If you're interested in learning more about plant breeding and genetics, earn professional development credit through three online mini-courses available this spring.

The Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is offering the advanced online mini-courses from Feb. 26 to April 6. They may be taken for professional units through the department's Plant Breeding and Genetics Professional Certificate program.

The one-unit modules are:

1. Heterosis in Plant Breeding, taught by Joe Keaschall, professor of practice and former industry corn breeder. This module covers classical concepts of heterosis or hybrid vigor. Learners should have a good understanding of plant breeding and genetics.

2. Genotype by Environment Interaction, taught by Oscar Rodriguez>, research professor. This module focuses on types and causes of phenotypic instability due to impacts of environmental factors. Students should have a good grasp of plant breeding and genetics as well as statistics.

3. Environmental Impacts of Crop Genetics: Weed Evolution, taught by Melinda Yerka, assistant professor at the University of Nevada in Reno and graduate faculty associate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This module explores the results of herbicide use since the 1950s.  A prerequisite is the Crop & Weed Genetics module.

One professional certification unit is granted for completion of each module. Cost for each module is $270.

Visit the course webpages or contact Leah Sandall, lsandall5@unl.edu, for more information.