2022 Seminar Series

The Use of Novel, Reversed Physiological Phenotyping Methods in a Continuous High-Throughput Crop–Environment Characterization (Continuous G × E)

MENACHEM MOSHELION
Associate Professor, Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel

Moshelion will discuss how this study demonstrates that continuous quantitative measurements of whole-plant (tomato) physiological traits can explain functional differences in their stomatal density and diurnal aperture, as well as their yield under field conditions. Idiotype lines have highly plastic stomatal-conductance, high ratio of abaxial-adaxial stomatal density and early daily aperture.

February 4, 2022

Collaborative Efforts to Diversify Nebraska Cropping Systems

ANDREA BASCHE
Assistant Professor of Cropping Systems, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Increasing diversity in Nebraska’s cropping systems can regenerate soil and improve profitability, critical goals for farmers and communities given market volatility and climate risks. This presentation will describe several collaborative projects underway to implement diversified management, as well as how such collaborative efforts are critical for the many goals we hope to achieve in our scientific fields and broader society.

February 11, 2022

Climate-smart Agriculture: Engaging One Health, Insects, Food and Water Security

GEORGINA BINGHAM
Research Associate Professor and Daugherty Water for Food Institute Faculty Fellow, Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Climate-related risks to health, livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security, and economic growth are projected to increase. In relation to entomology, this poses threats in the form of expansion of suitable habitats for many economically damaging insect pests’ species, particularly insects with vectoral capacity. This presentation will describe examples where the appearance and increase in abundance of these insects pose a threat to the US and global economy, agriculture, public and animal health.

February 18, 2022

From Discovery to Application in Ag Biotech: Lessons Learned Over 14+ Years in Industry

JASON NICHOLS
Principal Scientist, Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC

Translating discoveries into commercial products requires balancing business drivers with scientific possibilities. This presentation will provide an overview of the path from discovery to application for biotech trait development in the Ag industry and – with a focus on complex traits – highlight some of the challenges faced along the way and opportunities provided by the emergence of new technologies.

February 25, 2022

The Human Dimensions of Manureshed Management

GWENDWR MEREDITH
Assistant Professor and Social-Ecological Rangeland Scientist, School of Natural Resources, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Center for Resilience in Agricultural Working Landscapes, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Manuresheds prioritize nutrient recycling between livestock and cropping systems but are dependent on collaboration of many actors. This seminar presents the current state of manureshed management, how can it be improved upon, and what social relationships need to be in place to facilitate this aspirational vision.

March 4, 2022

Interference Between Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and Yellow Nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) in a Home Lawn Setting

LUQI LI
Lecturer, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

The presence of yellow nutsedge reduces turfgrass uniformity and visual quality in home lawns and playability on golf courses and athletic fields. Li found that an actively growing Kentucky bluegrass stand impedes tuber and shoot production of yellow nutsedge from 65% to 99% without using herbicide.

March 25, 2022

Weed Control in High Plains: Current Challenges and Future Outlook

VIPAN KUMAR
Assistant Professor of Weed Science, Agricultural Research Center, Kansas State University, Hays
 

The use of herbicides and herbicide-resistant (HR) crops have allowed to reduce or eliminate tillage for weed management, thereby benefitting soil and water conservation in the semi-arid High Plains. However, the widespread adoption of glyphosate-resistant crops, repetitive use of herbicides with the same mechanisms of action, and lack of diversity in production practices resulted in evolved resistance to herbicides in major cropland weed species, including horseweed, kochia, Palmer amaranth, common waterhemp, and Russian thistle. Managing HR weeds is complex and varies both within and between regions. Further complicating management is lack of community-wide concern and unified approach to management, lack of flexibility in government programs, and current commodity prices makes it difficult to change. This seminar will illustrate some of these challenges and will also highlight novel weed control strategies that may fit well in the no-till cropping systems of the High Plains for controlling HR weeds.

April 1, 2022

From World Cup Soccer to the Environment and Back Again: A Journey of Turfgrass Science

JOHN STIER
Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Professor, Herbert College of Agriculture, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Stier will present a story of how creating a unique playing field for World Cup soccer led to development of research and Extension programs to study grasses for sports and environmental stewardship, with impacts ranging from fertilizer rules to the 2026 World Cup.

April 8, 2022

Sustainability of Rice Production – Integrated Frameworks to Capture Synergies and Tradeoffs

CAMERON PITTELKOW
Associate Professor of Agronomy and Agroecosystems, Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis

A major question facing global rice systems is the extent to which yield, resource use efficiency, and environmental footprint indicators can be simultaneously optimized to meet future food demand. This presentation will discuss recent advances in evaluating synergies and tradeoffs among multiple indicators to identify pathways for sustainability improvement in different rice production contexts.

April 15, 2022

A Coherent Measurement-Modeling Approach to Assess Soil Organic Matter Accrual in Agricultural Land

M. FRANCESCA COTRUFO
Professor of Soil and Crop Sciences, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins

Soil organic matter (SOM) provides many ecosystem services. Cotrufo will present her latest framework to conceptualize SOM structure, formation, and persistence, and a coherent measurement-modeling approach we implemented and use. She will provide examples of applications of our approach to quantify and forecast SOM changes under regenerative agriculture.

April 22, 2022

Is Site-Specific Management Leading Nebraska Growers Towards Higher Nitrogen Use Efficiency? 

LAILA PUNTEL
Assistant Professor of Soil Fertility and Precision Ag Specialist, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

This seminar presents results about how different precision ag technologies for site-specific nitrogen management perform in corn and wheat cropping systems in Nebraska.  

July 11, 2022

Swimming in Boiling Water: Working at the Intersection of Oil Palm Production and Protection of Fragile Ecosystems in Indonesia

SHOFIA SALEH
Smallholder Transformation and Oil Palm Intensification Project Lead, World Resources Institute, Indonesia

Partnership collaboration is essential for solving complex environmental problems. This presentation will explain why a collaborative project between governments, academia and non-government organizations can play a pivotal role to avoid conversion of fragile ecosystems for oil palm cultivation, by proving solutions that can help reconcile production and environmental goals.

September 9, 2022

Exploring Co-learning in Agroecology

CHARLES “CHUCK” FRANCIS, professor emeritus, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Francis will present on co-learning — an educational strategy to build ownership among teachers, students, farmers and administrators in the learning process. He will discuss how to involve everyone in decision-making to discover optimum course content and activities and how to evaluate supporting and hindering forces in making this transformational change in education.

September 16, 2022

What’s Light Got to Do With It? Exploring the Role of Plant-reflected Light in Crop Yield Loss and Weed Management

ANDREW KNISS, department head and professor of weed science, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie

Early-emerging weeds negatively affect crop yield potential, but the mechanisms by which weeds reduce crop yield are not fully understood. Yield loss is typically attributed to resource depletion by weeds. In this presentation, Kniss will summarize several years of research on shade avoidance responses in sugarbeet and the subsequent impacts on yield.

September 23, 2022

We Are Growable: Developing Systems Thinking Through Games

JENNY KESHWANI, associate professor, Department of Biological Systems Engineering and a science literacy specialist, Nebraska Extension, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Game-based learning is a pedagogical approach for engaging diverse students in locally relevant conservation issues. Keshwani will discuss how game experiences help youth explore complex agroecosystems, develop systems thinking habits of mind, and practice making personal and societal decisions related to sustainability and conservation. 

September 30, 2022

Transforming Agriculture Research Through Digital On-farm Research

LAURA THOMPSON, extension educator, Nebraska Extension, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Advancements in digital agriculture tools have increased the scale and complexity of agricultural challenges which can be addressed through on-farm research. On-farm research has the potential to center farmers in the discovery and innovation process and integrate the research, extension and teaching missions of the university. Thompson will discuss the opportunities to leverage the changing landscape of on-farm experimentation drawing examples from the 30+ years of on-farm research in Nebraska Extension.

October 7, 2022

Communicating Science to Public Audiences

HEATHER AKIN, assistant professor, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Science communication is increasingly acknowledged as a strategy for engaging public audiences with complex and sometimes controversial science topics. Akin will discuss principles, practice and research related to science communication, while acknowledging the challenges and opportunities it poses in Nebraska and beyond.

October 14, 2022

Attaining Efficacy, Crop Safety, and Sustainability in Cropping Systems: What’s New in the Weed Management Toolbox?

RAMDAS KANISSERY, assistant professor and weed scientist, Department of Horticulture Sciences, Southwest Florida Research & Education Center, University of Florida, Gainesville

Kanissery's presentation will cover novel and alternative approaches for tackling a problem that has troubled crop production forever – weeds. From weed identification apps to herbicide spraying robots, weed management has advanced rapidly in adopting new technologies in the last few decades. He will discuss innovative tools such as precision herbicide placement, steam application, etc., as weed control strategies in citrus orchards and vegetable production systems.

October 21, 2022

Tackling Nitrogen as Necessary Evil: Impacts on Nebraska’s Cropping System and Water Quality

JAVED IQBAL, assistant professor and extension specialist of soil nutrient management and water quality, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska­–Lincoln

Efficient nitrogen management is imperative in improving crop production while protecting the environment. Iqbal will share his team’s collaborative research and extension efforts with stakeholders in improving nitrogen use efficiency and groundwater quality in Nebraska.

November 4, 2022

How Do They Survive That? Stress Response in Agrostis

KEENAN AMUNDSEN, professor of turfgrass genetics, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska­–Lincoln

The Agrostis genus includes some of the highest valued turfgrass species, such as A. stolonifera and A. capillaris. These species differ in their functional quality and innate response to various stresses. Genomic and transcriptomic tools were used to characterize differences between these species, providing useful targets for introgression breeding.

November 18, 2022

Using Incentive-based Management Tools to Help Achieve Groundwater Sustainability Goals

RENATA RIMSAITE, senior program manager, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, National Drought Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska

Rimsaite's presentation will focus on agricultural groundwater markets — an incentive-based water management tool used in Nebraska that can provide flexibility and help reduce drought risk for farmers. Groundwater markets in Nebraska are highly variable across the state, and they offer lessons to other regions facing similar groundwater management challenges.

December 2, 2022

Irrigation Across the Great Plains

DEREK HEEREN, associate professor and irrigation engineer, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
SALEH TAGHVAEIAN, associate professor and irrigation and water resources engineer, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Irrigation plays a critical role in agricultural production across the Great Plains. A water resources perspective underscores the need for good irrigation engineering and management. Irrigation research and extension activities in Oklahoma and Nebraska will be discussed, along with the status of irrigated agriculture in Nebraska and opportunities for collaboration.

December 9, 2022

Omic Approaches to Decipher Crop Responses to Arthropod Pests

LISE PINGAULT, senior research associate, Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska­–Lincoln

Understanding innate plant defense mechanisms against arthropod pests will provide more information about genes, metabolites and/or regulatory pathways in crops, which will be extremely valuable for plant engineering approaches. In the Molecular Plant-Insect Interactions Lab, multi-omic approaches to characterize crops defense mechanisms in response to chewing and sap-sucking insects, as well as mites, is used.