Aaron Hager2024-11-05T12:24:40-06:00

Researchers

Dr. Aaron Hager

Areas of Expertise:

  • Weed Science
  • Weed Management

Professor & Extension Weed Science Specialist
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
217-333-9646
hager@illinois.edu

While his childhood dream was to dive for treasures hidden in ocean waters, Dr. Hager has been firmly planted on land searching for solutions to managing weeds while fending off resistance. He earned his Master of Science at Michigan State University then his PhD at the University of Illinois.

Raised on a west-central Illinois grain and livestock farm, Dr. Hager has been an integral part of the world-renowned weed science program at UIUC for 30 years. His extension program is keenly focused on addressing the evolving weed management challenges across Illinois farm fields, providing farmers with research-based solutions that are sustainable and economically viable.

Fun Facts!
Dr. Hager once dreamed of becoming a diver who searched the ocean waters around the globe for lost treasure … until he realized he’s not a strong swimmer! Yet, the water still calls him. His favorite vacation spot is Oahu, Hawaii, where his father was stationed during World War II and he first visited in 1984 for an army reunion.

Back in Illinois, he enjoys woodworking, cloudless evenings on the deck, spoiling his grandchildren and summertime sunset drives along country roads. He’s a lifelong Chicago Bears fan and appreciates watching them on television from the safety of his home after experiencing the intensity of the team’s fans when they played in Champaign during the 2002 season.

Research Projects

Which Preemergence Herbicides Are More Likely To Cause Crop Injury When Soybeans Are Planted Early?2024-11-05T10:16:37-06:00

Planting soybeans early often means cold, wet soil conditions that can delay seed germination and prolong plant emergence. These conditions can reduce the plant’s ability to metabolize preemergence herbicides, resulting in crop injury. This project is testing several herbicides and classes of chemistry to better understand which are more prone to cause crop injury under early planting conditions.

How Extensive Is Resistance to Group 15 Herbicides in Illinois Waterhemp Populations?2024-11-05T10:15:01-06:00

Waterhemp populations from soybean fields across Illinois are being collected and screened to better understand the level of resistance to Group 15 herbicides. Results will be used to provide farmers with recommendations on how best to incorporate these herbicides into integrated weed management programs. Resistant populations will be used in subsequent research to identify the gene(s) conferring the metabolism-based resistance.

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