How to Be Plant Breeder - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 22, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Plant breeding has become increasingly important in recent years as the global population continues to rise and the demand for food increases. This has caused breeders to focus on creating new varieties of crops that can withstand a variety of environmental conditions, require fewer inputs and produce higher yields. Improved varieties of staple crops, such as wheat, corn, rice, and soybeans, are essential for meeting the nutritional needs of the growing population.

Plant breeders use a variety of techniques, such as traditional cross-breeding, genetic engineering, and molecular markers, to develop varieties that are more resistant to disease, pests, drought, and extreme temperatures. These improved varieties can help to reduce the amount of water, pesticides, and fertilizer needed for production and lead to higher yields and better quality food.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. Plant breeders typically need at least a bachelor's degree in a field such as horticulture, plant science, biology, genetics, agronomy, or biochemistry.
Gain Work Experience. Relevant work experience is often necessary for plant breeder positions. You may be able to gain experience through internships or volunteer work with a plant breeder.
Pursue a Master's Degree. A master's degree may be preferred by some employers, and is typically necessary for research positions.
Obtain Certification. Professional certification is not required for plant breeders, but many employers prefer certified professionals. Certification is available from the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America.
Stay Up-To-Date. Plant breeders must be up-to-date on the latest advances in research and methods in their field. They should regularly read scientific journals and attend conferences and seminars related to plant breeding.

In order to stay ahead and qualified as a Plant Breeder, it is essential to continually increase knowledge and skills in the areas of genetics, breeding, crop management, and data analysis. Genetics and plant breeding are the core components of plant breeding, thus it is important to stay informed of the latest advancements in these areas. it is important to stay up-to-date on the industry standards for crop management, such as pest and weed control, fertilization, and irrigation.

Finally, having strong data analysis skills will help Plant Breeders identify trends and patterns in their data that can be used to inform decisions. By staying informed and keeping up with the latest industry standards, Plant Breeders can remain qualified and ahead of their peers.

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Job Description

Develop and implement breeding strategies to develop new varieties of crops or plants.
Design and perform field trials to evaluate new varieties.
Monitor and maintain the health of crop and plant varieties.
Utilize genetic, biotechnological, and other advanced methods for plant improvement.
Collect and analyze data on plant characteristics, performance, and genetic makeup.
Make decisions regarding selection of progeny for further development.
Collaborate with research staff to develop new plant varieties.
Prepare reports, journal articles, and other publications related to plant breeding activities.
Utilize molecular marker technology to identify and select desirable traits in plants.
Liaise with regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with breeding regulations.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of plant genetics and breeding principles
Ability to develop and execute breeding plans
Advanced understanding of crop physiology
Proficiency in data analysis and statistical software
Excellent communication and organizational skills
Proficiency in molecular biology techniques
Ability to create, monitor and evaluate field trials
Familiarity with biotechnology tools and techniques
Knowledge of local and international seed regulations
Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Plant breeding is a complex and challenging task, requiring a variety of skills from knowledge of genetics and plant physiology to the ability to observe and interpret data. The most important skill for a plant breeder is the ability to identify the traits that will be most beneficial in creating new varieties of plants that are hardier, more disease-resistant, and capable of producing higher yields. In addition to selecting for desired traits, the breeder must understand the genetics behind those traits, be able to create crosses with other plants, and be able to evaluate the results and make decisions based on them.

Plant breeders must also be able to understand the environmental factors that affect plant growth and development, such as temperature, soil type, and moisture levels. Finally, they must have the patience and dedication necessary to manage long-term plant breeding projects. Plant breeders must possess a unique blend of science, art, and intuition in order to create successful new varieties.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What inspired you to pursue a career in Plant Breeding?
Describe your experience with plant breeding techniques and technologies.
How would you go about selecting plants for breeding programs?
What challenges have you encountered in developing new plant varieties?
What strategies do you use when attempting to improve existing plant varieties?
What challenges have you faced in managing the propagation of new varieties?
How do you collaborate with other scientists and technicians in the development of new plant varieties?8. How do you ensure that plants are bred in accordance with applicable laws and regulations?
What methods do you use to track a plants performance over time?
Describe a successful plant breeding project that you have worked on.

Common Tools in Industry

Genome Editing Tools. Tools used to modify the genetic material of plants in order to enhance desirable traits. (eg: CRISPR-Cas9)
Plant Breeding Software. Software used to manage data related to plant breeding and genetic analysis. (eg: Plant Breeding Information System)
Phenotyping Tools. Technology used to measure the physical characteristics of plants, such as growth rate and disease resistance. (eg: Phenocam)
Data Analysis Tools. Software used to analyze large datasets related to plant breeding and genetics. (eg: R programming language)
Mapping Tools. Software used to create maps showing the distribution of certain traits in plants. (eg: Genome Mapping Tool)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Society for Horticultural Science
Crop Science Society of America
International Society for Horticultural Science
International Seed Federation
American Seed Trade Association
American Society of Agronomy
Association of Applied Biologists
Association of Plant Breeders
CropLife International
International Association for Plant Breeding

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Common Important Terms

Plant Genetics. The study of the genetic makeup of plants and how it affects their characteristics.
Hybridization. The process of combining the genetic material of two plants to produce a new variety with desired traits.
Selective Breeding. The process of choosing plants with desirable traits and breeding them together to produce offspring with an increased likelihood of having those traits.
Inbreeding. The process of mating closely related plants to produce offspring with similar characteristics.
Genome Editing. The process of altering a plant's genetic makeup through the introduction of new DNA.
Phenotyping. The process of observing and analyzing a plant's physical characteristics.
Genomics. The study of an organism's complete set of DNA, including the sequencing and analysis of its genome.
Agronomy. The science of producing and using plants for food, fuel, fiber, and land reclamation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Plant Breeding?

Plant breeding is the science of altering the genetics of plants in order to produce desired characteristics and improve crop yields.

What are the benefits of Plant Breeding?

The benefits of plant breeding include increased crop yields, improved nutritional value, pest and disease resistance, drought resistance, and improved flavor and texture.

What skills are needed for Plant Breeding?

Plant breeders need a strong background in biology and genetics, as well as experience in plant science and crop production, in order to be successful.

What is the goal of Plant Breeding?

The goal of plant breeding is to create varieties of crops that are higher yielding and have improved nutritional value, pest resistance, and drought tolerance, while also maintaining desirable flavor and texture.