Thierry Besancon

Dr. Thierry Besancon is an Extension Specialist in Weed Science for Specialty Crops located at the Philip E. Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension in Chatsworth, NJ. Before obtaining his PhD at North Carolina State University, Dr. Besancon worked for ten years in Europe on pests and diseases management in stone fruit production, development of IPM threshold models, and the prediction of fruit shelf-life in cold room based on the assessment of various pre-harvest factors. Prospective research by the specialty crops weed science lab includes the biology, ecology and control of Carolina redroot (Lachnanthes caroliniana), a native species of NJ and competitive weed of cranberry bogs. Dr. Besancon's lab is also evaluating if recent difficulties to control goosegrass (Eleusine indica) and annual bluegrass (Poa annua) in blueberry may be caused by the development of resistance to microtubule, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase), and enolpyruvyl shikimate-3-phospahte synthase (EPSP) herbicide inhibitors. This work will also evaluate the occurrence of cross and multiple resistance to other herbicide as well as the molecular and physiological mechanisms associated with resistance. Challenges raised by the progression in NJ vegetable crops of multiple herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) and the development of strategies to control it will also be a key component of his research program. Dr. Besancon will also examine alternative weed management strategies such as cover crops that may help to reduce the potential for herbicide resistance development in specialty crops. His role in training and educating growers and extension personnel has led to a collaborate effort with other weed scientists of the eastern US in the publication of the Mid-Atlantic Field Crop Weed Management guide and Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations. Dr. Besancon has recently published papers in Weed Science, Weed Technology, Agronomy Journal, Advances in Agriculture, and International Journal of Agronomy and Crop Sciences.

Department of Plant Biology
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Philip E. Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension
Chatsworth, NJ