<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#">
  <head>
    <meta charset="utf-8" />
<meta name="description" content="Control strategies are continuously being developed by USDA to reduce losses caused by plant diseases, pests, and weeds, which provide an effective system to maintain environmental quality." />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://www.usda.gov/topics/plants" />
<meta property="og:title" content="Plants" />
<meta property="og:description" content="Plant Breeding Research The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducts plant breeding activities both internally and through publicly funded programs. Plant breeding at the USDA encompasses activities that conduct, sponsor, or analyze the human-aided development of new plant varieties or plant populations." />
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" />
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Plant Breeding Research The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducts plant breeding activities both internally and through publicly funded programs. Plant breeding at the USDA encompasses activities that conduct, sponsor, or analyze the human-aided development of new plant varieties or plant populations." />
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Plants" />
<meta name="twitter:url" content="https://www.usda.gov/topics/plants" />
<meta name="msvalidate.01" content="36F1A09D7116D0E8D667792CE040A6C3" />
<meta name="google-site-verification" content="qUN2GJfA5CL2sBzEQEtHGaF7tScF8afQLCP2MfqO5YA" />
<meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" />
<meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" />
<meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.usda.gov/topics/plants" />
<link rel="shortlink" href="https://www.usda.gov/node/6505" />
<script src="/sites/default/files/google_tag/primary/google_tag.script.js?sbt7xn" defer></script>

    <title>Plants | USDA</title>
    <!-- Favicons
    ================================================== -->
    <!-- 128x128 -->
    <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/ico" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon.ico" />
    <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon.png" />
    <!-- 192x192, as recommended for Android
    http://updates.html5rocks.com/2014/11/Support-for-theme-color-in-Chrome-39-for-Android
    -->
    <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="192x192" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon-192.png" />
    <!-- 57x57 (precomposed) for iPhone 3GS, pre-2011 iPod Touch and older Android devices -->
    <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon-57.png">
    <!-- 72x72 (precomposed) for 1st generation iPad, iPad 2 and iPad mini -->
    <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="72x72" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon-72.png">
    <!-- 114x114 (precomposed) for iPhone 4, 4S, 5 and post-2011 iPod Touch -->
    <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="114x114" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon-114.png">
    <!-- 144x144 (precomposed) for iPad 3rd and 4th generation -->
    <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="144x144" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon-144.png">

    <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/modules/contrib/extlink/extlink.css?sbt7xn" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/modules/contrib/ckeditor_accordion/css/accordion.frontend.css?sbt7xn" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/usda/css/styles.css?sbt7xn" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="print" href="/themes/usda/css/print.css?sbt7xn" />

    
    <!-- We participate in the US government's analytics program. See the data at analytics.usa.gov. -->
    <script async type="text/javascript" src="https://dap.digitalgov.gov/Universal-Federated-Analytics-Min.js?agency=USDA&sp=lookup,locate&exts=pdf,xls,zip,jpg,gif,mp3&dclink=true&yt=true&enhlink=true" id="_fed_an_ua_tag"></script>
    <!-- Google Analytics USDA -->
    <script>
      (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
      (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),
      m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)
      })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga');

      ga('create', 'UA-27627304-1', 'auto');
      ga('create', 'UA-96909960-1', 'auto', {'name': 'usdaTracker'}); // New tracker.
      ga("create", "UA-27627304-46", {"cookieDomain":"auto"});

      ga("require", "displayfeatures");

      ga('send', 'pageview');
      ga('usdaTracker.send', 'pageview'); // Send page view for new tracker

      ga('send', 'event', 'MP3', 'play', 'USDA Radio Stories');
      ga('send', 'event', 'WAV', 'play', 'USDA Radio Stories');

    </script>
  </head>
  <body class="path-node page-node-type-page">
        <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-N65GDDH" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>
      <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas>
    
<a href="#main-content" class="usa-skipnav">
  Skip to main content
</a>
<header class="usa-header usa-header-extended" role="banner" aria-label="Page Header">
  <div class="usa-banner">
    <div class="usa-accordion">
      <header class="usa-banner-header" aria-label="Official United States Government Website Disclaimer">
        <div class="usa-grid usa-banner-inner">
        <img src="/themes/usda/img/favicons/flag-favicon-57.png" alt="U.S. flag">
        <p>An official website of the United States government</p>
        <button class="usa-accordion-button usa-banner-button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="gov-banner">
          <span class="usa-banner-button-text">Here’s how you know</span>
        </button>
        </div>
      </header>
      <div class="usa-banner-content usa-grid usa-accordion-content" id="gov-banner" aria-hidden="true">
        <div class="usa-banner-guidance-gov usa-width-one-half">
          <img class="usa-banner-icon usa-media_block-img" src="/themes/usda/img/icon-dot-gov.svg" alt="Dot gov">
          <div class="usa-media_block-body">
            <p>
                <strong>
                    Official websites use .gov
                </strong>
                <br>
                A <strong>.gov</strong> website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            </p>
          </div>
        </div>
        <div class="usa-banner-guidance-ssl usa-width-one-half">
          <img class="usa-banner-icon usa-media_block-img" src="/themes/usda/img/icon-https.svg" alt="SSL">
          <div class="usa-media_block-body">
          <p>
              <strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong>
              <br>
              A <strong>lock</strong> ( <span class="icon-lock"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="52" height="64" viewBox="0 0 52 64" class="usa-banner__lock-image" role="img" aria-labelledby="banner-lock-title banner-lock-description"><title id="banner-lock-title">Lock</title><desc id="banner-lock-description">A locked padlock</desc><path fill="#000000" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z"></path></svg></span> ) or <strong>https://</strong> means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

            </p>
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="usa-banner">
  <div class="usa-navbar">
    <button class="usa-menu-btn">Menu</button>
    <div class="usa-logo">
      <span href="/" title="Home" rel="home" class="usda-logo">
      <img src="/themes/usda/img/usda-symbol.svg" alt="USDA Logo" class="usda-logo-img" />
    </span>
      	  		<a class="usda-logo-text" href="/" title="Home" aria-label="The U.S. Department of Agriculture Home Page" rel="home">U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>
  	  </div>

  </div>
</div>

  <nav class="usa-nav" aria-label="Navigation">
    <div class="usa-nav-inner">
      <button class="usa-nav-close">
        <img src="/themes/usda/img/close.svg" alt="close">
      </button>
          <nav aria-labelledby="block-usda-main-menu-menu" id="block-usda-main-menu" class="usda-block">
            
  <h2 class="usa-sr-only" id="block-usda-main-menu-menu">Main navigation</h2>
  

        
        <ul class="usa-nav-primary usa-accordion">
          <li>
                            <a href="/" class="usa-nav-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="<front>"><span>Home</span></a>
              </li>
          <li>
                  <button class="usa-accordion-button usa-nav-link usa-current" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="side-nav-2">
            <span>Topics</span>
          </button>
                  <div id="side-nav-2" class="usa-nav-submenu">
    <ul class="usda-nav-submenu">
          <li class="usda-nav-overview">
                                  
                          <a href="/topics" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53242"><span>Topics</span></a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/animals" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6503">Animals</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/biotechnology" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6440">Biotechnology</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/broadband" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/26733">Broadband</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/conservation" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6372">Conservation</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/coronavirus" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/42619">Coronavirus</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/data" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6509">Data</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/disaster-resource-center" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/42098">Disaster Resource Center</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/farming" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6691">Farming</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/food-and-nutrition" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6376">Food and Nutrition</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/forestry" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6422">Forestry</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/health-and-safety" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6418">Health and Safety</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/invasive-species" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/51338">Invasive Species</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/opioids" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/21406">Opioids</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/organic" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6151">Organic</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/plants" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6505" class="is-active">Plants</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/recreation" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6710">Recreation</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/research-and-science" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6374">Research and Science</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/rural" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6423">Rural</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/trade" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6411">Trade</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/urban" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/48397">Urban Agriculture</a>
        
      </li>
        </ul>
        
        </div>
  
              </li>
          <li>
                  <button class="usa-accordion-button usa-nav-link" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="side-nav-3">
            <span>Our Agency</span>
          </button>
                  <div id="side-nav-3" class="usa-nav-submenu">
    <ul class="usda-nav-submenu">
          <li class="usda-nav-overview">
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4831"><span>Our Agency</span></a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/about-usda" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6139">About USDA</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/agencies" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6421">Agencies</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/careers" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6399">Careers</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/employee-services" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/20196">Employee Services</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/farmbill" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/33270">Farm Bill</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/future-of-work" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/48224">Future of Work</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/initiatives" title="Initiatives and Highlighted Programs from across the department." data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6698">Initiatives</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/staff-offices" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6695">Staff Offices</a>
        
      </li>
        </ul>
        
        </div>
  
              </li>
          <li>
                  <button class="usa-accordion-button usa-nav-link" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="side-nav-4">
            <span>Priorities</span>
          </button>
                  <div id="side-nav-4" class="usa-nav-submenu">
    <ul class="usda-nav-submenu">
          <li class="usda-nav-overview">
                                  
                          <a href="/priorities" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/49667"><span>Priorities</span></a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/equity" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/54195">Equity at USDA</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/climate-solutions" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/49668">Climate Solutions</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/nutrition-security" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/49669">Food and Nutrition Security</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/markets" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/48905">More, New, and Better Market Opportunities</a>
        
      </li>
        </ul>
        
        </div>
  
              </li>
          <li>
                  <button class="usa-accordion-button usa-nav-link" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="side-nav-5">
            <span>Media</span>
          </button>
                  <div id="side-nav-5" class="usa-nav-submenu">
    <ul class="usda-nav-submenu">
          <li class="usda-nav-overview">
                                  
                          <a href="/media" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6697"><span>Media</span></a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/media/agency-news-releases" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6512">Agency News Releases</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/media/agency-reports" data-drupal-link-system-path="media/agency-reports">Agency Reports</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/media/blog" data-drupal-link-system-path="media/blog">Blog</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/media/digital" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6704">Digital</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/media/press-releases" data-drupal-link-system-path="media/press-releases">Press Releases</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/media/radio" title="Latest Radio news from daily newsline and weekly features" data-drupal-link-system-path="media/radio">Radio</a>
        
      </li>
        </ul>
        
        </div>
  
              </li>
        </ul>
  



  </nav>


      <form class="usa-search usa-search-small js-search-form" action="https://usdasearch.usda.gov/search" action="get">
        <div role="search">
          <input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓">
          <input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="usda">
          <label class="usa-sr-only" for="header-search">Search usda.gov</label>
                    <input id="header-search" autocomplete="off" accesskey="i" name="query" type="search">
          <button type="submit">
            <span class="usa-sr-only">Search</span>
          </button>
          <input name="commit" type="hidden" value="Search">
        </div>
      </form>
      <div class="usa-nav-secondary">
            <nav aria-labelledby="block-usda-utilitynavigation-menu" id="block-usda-utilitynavigation" class="usda-block">
            
  <h2 class="usa-sr-only" id="block-usda-utilitynavigation-menu">Utility navigation</h2>
  

        
              <ul class="usa-unstyled-list usa-nav-secondary-links">
              <li>
        <a href="/glossary" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6282">Glossary</a>
              </li>
          <li>
        AskUSDA
              </li>
          <li>
        Recalls
              </li>
          <li>
        Contact Us
              </li>
        </ul>
  


  </nav>


      </div>
    </div>
  </nav>
</header>
<div class="usa-overlay"></div>


  <div class="usa-hero" style="background-image: url('/sites/default/files/img/2022-01/hero-tangerine-dream.jpg')"></div>

  <div class="usda-breadcrumb-with-sidebar">
  
  </div>


<main id="main-content"
  class="usa-grid usa-section usa-content usa-layout-docs with-sidebar with-hero    ">

      <aside class="usa-width-one-fourth usa-layout-docs-sidenav">
        <div>
    <nav aria-labelledby="block-secondarynavigation-menu" id="block-secondarynavigation" class="usda-block">
            
  <h2 class="usa-sr-only" id="block-secondarynavigation-menu">Secondary Navigation</h2>
  

        
            <ul class="usa-sidenav-list"/>
                                                      <li>
          <a href="/topics/animals" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6503">Animals</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/topics/biotechnology" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6440">Biotechnology</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/broadband" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/26733">Broadband</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/topics/conservation" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6372">Conservation</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/coronavirus" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/42619">Coronavirus</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/topics/data" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6509">Data</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/topics/disaster-resource-center" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/42098">Disaster Resource Center</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/topics/farming" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6691">Farming</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/topics/food-and-nutrition" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6376">Food and Nutrition</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/topics/forestry" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6422">Forestry</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/topics/health-and-safety" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6418">Health and Safety</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/topics/invasive-species" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/51338">Invasive Species</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/topics/opioids" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/21406">Opioids</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/topics/organic" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6151">Organic</a>
                  </li>
                                                                                            <li>
          <a href="/topics/plants" class="usa-current is-active" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6505">Plants</a>
                                  <ul class="usa-sidenav-sub_list">
                                                      <li>
          <a href="/topics/hemp" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/31558">Hemp</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/pollinators" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/38665">Pollinators</a>
                  </li>
              </ul>
  
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/topics/recreation" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6710">Recreation</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/topics/research-and-science" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6374">Research and Science</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/topics/rural" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6423">Rural</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/topics/trade" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6411">Trade</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/topics/urban" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/48397">Urban Agriculture</a>
                  </li>
              </ul>
  


  </nav>

  </div>

    </aside>
  
  <div class="usa-width-three-fourths usa-layout-docs-main_content">
    

    <div id="block-usda-page-title" class="usda-block usda-page-title-block usda-page-title-block-with-hero">
  
    
      
  <h1 class="usda-page-title usda-page-title-with-hero"><span>Plants</span>
</h1>


  </div>
<div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div>
<div id="block-usda-content" class="usda-block">
  
    
      <article>

  
    

  
  <div>
    
  <h2>Plant Breeding Research</h2>

<p>The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducts plant breeding activities both internally and through publicly funded programs. Plant breeding at the USDA encompasses activities that conduct, sponsor, or analyze the human-aided development of new plant varieties or plant populations.</p>

<ul>
	<li>USDA Plant Breeding and Resource Videos
	<ul>
		<li>Corn</li>
		<li>Strawberry</li>
		<li>Wheat</li>
		<li>National Plant Germplasm System</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
	<li>USDA Plant Breeding Programs
	<ul>
		<li>Agricultural Research Service</li>
		<li>Forest Service</li>
		<li>National Institute of Food and Agriculture</li>
		<li>Natural Resources Conservation Service</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
	<li>USDA Plant Breeding Priorities
	<ul>
		<li>A Plant Breeding Stakeholder Meeting was held in the fall of 2020 to help identify stakeholder needs and focus USDA plant breeding priorities, and the 2021-2026 Roadmap was synthesized from the stakeholder input.</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
	<li>External Federal Partner Resources
	<ul>
		<li>This video developed by CropLife and the American Seed Trade Association provides a journey through the history of plant breeding and its modern applications. Plant Breeding Innovation - YouTube</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
</ul>

<h2>Plant Breeding Roadmap</h2>

<p>Plant breeding is human-aided development of new plant materials with needed characteristics. Plant breeding plays a key role in addressing long-term climate-change mitigation and resilience, and in nutrition security.</p>

<dl class="ckeditor-accordion">
	<dt><strong>USDA 2021-2026 Plant Breeding Roadmap</strong></dt>
	<dd>
	<ul>
		<li>Focus on crops and markets that currently or soon will have impact on public cultivars and/or public pre-breeding germplasm and ensure genetic resources for specialty crops that meet the economic, cultural, and nutritional needs of all Americans</li>
		<li>
		<p>Address the entire breeding cycle in an integrated way, with balanced, appropriate effort and investment in phenotyping, genotyping, and selection phases</p>
		</li>
		<li>
		<p>Develop and model novel and/or optimal methods for breeding program effectiveness and efficiency. Specific modeling and development areas include:</p>

		<ul>
			<li>new in-silico modeling frameworks for breeding research and education</li>
			<li>simulations to model and test full-cycle needs, include value-add and market feedback, to meet strategic goals for climate-smart agriculture, equity, and nutrition security, including partnerships with Climate Hubs and long-term agroecosystem projects (Strategic Goal 1.1)</li>
			<li>model breeding program shifts in response to feedbacks at varying time scales, such as climate change that leads to novel environments and requires new predictions, and changes in the food system that shift priorities during the breeding cycle</li>
			<li>develop breeding program models that specifically address breeding in context and incorporate, for example:
			<ul>
				<li>novel breeding targets, such as system-scale nutrition security, support for traditional diets, and breeding for enhanced nutritional quality (USDA Strategic Goal 4)</li>
				<li>safeguarding of plant health and enhancing food safety through development of varieties with increased resiliency to stress and disease and varieties that promote healthy microbiomes (USDA Strategic Goal 2)</li>
				<li>research on breeding for increased plant protein to help meet global protein demands</li>
				<li>breeding for polyculture optimization, including climate-smart needs such as cover crops and regenerative systems, via developing novel methods and simulations to maximize predictive power</li>
				<li>develop breeding program decision support tools for the full range of producers, including beginning farmers and urban agricultural systems</li>
				<li>build out decision support for breeding of varieties/cultivars that enhance local food networks and build food system resilience and market stability</li>
				<li>develop of new methods and novel, scalable validations to combine phenomics (high-throughput phenotyping) with high-throughput genotyping to identify associations between changes in the DNA and observed differences in phenotype to ultimately predict genotype x environment x management in future environments</li>
			</ul>
			</li>
			<li>Model, pilot, and plan expansion of effective collaborations across the breeding cycle with communities funded by specific programs</li>
			<li>Develop novel approaches to serve emerging markets and needs, such as nutrition security, traditional foods, and citizen breeding programs, including projects that will create more and better market opportunities allowing U.S. agriculture to access and sustain successful market growth abroad (USDA Strategic Goal 3)</li>
		</ul>
		</li>
		<li>Connect education and workforce development programs with startup and established businesses, with a focus on building human and decision-making skills and on simulation modeling/forecasting future plant breeding skills.</li>
		<li>Develop and scale new methods/programs for (i) rapid development of targeted, effective plant breeding education programs for all audiences, (ii) faculty and research professionals to enable shifts in focus to meet future plant breeding needs, and (iii) increase access to program participation among underserved communities (USDA Strategic Goal 5)</li>
		<li>
		<p>Develop and build out a plant breeding emphasis and stakeholder feedback integration for crops desired by Tribal groups and underserved communities to help fulfill the administration priority topics of Equity & Inclusion and Nutrition Security</p>
		</li>
	</ul>
	</dd>
	<dt><strong>Examples of specific audience uses of the 2021-2026 Roadmap</strong></dt>
	<dd>
	<p>This blueprint provides guidance and information for many different audiences, for example a student taking a breeding class can learn about the current state of plant breeding and future directions.</p>

	<p><em>Public plant breeder</em></p>

	<ul>
		<li>To develop and implement ideas that reflect current USDA priorities</li>
		<li>Identify gaps in plant breeding efforts and address those gaps through new research and educational efforts</li>
	</ul>

	<p><em>Private industry plant breeder</em></p>

	<ul>
		<li>Recruit trained graduates who can onboard easily and add value immediately</li>
		<li>Pre-breeding germplasm to incorporate into breeding programs (in some crops)</li>
		<li>Identify new public resources to benefit their plant breeding program</li>
	</ul>

	<p><em>Private industry seed product team leader</em></p>

	<ul>
		<li>Enhance data analysis of public plant breeding program data to examine innovative breeding options for possible use in private breeding programs</li>
		<li>Align priorities of their plant breeding programs</li>
	</ul>

	<p><em>Leadership of professional association</em></p>

	<ul>
		<li>Explain how society’s priorities are being addressed, e.g., germplasm resource development, genotyping, phenotyping, modeling</li>
	</ul>

	<p><em>Professional association member</em></p>

	<ul>
		<li>Participate in conference poster and oral sessions by roadmap topic areas</li>
		<li>Put research in context during talks/posters</li>
		<li>Justify importance of research when applying for special funds/conference awards</li>
	</ul>

	<p><em>Graduate student interested in breeding</em></p>

	<ul>
		<li>Determine potential research projects based on industry/government needs; areas of potential funding and USDA collaboration (what are the active areas of research and what are the gaps); use to align grant proposals with USDA priorities</li>
		<li>Understand future opportunities for after graduate school; what skills need to be developed for future jobs whether in government, industry, or academia</li>
	</ul>

	<p><em>Student taking a breeding class</em></p>

	<ul>
		<li>Learn about the current state of plant breeding and future directions</li>
		<li>Develop class projects or reports</li>
		<li>Learn about skills that will be needed when the student graduates (e.g., data analysis and modeling skills, genetics skills)</li>
	</ul>

	<p><em>ARS scientist</em></p>

	<ul>
		<li>To write a specific project plan</li>
		<li>To support construction of 5-year action plans</li>
		<li>To develop grant proposal ideas</li>
	</ul>

	<p><em>Forest Service scientist</em></p>

	<ul>
		<li>To integrate the latest techniques used by geneticists in other agencies and in the public and private sectors</li>
		<li>To develop a response framework to address resistance tree breeding</li>
		<li>To link Forest Service breeders with others across the Agencies and in public and private sectors</li>
	</ul>

	<p><em>ARS National Program Leader</em></p>

	<ul>
		<li>For writing the action plan, e.g., for National Program 301 which is mostly focused on plant breeding.</li>
		<li>To communicate with stakeholders and scientists about USDA priorities on plant breeding.</li>
		<li>To communicate with other Departments and Agencies and international partners.</li>
		<li>To help future budget discussions.</li>
	</ul>

	<p><em>NRCS Plant Materials Centers</em></p>

	<ul>
		<li>Evaluate potential gaps in conservation and native plant species selection work in the private sector (private seed companies or local seed plant development programs) to determine where there is a need for additional plant selection work by NRCS</li>
	</ul>

	<p><em>NIFA National Program Leader</em></p>

	<ul>
		<li>Include a link to the Roadmap in funding opportunities to support plant breeding program priorities</li>
		<li>Incorporate in explanatory notes and agency budget justifications for Congress, as needed.</li>
		<li>Use in presentations to stakeholders and other Departments, Agencies, and international partners.</li>
	</ul>

	<p><em>University administrator</em></p>

	<ul>
		<li>Return on investment information on plant breeding education programs</li>
		<li>Funding opportunities for plant breeding research</li>
		<li>Collaborative potential for training students and research (e.g., with data science)</li>
		<li>Economic impact of research, cultivar and variety releases</li>
		<li>Prioritization of future faculty positions-–plant breeding and associated disciplines</li>
	</ul>

	<p><em>Extension administrator</em></p>

	<ul>
		<li>Return on investment, plant breeding program efficiency</li>
		<li>New ways to determine fit between producers and plant breeding program outputs</li>
	</ul>

	<p><em>Partner agencies</em></p>

	<ul>
		<li>To show how their research investments benefit development of agricultural research priorities at the national level, through coordinated investments that all contribute to national and global priorities.</li>
	</ul>

	<p><em>USDA leadership</em></p>

	<ul>
		<li>Demonstrate coordination across mission areas</li>
		<li>Illustrate how USDA priorities are being implemented in programs</li>
		<li>Show how allocated resources are being leveraged to accomplish strategic goals</li>
		<li>Use to advocate for priorities and increased funding</li>
	</ul>

	<p> </p>
	</dd>
	<dt><strong>Acknowledgments and Glossary</strong></dt>
	<dd>
	<p><em>Acknowledgments</em></p>

	<p>This roadmap for USDA plant breeding priorities was developed by the USDA plant breeding working group with extensive stakeholder input. This roadmap is a living document and revisions are anticipated; we would be grateful for stakeholder comments on this roadmap directed to PBRoadmapComments@usda.gov. We sincerely thank the many stakeholders who contributed thoughtful comments and participated in stakeholder meetings.</p>

	<p><em>Glossary with definitions of plant breeding terms</em></p>

	<p><strong>Germplasm:</strong> The base genetics of a species from which new plant populations are developed. This would be the parent material to potentially many varieties and cultivars.</p>

	<p><strong>Variety:</strong> A naturally occurring isolated group or an artificially selected group within a species bearing unique traits. Varieties will breed true, producing seed with generally the same characteristics as the parent plants.</p>

	<p>In forest trees many types of varieties can be identified, selected. or even bred, such as:</p>

	<ul>
		<li>Seed Production Area collection-- e.g., cross pollinations of many trees from a given area (provenance) or stand.</li>
		<li>Wide Seed Orchard mix—e.g., cross pollinations of 50 or more selected parents
		<ul>
			<li>very high diversity, true breeding since the parents are selected based on their additive genetic value (i.e., breeding value)</li>
		</ul>
		</li>
		<li>Narrow Seed Orchard mix—e.g., cross pollinations of 15-25 selected parents
		<ul>
			<li>high diversity, true breeding since the parents are selected based on their additive genetic value (i.e., breeding value), although some inbreeding is possible</li>
		</ul>
		</li>
	</ul>

	<p><strong>Cultivar:</strong> A combination of “cultivate” and “variety,” a cultivar is a variety that has been carefully selected and bred for by plant breeders. Cultivars often will not breed true, creating offspring that do not resemble the parent plants.</p>

	<p>In forest trees, cultivars would be propagated and deployed as specific families or clones and they will not breed true since either they are based on additive and non-additive genetic value or their pollinators may be related, causing inbreeding depression. Several types of cultivars can be identified, selected or bred, such as:</p>

	<ul>
		<li>OP family from seed orchard—e.g., cross-pollinations collected from one or a small number of maternal parent(s) in a seed orchard
		<ul>
			<li>moderately diverse, and not true breeding, because pollinators will not be selected, or they will be related to each other</li>
		</ul>
		</li>
		<li>CP family—e.g., controlled-cross pollinations between one or a small number of pairs of parents
		<ul>
			<li>low diversity, and not true breeding, because performance is based on additive and non-additive genetic values and pollinators will not be selected or they will be related to each other</li>
		</ul>
		</li>
		<li>Clonal mix, wide—
		<ul>
			<li>moderate diversity, not true breeding, because performance is based on additive and non-additive genetic values and pollinators will not be selected or they will be related to each other</li>
		</ul>
		</li>
		<li>Clonal mix, narrow—
		<ul>
			<li>Moderate to low diversity, not true breeding, because performance is based on additive and non-additive genetic values and pollinators will not be selected or they will be closely related to each other</li>
		</ul>
		</li>
	</ul>
	</dd>
</dl>

<h2>Promoting Fair Competition and Innovation in Seeds and Other Agricultural Input Industries</h2>

<p>“More and Better Choices for Farmers" is a response to President Biden's Executive Order 14036, which directs Federal agency actions to enhance fairness and competition across America's economy. The report, published in March 2023, synthesizes input from public comments, listening sessions, and academic scholarship to make recommendations and propose strategies for ensuring that the intellectual property system, while incentivizing innovation, does not also unnecessarily reduce competition in seed and other input markets.</p>

<h2>Plant Diseases</h2>

<p>Control strategies that are effective, affordable, and environmentally conscious are continuously being developed by USDA to reduce losses caused by plant diseases that are effective and affordable while maintaining environmental quality.</p>

<ul>
	<li>Plant Diseases National Program</li>
	<li>Plant Protection and Quarantine</li>
	<li>Molecular Plant Pathology Lab</li>
	<li>National Plant Board (NPB)</li>
</ul>

<h2>Plant Health Research</h2>

<p>USDA conducts plant health research and monitoring and provides resources to protect threats to our food supply and to our Nation's economy.</p>

<ul>
	<li>Beltsville Agricultural Research Center</li>
	<li>Agricultural Online Access (AGRICOLA)</li>
	<li>Plants Database</li>
	<li>Plant Photo Gallery</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.nifa.usda.gov/program/horticulture-programs"><span>National Institute of Food and Agriculture </span>Horticulture Programs</a></li>
	<li>Agricultural Network Information Center (AgNIC)</li>
</ul>

<h2>Pest Management</h2>

<p>USDA provides technology to manage pest populations below economic damage thresholds by integrating strategies that are based on increased understanding of the biology and ecology of insect, mite, and weed pests.</p>

<ul>
	<li>Pest Detection</li>
	<li>Remote Pest Identification Program</li>
	<li>Pest Lists</li>
	<li>Invasive Species and Pest Management</li>
	<li>Pest Management</li>
	<li>Office of Pest Management Policy</li>
	<li>Pest Management Resources</li>
	<li>National Agricultural Pest Information System</li>
</ul>

<h2>Weed Management</h2>

<p>USDA's Noxious Weed Program seeks to prevent the introduction of non-indigenous invasive plants in the U.S. and to prevent the spread of newly introduced invasive plants. USDA's noxious weed activities include exclusion, permitting, eradication of incipient infestations, survey, data management, public education, and (in cooperation with other agencies and state agencies) integrated management of introduced weeds, including biological control.</p>

<ul>
	<li>Weed Policy</li>
	<li>Weed Fact Sheets</li>
	<li>Federal Noxious Weed List (PDF, 134 KB)</li>
</ul>

  </div>

</article>

  </div>

  </div>

</main>


  <footer class="usa-footer usa-footer-slim">
    <div class="usa-grid usa-footer-return-to-top">
      Return to top
    </div>
      <div>
    <div class="usa-footer-primary-section">
  <div class="usa-grid-full">
    <nav class="usa-footer-nav" aria-labelledby="block-mainnavigation-2-menu" id="block-mainnavigation-2" class="usda-block">
                                
      <h2 class="usa-sr-only" id="block-mainnavigation-2-menu">Main navigation - Footer</h2>
      

                    
        <ul class="usa-unstyled-list">
          <li class="usa-width-one-fourth usa-footer-primary-content">
                            <a href="/" class="usa-footer-primary-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="<front>"><span>Home</span></a>
              </li>
          <li class="usa-width-one-fourth usa-footer-primary-content">
                            <a href="/topics" class="usa-footer-primary-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53242"><span>Topics</span></a>
              </li>
          <li class="usa-width-one-fourth usa-footer-primary-content">
                            <a href="/our-agency" class="usa-footer-primary-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4831"><span>Our Agency</span></a>
              </li>
          <li class="usa-width-one-fourth usa-footer-primary-content">
                            <a href="/priorities" class="usa-footer-primary-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/49667"><span>Priorities</span></a>
              </li>
          <li class="usa-width-one-fourth usa-footer-primary-content">
                            <a href="/media" class="usa-footer-primary-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6697"><span>Media</span></a>
              </li>
        </ul>
  



          </nav>
  </div>
</div>
<div class="usa-footer-secondary_section">
  <div class="usa-grid-full">
    <nav class="usa-footer-nav usa-width-two-thirds" aria-labelledby="block-usda-footernavigation-menu" id="block-usda-footernavigation" class="usda-block">
                                
      <h2 class="usa-sr-only" id="block-usda-footernavigation-menu">Footer navigation</h2>
      

                    
        <ul class="usa-unstyled-list usda-footer-navigation">
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        AskUSDA
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Pandemic Assistance
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Contact Us
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/sitemap" data-drupal-link-system-path="sitemap">Site Map</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/policies-and-links" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6232">Policies and Links</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/our-agency/about-usda/performance" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6373">Our Performance</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Careers
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Report Fraud on USDA Contracts
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Inspector General
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/plain-writing" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6095">Plain Language Writing in USDA</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/open" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6370">Open</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/ogc/office-information-affairs/foia-division" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45641">FOIA</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/accessibility-statement" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6539">Accessibility Statement</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/privacy-policy" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6516">Privacy Policy</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/non-discrimination-statement" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6409">Non-Discrimination Statement</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/oascr/civil-rights-statements" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/34642">Anti-Harassment Policy</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Information Quality
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        USA.gov
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        WhiteHouse.gov
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/federal-web-site-inventory" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6118">eGov</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Feedback
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/nofear" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/26595">No FEAR Act Data</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Office of Special Counsel
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Whistleblower Protection Coordinator
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/vulnerability-disclosure-policy" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/42655">Vulnerability Disclosure Policy</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/ocfo/plans-reports/agency-financial-reports" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/49604">Agency Financial Reports</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/partner-portal" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53405">USDA CARES Partner Portal</a>
              </li>
        </ul>
  


          </nav>
    <div id="block-constantcontactsignuplist" class="usda-block">
  
    
      
            <div><div class="usa-sign_up-block usa-width-one-third">

        <h3 class="usa-sign_up-header">Sign Up for Updates</h3>

  <a style="color:white;font-weight:bold;" class="usa-button usa-button" href="https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001Sk_8Aa13394xonLLUknSR_CtAy6sVkj7-WTntErj4YHitEGv_xZXTgEreyr8MdkMKJ6cnoDLHPraoNtEuHeVpYuA7EHtjdGdcHtASf8lweU%3D" target=

        "_blank">Subscribe</a>

      </div>

    </div>

  </div></div>
      
  </div>

  </div>

    <div class="usa-grid usda-footer-branding">
        <div>
    <div class="usa-logo">
      <span href="/" title="Home" rel="home" class="usda-logo">
      <img src="/themes/usda/img/usda-symbol.svg" alt="USDA Logo" class="usda-logo-img" />
    </span>
      	  		<a class="usda-logo-text" href="/" title="Home" aria-label="The U.S. Department of Agriculture Home Page" rel="home">U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>
  	  </div>

  </div>

      <div class="footer-social">
        <div class="footer-social-set">
          <a class="usa-link-twitter" href="https://www.twitter.com/usda/" target="_top"><span>USDA on Twitter</span></a>
          <a class="usa-link-facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/usda/" target="_top"><span>USDA on Facebook</span></a>
          <a class="usa-link-linkedin" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/usda" target="_top"><span>USDA on LinkedIn</span></a>
          <a alt="USDA Constant Contact" class="usa-link-constant-contact" href="https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001Sk_8Aa13394xonLLUknSR_CtAy6sVkj7-WTntErj4YHitEGv_xZXTgEreyr8MdkMKJ6cnoDLHPraoNtEuHeVpYuA7EHtjdGdcHtASf8lweU%3D" target="_top"><span>USDA Constant Contact</span></a>
        </div>
        <div class="footer-social-set">
          <a class="usa-link-instagram" href="https://www.instagram.com/usdagov/" target="_top"><span>USDA on Instagram</span></a>
          <a class="usa-link-flickr" href="https://flickr.com/usdagov" rel="publisher" target="_top"><span>USDA on Flickr</span></a>
          <a class="usa-link-youtube" href="https://www.youtube.com/usda/" target="_top"><span>USDA on Youtube</span></a>
        </div>
        <div class="footer-social">
          <div class="footer-social-set">
            <a class="usa-link-rss" href="/rss-feeds" target="_top"><span>USDA RSS</span></a>
          </div>
        </div>

      </div>
    </div>
  </footer>

  </div>

    
    <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/6505","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"data":{"extlink":{"extTarget":false,"extTargetNoOverride":false,"extNofollow":false,"extNoreferrer":false,"extFollowNoOverride":false,"extClass":"ext","extLabel":"(link is external)","extImgClass":false,"extSubdomains":true,"extExclude":"^https?:\/\/[^\/]+\\.(gov|us|mil)\/","extInclude":"","extCssExclude":"","extCssExplicit":"","extAlert":true,"extAlertText":"You are now leaving the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website and entering an external link or a third-party site.\n\nThe USDA website provides links to other websites to provide additional information that may be useful or interesting, and is being provided in a manner consistent with the intended purpose of the content you are viewing on the website. USDA is providing these links for your reference. Once you access another site through a link that we provide, you are subject to the copyright and licensing restrictions of the new site.\n\nIt is the sole responsibility of you, the user of this site, to carefully examine the content of the site and all linked pages for privacy, copyright and licensing restrictions and to secure all necessary permissions if applicable.","mailtoClass":"0","mailtoLabel":"(link sends email)","extUseFontAwesome":false,"extIconPlacement":"append","extFaLinkClasses":"fa fa-external-link","extFaMailtoClasses":"fa fa-envelope-o","whitelistedDomains":null}},"ckeditorAccordion":{"accordionStyle":{"collapseAll":1,"keepRowsOpen":0,"animateAccordionOpenAndClose":1,"openTabsWithHash":1}},"ajax":[],"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"f8aee0238b8c9d927e579055ca13b7d6b049c5bab4784fb84ace390e08c3ba67"}}</script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery/jquery.min.js?v=3.7.1"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/once/once.min.js?v=1.0.1"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/drupalSettingsLoader.js?v=10.2.4"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/drupal.js?v=10.2.4"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/drupal.init.js?v=10.2.4"></script>
<script src="/themes/usda/js/uswds.min.js?v=1.0.4"></script>
<script src="/themes/usda/js/matchHeight.js?v=1.0.4"></script>
<script src="/themes/usda/js/usda.js?v=1.0.4"></script>
<script src="/themes/usda/js/grid.js?v=1.0.4"></script>
<script src="/modules/contrib/extlink/extlink.js?v=10.2.4"></script>
<script src="/modules/contrib/ckeditor_accordion/js/accordion.frontend.min.js?sbt7xn"></script>

    <script type="text/javascript">
    /*<![CDATA[*/
    (function() {
    var sz = document.createElement('script'); sz.type = 'text/javascript'; sz.async = true;
    sz.src = '//us1.siteimprove.com/js/siteanalyze_63343.js';
    var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(sz, s);
    })();
    /*]]>*/
    </script>
  </body>
</html>