Coastal Plants Genetics Program
The coastal plants genetics program generates knowledge and technology to accelerate development of improved plant materials in native plant species for coastal restoration. Research is conducted for four plants species: smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), sea oats (Uniola paniculata), black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) and weedy red rice (Oryza sativa).
Coastal Plants Breeding Program
The study of coastal plants breeding is an important area of research at the School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences. Louisiana’s coastal wetlands play a vital role in the economy of both Louisiana and the United States because because they support almost a third of the United States’ crude oil production and a large portion of the nation’s coastal fisheries. Louisiana’s wetlands are also vital because they host large populations of migratory birds and buffer the impact of hurricanes and storm surges.