Tasks

• Ex situ conservation, expansion and long-term safeguarding of fruit crop wild relatives (CWR), including cryopreservation
• Phenotypic and molecular characterization as well as evaluation of genetic diversity and breeding-relevant traits
• Identification and characterization of resistance sources, investigation of host–pathogen interactions, and development of resistance screening methods for relevant and emerging fruit crop pathogens
• Assessment and safeguarding of the phytosanitary status of genetic resources, including diagnostics of viruses and phytoplasmas
• Provision and utilization of genetic resources for breeding research, pre-breeding and fruit breeding
• Documentation and provision of data as well as distribution of plant material in accordance with national and international regulations
• National and international cooperation on the conservation and sustainable use of fruit genetic resources