National Botanical Garden (Institute)

The "Alexandru Ciubotaru" National Botanical Garden (Institute) which activates in the field of Research, Development and Innovation. Through its concerns and structure, it is closely related to the didactic and scientific activity of all Universities in the country, with concerns in the field of Biology. It is the only scientific research institution of Republic of Moldova in the field of plant introduction and acclimatization, within which the scientific schools have made a considerable contribution to the development of the knowledge-based society. The role that a botanical garden plays in the society life is complex, yet the priority directions start from the definition of such a structure: an institution that owns and manages collections of plants (living and conserved) well-identified, which it uses for purposes of scientific research, biodiversity conservation, education, training and popularization (Botanic Gardens Conservation International, 1999). The "Alexandru Ciubotaru” National Botanical Garden (Institute) since its foundation (year 1950), has the noble purpose of study and preserving the world of plants, while being a museum and laboratory for mobilizing, introducing and maintaining of diverse species originating from different geographical regions. Another very important mission is to inform, educate and training the young generation, the civil society. Today, the mission of the Botanical Garden includes the same fundamental benchmarks arising from the need to align with European and international requirements: ex situ conservation of plant diversity, scientific research, ecological education, promotion of its heritage and cultural values, and last but not least, continuous education and training of the young generation. The "Alexandru Ciubotaru" National Botanical Garden (Institute), today, is located on an area of 104 ha of land, divided into sectors: exhibition, research and experimental production. The exhibition sector according to its purposes includes several annual and perennial plant exhibitions organized outdoors, but also in indoor spaces: Dendrariul; Pinariul; Siringariul; Lianariul; Rozariul; Alpinariul Research compartment The scientific activity is carried out on two levels, fundamental research and applied research. The main directions of scientific research are: • research of the vegetation, flora and plant resources of Moldova; • mobilization, introduction, research and capitalization of different groups of plants, species of trees and shrubs, decorative plants, medicinal, aromatic, seasoning, fodder techniques, in the Republic of Moldova; • researching of bio morphological particularities of growth and development of autochthonous plant species and the selection of prospective ones for different fields of the national economy; • elaboration of traditional breeding methods and in vitro cultures for plants valuable for the national economy; • educating the general public, training of the young generation, thus contributing to the training of specialists in horticulture, floriculture, natural remedies, on conservation issues. The research activities are carried out in 7 Laboratories: DENDROLOGY LABORATORY with priority research directions: • Introduction of woody plants in the Republic of Moldova and research of bio morphological features; • Selecting of perspective species for different fields of the national economy; • Design, creation and reconstruction of green spaces. EMBRIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY with research directions: • Research of the cytological, karyological, embryological, biotechnological and anatomical particularities of some species of crop plants and those of spontaneous flora of the Republic of Moldova; • Studying of the cytoembryological and bio morphological particularities of the "in vitro" regeneration processes and elaboration of modern biotechnological methods for rapid multiplication of new plant species, valuable for the country's economy. THE VEGETABLE RESOURCES LABORATORY with the main research directions: • Forecast, mobilization and introduction in the Republic of Moldova of new medicinal, aromatic and fodder plant species; • Improvement and creation of new genotypes, forms, varieties and elaboration of cultivation technologies for the sectors of the national economy; • Creation of experimental variants, allowing the choice of the optimum solution for the establishment of crops, which can be extended extensively in various areas of the country and industrially exploited; • promoting advanced methods and technologies for obtaining qualitative raw materials for the production and industrial use of medicinal, aromatic, seasoning, fodder and energy plants in the organic farming system, ensuring consumer welfare, environmental protection and conservation of natural resources. THE FLORICULTURE LABORATORY with the main research directions: • Mobilization, introduction, research and use of decorative plants; • Improvement of flowering plants, in order to obtain varieties with special decorative indices. THE TROPICAL PLANTS LABORATORY with the main research directions: • Mobilization, introduction, research and implementation of protected land plants in the greening and arrangement of spaces with different destination; • Highlighting of particularities of growth and development of plant species under the conditions of the Republic of Moldova. THE SILVICULTURE AND GEOBOTANIC LABORATORY with the research directions: • Researching of the diversity of plant communities in the natural ecosystems of the Republic of Moldova and establishing their formation and dissemination laws; • Researching of the system of protected natural areas and elaborating of proposals for its improvement. SPONTANEOUS FLOWER AND HERBAR LABORATORY with the main research direction: • Highlighting of the taxonomic composition of the flora and macromicobiota of the Republic of Moldova and the neighboring territories. In situ and ex situ conservation of native plant diversity. The National Botanical Garden owns and manages well-identified (living and conserved) collections of plants, which it uses for scientific and didactic research purposes: Floral collections and exhibitions; Medicinal, aromatic, seasoning, food, fodder and energy plants collections; Tropical, subtropical and succulent plants collections; Rare Plants Collection; The herbarium; Seed catalog; The library; Biotechnological complex. Education and training department Although we note the supremacy of the research activity, recognized and appreciated by specialists, both nationally and internationally, the Botanical Garden successfully performs the prodigious activity in order to educate the general public and training of the young generations. Under the direct guidance of the scientific staff, bachelor and doctoral works are elaborated. The training and education function is performed both in the Botanical Garden and outside, through trips, seminars, lessons, teaching and production practices, conferences, competitions, exhibitions, etc.