Plant Breeding and Genetics Research

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.

  1. Avatar for Sophie Alvarez
    Courtesy Research Professor
  2. Avatar for Thomas Clemente
    Eugene W. Price Distinguished Professor of Biotechnology, Center for Plant Science Innovation
  3. Avatar for Amanda Easterly
    Research Associate Professor
  4. Avatar for Christian Elowsky
    Assistant Professor of Practice, Plant Biology Undergraduate Advisor
  5. Avatar for Katherine Frels
    Assistant Professor
  6. Avatar for George L. Graef
    Professor, Nebraska Soybean Producers Presidential Chair of Soybean Breeding
  7. Avatar for Ming Guo
    Research Associate Professor
  8. Avatar for David Holding
    Associate Department Head, Professor, Plant Biology Director
  9. Avatar for David L. Hyten
    Haskins Professor in Plant Genetics and Associate Professor, Soybean Genetics/Genomics, Center for Plant Science Innovation, Nebraska Food for Health Center
  10. Avatar for Blaine Johnson
    Professor of Practice
  11. Avatar for Donald J. Lee
    Professor
  12. Avatar for Jeff Mower
    Professor
  13. Avatar for Devin Rose
    Associate Professor
  14. Avatar for Dipak Santra
    Professor
  15. Avatar for Daniel Schachtman
    George Holmes Professor; Director of Center for Biotechnology
  16. Avatar for James Schnable
    Professor, Nebraska Corn Checkoff Presidential Chair
  17. Avatar for Carlos Urrea
    Professor
  18. Avatar for Harkamal Walia
    Professor, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute Faculty Fellow, Heuermann Chair of Agronomy
  19. Avatar for Jinliang Yang
    Associate Professor, Charles O Gardner Professorship of Agronomy
  20. Avatar for Paul E. Staswick
    Emeritus Professor

Related Programs

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