Develop and Manage a long term, sustainable Beit Alpha cucumber breeding program; carry out scientific breeding research, evaluation, culling and selecting the ultimate range of techniques to improve existing plants as well as create new varieties and breeds.
??Job Responsibilities
??Develop breeding direction and strategy in coordination with the General Manager, sales team and other breeders.
??Oversee a breeding and testing program that will lead to the development of improved Beit Alpha Varieties, including but not limited to:
-????Conduct seeds tests through different stages of planting.
Monitor the seeds sowing and follow up until transplanting.
Plant seedlings in designated greenhouses
Observe seedlings until they reach evaluation age
Identify and select plants exhibiting desirable traits based on natural genetic variation
Evaluate the selected plants by the time of flowering to the time of fruiting.
Measure the fruits? length, shape, weight, color and other specifications.
For selected plants, conduct self-insemination as well as cross-breeding
Verify the success of the insemination process at different stages
Conduct evaluation tests for disease tolerance to ensure virus free plants before harvesting.
Cross plants to produce new breeding material for field and greenhouse trials.
Harvest the test crops and extract the seeds from each plant separately.
Perform the drying process on extracted seeds and introduce the results with the production team
Maintain detailed records throughout the research and development phases.
Analyze and scientifically assess plant breeding activities and field trials and select the best variables for next planting cycles.
Stay up to date with plants classes, methods and techniques for improving plants breeding.
??Liaise with and visit other commercial breeders, scientists and participate in the relevant events and seminars.
