F. Wolfgang Schnell

F. Wolfgang Schnell (* 18 May 1913 in Bad Oeynhausen; † 29 December 2006 in Stuttgart) was a German professor of applied genetics and plant breeding.

In the same year (1963) he was appointed full professor and director of the newly established Institute of Plant Breeding at the University of Hohenheim (Stuttgart, Germany).

During most of this time he also acted as director, later as a major scientific advisor, of the Hohenheim State Plant Breeding Institute (Landessaatzuchtanstalt).

In addition, Schnell extended the theory of selection for quantitative traits to multiple stages and developed models for assessing the influence of epistasis on heterosis.

Last but not least, he modernized the design and analysis of plant breeding field experiments by implementing new statistical tools and electronic data processing technologies.

In maize Schnell developed early-maturing flint and dent line gene pools and in 1965 released the first German double-cross hybrid 'Velox' (FAO 210).

Major research topics of his group included All theoretical studies were accompanied by extensive field experiments, many of which were conducted in collaboration with breeding companies.

Schnell excelled in intellectual power, clear research concepts, and a strong mission towards promoting plant breeding.

When Schnell was appointed professor of Applied Genetics and Plant Breeding at Hohenheim, no adequate course program existed in this field.

During the first years of his employment he therefore spent most of his energy on developing an up-to-date teaching program covering all relevant basic and applied areas.