Schnable leads development of first digital twin of corn field

By Scout Nelson

Digital twins, virtual replicas used widely in industries like manufacturing and healthcare, are now making their way into agriculture.

James Schnable, a plant scientist from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, is leading the development of the first digital twin of a corn field with nearly $1 million in funding from the National Science Foundation.

Partnering with researchers from Iowa State University and Purdue University, the project aims to transform how corn is studied and optimized.

The digital twin will allow researchers to simulate different corn field scenarios using high-performance computing, eliminating the need for extensive real-world testing. By analyzing how corn fields react to factors like wind, water, and light, scientists can quickly identify the most promising planting arrangements and hybrids without growing the actual crops.

“Digital twins let us explore countless scenarios and make faster progress by identifying the best options from millions of possibilities,” Schnable said. This technology will help overcome current limitations in field testing, making it easier to find the most efficient and productive corn varieties.

Schnable’s team will use Nebraska’s advanced facilities, including the LemnaTec High-Throughput Plant Phenotyping System, to collect high-resolution data on plant growth. This data will be crucial in creating the virtual corn fields.

Collaborator Baskar Ganapathysubramanian will use innovative modeling techniques to simulate light distribution, further enhancing the accuracy of the digital twin.

The digital twin will enable optimization of corn traits like leaf size, angle, and number, helping to increase light capture and minimize water loss. Schnable will also use genetics to identify the ideal traits and explore how they can be bred into new corn varieties.

This project not only highlights Nebraska’s leadership in crop research but also brings Schnable back to his computational biology roots. “Being able to simulate and get immediate feedback on plant growth is really exciting,” Schnable said. “It’s a fast-paced approach that can revolutionize agricultural research.”

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