Dr. Kumar’s research program at K-State is primarily focused on understanding the biology and ecology of most problematic weed species and developing integrated weed management (IWM) strategies for dryland agroecosystems in western Kansas and the High Plains region. Among other research aspects, monitoring, characterizing, and managing herbicide resistance in weed populations is of particular interest of his program.
Dr. Kumar's research interests fall within an area of weed biology, ecology and its management.
Some specific research priorities are listed below:
- Monitoring the occurrence, spread and characterization of new cases of herbicide-resistant weeds in Kansas cropping systems. This is a key aspect of Dr. Kumar's research program.
- Investigating the environmental and management factors on germination, emergence and growth behavior of problematic weed populations in the High Plains region.
- Evaluate and develop herbicide strategies for use in rotation or tank-mixtures for crop safety and control of herbicide-resistant and susceptible weeds in wheat, corn, soybean, sorghum, sunflower, and fallow fields.
- Evaluate newly developed/commercialized herbicide-resistant crop technologies (such as Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybeans, Enlist Cropping Systems, CoAXium™ Wheat Production, Inzen™, Igrowth™, and Double Team sorghum) for weed control in no-till dryland production systems.
- Off-target injury risk assessment from newly developed herbicide-resistant crops through simulation drift studies.
- Integration of chemical, mechanical (tillage, harvest weed seed control) and cultural practices (cover crops, crop rotation, seeding rates, row spacing, etc.) for sustainable weed management in no till dry land production systems of western Kansas.
- Investigating fit of various precision agricultural technologies for early detection of herbicide-resistant weeds and their management in the High Plains region.
Specialization:
- Weed biology and management
Research: Weed Management & Crop Protection
