Episode 31: Cornell University Michael Mazourek PhD - How Can We Breed Vegetables for Flavor and for Local Growers?

Michael Mazourek, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science, Plant Breeding and Genetics, and Horticulture.   Michael Mazourek, PhD, is the Calvin Knoyes Keeney Associate Professor of Vegetable Breeding at Cornell University. Michael is a breeder of peas, beans, squash, cucumbers and peppers and has released numerous cultivars and breeding materials that are shared by small, regional seed companies and incorporated into breeding program of the world's largest seed companies. Michael's specialty is biochemical genetics in vegetables; he explores the diverse phytochemistry that plants use to repel pests and herbivores, reward and nourish pollinators and seed dispersers and cope with environmental stresses, with a goal of harnessing to maximize nutrition and sustainability. Michael shares the craft of plant breeding with students at Cornell, through grower conferences and field days.   TOPICS EXPLORED 0:00 – 1:52 – Introduction 1:52 – 3:44 – Can you give me a short overview of your plant science research at Cornell University? 3:44 – 6:26 – How did you become interested in plant science, food, and agriculture? 6:26 – 8:16 – What is the history of plant breeding? How and why did it begin? 8:16 – 9:55 – Why is plant breeding important? 9:55 – 14:25 – What are some of the methods for breeding plants? 14:25 – 17:22 – How does the type of breeding you do differ from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or work done using CRISPR? 17:22 – 18:52 – What are some of the types of plants you have bred? 18:52 – 23:41 – What are some ways plants can be bred for great flavor? Can you give some examples of varieties you've created? 23:41 – 26:44 – How have you worked with local growers to breed plants? 26:44 – 29:00 – How can plants be bred to be more disease resistant? 29:00 – 30:40 – How can plants be bred to be more resistant to extreme weather events such as droughts or floods? 30:40 – 34:24 – What do you see as the future for organic, open-pollinated plant breeding?   MICHAEL MAZOUREK AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY INFORMATION https://cals.cornell.edu/michael-mazourek   RESOURCES Maz Lab Seeds: https://www.instagram.com/mazlabseeds/   FOOD FOR YOU AND THE PLANET PODCAST INFORMATION Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/food-for-you-and-the-planet/id1739416396 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7pkAIuXxl9dzD48b7qMOL1 RSS: https://feeds.libsyn.com/506343/rss Podcast Instagram: @foodforyouandtheplanet   TAGS Food Environment Health Podcast Sustainability Agriculture Organic Plant Breeding Seeds