Fall 2024 Seminars
Seminars will be in person, streamed live and recorded at 11 a.m. CST/CDT on Thursdays in Keim Hall, Room 150, unless otherwise noted.
UNL employees join via Zoom at: https://go.unl.edu/agrohortseminar
Community members join via Zoom at: https://go.unl.edu/agrohortseminarcommunity
Nov. 14, 2024
Cattle Grazing and Conservation: Rangeland Research at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Lab and Barta Brothers Ranch
MITCH STEPHENSON
Associate Professor and Rangeland Management Specialist, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Associate Director of the Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
The Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory and Barta Brothers Ranch have provided the University of Nebraska–Lincoln a valuable working landscape in the Sandhills to conduct rangeland research. This presentation will highlight past and present rangeland research at these locations.
Nov. 21, 2024
Technology Application in Soybean Breeding
KYLE KOCAK
Research Scientist, Corteva Agriscience
New technology has fundamentally changed plant breeding programs inside Corteva. Identifying and leveraging technology is a key component of running a modern soybean breeding program. Kyle Kocak will discuss some examples of how genetic gain can be accelerated by successfully applying new technology to plant breeding.
Note: This presentation video will not be posted to the website.
PAST SEMINARS
Sept. 12, 2024
Pollen-mediated Gene Flow and Transfer of Herbicide Resistance Alleles
AMIT JHALA
Associate Department Head, Professor and Extension Weed Management Specialist, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Managing herbicide-resistant weeds is a challenge for growers. Once herbicide-resistant weeds evolve, it can be spread by pollen, known as pollen-mediated gene flow. Reproductive biology differs markedly among weed species, as does the potential for gene flow. Pollen-mediated gene flow at a distance could allow the spread of rare herbicide resistance alleles and favor the evolution of multiple herbicide-resistant biotypes through the accumulation of resistance genes in an individual weed or weed population. Amit Jhala will discuss examples of economically important weeds such as waterhemp, palmer amaranth, and giant ragweed and crops such as corn and popcorn to demonstrate the role of pollen-mediated gene flow in transfer of herbicide-resistance alleles.
Sept. 19, 2024
Cultivating Collaboration: Incorporating Social Science for Innovative Approaches to Agriculture and Wildlife Research
BROOKE MCWHERTER
Research Assistant Professor and Natural Resource Social Scientist, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Wicked challenges in natural resource management demand more than just traditional solutions — they require a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach. This presentation will showcase how integrating social science with environmental and agricultural research enhances our ability to address these complex issues. Through current and ongoing projects, Brooke McWherter will discuss the development of collaborative research, share key social science findings, and outline her vision for future work at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Sept. 26, 2024
Genetic Basis of Grain Yield and Quality under Heat Stress in Rice
ANIL CHANDRAN
Ph.D., Research Technologist, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Heat stress during the grain-filling period has a detrimental effect on rice yield and quality. The development of heat-resilient cultivars could help address this issue if tolerant alleles can be identified and incorporated into the germplasm. This presentation will focus on the research conducted to understand the genetic basis of grain yield and quality under heat stress in rice.
Oct. 3, 2024
Design Thinking for Specialty Crop Innovations in the Field and Classroom
SAM WORTMAN
Associate Professor and Environmental Horticulturist, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Design thinking for innovation is a systematic, iterative, and creative process for solving problems and developing new products, practices, and services in plant and landscape systems. In this seminar, Sam Wortman will share an example of design thinking for innovation in his research, leading to commercialization of the RootThru Weed Barrier. He will also discuss classroom strategies for engaging students in design thinking through the creation of their own innovations.
Oct. 10, 2024
Making the Case for Manure to Improve and Enhance Natural Resources
AMY SCHMIDT
Professor and Livestock Bioenvironmental Engineer, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Using manure to fertilize crops is a practice as old as time. However, as agricultural production systems have become more specialized (e.g., less integrated), reliance on inorganic fertilizers has increased while manure has increasingly become viewed as an environmental pollutant and nuisance. When properly managed, though, manure serves as a valuable fertilizer and soil amendment to provide essential crop nutrients and support the living ecosystem in soil. This presentation will explore the role of soil health in achieving food security, natural resource protection, and resilience to climate change, and the value of recycling locally available manure as a cropping system input prior to importing inorganic fertilizers.
Oct. 17, 2024
Droughts, Agriculture, and Public Health
JESSE BELL
Claire M. Hubbard Professor of Water, Climate and Health, Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Director of Water, Climate, and Health Program at UNMC; Director of Water, Climate and Health at the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska
The mission of the Water, Climate and Health programs at the University of Nebraska is to develop interdisciplinary research, education and collaborative solutions to public health challenges associated with environmental issues in Nebraska and around the world. As the founding director, Jesse Bell has helped grow these programs to over 25 faculty, staff, and students. In this seminar, Bell will discuss how human and natural processes are connected to changes in the environment and climate.
Oct. 24, 2024
The Use of Gene Expression to Predict Gene Function in Maize and Sorghum
VLADIMIR TORRES-RODRIGUEZ
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Vladimir Torres-Rodrigues joined the James Schnable lab in October 2021 as a postdoctoral scholar, since then he has been working with quantitative genetic techniques to predict genes associated with a phenotype. He became a Research Assistant Professor this July.
Oct. 31, 2024
Assessing and Advancing Digital Agriculture in Nebraska
GUILLERMO BALBOA
Research Assistant Professor in Nutrient Management and Digital Agriculture, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Nebraska is a leader in adopting Digital Agriculture (DA) tools across the U.S. This seminar will assess the state of DA in Nebraska and highlight ongoing efforts to develop, evaluate, and promote tools and technologies that address the state’s agricultural challenges.
Nov. 7, 2024
The FoodU Program at Auburn University
DESMOND LAYNE
Department Head and Professor, Department of Horticulture, Auburn University
FoodU provides Auburn University students with transformational food system learning experiences as they grow hyperlocal fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers to support consumption and utilization in Campus Dining, the Culinary Sciences program and in two on-campus restaurants. Produce is grown outdoors in raised beds, in greenhouses, vertical farms and on a rooftop. Desmond Layne will discuss program highlights, best practices and challenges.