“Innovating Agriculture: Transforming Research into Solutions” is the theme for this fall’s Agronomy and Horticulture Seminar Series.
Beginning Aug. 27, Nebraska’s Sophie Alvarez, director of the Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility at the Nebraska Center for Biotechnology, will present “From Molecules to Fields: Proteomics and Metabolomics at the Frontiers of Agricultural Innovation.”
“Mass spectrometry-based proteomics and metabolomics are powerful tools for understanding the complex molecular network that regulates crop metabolism and soil microbiome function,” Alvarez said.
The research professor in agronomy and horticulture will present how these technologies can identify biomarkers linked to desirable agronomic traits, reveal how crops and soil microbiomes respond to environmental stress and inform systems-level breeding strategies.
“This will help translate fundamental molecular research into practical approaches for developing climate-adapted crops,” Alvarez said.
This seminar and all that follow will be in Keim Hall, Room 150 and streamed live. This seminar video will not be posted to the website.
All seminars are free and open to the public. Seminars will be in person on Thursdays, streamed live at 11 a.m. CST/CDT, and recorded unless otherwise noted. Refreshments will be served at 10:30 a.m.
Dates and topics for the rest of the series are as follows:
Sept. 3: “Harnessing Environmental Bacteria in the Development of Biopesticides to Control Plant Diseases: The Case of Bacterial Panicle Blight of Rice,” Clemencia Rojas, associate professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Center for Plant Science Innovation, University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Note: This video presentation will not be posted on the website.
Sept. 10: “Are Chemistry, Application Technology, and Traits Staying Ahead of Palmer Amaranth?,” Jason Norsworthy, distinguished professor, Elms Farming Chair of Weed Science, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
Sept. 24: “Soil Health and Nutrient Management-Bridging Research to Education and Extension,” Bijesh Maharjan, professor, extension specialist, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center, Scottsbluff. Note: This is a special seminar honoring Ray Ward, agronomy alumnus, and Bijesh Maharjan, recipient of the Ray and Jolene Ward Professorship in Soil Health Sciences. The recognition ceremony and seminar are from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Oct. 1: “Grain Infrastructure: Participatory Modeling and the Human Dimension of Future Cropscapes,” Kanchi Desai, doctoral student, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University.
Oct. 8: “Long-term Experiments: A Subject for Modification and Rethinking the Yield Goal Approach,” Lawrence Aula, research assistant professor, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center, Scottsbluff.
Oct. 15: “Advancing Sustainable Postharvest Processing of Floral Hemp Through Solar Drying Technologies and Extension Methods,” Catelyn Bridges, assistant professor, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Oct. 22: “Cultivating Innovation: Accelerating Plant Science to Market,” Ed Cahoon, director, Center for Plant Science Innovation, George Holmes University Professor of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Note: This video presentation will not be posted on the website.
Oct. 29: “Soil Bacterial Community Interactions With Roots and Abiotic Stress,” Daniel P. Schachtman, professor emeritus, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Nov. 5: “Viral Delivery of Gene Editing Reagents in Crop Plants,” Steven Whitham, professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, Iowa State University.
Nov. 12: “Soybean Breeding for Nebraska and Beyond,” George Graef, professor, Nebraska Soybean Producers Presidential Chair of Soybean Breeding, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Nov. 19: “Life Beneath our Feet: Impact on Soil Biogeochemistry,” Karrie Weber, professor, director, Microbiology Program, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Dec. 3: “Weed Management Research and Extension in Key California Specialty Crops,” Brad Hanson, professor, cooperative extension specialist, Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis.
For questions, contact Tamara “Toma” Sukhova at tsukhova2@unl.edu, Agronomy and Horticulture Seminar Committee; Milos Zaric at mzaric2@unl.edu; and Humberto Blanco at hblanco2@unle.edu, co-chairs, Agronomy and Horticulture Seminar Committee.
