Plant Breeding for Non-Plant Breeders: An Introduction to Basic Concepts

Meeting the global demands for food, fuel and fiber will, in part, depend upon the development of new crop genetics and varieties. These new varieties will need to have unique genes that allow the crop to yield higher than before, be grown in ever-changing environments such as periods of drought, and withstand stress due to insects, pathogen and weed pressure. This requires a team effort with others who have expertise in: plant breeding, weed science, plant pathology, entomology, chemical science, plant biology, applied agronomy (crop production), mechanical engineering, farmers, seed sales professionals, etc. This module will help participants obtain a conversational knowledge of plant breeding in order to understand basic principles and better communicate with others on the team no matter the role each plays in this global effort.