In the mid 1980s, the annual program format changed to one of eight weekly lectures on one topic or research area of significance to plant breeding with each lecture being given by a US scientist. Examples of the topics for these lecture series were "Breeding for Physiologic Traits", "Mutation Breeding", and "Breeding for Quality Traits". The format for the PSL Series changed again in 1993 to an annual one and one-half day program, usually with six lecturers. Examples of more recent programs have been "Transposable Elements in Plant Breeding", "Use of Molecular Markers in Plant Breeding", and "Use of Modern Techniques in Cultivar Development". The current theme is epigenetic mechanisms in plants.
Funding to support the ISU Plant Science Lecture Series initially came from
a grant made to the Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station by a grower of certified
seed and currently by earnings from an endowment established with residual funds
from the Second International Plant Breeding Conference and a gift from the
late Raymond Baker. Chairs of the PSL committee have been Kenneth Frey (1977
- 93), Arnel
Hallauer (1993 - 2001), and Kendall
Lamkey (2001 - to date).
The Plant Science Lecture Series is free and open to the public. Attendees are
invited to join us for lunch on Thursday and Friday. There is no charge for
lunch. However, in order to know how many to expect, we ask that you register
for the conference. Registration also ensures that you will be notified in future
years of upcoming Plant Science Lecture Series.
Plant Science Lecture Series topics and programs are developed by the Plant Science Lecture Series Committee. Please feel free to contact one of the committee members if you have questions or would like further information.
Comments about this page or associated links can be sent to Allen Knapp