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 Kathy Schindler, kschindler1@unl.edu, 402-472-1730, for more information.