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University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Agronomy and Horticulture

The Science and Application of Plants to Sustain and Enhance Human Life

Jeffrey F. Pedersen

Professor (Adjunct) and
USDA-ARS Research Geneticist

Contact Information
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DEGREES:

  • B.S., Biology, Nebraska Wesleyan, 1976
  • M.S., Agronomy, University of Nebraska, 1978
  • Ph.D., Agronomy, University of Nebraska, 1981

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

  • Sorghum, genetics, and breeding

MAJOR PROJECT ACTIVITIES:

Project Title:

Genetic Improvement Of Sorghum For Enhancing Energy Yield, Nutrient Availability, And Disease resistance

Objective:

Enhance the energy yield and nutrient value of sorghum by modifying structural and storage carbohydrates. Confirm expression of transgenes in existing T1 sorghum lines and develop systems for deployment of transgenic sorghum. Develop molecular tools and technology for efficient and reliable genetic characterization of fungal races and bacterial biotypes pathogenic on sorghum that can be used to expedite detection and identification of pathogens and their biotypes.

Approach:

The research will utilize technologies including whole-plant and molecular genetics to characterize and manipulate genes already in the genome to generate germplasm with altered starch and cell wall characteristics. Molecular and biochemical and genetic studies of existing putative transgenic lines will be undertaken to develop and identify lines stably expressing transgenes. A strategy using A3 male sterile cytoplasm to decrease the environmental and economic risks associated with testing and release of genetically modified sorghum will be developed. Risk of disease will be reduced by developing technologies to rapidly detect changes in pathogen populations, to detect new pathogen genotypes and to facilitate characterization of responses of specific sorghum genotypes to pathogens.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

  • Oliver, A. L.*, J. F. Pedersen, R. J. Grant and T.J. Klopfenstein. Comparative effects of the sorghum bmr-6 and bmr-12 genes I: forage sorghum yield and quality. Crop Sci. (accepted 05-12-05).

  • Oliver A. L.*, J. F. Pedersen, R. J. Grant, T.J. Klopfenstein, and H. D. Jose. Comparative effects of the sorghum bmr-6 and bmr-12 genes II: grain sorghum grain yield, stover yield, and stover quality. Crop Sci (accepted 04-07-05).

  • Sebolai Boi*, J. F. Pedersen, D. B. Marx, and D. L. Boykin. Effect of Grid Size, Control Plot Density, Control Plot Arrangement, and Assumption of Random or Fixed Effects on Non-Replicated Experiments for Germplasm Screening. Crop Sci. (accepted 03-29-05).

  • Pedersen J. F., S. R. Bean, R. A. Graybosch, S. H. Park, & M. Tilley. Characterization of Waxy Grain Sorghum Lines in Relation to Granule-Bound Starch Synthase. Euphytica (accepted 03-28-05).

  • Pedersen, J. F., K. P. Vogel, and D. L. Funnell. Impact of reduced lignin on plant fitness. Crop Sci. 45: 812-819. 2005.

  • Pedersen, J. F., S. R. Bean, D. L. Funnell, and R. A. Graybosch. Rapid iodine staining techniques for identifying the waxy phenotype in sorghum grain and waxy genotype in sorghum pollen. Crop Sci. 44:764-767. 2004.

  • Pedersen, J. F. and D. B. Marx. A technique to reduce risk of gene flow through sorghum pollen. Crop Sci. 43:1506-1509. 2003.

  • Pedersen, J. F. and K. D. Kofoid. Variability and Relationships Among 12-hour IVDMD, Starch, Oil, Protein, and Physical Characteristics of 16 Sorghum Conversion Lines. Euphytica 130:261-266. 2003.

  • Pedersen, J. F., Todd Milton, and R. A. Mass*. A 12 Hour in vitro procedure for sorghum grain feed quality assessment. Crop Sci. 40:204-208. 2000.

  • Vogel, K. P., J. F. Pedersen, S. D. Masterson, and J. J. Toy. Evaluation of a filter bag system for NDF, ADF, and IVDMD forage analysis. Crop Sci. 39:276-279. 1999.

  • Pedersen, J. F., J. J. Toy, and B. Johnson. Natural outcrossing of sorghum and sudangrass in the central great plains. Crop Sci. 38:937-939. 1998.