• University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
  Doctorate of Philosophy in Soil Fertility, December 2006.
  Thesis title: Evaluation of soil Nitrogen tests to determine soil Nitrogen availability to rice in Arkansas.
  
• University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
  Master of Science in Plant Pathology, December 1997.
  Thesis title: The relationship between rice cultivars and MGR586 DNA fingerprint groups of Magnaporthe grisea in Arkansas.
  
• University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
  Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, May 1994.
  Bachelor of Science in Zoology, May 1993.
  

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Assistant Professor/Extension Agronomist – Soybean, University of Arkansas, Cooperative Extension Service.
December 2007 to present. 
Responsibilities include working with soybean growers to implement agronomic practices recommended by the University of Arkansas, Cooperative Extension Service.  Current research includes variety testing, row spacing/seeding rate studies, and soybean fertility.  I hold a supervisory position for the Soybean Research Verification Program, with two coordinators conditioning this program with approximately 20 soybean growers each year.

 

Dr. Jason P. Kelley, University of Arkansas, Cooperative Extension Service, Program Associate I, December 1999 to November 2006.  Coordinator of Corn and Grain Sorghum Research Verification Program, which was started in the summer of 2000. Responsibilities include working with growers to implement all agronomic practices recommended by the Cooperative Extension Service. Since 2000, I have worked with 39 corn and grain sorghum producers in 29 counties across Arkansas. I also assisted Dr. William F. Johnson, the former Small Grains Specialist, in conducting on-farm and small plot research on corn, grain sorghum and wheat, and was also coordinator for the Wheat Research Verification fields in the Arkansas River Valley from 2000 to 2003.

           
Dr. Richard D. Cartwright, University of Arkansas, Cooperative Extension Service, Extension Associate I, June 1996 to November 1999.  Conducted on-farm and small plot research on rice, wheat and turf. Responsible for planting, maintenance, and harvesting to rice and wheat plots. Other responsibilities included data input and analysis, equipment maintenance, writing of summary reports, and some basic laboratory procedures.

 

Dr. James C. Correll, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Laboratory Assistant, August 1993 to June 1994
Performed general laboratory assignments (washed dishes, make media, etc.), plant inoculations, culture transfers, DNA extraction, molecular techniques (RAPDs, RFLPs, etc.)

 

Dr. Sydney A. Cameron, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Laboratory Assistant, June 1993 to August 1993.  Performed DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and sequencing of bumble bees for population genetics studies.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
During the 2005 Spring semester, I taught five laboratories for Dr. David E. Longer’s Crop Science class. Laboratories covered such subjects as corn and soybean growth stages, how to take soil samples, how to interoperate soil test reports, and how to use Cooperative Extension Service’s irrigation scheduler. I prepared handouts, slide sets, and had “hands on” demonstrations for each laboratory. During the 2004 Fall semester, I helped teach Dr. Nathan A. Slaton’s Soil Fertility laboratory. My responsibilities included setting up all required materials and chemicals required for each laboratory and explaining how each laboratory was to be preformed.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
Arkansas Crop Protection Association, Secretary
Arkansas Seed Dealers’ Association
Arkansas Seed Growers’ Association
American Society of Agronomy
Arkansas Soybean Association
Arkansas Wheat Growers Association
American Phytopathological Society
Certified Crop Advisor
Rice Technical Working Group
Mid-South Association of Wheat Scientists

PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP:
Secretary, Arkansas Crop Protection Association, 2007-Present
Secretary, Arkansas Variety Advisory Committee, 2007-Present
President, Plant Pathology Graduate Student Association, 1995 (during MS)
Vice President, Yocum Hall, 1992 (during BS)
Yocum Hall senator, 1991 (during BS)

AWARDS AND HONORS:
First Place in Student Poster Competition at 2005 Southern ASA Meetings, San Antonio, TX.
Golden Key National Honor Society

GRANTS AWARDED:

• Investigating emerging production recommendations for sustainable soybean production, Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, $52,530.
  
• Soybean Research Verification Program, Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, $114,420.
  
• Improving Technology Transfer for Profitable and Sustainable Soybean Production, Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, $24,426.
  
• State-wide Monitoring of Soybean Rust and Other Diseases, Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, $68,458.
  

PUBLICATIONS:
• Roberts, T.L, Norman, R.J., Ross, W.J., Slaton, N.A., and Wilson, Jr., C.E.  2008.  Direct Steam Distillation as an Alternative to the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test.  Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. (In Review).

 

• Bushong, J.T., Roberts, T.L., Ross, W.J., Norman, R.J., Slaton, N.A., and Wilson, Jr., C.E.  2008.  Evaluation of Distillation and Diffusion Techniques for Estimating Hydrolyzable Amino Sugar-Nitrogen as a Means of Predicting N Mineralization.  Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. (In Press)

 

• Ross, J., Kelley, J., and Hogan, R.  2006.  Corn and Grain Sorghum Research Verification Report 2006.  Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas.

 

• Ross, J., Kelley, J., and Hogan, R. 2005.  Corn and Grain Sorghum Research Verification Report 2005.  Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas.

 

• Slaton, N.A., Mozaffari, M., DeLong, R.E., Norman, R.J., and Ross, W.J. 2004. Influence of nitrogen fertilizer application rate and time on winter wheat yields. In: N.A. Slaton (ed.) Wayne E. Sabbe Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies 2004. University of Arkansas Experiment Station Research Series. 525:95-99.

 

• Ross, J., Kelley, J., and Windham, T. 2004. Corn and Grain Sorghum Research Verification Report 2004. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas.

 

• Espinoza, L. and Ross, J. 2003. Fertilization and Liming. In: L. Espinoza and J. Ross (eds.) Corn Production Handbook. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas, MP437:23-27.

 

• Ross, J., Kelley, J., and Windham, T. 2003. Corn and Grain Sorghum Research Verification Report 2003. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas.

 

• Reaper, J., Beaty, D., Ross, J., Kelley, J.P., Marshall, J., and Windham, T. 2003. 2002-03Wheat Research Verification Program Report. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas.

 

• Ross, J., Johnson, W., and Windham, T. 2002. Corn and Grain Sorghum Research Verification Report 2002. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas.

 

• Klerk, R., Beaty, D., Ross, J., Johnson, W., and Windham, T. 2002. 2001-02Wheat Research Verification Program Report. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas.

 

• Ross, J., Johnson, W., and Windham, T. 2001. Corn and Grain Sorghum Research Verification Report 2001. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas.

 

• Klerk, R., Beaty, D., Ross, J., Johnson, W., and Windham, T. 2001. 2000-01Wheat Research Verification Program Report. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas.

 

• Ross, J., Johnson, W., and Windham, T. 2000. Corn and Grain Sorghum Research Verification Report 2000. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas.

 

• Xia, J.Q., Correll, J.C., Ross, W.J., and Lee, F.N. 2000. Regional population diversity of the rice blast pathogen, Pyricularia grisea (Magnaporthe grisea), in Arkansas and the influence of host selection. Plant Disease 84:877-884.

 

• Ross, W. J., Parsons, C. E., Cartwright, R. D., Gipson, R. D., Chlapecka, R., and Hayden, C. E. 2000. Management of Sheath Blight of Rice with Quadris Fungicide in Arkansas. Proceedings of the 28th Rice Technical Working Group.

 

• Cartwright, R. D., Lee, F. N., Parsons, C. E., Ross, W. J., and Sutton, E. A. 2000. Disease monitoring and on-farm evaluation of rice varieties in Arkansas. In: R. J. Norman and C. A. Beyrouty (ed.). B. R. Wells Rice Research Studies 1999. University of Arkansas Experiment Station Research Series. 476: 169-178.

 

• Cartwright, R. D., Lee, F. N., Parsons, C. E., Ross, W. J., Vann, S. R., and Overton, R. 1999. Monitoring of rice diseases and on-farm evaluation of rice varieties in Arkansas. In: R. J. Norman and T. H. Johnston (ed.). B. R. Wells Rice Research Studies 1998. University of Arkansas Experiment Station Research Series. 468: 148-156.

 

• Cartwright, R. D., Lee, F. N., Ross, W. J., Vann, S. R., Overton, R., and Parsons, C. E. 1999. Evaluation of rice germplasm for reaction to kernel smut, false smut, stem rot, and black sheath rot of rice. In: R. J. Norman and T. H. Johnston (ed.). B. R. Wells Rice Research Studies 1998. University of Arkansas Experiment Station Research Series. 468: 157-168.

 

• Ross, W. J., Parsons, C. E., Gipson, R. D., Hayden, C. E., Cartwright, R. D. 1998. Evaluation of aerially applied Quadris fungicide for sheath blight control in Arkansas. Proceedings of the 27th Rice Technical Working Group.

 

• Cartwright, R. D., Parsons, C. E., Ross, W. J., Lee, F. N., and Templeton, G. E. 1998. Rice disease monitoring and on-farm rice cultivar evaluation in Arkansas. In: R. J. Norman and T. H. Johnston (ed.). B. R. Wells Rice Research Studies 1997. University of Arkansas Experiment Station Research Series. 460: 117-127.

 

• Cartwright, R. D., Parsons, C. E., Ross, W. J., Eason, R., Lee, F. N., and Templeton, G. E. 1998. Effect of tillage systems on sheath blight of rice. In: R. J. Norman and T. H. Johnston (ed.). B. R. Wells Rice Research Studies 1997. University of Arkansas Experiment Station Research Series. 460: 245-250.

 

• Cartwright, R. D., Ross, W. J., Parsons, C. E., Lee, F. N., Vann, S. R., and Templeton, G. E. 1998. Kernel smut of rice in Arkansas. In: R. J. Norman and T. H. Johnston (ed.). B. R. Wells Rice Research Studies 1997. University of Arkansas Experiment Station Research Series. 460: 251-254.

 

• Cartwright, R. D., Parsons, C. E., Ross, W. J., Lee, F. N., and Templeton, G. E. 1997. Rice disease monitoring in Arkansas. In: R. J. Norman and T. H. Johnston (ed.). B. R. Wells Rice Research Studies 1996. University of Arkansas Experiment Station Research Series. 456: 81-89.

 

• Cartwright, R. D., Ross, W. J., Parsons, C. E., Lee, F. N., Eason, R., and Templeton, G. E. 1997. Artificial inoculation of kernel smut of rice in Arkansas. In: R. J. Norman and T. H. Johnston (ed.). B. R. Wells Rice Research Studies 1996. University of Arkansas Experiment Station Research Series. 456: 90-93.

 

• Ross, W. J., Correll, J. C., and Cartwright, R. D. 1996. Hierartical sampling of groups of Pyricularia grisea from commonly grown rice cultivars in Arkansas. Proceedings of the 26th Rice Technical Working Group.

 

• Ross, W. J., Correll, J. C., and Cartwright, R. D. 1995. The use of RAPDs and MGR586 DNA fingerprinting to characterize rice blast isolates of Pyricularia grisea from a single location in Arkansas (Abstract). Phytopathology 85:1199.

 

• Ross, W. J., Correll, J. C., Guerber, J. C., and West, C. P. 1994. The use of mtDNA RFLPs and RAPDs to distinguish among genotypes of Acremonium from tall fescue (Abstract). Phytopathology 84:1097.

PRESENTATIONS:
I have given numerous talks on the Corn and Grain Sorghum Verification Program, corn, grain sorghum, and wheat production at County producer meetings and Promotion Board meetings. 

• Ross, W.J., Norman, R.J., Wilson, Jr., C.E., Slaton, N.A., and Bushong, J.T. 2006. Evaluation of the Illinois soil N test to determine mineralizable N in Arkansas rice production. 31st Rice Technical Working Group Meeting, The Woodlands, TX.

 

• Ross, W.J., Norman, R.J., Bushong, J.T., Griggs, B.R., Wilson, Jr., C.E., and Slaton, N.A. 2005. Evaluation of nitrogen loss and uptake when Agrotain, ammonium sulfate, and urea were applied preflood to rice. 2005 Southern ASA Meeting, San Antonio, TX.

 

• Ross, W.J., Norman, R.J., Bushong, J.T., Slaton, N.A., and Wilson, Jr., C.E. 2005. Evaluation of the amino sugar-N based soil test in Arkansas rice and wheat production (poster). 2005 Southern ASA Meeting, San Antonio, TX.

 

• Ross, W.J., Norman, R.J., Bushong, J.T., Slaton, N.A., and Wilson, Jr., C.E. 2005. Evaluation of the amino sugar-N based soil test in Arkansas rice and wheat production. 2005 Arkansas Crop Protection Association, Fayetteville, AR.

 

• Ross, W. J., Parsons, C. E., Cartwright, R. D., Gipson, R. D., Chlapecka, R., and Hayden, C. E. 2000. Management of Sheath Blight of Rice with Quadris Fungicide in Arkansas. 28th Rice Technical Working Group, Biloxi, Mississippi.

 

• Ross, W. J., Parsons, C. E., Gipson, R. D., Chaney, H., and Cartwright, R. D. 1999. Control of sheath blight of rice with aerial-applied Quadris fungicide in Arkansas. Southern Division of the American Phytopathological Society, Memphis, Tennessee.

 

• Ross, W. J., Parsons, C. E., Gipson, R. D., Hayden, C. E., and Cartwright, R. D. 1998. Evaluation of aerially applied Quadris fungicide for sheath blight control in Arkansas. 27th Rice Technical Working Group, Reno, Nevada.

 

• Ross, W. J., Correll, J. C., and Cartwright, R. D. 1996. Hierartical sampling of groups of Pyricularia grisea from commonly grown rice cultivars in Arkansas. 26th Rice Technical Working Group, San Antonio, Texas.

 

• Ross, W. J., Correll, J. C., and Cartwright, R. D. 1995. The use of RAPDs and MGR586 DNA fingerprinting to characterize rice blast isolates of Pyricularia grisea from a single location in Arkansas. American Phytopathological Society, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

 

• Ross, W. J., Correll, J. C., Guerber, J. C., and West, C. P. 1994. The use of mtDNA RFLPs and RAPDs to distinguish among genotypes of Acremonium from tall fescue. American Phytopathological Society, Albuquerque, New Mexico.