In memory of Leonid Andrianovich Kotov, an outstanding Ural breeder

Leonid Andrianovich Kotov, a prominent Ural scientist and plant breeder, has passed away at the age of 96. His name is forever associated with the development of horticulture in the harsh conditions of the Middle Urals and his work created gardens that have become a part of the lives of thousands of Ural families. The staff of the Ural Federal Agrarian Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences deeply mourns the passing of Leonid Andrianovich and expresses its sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and students.

Life's journey

Leonid Andrianovich Kotov was born on April 6, 1929, in the village of Novye Tukmachi, Zavyalovsky District, Udmurt ASSR, to a simple farming family. His childhood and school years coincided with the difficult wartime period, when, replacing men who had gone to the front, he worked on a collective farm from an early age, learning the value of hard work and responsibility.

After graduating from the Sarapul Agricultural Technical School in 1949 with a degree in agronomist-fruit and vegetable growing, Leonid Andrianovich continued his studies at the All-Union Agricultural Institute of Correspondence Education, while simultaneously serving in the Soviet Army in the Transcaucasus. In 1955, he arrived in Sverdlovsk and from that time on forever linked his fate with the Sverdlovsk Horticultural Selection Station, which became his life's work.

Serving Ural science

At the horticultural station, Leonid Andrianovich rose through the ranks from nursery agronomist to leading researcher and deputy DIRECTOR for science, demonstrating himself as a true leader of the scientific school. The development of his scientific interests was greatly influenced by the Ural luminaries of fruit growing—P.A. Dibrova, M.P. Biryukov, L.I. Vigorov, P.A. Zhavoronkov, and other masters of Russian breeding.

Leonid Andrianovich began his research work in the early 1960s in the Department of Selection and Variety Research, while simultaneously pursuing a postgraduate degree at the I.V. Michurin Central Genetic Laboratory. In 1970, he defended his PhD dissertation on the production and biological characteristics of new APPLE varieties in the Middle Urals, laying the foundation for further systematic breeding work in the region.

Creator of Ural varieties

Leonid Andrianovich continued and developed the apple and pear breeding line begun in the Urals in 1935 by Porfiry Afanasyevich Dibrova. Drawing on a rich hybrid stock, he conducted years of testing on a vast genetic collection—over a thousand apple and pear varieties bred domestically, locally, and internationally—identifying the most promising varieties for the Ural region.

He developed a systematic classification of apple varieties for the conditions of the Middle Urals and significantly improved the regionalized assortment for the Sverdlovsk region, which allowed gardeners to more clearly guide them in selecting resistant and high-yielding varieties. To accelerate the breeding process, Leonid Andrianovich creatively expanded on classical breeding methods, employing mutagenesis, polyploidy, and clonal selection, carefully selecting hybridization pairs using VIR's global collections, and building a rich hybrid stock in a short time.

Over the years, he has developed over 60 winter-hardy, competitive apple varieties with varying ripening times and over 30 pear varieties, many of which rival the best southern varieties in fruit quality. Some of these varieties are included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements and have been widely introduced into commercial and amateur gardening in the Urals and adjacent regions.

Varieties that have become symbols of the Urals

Among the apple varieties created by Leonid Andrianovich, the following are especially beloved by gardeners: "Anis Sverdlovsky," "Aroma Uktusa," "Gornist," "Iset Belaya," "Papiroyantarnoye," "Sokovoe 3," "Ekrannoye," "Krasa Sverdlovska," "Isetskoe Pozdennye," "Serebryanoe Kopyttse," "Uralskoe Rozovoe," and many others, which have become true hallmarks of Ural orchards. Based on the most winter-hardy Ussuri pear, and crossbreeding with the best European varieties, he developed a number of new pear varieties distinguished by their high winter hardiness and dessert-quality fruit.

Leonid Andrianovich was the first in the Urals to develop apple varieties with genetic immunity to scab, one of the most destructive diseases, allowing for more environmentally friendly production with minimal pesticide use. The immune varieties "Aksena," "Blagaya Vest," "Danila," "Pervouralskaya," "Rodnikovaya," "Rozochka," "Vem Rozov," and "Rassvet Isetsky" have become leaders in the Southern Urals, where they account for the vast majority of commercial orchards.

A special focus of his work was on highly ornamental apple tree varieties for urban and suburban landscaping—the "Weeping," "Lawn," "Scarlet Weeping," and "Decorative Malinovka" varieties, which adorn parks, squares, and private estates. These varieties combine winter hardiness, sustainability, and distinctive appearance, revealing the aesthetic potential of Ural horticulture.

Scientist, teacher, mentor

Leonid Andrianovich was not only an outstanding plant breeder but also a true mentor to several generations of specialists. For nearly two decades, he taught at the Ural State Agrarian University, instilling a lively connection with production in his courses and practical classes. For his prolific teaching, he was awarded the title of "Honored Worker of Higher Professional Education."

He actively participated in the work of the Coordinating Council for Fruit Crop Breeding in the Non-Chernozem Zone, the academic councils of specialized scientific organizations, professional societies, and associations, exerting a significant influence on the development strategy of domestic pome fruit breeding. Under his leadership and with his advisory support, a whole galaxy of students emerged—scientists, teachers, and practicing gardeners—who continue to develop the traditions of the Ural scientific school he established.

Scientific heritage and recognition

Leonid Andrianovich's many years of scientific work have resulted in over 200 publications on breeding, variety development, winter hardiness, disease resistance, and agricultural practices for fruit crops in the Urals. He has received 14 patents and several patents for apple and pear varieties.

His contributions to science and practice have been recognized with state and industry awards, including the "Veteran of Labor" medal, the "For Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" medal, a medal commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Academician N.I. Vavilov, a medal commemorating the 50th anniversary of Victory Day, and the "Inventor of the USSR" badge. The region's special recognition included awarding him the "For Services to the Sverdlovsk Region" badge, 3rd class, and the title of "Honored Worker of Science and High Technology of the Russian Federation."

A man with a big heart

Behind the strict scientific formulas and long lists of varieties stood an open, remarkably kind, and modest man who genuinely loved his work and the people he met. Leonid Andrianovich was distinguished by his rare diligence, self-discipline, and gentleness in his dealings with others. He had the ability to patiently explain complex concepts in simple terms and support aspiring professionals with kind words and practical advice.

He belonged to a generation of scientists for whom the garden was not only an object of study but also a way of life, an internal measure of time and labor. Thousands of Ural gardens—at scientific institutions, experimental farms, and private farmsteads—today preserve the living memory of Leonid Andrianovich in every tree, in every ripened fruit of his varieties.

Blessed memory

The passing of Leonid Andrianovich Kotov is a profound loss for Ural and Russian science, for horticulture, and for all who cherish gardens and land. But his legacy lives on. Every tree of his varieties that blooms in the spring and bears fruit in the fall is an eternal monument to him, his enduring legacy for RUSSIA. The cherished memory of this outstanding scientist, wise mentor, and noble man will remain in the hearts of his colleagues, students, friends, and all who know and grow the varieties he created.

The staff of the Ural Federal Agrarian Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences bows in memory of Leonid Andrianovich Kotov and expresses its deepest condolences to his family, relatives, and friends. May his rich scientific and human legacy continue to advance Russian horticulture for many years to come and inspire new generations of researchers and practitioners.