Introduction, history of the institute
At the University of Agricultural Sciences in Debrecen, the subject of horticulture was first taught in 1956 by a departmental group formed within the Department of Plant Production. It was organized and led for three years by Dr. József Haraszti. In 1959, the department became independent, led by Dr. Ferenc Radnóczi until 1980. From 1981 to 1993, the department/institute was led by Dr. Ferenc Pethő, from 1994 to 2012 by Dr. István Gonda, and from 2012 to 2021 by Dr. Imre Holb.
The following lecturers of the department, who had a significant influence on the development of horticultural culture in Debrecen, the improvement of fruit, grape and vegetable production, and, last but not least, the diversification of flower culture in parks and other demanding environments, are listed below: Dr. Ferenc Radnóczi, Dr. József Haraszti, Dr. László Harmat, Dr. István Balogh, Dr. Zita Pappné Tarányi, Dr. Ferenc Pethő, Dr. László Géczi, Dr. István Gonda, and Dr. Sándor Hodossi. The educational, research, and consulting activities of the Department of Horticulture have been and continue to be closely linked to the Pallagi Experimental Station, whose former and current leaders and researchers include Bertalan Karmacsi, Gábor Preczner, István Géczy, Dr. Harmat Lászlóné, Árpád Szijártó, and Gábor Lisku. Over the past half-century, numerous assistants, departmental staff and administrators have supported the work of the department, contributing to its achievements.
Organizational changes
On January 1, 2002, the Department of Horticulture was divided into several organizational units, which was justified by the launch of a three-year college program leading to a degree in horticultural engineering. The Departments of Fruit Production and Vegetable Production were established. The former was headed by Dr. István Gonda, the latter by Dr. Sándor Hodossi.
In 2007, in line with changing conditions, the departments were merged again. The former Departments of Fruit Growing, Vegetable Growing and Genetics and Breeding were integrated into the newly formed Department of Horticultural Science and Plant Biotechnology.
On August 1, 2009, the Institute of Horticultural Science was established under the leadership of Dr. István Gonda. Within the Institute, the Department of Plant Biotechnology was established under the leadership of Dr. Miklós Fári, while the Genetics and Breeding Department was led by Dr. Pál Pepó. In 2011, these two organizational units separated from the Institute of Horticulture, after which educational and research activities were focused entirely on horticultural disciplines (fruit growing, vegetable growing, ornamental plant growing, and viticulture).
Present
Since February 2021, Dr. Ferenc Apáti, associate professor and president of FruitVeB, the Hungarian Interprofessional Organization for Fruit and Vegetables, has been the head of the leadership of the Institute of Horticulture.
Educational and research tasks related to fruit growing are carried out by Dr. Marianna Sipos, Dr. Ádám Csihon, and Szabolcs Babicz. Their research work is focused on the development of fruit growing technology (e.g., rootstock and variety testing, nutrient management, crop regulation), which is carried out on the plantations of partner companies and at the university's Pallagi Horticultural Experimental Station. Activities related to horticultural plant protection are led by Dr. Imre Holb, whose research focuses on integrated plant protection.
Educational and research activities related to the discipline of Vegetable Production are carried out with the involvement of Dr. Györgyi Csontos and Lúcia Galambné Sinka. A key pillar of the practice-oriented training is the 0.8-hectare demonstration garden, which facilitates both open-field and protected vegetable cultivation for educational and research purposes.
In addition to the open-field plots, the facility includes two high-air-volume and four unheated polytunnels, as well as a modern 560 m² greenhouse equipped with a Priva control system. This greenhouse is suitable for seedling production and protected vegetable cultivation, thereby supporting the hands-on training of students.
Horticultural engineering students actively participate in various propagation, cultivation, and harvesting activities as part of their practical training, thesis work, and student research projects (TDK), playing an essential role in the implementation of these tasks.
The responsibilities of the Viticulture and Oenology Group are carried out by Dr. Nándor Rakonczás and Zoltán Kállai. The 0.5-hectare grape variety collection includes the maintenance and, in some cases, the evaluation of 65 table grape varieties, 73 white wine grape varieties, 29 red wine grape varieties, and 43 rootstock varieties.
To support students’ practical training, deepen their theoretical knowledge, and assist in thesis and publication work, several additional facilities are available: a 0.5-hectare table grape plantation, a 0.2-hectare plot showcasing different training systems, a 0.5-hectare rootstock–scion long-term trial vineyard for wine grapes, and an approximately 0.1-hectare historical gene bank plot cultivated with the traditional head-trained method.
The educational and research activities of the Ornamental Plant Production and Green Space Management Group are conducted by Dr. Gabriella Antal and Anikó Zsiláné André. In Debrecen, Ferenc Pohl (1883–1961), the city’s former chief gardener, was among the first in Hungary to recognize not only the aesthetic value of ornamental plants but also their economic and ecological importance. His modern, biologically and ecologically grounded landscape designs can still be seen in Debrecen’s public spaces, green areas, and tree-lined streets today.
Horticultural education in ornamental plants and related research into climate change began at the University of Debrecen in 2001 under the leadership of Dr. Miklós Gábor Fári (horticultural engineer and biotechnologist), with the professional support of one of his mentors, Dr. Zoltán Kováts (ornamental plant breeder, 1924–2010).
Past and ongoing research of the group focuses on complex cultivation, utilization, genetic and biotechnological studies, as well as technical innovations concerning annual and perennial ornamental species with higher tolerance to Hungary’s increasingly extreme climate. Areas of innovation include vertical plant walls, micropropagation in phytobioreactors, dwarfing machines for seedling production, LED lighting, and hydroponic cultivation systems.
Our research also explores alternative uses of ornamental plants, including the extraction and application of bioactive compounds and pigments, and their potential roles as sources of biomass and energy, honey plants, or raw materials for the pharmaceutical, food, and feed industries.
The activities of the Horticultural Economics Group are carried out by Dr. Ferenc Apáti and Dr. Viktória Tóth-Kurmai, with the contribution of Dr. Dóra Dorogi, economic analyst at FruitVeB Hungarian Interprofessional Organization for Fruit and Vegetables. Their work primarily focuses on the market and economic analysis of Hungary’s fruit and vegetable sectors, providing high-level professional support for sectoral, regulatory, and policy-related decision-making.
Their research includes the development of sector-specific cost and income analyses that accurately reflect the economic conditions of production, both in physical and financial terms, taking into account the typical farm sizes, production methods, and technological standards of the industry.
Beyond the economic evaluation of fruit growing, greenhouse vegetable production, and open-field vegetable cultivation, the group’s research also extends to the economic assessment of post-harvest processes, irrigation practices, and marketing strategies.
The Horticultural Economics Group maintains close professional cooperation with the Institute of Agricultural Economics, OTP Agricultural Advisory Board, and the Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture. This enables the group to provide continuous expert support to industry stakeholders, financial institutions, and policymakers alike.
Facebook page of the Institute of Horticultural Science:
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