Our lab focuses on breeding and genetics research on:
- Spring wheat
- the new perennial grain intermediate wheatgrass (Kernza®) (initiated in 2011),
- and the winter cover oilseed crops field pennycress and camelina (initiated in 2013).
Research on each species includes cultivar development and the investigation of breeding/genetic principles related to crop improvement. Research is focused on identifying genes underlying economically important traits and implementing marker-assisted and genomic selection for cultivars and germplasm development. Using classical field breeding, augmented with marker-assisted selection, genomic prediction and modern field design and statistical analysis, we apply the results of our research to develop superior germ plasm.