Wenwei Xu

Wenwei Xu is a Professor at Texas A&M University specializing in corn breeding, genetics, and stress tolerance. Their research focuses on enhancing maize resistance to pests (e.g., fall armyworm, aflatoxin), drought tolerance, and optimizing water use efficiency in semi-arid regions like the Texas High Plains. Xu leads initiatives such as the Genomes to Fields (G2F) project, analyzing genotype-by-environment interactions to improve maize yields and resilience. Their work integrates genomic selection, tropical germplasm utilization, and irrigation management strategies.

Key contributions include developing aflatoxin-resistant maize inbred lines (e.g., Mp717, Mp719), identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for stress tolerance, and evaluating drought-tolerant hybrids. Xu’s team also explores anthocyanin-rich corn cobs for livestock feed applications, improving meat quality and carcass traits. Collaborations span institutions globally, with a focus on data-driven approaches to accelerate breeding progress.

Research trends emphasize precision agriculture, leveraging genomic tools and field trials to predict hybrid performance under diverse environmental conditions. Xu’s publications highlight advancements in irrigation efficiency, pest resistance, and genetic improvement of maize for sustainable agriculture in resource-limited environments.