Genetic Improvement

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Genetic improvement, or biotechnology, is becoming more of a viable tool used to develop better crop varieties that we grow to produce the food, fuel and fiber needs of our citizens.

In 2010, 91% of the corn acres and 94% of the soybean acres in Nebraska were planted with biotechnology derived varieties (USDA Report). These would include insect resistant, herbicide resistant and stacked GMO varieties. For more information on how these varieties are developed see Making a Genetically Engineered Crop.

Whether you are ....

  • a producer or crop consultant who needs to understand how to carefully manage these resistance traits for the long haul, or....
  • a seed salesperson with many biotech-derived varieties in your sales portfolio, or...
  • a science teacher looking for information on the applications of biotechnology, or...
  • someone interested in how biotechnology has/is being applied to meet todays needs in food, feed and fiber production...

..you will find the navigation links on this site helpful in increasing your knowledge and awareness of many aspects of biotechnology.

More Biotech Info

Contact Us

Leah Sandall
Associate Professor of Practice
UNL Department of Agronomy and Horticulture
PLSH 279L
Lincoln NE 68583-0915
402-472-9295
lsandall5@unl.edu

Related Articles

Man standing in field of corn and weeds
Kicking off the fall seminar series on Sept. 12, Amit Jhala will discuss the challenges of managing herbicide-resistant weeds through pollen-mediated gene flow — the process by which herbicide resistance genes are spread from plant to plant via pollen.

Agronomy and Horticulture Seminar Series Begins Sept. 12

September 4, 2024
Free to the public, the fall seminar series will highlight the latest research and technologies for herbicide-resistant weeds, crop genetics, sustainable agriculture, digital agriculture, the impact of droughts on public health, and more.

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Man stands in corn field
A team led by Nebraska's James Schnable has received federal funding to expand the development of an innovative method to predict the performance of corn hybrids. The work is an important step toward commercializing new crop varieties. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing)

Schnable Expands Work to ID Corn Genes, Predict Hybrid Performance

August 14, 2024
The research team's efforts could lead to innovations that significantly streamline the process of breeding and commercializing high-yield, resilient corn varieties, which is crucial for meeting global food demands.

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Lab worker behind computer

Analysis, Summarization and Interpretation of Plant Breeding Data Workshop Aug. 6-8

July 11, 2024
The focus of this workshop will be on the practical aspects of managing data and performing mixed model analyses, and participants are encouraged to bring their own datasets to explore options.

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Wheat on lab table with filled syringe

Introduction to Hybrid Breeding Workshop Begins July 31

July 11, 2024
This workshop is designed for non-hybrid breeders to become acquainted with basic terminology and the process for developing a genetically improved hybrid cultivar for commercialization. 

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Man and woman stand in wheat field
The university developed this new wheat variety through a group effort headed by Stephen Wegulo, professor of plant pathology and plant pathologist for Nebraska Extension, and Katherine Frels, Nebraska’s small grains breeder and an assistant professor of agronomy and horticulture. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing)

Nebraska-developed Wheat Variety to Address New Fungal Threat

June 12, 2024
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is releasing a new wheat variety, NE Prism CLP, that stands out for its resistance to fungal disease, including fusarium head blight.

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