Research
Use of herbicides is an integral part of modern agriculture. However, extensive and repeated use of herbicides results in the evolution of weed resistance to herbicides, a challenging constraint of crop production for growers, weed scientists, and the agri-chemical industry. Our research programs encompass weed problems in crop and rangeland systems with emphasis on understanding the mechanisms and inheritance of herbicide resistance, the effect of elevated temperature on herbicide efficacy and identification of sources of herbicide tolerance in crops.
Physical Mapping of Gene in Glyphosate-Resistant Weeds
Recent rapid evolution and spread of resistance to the most extensively used herbicide, glyphosate, is a major threat to global crop production. Glyphosate resistance in numerous broadleaf or grass weeds has been found due to the amplification of EPSPS gene, the molecular target of glyphosate. In this research, we investigate the genomic organization of the amplified EPSPS copies using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and extended DNA fiber (Fiber FISH) on chromosomes of weed species. This cutting-edge research helps uncover basic fundament processes governing the gene amplification.
Physiological, Genetic and Molecular Mechanisms of Herbicide Resistance
Glyphosate, atrazine, ALS-, pigment-inhibitors and auxinic herbicides are widely used in crops across the US including Kansas. Because of herbicide selection, several weeds have evolved resistance to these herbicides. Our lab investigates the mechanisms conferring herbicide resistance in weed species important to Kansas, the nation and worldwide.
Effect of Elevated Temperature On Herbicide Efficacy
Understanding the effect of temperature on herbicide efficacy is important to ensuring how fluctuating temperatures affect weed control and also helps in dealing with emerging herbicide resistance issues. Our lab investigates how the efficacy of various herbicides varies when applied at different temperature regimes. The outcome this research is valuable to develop effective weed management strategies to minimize the incidence of herbicide-resistant weeds and ultimately help growers of Kansas/US with reduced production costs towards weed management.
Development of Herbicide-Tolerant Crops
Development of herbicide-tolerant crops is valuable for effective weed control and rotating herbicides. Specifically, one of the major challenges in grain sorghum production is a lack of POST emergence weed control options. HPPD-inhibitors offer an option to manage w a de spectrum of weeds.
However, these herbicides are not registered for use in grain sorghum. Our ongoing research identified sources of tolerance to HPPD-inhibitors in sorghum germplasm collection. Our group also successfully transferred herbicide-tolerant traits from weed species to crops using biotechnological approach.