Wild plant species have great economic value. WSC has the expertise to quickly assess the economic perspectives of the use of these plants for various purposes. Genetic diversity is the raw material for plant breeding. WSC has a gene bank through which the Netherlands contribute to the international efforts to conserve diversity. The mandate crops of CGN are lettuce, onion, wild potato and brassica.
Genetic material is made available to breeders and research institutes all over the world.
Plant breeding WSC is active in the development of new varieties. Stable and high yields, durable resistance against pests and diseases, and product quality are the primary breeding goals. One example of the centre's activities in this field is its participation in a worldwide research network on durable resistance, using resistance's with a broad genetic basis. WSC staff involved in this type of research have been posted at national and international institutes, amongst, others in Kenya and Mexico. Biotechnology For certain crops, selection and crossing are inadequate to introduce desired characteristics into a new variety.