Because of the major importance of crop protection, the research centre received its GEP accreditation to carry out efficiency and phytotoxicity trials.

Research is set up in open field and greenhouses. Over the years the main emphasis of research changed from productivity and external quality to internal quality and environmental and consumer safety. The main vegetables in open field culture are leek, brassicas and leafy vegetables. Leafy vegetables are also a major crop in traditional greenhouse production while research in organic greenhouse crops is mainly conducted on tomato, sweet pepper and cucumber.

Recently, a lot of attention is going out to the sensory analysis of fruit and vegetables. PCG has a fully equipped laboratory meeting ISO regulations designed for sensory analysis.

PCG pursues a well structured policy of knowledge transfer by valorising the new findings and technologies proceeding from strategic applied research. Through publications (both scientific and popular), meetings and field trips, vegetable growers are informed on a regular basis about the latest findings and tendencies of their professional interest.

PCG also acts as a centre of expertise on water related topics, both irrigation and waste water management. Irrigation monitoring, wastewater treatment, water reuse and prevention of nutrient losses through drainage are the main subjects here.

It is obvious that PCG aims to play an important role as an intermediary between basic scientific research and vegetable growers, striving for an optimal win-win relationship.