The Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) is member of the Leibniz association. The IGZ conducts basic plant research with a view to possible uses for vegetable and ornamental plants and the use of plant biodiversity.

Advances in basic science have resulted in exciting research questions and new analytical techniques for advancing the understanding of plants and their interactions with the environment. IGZ contri­butes to these advancements and uses them to help designing sustainable management systems in horticulture. IGZ strives for excellence in horticulture research and related areas and thus operates at the interface between plant biology and environmental sciences with the principles of plant utilization. IGZ has its focus on fundamental aspects of plant health and nutrition in horticulture, plant composition and quality, analysis of plant production systems, and the contribution of plants to food security and human nutrition.

Through our work, we also hope to promote sustainable development of the basic necessities of life in countries and regions defined by low incomes and insecure living conditions. Our work is interdisciplinary, international, and substantially characterized by third-party funding for projects.