Mark Westgate

People

About

Professor

Dr. Westgate’s research program focuses on understanding the physiological basis for the effects of water deficits on the reproductive development in corn and soybean; using molecular approaches to improve the value of soybean seeds; and establishing quantitative relationships between floral development and seed set in corn. He is recognized internationally as an authority on corn and soybean reproductive development. Dr. Westgate teaches four graduate courses. Agron 516: Crop Physiology. This lecture course explores the physiological and molecular determinates of crop growth, reproductive development, and yield. Agron 616: Advanced Topics in Crop Physiology and Biochemistry. This readings/discussion provides an in-depth treatment of physiological and biochemical processes and their relationships to crop growth and development. Both courses emphasize integration of molecular, whole plant, and canopy approaches for crop improvement. Dr. Westgate also is the Director of Graduate Education for the M.S. in Agronomy Distance program offered by the Agronomy Department. In addition to program management, Dr. Westgate teaches Agron 501: Crop Grown and Development and Agron 599M: Creative Component Seminar. Agron 501 is the introductory course for the MS Agronomy Distance Program. It explores basic physiological processes underlying in crop development and responses to the environment. Agron 599M guides students through the process of selecting a topic for their Creative Component project, identifying a Major Professor and Program of Study Committee, and preparing a draft proposal to pursue. Dr. Westgate also has taught an undergraduate course, Agron 342 World Food Issues. Dr. Westgate is the current President of the Crop Science Society of America, and has served in numerous leadership and editorial capacities including Editor of Crop Science, the flagship journal of the Society. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy, Fellow of the Crop Science Society of America, and Science Fellow of the Australian National University. He currently represents the Agronomy Department on the ISU Faculty Senate and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Faculty Caucus. From 2009 to 2014, he served as the Director of the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Area of Expertise:

Crop Production and Physiology

Other Affiliations:

President, Crop Science Society of America

Chief Science Officer, Accelerated Ag Technologies dba PowerPollen

Contact

westgate@iastate.edu

(515) 294-9654

1577 Agronomy 716 Farm House Ln

Ames

50011-1051

Education:

PhD, Agronomy, University of Illinois

MS, Biology, University of Dayton

BS Biology, University of Dayton

CV:

westgate_biosketch_2018.pdf

Tags:

Plant Physiology

plant reproductive development

pollen biology

plant water relations

Research

BREAD - Genome Enabled Platforms for Yam

Alternate URL:

https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1543888

Yam is a major source of dietary starch for smallholder farm families in many tropical and subtropical countries. Despite its global importance, use of modern genomics tools that can facilitate our fundamental understanding of how to improve the productivity and nutritional quality of the crop has lagged behind that of other major crops. The overall goal of this proposed project, therefore, is to establish genomeenabled platforms for yam. When successfully completed, the resources generated in this project, including facile sitedirected genome editing (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9 system) and robust genetic engineering methods, will provide effective tools for the fundamental understanding and genetic improvement of this important crop. Specific objectives include:

1. Establishing efficient CRISPR/Cas9 based site-directed mutagenesis systems for yam
2. Producing and characterizing CRISPR/Cas9mutagenized yam plants
3. Conducting a focused workshop in IITAKenya to share the latest transformation developments and genome editing protocols with African scientists
4. Providing shortterm laboratory training experience for African woman scientists
5. Leading a two-week study abroad course in cooperation with IITATanzania to provide Iowa State

Funding Organization:

National Science Foundation - BREAD

Duration:

04/01/2016 to 03/31/2019

Award Amount:

$819,073.00

Award Number:

1543888

Principal Investigator(s):

Tags:

Scaling and Broad Application of PowerPollen: A Reliable Method to Preserve Maize Pollen

Alternate URL:

https://portal.nifa.usda.gov/web/crisprojectpages/1013664-scaling-and-broad-appl...

The seed industry generates tremendous value from hybrid crops relative to varietal or self-pollinated crops. For example, while corn (a hybrid crop) and soybeans (a self-pollinated crop) were planted on approximately the same land area in the U.S. in 2017, the total value of the corn hybrid seed industry was greater than 4x the value of the soybean seed industry. However, producing hybrid seed is expensive relative to self or open-pollinated crops. In some crops, such as soybeans and wheat, the biology of the plant is prohibitive to the economical production of hybrid seed, thus disabling the realization of the benefits of hybridity in these crops. Enabling a crop such as wheat to be produced as a hybrid would have an annual value exceeding several billion dollars.This project will develop methods to scale the preservation and storage of maize pollen and to enable on-demand use of the pollen. On-demand use of maize pollen in seed production will improve and enable hybrid seed production, thus improving agricultural productivity and food availability.

Seed production methods have not changed since the advent of hybrid maize in the 1920s. Novel cost effective methods are needed to decrease the cost of goods and increase seed yield, and which can be applied to enable hybridity in other crops.In general, the goal of this project is to scale the preservation and storage of maize pollen to the extent that it would be cost-effective to utilize pollen on-demand in hybrid seed production. This would decrease the cost of hybrid seed production and increase productivity. Spectifically, the Objectives of our Phase II demonstration project are to achieve the following:1. Scale up a cost-effective pollen preservation and storage protocol for use under typical commercial maize parent seed and hybrid seed production (target: 1-4 acres application)2. Apply scaled-up protocols to multiple maize inbreds varying in pollen production under typical parent seed and hybrid seed production conditions (target: 10 commercial inbreds varying in maleness&, i.e. suitability for hybrid seed production).

Funding Organization:

USDA-Small Business Innovation Research Program

Duration:

09/01/2017 to 08/31/2019

Award Amount:

$600,000.00

Award Number:

2017-33610-27300

Principal Investigator(s):

Mark Westgate

Tags:

seed production