood. In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of 163 O. decorus individuals from 16 locations in northern China using high-throughput sequencing data and analyzed its population structure. The results showed that these mitochondrial genomes are 15,142 to 15,914 bp in sizes, with size variation attributed to A + T-rich regions in intergenic spacers. All 13 protein-coding genes exhibited conserved lengths across samples. The overall genetic differentiation between populations was small (Fst = 0.00843), with high gene flow (Nm = 29.40). Both genetic differentiation and DAPC analyses revealed significant genetic differentiation in the New Barag Left Banner (NBL) population compared to the Zhengxiangbai Banner (ZB), Taibus Banner (TP), Xianghuang Banner (XH), and Zhenglan Banner (ZL) populations. The phylogenetic tree and haplotype network suggest Hap_20 is presumably a relatively ancestral haplotype and all haplotypes were divided into two clades, and no population formed a distinct independent clade. Our findings indicate that the O. decorus population in North China exhibits mitochondrial subtype differentiation. The lack of difference in genetic structure across different regions in North China is consistent with a high level of migratory activity by O. decorus in the region.

The saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica), a keystone migratory species of the Central Asian steppes and deserts, is increasingly threatened by habitat fragmentation due to the rapidly expanding transport infrastructure in Kazakhstan, which hosts approximately 95% of the species’ global population. This study provides a spatial assessment of railway and road infrastructure across the contemporary ranges of the Betpaqdala, Ustyurt, and Ural saiga populations. Using the literature and our field data from the 1980s to the present day, combined with geographic information system (GIS)-based analysis of 80,427 km of roads and 4021 km of railways, we have quantified infrastructure densities and identified critical barriers to saiga migration using kernel density and minimum convex polygons (MCP) estimations. The results reveal a negative connection between infrastructure density and occurrences of saiga herds, particularly in the Ustyurt population, where a high railway density coincides with severely reduced migratory activity and a reduction in this population’s winter range by 79.84% since 2015. Major railways such as Sekseuildi–Zhezqazgan, Zhezqazgan–Zharyk, and Shalqar–Beineu intersect essential migratory pathways and have contributed to significant range contraction, subpopulation isolation, and northward shifts in seasonal habitats. In contrast, the Ural population (subject to minimal railway infrastructure interference) has shown robust demographic recovery. While roads are more widespread, their impact is less severe due to greater permeability. However, upcoming projects such as the China–Europe transit corridor and the “Center–West” regional development corridor could amplify future threats. We recommend immediately implementing wildlife-friendly infrastructure, including overpasses and ecological corridors, to preserve the connectivity of saiga ranges and support the long-term conservation of this ungulate species.

Drought is a major environmental constraint that negatively affects crop germination, seedling establishment, and overall yield. This study presents a sustainable approach to improving wheat productivity under water-deficit conditions through the application of a gellan gum-based hydrogel enriched with the growth stimulant. The hydrogel was synthesized by inducing ionic gelation of gellan gum using potassium chloride and ammonium sulfate, forming a robust, cross-linked polymer network. Wheat seeds were coated with one to eight layers of the hydrogel using a sequential dipping and drying process. Optimal seedling performance was achieved with a two-layer coating, balancing sufficient water retention with adequate gas exchange. FTIR spectroscopy and pH analysis confirmed ionic interactions between Kaz-6 and the carboxyl groups of gellan, supporting its stable incorporation within the polymer matrix. Mechanical characterization showed that ammonium sulfate significantly enhanced gel strength and cross-linking density compared to potassium chloride. Laboratory germination assays and greenhouse trials demonstrated that seeds coated with gellan hydrogel containing Kaz-6 showed enhanced germination rates, greater biomass accumulation, and significantly improved drought tolerance-surviving up to 10 days longer than controls under water-limited conditions. These findings highlight the potential of biopolymer-based hydrogels as eco-friendly seed coating materials that can improve crop resilience and productivity in arid environments. The proposed formulation aligns with sustainable agriculture goals and represents a promising direction for future field-scale applications in climate-adaptive farming systems.

Abstract Introduction: Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 (clade 2.3.4.4b) has caused devastating poultry outbreaks globally, including in Kazakhstan, underscoring the need for vaccines that protect birds and curb virus transmission. We evaluated the efficacy of three commercial H5 vaccines and an experimental homologous H5N8 vaccine in chickens. Methods: Chickens received a single dose of each vaccine, and antibody titers were measured over 4 weeks. At 30 days post-vaccination, birds were challenged intranasally with a virulent H5N8 strain and monitored for 10 days for survival and clinical signs. Virus titers in tracheal and cloacal swabs (days 1, 3, 5 post-challenge) measured shedding, and unvaccinated sentinel chickens were co-housed to assess transmission. Results: The homologous H5N8 vaccine and a closely related commercial vaccine elicited rapid, high antibody responses and conferred 100% survival. In contrast, two antigenically mismatched vaccines induced slower, lower immunity, resulting in 40-60% mortality and high virus shedding after challenge. Only the homologous vaccine sharply reduced viral shedding and significantly decreased transmission to contacts (protecting 2 of 3 sentinel birds), whereas the other vaccines failed to prevent transmission. Conclusion: An antigenically matched H5N8 vaccine with a potent adjuvant provided near-sterilizing immunity, preventing disease and significantly limiting viral shedding and transmission. These findings highlight the importance of using strain-matched vaccines in HPAI control strategies to avoid silent viral spread in vaccinated flocks.

Ensuring the health and safety of crops through the mitigation of harmful microorganisms is essential for maintaining agricultural productivity and food security. The yield of grain crops constitutes a critical metric for optimizing agricultural planning. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the efficacy of integrating common programming principles with the employment of mineral fertilizers and enhanced plant protection to augment the yield of grain crops under the prevailing natural conditions of the Zhetysu region in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The methodological framework of this study is grounded in the application of practical, applied research methods to assess the potential of yield programming for wheat and barley. This assessment is contingent upon the utilization of fertilizers and plant protection products within the specific agro-climatic context of southeastern Kazakhstan. It was observed that the treatment of seeds with protective-stimulating agents significantly improves the health and viability of cereal crops. These benefits are evidenced by the suppression of infections and enhancements in germination rates and pest resistance. Field experiments conducted within the Zhetysu region indicate that the sowing of pre-treated seeds in late April is conducive to optimal plant development and yield. The findings suggest that further research should concentrate on refining the application of fertilizers and protective agents to enhance predictive models and yield outcomes at a national scale.

Best-quality seeds of high-yielding commercial cultivars are the foundation of the future harvest in all crops. Significant seed damage arises from seed injury during harvesting and tillage. With the use of machinery in all harvesting and processing stages, the issue of seed injury has become severe. Therefore, the presented research sought to determine commercial soybean seeds’ properties and seeding qualities, depending on the cultivar properties and the influence of machinery used in harvesting. The identified degree of soybean seed injury of commercial soybean cultivars depends on the growing strength after harvesting with drum threshing combined with the harvesting equipment’s influence. Based on biological characteristics, the soybean cultivars differed significantly in the number of damaged seeds during harvest using the drum thresher type ‘Sampo SR 2035’. However, the soybean cultivar Birlik KV showed the minimum seed damage (49.5%), whereas the cultivar Zhansaya had the most seed injuries (83.0%). According to laboratory tests, high intensity of initial growth resulted in seeds of soybean cultivars Birlik KV (86.0%), followed by Perizat (82.0%), and Lastochka (78.0%). Seeds of the soybean cultivars Ivushka and Zhansaya had the lowest growth strength (52.0%–60.0%). The most injury-prone soybean cultivar Zhansaya exhibited 21.3% crushed and inured seeds when their threshing used a drum thresher, but when threshed with a rotary thresher, the number of damaged seeds decreased to 2.9%. For injury-resistant soybean cultivar Lastochka, the harvester Sampo SR 2035 produced 12.4% injured seeds, and the harvester ’John Deere’ generated 2.2% crushed seeds.

We developed a novel intranasal SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccine called NARUVAX-C19/Nano based on the spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) entrapped in mannose-conjugated chitosan nanoparticles (NP). A toll-like receptor 9 agonist, CpG55.2, was also added as an adjuvant to see if this would potentiate the cellular immune response to the NP vaccine. The NP vaccine was assessed for immunogenicity, protective efficacy, and ability to prevent virus transmission from vaccinated animals to naive cage-mates. The results were compared with a RBD protein vaccine mixed with alum adjuvant and administered intramuscularly. BALB/c mice vaccinated twice intranasally with the NP vaccines exhibited secretory IgA and a pronounced Th1-cell response, not seen with the intramuscular alum-adjuvanted RBD vaccine. NP vaccines protected Syrian hamsters against a wild-type SARS-CoV-2 infection challenge as indicated by significant reductions in weight loss, lung viral load and lung pathology. However, despite significantly reduced viral load in the nasal turbinates and oropharyngeal swabs from NP-vaccinated hamsters, virus transmission was not prevented to naïve cage-mates. In conclusion, intranasal RBD-based NP formulations induced mucosal and Th1-cell mediated immune responses in mice and protected Syrian hamsters against SARS-CoV-2 infection but not against viral transmission.

In order to determine the relationship between elusive carnivorans and other species, understand the mechanisms of their adaptation in the environment, as well as for regulation of strategies for rare carnivores’ conservation, it is relevant and necessary to study their daily activity rhythms. As a nocturnal species in the remote mountains of the Northern Tien Shan, the behavioral ecology and, in particular, the activity rhythms of the Turkestan lynx (Lynx lynx isabellina Blyth, 1847) are poorly studied. This article presents data on the daily activity of the lynx and an analysis of its correlation with the activity rhythms of its prey species in the Northern Tien Shan using camera traps. As a result of research conducted in Ile and Kungei Alatau from 2013 to 2022, we used 11,258 trap-days and obtained 59 frames with individual passages of Turkestan lynx and 528 frames with passages of its prey species – tolai hare (Lepus tolai), Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus), Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), wild boar (Sus scrofa), red tree squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris exalbidus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus). The rhythms of lynx’s daily activity coincided with the activity of its prey in three different time peaks: in the early morning, in the afternoon, and at night. Tolai hare in Kungei Alatau and Siberian roe deer in Ile Alatau play a significant role in the conservation of the lynx population. The results obtained prove the need to protect these six species to ensure the Turkestan lynx populations stability in the Northern Tien Shan. Keywords: Turkestan lynx, daily activity, specially protected natural areas, camera traps

The Turkestan lynx (Lynx lynx isabellina Blyth, 1847) is a rare and understudied subspecies of the Eurasian lynx occupying the mountains of Central and South Asia. This elusive felid’s northwestern range includes the Tien Shan and Zhetisu Alatau mountains in the border region of Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. As the first step to conserve this vulnerable carnivore, we have conducted the first full-scale research from 2013 until 2022 on its distribution in this region. Using 132 environmental predictors of 359 lynx sightings, we have created species habitat distribution models across the lynx’s northwestern range using machine learning approaches (Maximum Entropy—MaxEnt). Additionally, we created species distribution forecasts based on seven bio-climatic environmental predictors with each three different future global climate model scenarios. To validate these forecasts, we have calculated the changes in the lynx distribution range for the year 2100, making the first species distribution forecast for the Turkestan lynx in the area. Additionally, it provides insight into the possible effects of global climate change on this lynx population. Based on these distribution models, the lynx population in the Northern and Western Tien Shan and Zhetisu Alatau plays a significant role in maintaining the stability of the whole subspecies in its northwestern and global range, while the distribution forecast shows that most lynx distribution ranges will reduce in all future climate scenarios, and we might face the Turkestan lynx’s significant distribution range decline under the ongoing and advancing climate change conditions. For a future (year 2100) warming scenario of 3 deg. C (GCM IPSL), we observe a decrease of 35% in Kazakhstan, 40% in Kyrgyzstan, and 30% in China as the three countries with the highest current predicted distribution range. For a milder temperature increase of 1.5–2 deg. C. (GCM MRI), we observe an increase of 17% Kazakhstan, decrease of 10% in Kyrgyzstan, and 57% in China. For a cooling scenario of approx. 1–1.5 deg. C (GCM MIROC), we observe a decrease of 14% Kazakhstan, increase of 11% in Kyrgyzstan, and a decrease of 13% in China. These modeled declines indicate the necessity to create new and expand the existing protected areas and establish ecological corridors between the countries in Central and South Asia.

The significant impact of irrigation on the natural and ecological situation in the zone of irrigated agriculture in Kazakhstan was determined by the concept of irrigation development in Central Asia and Kazakhstan. The problem of reducing the existing environmental conditions on the irrigated lands of Kazakhstan, especially in the Southern and South-Eastern regions, and the normalization of the ecological and meliorative situation are directly related to various water management regions of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The Syrdarya river, which flows among these countries, comes to us with a water salinity of 1,75 g/l. They are also contaminated with pesticides, organochlorine pesticides – DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane), used on irrigated land. Water salinity is also increasing in the territories of Kazakhstan. In general, on irrigated lands, as a result of salt intake from irrigation waters, there was an increase in salt reserves in soils and ground waters. Their intensity largely depends on the salinity of irrigation water and the volume of water intake. As a result of regulating the flow of the river. An irreversible soil-ecological process is taking place in the Syrdarya with great intensity, where the development of irrigated land and the volume of CDW (collector-drainage water) and wastewater discharged into the rivers in the upper reaches of the rivers has been widely developed.