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

Sampling of bacterial leaf streak lesions of corn
Figures 2-4. Bacterial leaf streak lesions may vary in color and length, but will be between veins and often have wavy margins.

Update on Bacterial Leaf Streak of Corn in Nebraska

February 23, 2017
Bacterial leaf streak was first confirmed in the US in August 2016 when it was identified in Nebraska corn. It has now been confirmed in 51 Nebraska counties and found in corn fields across the Midwest. This article offers information on current status, identification, and management of the disease. Resistance is not currently available in hybrids and standard management measures of bacterial diseases will help mitigate but not eliminate damage.

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Figures 1a and b. Growth of fungi feeding on dead/decaying tissue and their black spores on corn husks (a) (and other plant parts) may give it a dark, dusty appearance, especially during harvest. The ear itself is usually unaffected by these fungi (b).
Figures 1a and b. Growth of fungi feeding on dead/decaying tissue and their black spores on corn husks (a) (and other plant parts) may give it a dark, dusty appearance, especially during harvest. The ear itself is usually unaffected by these fungi (b).

What's Causing Black "Dusty" Corn?

October 14, 2016
What's that black dust that some growers are reporting at corn harvest? Plant Pathologist Tamra Jackson-Ziems discusses the cause

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Harvest 2016 — When Corn Yields are Below Expectations

October 14, 2016
A review of 2016 growing conditions across Nebraska sheds light on a number of factors that may have contributed to reduced yield in individual fields. An understanding of these factors may be helpful when selecting seed for 2017.

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Aspergillus ear rot damage in corn
Aspergillus ear rot damage in corn

Ear and Stalk Rot Diseases Becoming More Common in Corn Fields

October 13, 2016
Ear rot diseases have been observed and stalk rot diseases are becoming increasingly common. It’s important to scout for stalk rot diseases now to determine which fields are at greatest risk of lodging and should be harvested first. Although it is unknown if ear rot diseases are widespread, it’s also important to scout for ear rot diseases to know how to better handle affected grain at harvest to prevent or minimize impacts on grain quality.

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The tops of corn plants that have Anthracnose stalk rot top dieback may break off prior to harvest, but are not always an indicator of stalk and crown rot lower on the plant.
The tops of corn plants that have Anthracnose stalk rot top dieback may break off prior to harvest, but are not always an indicator of stalk and crown rot lower on the plant.

Scouting for Stalk and Ear Rot Diseases

September 29, 2016
Stalk rot diseases are increasing in corn, causing top die-back in a number of fields, and ear rot diseases are developing in some fields. Scout fields now to help determine the need for any adjustments in your harvest management.

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Crown rot in corn
Crown rot in corn

Stalk Rot Diseases Including Anthracnose Top Dieback Developing in Some Fields

September 9, 2016
While most of the Nebraska corn crop looks good, there is early evidence of developing stalk and crown rot diseases, including Anthracnose top dieback. Producers are encouraged to scout their fields for disease and prioritize those fields for harvest where lodging may become an issue.

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Bacterial Leaf Streak of Corn
Bacterial Leaf Streak of Corn

Bacterial Leaf Streak of Corn Confirmed in Nebraska, Other Corn Belt States

August 26, 2016
Bacterial leaf streak disease of corn, caused by Xanthomonas vasicola pv. vasculorum, has now been confirmed in multiple Corn Belt states. First identified in Nebraska, the bacterial disease has symptoms similar to other corn diseases, such as gray leaf spot, but is managed differently.

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Malformed corn ears
Malformed corn ears

Corn Ear Formation Issues Likely Correlated With the Loss of the Primary Ear Node

August 19, 2016
UNL agronomists and educators responding to grower questions surveyed a number of corn fields this week and found a range of corn ear issues: short husks, dumbbell-shaped ears, and multiple ears per node. The article describes and discusses the situation, potential stress agents, and the development of corn. It also encourages growers to check their fields pre-harvest to better assess causes of potential yield loss.

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