Plant systems and plant science
Professionals in plant science study the growth and development of plants with an eye toward improving their health and nutritional value.
Plant systems and plant science discussion guide
Teachers, this discussion guide will help you talk with your students about careers in Plant systems and plant science.
They help farmers and field specialists improve their crop yield and productivity. While it is difficult to say exactly how much demand will increase for plant systems specialists, job outlook for workers in this field is expected to grow faster than average compared to all other career paths. Several factors will contribute to demand for workers, including the changing nutritional demands of the world’s growing population, the need to manage natural resources to meet those needs efficiently, the push for crops that require less fertilizer (such as pest resistant plant species), and the innovation and production of new biotechnology. All of these factors and more will create job opportunities for professionals in plant systems.
Jobs in this field include horticulturists, agronomists, field and crop specialists, and water and soil management experts. These professionals tend to work directly in outdoor environments with plant life. This career area also includes research positions such as plant geneticists and laboratory experts who work in genetic engineering of plant species. Whether you prefer working behind a microscope, in a production facility, or out in the field with plant life, there are diverse work opportunities of all varieties in this growing career area.
Careers in Plant systems and plant science
- Agronomist
- Biochemist
- Biotechnology Production (producer)
- Biotechnology Researcher
- Cell Culture Technician
- Chemist
- Educator
- Engineer
- Farmer/Rancher
- Fruit and vegetable grower
- Golf Course Manager
- Laboratory Technician
- Marketing Manager
- Microbiologist
- Nursery/greenhouse manager
- Plant Biologist
- Plant Geneticist
- Soil and Water Specialist
Related links
Companies
DuPont Pioneer
Bayer
Beck’s Superior Hybrids
Syngenta
Dow
Nonprofits and government agencies
Ohio State University: Department of Horticulture and Crop Science
Ohio Soybean Council
Additional links
FFA New Horizons: Career Overview: Plant Systems
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Where Food Begins
What is a Botanist?
Want to know what knowledge, skills and academic courses are needed for this career pathway?
Explore this career pathway at OhioMeansJobs
Plant systems and plant science resources at GNG
AFNR biotechnology
AFNR plant systems
Are you sterile? Using sterile technique to tissue culture plants
Biotechnology
Growing more food: biotechnology
Maintaining our yield: assessing biotic and abiotic factors
Managing nutrient and pesticide needs in agriculture
Molecular biology and research
Nitrogen fixation and legumes: say what?
Photoperiod: the floral initiator
Plant inhibition
Plant oils matter: agricultural soap
Soybeans 101
What do you know about soybeans? This course provides an overview of soybeans. Students learn about the parts of the soybean plant and the many uses of soybeans. Information is also provided about the process of growing and exporting soybeans.
Soybeans: from ballast to biotech
Soy McCoy coloring book
Water quality
What factors are used to judge water quality? What human activities might lead to cultural eutrophication and harmful algal blooms? Students will learn about the process and effects of cultural eutrophication and describe ways to reduce risk.