NC State’s Department of Crop and Soil Sciences is home to over 350 students pursuing two-year, four-year, and advanced degrees in agricultural and environmental sciences. 

Our mission is to connect them with the personal and professional opportunities that allow them to discover careers that solve growing challenges.

Today, we caught up with crop science graduate student Balihar Kaur to learn about her research in zoysiagrass genetics and a recent win in the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative’s annual Hackathon.

Hi Balihar. Thanks for your time today. What was your path to NC State? 

I’m from Ludhiana, Punjab, India. I received my undergraduate and master’s degrees in Biotechnology from Punjab Agricultural University, where I conducted my research on wheat.

For higher education, I was looking for a leading agricultural research opportunity to learn more about breeding methodologies to improve crops, and I found NC State. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Crop Science in turfgrass. 

Who is your advisor, and what are you studying?

My advisor is Dr. Susana Milla-Lewis, and I’m part of the Turfgrass Breeding and Genetics Program. 

My research focuses on improving turfgrass by examining the genetic and physical traits of diverse zoysiagrass accessions, with emphasis on seed yield. 

What interested you in turfgrass or genetics?

In India, people don’t have turfgrass lawns surrounding their homes, so my family had little knowledge or understanding of turfgrass as a crop. When I discussed my plans, many would pause and ask, ‘What is that?’ Then, I would explain to them about the turfgrass industry and its ornamental and environmental appeal. 

For me, I was interested in learning plant breeding skills that could be applied to many other crops.

Why is your research important to the turfgrass industry?

Zoysigrass is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant grass that is valuable in the turfgrass industry. But it has mainly been produced through sod production, which is time-consuming and expensive. 

Seeding zoysiagrass would be a significant improvement, but zoysiagrass has several problems with seed production and dormancy that lead to low germination rates. 

Our lab and Texas A&M University are working with hundreds of breeding lines to identify phenotypic traits and select for seed characteristics like the number of seed heads, inflorescence size and seed fill. We’re also using genomic sequencing to look for regions that affect the architecture of seed yield. 

We’re trying to find superior seed-producing genes in a plant that is normally vegetatively produced.

What type of hands-on experiences have you had?

I’ve gained much experience in plant breeding, molecular biology, and biotechnology. Field and lab research has provided me with invaluable practical learning experiences.

Participating in the Plant Sciences Hackathon and a turfgrass field day were significant for me. These activities allowed me to apply my knowledge creatively and collaborate with other bright minds, which greatly impacted my time here.

Congratulations on your big win at the 2024 N.C. PSI Hackathon! Tell us about that experience.

Thank you! I had never been involved in a technology competition. My main motivation to participate was to gain exposure, learn new things and meet people. 

Our team’s task was to develop a computer vision model that could accurately and precisely distinguish wheat from the common weed Italian ryegrass. The group that produced the highest-accuracy model won.

We were given multiple images of each plant to train our computer models. But since these plants almost look the same at an early stage of development, we had to keep reviewing the images to distinguish them. That was probably the most challenging task!

Was this your first time working with computer vision?

Yes. I participated in the beginner track, which didn’t require any specific crop or programming background. We were assigned to a team of two and received a tutorial on Roboflow, a user-friendly software that didn’t require any coding.

What skills do you think helped you succeed as a first-time competitor?

Since I had worked with wheat, that made me comfortable. But I think determination helped the most. We had three days to learn the software and create our model. I was determined to learn and understand how it worked.

How will technology like computer vision impact your research and the broader industry?

With advancements in technology and their growing applications in agriculture, this event was very exciting for me. It introduced me to the field of AI and data analytics and their real-world potential. This field can revolutionize the way we handle problem diagnoses as well as problem-solving strategies in agriculture. 

In my research, designing computer vision models for distinguishing different turfgrass characteristics could work wonders. At the Hackathon, I met professionals with expertise in this field; some of them shared insights into their research practices relating to precision agriculture. I have made new connections that will be invaluable and enhance my skills and knowledge in this area.

What is your career goal?

My immediate goal is to complete my PhD while gaining rich learning experiences and skills. 

In the long term, I want to apply what I’ve learned to solve real-world problems in agriculture. I chose this field because of its versatility — there’s always something new to discover and new challenges to solve.

Where do you see yourself in the next five to ten years?

I like applying creative thinking to agricultural solutions. I would like to be exposed to both industry and research sectors and am open to pursuing either. I’m even open to other crops like fruits and vegetables. I’m fascinated by the transformation of a flower into a fruit.

What have you learned at NC State that you will take with you?

As a first-year PhD student, every day is a new learning experience. I’m building a wealth of knowledge and collecting experiences I’ll cherish and use for years to come.

I love the research environment here in Crop and Soil Sciences. I admire and get inspired by the curious minds around me; they motivate me to keep pushing forward.

What’s your advice to a student considering the same field of study at NC State?

I would say, “What are you waiting for??” This field is full of opportunities and exciting research.

Tell us a little-known or fun fact about you.

I’m just as passionate about art as I am about science! I love singing along with my guitar and enjoy painting with watercolors.

Picture yourself in crop and soil sciences. 

If you are looking for an academic path that leads to a career of impact, consider crop and soil sciences. Our students learn from expert professors and experience hands-on adventures every day.  

Learn more about our student degree pathways, including deep dives into our agronomy, soil science and turfgrass programs. Then, join us for a guided email tour of our Department of Crop & Soil Sciences.  

Connecting students with future-proof careers is just part of how we are growing the future.