Professor. University of Vermont. Burlington VT. USA

Professor Eric von Wettberg is trained as an evolutionary ecologist and leads the Crop Genetic Heritage Laboratory at the University of Vermont which aims to conserve, harness, and explore crop genetic diversity. The Crop Genetic Heritage Lab aims to a) to preserve crop genetic diversity by work with community parners, b) diversify cropping systems through the development and introduction of new crops, c) develop improved crop rotations and cropping systems, and d) understand processes by which crops contribute carbon to soils. A core idea pursued across projects examines how domestication and breeding have impacted the rotational value and intercropping value of legumes to other crops in rotational systems. Recent work has involved mungbeans, peas, lentils, chickpeas, common beans, and alfalfa.