Planning major research programs requires accurate information about funding and personnel. Since reliable baseline data for plant biology have not been available, a study was conducted to provide such data by measuring the total plant biology effort at major doctorate-granting institutions with graduate programs in botany during fall 1982. Findings (which are national estimates based on responses from 143 of 165 major institutions) are presented in these categories: (1) research support; (2) faculty; (3) faculty vacancies; (4) postdoctorates; (5) graduate students (including women, minorities, and foreign students); (6) areas of concentration; (7) personnel supply and demand; (8) organization; (9) contrasts between land-grand and private institutions; (10) comparison of data at the 20 largest institutions; and (11) plant biology's representation in the life sciences. Among the findings are those indicating that molecular biology was the discipline most frequently cited as having a shortage of personnel, that ecology was the area of concentration that ranked highest for graduate study and faculty research, and that over 900 doctorates were awarded in academic year 1982-83. (Highlights of major findings, summary of methodology used, detailed statistical tables, copy of the survey instruments, and technical notes are included.) (JN)