Alexander Menegat

I am investigating the effects of agricultural practices on agroecosystem functioning. Specifically, I focus on how cropping system diversification affects the composition of arable plant communities and their functional diversity. In my research, I use functional interpretation of botanical surveys (FIBS) to describe how agricultural practices shape weed communities.  To translate this basic knowledge into agricultural practice, I use participatory methods in which farmers, extension agents, and researchers work together to design and evaluate cropping systems in short- and long-term field experiments. In addition to my core research areas, I have a broad interest in the environmental, social, and economic implications of agroecosystem management.

I am leading the following research projects:

1. Farmer driven development of economically and environmentally sustainable weed control strategies against herbicide resistant blackgrass (Stiftelsen Lantbruksforskning).
2. IMPULSE - Fostering organic cultivation of grain legumes; a multi-scale feasibility study for soybean and lupin production in Sweden (FORMAS).
3. PADILSO - Participatory design of innovative crop management strategies for lupine and soybean production in organic farming (Ekhaga Foundation).
4. Preparing for the future: sustainable cropping systems without glyphosate (SLF).
5. Facilitating reduced and no-tillage organic grain legume production systems (EkoForsk).
6. Sustainable control of grass weeds in intensive cereal cropping systems (long-term trial financed by the NJ faculty, SLU).
7. EcoServ: Long-term evaluation of agroecosystem functioning along a cropping system diversification gradient (long-term trial financed by the NJ faculty). 

I am leading the Master course "Sustainable Plant Production". The course is part of the Master program in Plant Biology for Sustainable Production.

• I am the coordinator of the herbicide resistance sub-group of the Nordic Baltic Resistance Action Group, NORBARAG