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The Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center (OPGC) is part of the National Plant Germplasm System, a network of organizations and people dedicated to preserving the genetic diversity of crop plants.

The OPGC is a joint effort of the USDA-ARS and The Ohio State University's Department of Horticulture and Crop Science. Financial support is provided through the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative of the ARS.

Mission and Goals

Our mission is to conserve genetically-diverse herbaceous plant germplasm and associated information, conduct germplasm-related research, and encourage the use of germplasm and associated information for research, crop improvement and product development.   

Our goals are to acquire, document, maintain, characterize and distribute herbaceous ornamental genetic resources and associated information for conservation, and to enhance scientific research as well as the floriculture and nursery industry. 

News

  1. Cultivating Curiosity at We Grow Scientists

    Jun 8, 2026

    Staff and students from the Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center (OPGC) participated in the fourth annual “We Grow Scientists” community outreach event on April 29, 2026. The event, hosted by Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at the Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory, was part of the COSI Science Festival. The event drew more than 800 attendees who explored interactive stations highlighting STEAM education across CFAES.

  2. Graduate Student Freddy Mendez Urbano Awarded Prestigious Proven Winners Scholarship

    May 26, 2026

    Freddy Mendez Urbano has been awarded the Ushio Sakazaki–Proven Winners® Plant Breeding Scholarship for the 2025–2026 Proven Winners Horticulture Scholarship Program. This prestigious scholarship supports students dedicated to developing innovative plants for the floriculture and nursery industries. Advised by OPGC Director Yu Ma, Freddy conducts research on begonia germplasm conserved at the Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center (OPGC). His research supports the future improvement of begonia, with a goal of advancing cold tolerance through breeding.

  3. From Mississippi to Ohio: Piney Woods Students Visit OPGC

    May 14, 2026

    On March 26, 2026, the Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center hosted a tour for 16 students and their faculty advisors from the Piney Woods School in Mississippi. During their visit, students learned about plant conservation and the importance of maintaining plant genetic diversity for the future of floriculture.  They also explored career opportunities in plant science and horticulture and saw firsthand how plant collections are maintained and used for research, education, and breeding. Founded in 1909 by educator Dr.