Students of the Department of Agriculture at the Veterinary and Agricultural Research School of Shakarim University have implemented a unique startup project combining ecology and forestry. They grew 1,000 closed-root seedlings of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) from seeds at the university’s Agrotechnopark and delivered them to the Seed Nursery and Forest Seed Station complex of the Kanonerka branch of the “Semey Forest” State Natural Reserve to acclimate them to the natural environment.

The seedlings will be nurtured in the Hardening area until autumn and then planted in forested areas. The main goal of the project is to replenish forest resources and increase green cover, as well as to develop students’ scientific and experimental skills.

According to the project leader, Gulnara Dzhamanova, manager of the educational program 6B08303 “Forest Resources and Hunting,” the project gave students the opportunity to work closely with nature. They worked alongside staff from the “New Semey” branch of the Semey Forest reserve, collecting pine cones by hand, drying them, and extracting seeds.

— We sorted the collected seeds by quality and classes. First, we mixed biohumus, peat, and soil in a 1:1:1 ratio and sowed the seeds. After germination, we transplanted the seedlings into special trays enriched with biostimulants. To monitor the growth, we used the “Jacobsen” table, — says Gulnara Dzhamanova.

The “Jacobsen” table is a device that measures seed quality, germination percentage (G%), and growth rate under uniform conditions. This technology provided students with practical skills and helped them get acquainted with fundamental scientific research methods.

— Through this startup, we found a clear answer to the question, “Can we grow seedlings from pine seeds?” The most important thing is that we gained confidence in our abilities. Currently, the seedlings are about 6 cm tall, and we hope this height will increase by autumn, — say the students.

The project is not only a practical training ground but also a concrete example of fostering respect for nature and ecological awareness among youth. This initiative will undoubtedly contribute to the future growth of the country’s forest resources.