Dr. Bauman is currently not accepting new graduate students into his program.

Education

B.S. Purdue University, 1963
M.S. Purdue University, 1965
Ph.D. Purdue University, 1976

Research Interests

My research investigates herbicide based weed management systems for agronomic crops: corn, soybeans, and popcorn. The goal of my program is to identify effective and economical control programs that minimize yield loss from weed competition, and that reduce the likelihood of weed resistance development. To accomplish this field trials are conducted to determine the performance of different weed management systems. Trial results are compared over years to determine their consistency in controlling weeds.

Giant ragweed is the most competitive and difficult to control broadleaf weeds in agronomic crops in Indiana. If left untreated it can grow to 15 feet tall and can cause significant reduction in yields. Populations of giant ragweed have developed resistance to many types of herbicides. This has made the use of some herbicides or herbicide classes ineffective. Weed control programs which utilize herbicides of different herbicide classes and/or herbicide resistant crops are tested to determine if they can effectively control this weed and delay the further development of weed resistance.

Popcorn is an important crop on many Indiana farms. Yield losses often result when popcorn completes with weeds due to inadequate weed control. Weed control options are much more limited for popcorn than for dent corn so research is needed to explore the effect of herbicide rate and/or application timing on crop tolerance and crop yield. This information can aid in labeling additional herbicides for use in popcorn production.

Corn and soybeans need to be kept free from weed for a critical period of time to achieve maximum yield potential. Weeds that emerge before or after this critical period may not pose a threat to crop yield. So when do weeds need to be controlled? Results from weed interference trials can answer this question. Studies have been conducted to determine the zone of influence and threshold values of jimsonweed and cocklebur in soybeans and giant foxtail in corn.

Extension

Results from my research program are incorporated into my extension responsibilities and communicated to farmers and weed control professionals at field days, workshops and extension meetings.