Contact Information:

423 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building University Park, PA 16802
  • Phone: 814-863-1014
  • Fax: 814-863-7043
  • E-mail: wsc2@psu.edu

Appointment:

  • 75% Extension
  • 25% Research

Links:

William S. Curran

William S. Curran
Professor of Weed Science

Responsibilities and Interests:

I serve as the extension specialist for programs relating to weed science in agronomic crops. I am responsible for planning and implementing extension education programs that include training county extension staff, conducting workshops, seminars, conferences and other types of training for producers and the agricultural industry of Pennsylvania. I also conduct applied research in Weed Science focusing on current problems, opportunities, and possible solutions. The results of my research along with the results from others here at Penn State and other public institutions provide the foundation for my extension activities.

My research program has concentrated in two main areas: identify management opportunities for herbaceous perennial broadleaves and grasses and problem annual species; examine the effect of cover crops on weed emergence and herbicide efficacy.

My research agenda over the next several years will continue to concentrate on programs that more effectively manage problem weed species in corn and forages and issues that challenge weed management in conservation tillage systems.

Current Graduate Students:

Education:

Professional Background:

Dr. Curran joined the Penn State faculty in 1990 after receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. Dr. Curran has an extensive background in applied research and extension focusing on a number of topics related to weed management and crop production. At Penn State, Dr. Curran is responsible for developing weed management programs for corn, soybeans, small grains, and forage crops. He conducts research focusing on the management of herbaceous perennial weeds, herbicide-resistant weeds, and weed management in conservation tillage systems. Dr. Curran evaluates many registered and experimental herbicides and adjuvants for their suitability for Pennsylvania agriculture.

Dr. Curran is an expert in pesticide use issues and has participated extensively at national and regional conferences as well as contributed in several national pesticide use/issue surveys. Dr. Curran has served as a reviewer for Weed Science, Weed Technology, Canadian Journal of Soils, Journal of Natural Resources and Life Science Education and several USDA Competitive Research Grants Programs.

Dr. Curran has lived and worked in several agricultural settings in the Midwest, western, and eastern U.S. including his native New Mexico, where he was raised on a small irrigated alfalfa/hay operation. With his current extension responsibilities, Dr. Curran conducts over 50 meetings annually with agricultural producers, industry representatives and the public sector. Dr. Curran works closely with producers and agribusiness in assessing farm management skills and in conducting applied research at the farm level.

Dr. Curran is an active member of the Pennsylvania Agronomic Education Society and has served on the Board of Directors, the American Society of Agronomy, the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA), the North Central Society of Weed Science, and the Northeastern Weed Science Society (NEWSS).

Selected Publications:

Extension

  1. Lingenfelter, D. and W. S. Curran. 2001. Wirestem muhly management in agronomic crops, Agronomy Facts 61, Penn State College of Agric. Sci., Univ. Park, PA.
  2. Curran, W.S. 2001. Weed management in pasture systems, Agronomy Facts 62. Penn State College of Agric. Sci., Univ. Park, PA
  3. Curran, W.S., J. Harper, and D.D. Lingenfelter. 2000. Herbicide resistant crops in 2000, Penn State College of Agric. Sci., Univ. Park.
  4. Curran, W. S and D. D. Lingenfelter. 2000. Field crop weed control guide. Penn State College of Agric. Sci., Univ. Park, PA., 92 pages.
  5. Curran, W. S. M.D. McGlamery, R. A. Liebl, and D. D. Lingenfelter. 1999. Adjuvants for enhancing herbicide performance, Agronomy Facts 37, Penn State College of Agric. Sci., Univ. Park, PA
  6. Curran, W. S. 1999. Management of shattercane and johnsongrass; an integrated approach, Agronomy Facts 4, Penn State College of Agric. Sci., Univ. Park, PA.
  7. Curran, W. S. 1999. Management of triazine-resistant lambsquarters and pigweed, an integrated approach, Agronomy Facts 10. Penn State College of Agric. Sci., Univ. Park, PA.
  8. Curran, W. S. 1998. Persistence of herbicides in soil, Agronomy Facts 36, Penn State College of Agric. Sci., Univ. Park, PA.
  9. Werner, E. L., W. S. Curran and D. D. Lingenfelter. 1998. Management of eastern black nightshade in agronomic crops, an integrated approach. Agronomy Facts 58, Penn State College of Agric. Sci., Univ. Park, PA.
  10. Messersmith, D., W. S. Curran, and D. D. Lingenfelter. 1997. Managing burcucumber in agronomic crops. Agronomy Facts 59, Penn State College of Agric. Sci., Univ. Park, PA.
  11. Curran, W. S., D. D. Lingenfelter, and L. Garling. 1996. Weed management in conservation tillage. Conservation tillage fact sheet series, Penn State College of Agric. Sci., Univ. Park, PA.
  12. Curran, W. S., D. D. Lingenfelter, L. Garling, and P. Wagoner. 1996. Cover crops for conservation tillage. Conservation tillage fact sheet series, Penn State College of Agric. Sci., Univ. Park, PA.
  13. Gunsolus, J. and W. S. Curran. 1996. Herbicide mode of action and injury symptoms (revised). North Centr. Reg. Ext. Publ. No. 377.

Research:

  1. Esbenshade, W.R., W. S. Curran, G. W. Roth, N. L. Hartwig, And M. D. Orzolek. 2001. Effect of tillage, row spacing, and herbicide on the emergence and control of burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus) in soybean (Glycine max). Weed Technol. 15:229-235. Abstract.
  2. Esbenshade, W.R., W. S. Curran, G. W. Roth, N. L. Hartwig, And M. D. Orzolek. 2001. Effect of row spacing and herbicides on burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus) control in herbicide resistant corn (Zea mays). Weed Technol. 15: 348-354. Abstract.
  3. Esbenshade, W.R., W. S. Curran, G. W. Roth, N. L. Hartwig, And M. D. Orzolek. 2001. Effect of burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus) establishment date and crop competition on burcucumber fecundity. Weed Sci. 49:524-527. Abstract.
  4. Messersmith, D. T., W. S. Curran, N. L. Hartwig, M. D. Orzolek, and G. W. Roth. 2000. Tillage and herbicides affect burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus) management in corn. Agron. J. 92:181-185. Abstract.
  5. Curran, W. S. M. H. Hall, and E. L. Werner. 1999. Effect of varying imazethapyr application rate and timing on yield of seedling grass-alfalfa mixtures. J. Prod. Agric. 12:244-248.
  6. Messersmith, D. T., W. S. Curran, N. L. Hartwig, M. D. Orzolek, and G. W. Roth. 1999. Evaluation of several herbicides for burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus) control in corn. Weed Technol. 13:520-524. Abstract.
  7. Parks, R. J., W. S. Curran, G. W. Roth, N. L. Hartwig, and D. D. Calvin. 1996. Herbicide susceptibility and biological fitness of triazine-resistant and susceptible common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.). Weed Sci. 44:517-522.
  8. Olsen, R. J., J. K. Harper, and W. S. Curran. 1996. Selecting cost minimizing herbicide programs for corn using integer programming. Weed Technol. 10:327-336.
  9. Hall, M. H. and W. S. Curran. 1995. Evaluation of weed control practices during spring and summer alfalfa establishment. J. of Prod. Agric. 8(3) 360-365.
  10. Nandula, V. K., W. S. Curran, G. W. Roth, and N. L. Hartwig. 1995. Effectiveness of nicosulfuron and primisulfuron on wirestem muhly (Muhlenbergia frondosa) in no-till corn (Zea mays). Weed Technol. 9:331-338.
  11. Curran, W. S., L. D. Hoffman, and E. L. Werner. 1994. The influence of a hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) cover crop on weed control in corn (Zea mays). Weed Technol. 8:777-784.