Overview

The overall goal of my research program is to study and gain a more in depth understanding of the basic biological/ecological principles governing agricultural and environmental weed population dynamics that ultimately lead to the development and implementation of safe, effective, sustainable and economically viable weed management strategies. To achieve this goal my research program comprises several major thrusts.

Research Focus

Primary areas of scholarship focus on: Effects of the environment on weed species. Evaluation of the effects of biotic (e.g. plant competition; selective disease and insect predation) and abiotic factors (e.g. light, fertility, salinity) on the seed biology, growth and reproduction of important agricultural weeds (velvetleaf, pigweeds, common ragweed) and introduced invasive plant species (e.g. swallow-wort, mugwort) of natural communities in the Northeastern United States. Effects of weeds on their environment. Examination of the direct and indirect impact of weeds in their habitat. Includes research on the effect of the invasive alien vine pale swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum rossicum) [Apocynaceae] on monarch butterfly populations, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) populations, and native plant species. Manipulation of the environment to suppress weeds. Research aimed at modifying the biotic and/or abiotic environment of troublesome weeds in both cropland and natural systems to improve control. These tactics can be used either alone or as part of an integrated management strategy. Manipulation of the biotic environment is primarily achieved through the use of selective biological control agents such as fungal pathogens and insects while abiotic manipulations focus largely on soil fertility management.

Instruction Focus

My teaching philosophy is founded on respect both for students as individuals and for the pedagogical process. My approach is based on the following belief: As students become active observers, they will be motivated to seek and learn new ways to discover, problem-solve, collaborate, and develop critical thinking. Thus, it is my role and responsibility as a teacher, to seek ways to stimulate, encourage, and enhance students` curiosity. Undergraduate Courses Taught: CSS 315 - Weed Biology & Management - (Fall term) 4 credits. ENTOM/CSS 444 - Integrated Pest Management (Fall term) - 4 credits. Course website: http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/ipm444/ Graduate Courses Taught: CSS 614 Weed Ecology and Management (Spring term) - 3 credits - offered in odd years only.

Additional Links

• Cornell Weed Ecology and Management Laboratory
• Link to CALS Research portal
• Link to CALS Impact statements

Selected Publications

• Barney, J.N., A. DiTommaso, and L.A. Weston. 2005. Differences in invasibility of two contrasting habitats and invasiveness of two mugwort Artemisia vulgaris populations. Journal of Applied Ecology 42:567-576.
• Milbrath, L.R., K.M. Averill, and A. DiTommaso. 2007. Vegetative expansion and seed output of swallow-worts (Vincetoxicum spp.). XIIth International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds, Montpelier, France. (April 22-27).
• Gallagher, R.S., E.C. Luschei, E. Gallandt, and A. DiTommaso. 2007. Experiential learning activities in the weed science classroom. Weed Technology 21(1):255-261.
• Magidow, L.C., A. DiTommaso, L. Milbrath, and C.L. Mohler. 2007. Emergence and performance of two swallow-wort species on soils of varying pH and origin. Proceedings of the 61st Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Weed Science Society, 61:12.
• Interviewed by Farm Journal [Mexico, MO] reporter Darrell Smith writing an article on the movement of giant ragweed into Cornell graduate student Clay Mitchell's crop farm near Buckingham, Iowa ? titled "The case of the creeping ragweed " which appeared in the March 2007 issue of the Farm Journal in its ?Production Special Features' section). [Copy available]
• Eom, S.H., T.L. Setter, A. DiTommaso, and L.A. Weston. 2007. Differential growth response to salt stress among selected ornamentals. Journal of Plant Nutrition 30(7):1109-1126.
• Interviewed by Chicago Tribune's Gardening reporter Beth Botts writing an article on late fall weed management options in gardens ? the article "Keep Weeding " appeared in the October 21, 2007 issue of her blog, The Chicago Gardener, at chicagotribune.com\gardener. [Copy available]
• Brainard, D.C., A. DiTommaso, and C.L. Mohler. 2007. Intraspecific variation in seed characteristics of Powell amaranth (Amaranthus powellii) from habitats with contrasting crop rotation histories. Weed Science 55(3):218-226.
• Averill, K.M. and A. DiTommaso. 2007. Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa L.): A troublesome species of increasing concern. Weed Technology 21(1):279-287.
• Mohler, C.L., and A. DiTommaso. 2007. Effects of tillage, cultivation, and herbicide rate on spatial aggregation of weeds. Weed Science Society of America Abstracts. No. 243. Weed Science Society of America, Lawrence, KS. (Feb. 2007)
• Hotchkiss, E.E., A. DiTommaso, D.C. Brainard, and C.L. Mohler. 2007. Survival and performance of the invasive vine pale swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum rossicum) under two light environments and originating from seeds of different polyembryonic class. Weed Science Society of America Abstracts. No. 100. Weed Science Society of America, Lawrence, KS. (Feb. 2007)
• Averill, K.M., A. DiTommaso, and S.H. Morris. 2007. Response of pale swallow-wort to triclopyr application and clipping. Proceedings of the 61st Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Weed Science Society, 61:69.
• Blanchard, M.L., A. DiTommaso, K.M. Averill, C.L. Mohler, and J.N. Barney. 2007. Does polyembryony confer greater competitive ability in the non-native invasive vine, pale swallow-wort. Proceedings of the 61st Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Weed Science Society, 61:5.
• Van Haden, R., J.M. Duxbury, A. DiTommaso, and J.E. Losey. 2007. Weed community dynamics in the system of rice intensification (SRI) and the efficacy of mechanical cultivation and competitive rice cultivars for weed control in Indonesia. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 30(4):5-26.
• Brainard, D.C., A. DiTommaso, and C.L. Mohler. 2007. Intraspecific variation in seed characteristics of Powell amaranth (Amaranthus powellii) from habitats with contrasting crop rotation histories. Weed Science 55:218-226.
• Greipsson, S. and A. DiTommaso. 2006. Invasive non-native plants alter the occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and benefit from this association. Ecological Restoration 24:236-241.
• Nurse, R.E. and A. DiTommaso. 2005. Corn competition alters the germinability of velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) seeds. Weed Science 53:479-488.
• DiTommaso, A. 2004. Germination behavior of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) populations across a range of salinities. Weed Science 52:1002-1009.
• DiTommaso, A., F.M. Lawlor and S.J. Darbyshire. 2004. The Biology of Invasive Alien Plants in Canada. 2. Cynanchum rossicum (Kleopow) Borhidi (= Vincetoxicum rossicum (Kleopow) Barbar.) and Cynanchum louiseae (L.) Kartesz & Gandhi (= Vincetoxicum nigrum (L.) Moench). Canadian Journal of Plant Science 85:243-263.
• Clements, D.R., A. DiTommaso, N. Jordan, B.D. Booth, J. Cardina, D. Doohan, C.L. Mohler, S.D. Murphy, and C.J. Swanton. 2004. Adaptability of plants invading North American cropland. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 104:379-398.
• DiTommaso, A. and J.E. Losey. 2003. Oviposition preference and larval performance of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) on two invasive swallow-wort species. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 108:205-209.
• DiTommaso, A. and A.K. Watson. 1997. Effect of the fungal pathogen, Colletotrichum coccodes on Abutilon theophrasti height hierarchy development. Journal of Applied Ecology 34:518-529.
• DiTommaso, A., A.K. Watson and S.G. Hallett. 1996. Infection by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum coccodes affects velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)-soybean competition in the field. Weed Science 44:924-933.
• DiTommaso, A. and L.W. Aarssen. 1989. Resource manipulations in natural vegetation: a review. Vegetatio 84:9-29.

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