Antonio (Toni) DiTommaso

Assistant Professor,
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
903 Bradfield Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853

Tel: (607) 254-4702
Fax: (607) 255-3207
E-mail: ad97@cornell.edu

Web site: http://www.css.cornell.edu/WeedEco/
Office hours: Call or e-mail me for an appointment

For the past seven years, Professor DiTommaso has taught courses and carried out research in the area of weed biology/ecology, biological weed control, and integrated weed management. He is co-author of a weed identification guide for the Northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada that will soon be available on CD.

     Students in this course will explore in some depth a number of relevant topics within the weed science discipline. Emphasis is on investigation of fundamental plant biological/ecological principles and their impact on the development of sustainable weed management strategies in both crop and non-crop systems.

Role of ecology in weed management.

Grower/stakeholder perceptions towards weed research & management.

Weed life history - What can be learned for better management?

Weed responses in a changing environment.

Seed biology/ecology;dormancy, germination patterns.

General weed seedbank dynamics.

Impact of tillage and cover crops on weed emergence and establishment patterns.

Crop rotation and inter-seeding to improve weed management

Role of allelopathy in sustainable weed management.

Abiotic effects on weed growth and competitive interactions.

Weeds and multiple trophic level interactions.

Biological control and the need for basic weed ecology research.

Classical biological control -Challenges and opportunities.

Reduced herbicide rates and biologically relevant herbicide rates.

Ecological, and management implications of herbicide resistance and transgenic crops.

Plant invasions - Why do they occur and what can be done?

Integrated weed management - Options and future prospects.

ASSESSMENT

      Students enrolled in this course will be expected to lead two (2) group discussions on at least one of the current weed ecology and management topic areas listed above. An updated and relevant literature search of the subject area will be required and will be distributed to all class participants at least one week prior to the topic being scheduled for class discussion. Active class participation during these discussion sessions will be expected from all students and will constitute 15% of the final grade. Students will also be required to complete a grant proposal on any topic of interest that clearly has a weed ecology and management focus to it. Topic selection will require prior approval by the instructor. An oral final exam assessing the student's overall understanding of material covered in class during the term will constitute the remaining part of the final grade.

Leading of group discussions	40%
Participation in class discussions	15%
Grant proposal	25%
Final oral exam	20%
	100%