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ARS Home » Plains Area » Brookings, South Dakota » Integrated Cropping Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #162573
Title: DEVELOPING NATIONAL RESEARCH TEAMS: A CASE STUDY WITH THE JOINTED GOATGRASS RESEARCH PROGRAM

Author
item Anderson, Randal
item HANAVAN, DARRELL - COLORADO WHEAT COMMISSION
item OGG, ALEX - RETIRED

Submitted to: Weed Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/26/2004
Publication Date: 10/1/2004
Citation: Anderson, R.L., Hanavan, D., Ogg, A.J. 2004. Developing national research teams: a case study with the jointed goatgrass research program. Weed Technology. 18:1143-1149.

Interpretive Summary: The discipline of weed science is facing research problems, such as invasive weeds, that require multi-disciplinary teams to solve. A national team was started in 1994 to facilitate research efforts of more than 35 scientists in developing management systems for jointed goatgrass. Jointed goatgrass is a winter annual grass invading winter wheat fields and is not easily managed with conventional control tactics. Activities by this national team led to research involving entomology, economics, plant breeding, plant physiology, genetics, as well as weed science. This diversity of scientific expertise led to successful management systems for jointed goatgrass. To help other scientists organize regional or national programs, we describe development and performance of the jointed goatgrass program, as well as suggest ideas for possible improvement. Pivotal to the success of the program was a steering committee, which identified research priorities, organized annual research meetings, and developed a strategic plan for long-term goals.

Technical Abstract: Weed scientists are facing research problems, such as invasive weeds, that may require multi-disciplinary approaches to solve. One example is jointed goatgrass, a winter annual grass invading winter wheat fields and not easily managed with conventional control tactics. A national research program was started in 1994 to develop jointed goatgrass management strategies. Involving more than 35 scientists with diverse scientific expertise, this national approach fostered cooperative research projects across 11 states. Research involved entomology, economics, plant breeding, plant physiology, genetics, and weed science, leading to successful management systems for jointed goatgrass. To help other scientists organize regional or national programs, we describe development and performance of the jointed goatgrass program, as well as suggest ideas for possible improvement. Pivotal to the success of the program was a steering committee, whose role was to establish research priorities, evaluate research proposals, and coordinate research across the western United States.