WSU Plant Breeder Wins USDA Grant

A Washington State University wheat breeder has won a $2 million grant to help all plant breeders in Washington create and test new varieties with the latest research and discoveries.

Arron Carter says he hopes to work with breeders from tree fruit, pea and lentils and much more.

“This grant really is going to be the transition of giving resources to the breeding programs where they can actually utilize research that’s been done previously, implement into their breeding programs and release new cultivars to the growers.”

Carter hopes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the different breeding programs which he says are lagging behind advancements.

Carter says he’s able to work with money from the commodity groups, the university as well as these research grants to improve the industry.

“Leverage all those together to provide the good cultivars for local adaptation.”

The research done here can also be used in other parts of the U.S. and around the world.

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