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
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

Gray leaf spot (left) and southern rust (right) in corn

Corn Disease Update: Are we out of the woods yet?

August 18, 2017
As southern rust development slowed in some areas with recent cooler temperatures, gray leaf spot severity is now increasing and moving up corn plants to critical leaves for grain fill. Fungicides may be warranted for some GLS.

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Counties with confirmed southern rust

Continued Scouting Urged for Southern Rust Now in 26 Counties

August 4, 2017
Southern rust has now been confirmed in corn in 26 Nebraska counties. As we confirm more Nebraska counties with southern rust, it's important to know that the vast majority of rust reports have been sparse and no fungicide application was required. Continued scouting is urged, as injury can be critical to the grain-fill through dough stages.

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Southern rust pustules on a corn leaf

Corn Disease Update: Southern Rust Increasing; Diplodia New to Nebraska

July 27, 2017
Warm, wet conditions across Nebraska the past two weeks created optimal conditions for crop diseases. This update looks at identification and management of three diseases in corn: southern rust, which is expanding in the state, bacterial leaf streak, and diplodia, which is new to Nebraska.

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Map of counties where southern rust had been confirmed as of Aug. 3, 2017
Map of counties where southern rust had been confirmed as of Aug. 3, 2017

Nebraska Counties where Southern Rust Has Been Confirmed in Corn

August 3, 2017
As of Aug. 3 southern rust had been confirmed in 26 Nebraska counties by the University of Nebraska Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab. This map is updated as new confirmations are made.

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Southern rust on a corn leaf
Figure 1. Southern rust has been confirmed in corn in eight eastern Nebraska counties and growers are urged to scout from now through August, as weather conditions are quite favorable for its development.

Southern Rust Confirmed in Corn in 8 Eastern Nebraska Counties

July 19, 2017
Southern rust has been confirmed in corn in 8 eastern Nebraska counties and growers are urged to scout vigilantly to schedule optimal timing of treatment, if needed. Most systemic fungicides can provide protection of leaves from future infections for 21-28 days.

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common corn smut on an ear

Several Corn Diseases Developing Across Nebraska

July 13, 2017
Several diseases, as well as other problems that look like diseases, have been confirmed in corn samples from around the state. These diseases can be difficult to differentiate from each other and from abiotic causes. This story offers photos and brief descriptions to aid your diagnosis before making treatment decisions.

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Bacterial leaf streak lesions of corn

Bacterial Leaf Streak Confirmed on V4 Corn in Nebraska

June 15, 2017
Bacterial leaf streak disease has been confirmed on a sample submitted to the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic from Adams County. The corn was at the V4 growth stage and represents the earliest that the disease has been confirmed in a field.

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Corn seedling damage
Figure 1. Seedling with post-emergence damping off (left) next to a healthy seedling.

Recent Cold, Wet Conditions are Favorable for Seedling Diseases in Early Planted Corn

May 5, 2017
Recent cold, wet field conditions and fluctuations in soil temperatures have put early planted corn at risk for seedling disease development. Cold soil temperatures and episodes of recent rainfall (and snow) are especially favorable for some of the most common and damaging seedling diseases favored by cold wet conditions.

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