· Documented changes in gene expression in corn caused by weed competition using microarray analysis.  Pioneered collaborative research that demonstrated gene expression in corn was affected by velvetleaf.  Genes involved in C and N utilization, photosynthesis, growth and development, oxidative stress, and response to auxin and ethylene were repressed in plants competing with velvetleaf.  One of first reports on adaptation of microarray analysis for detecting effects of weed competition at the molecular level.  Novel approach provides insight into physiological processes impacted by weed competition at all stages of crop growth, opening avenues for improved weed management strategies.

· Characterizing effects of antimicrobial chemicals in swine manure on herbicide degradation. Led collaborative research that linked impacts of antibiotics introduced into soil during application of livestock manure on potential microbial degradation of herbicides. Chlortetracycline (CTC) and tylosin, regularly and routinely fed to swine for herd health and weight gain, are released in active forms in the manure, and are potential environmental contaminants. CTC in particular influences soil microbial numbers and types.  An NSF grant was funded in July 2006 to examine how these antimicrobials can be eliminated in the waste stream prior to land application. 

· Development of site-specific weed management strategies and better understanding of weed/crop competition. Coordinated research to examine the spatial and temporal patterns of weed emergence and development in production size fields.  The research revealed that weed species patches shrink and swell but locations of some weeds over seasons is highly predictable. Site-specific technology developed in this research is a powerful tool for developing herbicide application rates and/or mixes for specific weed composition and densities resulting in reduced chemical inputs and production costs. Crop canopies on weed seed production potential has been examined.  These types of information will be critical when moving to nontraditional cropping systems.

· Crop stress using transcriptome analysis and stable isotope analysis

· Weed stress using heterologous microarrays of cotton to examine velvetleaf

· Investigating weed biology (common waterhemp and redroot pigweed)

· Examining environmental fate of compounds on the EPA emerging contaminant list using DGGE analysis of soil microbial communities

· IR4 projects that examine residue levels of pesticides in minor use crops for EPA label approval

 

Research Goals/Mission Statement

Long-term scientific goal is to develop an IPM system for weeds that minimizes herbicide inputs by optimizing timing of application based a) on knowledge of how and when weeds stress crop plants and b) how other agronomic variables can be used to minimize these stresses

 

Research Objectives/Action Plan

Using microarray analysis of RNA from weed-free and weed stressed crop plants understand

1. the changes in signaling pathways that occur under stress; 

2. when the changes occur; 

3. if the changes can be reversed; and

4. how other management practices (such as band vs broadcast N application) affect these changes. 

 

This will be examined using specific weeds and then broadened to more general mixed weed populations.

 

In the future, the move to organic cropping production systems will be a challenge for weed management.  Cover crops will be used for weed management and soil conditioner.  Tillage will play a more important role and timing, especially in the limited spring/early summer windows of opportunity, will need to be considered.

 

 

 

South Dakota State University

college of agriculture & biological sciences

Weed Ecology

About the Department

News & Events

Faculty

Staff

Academics

Undergraduate Studies

Graduate Studies

International Study

Distance Learning

Research

Cooperative Extension

Department Alumni

Research Centers

Online Resources & Links

SDSU

SDSU College of Ag & Bio

SD AES

SD CES

SDSU Foundation

The SDSU Plant Science Department website is maintained by Julia Fausti in accordance with SDSU guidelines.

Last updated 3 November 2009

Research Projects & Reports

SDSU University Research