Plant Genetics

Kasia Glowacka looks at camera
Kasia Glowacka, assistant professor of biochemistry, pursues high-level lab analysis but also likes to study plants in the field. She wants her projects to have direct relevance for producers. The university’s plant-focused research facilities are well-suited for advanced analysis, she said. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing)

Husker Research Points to Increased Water Use Efficiency for Crops

October 11, 2024
UNL researchers have developed a genetic modification that enables plants to use up to 30% less water without sacrificing growth — a breakthrough that could lead to more efficient water use in agriculture.

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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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Woman examines specimen tube in laboratory
Maria Fernanda Sanches, an intern at the High Plains Ag Lab, prepares a root sample at the Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center’s lab in Scottsbluff. (Photo by Chabella Guzman)

Researchers Look at Roots for Insight into Drought-tolerant Wheat

July 1, 2024
Husker researchers are investigating how wheat root systems impact yield in historical and new varieties to inform the UNL wheat breeding program for future cultivars.

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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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Wheat variety trial plots
For producers who are unable to attend the Wheat Variety Tour dates this year, demonstration plots will be labeled approximately a week before the scheduled tour and remain in place until harvest.

UNL Wheat Variety Tour Coming to Grant June 12

June 7, 2024
The next stop for the 2024 UNL Wheat Variety Tour will be the Henry J. Stumpf International Wheat Research Center in Grant, featuring research updates on wheat stem sawfly, winter peas, water stress-tolerant wheat hybrids and more.

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