Past Seminar Archives
FALL 2019 SEMINARS
Seminars begin at 3:30 p.m. in 150 Keim Hall, East Campus, with refreshments served at 3 p.m. Join us in person or online at https://go.unl.edu/agrohortseminar.
2019 Seminar Schedule (PDF file)
2019 Seminar Schedule (11 x 17 Poster PDF file)
October 11, 2019
Associate Professor, Quantitative Ecologist, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Disease management and government regulations are based on knowledge of the biology and ecology of plant pathogens. Molecular techniques allow accurate identification of causal agents, but have also revealed that some agents constitute several morphologically indistinguishable organisms. This talk will highlight economically relevant examples of cryptic species and why diversity matters, including recent research in Nebraska. Building on the idea that diversity matters, this talk will also highlight research on how a diverse workforce is a powerful asset towards the next big scientific breakthrough and current outreach at Nebraska cultivating career opportunities for underrepresented students in the agSTEM fields.
Why Diversity Matters: From Disease Management to the Next Big Scientific Breakthrough
SYDNEY EVERHARTAssociate Professor, Quantitative Ecologist, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Disease management and government regulations are based on knowledge of the biology and ecology of plant pathogens. Molecular techniques allow accurate identification of causal agents, but have also revealed that some agents constitute several morphologically indistinguishable organisms. This talk will highlight economically relevant examples of cryptic species and why diversity matters, including recent research in Nebraska. Building on the idea that diversity matters, this talk will also highlight research on how a diverse workforce is a powerful asset towards the next big scientific breakthrough and current outreach at Nebraska cultivating career opportunities for underrepresented students in the agSTEM fields.
October 25, 2019
Associate Professor, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
How the plant genome is regulated, organized, and expressed to produce different cell types is arguably one of the grand challenges in biology. Using state-of-the-art single-cell methodologies, the Libault lab is interested in characterizing cell-type-specific transcriptomic programs, their level of conservation between plant species, their dynamic regulation in response to environmental stresses, and the impact of chromatin accessibility in regulating these programs.
A Multiomic Approach at the Single Cell Level to Better Understand the Transcriptional Regulation of Plant Genes
MARC LIBAULTAssociate Professor, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
How the plant genome is regulated, organized, and expressed to produce different cell types is arguably one of the grand challenges in biology. Using state-of-the-art single-cell methodologies, the Libault lab is interested in characterizing cell-type-specific transcriptomic programs, their level of conservation between plant species, their dynamic regulation in response to environmental stresses, and the impact of chromatin accessibility in regulating these programs.
Video will not be available for this seminar.
November 1, 2019
Assistant Professor, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
In Nebraska, as in other regions with intensively managed agriculture, many streams are enriched with nutrients. Yet, these streams also have the capacity to process nutrients, slowing or completely removing them from the water. This talk will consider the biogeochemical potential of streams in Nebraska to mitigate nutrient enrichment.
The Biogeochemistry of a Fertilized Landscape: Are Nebraska Rivers and Streams Pipes or Processes of Nutrients?
JESSICA CORMANAssistant Professor, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
In Nebraska, as in other regions with intensively managed agriculture, many streams are enriched with nutrients. Yet, these streams also have the capacity to process nutrients, slowing or completely removing them from the water. This talk will consider the biogeochemical potential of streams in Nebraska to mitigate nutrient enrichment.
November 8, 2019
Assistant Professor, Irrigation Management Specialist, Biological Systems Engineering, West Central Research and Extension Center, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
The needs of growers continue to change overtime due to the level of education; awareness of the physical environment; sophistication of equipment and farming systems, technology, and their associated services; heightened pressure from end-users; and/or accessibility to information; among others. Consequently, the platform or space in which we engage growers around efficient and profitable crop production must adapt. This seminar will provide an overview of an interactive and engaging program titled “Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS)” as well as current research efforts in west central Nebraska.
Connecting with Growers through a Peer-to-peer, Experiential Program Titled TAPS
DARAN RUDNICKAssistant Professor, Irrigation Management Specialist, Biological Systems Engineering, West Central Research and Extension Center, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
The needs of growers continue to change overtime due to the level of education; awareness of the physical environment; sophistication of equipment and farming systems, technology, and their associated services; heightened pressure from end-users; and/or accessibility to information; among others. Consequently, the platform or space in which we engage growers around efficient and profitable crop production must adapt. This seminar will provide an overview of an interactive and engaging program titled “Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS)” as well as current research efforts in west central Nebraska.
November 15, 2019
Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
The Jinliang Yang group uses maize as its studying system to address the overarching question: What makes plants more productive? Towards this end, they are focusing on bridging the genotype-phenotype divide using quantitative genetics/genomics approaches. Here, Yang will talk about their recent progress on epigenetic modeling and high-throughput phenotyping.
Understand Maize Productivity and Adaptation via Omics Data Modeling
JINLIANG YANGAssistant Professor, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
The Jinliang Yang group uses maize as its studying system to address the overarching question: What makes plants more productive? Towards this end, they are focusing on bridging the genotype-phenotype divide using quantitative genetics/genomics approaches. Here, Yang will talk about their recent progress on epigenetic modeling and high-throughput phenotyping.
November 22, 2019
Assistant Professor, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Plant Systems Biology is relatively a new concept in which a systems level approach is needed in order to get a wholesome view of plant biology. This talk will highlight how metabolic modeling and ‘omics’ data integration can attempt to explore some of the important questions in plant biology ranging from stress response and role of specific group of metabolites in pathogenic response.
Metabolic Modeling and ‘Omics’ Data Integration in the Context of Plant Systems Biology
RAJIB SAHAAssistant Professor, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Plant Systems Biology is relatively a new concept in which a systems level approach is needed in order to get a wholesome view of plant biology. This talk will highlight how metabolic modeling and ‘omics’ data integration can attempt to explore some of the important questions in plant biology ranging from stress response and role of specific group of metabolites in pathogenic response.
December 6, 2019
Assistant Professor, Range Management Specialist, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Rangeland production and species composition vary both spatially and temporally in western Nebraska. This variability can influence how cattle graze within pastures and, as a result, grazing pressure on specific areas or specific species depending on grazing management. This presentation will focus research seeking better understanding of spatial and temporal variability on rangelands and how understanding cattle grazing behavior can help livestock producers strategically manage cattle for defined vegetation objectives.
Rangeland Research in Western Nebraska
MITCH STEPHENSONAssistant Professor, Range Management Specialist, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Rangeland production and species composition vary both spatially and temporally in western Nebraska. This variability can influence how cattle graze within pastures and, as a result, grazing pressure on specific areas or specific species depending on grazing management. This presentation will focus research seeking better understanding of spatial and temporal variability on rangelands and how understanding cattle grazing behavior can help livestock producers strategically manage cattle for defined vegetation objectives.
Past Fall 2019 Speakers & Videos
September 6, 2019
Faculty Fellow, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, Associate Professor, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Higher global temperatures during cropping seasons are resulting in yield losses. Part of these losses are resulting due to higher nighttime temperatures during grain development. Walia will present work aimed at elucidating the physiological and molecular basis of these yield losses in two major cereals, wheat and rice. High temperature resilience of these two crops, which collectively provide more then 50% of the human caloric needs is essential for sustaining future food production.
Improving Heat Resilience in Cereals
HARKAMAL WALIAFaculty Fellow, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, Associate Professor, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Higher global temperatures during cropping seasons are resulting in yield losses. Part of these losses are resulting due to higher nighttime temperatures during grain development. Walia will present work aimed at elucidating the physiological and molecular basis of these yield losses in two major cereals, wheat and rice. High temperature resilience of these two crops, which collectively provide more then 50% of the human caloric needs is essential for sustaining future food production.
This seminar will not be streamed live or recorded.
September 13, 2019
Integrating Design, Analytics, and Genomics in Crop Improvement
JIANMING YUProfessor and Pioneer Distinguished Chair in Maize Breeding, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University
Novel strategies and effective tools are essential for sustainable food production. One challenge is how to rethink and redesign discovery pipelines to achieve higher resource use efficiency. In this seminar, Yu will highlight three research areas where integrated designs can be used to mine the diversity in genes and environments.
September 20, 2019
Pollinator Health and Conservation Efforts in Nebraska
JUDY WU-SMARTAssistant Professor, Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology, Bee Lab, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Pollinator Health and Conservation Efforts in Nebraska” is a seminar that highlights research and extension efforts by the UNL Bee Lab as well as collaborators and partners across the state. Information will include current research on abiotic and biotic stressors contributing to bee decline in managed honey bee colonies and wild bee populations. This seminar is the start of a series of webinars presenting information on projects in Nebraska by members and partners of the Beneficial Insect Ecosystem Issue Team.
September 27, 2019
Regenerative Agriculture – from the Soil to the Table
JOSEPH AND MATTHEW BRUGGER, Upstream FarmsSTEVE TUCKER, AgriForce Seed
KATIE KREUSER AND BEN MCSHANE-JEWELL, Assistant Extention Educators, Metro District, Seminar Moderators
Three University of Nebraska–Lincoln CASNR alumni share how they are changing the agricultural landscape in Nebraska from their crop selection and growing practices, to the product marketing and diverse customer base. Panelists will discuss the importance of their practices and how farmers can apply them to ensure future success.
October 4, 2019
Río de la Plata Grasslands - a South American Tallgrass Prairie? Floristic and Ecological Similarities and Management Implications
BIANCA OTT ANDRADEPostdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
The Río de la Plata grasslands is one of the largest continuous grassland ecosystems in the Americas. These subtropical and temperate grasslands share many floristic and functional similarities with temperate grasslands of North America. Andrade will discuss how these characteristics lead to similar ecological processes and their implications to grazing management.
October 11, 2019
Why Diversity Matters: From Disease Management to the Next Big Scientific Breakthrough
SYDNEY EVERHARTAssociate Professor, Quantitative Ecologist, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Disease management and government regulations are based on knowledge of the biology and ecology of plant pathogens. Molecular techniques allow accurate identification of causal agents, but have also revealed that some agents constitute several morphologically indistinguishable organisms. This talk will highlight economically relevant examples of cryptic species and why diversity matters, including recent research in Nebraska. Building on the idea that diversity matters, this talk will also highlight research on how a diverse workforce is a powerful asset towards the next big scientific breakthrough and current outreach at Nebraska cultivating career opportunities for underrepresented students in the agSTEM fields.