World Conference on Horticultural Research - 17-20 June 1998 in Rome, Italy
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HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH IN BELGIUM

Marcel Herregods
Petrusberg 20
B-3001 Hevegods
Petrusberg 20
B-3001 Heverlee
Belgium
Tel.: +32 16 40 41 75
Fax: +32 16 20 30 35
E-mail vbt@tornado.be

A. Horticultural Area

1. Fruit crops growing in Belgium

 Belgium thanks to his geographical position - east of the North Sea between 49°30 en 51° latitude North a moderate climate with relatively mild winters and fresh summers, recording abundant but not excessive precipitation (700 - 850 mm annually) and an annual insolation ranging from 1500 to 1700 hours. Springs frosts and hail storms are real weather risks for the industry. The pedological conditions of Belgium are alluvial sediments, loamy sand and some löss.
The predominant fruit crop is apple, followed in decreasing importance by pears and strawberrries. Stone fruits (plums and cherries) and bush and cane fruits (red and black currants, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries) have always been of minor importance.

As this marked required high quality produce on a long supply period new growing techniques, other varieties and the use of greenhouses and plastic tunnels were adopted.
 

APPLES

Jonagold has become in the last decade far out the most important apple cultivar in Belgium. Besides the change to new cultivars, an important development in apple growing is the intensification of the orchards. Since 1960 the number of apple trees per ha increased from abonce 1960 the number of apple trees per ha increased from about 1000 to about 3500 in 1990. The short life cycle of these orchards (about 10 years) enables the grower to adapt the orchard sooner concerning cultivar, rootstock or planting system.
 

PEARS

The cultivar Conference could be supplied from October to June in an almost constant quality. 800 treeds per ha orchards were replaced by new plantations with about 2000 trees per ha.
 

STRAWBERRY

Strawberry growing in Belgium shows a considerable development with an increasing part of it out of season production. To supply fruits before the normal season, heated and even illuminated glasshouses and plastic tunnels are used. For the supply after the normal outdoor crop (after mid July), cold stored waitingbed plants are generally grown.

Using different growing techniques, growers are able to harvest strawberries from March to the end of December.
 

BUSH AND CANE FRUITS

Plastic tunnels, glasshouses and for raspberries and to some extent blackberries, cold stored canes for picking in the autumn were adapted. Red currants are now cold stored under CA conditions allowing the selling of berries until February or even later.
 

STONE FRUITS

Yet there is a demand for high quality home grown plums and for sweet cherries. New cultivars and drawfing rootstocks are tested. For smaller sweet cherry trees, protection otstocks are tested. For smaller sweet cherry trees, protection against rain and birds by means of plastic foil and netting on frames is possible.
 

FRUIT TREE NURSERY

For certified trees the nurserymen have to use grafts and rootstocks for new stoolbeds, originating from expecially inspected motherplants.

MARKETING

The majority of the fruits produced in Belgium are currently sold at cooperative auctions. Export is important for apples, pears, strawberries and blueberries.
 

FRUIT STORAGE AND GRADING

It is necessary to store almost the whole crop from September/October up to July. For long storage the temperature and the atmosphere are reached in the air, controlled with modern equipment (carbondioxide washers and nitrogen generators) CA and ULO conditions quickly and maintained at indicated levels.
 

INTEGRATED PRODUCTION

IPM methods were developed. The use of herbicides in orchards has been reduced.

Table 1. Area of apple orchards in Belgium (ha)
2900
1986
1991 
1996
Golden D.
2900
1850 
1850 
1500
Jonagold
2100
6650 
9100
B.D. Boskoop
1330
1540 
1730
Cox's O.P.
850
800 
600
Elstar
-
680 
920
Other Cult.
2320
1520 
2750
Total area
9500
13000 
1WIDTH="117">Total area
9500
13000 
16600
 

Table 2. Area of pear orchards in Belgium (ha)
1986 1991  1996
Conference * *  4320
Comice * *  900
Durondeau * *  480
Other Cult. * *  190
Total area 3300 3900  5800
 

Table 3. Strawberry production in Belgium (tonnes)
1988 1990  1995
protected crop 8100 8900  10000
out
protected crop 8100 8900  10000
outdoor crop 20000 25000  30000
Dr. H. Magein, Lecturer - Fruit and Vegetables Unit, Faculty of Agronomy, Gembloux, Belgium
 
 
 

2. Vegetable growing in Belgium.

Area and production of vegetables in Belgium (1995)

Glasshouse production
Crop
Area (ha)
Production (tonnes)
tomato 
885
342.800
sweet pepper
64
11.150
cucumber
166
27.290
lettuce
1.560
65.600
 

Outdoor production >
Crop
Area (ha)
Production (tonnes)
 peasCrop
Area (ha)
Production (tonnes)
 peas
10.950
65.370 
Phaseolus beans
7.680
58.050
witloof (cichory) 
7.270
93.500
leek
7.420
240.150
cauliflower
5.080
92.200
carrots
2.790
103.600
Brussels sprouts
2.690
40.700
 
 
Vegetable growing is an important agricultural and economic activity in Belgium. By growing in wel equipped greenhouses, the protected cultivation is very capital-intensive.

Vegetables for the fresh market are mainly sold at cooperative auctions. At these places products of different nurseries are combined to blocks of vegetables of the same grade and quality. The clocks of some auctions are coupled making remote buying possible. e places products of different nurseries are combined to blocks of vegetables of the same grade and quality. The clocks of some auctions are coupled making remote buying possible.
 

OUTDOOR PRODUCTION

In Belgium the most grown crops are peas, Phaseolus beans, leek, witloof (chicory), cauliflower, carrots, Brussels sprouts, spinach, scorzonera and celeriac.

By means of an integrated approach of using supervised control, specific application methods and selection of pesticides, the use of pesticids is reduced by 30% from 1990 to 1995. The amount of organic nutrients that is applied is limited by law and will decrease further.
 

GLASSHOUSE PRODUCTION

Protected cultivation of vegetables in Belgium takes place almost exclusively in glasshouse. The principal products grown are tomato, sweet pepper and cucumber. Tomato, sweet pepper and eggplant are mainly grown as one single crop per year. Cucumber is planted two or three times a year. Almost the total area grown with fruit vegetables is provided with artificial substrates, mainly rockwool, with trickle irrigation for water and nutrient supply. Heating, ventilation, CO2-supply and water and nutrient supply are computer controlled. In the last decade the glasshouse vegetable production has succesfully reduced its environmental pollution. In hydroponic systems oversupply of the watering is collected and reused after disinfection. Biological crop control is common practice. Also several fungal diseases are controlled biologically. Energy saving is achieved by new and larogically. Energy saving is achieved by new and larger glasshouse blocks, thermal screens and better climate control. The market of vegetables is changing from a suppliers market to a buyers market. This implies that the growers and auctions have a more serious interest in the demands of the buyers. This expresses itself for instance in the possibilities of grading and packaging the products according to the demands of the wholesaler or chain store. Groups of growers start new initiatives like introducing a brand for their product and growing under strict and well defined conditions, e.g. cultivar, plant spacing, temperature and nutrient concentration in the root environment, in order to guarantee a desired product quality. For tomato for instance all kind of types are grown that vary nog only in size but also in taste, firmness and color. The most remarkable novelty is the truss tomato; trussed with 6 to 8 fruits picked in a red stage.
 

3. Ornamental growing in Belgium

Production of main ornamental crops in Belgium (1995)
 
(million US $) 
azalea
98,1
pot and bedding plants 
128,1
cut flowers 
51,8
cut flowers 
51,8
nursery plants 
8,2
 
 

THE ORNAMENTAL INDUSTRY IN BELGIUM

The ornamental industry in Belgium comprises three branches: floriculture, flower bulbs and nursery stocks. In Belgium the area around Gent is of old times well known for the production of azaleas and tuberous begonias. The prosperity as a result of trade and industry stimulated the production of exotic ornamental plants. The humous sandy soil and the coastal climat were favorable for the crops in the Gent area.
 

FLORICULTURE

In Belgium there is some production of cut flowers around the large cities, but more important is the pot plant industry. Especially the cultivation of potted azaleas (Rhododendron simsii) and of foliage plants.
 

FLOWERBULBS

The area for the production of begonia tubers around Gent is slowly decreasing, caused by the propagation by seeds, but the production value is still increasing.
 

NURSERY CROPS

The strong increase in population, the reconstruction, urbanization and afterwards the green revolution have enlarged the market for all kind of ornamentals, including shrubs and plants for gardening and landscaping. Although most gardens are very small, there is still a huge market for gardening plants as shrubs, core very small, there is still a huge market for gardening plants as shrubs, conifers, annuals, perennials, bulbs, because of the large number of families. The rapid growth of urban areas resulted in a need to have more urban outdoor space as municipal parks and other green areas. For yearround production in heated glasshouses are necessary as the climate is too wet and too cold for the growth of many crops. For climate regulation in glasshoues mostly a computerized system is used. For some crops (roses e.g.) high intensity lighting is used to increase the production and quality.
 

COMPETITION

Especially in winter the countries in the Mediterranean Asia, South America and Africa are favored by more light. By breeding, new techniques, improved kwowledge and advanced technology the production increased tremendously with a relatively small extension of area.
 

TRENDS

Although the ranking of the economically most important cut flowers does not change very much, there is a rapid turnover of varieties. The use of chemicals for soil disinfection is nearly forbidden, which stimulates the cultivation in artificial substrate, crop rotation and physical disinfection by steaming (in glasshouse crops) or inundation (in bulb production). Integrated pest control becomes more common practice in many crops.
 
 

B. RESEARCH INSTITUTES IN BELGIUM

 

1. BRUSSEL

Institute of>  

1. BRUSSEL

Institute of Agricultural Economics
Avenue du Boulevard, 21
B-1210 Brussels
phone: +32 2 206 72 11
fax : +32 2 206 72 02
Dir. A. Mottoulle

The activities are focuses mainly on statistics, market analyses and rural sociological investigations (Department of macro-Economics), on farm costs and returns, farm management (Department of Micro-economics).

The research includes market studies for the horticultural sectors and financial results of horticultural holdings.
 

2. DESTELBERGEN

Research Center for Ornamental Plants
Schaessestraat 18
B-9070 Destelbergen
Dir.: ir. E. Volckaert
Phone: +32 9 353 94 94
Fax: +32 9 353 94 95

Research station for Horticulture - B.V.O.

Potplants and Ericaceae

Nursery Stock

Cut Flowers

Experimental garden for Floriculture

Experimental garden for Nursery Stock

Experimental garden for Cut Flowers

Research and experimental work on cultural techniques of ornamental plants: multiplication, cultural techniques, fertilisation, growth- and flower regulation, utility, quality, environment conservation, plant protection. Different projects with the EEC, other research institutes and universities.
 

3. GEEL

Higher Institute of the Kempen
Kleinhoefstraat 4
B-2440 Geel
Phone: +32 14 56 23 27
Fax: of the Kempen
Kleinhoefstraat 4
B-2440 Geel
Phone: +32 14 56 23 27
Fax: +32 14 56 23 31
ir. l. De Vos
ir. D. De Roose

Micropropagation of ornamentals - Culture techniques (ornamentals, vegetables, fruit) - N.F.T. and hydroponics - Recycled substrates.
 

4. GENT

Laboratory for Horticultural Sciences
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the State University of Gent
Coupure Links 653
B-9000 Gent
Phone: +32 9 264 60 70
Fax: +32 9 264 62 25

Centre for in vitro breeding technology in Araceae and Rhododendron Simsii.

Centre for clonal in vitro propagation of pot orchids.

Tissue culture of horticulture crops, micropropagation, industrialization, fundamental aspects.

Growth and flowering of ornamentals and vegetables; propagation; tissue culture, growth regulators, nutrition; domestication of edible mushrooms.
 

5. Laboratory of Soil Physics

Coupure links 653
B-9000 Gent
Phone: +32 9 264 60 38
Fax: +32 9 264 62 47
E-mail: roger-hartmann@rug.ac.be
Head: Prof. Dr. ir. R. Hartmann

Laboratory of Soil Physics

Physical and chemical characterization and improvement of organic substrates, inert and organic waste materials as growth media in horticulture
 

6. Laboratory of Agrozoology

Department of Crop Protection
Factuly of Agricultural and Applied
Biological Sciences
University of Gen
Factuly of Agricultural and Applied
Biological Sciences
University of Gent
Phone: +32 9 264 61 52
Fax: +32 9 264 62 39
E-mail: Luc.Tirry rug.ac.be

Center for Intergrated Control of Insects and Mites in protected crops

Center for Research on Vegetable Crops

Entomology, acarology and applied soil zoology in ornamental plants.

IMP in glasshouse crops (tomato, sweet pepper, cucumber); testing new bio-control agents, side-effects of pesticides on beneficials, study of the selectivity of insecticides.

Guided control (warning systems of insect pests in field vegetable crops (cabbage, peas, leak).
 

7. Laboratory of Phytopathology

University of Gent
Faculty of Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences
Phone: +32 9 264 60 17
Fax: +32 9 264 62 38
Dir.: Prof. Dr. ir. J. Poppe
 

Research work is focused on biological and integrated control of plant diseases and on the cultivation of edible mushrooms.

Biological control of plant diseases

Virus detection in vegetables and ornamental plants

Fungal diseases of witloof chicory

The carrot motley dwarf virus complex in parsley

Valorisation of agricultural waste for mushroom culture in developing countries.

Evaluation of adjuvants for enhanced efficacy of fungicides

Clinic for plant diseases
 

8. Soil fertility, soil-plant interrelationships, crop quality and poll
 

8. Soil fertility, soil-plant interrelationships, crop quality and pollution problems.

Centre for Ecophysiological Research in Horticulture
Head: prof. Dr. R. Lemeur
ir. R. Samson
Phone: +32 9 264 61 16
Fax: +32 9 224 44 10
Head: Prof. Dr. R. Lemeur

Research Centre for Applied Ecochemistry laboratory for Analytical Chemistry and Agro-chemistry, State University of Gent.

Research on the eco-phyciology of stress (drought, high temperature, herbicides); productivity screening based on photosynthetic capacity.
 

9. Center for Weed Research

Phone: +32 9 264 60 98
Fax: +32 9 264 62 24
E-mail: Robert.Bulcke@rug.ac.be
Dir.: Prof. Dr. ir. R. Bulcke

Assistants: ir. K. Cools, ir. H. Eelen

Research on weed control in horticultural crops (vegetables, fruit crops and ornamentals) and agronomic crops. Research on weed biology, herbicides resistance in weds and persistence of herbicides in the soil.
 

10. Department for Agro-marketing

Phone: +32 9 264 59 45
Fax: +32 9 264 62 45
Prof. Dr. ir. J. Viaene

Marketing research related to horticultural products.
 

11. Department of Agricultural Economics

Phone: +32 9 264 59 24
Dir.: Prof. Dr. ir. L. Martens
ir. L. Van Huylebroek
 

12. Laboratory of Genetics

K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35
B-9000 Gent
Phone: +32 9 264 51 70
Fax: +32 9 264 K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35
B-9000 Gent
Phone: +32 9 264 51 70
Fax: +32 9 264 53 49
Head: Dir. prof. M. Van Montagu

The laboratory pioneered techniques for gene engineering in plants. At present is specializes in plant cloning and in using molecular biology techniques for studyind plant growth and development and stress physiology. Particuluarly light and ozone stress, baterial, fungal and nematode infections, the role of ethylen, salt and drought stress as as well as high level N³ fixation.
 

13. Technical University CTL

Voskenslaan 270
B-9000 Gent
Phone: +32 9 221 80 11
Fax: +32 9 221 68 67
Head: Dr. ir; L. Kiekens

Department Agriculture - Horticulture, Laboratory for in vitro culture and plant nutrition
 

14. Laboratory of pesticides analyses

University of Gent
Coupure Links 653
B-9000 Gent
Head Prof. W. De Jonckheere
 

15. GEMBLOUX

Centre de Rescherches agronomiques de Gembloux
Avenue de la Faculté d'Agronomic, 22
B-5030 Gembloux
Phone: +32 81 61 19 55
Fax: +32 81 61 49 41
E-mailm: biston@cragx.fgov.be
Internet: http:/www.cragx.fgov.be

Study of resurgent insect populations in the integrated control context in orchards.

Plant virus diseases

Genetic ressources and disease resitance of fruit trees.

Creation of new genotypes of prunus and malus by tissue culture.

Creation of new genotypes of prunus and malus by tissue culture.

Selection of superspurs trees. Molecular and physiological approach of applecolumnas tree.

Genetic improvement of Brussels cichory

Study of cherry tree resistance

Clonal selectionnal propapgation of asparagus

Microbila antagonist to control Botrytis an strawberry

Microproagation of forest-trees

Research of new in vitro propagation system, fast and easy to realize

Temperature fruit tree microprogation

Study on ecophysiological strawberry flowering and improving of strawberry crop

Intensive cherry orchards, role of rootstocks, cultivars and pruning

Strawberry and fruit tree plant stock production

Plum dwarfing
 

16. GORSEM

Research Station of Gorsem
Brede Akker 3
B-3800 Sint-Truiden
Phone: +32 11 68 20 19
Fax: +32 11 67 43 18
Dir. ir. C. Verheyden

Zoology

Integrated pest control to insecticides, biology of pests and predators, warnings phenology, orchard mites.

Phytopathology

Modellisation in parasitology, resistance problems, mycology, inoculation of fungus, fruitrots, curative control of scab, side-effects of fungicides.

Diseases in small-fruit culture, soil-fungi

Pomology

Pruning, growth regulation, nutrition, apple and pear mutants. Fire blight, (warning systems, host susceptibility), storage advices on behalf of fruiar mutants. Fire blight, (warning systems, host susceptibility), storage advices on behalf of fruit analysis, nutrition advices on behalf of the leaf analysis.

Physiology

Fruit ripening, post-harvest physiology, physiology of photosynthesis, growth regulation, influence of pruning and bending on physiology, fruit and leaf analysis.

Virology

Inventory of virusses in fruit trees, improvements on sanitation and indexing techniques assesment of thermoclones.

Ecology

Behaviour of pesticides and fertilizers in soil and water, spray techniques
 

17. LEUVEN

Laboratory of Phytopathology and Plant Protection
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
(Catholic University Leuven)
Kardinaal Mercierlaan 92
B-3001 Heverlee (Leuven)
Phone: +32 16 22 09 31
Fax: +32 16 32 29 89
Head: Prof. Dr. J. Coosemans

Epidemiology and control of fungal diseases

Epidemiology and control of nematodes

Research on infection mechanisms of pathogenic fungi

Biological control of nematodes

Postharvest diseases problems

Eradication of Bayoud disease of date palm

Chemical and physical alternatives for crop growing substrate disinfestation.

Edidemiology and control of fungal diseases in soilles cultures of vegetables

Clubroot of brassicas

Influence of thiolcarbanmates on nematodes
 

18. Laboratory for plant biochemistry

Kardinaal Mercierlaan 92
des
 

18. Laboratory for plant biochemistry

Kardinaal Mercierlaan 92
B-3001 Heverlee (Leuven)
Phone: +32 16 22 09 31
Fax: +32 16 32 29 84
Head: Dr. ir. W. Peumans

Isolation, characterization and physiological study of plant and fungal lectins

Isolation of lectin genes for plant protection purposes.

Isolation and characterization of lectins from phytopahogenic fungi

Molecular biological study of lectins from Amaryllidaceae and Alliaceae species

Isolation of new lectins for instect control in plants
 

19. Bodemkundige Dienst van België

(The Soil Service of Belgium)
W. de Croylaan 48
B-3001 Heverlee
Dir.: prof. Dr. ir. M. Geypens
Phone: +32 16 22 54 26

Land use suitability

Feasibility studies on soil improvement techniques

Draining, irrigation and fertigation study and planning

Re-use of drainage water in hydroponics

Studies on soil fertility, fertilisation and plant respones

Fertilisation recommendation in horticulture (soil and hydroponics). Crop monitoring in horticulture

Analysis of soil, water, plants and air (organic and inorganic components)

Horticulture:
- Fertilisation advices for vegetables, fruit and ornamental plaing
- crop monitoring

Agroconsult:
- land use suitability
- advices for sport fields
- draining, irrigation and fertigation study and planning

Environment Consrt fields
- draining, irrigation and fertigation study and planning

Environment Consulting
- environment effect reports
- soil sanitation
- environmental auditing
 

20. Laboratory of Soil Fertility and Soil Biology

Prof. K. Vlassak

Nitrates in vegetables, Nutrient uptake modeling, soil suppressiveness towards

Plasmodiofora brassicae
 

21. Laboratory of Tropical Crop Husbandry

Prof. R. Swennen
 

22. Laboratory of Plant Culture

Willem de Croylaan 42
B-3001 Heverlee (Leuven)
Phone: +32 16 22 09 21
(ext.2422 or 2446)
Fax: +32 16 32 19 93
Head: Prof. Dr. ir. M.P. De Proft
Fax: +32 16 32 29 66

Hydroponics: Phytotechnical aspects for the commercial use of hydrocultures nutrient

optimalisation, product quality regulation

Belgian Endive:

The inuline metabolism in the chicoryplant is studied in relation to the production potential of the root.Intercation between fertilisation, climate, watersupllu with the inuline formation and breakdown and chicon production are studied.

Cryopreservation of endive meristems are used to conserve the genetic potentiality.
 

23. Laboratory of Fruit Culture

Willem De Croylaan 42
B-3001 Leuven (Heverlee)
Phone: +32 16 22 09 21
(2663 or 2403)
Fax: +32 16 20 71 68
Field station: Jennekenstraat 408
B-3202 Aarschot (Rillaar)
Phone: +32 32 16 20 71 68
Field station: Jennekenstraat 408
B-3202 Aarschot (Rillaar)
Phone: +32 16 50 02 40
Dir. J. Keulemans
Fax: +32 16 32 29 66

Genetical characteristics and influence of cultural applications on vegetative and generative growth of stone fruit (pruning, planting systems, rootstock and growth regulators); cracking of sweet cherries.

Breeding for diseases resistance and growth habit in apple.

Haploïd induction in apple by androgenesis in situ.

Fruit development and fruit ripening (variation, influence of cultural application; pollinator and seeds influence.
 

24. Laboratory of Food Technology

Faculty of Agronomy
Kardinaal Mercierlaan 92
B-3001 Heverlee (Leuven)
Phone: (16) 32 15 85
Fax: (16) 32 19 97
Head Prof. Dr. P. Tobback

Fresh cut MAP

Processing of vegetables
 

25. V.C.B.T. (Flanders Centre for Postharvest Technology)

De Croylaan 92
B--3001 Heverlee
Phone: +32 16 32 27 32
Fax: +32 16 32 29 55
Prof. B. Nicolaï
Prof. J. De Baerdemaeker
Mr. J. Vanwezer
Dr. B. Verlinden
ir. M. Herregods

Postharvest problems of horticultural products

storage of fruits and vegetables

Modified atmosphere packaging

Handling and packaging of fruits and vegetables

Fruit ripening and fruit quality (respiration)

Non-destructive measuring of quality
 

26. LOUVAIN-l quality (respiration)

Non-destructive measuring of quality
 

26. LOUVAIN-la NEUVE

Laboratory of Phytopathology
U.C.L.
Faculté d'Agronomie
Place Crois du Sud, 2 bte 3
B-1348 Louvain la Neuve
Head prof. dr. M. Verhoven

Pest reduction of vegetables
 

27. Laboratory of Botany

U.C.L.
Faculté d'Agronomique
Place Crois du Sud, 4-5 Bte 13
B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve
Head: dr. Fr; Van Miegroet
 

28. Centre of integrated pestcontrol

U.C.L.
Faculté d'Agronomie
Place Crois du Sud 5
B-1348 Louvai-la-Neuve
Phone: +32 10 47 34 92
Fax: +32 10 47 34 90
Head prof. G. Van Impe

Integrated pestcontrol
 

29. MEISE

National Botanical Garden of Belgium
Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Research
Domein van Bouchout
B-1860 Meise
Phone: +32 2 269 39 05
Fax: +32 2 270 15 67
Dir.: J. Rammeloo

Living Collections Section

This section is engaged in the conservation, taxonomy, phenology and ecology of 12.000 species and varieties of tropical and subtropical plan ts (greenhouses 13.500 m²) and 8.500 species and varieties of herbaceous and woody plants in the open (93 ha). The gene pool includes extensive collections of Araceae, Begoniaceae, Bromeliaceae, Marantaceae, Orchidaceae, Thododendron. Keeper of the IBPGR Phaseolinae base collection.ae, Marantaceae, Orchidaceae, Thododendron. Keeper of the IBPGR Phaseolinae base collection.

"In vitro"-culture: investigations on euroepean orchids, endangered species, special propagation technics and on essential oil production. Research on integrated pest control. Equipment: electron microscope, 2 growth chambers, seedbank, computernetwork.

Determinations and systematics

Micropropagation and plant pathology

Gene bank activities

Systematics, phenology and ecology of woody plants

Management of the greenhouse collection

Management of the collection in the open Technical assistance and automatisation
 

30. MELLE

Rijksstation voor Sierplantenteelt
Research Station for Ornamental Plant Growing
Caritastraat 21
B-9090 Melle
Phone: +32 9 252 10 52
Fax: +32 9 252 50 75
Dir.: dr. ir. J. Heursel

Breeding work and improvement of growing techniques of economics important crops. "In vitro" culture of foliage plants, bromeliads, ornamental trees and shrubs. Importation of botanical spieces and varieties to be evaluated on the onamental value. A gene pool of Begonia, Azalea (Rhododendron Simsii Planch.), bromeliaceae and hothouse plants is at the disposal of research workers.

Bulbous and tuberous plants:

tuberous begonia hybrids

Rhododendron simsii

- Breeding

- Improvement of growing techniques

Hothouse and foliage plants

Bromeliaceae, ">- Improvement of growing techniques

Hothouse and foliage plants

Bromeliaceae, "in vitro" culture

Ornamental trees and shrubs

Roses and cut flowers

Plant nutrition, irrigation water quality, pottins soils

ecophysiology
 

31. Research Station for Agricultural Engineering

Burg. Van Gansberghelaan 115
9820 Merelbeke
tel. +32 9 252 18 21
fax: +32 9 252 15 83
dir. dr. ir. J. Daelemans

Heating and automation in glasshouses

Work Organization in Horticulture

Mainly 'witloof'

Study on horticultural crops (a.o. Chrysanthemums, tuberous Begonias)
 

32. Research Station of Nematology and Entomology

Burg. Van Gansberghelaan 96
9820 Merelbeke
tel. +32 9 272 02 12
fax: +32 9 272 02 15
dir. dr. ir. R. De Clercq

Plantparasitic nematodes and insects

Problems in apiculture and bee-plant relationship
 

33. Research Station for Phytopatology

Burg. Van Gansberghelaan 96
9820 Merelbeke
tel. +32 9 272 02 13
fax: +32 9 272 02 15
dir. dr. ir. R. De Clercq
 

34. RUMBEKE

Provincial Research and Advisory Centre for Agriculture and Horticulture
Ieperseweg 87, Beitem
8800 Roeselare (Rumbeke)
tel.: +32 51 26 14 21
fax: +32 51 24 00 20
Dir.: Dr. ir. A. Calus

Research on cultural techniques on commercial crops, vegetables (outdoor and protected crir. A. Calus

Research on cultural techniques on commercial crops, vegetables (outdoor and protected crops), mushrooms, witloof (chicory), strawberries.

Laboratories for quality control on vegetables.

Research Station for mushrooms. Trial garden for fruit and alternative vegetables.
 

35. SINT-KATELIJNE-WAVER

European Vegetable R & D Centre
Dir. L. Peeters
Binnenweg 6
B-2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver
Tel.: +32 15 55 27 71
Fax: +32 15 55 30 61
Head: R& D F. Benoit

Reasearch on physiological, thermoperiodical and phenological problems of the most cultivated vegetables in open air, under plastic protection and in glasshouses (soilles culture; NFT, rockwool, etc.)

Advisory service: assistance to pratical problems of farmers; field experiments in various ecological sites; energy saving problems
 

36. TERVUREN

Veterinary and agrochemical research (VAR)
Leuvensesteenweg 17
3080 Tervuren
tel.: +32 2 767 53 01
fax: +32 2 767 72 88
dir.: M. Guns (a.i.)

Study and investigations related to damages on vegetables, fruit, ornamentel plants, crops and vegetation in general, resulting from atmospheric pollutions. Study of the influence of CO2 O3 and atmospheric poolutants on growths and quality of plants and crops. Heavy metals in vegetables and soils. Use of bio-accumalators and bio-indicators to control the pollution around industries and in the rural eo-indicators to control the pollution around industries and in the rural environment. Research on the use of plant cell suspension cultures for regenerations of plants.

Experimental Stations
 

37. Experimental Station of Chicory Endives

Blauwe Stap 25
3020 Herent, Belgium
tel. +32 16 23 30 78
Cultivation of Chicory Endives
 

38. Experimental Station Noorderkempen

Voort 71
2328 Meerle, Belgium
tel +32 3 315 70 52
Dir. ir. W. Baerts
Cultivation of Strawberries and glass-house vegetanles - varietties - integrated fruit production
 

39. National Experimental Station of Pitfruit Velm

Fruittuinweg 1
3800 Sint-Truiden, Belgium
tel. +32 11 68 64 70
Dir. J. Vercammen
Cultivation of pitfruit - varieties
 

40. Experimental Station Tongeren

Sint-Truidersteenweg 323
3700 Tongeren, Belgium
Dir. W. Meesters
Cultivation of strawberries, current berries, raspberries and gooseberries in open air, under plastic and in glass-house. Year round culture.
 

41. Provincial Experimental Station Kruishoutem

Karreweg 88
9770 Kruishoutem, Belgium
tel. +32 9 386 13 60
Experimental Station Vegetables
 

C. Research Organisation

 

1. Human resources

About 200 higher qualified research people are involved with horticultural research
&s

About 200 higher qualified research people are involved with horticultural research
 

2. Partnerships

The gouvernement (national, regional, province) stimulated the growth and quality products by financing education, fundamental and applied research, experimental station and extension work.

The willingness of the growers to cooperate especially through marketing systems provided a financial support applied research projects (10% to 50% of the research budget).

Most Belgian research centers collaborate with other European research country centers in commun projects.

Compared with the bruto production value about 1% means the cost of Belgian horticultural research and development, about simular relationship for fruit, vegetables and flowers.

Most research centres are concentrated near the production area close contact with growers enables then to translate easier the results to the practice.

The Belgian bruto horticultural value is very important

Bruto value of horticultural products in 1996.
Products
Value in billion BEF
Value in million US $
Vegetables
30,0
798
Fruit
12,5
Fruit
12,5
332
Ornamentals
16,8
447
TOTAL
59,3
1.577
 
 
 
Export
Import
 
Value (million US $)
quantity (tons)
Value (million US $)
quantity (tons)
Fresh fruit 
243
359.496
231
227.684
Fresh vegetables
365
572.868
223
572.983
 


D. ACTUAL BELGIAN HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH TOPICS
223
572.983
 


D. ACTUAL BELGIAN HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH TOPICS

As prioirties in horticultural research the following 5 topics could be mentioned in Belgium.
  1. New better cultivars
  2. Reducing risk, ensuring production and quality during cultivation
  3. Environmental friendly cultivation
  4. Storage and handling
  5. Consumer quality preference and determination of attributes related to price


E. Publications

In 1995 about 75 publications are published with vegetable research results 50 on fruit, 25 on ornamentals in Belgium.
 

F. NUMBER OF MENTIONED RESEARCH CENTER FOR EACH TOPIC

Topics Fruit Vegetables Ornamentals

a) plant improvement

a.1. genetics, biodiversity, genebanks 12, 23 12 12, 29, 30

a.2. breeding 12, 23 4, 12 4, 12, 30

a.3. biotechnology 12, 23 12 12, 30

b) propagation - nursery 4, 27 3, 4

c) pest diseases and disorders 16 6, 7, 17, 26, 7, 17, 33 <

b) propagation - nursery 4, 27 3, 4

c) pest diseases and disorders 16 6, 7, 17, 26, 7, 17, 33
28, 32, 33, 35

d) integrated production systems

d.1. cultural techniques 3, 9, 16, 39, 40 3, 5, 8, 9, 13, 2, 3, 8, 9, 30
18, 19, 20, 21,
22, 31, 34, 35,
36, 37, 38, 41

d.2. environmental implications 16, 39, 40 5, 18, 19, 22, 30
34, 35, 36, 37,38

d.3. quality implications 16, 25, 29, 40 18, 19, 22, 23, 2, 30
34, 35, 37, 38

e) post harvest (storage, packing) - processing 25 14, 25, 31

f) economics, management and marketing 1, 10 1, 10, 18 1, 10
 
 
 

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