Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute

Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute – National Research Institute (IHAR-PIB) is a prominent Polish scientific organization dedicated to shaping opinions and conducting both fundamental and translational research in agricultural sciences. Its overarching research mission reflects a steadfast commitment to fostering innovation in plant science for the betterment of productivity and sustainability in agriculture. 

IHAR-PIB's research revolves around several key pillars: 

• Utilising molecular and conventional methods to develop novel and improved crop plant varieties. 

• Elucidating biotic and abiotic stress resistance mechanisms in crop plants. 

• Monitoring crop plant pathogens and pests, including quarantine organisms. 

• Developing and evaluating novel technologies and procedures for storing seed material. 

• Assessing varietal development, breeding economics, and seed production. 

IHAR-PIB was involved in successfully introducing new and improved plant varieties to the market, showcasing enhanced traits such as resistance to pests and diseases, increased yield, and adaptability to diverse environmental conditions. These new varieties were made available by five breeding companies owned by IHAR-PIB.  

The institute's impact extends beyond breeding, as it serves as the coordinator of the Polish National Crop Plant Genetic Resources Protection Programme, aiming to preserve cultivated and wild crop plant populations threatened by genetic erosion. IHAR-PIB's curated collection ranks as the seventeenth largest in the world in terms of size. 

IHAR-PIB's GMO Controlling Laboratory, accredited and ISO/IEC 17025 compliant, holds the distinction of being the Polish National Reference Laboratory for Genetically Modified Food and Feed. As a member of the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL), it actively contributes to solving challenges related to the detection, identification, and quantification of GMOs.