Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Biology - Agricultural Plant Biology

Agricultural Plant Biology focuses on plants used for cover-crops, food, fiber, fuel and turf. The program has a strong research emphasis on plant responses to both abiotic and biotic stresses, reproductive biology at the level of the gene to the crop production system, and breeding for enhanced yield in a resource-limited environment. Our broad range of research and extension faculty and students are actively engaged in research with emphases in subtropical horticulture, plant breeding and plants important to California and world-wide agriculture. Species include citrus, avocado, cowpea, barley, wheat, rye, rice, maize, asparagus, tomato, alfalfa, bean, olive, pea, grape, fescues and Festuca-Lolium hybrids, kikuyu grass, pistachio, pomegranates, radish, carrots, cotton, Sorghum hybrids, Saccharum hybrids, agricultural weeds and community gardens. Some laboratories translate research from model systems to crops. Research spans field studies through breeding and molecular biology providing graduate students training for careers in industry, academia, and extension.