Plant Translational Genomics Research and Crop Improvement: Putting Research into Practice Through the Plant Breeding and Genomics Community of Practice

Improved technology applied to DNA sequencing and genotyping has significantly decreased costs, and led to an exponential increase in the volume of genetic and genomic data available for plants. Such data can be leveraged to improve crops, using, for example, genomic selection. Implementing genome-assisted strategies will require changes to the structure and methods used in traditional crop improvement programs, requiring outreach efforts to facilitate adoption in an applied plant breeding context. The Plant Breeding and Genomics (PBG) community was formed to help put sequence resources and allied analytical methods into practice. The PBG community (www.extension.org/plant_breeding_genomics) offers flat-text page, animation, blog, tutorial, video, and webinar training resources. Recently published resources help users access open-source statistical software, estimate Best Linear Unbiased Predictors (BLUPs), analyze high-throughput SNP genotype data, and align next generation sequence data. In addition, a multi-part series of learning modules that is focused on the fundamentals of quantitative genetics in the context of molecular tree improvement was published by members of the PBG community. These learning modules have been incorporated into graduate level courses in plant breeding. Outreach and education endeavors by PBG are integrated with peer review and external evaluation aimed at strengthening the quality of original content and meeting the needs of students, practicing plant breeders, and allied professionals. PBG reaches a growing number of professionals working with a diverse array of crops and welcomes new members and partners engaged in basic and applied genetics and genomics. Details about the PBG community can be found at http://pbgworks.org.