Plant Biologist
A plant biologist specializes in topics such as plant breeding or genetics. Plant biologists develop, conduct, evaluate and report various field research programs in their designated field station locations. Tasks required for their research trials include site selection, planting of test crops, calibrating spray equipment, making pesticide and fertilizer applications, collecting crop and soil samples and more.
What Responsibilities Will I Have?
- Conduct various field research programs
- Perform tasks required for each research trial
- Maintain documentation of all trials and research programs completed
- Organize and work independently while sharing information with relevant parties
- Study the effects of pollution on plants
- Produce plants from tissue cultures
- Identify new species of plants and report new findings
- Monitor, diagnose and treat insect, disease or physiological and cultural conditions
- Manage, organize and analyze field data and summarize findings
- Manage daily lab activities such as supply organization
- Participate in location safety programs and maintain protocols in accordance with industry standards
- Assist with seeding and watering plants in a greenhouse environment
- Design experiments to optimize both the propagation phase and differentiation phase of cell cultures to maximize fiber development
Recommended High School Courses:
- agricultural education
- plant science
- biology
- chemistry
- mathematics
- foreign languages
Education/Training Required:
An associate degree in botany, crop science, horticulture, plant pathology, weed science or agronomy is required. A pesticide applicator’s license is also helpful.
