Subject area Genomics and Phenomics of Plant Diversity

Exploring plant genetic diversity – a foundation for sustainable and resilient agriculture

Agricultural production systems are undergoing profound change. Climate change, increasing biotic and abiotic stresses, and rising sustainability demands mean that future crops must be more robust, adaptable, and resilient while requiring fewer inputs.

Within the subject area Genomics and Phenomics of Plant Diversity, we study the genetic and phenotypic variation that makes this possible. Our work spans all types of crops, annual and perennial species, food and feed crops, horticultural crops, underutilized species, as well as new and emerging crops, reflecting the genetic breadth required for resilient production systems of the future.

What we do

We study plant genetic resources ranging from crop wild relatives and traditional landraces to breeding lines and modern cultivars, capturing the full spectrum of natural and human-selected diversity. By integrating classical genetics with advanced genomics, phenomics, and AI-driven analyses, we investigate how genetic and phenotypic variation emerges, how it is geographically structured, and how trait stability and heritability are regulated and maintained across generations. These insights enable us to develop robust analytical methods and genetic markers that reliably identify valuable traits and genetic resources, ultimately enhancing applied breeding efficiency and supporting the development of resilient, high-performing crops.

A central theme in our research is the characterization of plant genetic resources in both controlled and field environments. This provides the knowledge and scalable tools needed for future plant breeding, new food products and the development of entirely new crops through new domestication. We also study how today’s crops have been shaped through evolution, domestication and selection, and how this knowledge can guide the next generation of sustainable agricultural systems.

To achieve this, our research spans genomic analyses, greenhouse experiments, small and large-scale field trials, and phenotyping approaches ranging from affordable, standalone low-throughput methods to advanced automated systems. We also develop methods, genetic markers, and predictive models that characterize and make plant genetic diversity accessible as a crucial resource, supporting informed, data-driven decisions in crop improvement.

We collaborate closely with national and international research partners, plant breeding- and seed companies, agricultural authorities, and gene banks to ensure that plant genetic diversity is not only preserved but also actively and sustainably used. Through these collaborations, we contribute to sustainable food and feed production, the development of biobased industrial raw materials, biodiversity conservation, and enhanced climate adaptation, promoting diversity as a strategic resource for resilient future cropping systems.