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Our Staff:

Dr. Thomas Bauman Professor of Weed Science Purdue University Botany and Plant Pathology, Lilly Hall 915 West State Street West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054 Office: LILY G-318 Phone: (765) 494-4625 FAX: (765) 494-0363 E-mail:    Area: Weed management systems in agronomic crops, popcorn response to herbicides and weed management systems	Dr. Bill Johnson Associate Professor of Weed Science Purdue University Botany and Plant Pathology, Lilly Hall 915 West State Street West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054 Office: Lilly G-313 Phone: (765) 494-4656 FAX: (765) 494-0363 E-mail:    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	Glenn Nice Weed Science Professional Assistant Purdue University Botany and Plant Pathology, Lilly Hall 915 West State Street West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054 Office: LILY 1-347 Phone: (765) 496-2121 FAX: (765) 494-0363 E-mail:    Area: Biology and management of invasive weeds, weed identification and herbicide injury

Program Description:

The estimated average monetary loss caused by weeds in field crops grown in the U.S. is over 4 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 20 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 200 in 2002. 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.

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.

Weed Science Extension Publications