The Institute of Plant Genetics (IGV), National Research Council, is located in Bari and has four different Divisions, located in Portici, Palermo, Florence and Perugia. IGV started its activities on November 2002,as a result of the fusion of five former Institutes, operating in the field of Plant Genetics and Breeding and Germplasm management. The IGV has a long-standing experience in the field of collection and management of plant genetic resources, genetic improvement of fruit trees, vegetable, grass and forestry, of particular economic interest to Italian agricultural system. The Institute is a competitive research structure, based on scientific homogeneity and wide expertise in the pipeline from basic research to technology transfer in agriculture, in one of the most strategic field of the Italian scientific network.