Welcome to the home page of the Plant Sciences Unit. This unit is part of the Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO).
The unit head is Kristiaan Van Laecke.
The research activities of the unit are classified in research areas:
Applied Genetics and Breeding’s main research themes are (i) the development of efficient pollination and selection strategies, (ii) the creation of cultivars for sustainable agriculture and horticulture, (iii) the use of DNA-marker assisted breeding techniques for quantitative and qualitative characteristics and (iiii) the marker-based analysis of genetic diversity and identity.
Crop Husbandry and Environment performs scientific research on the behaviour of agricultural and horticultural crops under different growth conditions. The aim is to improve the yield and quality in a sustainable way (i.e. with respect for man, animal and environment). Emphasis is placed on (i) crop husbandry research on grasses, fodder crops and ornamentals, (ii) evaluation of the value for cultivation and use, distinctness, stability and homogeneity of new varieties, and (iii) chemical and physical research on plants, soil and water.
In Crop Protection, research into acarology, bacteriology, entomology, mycology, and nematology focuses on (i) improved identification of plant pathogens, (ii) better knowledge of the plant/pathogen relationship, and (iii) development of alternatives to the chemical control of pathogens in various cropping systems.
Growth and Development’s mission is to better understand the fundamental processes in the growth and development of plants, and to translate this knowledge into instruments that improve crops. This research focuses on the physiological processes and molecular mechanisms at the basis of growth, development, and the interaction of plants with the biotic and abiotic environment.
The Business Unit is responsible for producing high-quality starting material for the agricultural and horticultural sector. Services related to crop protection are provided by the Flemish Diagnostic Centre for Plants. These services support sustainable plant production in Flanders.
For more detailed information, visit the research and service sections of this website. You can also contact us directly; contact information for all staff members can be found in the contacts section. A site map and keyword-based searching are also possible (see upper right of each page).