Plant breeder/geneticist : Job description

Plant breeders/geneticists carry out scientific research and apply a range of techniques to improve existing plants as well as create new varieties. Their role is vital to the agricultural industry, allowing it to increase and maintain yields in important crops grown for many uses, such as food and pharmaceuticals.

The aim of their work is to develop useful traits in the plants, such as disease resistance or drought tolerance. They may also try to improve characteristics such as appearance or add nutritional value to the crop, which appeals to the consumer.
 
In recent years plant geneticists have enhanced the traditional work of crossing existing plants and selecting new strains; their expertise allows quicker, more accurate work by selecting the plants containing the genes of interest.

Typical work activities

Work may be carried out in academic, research and commercial settings and varies according to specialist area and level. Common tasks include:

• producing research aims and objectives, and predicting the costing of the work;
• researching methods and techniques for improving plant breeding;
• identifying and selecting plants exhibiting desirable traits based on natural genetic variation;
• crossing plants to produce new breeding material for field and glasshouse trials;
• analysing and scientifically assessing plant breeding in laboratory and field trials and selecting the best varieties;
• conducting scientific projects, which may be laboratory-based, especially in the winter months;
• multiplying up and producing virus-free plants;
• maintaining detailed records throughout the research and development cycle;
• managing, supporting and training technical and field staff;
• keeping up to date in the fast-moving area of science and translating ideas from scientific literature into new approaches to breeding problems;
• monitoring the activities of competitors (in commercial settings) and developing a product market profile;
• responding to enquiries from farmers, agronomists and other professionals;
• writing and presenting work to other scientists and publishing scientific findings;
• liaising with and visiting other scientists, commercial breeders and funding bodies.

There is a continuous need for new varieties to adapt to changing growing conditions, consumer demands and shifts in agricultural or environmental policies. However, developing a new strain can be time consuming and may take several years. Time is spent selecting plants with the desired attributes and assessing them for yield, disease resistance and end-user quality. The most promising samples then need to be purified and multiplied for entry to official trials.

Genetic engineering can produce significant changes in crop characteristics and value in a single generation and has the potential to make the breeding process quicker and more efficient. The ongoing debate about genetically modified food and crops is likely to have a significant effect on the future of plant breeding in the UK.