Schmid Lab

Crop Biodiversity and Breeding Informatics (350b)

Welcome to the web page of research group Crop Diversity and Breeding Informatics at the University of Hohenheim. The group is led by Prof. Dr. Karl Schmid.

Our research focuses on analyzing genetic and phenotypic variation in wild relatives, land races and modern varieties of crop plants. We also develop strategies to utilize genetic variation in plant breeding programs. The main goal of our research is to understand how plants adapt to their environment and to identify genes that are responsible for adaptation. To this end, we use evolutionary, genetic and bioinformatic approaches to detect natural selection in wild plant species and artificial selection by humans in crop plants. We are involved in national and international research networks that include partners from academia and the private sector. Karl Schmid coordinates the DFG-funded Priority Program SPP1819 “Rapid evolutionary adaptation: Potential and constraints”.

We are part of the Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population Genetics in the Faculty of Agriculture. Our group is a member of the Competence Unit of Plant Breeding and the Computational Science Hub at the University of Hohenheim.

In addition to research, teaching in bachelor and master programs as well as the training of early career researchers is an important part of our activities (See Teaching).

Lab news

Two PhD positions available

We have two PhD positions available:

  • Breeding and genetics of reproductive traits in quinoa. Job advertisement: PDF
  • Quantitative genetics and breeding in soybean. Job advertisement: PDF

Review of applications will begin 31 March 2023

Posted: 1 March 2023

Max Haupt wins Haberlandt prize

PhD student Max Haupt was awarded the Haberlandt Award for outstanding achievements in soybean research in China and Europe External link

Posted: 12 October 2022

Lydia Kienbaum appears in ARTE TV documentary

Bioinformatician shows her work on using deep learning for the phenotyping of plant genetic resources in an ARTE TV documentary on research for food security External link

Posted: 28 May 2022

Che-Wei Chang wins a poster prize at International Barley Genetics Symposium

PhD student Che-Wei Chang wins a prize for his poster about his work on geographic distribution of genetic variation in wild barley at the 13th International Barley Genetics Symposium in Riga/Latvia External link

Posted: 7 July 2022

Lydia Kienbaum wins Rudolf-Mansfeld Prize

Master student Lydia Kienbaum was awarded the Rudolf-Mansfeld Prize 2021 for her work on using deep learing for maize cob phenotyping External link Congratulations!

Posted: 6 October 2021