About

Jake Jungers is an Associate Professor in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics at the University of Minnesota. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota (2014) and a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (2008). His research group aims to improve the profitability and sustainability of cropping systems by applying principles of plant ecology, conducting field experiments, and utilizing statistical modeling. His work focuses on enhancing the management of perennial crops within crop rotations and increasing crop diversity at various scales, including local, watershed, and regional levels. Jungers collaborates closely with the Forever Green Initiative to lead agronomic research on perennial crops such as Kernza® and strives to disseminate research findings to support and promote alternative crop production methods.

Research topics

• Natural resource economics
• Economics
• Ecology
• Environmental resource management
• Business
• Geography
• Environmental science
• Biology
• Horticulture
• Economic growth
• Agronomy
• Engineering
• Environmental protection

Selected publications

• Development and adoption of Kernza—A perennial grain crop for sustainable agriculture

  Plants People Planet · 2026-01-27

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Societal Impact Statement Annual cereal grains account for ~50% of human food calories, but cultivation of these crops has resulted in major environmental and social issues worldwide. For nearly three decades, researchers have been breeding intermediate wheatgrass—a perennial cool‐season grass—to serve as the world's first commercial‐scale perennial grain crop to improve agricultural sustainability. Introducing a perennial grain crop onto landscapes and into markets has significant potential to reduce environmental impacts of agriculture, improve farmer economics, and offer a healthy new food ingredient for consumers. However, transdisciplinary collaboration is required to upscale Kernza to maximize positive societal impacts. Summary Kernza is the tradename of grain harvested from advanced breeding lines of intermediate wheatgrass, a perennial grass being domesticated to serve as a perennial grain crop. Here, we present the need and justification for developing perennial grains as a contributing solution to agricultural challenges; we review the foundational science behind Kernza's development, outline the transdisciplinary efforts to scale and commercialize it, and address the unique challenges to its wider adoption and integration into the food system. Decades of plant breeding and development of genetic resources have resulted in the domestication of Kernza, which has since been studied for its food science, agronomic, and ecological properties at a research scale. Research and development have expanded to engage critical food system actors including farmers, processors, end‐users, and consumers, and these collaborations have resulted in coordinated networks ranging in scale from local communities to an international consortium to improve the social, environmental, and economic impacts of Kernza. Cross‐sector partnerships continue to develop and distribute knowledge and resources that support the adoption of Kernza by growers and end users. Examples of resources include grower business cooperatives, federal incentive programs, marketing toolkits, and educational materials for learners spanning generations. We outline key challenges to expedited progress, including the inherent time requirements to breed a crop for multi‐year grain production, and quantify certain environmental benefits like carbon sequestration. A coordinated, transdisciplinary, values‐based approach to overcoming these challenges is described and, if implemented, can accelerate the research and commercialization at a global scale.

  PublisherDOI

• Integrating new crops into federal farm programs: A Kernza ^® roadmap

  Journal of Soil and Water Conservation · 2026-03-04

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Temporal variability of soil health indicators under annual and perennial continuous living cover: Effects of annual weather and management

  Soil Science Society of America Journal · 2026-03-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Soil health indicators (SHIs) are used to detect changes in soil conditions in response to management. However, management effects must be disentangled from other factors influencing SHI variability. Specifically, how annual weather affects SHI remains poorly understood. To address this gap, we analyzed soil annually for 5 years at 64 sampling points in two silt loam fields, in Minnesota. One field had annual crops (maize, Zea mays L.; winter camelina, Camelina sativa L. Crantz.; soybean, Glycine max L. Merr.; wheat, Triticum aestivum L.; and winter barley, Hordeum vulgare L.) while the other had perennial crops (alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. and Kernza, Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey). We measured mineralizable carbon (MinC), extracellular enzymes, microbial biomass, soil organic carbon, mineral‐associated organic matter, and particulate organic matter (POM) at 0‐ to 15‐cm and 15‐ to 30‐cm depth. We present two key findings. First, growing season weather was correlated with annual changes in several indicators. The most striking relationships were between growing season mean air temperature (MAT) and 1‐, 4‐, and 12‐day MinC ( p < 0.001). MAT was not correlated with 21‐day MinC. MAT–MinC correlations were depth‐dependent: positive at 0–15 cm ( r = 0.65–0.68) and negative at 15–30 cm ( r = −0.39 to −0.60). Second, soil health improved in the perennial field. Most illustrative of this finding were gains in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi ( p = 0.013), subsurface MinC, and POM ( p < 0.001). In summary, we recommend that soil health assessment account for annual weather, and suggest that perennial crops lead to improved soil health.

  PublisherDOI

• Fall grazing improves the performance of Kernza intermediate wheatgrass as a dual‐purpose crop

  Agronomy Journal · 2026-01-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Kernza intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) [ Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey] is a perennial grain and forage crop with novel dual‐use potential. Grazing IWG forage and/or intercropping IWG with legumes can increase total annual forage yields, but the effect of grazing timing on grain yield needs to be understood to maximize producer returns and the productivity of the perennial stand. In this study, we compared Kernza grain and forage yields under different cattle grazing timing treatments (spring, fall, or spring and fall) with ungrazed IWG stands, in both IWG monocultures and IWG–legume intercrops. We established the experiment in the fall of 2016 at Morris, MN, and Lancaster, WI, and collected data over 3 years. In the first grain production year, grazing spring vegetative regrowth reduced Kernza grain yield compared with ungrazed stands in both Minnesota (213 vs. 360 kg ha −1 , respectively) and Wisconsin (821 vs. 1030 kg ha −1 , respectively). However, grazing fall regrowth after summer grain and straw harvest did not negatively affect grain yield in the following year compared to the ungrazed control. Intercropping IWG with legumes increased accumulated forage vegetative regrowth in Wisconsin, but not in Minnesota. Overall, our study confirms IWG's potential as a dual‐purpose crop under grazing management and recommends fall grazing to minimize adverse effects on subsequent grain yields. Future research should focus on refining grazing strategies to maximize dual‐use productivity.

  PublisherDOI

• Diverse Prairie Mixtures Stabilize Biomass Yields for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production

  Plants People Planet · 2026-02-12

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Societal Impact Statement Meeting global demand for sustainable aviation fuel will require the additional production of vast quantities of plant biomass, which does not compete with food production or degrade sensitive ecosystems. Our multisite experiment shows that sowing diverse native prairie seed mixes—and managing them without intensive inputs—yields a more reliable biomass supply across heterogeneous landscapes than single‐species plantings, while simultaneously restoring habitat and building soil carbon. These findings give farmers and policymakers a low cost, nature‐positive strategy for delivering consistent sustainable aviation fuel feedstocks that support both climate mitigation and biodiversity goals. Summary Efforts underway to decarbonize the airline industry are expected to drastically increase commercial demand for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and lignocellulosic feedstocks with low carbon intensity scores are needed to achieve greenhouse gas mitigation goals. Diverse mixtures of perennial prairie species have the potential to serve as an SAF feedstock that does not compete with existing food production systems while providing a suite of valuable ecosystem services. However, spatial variability in biomass productivity remains a hindrance to the viability of local refineries. This challenge will be amplified if production is to be sourced from a distributed network of heterogeneous fields. Highly controlled (i.e., weeded) grassland biodiversity experiments demonstrate that increasing species richness can improve yield and reduce variability across sites, but this has not been rigorously tested in low‐input, perennial biofuel cropping systems. To this end, we conducted a 7‐year regional biodiversity experiment, seeding 1, 4, 8, 12, or 24 native perennial species across nine edaphically and climatically distinct sites. We found some evidence that increasing seeded richness enhanced biomass yields across sites, but this was largely due to the inclusion of relatively low performing grass monocultures. In contrast, adding species reduced cross‐site variability relative to monocultures regardless of their productivity, and this result was robust to the effects of nitrogen fertilization. Our results suggest that sowing diverse mixtures reduces the need for site‐specific planting designs across distributed production fields, offering a practical means of implementing a dependable SAF feedstock supply chain across varied landscapes.

  PublisherDOI

• Computational design for more engaged, impactful, and dynamic agricultural research

  Crop Science · 2025-03-01 · 1 citations

  article

  Abstract Computational design in agriculture is the use of data‐driven systems and tools to propose and evaluate alternative configurations of agricultural systems. It is unique from digital agriculture in that it integrates computational and crop science approaches to formulate problems rather than mitigating problems by applying digital technologies. In this special issue, we highlight how computational design could be used to adapt agricultural systems to better meet societal goals more rapidly and at lower cost. Many disciplines within crop sciences are represented, from breeding to cropping systems agronomy. Using a symposium at a major scientific conference as a case study, we also demonstrate how this framing of computational design can facilitate transdisciplinary research. Critically, all participants highlighted the potential of computational design to facilitate stakeholder engagement through eliciting, formalizing, and evaluating their values and experiences. This is especially important within the grand challenge contexts of changing climates and market demands, where intuition developed in the past may break down. By leveraging the power of computational design, we can make informed decisions to create agricultural systems that maximize productivity while minimizing environmental impact under current and future environments.

  PublisherDOI

• Soil microbial and plant biomass carbon allocation within perennial and annual grain cropping systems

  Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment · 2025-02-16 · 5 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Digestibility of Alfalfa Stem Segments (DASS) root traits dataset

  Ag Data Commons · 2025-01-01

  datasetOpen access

  A data set with 5 tabs (TapRoots, FineRoots, WinRHIZO, CN, and TotalFiber) in a Microsoft Excel Workbook that contain data about coarse root biomass and fine root biomass; fine root length, surface area, volume, and root length density; fine root percent carbon (%C), fine root percent N (%N), and C:N ratio; as well as the structural carbohydrates and lignin in coarse roots. The data was collected from the clones of five modern alfalfa genotypes ranging from low to high stem fiber digestibility. It was hypothesized that the root traits of alfalfa genotypes with low stem fiber digestibility would differ from alfalfa genotypes with high stem fiber digestibility.In May 2021, the clones of five alfalfa genotypes were transplanted from the USDA ARS greenhouse in St. Paul Minnesota at experimental plots located in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA (44°59′14′′ N, 93◦10′24′′ W, elevation 291 m) on June 26, 2024 and Rosemount, Minnesota, USA (44°42'37.3"N, 93°06'10.6"W, elevation 284 m). The soil at St. Paul was a Waukegan silt loam (fine-silty over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed, superactive, mesic Typic Hapludolls) and the soil at Rosemount was a Tallula silt loam (coarse-silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Typic Hapludolls). Total annual precipitation in Rosemount accumulated to 606, 648, 803, and 1,014 mm in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively. In St. Paul for the same period the total annual precipitation was 673, 604, 887, and 964 mm. The experiment was established as a randomized complete block design with three replications at each of the two study locations. The five alfalfa lines were 4351 (low stem fiber digestibility), 55V12 (high standability), Megatron (reduced stem lignin), 54Q32 (high forage quality), and 4016 (high stem fiber digestibility). The 4351 and 4016 genotypes were experimental breeding lines developed by the USDA ARS in St. Paul, Minnesota while the other three genotypes were commercial varieties. Root data was collected from St. Paul on June 26, 2024 and Rosemount on July 3, 2024. After the second cut at the early bud stage, two randomly selected alfalfa clones per experimental unit were excavated from a 15 cm x 15 cm area around the alfalfa crown using a shovel down to a 30 cm depth to evaluate the tap and coarse roots (diameter &gt;2mm). The crown+tap roots were washed then the tap+coarse (TCo) roots were separated from the crown using a cutting shear. The fresh weight of the TCo roots was recorded, then TCo roots were dried in a forced-air oven at 60°C for 96 hours, and the dry weights were recorded to obtain the TCo root biomass (TapRoots tab).The structural carbohydrates of the tap+coarse roots (TotalFiber tab) were obtained by passing the samples through a 1 mm screen in a cyclone-type mill (Cyclotec 1093, Tecator, AB, Högnäs, Sweden) for the Uppsala dietary fiber assay (Theander et al., 1995). This wet chemistry method quantified individual cell wall neutral sugars measured as alditol-acetate derivatives by gas chromatography and Klason lignin - as the unhydrolyzed, ash-free residue. The analysis was done in duplicate and chemical composition data were corrected to a 100°C dry matter (DM) basis.The fine root traits were evaluated by collecting a subset of three alfalfa lines: 4016 (high stem fiber digestibility), 55V12 (high standability), and 4351 (low stem fiber digestibility) genotype. Fine roots were extracted from 4 cores using a 5 cm diameter probe to a depth of 20 cm. The soil cores were combined, the soil removed, and the fine roots washed, weighed, and dried in a forced-air oven at 60°C for 72 hours before re-weighing for dry matter content to obtain fine root biomass (FineRoots tab).The WinRHIZO data (WinRHIZO tab) was obtained for the fine roots for St. Paul only. These roots were derived from the four cores mentioned in the previous paragraph. The fine roots were imaged on a flatbed scanner, and their length, surface area, and volume were quantified using WinRHIZO software (v2005, Regent Instruments, Montreal, QC, Canada).The CN data (CN tab) was attained by grinding approximately 10 mg of the fine roots from both locations to 1 mm using a Spex SamplePrep 8000M Mixer/Mill (Cole-Parmer SamplePrep, Metuchen, NJ, USA) for subsequent analysis of total C and N in the fine root tissue via dry combustion at 900°C using a SoliTOC Cube (Elementar Analysensysteme, Hanau, Germany). The C:N ratio was calculated by dividing the C concentration by the N concentration.Microsoft Excel Workbook Tabs:TapRoots tab - (6 variables) Project = name of the study; Location = study location name; Variety = alfalfa genotypes evaluated; Rep = replications; PlotID = a unique identifier for each experimental unit; Tap_root_per_plant_dry_weight = the average biomass of tap+coarse rootsFineRoots tab - (5 variables) Project = name of the study; Location = study location name; Variety = alfalfa genotypes evaluated; Rep = replications; Fine roots dry weight = the average biomass of fine rootsWinRHIZO tab - (7 variables) Project = name of the study; Location = study location name; Variety = alfalfa genotypes evaluated; Rep = replications; length_LESSthan2mm = the length of fine roots with a diameter less than 2 mm; SA_LESSthan2mm = the surface area of fine roots with a diameter less than 2 mm; vol_LESSthan2mm = the volume of fine roots with a diameter less than 2 mm. The length_LESSthan2mm value is the sum of four values corresponding to the length of roots in the 0mm to &lt;0.5mm, 0.5mm to &lt;1mm, 1mm to &lt;1.5mm, and 1.5mm to 2mmCN tab - (6 variables) Project = name of the study; Location = study location name; Variety = alfalfa genotypes evaluated; Rep = replications; cent_N = the percent nitrogen concentration of fine roots; cent_C = the percent carbon concentration of fine roots; CN_ratio = the ratio of carbon to nitrogen in the fine rootsTotalFiber tab - (13 variables) Project = name of the study; Location = study location name; Variety = alfalfa genotypes evaluated; Rep = replications; Avg DM = average dry matter; Avg UA = average uronic acids (mg/g); Avg KL = average Klason lignin (mg/g); Avg RHA = average rhamnose (mg/g); Avg FUC = average fucose (mg/g); Avg ARA = average arabinose (mg/g); Avg XYL = average xylose (mg/g); Avg MAN = average mannose (mg/g); Avg GAL = average galactose (mg/g); Avg GLC = average glucose (mg/g)<br><br><br><br>

  PublisherDOI

• Multispecies grasslands produce more yield from lower nitrogen inputs across a climatic gradient

  Science · 2025-12-04 · 7 citations

  articleOpen access

  High-yielding forage grasslands frequently contain low species diversity and receive high inputs of nitrogen fertilizer. To investigate multispecies mixtures as an alternative strategy, the 26-site international LegacyNet experiment systematically varied the diversity of sown grasslands using up to six high-yielding forage species (grasses, legumes, and herbs) managed under moderate nitrogen inputs. Multispecies mixtures outyielded two widely used grassland practices: a grass monoculture with higher nitrogen fertilizer and a two-species grass-legume community. High yields in multispecies mixtures were driven by strong positive grass-legume and legume-herb interactions. In warmer sites, the yield advantage of legume-containing multispecies mixtures over grass monocultures with higher nitrogen fertilizer inputs increased. Improved design of grassland mixtures can inform more environmentally sustainable forage production and may enhance adaptation of productive grasslands to a warming climate.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Effect of Nitrogen Treatment on the Physico‐Chemical and Functional Properties Intermediate Wheatgrass ( <i>Thinopyrum intermedium</i> ) Grown in Different Locations

  Cereal Chemistry · 2025-11-12

  articleOpen access

  ABSTRACT Background and Objectives Intermediate wheatgrass (IWG), a new perennial crop, is being explored for food applications; however, nitrogen application effects on its properties have not been investigated. This study evaluated the effects of applying 90 kg ha −1 of nitrogen in spring or fall seasons on the properties of IWG grown in Minnesota and Wisconsin, USA. Findings Nitrogen treatment increased protein and fat content of IWG while reducing total carbohydrates, regardless of location, treatment time, or refinement. Total dietary fiber increased in whole grain samples. Starch hot paste viscosity generally decreased with nitrogen treatment. Farinograph water absorption and dough stability increased with nitrogen fertilization in samples from Wisconsin. IWG kernel size increased with nitrogen application regardless of growing location and timing of treatment. Conclusion Nitrogen treatment impacts on IWG properties varied based on growing location, time of application, and whether it was refined or not. While protein and fat contents significantly increased, in the spring season, seed weight was more impacted by fall nitrogen application. Nitrogen treatment also results in strong IWG dough. Significance and Novelty This study is the first to show the effect of nitrogen fertilization and timing on the properties of IWG.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Craig C. Sheaffer

  University of Minnesota

  43 shared

• Donald L. Wyse

  University of Minnesota

  16 shared

• Jessica Gutknecht

  University of Minnesota

  15 shared

• Yi Yang

  13 shared

• Anna Westerbergh

  11 shared

• Satoshi Ishii

  Biotechnology Institute

  11 shared

• Birthe K. Paul

  West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences

  11 shared

• Matthew T. Newell

  New South Wales Department of Primary Industries

  11 shared

Education

• PhD Conservation Biology

  University of Minnesota

  2014

• B.S. Biology

  University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh

  2008

Awards & honors

• McKnight Presidential Fellow, 2024-2027