Smart and environmentally friendly horticulture

Research aim - The development of advanced cultivation technologies through horticultural research, incorporating environmentally sustainable, climate-resilient, and intelligent approaches.

Priority research topics:

• Implementation of innovative technologies in horticultural practices to mitigate environmental pollution by reducing the adverse effects of fertilizers, growth regulators, and plant protection agents;
• Development and enhancement of technologies that mitigate the effects of climate change—such as irrigation systems, mulches, and protective coverings—as well as promote carbon and nitrogen sequestration and reduce their emissions;
• Development of growing systems that ensure the productive and sustainable use and preservation of natural resources, including the utilization of solar energy, enhancement of photosynthetic efficiency, and maintenance of soil fertility.
• Precision horticulture (fertilisation, irrigation, plant protection, processing), development of non-destructive analytical methods;
• Development of pathogen and disease early detection systems;
• Biological catalysts and technologies for the expanded use of agricultural by-products (including growing and processing);
• Using compounds produced by microorganisms in the development of biopolymers for the creation of “green” packaging materials;
• Development and implementation of environmentally friendly analytical methods for the determination of chemical compounds.

Performance indicators: publications, technologies, datasets, protocols, methods, recommendations

Participating units of Institute of Horticulture:

• Unit of Agronomic Research and Variety Testing
• Unit of Genetics and Breeding
• Unit of Plant Pathology and Entomology
• Unit of Processing and Biochemistry