Cultural Landscapes

Our landscapes are cultural assets; their multi-faceted aspect is due to the work of the plant breeders: they have succeeded in developing an extraordinary multitude of agricultural and ornamental plants. We cannot even imagine doing without fields of oilseed rape in blossom, attractive trees and shrubs, garden and terrace plants. Tree-lined streets or parks or private gardens - in public and in private life, flowering and foliage plants contribute to people's well-being and enhance our quality of life.

Our home and garden plants play a most important role. Consumers expect innovative plants easy to grow. For example, plant genetic research is done to develop drought resistant ornamental plants. Molecular genetics play an important role in the breeding of ornamental plants. Apart from genomic techniques, cell and tissue culture is essential for the breeding of these plants with their mostly vegetative propagation.