Collections of crops are used to preserve genetic resources and thus maintain diversity. A wide spectrum of varieties, species and genotypes of fruits, vegetables and vines offer characteristic and sometimes unusual taste experiences and are also pleasing to the eye. These genetic resources are the basis for breeding new varieties, for research and for teaching.

The Horticulture Research Group and its plant collections are part of the National Action Plan for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (NAP-PGREL) of the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG). Besides the NAP collections, other species and varieties thrive in our gardens. In the vineyard on the Au peninsula we also have forty grapevine training systems for teaching and public outreach activities.