Mission Statement

Mission Statement: The Plant Science Research Unit is focused on developing improved plant genetics, controlling plant diseases, understanding atmospheric pollutant effects on crop plants, and managing soil for more resilient agricultural systems.  This research includes genetics of corn, wheat, oat, and barley using plant molecular genetics, classical genetics, and plant breeding for crop improvement; developing new techniques to evaluate, manage and control diseases in cereal grains; determining the impacts of atmospheric contaminants and climate change on plant growth and yield; and measuring soil health and nutrient cycling dynamics in conservation cropland, managed grazing lands, and agroforestry systems.