Staff members of the Institute of Molecular Biology of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan conducted a ten-day scientific expedition in the Lankaran district, starting on 7 October under the leadership of ANAS Corresponding Member Panah Muradov. The ten-member expedition team collected soil and plant samples from the forests within Hirkan National Park, the water of the Khanbulan River, and various villages and settlements in the Lankaran district, including Shuruk, Ashagi Nuvadi, Kanarmeshe, Seyidakaran, Shilim, Veladi, Garmtuk, Istisu, Liman and the team also carried out several analyses, including measurements of pH, temperature and moisture levels. In collaboration with staff from the Lankaran Regional Centre of the Agrarian Services Agency under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, samples were also collected to assess the phytosanitary condition of selected agroecosystems in the district and monitoring observations were conducted. During the expedition samples of fungal species found in the study areas, including G. lucidum (belonging to the genus Ganoderma), Armillaria mellea, Lentinus tigrinus and others, were collected for the isolation of pure cultures and these species are widely used in international practice, and some are included in the Red Data Books of certain countries.

The species collected during the expedition, as well as the water and soil samples are currently being analyzed in the relevant laboratories of the Institute.