About Us
The Crop Research Institute (CRI) with its 300 employees is the largest research institute devoted to crop production research under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic. We are located in Prague-Ruzyně, having smaller research centres in Olomouc, Liberec, Jevíčko, Slaný, Chomutov and Karlštejn, along with further field stations around the country.
Please see our institute in the current video.
Research
The Institute conducts basic and applied research, ranging from traditional studies of genetics, plant breeding, plant nutrition, agroecology, plant health, and the safe storage of crops and agricultural produce, to the fast-developing fields of molecular biology, biotechnology, food and feed safety, and the use of biowastes and biomass for energy production. Moving to the forefront of CRI research are the issues of sustainable agriculture production and organic farming with the aim to maintain high soil fertility, support natural processes and biodiversity, reduce water pollution and overall minimise the negative impacts of agricultural production on the environment and human health.
Conservation of genetic resources
The Institute coordinates two national programmes on the conservation of genetic resources.
- National Programme on Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources and Agro-biodiversity
- National Programme on Protection of Genetic Resources of Economically Significant Microorganisms and Tiny Animals
Advisory work and policy support
Emphasis has been placed on the transfer of research results to practical farming through advice and consultancy, the organisation of ‘theme’ days and seminars for farmers and agriculture advisers, and publication of technical guides. Our research results are also fed into legislation and used in national policy development.
Other
The Institute runs long-term experiments to study long-term changes in soil fertility and soil properties, examining the effects of inorganic and organic fertilisers and crop rotation on the nutrition and yield of a number of crops, changes in weed communities and soil fertility. The long-term experiments are located all around the country in productive as well as marginal conditions.
Close cooperation with universities is maintained through lectures and supervision of students’ bachelor, master and doctoral theses.