Ph.D. Cornell (1992)
M.S. Kentucky (1989)
B.S. Minnesota (1987)
Areas of Interest
Breeding and Genetics of Spring Wheat, Intermediate Wheatgrass (Kernza), and Field Pennycress
Biography
Jim Anderson is a Professor in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Anderson received his B.S. in Agronomy from the University of Minnesota in 1987, M.S. in Crop Science from the University of Kentucky in 1989, and Ph.D. in Plant Breeding from Cornell University in 1992. Dr. Anderson came to the University of Minnesota in 1998 after previous positions at North Dakota State University and the USDA-ARS in Pullman, WA. Dr. Anderson leads plant improvement programs focusing on spring wheat, intermediate wheatgrass (Kernza®) (initiated in 2011), and field pennycress (initiated in 2013). Research on each species includes cultivar development and the investigation of breeding/genetic principles related to crop improvement. Research is focused on identifying genes underlying economically important traits and implementing marker-assisted and genomic selection for cultivar and germplasm development. Dr. Anderson has developed 19 spring wheat varieties and is the co‐developer of 8 others in four different market classes of wheat. He has authored/co-authored more than 200 articles in peer-reviewed journals and teaches a graduate level plant breeding course.
Teaching
I teach Agro 4021-5021, Principles of Plant Breeding and coordinate a one credit graduate level survey course on Research Methods in Crop Improvement and Production. The objective of Agro 4021-5021 is to develop an understanding of the underlying principles, ideas, and concepts important to applying genetic principles to plant breeding, evaluating breeding methods, and enhancing genetic progress and efficiency.
Research
I lead a comprehensive spring wheat improvement program, including variety development and the investigation of breeding/genetic principles related to crop improvement. I also provide guidance for breeding programs for Intermediate Wheatgrass (Kernza) and Field Pennycress. Research on each species includes cultivar development and the investigation of breeding/genetic principles related to crop improvement. Research is focused on identifying genes underlying economically important traits and implementing marker-assisted and genomic selection for cultivar and germplasm development.
Select Publications
Gill, H.S., S. Blecha, C. Brault, K. Glover, A. Green, J. Cook, A. Lorenz, A. Read, and J.A. Anderson. 2025. Genetic gains from 60 years of spring wheat breeding in the Northern Plains of the United States. Crop Science, 65(4). doi.org/10.1002/csc2.70106
Brault, C., E.J. Conley, A.C. Read, A.J. Green, K.D. Glover, J.P. Cook, H.S. Gill, J.D. Fiedler, J.A. Anderson. 2025. Improving genomic prediction for plant disease using environmental covariates. Plant Methods. doi.org/10.1186/s13007-025-01418-0
Bajgain, P., J. M. Jungers, and J.A. Anderson. 2025. Genetic characterization of trait architecture in multi-population half-sib families of the perennial crop intermediate wheatgrass. Crop Science, 65(4). doi.org/10.1002/csc2.70126
Brault, C. E.J. Conley, A.J. Green, K.D. Glover, J.P. Cook, H.S. Gill, JD. Fiedler, and J.A. Anderson. 2025. Leveraging historical trials to predict Fusarium head blight resistance in spring wheat breeding programs. The Plant Genome, doi.org/10.1002/tpg2.20559
Gill, H.S., E. Conley, C. Brault, L. Dykes, J.J. Wiersma, K. Frels, and J.A. Anderson. 2024. Association mapping and genomic prediction for processing and end-use quality traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) The Plant Genome. DOI: 10.1002/tpg2.20529
Stoll, H., P. Bajgain, and J. Anderson. 2024. Assessing Genetic Gain in an Intermediate Wheatgrass Improvement Program: A Retrospective Analysis. Crop Science. doi: 10.1002/csc2.21338
Bajgain P., J.M. Jungers, and J.A. Anderson. 2024. Genetic Constitution and Variabilityin Intermediate Wheatgrass Sy nthetic Populations. G3: Genes | Genomes | Genetics. doi: 10.1093/g3journal/jkae154
Anderson, J. A., J. J. Wiersma, S. K. Reynolds, E. J. Conley, N. Stuart, R. Caspers, J. Kolmer, M. N. Rouse, Y. Jin, R. Dill‐Macky, M. J. Smith, and L. Dykes. 2024. Registration of ‘MN‐Rothsay’ Spring Wheat with High Grain Yield and Lodging
Resistance. Journal of Plant Registrations. doi: 10.1002/plr2.20400
Bajgain, P., H. Stoll, and J.A. Anderson. 2024. Improving complex agronomic and domestication traits in the perennial grain crop intermediate wheatgrass with genetic mapping and genomic prediction. The Plant Genome. DOI: 10.1002/tpg2.20498
Edae, E.A., Z. Kosgey, P. Bajgain, K. Ndung'u, A. Gemechu, S. Bhavani, J.A. Anderson, and M.N. Rouse. 2024. The genetics of Ug99 stem rust resistance in spring wheat variety ‘Linkert‘. Frontiers in Plant Science. 15:1343148. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1343148
Bajgain, P., P.G. Boakye, I. Kougblenou, T. Murai, G.A. Annor, and J.A. Anderson. 2023. Genetic characterization of FODMAPs and ATIs in heritage and modern spring wheat. Crop Science. DOI: 10.1002/csc2.21058
Honors and Awards
- 1998 Young Crop Scientist Award, Crop Science Society of America
- 2006 Fellow, American Society of Agronomy
- 2007 Fellow, Crop Science Society of America
- 2018 Honorary Premier Seedsmen Award, Minnesota Crop Improvement Association
- 2022 Crop Science Society of America Crop Science Research Award
- 2022 National Association of Plant Breeders Public Sector Plant Breeding Impact Award
- 2024 CFANS Distinguished Teaching Award: Graduate Faculty
- 2024 Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) Presidential Award
Six of the 19 HRS varieties released by his program have been grown on more than 1 million acres each across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, including ‘RB07’, (released in 2007), ‘Rollag’ (2010), ‘Linkert’ (2013), ‘Bolles’ (2015), ‘Shelly’ (2016), and MN-Torgy (2020). Three different varieties have been no. 1 in MN wheat acres (Linkert from 2016-2020; MN-Torgy 2022; and 'MN-Rothsay' 2025)