The applied breeding program deals with development of plant materials for greater yield, disease resistance, adaptability, quality, etc. and with studies of breeding methods and principles. Molecular and biochemical studies to identify and isolate agriculturally important genes seek to relate information from model species to crop plant genomes, to compare crop genomes, to assess genetic diversity, and to develop bioinformatic tools relevant to crop improvement. Conservation and evolutionary genetics of crop plants and their wild relatives is an additional topic of research. Many faculty members include both applied breeding and molecular study in their programs.
When students complete the M.S. they should be able to:
- Assist in conducting original, publishable research in plant breeding/genetics
- Demonstrate broad understanding about plant breeding/genetics
- Write and speak effectively to professional and lay audiences about their research
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