As a child, Jagdish Ladha was fascinated by plants and the invisible forces that make them grow. As he got older, that early curiosity turned to the study of nitrogen and sparked a scientific career spanning more than five decades and continents.
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.
Scientist Zane Moore, of the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, discusses his passion for coast redwoods in the documentary film, "Giants Rising," by Lisa Landers/Tangent Productions. Streaming and broadcasting on PBS nationwide.
Most schools in California have lost tree cover, while temperatures are rising -- exposing nearly 6 million students to glaring sun and depriving them of contact with nature. Researchers from the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences ask: How can we use trees to help? This research was funded, in part, by the United States Forest Service.
The prize-winning science of Venkatesan Sundaresan is an example of how federally funded research leads to real-world benefits for ordinary people. His work is featured in the UC Davis "From Labs to Lives" initiative.
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.
Early career scientists are wrapping up a summer of research in the PEAS program -- the Plant, Environmental and Agroecology Sciences Fellowship. Their work links their undergraduate academic studies with real-world problems in service to California farmers.
Ardeshir Damania has won the Frank N. Meyer Medal for Plant Genetic Resources. A longtime scientist collecting and evaluating wheat genetic resources, he became a research associate in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences -- but not before saving the world's wheat genebank.
