JKI - Bundesforschungsinstitut für Kulturpflanzen

The Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) is an independent federal authority and a federal research institute in the business area of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). It was established on January 1, 2008, through the merger of the Biological Federal Research Institute for Agriculture and Forestry, the Federal Institute for Breeding Research on Cultivated Plants, and parts of the Federal Research Institute for Agriculture.

The JKI focuses on a wide range of research and consulting areas related to cultivated plants. The main tasks include:

• Plant Breeding and Plant Genetic Diversity: Research and development of new plant varieties and the preservation of genetic diversity.
• Agronomy, Plant Nutrition, and Soil Science: Optimization of agricultural practices and soil management.
• Plant Protection and Plant Health: Protection of plants from harmful organisms and ensuring plant health, including the evaluation and approval of plant protection products and the testing of plant protection equipment[1][2].

The main mission of the JKI is to advise and inform the federal government and the BMEL on all matters concerning cultivated plants. The institute conducts scientific examinations and evaluations and carries out relevant research. It is closely connected with practical agriculture and agribusiness to develop practical solutions and promote sustainable concepts for crop production and plant production[1][2].

The JKI is committed to sustainable agriculture and plant production. It develops and promotes sustainable concepts that prioritize the protection of agro-ecosystems and plant health. An important aspect is participation in the National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products and its role as an accredited National Reference Laboratory for plant pests since 2019[2].

The JKI currently comprises 17 specialized institutes and joint facilities at ten locations in Germany, including Quedlinburg, Braunschweig, Berlin, Kleinmachnow, Darmstadt, Dossenheim, Dresden-Pillnitz, Groß Lüsewitz, and Münster. Quedlinburg serves as the headquarters of the institute[1].

The Julius Kühn Institute is named after Professor Julius Kühn, a pioneer of agricultural sciences in Germany and one of the key founders of modern phytopathology. The long history and expertise of the JKI make it a central institution for research and protection of cultivated plants in Germany.

• 1 - https://www.service.bund.de/Content/DE/DEBehoerden/J/JKI/Julius-Kuehn-Institut.html?nn=4641532
• 2 - https://www.wissenschaftsrat.de/download/2023/1185-23.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=10
• 3 - https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_K%C3%BChn_(Handballspieler)
• 4 - https://www.julius-kuehn.de/ag
• 5 - https://www.julius-kuehn.de