Plant Breeding and Genetics Research

Green House

Molecular, quantitative, and population geneticists, genomicists, and plant breeders work together to mine genetic diversity and develop improved cultivars of globally and regionally important crops by determining genetic architecture of agronomically important traits. Faculty strive to improve resource use efficiency, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance and resistance, and nutritional quality of crops while addressing societal, environmental, and economic sustainability. Results are improved cultivars of crops ranging from maize (including popcorn and sweetcorn), sorghum, wheat, rice, soybean, dry bean, field pea, proso millet and various turf grass species to emerging crops such as camelina, hemp, hops, and teff. A key research activity is the evaluation of novel crops for adaptability and productivity, targeting the diversification of Nebraska agriculture. Research supports the training of both resident and distance-ed students in plant breeding and genetics, preparing them as catalysts for change in academia and industry.

Modern field and greenhouse facilities, as well as plant transformation, genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics core facilities enable our research. Various forward and reverse genetics, biotechnological and gene editing approaches, and physiological and biochemical profiling are all used to understand and exploit genetic variation. DNA sequencing allows measurement of millions of genetic differences and the expression levels of thousands of genes across a multitude of crops. Genotype is linked to phenotype using high-throughput phenotyping technologies, allowing development of predictive models on cultivar performance across diverse environments. Central to the research are improvements in data management, analysis, and summarization. Leveraging plant-microbe interactions and identifying the effect of microbiomes on variety performance also contribute to the genetic improvement of crops. Faculty work across UNL and the state and play key roles in the Center for Plant Science Innovation, the Nebraska Center for Biotechnology, the Nebraska Food for Health Center, the Water for Food Global Institute, and the Quantitative Life Sciences Initiative.

SOPHIE ALVAREZ

Sophie Alvarez

Professor
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Keenan Amundsen

Keenan Amundsen

Associate Professor
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Thomas Clemente

Thomas Clemente

Eugene W. Price Distinguished Professor of Biotechnology
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Ismail Dweikat

Ismail Dweikat

Professor
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Amanda Easterly

Amanda Easterly

Research Assistant Professor
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CHRISTIAN ELOWSKY

Christian Elowsky

Assistant Professor of Practice
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KATHERINE FRELS

Katherine Frels

Assistant Professor
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George L. Graef

George L. Graef

Professor
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MING GUO

Ming Guo

Research Assistant Professor
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David Holding

David Holding

Professor
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David L. Hyten

David L. Hyten

Haskins Professor in Plant Genetics and Associate Professor
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BLAINE JOHNSON

Blaine Johnson

Adjunct Professor and Lecturer
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Don Lee

Don Lee

Professor
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JEFFREY MOWER

Jeffrey Mower

Associate Professor
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DEVIN ROSE

Devin Rose

Associate Professor
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DIPAK SANTRA

Dipak Santra

Associate Professor
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Daniel Schachtman

Daniel Schachtman

George Holmes Professor and Director, Center for Biotechnology
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James Schnable

James Schnable

Associate Professor and the Dr. Charles O. Gardner Professor of Agronomy
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Paul E. Staswick

Paul E. Staswick

Professor
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CARLOS URREA

Carlos Urrea

Associate Professor
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Harkamal Walia

Harkamal Walia

Professor, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute Faculty Fellow, Heuermann Chair of Agronomy
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JINLIANG YANG

Jinliang Yang

Associate Professor
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Related Programs

Some faculty within the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture also advise and mentor graduate students admitted through the following programs.