Patricio Grassini

Patricio Grassini is a Professor in the Department of Agronomy & Horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His research focuses on sustainable crop intensification, yield gap analysis, and resource-use efficiency optimization for global agricultural systems.

• Education:
  • PhD, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2010)
  • BS, University of Buenos Aires (2005)

Dr. Grassini leads initiatives like the Global Yield Gap Atlas, corn yield forecasting for the US Corn Belt, and agronomic improvement projects for smallholder oil palm farmers in Indonesia. His work combines crop modeling, spatial analysis, big data, and field experiments to evaluate productivity, environmental impacts, and improvement opportunities in croplands across Nebraska, South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Key research themes include:

• Yield Gap Analysis: Benchmarking actual vs. potential yields for major crops
• Nutrient Management: Addressing potassium and nitrogen limitations in intensive systems
• Climate-Agriculture Interactions: Assessing impacts of drought and heat stress
• Digital Agriculture: Using remote sensing and machine learning tools
• Sustainable Intensification: Reducing environmental footprint while increasing production

Notable awards include the Sunkist Fiesta Bowl Distinguished Professor in Agronomy. His recent publications focus on improving cereal production in Africa, potassium constraints in Southeast Asia, and data-driven approaches for smallholder systems. Dr. Grassini's work aligns with Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) goals to address agricultural sustainability and educate future scientists.