Master of Science/PhD in Plant Breeding in Ithaca United States | Cornell University

The plant breeding discipline welcomes students passionate about enhancing crops within worldwide agricultural systems. Faculty research spans practical breeding of key crops like grains, forage plants, potatoes, and various fruits and vegetables, alongside investigations into molecular genetics and crop genomics. The practical breeding initiative focuses on creating plant varieties with improved productivity, disease resilience, adaptability, and quality, while also examining breeding techniques and theories. Molecular and biochemical research aims to pinpoint and extract agriculturally significant genes, connecting findings from model organisms to crop genomes, analyzing genetic diversity, and creating computational tools for crop enhancement. Additional studies explore conservation genetics and evolutionary patterns in cultivated plants and their wild counterparts. Numerous faculty integrate both hands-on breeding and molecular approaches in their work. Researchers are based across multiple institutions including Cornell's Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Boyce Thompson Institute, USDA Robert W. Holley Center (all in Ithaca), and the Department of Horticultural Sciences (Geneva). The program offers access to comprehensive greenhouse and field resources. Molecular research benefits from advanced laboratory equipment, Cornell's extensive plant science initiatives, and partnerships with other life science departments.