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PLANT BREEDING FOR DROUGHT TOLERANCE
Moisture deficits loom as one of the greatest challenges to future crop production. Enhancing the genetic tolerance of crops to drought stress is considered an essential strategy for addressing these deficits. To respond to the need for more plant scientists trained in developing drought tolerant cultivars, Colorado State University will offer a short course on Plant Breeding for Drought Tolerance, June 11-22, 2012, in Fort Collins, Colorado.
The course will end with a two-day symposium on June 21-22, 2012. Confirmed speakers include Drs. John Boyer, John Passioura, Eduardo Blumwald, Tom Juenger, Amelia Henry, Sean Cutler, Jill Deikman, and Mark Cooper. The symposium will also be available for separate registration.
TARGET AUDIENCE
The course is targeted to graduate students in the plant sciences, as well as to professionals in the public and private sectors. It will provide three transferable graduate-level credits.

CONTENT
The course will consist of classroom lectures, hands-on lab exercises, and field research activities appropriate for a drought breeding and genetics program. Course activities are designed around three modules: 1) Whole Plant Physiology of Drought Stress, 2) Plant Breeding Strategies for Drought Stress Tolerance, and 3) Genomic Approaches to Drought Stress Tolerance.

PREREQUISITES

Participants should have a solid understanding of basic plant physiology and genetics. Prior to the short course, students will review online material on these topics to provide a common background in breeding and physiology concepts. The course will be given in English.

PROGRAM COSTS
The cost of student tuition and fees is $1,800. Accommodations for room and board are available on-campus for either $850 (double occupancy) or $1,150 (single occupancy). This cost includes three meals daily. Guests are also welcome to make their own arrangements for room and board. All foreign visas and travel arrangements are at students' initiative and expense.

FUNDING
Partial funding to develop the course was provided by a grant from USDA-NIFA. We're sorry that no scholarships are available for the course.

REGISTRATION AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Participants may apply for the course online (http://www.droughtadaptation.org<http://www.droughtadaptation.org/>) through February 1, 2012. Questions about either the course or symposium should be directed to the Program Assistant, Annie Heiliger at Annie707@rams.colostate.edu<mailto:Annie707@rams.colostate.edu>.

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Patrick F. Byrne
Professor & Graduate Studies Coordinator
Dept. of Soil & Crop Sciences
1170 Campus Delivery
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Phone: 970-491-6985