Contact Information:

254 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building University Park, PA 16802

Appointment:

  • 75% Research
  • 25% Teaching

Courses Taught:

Links:

Robert Gallagher

Robert Gallagher
Associate Professor of Cropping Systems

Responsibilities and Interests:

My research tends to focus on the three primary areas of: 1) soil seed bank ecology, 2) plant-soil interactions, and 3) agroecosystem development and management. In the area of soil seed bank ecology, I am an interested in how plant stress during seed development and maturation influences seed persistence in the soil and the subsequent fitness of the emerged seedling. In particular, this research focuses on the mechanisms and processes associated with seed persistence; namely seed dormancy, vigor, and resistance to decay. In addition to my interests in seed persistence, I am also interested in the ecophysicology of seed germination and dormancy, with an emphasis on light regulated mechanisms (i.e. phytochrome and cryptochrome). With respect to plant-soil interactions, I am particularly interested in niche differentiation among plant species within a community; specifically how biotic and abiotic stress factors influence the competitive interactions among plants. My research in agroecosystem development and management emphasizes the implementation of ecological principles to enhance the internal ecosystem regulation of nutrient and pest cycles with the goal of reducing the environmental impact of agricultural on the environment. In this case, my experiments tend to represent whole systems in which the various aspects of agricultural productivity and impact are assessed. Soil and water quality, resiliency to pest infestations, and economic considerations are among the factors that I evaluate. Currently, my research is supported by the USDA NRI Biology of Weedy and Invasive Plants program, the USDA Organic Transitions Program and Small Planet Foods.

I teach AGECO 461 (Integrated Crop Management), which serves as a capstone course for the Agroecology undergraduate program. This course focuses on promoting an understanding of the most prominent emerging issues associated with agricultural management and its impact on the environment and society.

Education:

Selected Publications:

  1. Page E. R., Gallagher R. S, Kemanian A. R, Zhang H. and Fuerst E. P. Modeling the effect of topographic variability on wild oat (Avena fatua). Weed Science (in review )
  2. Page E. R., Kemanian A. R, Fuerst E. P., Gallagher R. S. 2005. Spatially variable pattern of weed emergence in eastern Washington. Crop Protection (in press).
  3. Spafford-Jacob H., Minkey D. Gallagher R and Borger C. 2005. Variation in Post-dispersal Weed Seed Predation in a Cropping Field. Weed Science 54:148-155.
  4. Gallagher R. S., Crawford A. D. & Steadman K. J. 2004. Alleviation of dormancy in annual ryegrass by seed hydration and after-ripening. Weed Science 52:968-975.
  5. Gallagher R. S. & Cardina J. 2003. Integration of cover crops and post emergence herbicides in no-till corn and soybean. Weed Science 50:995-1101.
  6. Steadman K. J., Crawford A. C. & Gallagher R. S. 2003. Dormancy release in Lolium rigidum seeds is a function of thermal after-ripening time and seed water content. Functional Plant Biology 30:345-352.
  7. Gallagher R. S., McCallie E. L., & Fernandes E. M. 1999 Implications of Fallow Management on Weed Population Dynamics. Agroforesty Systems 47:197-221.
  8. Gallagher R. S. & Cardina J. (1998). The Effect of Light Environment During Tillage on the Recruitment of Various Summer Annuals. Weed Science 46:214-216.
  9. Gallagher R. S. & Cardina J. (1998). Ecophysiological factors regulating phytochrome-mediated germination in soil seed banks. Aspects of Applied Biology 51:165-171.
  10. Gallagher R. S. & Cardina J. (1998). Phytochrome-mediated Amaranthus germination I: Effect of seed burial and germination temperature. Weed Science 46:48-52.
  11. Gallagher R. S. & Cardina J. (1998) Phytochrome-mediated Amaranthus germination II: Development of very low fluence sensitivity. Weed Science 46:53-58.
  12. Gallagher R. S. & Cardina J. (1997). Soil water thresholds for photoinduction of redroot pigweed germination. Weed Science 45:414-418.