SDSU Plant Science Department Home

college of agriculture & biological sciences

The plant sciences have been at the core of SDSU and the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences since the university’s inception in 1881. The Plant Science Department was formed when the Departments of Agronomy (formed in 1903) and Plant Pathology (1940) were merged in 1969. Entomology (1920) joined the Plant Science Department in 1979. These mergers have created a large and complex department including soil science, genetics/breeding, entomology, plant pathology, weed science, and plant science.

Today’s Department of Plant Science is a large and complex department that includes soil science, genetics/breeding, entomology, plant pathology, weed science, and plant science. South Dakota State University has one of the foremost seed technology teaching, service and research labs in the country.

In addition to its disciplinary diversity, the Department has a strong history in providing undergraduate and graduate education, research, extension programs, and technical services that benefit students and stakeholders in South Dakota, the region, nation, and world. Commodity groups continue to be strong partners in Plant Science programs, providing significant funding and other resources.

Faculty offices and laboratories are located primarily in three buildings on campus: Agricultural Hall, the Northern Plains Biostress Laboratory and the Plant Science Building. Additionally, the Department has several greenhouse complexes, a seedhouse, and also hosts South Dakota Foundation Seed facilities on campus. Research and extension farms are located on or near campus, with others in the eastern and central parts of the state. Activities are also coordinated out of the West River Agricultural Center in Rapid City.