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Chris Wyman

Assistant Professor | Plant Sciences

Specialization: Soybean Breeding & Genetics

Overview

Dr. Chris Wyman is an Assistant Professor and soybean breeder at the University of Tennessee, where he leads the UT Soybean Breeding and Genetics Program. Motivated by the belief that plant breeding is one of the most powerful tools for helping farmers produce more with fewer resources, his research focuses on improving soybean productivity and resilience through quantitative genetics, molecular breeding, and advanced phenotyping technologies. The primary goal of his lab is to develop high-yielding varieties and germplasm lines with strong resistance to both abiotic and biotic stresses. He is especially interested in creating soybeans resistant to economically significant parasitic nematodes, such as the soybean cyst nematode, root-knot nematode, and reniform nematode. By pyramiding favorable loci and investigating the trade-offs between growth and defense, his lab aims to produce disease-resistant, conventional, and herbicide-tolerant soybean varieties without compromising yield or vigor.

Research Questions
  • Develop and release high-yielding conventional and herbicide-resistant soybean cultivars tailored to the needs of Tennessee growers.
  • Identify and introgress new sources of resistance to economically important phytoparasitic nematodes such as soybean cyst nematodes, root-knot nematodes, and reniform nematodes.
  • Pyramid parasitic nematode resistance in high-yielding soybean cultivars to provide broad resistance to multiple races, Hg-types, and/or species.
  • Identify new sources of resistance to mature soybean seed damage by assessing breeding lines for reduced shattering, decreased susceptibility to Phomopsis fungal pathogens, and reduced stinkbug-induced seed damage, combined with yield and seed quality stability.
  • Develop soybean cultivars and germplasm with tolerance to abiotic stresses of interest to Tennessee growers, such as drought tolerance.
Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
PLSC 453 - Introduction to Plant Breeding
3 credit hour(s)

Introduction to general principles, practices and techniques used to breed plants, select traits, and develop crop cultivars. Concepts discussed will range from quantitative and population genetics, historical through conventional plant breeding (through self- and cross-pollinations) and hybridization, then end with exploration of contemporary approaches to improve plant traits including molecular breeding and genetic engineering. (Same as PLSC 553.) Credit Restriction: Students may not receive credit for both PLSC 453 and PLSC 553.
Comment(s): Typically offered fall semester in years ending with an even number.

Other Instructors: Bates, Gary Edward

Semesters Offered: Fall | Syllabus: Example 2022 Syllabus
PLSC 553 - Introduction to Plant Breeding
3 credit hour(s)

Introduction to general principles, practices and techniques used to breed plants, select traits, and develop crop cultivars. Concepts discussed will range from quantitative and population genetics, historical through conventional plant breeding (through self- and cross-pollinations) and hybridization, then end with exploration of contemporary approaches to improve plant traits including genetic engineering. Credit Restriction. Students may not receive credit for both 453 and 553.

Comment(s): Will be taught Fall semester and then offered alternate, even-numbered years.
Registration Restriction(s): Graduate level only or permission of instructor.
Registration Permission: Permission of instructor.

Other Instructors: Bates, Gary Edward

Semesters Offered: Fall | Syllabus: Example 2020 Syllabus, Example 2022 Syllabus
Picture of Chris Wyman

865-974-7324

cwyman@tennessee.edu

ORCID: 0000-0002-2863-4553
301 Agriculture and Natural Resource
2431 Joe Johnson Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
Education and Training
  • PhD, Plant, Soil, & Environmental Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2023
  • MS, Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2018
  • BS, Biology/Biological Sciences, Brigham Young University-Idaho, 2014
Lab Members
Alex Bruce
Alanna Brianne Eveland

Chris Wyman

Assistant Professor | Plant Sciences
Picture of Chris Wyman image

865-974-7324

cwyman@tennessee.edu

ORCID: 0000-0002-2863-4553
301 Agriculture and Natural Resource
2431 Joe Johnson Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
Education and Training
  • PhD, Plant, Soil, & Environmental Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2023
  • MS, Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2018
  • BS, Biology/Biological Sciences, Brigham Young University-Idaho, 2014
Overview

Dr. Chris Wyman is an Assistant Professor and soybean breeder at the University of Tennessee, where he leads the UT Soybean Breeding and Genetics Program. Motivated by the belief that plant breeding is one of the most powerful tools for helping farmers produce more with fewer resources, his research focuses on improving soybean productivity and resilience through quantitative genetics, molecular breeding, and advanced phenotyping technologies. The primary goal of his lab is to develop high-yielding varieties and germplasm lines with strong resistance to both abiotic and biotic stresses. He is especially interested in creating soybeans resistant to economically significant parasitic nematodes, such as the soybean cyst nematode, root-knot nematode, and reniform nematode. By pyramiding favorable loci and investigating the trade-offs between growth and defense, his lab aims to produce disease-resistant, conventional, and herbicide-tolerant soybean varieties without compromising yield or vigor.

Research Questions
  • Develop and release high-yielding conventional and herbicide-resistant soybean cultivars tailored to the needs of Tennessee growers.
  • Identify and introgress new sources of resistance to economically important phytoparasitic nematodes such as soybean cyst nematodes, root-knot nematodes, and reniform nematodes.
  • Pyramid parasitic nematode resistance in high-yielding soybean cultivars to provide broad resistance to multiple races, Hg-types, and/or species.
  • Identify new sources of resistance to mature soybean seed damage by assessing breeding lines for reduced shattering, decreased susceptibility to Phomopsis fungal pathogens, and reduced stinkbug-induced seed damage, combined with yield and seed quality stability.
  • Develop soybean cultivars and germplasm with tolerance to abiotic stresses of interest to Tennessee growers, such as drought tolerance.
Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
PLSC 453 - Introduction to Plant Breeding
3 credit hour(s)

Introduction to general principles, practices and techniques used to breed plants, select traits, and develop crop cultivars. Concepts discussed will range from quantitative and population genetics, historical through conventional plant breeding (through self- and cross-pollinations) and hybridization, then end with exploration of contemporary approaches to improve plant traits including molecular breeding and genetic engineering. (Same as PLSC 553.) Credit Restriction: Students may not receive credit for both PLSC 453 and PLSC 553.
Comment(s): Typically offered fall semester in years ending with an even number.

Other Instructors: Bates, Gary Edward

Semesters Offered: Fall | Syllabus: Example 2022 Syllabus
PLSC 553 - Introduction to Plant Breeding
3 credit hour(s)

Introduction to general principles, practices and techniques used to breed plants, select traits, and develop crop cultivars. Concepts discussed will range from quantitative and population genetics, historical through conventional plant breeding (through self- and cross-pollinations) and hybridization, then end with exploration of contemporary approaches to improve plant traits including genetic engineering. Credit Restriction. Students may not receive credit for both 453 and 553.

Comment(s): Will be taught Fall semester and then offered alternate, even-numbered years.
Registration Restriction(s): Graduate level only or permission of instructor.
Registration Permission: Permission of instructor.

Other Instructors: Bates, Gary Edward

Semesters Offered: Fall | Syllabus: Example 2020 Syllabus, Example 2022 Syllabus
Lab Members
Alex Bruce
Alanna Brianne Eveland