Patricio Grassini - Professor of Agronomy and Horticulture, and Cropping Systems Specialist

Patricio Grassini

faculty
Work Plant Sciences Hall (PLSH) 387
Lincoln NE 68583-0915
US
Work 402-472-5554 On campus, dial 2-5554
Meeting demand for food, feed, fiber, and fuel in a world with a population of 9.8 billion people by 2050, without negative environmental impact or unsustainable use of natural resources, is one of the greatest scientific challenges of our time. Sustainable crop intensification on existing cropland area is therefore crucial to meet increasing food demand and relieve the pressure on cropland expansion. My research and extension programs focus on narrowing the existing yield gap between potential yields and current farm yields, while improving resource-use efficiency and producer profit and minimizing environmental footprint. In accomplishing the foregoing, my program leverages from expertise on crop modeling, spatial analysis, big data, and hypothesis-driven field experiments to benchmark productivity and environmental footprint of crop systems and to identify opportunities for improving both. My program aligns with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) goals relative to address priority issues facing agriculture and food industries in Nebraska and globally, provide the knowledge base essential for managing our natural resources, promote family well-being and community development, and educate future scientists. My research promoting sustainable crop intensification goes beyond Nebraska and USA, including cropping systems in South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South-East Asia. A major on-going project is to develop a Global Yield Gap Atlas that provides estimates of gaps between actual and potential yield for major cropping systems. Another major initiative is a four-year project working with smallholder oil palm farmers in Indonesia. I also lead a project on yield corn forecasting that provides real-time estimates of corn yield potential for the entire US Corn Belt region.

icon-academic-capEducation

  • Ph D, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2010
  • BS, University of Buenos Aires, 2005

icon-documentPublications and Other Intellectual Contributions

  • Beyond the plot: Technology extrapolation domains for scaling out agronomic science., Environmental Research Letters , April (2nd Quarter/Spring) 2018
  • Fostering a climate-smart intensification for oil palm, NATURE SUSTAINABILITY, April (2nd Quarter/Spring) 2021
  • Sustainable intensification for a larger global rice bowl, NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, December 2021
  • Luck versus Skill: Is Nitrogen Balance in Irrigated Maize Fields Driven by Persistent or Random Factors?, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, July (3rd Quarter/Summer) 2021

icon-bookmark-starAwards & Honors

  • Listed in the 2021 List of Highly Cited Researchers (top 1% in the discipline and year in the world), Web of Science Group, 2021
  • W.L. Nelson Award for Diagnosing Yield-Limiting Factors, Agronomy Society of America , 2020
  • American Society of Agronomy (ASA) Early Career Award , Agronomy Society of America, 2016
  • Omtvedt Innovation Award, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2021
  • Junior Faculty Excellence in Research, UNL-ARD, 2015
  • Fulbright Scholarship, Fulbright Commission in Argentina, 2007

Faculty Bio

Rainfed corn yield chart

2023 Corn Yield Forecasts: End-of-season Forecasts Suggest Near to Below-average Yields for the Region

September 14, 2023
The forecasted yield potential this season is 7% below the historical average for both rainfed and irrigated corn, similar to predictions in September 2022.

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Predicted corn yield 2023 map

2023 Corn Yield Forecasts as of Aug. 23

August 23, 2023
Overall, the Corn Belt's regional yield this season is expected to be near the historical average, with a few areas in Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri exhibiting potential for above-average yields.

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Corn yield forecast map 2023

2023 Corn Yield Forecasts as of Aug. 2

August 3, 2023
There continues to be a high probability of near-average yields for most irrigated sites in the Corn Belt, while expectations for rainfed corn sites are diverse across the region.

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Corn yield forecast map 2023

2023 Corn Yield Forecasts as of July 13

July 12, 2023
Although it is still too early to make strong inferences about end-of-season yields for irrigated corn, there is a relatively high probability for near-average yields for a majority of sites.

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Hybrid-Maize model locations

2023 Corn Yield Forecasts: Approach and Interpretation of Results

July 5, 2023
The Yield Forecasting Center (YFC) will provide real-time information on corn phenology and forecasts of corn yield potential to aid growers and ag industry stakeholders in making management, logistics and marketing decisions through the 2023 season.

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Corn seedlings

A Retrospective Analysis of Nebraska Corn and Soybean Planting Progress (1980-2022)

May 4, 2023
UNL researchers examine historical records of corn and soybean planting progress in Nebraska, and provide insights about the planting date trends and impact on past and future yields.

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Rainfed corn yield chart

2022 Corn Yield Forecasts: End-of-season Forecasts Suggest Below-average Yields for the Region

September 15, 2022
The final corn yield forecast for the season suggests below-average yields in rainfed corn in Nebraska. For many irrigated sites across the state, yield is anticipated to be slightly closer to average.

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Rainfed corn yield chart

2022 Corn Yield Forecasts as of Aug. 16

August 18, 2022
Compared to previous forecasts, there is a higher probability of below-average yields for both irrigated and rainfed corn, especially in the western fringe in the region. Overall, the regional average yield is expected to be below the historical averages.

Read more