Dr. James P. Shroyer
Professor
Biography & Education
Biography
Growing up on a farm near Eufaula, Oklahoma, Dr. Shroyer was exposed at an early age to a diversity of interests because of the tourism industry that built up around Lake Eufaula. Dr. Shroyer invested his interest as a member of both the livestock and soil judging teams. He began to focus on science in high school, and his continued interest in science led to his graduation in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Oklahoma State University.
Upon graduating, Dr. Shroyer began his professional career teaching 8th grade science in Oklahoma. He then worked on the family farm for a while before going on to complete his Masters in Agronomy in Weed Science from OSU in 1977. He then earned his Doctorate in 1980 from Iowa State University in Crop Physiology and Production. During his Ph.D. work, Dr. Shroyer was an Extension Associate at ISU. In 1980 he took a position with K-State as an assistant professor and state Extension specialist in crop production.
“At the time the crop production specialist position covered all crops,” Dr. Shroyer said. “I thought that working as a general agronomist was a great position.”
Dr. Shroyer was the Extension Agronomy Program State Leader for seven years and is still the crop production specialist for wheat and alfalfa. Through his position he assists producers directly by advising them on practical production concerns. The other portion of his time is spent interacting with County Extension Agents as they develop county programs, and teaching an undergraduate course in crop production.
“The bottom line is building relationships,” Dr. Shroyer said. “It’s that way with all jobs, but in order to make an impact as an Extension Specialist I have to also be able to communicate.”
Although he specializes in agriculture, Dr. Shroyer has always been a product of the diversity of his upbringing. His favorite past time is birding, traveling, and listening to a wide variety of music, both current and past. Shroyer said he would watch birds full-time if he could earn money doing it.
Education
- Ph.D. Crop Physiology & Production, Iowa State University, 1980
- M.S. Weed Science, Oklahoma State University, 1977
- B.S. Zoology, Oklahoma State University, 1974
Publications
- Wheat variety selection to maximize returns and minimize risk: An application of portfolio theory. 2010. Barnaby, Andrew, Hikaru Hawana Peterson, and James Shroyer. J. Ag. App. Econ. 42:39-55.
- The early history of wheat improvement in the Great Plains. 2008. Paulsen, G.M. and J.P. Shroyer. Agron. J. 100:70-78.
- Management practices to minimize tan spot in a continuous wheat rotation. 2008. Carigano, M., S. Staggenborg, and J.P. Shroyer. Agron. J. 100:145-153.
- Blending hard white wheat to improve grain yield and end-use performances. 2006. K. Lee, James P. Shroyer, Timothy J. Herrman, and Jane Lingenfelser. Crop Sci. 46:1124-1129.
Research
Kansas is considered the Wheat State, but there are many biotic and abiotic stresses that affect wheat yields. My goal is to research causes of yield-limiting factors and develop practices that overcome these problems and limit their influences. These activities have helped growers produce their crops more efficiently and in a more environmentally sound manner.
Areas of emphasis have been:
- The genetic gain of wheat cultivars in high- and low-yielding environments
- Coleoptile elongation under drought stress
- Use and adaptability of wheat cultivar blends
- No-till wheat planting after row crops
- Sorghum’s allelopathic affect on no-till planted wheat
- Date of planting and seeding rate studies
- Winterkill simulations
- Thin wheat stands and replant decision studies
- Timely nitrogen applications
- Preplant phosphorus applications
- Seed quality issues
- Verification studies on new cultivar releases