Vipan Kumar, PhD

Assistant Professor

Agricultural Research Center
1232 240th Avenue,
Hays, KS 67601

Ph: 785-625-3425 ext. 214

Dr. Vipan Kumar serves as an Assistant Professor of Weed Science at Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center in Hays, KS. A native of Punjab state in India, Dr. Kumar received his B. Sc. (Hons.) in Crop Science from Punjab Agricultural University, Punjab, India in 2008, an M.S. in Agronomy from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA in 2011, and a Ph.D. in Plant Science (major in Weed Science) from Montana State University, Bozeman, MT in 2015. He was a postdoctoral research fellow at Montana State University Southern Agricultural Research Center near Huntley, MT for 2 yrs before joining K-State in fall 2017.

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 is currently serving as an Associate Editor for Weed Science, Weed Technology, and Agronomy journals. He is also a recipient of 2020 Outstanding Weed Scientist-Early Career (public sector) award from Western Society of Weed Science, Distinguished Young Weed Scientist award from Northcentral Weed Science Society, and Outstanding Reviewer award for Weed Science journal from Weed Science Society of America.

Staff & Students

Research

Dr. Kumar's research interests fall within an area of weed biology, ecology and its management. The primary goal of his research program is to evaluate and develop integrated weed management strategies for irrigated and dry land cropping systems in western Kansas. In recent years, the widespread evolution of herbicide-resistant (HR) weeds (mainly kochia, Palmer amaranth, and horseweed) has threatened the profitability and long-term sustainability of no-till dry land crop production in the region. To achieve the overall goal, his research program relies on basic and applied weed science research. 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.

Visit the Weed Science lab website