The history of the Plant Breeding Institute I.v.P. 1912–1962

Abstract

Founded in 1912, the Plant Breeding Institute (I.v.P.) has been active in a wide field, particularly since 1923. Many projects have been initiated and developed in this time.

Research and instruction in plant breeding have been important items in its working programme. They are supported by a well-organized library.

Breeding work and the maintenance of varieties developed by the Institute have been carried out on a modest scale for instructional purposes. Many hybrid populations have been placed at the disposal of Dutch breeders and some important varieties were raised from them.

The need of establishing and maintaining international contacts is met by the editing of Euphytica and the co-operation in the European Association for Research on Plant Breeding, Eucarpia.

Advice to breeders of agricultural crops, the composition of the List of Varieties of Field Crops, legalisation of varieties and the seed inspection of these varieties were left to the authority of other institutions which were specially founded for those purposes. Close contacts with these organisations were maintained leading to much fruitful co-operation.

The successive directors (O. Pitsch, C. Broekema, J. C. Dorst, J. Sneep) have aimed at developing a balanced combination of plant breeding, research on varieties and seed production.