Podcast

Plant Breeding Matters

Life Sciences, Science

Plant Breeding Matters because better plants don't just happen. If you're curious about how plants are improved genetically, then you've come to the right place.

Join Professor Rex Bernardo (University of Minnesota) as he talks about what matters in plant breeding, and why it matters. Here you'll learn something new about plant breeding, or gain a better appreciation and understanding of something you might already know.

Episodes
7
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
24 min
On air since
2026
Latest episode
6 days ago

Episodes

7 episodes, newest first

  1. Good ingredients

    Season 1, Episode 6

    Show notes

    A good dish starts from good ingredients. The same applies to plant breeding, with the ingredients being the germplasm used as parents to create new varieties.

    30 min
  2. How are the plants doing?

    Season 1, Episode 5

    Show notes

    To identify the "survivors" in a breeding program, plant breeders need to continually assess the performance of the plants for different characteristics. Find out what this process (aka phenotyping) entails.

    25 min
  3. Taking the plant's lead

    Season 1, Episode 4

    Show notes

    A plant breeder may be the one designing and executing a breeding program, yet a breeder needs to carefully consider and follow the natural mode of reproduction of a given plant species.

    23 min
  4. Genetics 101

    Season 1, Episode 3

    Show notes

    Plant breeding relies on the science of genetics. Here's a quick introduction to (or review of) key genetic principles and concepts that are important in plant improvement.

    24 min
  5. Survivor, GMOs, and a manufacturing process

    Season 1, Episode 2

    Show notes

    The process of improving plants genetically may seems daunting. The underlying concepts in plant improvement, however, are easily understandable.

    24 min
  6. Plants for human benefit

    Season 1, Episode 1

    Show notes

    Plants meet the most basic of human needs, yet we often take them for granted. This episode focuses on just how amazing plants are.

    26 min
  7. Welcome to Plant Breeding Matters! Trailer

    Season 1

    Show notes

    I'm glad you found this podcast! In this trailer episode, I'll introduce myself and describe what this Plant Breeding Matters podcast is all about.

    8 min

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