The fall Agronomy and Horticulture seminar series begins with “Pollen-mediated Gene Flow and Transfer of Herbicide Resistance Alleles,” presented by Nebraska’s Amit Jhala, associate department head and professor of agronomy and horticulture, on Thursday, Sept. 12.

“Managing herbicide-resistant weeds is a challenge for growers,” Jhala said. “Once herbicide-resistant weeds evolve, it can be spread by pollen, known as pollen-mediated gene flow. Reproductive biology differs markedly among weed species, as does the potential for gene flow.”

The extension weed management specialist said pollen-mediated gene flow at a distance could allow the spread of rare herbicide resistance alleles and favor the evolution of multiple herbicide-resistant biotypes through the accumulation of resistance genes in an individual weed or weed population.

Jhala will present examples of economically important weeds such as waterhemp, Palmer amaranth and giant ragweed, and crops such as corn and popcorn to demonstrate the role of pollen-mediated gene flow in transfer of herbicide-resistance alleles.

All seminars are free and open to the public. Seminars will be in person on Thursdays in Keim Hall, Room 150, 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. 19

“Cultivating Collaboration: Incorporating Social Science for Innovative Approaches to Agriculture and Wildlife Research,” Brooke McWherter, research assistant professor and natural resource social scientist, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Sept. 26

“Genetic Basis of Grain Yield and Quality under Heat Stress in Rice,” Anil Chandran, research technologist, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Oct. 3

“Design Thinking for Specialty Crop Innovations in the Field and Classroom,” Sam Wortman, associate professor and environmental horticulturist, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Oct. 10

“Making the Case for Manure to Improve and Enhance Natural Resources,” Amy Schmidt, professor and livestock bioenvironmental engineer, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Oct. 17

“Droughts, Agriculture, and Public Health,” Jesse Bell, Claire M. Hubbard Professor of Water, Climate and Health; director, Water, Climate and Health program, University of Nebraska Medical Center; director, Water, Climate and Health, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska; professor, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Oct. 24

“The Use of Gene Expression to Predict Gene Function in Maize and Sorghum,” Vladimir Torres-Rodriguez, research assistant professor, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Oct. 31

“Assessing and Advancing Digital Agriculture in Nebraska,” Guillermo Balboa, research assistant professor in nutrient management and digital agriculture, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Nov. 7

“The FoodU Program at Auburn University,” Desmond Layne, department head and professor, Department of Horticulture, Auburn University.

Nov. 14

“Cattle Grazing and Conservation: Rangeland Research at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Lab and Barta Brothers Ranch,” Mitch Stephenson, associate professor and rangeland management specialist, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, associate director, Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Nov. 21

“Technology Application in Soybean Breeding,” Kyle Kocak, research scientist, Corteva Agriscience. Note: This presentation video will not be posted to the website.

For questions, contact Tamara “Toma” Sukhova, Agronomy and Horticulture Seminar Committee, Dirac Twidwell or Christian Stephenson, co-chairs, Agronomy and Horticulture Seminar Committee.