Weed Science
People:
Dr. Bill Johnson
Professor of Weed Science
Purdue University
Botany and Plant Pathology, Lilly Hall
915 West State Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054
Office: Lilly 1-361
Phone: (765) 494-4656
FAX: (765) 494-0363
E-mail: wgj@purdue.edu
Area: Biology and management of herbicide resistant weeds, weed management in no-till systems, winter annual weed management and interactions with SCN, weed management and N accumulation by weeds in glyphosate-resistant corn
Travis Legleiter
Weed Science Professional Assistant
Purdue University
Botany and Plant Pathology, Lilly Hall
915 West State Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054
Office: Lilly 1-349
Phone: (765) 496-2121
FAX: (765) 494-0363
E-mail: tlegleit@purdue.edu
Program Description:
The estimated average monetary loss caused by weeds in
field crops grown in the U.S. is over several billion dollars each year. Weed
management expenses are one of the largest variable costs incurred by growers
annually. Weeds growing on cropland are like crop plants themselves, drawing
upon the soil and air for essential elements. Unfortunately, weeds obtain
essential elements at the expense of adjacent crop plants. The result of
inadequate weed control is a reduction of crop yield and quality.
Traditionally, weed management practices have included preventative, cultural,
mechanical, biological, and chemical tactics. However, with the rapid increase
in the number of effective herbicides in the 1960-1990's, weed management
techniques have become more reliant on herbicides in the last 30 years. In any
biological system, strong dependence on any single tactic results in selection
pressure for species (weeds, insects, and/or diseases) which can exploit the
niche left by the single tactic. As a result of overdependence on herbicides,
the number of herbicide-resistant weeds has grown from less than 10 in the
1960's to over 300 today. Additionally, there are over 1000 non-indigenous
plant species which can potentially infest crop production systems if given the
opportunity. Therefore, production of food for humans and livestock and the
economic well being of Indiana farmers depends heavily on effective, integrated
management of weeds and other plant pests in all of our food crops.
Weed Science Extension Program Objectives
1. Develop weed management systems that are economically
and environmentally sound, integrate cultural practices with judicious
herbicide use, improve efficiency of production, and minimize selection
pressure for herbicide-resistant weeds.
2. Promote grower acceptance of these weed management
systems through education efforts targeting growers, crop consultants, input
suppliers, industry representatives and extension educators in Indiana and
surrounding states.