Welcome

Welcome to the homepage of the Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ)

This homepage describes the achievements of the staff of the Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (Institut für Gemüse- und Zierpflanzenbau; IGZ). The IGZ is a member of the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Science Association, and is one of the largest publicly funded horticultural research institutes. Both our main sites, Grossbeeren and Erfurt, have a long tradition in vegetable and ornamental plant research. In 2002, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the new start of the institute after the political changes in Germany and Europe.

Our institute comprises five departments ("Abteilungen"), and six main research themes ("Forschungsschwerpunkte"). The work in these research themes is described on these pages. You will find some projects described in some detail. For more information, you can contact us directly. The aim of our efforts is to combine knowledge in the fields of modelling, plant propagation, plant quality, plant health, and plant nutrition, to carry out interdisciplinary research in different areas of practical and scientific interest.

Our work is generously funded by federal and state ministries. I would like to take the opportunity to thank these ministries for their continuing aid. The Scientific Advisory Committee of the IGZ is dedicated to promote our research efforts and to shape our scientific profile. Sincere thanks are due to all members of the Committee, but also to all other people from horticultural production, consumer groups or other scientific institutions that support our work.

Research into horticultural or agricultural topics does not always have the highest priority on the political agenda. Other research areas sometimes appear to be advancing more rapidly, or appear to be more important for the overall economy for a country such as Germany. We in the IGZ believe that producing healthy food in environmentally friendly farms or gardens, and feeding the growing world population, remain scientific issues of central importance. We try to make use of progress in genetic or ecological understanding to generate horticultural production systems with benefits to growers and consumers.

Of course, we are active in obtaining competitive research grants to support our research. At the present stage, however, competitive research grants cover only a small percentage of the institute's expenditure.

Our research efforts are only worthwhile if they are publicly recognised. The complete publication records from the IGZ staff are listed in this report. We know that our activities must have an impact not only at the national, but also at the European and the international level. The scientists of our Institute must emphasize their professional standing in different areas of horticultural research. Research networks of different magnitude must be recognised as a tool to focus and strengthen our research capabilities.

I would like to invite you to glance through these pages, and perhaps find a closer interest in the subjects we have to offer. Any feedback is welcome. If you need more information on any of the subjects mentioned in this report, please contact the personnel responsible, or feel free to contact me.

Eckhard George Director of Research