Nebraska Extension awarded Amit Jhala, professor, associate department head, and extension weed management specialist in agronomy and horticulture, an Excellence in Extension Award for Research Based. He was recognized at the Nebraska Extension Fall Conference Nov. 22 at the Nebraska East Union.
This award exemplifies excellence in research-based extension work. Jhala’s applied weed science research program solves real-world problems of weed management faced by Nebraska growers. He is nationally and internationally known for researching pollen-mediated gene flow from herbicide-resistant crops and weeds and managing herbicide-resistant weeds and multiple herbicide-resistant crop volunteers. He has published 172 papers in peer-reviewed journals + 12 refereed book chapters with more than 4,000 citations and an h index of 35.
“He successfully translates research projects into extension programs and address real world problems faced by growers in Nebraska and beyond,” said award nominator Robert “Bob” Klein, emeritus professor.
Jhala and his team organize the Nebraska Extension Weed Management Field Day each year, attended by 100 to 200 clientele. Klein said Jhala and his team provide cutting-edge, research-based information by demonstrating trials of new herbicides, multiple herbicide-resistant crops, and how to manage herbicide-resistant weeds.
“This is the venue through which growers, crop consultants, industry representatives, extension educators, and Nebraskans rely on receiving unbiased, scientifically sound information about weed control that helps Nebraskans make decisions and improve profitability,” said Klein, a former Nebraska Extension Cropping Systems Specialist at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center in North Platte.
Jhala has obtained numerous grants totaling $8.3 million with $4.1 million as a principal investigator. As an integrated pest management coordinator, he leads a USDA-NIFA grant ($875,000) that includes several extension educators and specialists who will implement IPM across the state.
Jhala came to Nebraska in 2012 as an assistant professor and extension weed management specialist with 50% research and 50% extension appointment. In 2018, he was promoted to associate professor with tenure, and in 2023, he was made professor and associate department head of agronomy and horticulture.
More details at: https://go.unl.edu/fomr