The main research conducted at the Department of Vegetable and Alternative Crops  is vegetable and alternative crop breeding, the development of new cultivars and hybrids of vegetables and alternative crops, the development of cultivation technology and seed production.

The vegetable crop genetics and breeding program consists of: 

• development of genotypes of vegetable crops with high nutritional value ​​and wide adaptability, suitable for open-field or protected space production
• development of vegetable cultivars and hybrids highly tolerant to biotic and abiotic stress
• development of specific cultivation technology suitable for different production systems and uses

The alternative crop genetics and breeding program includes:

• breeding sorghum cultivars and hybrids for herbicide resistance
• breeding high-yielding, high-quality and adaptable varieties of industrial hemp, pumpkin and squash, millet, buckwheat, phacelia, flax and tobacco
• research on medicinal, aromatic and spice plants and their products
• research related to genetics, physiology of growth and development of vegetable and alternative crops

The vegetable and alternative crop seed production includes monitoring, approbation, processing and packaging.

The vegetable and alternative crop growing technology includes the development of cultivation technology, timely sowing and planting dates, as well as using adequate cultivation practices, mineral fertilization and plant protection.

Plant material quality control includes analyses of field, vegetable and alternative crops and products in the Institute laboratories.