Scientists in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences are developing cultivars of pasta wheat that resist the deadly fungus that causes stripe rust and threatens the world's wheat production. Resistant bread wheat is up next.
Xiaofei Zhang, in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, has a federal grant to develop bread wheat that will grow short, but without the problems that come with short-stature wheat currently available.
Students from the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences presented and networked at the recent ASTA 65th Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference, supported by the private-public partnership Seed Central.
Venkatesan Sundaresan won a $4.9-million grant from the Gates Foundation to develop money-saving seeds for Indian farmers. He's a distinguished professor in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences.
Researchers at the UC Dry Bean Field Day shared progress on developing bean varieties with higher yields, larger seeds, and better drought, heat, and disease tolerance, using tools such as drones and robotics to accelerate breeding and field testing.
Scientists statewide are testing varieties of large-seeded and baby limas, both bush and vine types, for qualities that are great for consumers and for growers facing a range of conditions. Research updates were presented at the 2025 UC Dry Bean Field Day.
Researchers in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences lay the foundation for future breeding of plums and related tree fruits by cataloguing the genes, and their many variations, that control the ripening process.
The SCOPE student-led organic breeding program is aiming for the release of new flower and crop varieties in the next year or two. Farmers interested in collaborating with field trials now are encouraged to contact the program.
A new certificate program in plant breeding recognizes the skills and experience gained by graduate students taking advanced courses in this area. The first cohort of students earned their certification this spring, signaling their expertise to potential employers. They discuss their research and plans for the future.
New varieties of wheat, oats, barley and alfalfa are available or are being developed to give growers flexibility for their local growing conditions, weather and markets. Plus, early results from on-going trials in wheat under dry conditions were described during the recent UC Davis Small Grains/Alfalfa Field Day at UC Davis.
