> Your opportunity to directly impact the economic and social
quality of life for people around the world > Engages both your
brain power and your creativity, mixing a wide range of
disciplines—genetics, biology, agronomy, statistics,
bioinformatics, and business administration—to build on your
unique strengths > A severe shortage of qualified plant breeders
nationwide means broad career choices for talented graduates
Plant breeding is the science of applying genetic principles to
improve plants for human use. Plant breeding impacts the life of
every individual in the U.S. because it involves the creation
and manipulation of economically important traits in plants used
for food, animal feed, fuel, fiber for clothing and wood
products, and landscape aesthetics. Whether aimed at increased
yield, disease resistance, nutritional qualities, industrial
uses, or home beautification, plant breeding is basic to our
quality of life in both rural and urban communities. Maintaining
an adequate and nutritious food supply