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Plant Breeding

Plant Breeding - is the science and art of improving crop plants through the study and application of genetics, agronomy, statistics, plant pathology, entomology, and related sciences.

CAREERS:
Management and operation of commercial breeding programs ~ Research on plant breeding methodology and technology to improve breeding effectiveness ~ Cultivar development ~ Application of biotechnology to crop improvement

PROJECTS:
Cultivar development ~ Germplasm evaluation and enhancement ~ Selection ~ Quantitative genetics ~ Linkage mapping and marker-assisted selection ~ Biotechnology ~ Molecular genetics ~ Computational biology

CROPS:
Maize ~ Soybean ~ Alfalfa and other forage legumes ~ Forage grasses ~ Small grains, including oats and barley. Research on minor crops is done in conjunction with the North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station.

PERSONNEL:

• Faculty: State, USDA-ARS
  Faculty who conduct field-oriented plant breeding programs, teach plant breeding courses, and mentor plant breeding students are part of the Raymond F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding.
• Graduate students: Plant Breeding majors (~35); Interdepartmental majors (~20).
• Staff: About 25 clerical and technical staff members.
• Visiting scientists and postdocs: About 10 at any given time.

PROGRAM OF STUDY (POS):
The program of study is determined by the student, major professor, Director of Graduate Education (DOGE), Program of Study Committee, Graduate College, and academic units to accommodate the unique features of each student's program. Go to the Graduate College. for current information. Although no courses are actually mandatory, virtually all plant breeding students take those listed below. Information on individual courses is here

• For Master of Science
• Agron 521 (3 cr)-Principles of Cultivar Development
• Agron 522 (2 cr)-Field Methods in Plant Breeding
• Agron 523 (3 cr)-Molecular Plant Breeding
• Agron 527 (3 cr)-Plant Genetics
• Agron 600A (1 cr)-Plant Breeding Seminar
• Agron 698 (2 cr)-Agronomy Teaching Practicum
• Agron 699 ( variable cr)-research-related activities each semester
• Agron/AnSci 561 (3 cr)-Quantitative Genetics
• Gen 510 (3 cr)-Transmission Genetics
• Stat 401 (4 cr)-Statistical Methods (Stat. Dept.)
• Stat 402 (3 cr)/Agron 526 (3 cr)-Experimental Design

• Additional courses for Ph.D.
• Agron 621 (3 cr)-Advanced Plant Breeding
• Agron 625 (3 cr)-Genetic Strategies in Plant Breeding

Ph.D. students must pass uniform written and oral preliminary examinations usually taken during the first two years of their program. Exams are based on the courses listed under the Master of Science section above.

FUNDING:
Most students receive a research assistantship from their major professor. Fellowships are available from the Raymond F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding, the Agronomy Department, and the University. Application information is available from each student's major professor.

Faculty in Plant Breeding