Professor, Extension Weed Specialist
Rakesh S. Chandran was raised in Kerala, India, where he obtained B.Sc. in Agriculture from Kerala Agricultural University (1988). Subsequently, he moved to U.S.A., where he completed a one-year ‘International Gardener Training Program’ diploma at Longwood Gardens Pennsylvania (1990), followed by M.S. in Horticulture from Univ. Florida (1993), and Ph.D. in Weed Science from Virginia Tech (1997). After working as a post-doctoral researcher at Univ. Florida, he joined WVU in 1999, where he currently serves as an Extension Specialist and Professor of Weed Science. He has authored several publications including fact-sheets, newsletter articles, research reports, peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. He carries out an applied research and extension program to address grower problems related to weed management in agronomic, horticultural, and other crops in West Virginia and the region. He teaches an undergraduate course in Weed Science and coordinates the Integrated Pest Management Program at the University.
Publications
- Chandran, R.S. 2020. Sustainable weed coexistence in corn crops. (Ed) M. Jones. Scientia Global – Biology, March 19, 2020. (https://www.scientia.global/dr-rakesh-s-chandran-sustainable-weed-coexistence-in-corn-crops/)
- Frank, D.L., Starcher, S., Chandran, R.S. 2020. Comparison of Mating Disruption and Insecticide Application for Control of Peachtree Borer and Lesser Peachtree Borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) in Peach. Insects 2020, 11, 658.
- Chandran, R.S., and K.A. Nelson. 2018. Effect of mulches on Capsicum annum yield attributes and weed control. Int. J. Trop. Agri. Volume 36 (4):895-899.
- Chandran, R.S. 2018. Sustainable weed control in orchards. In Weed Control: Sustainability, Hazards, and Risks in Cropping Systems Worldwide. Korres, N.E, N. R. Burgos, and S.O. Duke. (Ed.). Boca Raton, FL : CRC Press. pp 505-525.
- Park, Y.-L., Gururajan, S., Thistle, H.,
Chandran, R. and Reardon, R. 2017. Aerial release of Rhinoncomimus
latipes (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to control Persicaria perfoliata (Polygonaceae)
using an unmanned aerial system. Pest Management Sci., doi:10.1002/ps.4670.