Research Faculty and Support Scientists
Jeff Ehlers
Phone: (951) 951-827-3706
Office: 4125 Batchelor Hall
Email: jeff.ehlers@ucr.edu
Areas of Expertise:
Plant breeding, screening for resistance to heat, drought, insects, diseases, and root-knot nematodes, genetic resources in cowpea, African cropping systems, cowpea production systems.
Research Program:
The focus of my research is on the genetic improvement of cowpea. Cowpea plays a critical role in the lives of millions of people in drought-prone regions of Africa and other parts of the developing world in much the same way as common bean does in Latin America, as a source of nutritious food that compliments low-protein cereal and tuber crops. Significant production of this crop also occurs in California and the southeastern US where it is known under several names such as ‘blackeye pea’, ‘field pea’, ‘cream pea’, and ‘pinkeyes’ that reflect traditional market classes for different seed types. I conduct an applied breeding program to develop pest resistant cowpea cultivars for the US that have high yield and excellent grain quality as well as resistance to root-knot nematodes, Fusarium wilt, cowpea aphid and lygus bug. I conduct genetic studies that support the knowledge base of the crop and breeding program. I am part of a consortium of US and African scientists working to improve cowpea production in Africa as part of the USAID-funded Bean/Cowpea Collaborative Research Program (CRSP): http://www.isp.msu.edu/CRSP/.
Selected Publications
Wang, G., M. E. McGiffen Jr., J. L. Lindquist, J. D. Ehlers, and I. Sartorato. 2007. Simulation study of the competitive ability of erect, semi-erect and prostrate cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes. Weed Res. 47:129-139.
Fang, J., C.C. T. Chao, P.A. Roberts, and J.D. Ehlers. 2007. Genetic diversity of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in four West African and USA breeding programs as determined by AFLP analysis. Genet Resour Crop Evol. 54:1197-1209.
Saidi, M., M. Ngouajio, F. M. Itulya, and J. D. Ehlers. 2007. Leaf harvesting initiation time and frequency affect biomass partitioning and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp). Crop Sci. 47:1159-1166.
Li. G., Y. Liu, J. D. Ehlers, Z. Zhu, X. Wu, B. Wang, and Z. Lu. 2007. Identification of an AFLP fragment linked to rust resistance in asparagus bean and its conversion to a SCAR marker. Hort Sci. 42:1153-1156
Wang, G., M. E. McGiffen Jr., J. D. Ehlers, and E. Marchi. 2006. Competitive ability of cowpea genotypes with different growth habit. Weed Sci. 54:775–782.
Wang, G., M.E. McGiffen Jr., and J.D. Ehlers. 2006. Competition and growth of six cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes, sunflower (Helianthus annuus), and common purslane (Portulaca oleracea). Weed Sci. 54:954–960.
Hall, A.E., N. Cisse, S. Thiaw, H.O.A Elawad, J. D. Ehlers, A.M. Ismail, R. Fery, P.A. Roberts, L.W. Kitch, L.L. Murdock, O. Boukar, R.D. Phillips, and K.H. McWatters. 2003. Development of cowpea cultivars and germplasm by the Bean/Cowpea CRSP. Field Crops Res. 82:103-134.
Ehlers, J.D., R.L. Fery, and A.E. Hall. 2003. Cowpea breeding in the USA: new varieties and improved germplasm. Pages 62-77, In: Challenges and Opportunities for Enhancing Sustainable Cowpea Production. Edited by C.A. Fatokun et al. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Ouédraogo, J.T., B. S. Gowda, M. Jean, T.J. Close, J.D. Ehlers, A.E. Hall, A.G. Gillaspie, P.A. Roberts, A.M. Ismail, G. Bruening, P. Gepts, M.P. Timko, and F. J. Belzile. 2002. An improved genetic linkage map for cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) combining AFLP, RFLP, RAPD, biochemical markers and biological resistance traits. Genome 45: 175-188.
Ehlers, J. D., W. C. Matthews, A. E. Hall, and P. A. Roberts. 2000. Inheritance of a broad-based form of nematode resistance in Cowpea. Crop Sci. 40:611-618.
Ehlers, J. D., A. E. Hall, P. N. Patel, P. A. Roberts and W. C. Matthews. 2000. Registration of California Blackeye 27 cowpea. Crop Sci. 40:854-855.
Ehlers, J.D. and A.E.Hall. 1997. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp). Field Crops Res. 53: 187-204.
Hall, A.E., B.B. Singh and J.D. Ehlers. 1997. Cowpea breeding. Plant Breed. Reviews. 15:215-274.