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Plant Science
The Plant Biotechnology Program centers on understanding the mechanisms of plant biotic and abiotic stress tolerance and developing new strategies for improvement of crop tolerance. Stresses such as insect pests, drought and salt may result in significant loss of agricultural production. Because of the genetic complexity of plant tolerance, the integration of molecular techniques with breeding programs can significantly accelerate the breeding process. Our current program focuses on the jasmonic acid signal transduction pathway and its relationship with plant abiotic stress tolerance; genomics and proteomics approaches to identify new genes regulating plant drought and heat tolerance; and development of gene-based markers for soybean salt tolerance. The goal of this program is to develop new techniques for our breeding programs and to provide a platform for student training in molecular biotechnology. Contact: Shuxin Ren
The Soybean Breeding Program at VSU is focusing on increasing agricultural diversification opportunities for farmers in Virginia through the use of new alternative crops that have market demand. Vegetable soybean harvested just prior to full ripeness. Vegetable-type soybean differs from the grain-type soybean in flavor, texture, and acceptability. It is a nutritional power house. Farmers producing green soybeans would have an early cash crop similar to lima beans or peas. Vegetable soybeans easily lend themselves to a wide variety of dishes, bringing the natural qualities of soybeans to an even wider market. However, they are from Asia and not easily adapted to U.S. environment. Currently, groceries in select markets import frozen from Japan, China, and Taiwan to meet the U.S. consumers’ demand. Contact: Tadesse Mebrahtu
The New Crops component of the Plant Science Program aims to diversify cropping systems to enhance agricultural income and profitability, protect water quality from runoff containing nitrogen through reduced fertilizer use, and support production of protein-rich grains for food and feed uses. This program is currently researching canola, white lupin, tepary bean, summer grain legumes (lablab, pigeonpea, and guar), and winter grain legumes (chickpea, lentil, and winter pea). Extensive research is being conducted for Biological N Fixation. A new initiative consists of demonstrating on-farm production of biodiesel from canola oil. This program has previously researched a wide array of potential crop plants including castor bean, kenaf, sunn hemp, mungbeam, tepary bean, faba bean, meadowfoam and vernonia. Contact: Harbans Bhardwaj |
