Alexander Menegat
My research focus is on plant ecology with emphasis on ecological weed management. Aim of my research is to improve our knowledge on plant-plant interaction in agroecosystems and to develop weed management strategies that are relying on the systematic and combined use of ecological mechanisms rather than on direct weed control options.
Presentation
Simplified crop rotations, the excessive use of fertilizers and the reliance on herbicides to control weeds has led to a cascade of complex problems in todays’ agroecosystems. This is including the rapid spread of herbicide resistant weed populations, pesticide contamination of the environment and food chain, health risks to pesticide users and consumers as well as a tremendous loss of biodiversity. Todays weed communities are typically dominated by a few highly adapted species that are difficult to manage with strategies that are solely based on direct weed control measures. For addressing these problems, across-scales and multidisciplinary research and teaching is required, aiming to improve the environmental, social and economic sustainability of todays’ cropping systems.
My current research is focusing on weed biology and ecology, on modelling weed population dynamics as well as on the use of cover crops and crop diversification for weed suppression. Beyond my core research activities, I am interested in participatory research approaches as well as in environmental, social and economic implications of agroecosystem management in general and weed management in particular.
Research
I am leading the following research projects:
Background
- since 2019 Associate Senior Lecturer in Plant Ecology with Specialisation in Weed Biology, SLU Department of Crop Production Ecology
- 2015 - 2018 Postdoctor at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Crop Production Ecology
- 2012 - 2015 Postdoctor at University of Hohenheim, Institute for Phytomedicine
- 2012 Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences, University of Hohenheim (Germany) and China Agricultural University (Beijing, China)
- 2008 Master in Agricultural Sciences, University of Hohenheim, Germany, Major: Crop Science
Supervision
I am co-supervisor of Steffen Dahlke and Elsa Lagerkvist.
Associate Senior Lecturer at the
Department of Crop Production Ecology; Plant Ecology Unit
+4618671850
Inst för växtproduktionsekologi, Box 7043
750 07 UPPSALA
Ulls väg 16, Uppsala
