Tamra Jackson-Ziems - Extension Plant Pathologist

Tamra Jackson-Ziems

faculty
Work Plant Sciences Hall (PLSH) 406
Lincoln NE 68583-0722
US
Work 402-472-2559 On campus, dial 2-2559
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Tamra Jackson-Ziems, Extension Specialist and Professor, joined the faculty of the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) in April 2005 after completing her graduate degrees at the University of Arkansas and University of Illinois-Urbana. Her appointment is split between extension, research, and teaching 80/10/10%, respectively, with statewide responsibility for diseases of corn and grain sorghum. Her extension activities encompass educating clientele about disease identification, prevention, and management. And her research projects encompass a broad range of topics, including bacterial leaf streak, Goss’s bacterial wilt and blight, use of fungicides for disease control, and plant parasitic nematodes of corn. During her time at UNL, she has delivered more than 180 invited presentations in 16 states and is the 2016 recipient of both the Nebraska Cooperative Extension Association’s Award for Outstanding Creative Programming (for an individual) and the Nebraska Ag Business Association’s Education and Research Person of 2016 Award.

icon-academic-capEducation

  • Ph D, University of Illinois-Urbana, 2005
  • MS, University of Arkansas, 2000
  • BS, University of Central Arkansas, 1996

icon-bookmark-starAwards & Honors

  • Outstanding Education and Research Person of 2016, Nebraska Ag Business Association, 2016
  • Outstanding Award For Creative Programming (Individual) for "Bacterial Leaf Streak of Corn", Nebraska Cooperative Extension Association, 2016
  • Dinsdale Family Faculty Award, IANR, 2009
  • Distinguished New Extension Employee Award , UNL Extension, 2009

Faculty Bio

Twitter: @tjcksn
YouTube: Corn Disease Videos at UNL CropWatch
Website: Corn Disease section of CropWatch Plant Disease Management

Ear rot diseases on three corn ears.
Figure 1. Ear rot diseases in Nebraska corn.

Stalk and Grain Quality Likely to Decline During Wet Weather

October 12, 2018
Stalk and ear rot diseases continue to become more evident in many cornfields across Nebraska where prolonged periods of wet weather have delayed corn harvest.

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Purple seed stain on soybean seed

Cercospora Purple Seed Stain and Blight in Some Nebraska Fields

September 19, 2018
High humidity and warm temperatures created conditions optimal for development of Purple Seed Stain and Blight in some Nebraska soybean fields.

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Left photo showing corn stalk breakage from Gibberela stalk rot and right photo showing corn stalk damage from Fusarium stalk rot.
(L-R) Figure 1. Lodging and stalk breakage, as well as stalk discoloration, are symptoms of stalk rot diseases. (Photo by Terra Hartman) Figure 2. Stalk rot diseases commonly cause discoloration of the stalks and degradation of the white pith between vascular bundle strands. (Photo by Kyle Broderick)

Stalk Rot Diseases in Nebraska Corn Fields

September 13, 2018
Knowing the risk factors for stalk rot can help you evaluate those fields first and prioritize your harvest schedule accordingly. Submitting plant samples and determining which stalk rot is present can help you better prevent or manage it in future years.

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Map showing the 70 counties where bacterial leaf streak has how been confirmred.
Bacterial leaf streak has now been confirmed in corn in 70 Nebraska counties.

Crop Disease Update

August 10, 2018
Plant pathologists report on the corn and soybean diseases they're seeing. Bacterial leaf streak has now been confirmed in 70 counties and Southern rust was confirmed in three more counties.

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Southern rust on a corn leaf

Southern Rust of Corn Confirmed in Nebraska

July 20, 2018
Southern rust has been confirmed in corn in three eastern Nebraska counties this week. Corn fields should be scouted soon and frequently in the coming weeks for this and other diseases in case treatment is necessary.

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Goss's bacterial wilt and blight and northern corn leaf blight on the same corn leaf.
Figure 1. Goss’s bacterial wilt and blight (top) and northern corn leaf blight (lower) lesions may be easily confused. Note the darker water-soaked appearance of the Goss’s wilt lesion and presence of the dark freckles. The northern corn leaf blight lesion is tan in color and has rounded ends. (Photos by Tamra Jackson-Ziems)

Differentiating Corn Leaf Diseases

June 29, 2018
Symptoms of various corn leaf diseases can look very similar in the early stages. Here's how to differentiate one from another of those recently reported in the state.

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Corn growing in flooded soil

Flooding and Ponding in Corn

June 22, 2018
Ponding or flooding of fields affects corn differently at different stages, depending on duration of flooding and other factors. Growers should assess the potential for nitrogen loss and increase scouting for corn disease in these fields.

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Chart showing estimated yields of various populations per planting date

Severe Storms and Hail-Damaged Crops: Steps for Making the Right Decisions

June 14, 2018
After recent severe storms that rolled across parts of Nebraska, growers are encouraged to wait 7-10 days to fully assess crop damage and determine next management steps. Research-based estimated yields from replanting now are included.

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