Department of Soil&Crop Sciences

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Plant Breeding

Crop improvement occurs when a plant breeder alters the genetic composition of a variety to enhance or decrease expression of important crop characteristics. Improvement can rely on classical recombination breeding techniques, or molecular techniques for specific goals.

The targeted improvements are usually in relation to the output potential of the grain (i.e., high and stable yield) or to minimize yield losses or reduce production costs (due to disease, lodging…). In grain production, such as wheat, other characteristics, such as milling quality and bread making quality (protein content, protein quality and alpha-amylase activity) are also considered. Other improvements are related to the growing awareness and concern about food safety among consumers, composition and contamination of crop products.

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Faculty/Staff/Graduate Students/Internships

Name Specialty Location
Baring, Mike Peanut College Station
Burow, Mark Peanut Lubbock
Byrne， David Peach and Rose College Station
Chandra, Ambika Turf grass Dallas
Crosby， Kevin Melon and Pepper College Station
DaSilva, Jorge Sugarcane Breeding Weslaco
Dever, Jane Cotton Breeding Lubbock
Hague, Steve Cotton Breeding College Station
Hays, Dirk Abiotic stress genetics-wheat College Station
Ibrahim, Amir Wheat College Station
Jessup, Russell Perennial grass College Station
King， Steven Watermelon College Station
Millor， Creighton Potato and Cowpea College Station
Murray, Seth Corn College Station
Nelson, Lloyd Ryegrass Breeder Overton
Peterson, Gary Grain Sorghum, Breeding and Genetics Lubbock
Rooney, Bill Sorghum Breeding & Genetics College Station
Rudd, Jackie Wheat Amarillo
Smith Gerald Legume Breeding Overton
Smith, Wayne Plant Breeding College Station
Stelly, David Plant Breeding, Genetics, Molecular & Environmental Plant Sciences College Station
Tabien, Rodante Plant Breeding - Rice Beaumont
Xu, Wenwei Corn Breeding and Genetics Lubbock
  • Plant Breeding Graduate Students at Texas A&M University
  • Plant Breeding Internships at Texas A&M University College Station, Texas
    • Heather Watson
      I am a junior Agronomy major – soil crop option, from Brenham, TX. I’m employed at Texas Agrilife Extension Soil, Water, and Forage Testing Lab. As an active member of student organizations, I serve on the General Committee and the Duck Jam Committee for Texas A&M Ducks Unlimited, and I am the Secretary of the Texas A&M Agronomy Society. My hobbies are swimming, ice skating, gardening, and playing soccer. I participate in numerous aspects of community service including, Big Event, Adopt-A-Street, Can Food drives, Teddy bear drives, and I help the 4-H soil judging team from Washington County preparing them to compete at state.

      I’m excited about the opportunity to learn about three different plant breeding programs this summer. I believe that this internship will help me decide my future academic direction and well as help me choose a rewarding and satisfying career.

    • Polly Longenberger
      Maria Ypina"I am currently employed as a research scientist at Pioneer Hi-Bred's Corn Research Station in New Holland, PA. I've been with the company a little over 2 years and I am enjoying every minute! My undergraduate education at Penn State University and graduate program Texas A&M University gave me a strong foundation for a career in breeding and molecular genetics. Plant Breeders at both the MS and PhD level are in high demand and their credentials are scrutinized carefully for a strong balance in both field-based breeding methodologies and molecular genetics knowledge. Due to my course work, field work, and lab work at Texas A&M University's Soil and Crop Sciences Department, I felt confident as I interviewed with seed companies during my job search in 2007."

Research Interests