Professor of Agronomy | Iowa State University
Director of Graduate Education, Plant Breeding
Member, Raymond F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding
Dr. Maria Salas Fernandez is an internationally recognized plant breeder whose research integrates genetics, genomics, and advanced phenotyping technologies to improve crop performance under challenging environmental conditions. As a professor in the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University and a core member of the Raymond F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding, her work directly supports the development of resilient, high-
performing crops for food, feed, and bioenergy production in the Midwest and beyond.
Research Focus and Impact
Dr. Salas Fernandez leads a sorghum breeding program at Iowa State University, with a strong emphasis on developing germplasm adapted to northern U.S. environments, where limited breeding investment has historically constrained adoption. Sorghum’s potential as a forage and bioenergy crop makes it a key component of sustainable agricultural systems, and her program addresses critical yield- and stress-related traits needed for broader adoption in the Upper Midwest.
Her sorghum research spans several areas:
- Genetic control of plant architecture: Through genome-wide association studies and candidate gene analysis, her team has identified genomic regions influencing traits such as plant height, stem diameter, leaf angle, flowering time, and grain yield-related characteristics. These discoveries create opportunities to design more efficient plant types using modern breeding tools.
- High-throughput phenotyping (HTP): Since 2012, Dr. Salas Fernandez has been part of interdisciplinary teams deploying field-based imaging platforms to collect large-scale phenotypic data. These technologies allow for precise measurement of growth and architecture traits and enable gene discovery at an unprecedented scale.
- Cold tolerance and stress physiology: Her work addresses early-season cold tolerance in sorghum, a key limitation for production in cooler climates. By identifying cold-tolerant germplasm with improved agronomic characteristics, her research supports earlier planting and higher yield potential in short growing seasons.
- Photosynthesis and photoprotection: Dr. Salas Fernandez investigates the genetic architecture of photosynthetic efficiency under non-stress, cold, and drought conditions. This work contributes to long-term strategies for improving grain yield, biomass accumulation and resource-use efficiency in C4 crops.
- Regional hybrid evaluation and deployment: With USDA-NIFA funding support, sorghum hybrids developed at ISU are tested in coordinated network trials across Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. This project aims to provide high-quality forage alternatives that enhance profitability and sustainability for beef and dairy operations in the region.
Role at the Raymond F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding
As a member of the Raymond F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding, Dr. Salas Fernandez plays a leadership role in interdisciplinary research, graduate education, and collaborative projects across crop species. She currently serves as Director of Graduate Education in Plant Breeding, helping to shape curriculum and mentoring the next generation of plant breeders.
Her Baker Center supported projects focus on sorghum improvement through gene discovery, phenomics, and stress tolerance, with additional funding from sources including the USDA, NSF, the Sorghum Checkoff Program, and the Iowa State Plant Sciences Institute.
Education and Professional Background
Dr. Salas Fernandez brings a global perspective to her work, with academic and industry experience spanning multiple countries:
- Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Genetics, Cornell University
- M.S. in Plant Physiology, Texas A&M University
- B.S. in Agricultural Production Engineering, Argentine Catholic University
Honors and Awards:
- 2013 American Society of Agronomy (ASA) Early Career Professional Award.
- 2014 National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB) Early Career Award.
- NSF CAREER grant for her novel research in photosynthesis and photoprotection.
- 2019 Baker Agronomic Excellence Award, Iowa State University.
- 2024 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Faculty Inclusive Excellence Award, Iowa State University.
Before joining Iowa State University, she worked in the private sector in Argentina, including roles in research and development at American Cyanamid Company and as a junior sorghum breeder at Nidera S.A. This blend of academic and industry experience informs her applied, impact-driven approach to research.