GFP for Plant Research

The Gemeinschaft zur Förderung der privaten deutschen Pflanzenzüchtung e.V. (GFP) co-ordinates joint plant breeding research projects. It has 62 members, mostly medium-sized German plant breeding companies (as at 2008). GFP facilitates an intensive discourse between scientists, plant breeders with their practical experience and representatives of public authorities. Based on this, GFP makes recommendations for possible co-operative research activities. These research projects are carried out at public and private research facilities; they are co-funded by the industry. 
A key concern of GFP is the sharing of research results along the principles of co-operative research as well as the quick transfer of research findings into breeding practice.
Stigma branches with germinating rye pollen
As a non-profit public-interest organisation, GFP raises public research funds, which then are to be complemented by private funds. These funds are exclusively dedicated to research on current issues in plant breeding. The industry participates with own funds and non-monetary contributions, the latter including field trial sites, facilities such as greenhouses or laboratory capacities, or breeding material from the companies' own pool of genetic material. Public funds may come from the German Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, the German Ministry for Education and Research, the German Ministry for Industry and Technology, the European Commission or the Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank.

The most important research objectives promoted by GFP are 

  • yield increase
  • efficient nutrient uptake
  • improved resistance (fungi, viroses, nematodes, bacteria, pests)
  • tolerance to abiotic stress (climate change)
  • improved or more stable quality
  • plants with specific ingredients for specific utilizations
  • plants for biomass production
  • quick tests for compositional analysis

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DLG/GFP Symposium 2009: Klimawandel - "Züchten für extreme Umwelten" findet große Resonanz

25.-26. März 2009: Über 150 Wissenschaftler und Vertreter aus der Wirtschaft haben an dem gemeinsamen Symposium der Deutschen Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft (DLG) und der Gemeinschaft zur Förderung der privaten deutschen Pflanzenzüchtung teil. Erfahren Sie hier mehr über die Ergebnisse der Konferenz.

GFP feierte in 2008 ihr 100-jähriges Bestehen

10. März 2008, Die Gemeinschaft zur Förderung der privaten deutschen Pflanzenzüchtung (GFP) blickte bei dem Festakt anlässlich ihres 100-jährigen Bestehens nicht nur in die Vergangenheit, sondern vor allem nach vorne: Sie wird auch in Zukunft verstärkt in solche Pflanzenforschungsprojekte zur Bewältigung der aktuellen Herausforderungen in der Landwirtschaft investieren. Bundesforschungsministerin Dr. Annette Schavan würdigte in ihrer Festrede die Leistungen der GFP und will die erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit in Zukunft fortsetzen.