Mission:
The Crop Improvement and Utilization Research Unit conducts research to enhance agronomic properties and end-use quality of crop plants. Research goals are accomplished by development of new technologies that integrate biochemical and molecular approaches with biotechnological strategies. Crops include cereals (wheat, rice, barley), vegetables (potato), oilseeds (castor, Lesquerella) and rubber crops (guayule, Russian dandelion, Hevea). Research priorities include molecular analysis of effects of environment on wheat flour quality and allergenic potential and production of wheat germplasm with enhanced baking quality; development of molecular tools to minimize risk in genetically engineered crops and practical application of molecular genetics for improved vegetables; and development of a domestic source of industrially useful oils and natural rubber.