# Plant Breeding Institute

> research institute in Cambridge, UK

**Wikidata**: [Q3391508](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3391508)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_Breeding_Institute)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/plant-breeding-institute

## Summary
The Plant Breeding Institute (PBI) was a research institute based in Cambridge, UK, focused on advancing plant genetics and crop improvement through scientific study. It played a significant role in agricultural innovation during the 20th century before being dissolved in the 1980s. Its legacy continues through successor organizations and contributions to modern plant breeding practices.

## Key Facts
- Located in Cambridge, UK, with geographic coordinates at latitude 52.21805555555556 and longitude 0.0875.
- Operated primarily as a research institute dedicated to plant breeding and genetics.
- Has a VIAF identifier: 153037307, indicating its recognition in international authority files.
- Listed under Library of Congress Authority ID: n90710861, referenced by the Library of Congress as of March 6, 2019.
- Registered in the UK Parliament Thesaurus with ID 82830, specifically labeled as “PLANT BREEDING INSTITUTE.”
- Featured on Wikipedia in English and French languages.
- Associated with Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/11h1sxp_4.
- Tracked in Gateway to Research under organisation ID: 883C54B0-89D5-4419-AE25-EED92D7B83CB.

## FAQs
### Q: Where was the Plant Breeding Institute located?
A: The Plant Breeding Institute was located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Its precise geographic location is latitude 52.21805555555556 and longitude 0.0875.

### Q: What kind of work did the Plant Breeding Institute do?
A: The institute conducted scientific research focused on plant genetics and crop improvement. It contributed significantly to advancements in agriculture throughout the 20th century.

### Q: Is the Plant Breeding Institute still active today?
A: No, the original Plant Breeding Institute ceased operations in the 1980s. However, parts of its work were continued by other institutions such as the John Innes Centre.

## Why It Matters
The Plant Breeding Institute played a pivotal role in shaping modern agricultural science, particularly in the development of improved crop varieties that enhanced yield and disease resistance. Based in Cambridge, it served as a hub for pioneering studies in plant genetics and contributed foundational knowledge used globally in food production systems. Though no longer operational, its influence persists through ongoing research initiatives and collaborations rooted in its earlier discoveries. Understanding its history provides insight into how institutional evolution impacts long-term scientific progress and agricultural sustainability.

## Notable For
- Being one of the leading centers for plant genetics and crop improvement in the UK during the mid-to-late 20th century.
- Contributing to major advances in cereal breeding, including wheat and barley cultivars widely adopted in British farming.
- Hosting internationally recognized scientists who made lasting impacts in plant biology and genomics.
- Serving as a precursor institution to prominent current organizations like the John Innes Centre.
- Maintaining archival presence in global bibliographic databases such as VIAF and LoC Authorities.

## Body
### History and Location
The Plant Breeding Institute (PBI) was situated in Cambridge, England, operating as a key center for agricultural research. It specialized in plant breeding and genetic studies aimed at improving crop performance and resilience.

### Institutional Identity
As a classified research institute, PBI was formally recognized across multiple authoritative platforms:
- VIAF ID: 153037307
- Library of Congress Authority ID: n90710861
- UK Parliament Thesaurus ID: 82830
These identifiers reflect its documented status within scholarly and governmental contexts.

### Legacy and Succession
Although the Plant Breeding Institute closed in the 1980s, much of its staff and resources transitioned to form part of the John Innes Centre, which remains an influential force in plant and microbial sciences. This continuity ensures that many of PBI’s innovations continue to shape contemporary agri-science efforts.

### Contributions to Science
PBI's research had broad implications, especially in cereal genetics. Its findings helped establish principles now fundamental to sustainable agriculture and informed policy decisions around crop management in the UK and beyond.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File