Skip to content

Objective 2:

Plant Breeding and Genetics

Overview

Our focus is on identifying superior groundcover and corn germplasm and determining the functional traits related to their compatibility. This work will optimize PGC cropping systems by screening for superior groundcovers and maize hybrids that minimize competition between species. We can help enhance PGC’s economic viability through yield improvement and reduced management requirements while increasing ecosystem impacts via reduced chemical inputs. Our work will also enable the design of novel breeding strategies and provides the opportunity to establish dedicated breeding programs for PGC hybrids and varieties.

Goals

Research Goals

  • Identifying and designing superior PGC germplasm by:
    • Quantifying G and GxE variation in PGC systems and constructing a PGC ideotype.
    • Identifying summer dormant PGC germplasm.
    • Initiating dedicated PGC breeding.
  • Evaluating maize x PGC (GxM) interactions.
    • Conducting a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of seed and seedling traits relevant for maize in PGC.
    • Evaluating significance and mechanisms for GxM interactions.
  • Testing the adaptation of elite, locally adapted, and commercially available maize hybrids and soybean varieties to a Kentucky bluegrass PGC system.

Outreach & Education Goals

  • Conduct participatory on-farm research.
  • Identify and overcome practical barriers to PGC adoption.
  • Develop educational modules for post-secondary education.

Plant Breeding and Genetics Team

Leadership

Shuizhang Fei

Iowa State University

Thomas Lübberstedt

Iowa State University

Collaborators

Jane (Jianru) Chen

Iowa State University

El Naz Ebrahimi

Corteva Agriscience

Kyle KocaK

Corteva Agriscience

Sara Lira

Corteva Agriscience

Brandon Schlautman

The Land Institute

Graduate Students & PostDocs

Bandana Bhusal

Iowa State University

Memis Bilgici

Iowa State University

Diego Caixeta

Iowa State University
(Visiting Ph.D. Scholar)

Prathyusha Cheguri

Iowa State University

Yu Ru Chen

Iowa State University

Post Doc

Cameron Krumm

Iowa State University

Vipul Kumar

Iowa State University

Leticia Prada de Miranda

Iowa State University

(Visiting Ph.D. Scholar)

Commercial Partners

NGO Partner