Do you want to help feed and fuel the world while protecting the planet and securing the environment sustainably?

Major in Plant & Soil Systems

What is Plant & Soil Systems?

Plant and soil systems marries science and sustainability. Learn how to grow crops, manage natural resources, and fuel the future — without sacrificing the planet's ecosystem. This interdisciplinary program blends agronomy, entomology, horticulture, plant pathology, soil science, and crop physiology. Access hands-on learning and research with real-world impact in Louisiana's rich terrain. A major in plant and soil systems means you’ll be prepared for graduate studies and high-demand careers in agriculture, the environment, regulation, and more. LSU offers concentrations in Agricultural Pest Management, Crop Science, Horticulture Sciences, Medicinal Plant Sciences, Soil Science, Sustainable Production Systems, Turf & Landscape Management, and Urban Entomology.

Program Website

Degree Details

Admissions Info

Program Highlights

Hands-On Experience Get your hands dirty at the LSU Hill Farm Teaching Facility or care for LSU’s athletic fields with facilities and grounds teams. Real-world work gives you a strong foundation, leading to specialized, career-focused advantages.

Top-Hiring Network Our graduates go on to work at top employers — USDA, Environmental Protection Agency, Bayer, Disney, Corteva, Del Monte, Land O’Lakes, and more — in roles across science, agriculture, and business.

Land-Grant Legacy As Louisiana’s flagship land-grant university, you’ll have direct access to AgCenter programs, which reach every parish in the state.

Louisiana Advantage With Louisiana’s $12.8 billion ag economy, LSU offers unmatched access to internships, research, and career paths rooted in real impact and regional relevance.

What You Can Do

An LSU degree opens doors to a wide range of career paths and professional opportunities. With a strong academic foundation, real-world learning, and support from a powerful alumni network, you’ll graduate prepared for success in today’s competitive job market. Whether you’re planning to work in a corporate setting, nonprofit organization, government agency, creative industry, or research lab, LSU equips you with the in-demand skills and hands-on experience employers value most.

Potential Careers

Agronomist
Athletic Turf Manager
Crop Consultant
Entomologist
Floral Designer
Golf Course Superintendent
Greenhouse Manager
Horticulturist
Landscape Designer
Plant Breeder
Plant Pathologist
Plant Geneticist
Regulatory Scientist
Research & Development Scientist
Sales Representative
Seed Production Agronomist
Soil Scientist

Workplace Settings

Agricultural Consulting Firms
Seed & Crop Production Companies
Greenhouses & Nurseries
Golf Courses & Sports Turf Facilities
Landscape Design & Architecture Firms
Research & Development Laboratories
Government Agencies
Universities & Agricultural Extension Services
Soil & Water Conservation Districts
Regulatory & Compliance Agencies
Agricultural Chemical Companies
Botanical Gardens & Arboretums
Horticultural Therapy Centers
Floral Design Studios
Environmental Restoration Organizations

$54,000

Average alumni Plant & Soil Systems salary 5 years after graduation

What Plant & Soil Systems Looks like

Farm to Football: Ag Research in the Field

From Childhood adventures to Plant Pathology: Christian Fritsch's Journey in Horticulture and Research

Building Skills

Crop Innovation Learn to analyze issues from all angles and tackle complex challenges with confidence.

Crop Marketing & Management Build strong writing and speaking skills to clearly express your ideas.

Horticulture Mastery Use frameworks to interpret data and concepts to make informed, real-world decisions.

Research & Analytics Partner with others to tackle real-world issues from multiple perspectives.

I love how this major is hands-on. My professors have been amazing. Having someone who is interested in what they talk about and gets excited about it has made the biggest impact in my learning. Sienna Thibodeaux
BS Plant & Soil Systems ‘25

I have yet to meet a professor or instructor that didn’t look out for the students or who didn’t have a passion for all things plant and soil science related. The School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Science definitely has made its place in my heart. Allison Frye
BS Plant & Soil Systems ‘24

As an undergraduate, I appreciated our program. Now, as an instructor, I love helping students grow both academically and personally. Our department is a vibrant community. I invite prospective students to experience the unique opportunities and supportive environment that LSU offers. Kaylee Deynzer
BS Plant & Soil Systems ‘19
MS, Plant, Environmental & Soil Sciences, ‘22

Calling the outdoors your classroom is a wonderful privilege. My experiences positively shaped how I interact with plants and ecosystems. I graduated prepared for a fulfilling career in horticulture extension work where I get to pay forward all I have learned. Celine Richard
BS Plant & Soil Systems ‘18
MS Plant, Environmental & Soil Sciences ‘20

In classes we learn about different grasses and weeds. It’s cool to go on the [Tiger Stadium] field and get to experience it in real life. One day you’ll be working on a tractor, the next day you’ll be spreading sand. It’s a constant process that all leads up to game day. Being able to give people that magic feeling when you walk in is awesome. Jack Simmons
BS Plant & Soil Systems

Some labs we go out, and we'll plant certain crops or make certain media mixes. While we’re doing that, our professor is talking about what we're doing, why we're doing it, and how it's important. Christian Fritsch
BS Plant & Soil Systems

Advance your Career

Post-graduate education

LSU offers competitively ranked post-graduate programs designed to help you innovate and lead in your field. Engage in advanced coursework, contribute to impactful research, and learn from expert faculty who are solving real-world challenges across Louisiana and beyond. Whether you're looking to deepen your expertise, pivot into a new industry, or accelerate your career, LSU’s graduate programs open the door to a world of opportunity.

Master's in Agribusiness Master’s in Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences

Related Majors

Coastal Environmental Sciences

Environmental Engineering

Geology

Apply Today!