Ornamental Plants and Agricultural Biotechnology

There are ten research groups in the Department of Ornamental Plants and Agricultural Biotechnology. Their aim is to provide solutions to current agricultural problems and to prepare Israeli agriculture for the future.

To this end, they conduct basic and applied research on a range of edible and ornamental crops.

The research projects range from cell biology, molecular regulation and biotechnology to physiology, breeding and urban horticulture.

Our research is expected to expand the agricultural technologies and products that are available to growers and consumers in Israel and around the world. The Department has a long history of achievements in the breeding of ornamental varieties and cut flowers, e.g., the Narcissus ‘Ziva’ , ornamental sunflower ‘Orit’ or Hippeastrum ‘Ruby Star’ and ‘Opal Star’, all of which are popular worldwide and still produced by local and foreign farmers. In addition, the researchers of the department developed novel methods for the propagation and acclimation of ornamentals, as well as innovative approaches for the forcing of spring flowers (e.g., Peony) for special market niches.