About Us
What We Do & Who We Are
Our program focuses on generating and translating research to improve corn productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. We conduct extensive on-farm and research station trials across Indiana to evaluate the impact of agronomic management practices on corn growth and yield. Our work includes optimizing planting dates and seeding rates, improving nutrient management strategies, evaluating disease and pest pressures, and integrating conservation practices such as no-till and cover crops. We also explore how precision agriculture technologies can enhance decision-making and resource-use efficiency.
All of our research is designed with farmer profitability and environmental stewardship in mind. The insights we generate support practical recommendations that help producers make informed decisions tailored to their unique field conditions. By integrating innovative science with practical applications, the Purdue Corn Agronomy Program promotes sustainability in Midwest corn production.
The goal of the Purdue Extension Corn Program is to provide innovative, science-based research solutions and timely management recommendations to improve overall production, profitability, and environmental performance of Midwest corn systems.
The Purdue Corn Agronomy Program is a collaborative research and extension effort within the Department of Agronomy at Purdue University. Led by a dedicated team of faculty, staff, graduate students, and collaborators, our program works to improve corn production systems in Indiana and beyond. We are committed to addressing the real-world needs of farmers through science-based solutions, applied field research, and strong partnerships with industry and stakeholders.
Dan Quinn Ph.D.
Education:
Ph.D. - University of Kentucky, Plant and Soil Science
M.S. - Michigan State University, Crop and Soil Science
B.S. - Michigan State University, Crop and Soil Science
Ana Gabriela Morales-Ona PhD.
Education:
Ph.D. Purdue University, Agronomy
M.S. - Purdue University, Agronomy
B.S. - Zamorano University, Environment and Development Engineering
Research Projects:
- Assessment of Spatial and Temporal Variability of Crop Development for Improving Nitrogen Management at Field Scale
- Characterization and Quantification of Corn Responses to Experimental Treatments in Field-Scale Research using UAV Imagery
Jose A. Vaca Zarraga
Education:
B.S. in Agricultural Sciences and Production, Zamorano University
Research Projects:
- Eco-Intensification of Corn Using Recycled Drainage Water for Irrigation and Fertigation
- Eco-Intensification of Soybeans using Recycled Drainage Water for Irrigation and Fertigation
Bruno Paulus Scheffer
Education:
B.S. in Agronomic Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
Research Projects:
- How effective is a high spatial-spectral proximal sensing in comparison to UAV and satellite imagery for early-season nitrogen status assessment and precision nitrogen management in Zea mays L.
- Effects of corn stover removal on nutrient loss and soil health across hybrids and yield levels.
- Assess the impact of broadcast spray applications on corn residue breakdown following harvest.
Emely Gramajo
Education:
B.S. Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Purdue University
Research Projects:
- Corn Response to Instinct NXTGEN® across N Fertilizer Sources, Rates, and Timings
- Corn Response to N Fertilizer Rates and Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer Sources (SuperU, ESN, Urea+DCD)
Erick Daniel Oliva Fuentes
Education:
M.S. - Purdue University, Agronomy
B.S. in Agricultural Sciences and Production, Zamorano University
Research Projects:
- Short-Stature and Full-Stature Corn Hybrid Responses to Diverse Nitrogen Rates and Plant
- Populations - Short-Stature Corn Response to Row Spacing and Plant Population
Narciso Zapata Branda
Education:
B.S. in Environment and Development Engineering, Zamorano University
Research Projects:
-
Corn Yield, Nitrogen Use, and Biological Activity Response to Asymbiotic N Fixing Bioinoculant Products
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Comparison of Dent Corn and Popcorn Responses to Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates
Jeferson Prass Pimentel
Education:
M.S. Environmental Dynamics, University of Arkansas
B.S. in Agronomic Engineering, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil
Research Projects:
-
Optimizing Corn Hybrid Performance Through Root System Architecture and Nutrient Placement Strategies
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Integrating New Data Intensive Farm Management (DIFM) Tools for Assessing Spatial Seed and Nitrogen Fertilizer Management of Corn
Sergio Andres Rubiano Sosa
Education:
M.S. in Geomatics, National University of Colombia
B.S. in Agronomy, National University of Colombia
Research Projects:
-
Enhancing Corn Management with Variable Rate Fertilizer Maps: A Spatial Evaluation of Cover Crops.
Visiting Scholars
Victor A Hernandez Galvan
Maria Jose Aguilar Poma
Johnny Fabricio Garrido Membreno
Former Lab Members
Riley Seavers
Education:
B.S. - Purdue University, Agronomy
Research Projects:
- Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Timing in Corn following a Rye Cover Crop
- After-market Planter Closing Wheel use in Corn Following a Rye Cover Crop
Malena Bartaburu
Education:
B.S. - University of the Republic of Montevideo, Uruguay, Agronomy
Research Projects:
- Corn Growth, Yield, and Physiological Response to Increased Management Intensity