Education of the Next Generation of Plant Breeders for Horticultural Crop Improvement

Crop improvement powered through plant breeding is critical for sustainable production of horticultural crops that contribute to healthful diets and enhance quality of life for people around the world. Currently there are too few breeders to satisfy global demands and opportunities in the public and private sectors of developing and developed countries. In order to meet future needs, it is important that educational programs incorporate rapidly changing new technologies along with classical content and methods in order to meet professional needs for cultivar developers, researchers, teachers and support scientists. Information from a broad based study at the University of California, Davis that sought input from expert stakeholders about breeding knowledge, experiences and skills can be used by educators, employers and students to provide diverse training opportunities to support ongoing professional development for future success in horticultural crop improvement. INTRODUCTION Horticultural crops contribute materially to the health, well-being and livelihood of people across diverse social-economic strata in all parts of the world. In addition to widespread hunger and malnourishment, in some areas there are rapidly increasing levels of childhood and adult obesity that also pose severe health problems. A well-balanced diet with abundant servings of fruits and vegetables that provide energy, protein, macroand micro-mineral elements, and essential vitamins and growth factors will help alleviate both those situations. Although some dietary components can be enhanced through supplements, the most wholesome effects usually come from fresh and minimallyprocessed products. Herbs and spices provide flavor enhancement that gives increased acceptability and pleasure to many foods. It is difficult to imagine food security and healthy people without abundant horticultural products in the diet. Horticultural plants in our everyday surroundings add beauty and pleasure to both interior and exterior landscapes. Visual and sensual pleasures from a wide array of plants can enhance a healthy life style, speed recovery of patients from surgery and illness and prolong the life of senior citizens. Although more traditionally recognized as sources of income to rural farmers, horticultural enterprises in urban areas offer expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs in villages, towns and cities. While the virtues and value of horticultural crops are well known, their potential often is not fully realized. Wise investment in human resources is needed to capitalize on the rapid changes in science and technology that can unlock that potential. CROP IMPROVEMENT Crop improvement began with people domesticating wild plants by selecting those that met their needs for sustenance and derived products. While some domestication is