Plant Protection

Staff

Kerry Harrington

Address:Practical Teaching Complex (PTC 125), Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Phone:++64-6-350-4926
Fax: ++64-6-350-5649
E-mail: k.harrington@massey.ac.nz

Present Position: Senior Lecturer in Weed Science (employed at Massey University since 1983)

Qualifications:

• B Agr Sc (Hons) (1981)
• M Agr Sc (Hons) (1983)
• PhD (1993)

Current research interests:

I am interested in all areas of weed science. Research projects that have been undertaken both personally and by my students have involved a range of topics on weed biology and control in agriculture, horticulture and forestry. Some particular areas of interest are:

• Herbicide Resistant Biotypes of Weeds

  Phenoxy herbicides such as 2,4-D and MCPA have been used on New Zealand pastures since the late 1940s for control of such weeds as thistles and ragwort (Senecio jacobaea). In the early 1980s, populations of nodding thistle (Carduus nutans) were noted in Hawke's Bay that were poorly controlled by 2,4-D. Research conducted on these thistles as part of my PhD programme showed that herbicide resistance has developed as a result of these repeated herbicide applications. Other research studied how widespread this phenomenon is, the amount of cross-resistance that exists and the mechanism of resistance. Resistance has also been shown in a second thistle species, slender winged thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus).

• Ground Covers for Orchard Weed Control

  Approximately 16 different plant species have been assessed over the past 7 years for their ability to form ground covers in orchards which prevent weed species from establishing but which do not compete with fruit trees. The main objective is to find low-growing perennial species which tolerate a wide range of herbicides. Although no herbicides are used during the growing season, any weeds which do establish in the ground covers are selectively removed in mid-winter when trees are dormant. The most promising species were grown in a Massey University orchard for 5 years to study the long-term sustainability of such weed control systems. As a result of this work, the best species are now being studied further under commercial fruit-growing conditions in Hawke's Bay.

• Weed Control in New Crops

  One of the problems often faced by people wishing to grow new crop species is overcoming weed problems in these crops as usually little is known about what herbicides can be used to control weeds in such crops. As part of my association with the Seed Technology Centre at Massey University, I have supervised a number of post-graduate student projects assessing how to control weeds in novel crop species which are being developed at the Centre. Such crops have included desmanthus, violas, garden nasturtiums, meadowfoam, callas and dahlias.

• Turf Weed Control

  A number of research projects I have participated in have involved improving the control of weeds in turf. Much as this has involved work with cotula bowling greens. These are composed of two Asteraceae turf species, Leptinella dioica and Leptinella maniototo. Other projects have included looking at weed control in dichondra swards, selectively controlling Poa trivialis in perennial ryegrass racetracks, and determining how to control creeping speedwell (Veronica filiformis) in golf-courses.

• Other Projects

  Other research I have conducted personally or had post-graduate students working on include studies of: devices for rolling herbicides on to weeds; persistence of metsulfuron in forestry soils; developing a bioassay for bromacil; biology and control of pypgrass (Ehrharta villosa); controlling Californian thistle (Cirsium arvense) with rope-wick applicators; biological control of gorse with thrips; controlling herbaceous weeds in pasture with goats; leaching of hexazinone in soils; surveying orchardists to determine how they control weeds; and assessing buffering substances added to herbicide solutions.

Consultancy and Extension

I have been involved with a number of consultancy and extension activities in the past and am still available for such work now, both within New Zealand or internationally. As can be seen from my research interests outlined below, I have a wide range of experience. Recent consultancy projects have included assistance with spray drift court cases, assessing new products, urban weed control, and helping farmers and turf managers improve their weed control strategies. Information on identification, biology and control of New Zealand weeds is available on my web-site at http://weeds.massey.ac.nz/

Teaching

As the only weed scientist at Massey University, I teach the basics of weed biology and control to a wide range of students in a number of different papers. The main weed science course at Massey University is:

171.385 Controlling Weeds

This paper, and the one listed below, are the only two full university papers in weed science within New Zealand. It is available to both internal and extramural students. Extramural students are those who do not attend the Massey University campus in Palmerston North, but receive their study material through the post and complete the various practical exercises involved with the paper from their homes throughout New Zealand. People taking the paper extramurally come from all walks of life but are typically "mid-career". Due to restructuring of courses at Massey University, this paper was given a new name for 1999. It used to be 71.385 Principles of Weed Control. A web site has now been developed to service students taking this paper: http://weeds.massey.ac.nz/

Post-graduate students can also study weed science with the following paper:

171.745 Advanced Weed Science

Introductory weed science material is taught to agricultural students in:

171.002 Pasture and Crop Production
171.102 Plants in Agriculture
171.202 Pasture and Crop Agronomy

Weed biology and control is also introduced to other applied science students in:

171.181 Understanding Plant Protection

More specific aspects of weed control are covered in the following papers:

119.205 Introduction to Sports Turf Management
119.242 Principles of Organic Farming Systems
171.308 Silviculture

Supervision of Post-Graduate Research Projects:

As outlined in my research activities above, part of my teaching commitments at Massey University also involves supervision of students studying weed biology and control at honours, post-graduate diploma, masterate and doctorate levels. A wide range of glasshouse facilities and field sites are available at Massey University for weed science research in agriculture, horticulture or forestry.

Selected Publications:

• Askarian, M., Hampton, J.G. and Harrington, K.C. (1993). Control of weeds, and particularly white clover (Trifolium repens), in lucerne (Medicago sativa) grown for seed production. Journal of Seed Production 11: 51-55.
• Beskow, W.B., Harrington, K.C., Betteridge, K. and Beskow, A.M.S. (1994). Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) control by sheep in a hill country bull beef system. Proceedings New Zealand Plant Protection Conference 47: 49-52.
• Bourdot, G.W., Harrington, K.C. and Popay, A.I. (1989). The appearance of phenoxy-herbicide resistance in New Zealand pasture weeds. Brighton Crop Protection Conference - Weeds 1989: 309-316.
• Bourdot, G.W., Rahman, A., Harrington, K.C., Moffat, R. and Patterson, T. (1996). Strategies for managing herbicide resistance in weeds in New Zealand. In G.W. Bourdot and D.M. Suckling (Eds): Pesticide Resistance - Prevention and Management (pp 213-221), New Zealand Plant Protection Society, Rotorua.
• Fleming, P., Harrington, K. and Wrigley, M. (1996). Controlling Poa trivialis in racetracks. New Zealand Turf Management Journal 10 (4): 22-24.
• Harrington, K.C. (1987). A technique for comparing the susceptibility of two weed populations to a herbicide. Proceedings New Zealand Weed and Pest Control Conference 40: 230-232.
• Harrington, K.C. (1989). Distribution and cross-tolerance of MCPA-tolerant nodding thistle. Proceedings New Zealand Weed and Pest Control Conference 42: 39-42.
• Harrington, K.C. (1990). Spraying history and fitness of nodding thistle, Carduus nutans, populations resistant to MCPA and 2,4-D. Proceedings of Australian Weeds Conference 9: 201-204.
• Harrington, K.C. (1993). Herbicide resistance. In A. Walton and T. Walton (Eds): New Zealand Agrichemical and Plant Protection Manual, 4th Edition (pp 91-93), WHAM/Chemsafe, Wellington.
• Harrington, K.C. (1993). Herbicide tolerance of three ground cover species with potential for use in orchards. Proceedings New Zealand Plant Protection Conference 46: 11-14.
• Harrington, K.C. (1993). Weed control in turf. New Zealand Turf Management Journal 7 (4): 28-29.
• Harrington, K.C. (1994). Weed control in cotula. New Zealand Turf Management Journal 8 (2): 19-22.
• Harrington, K.C. (1995). Establishment of several ground covers in an orchard. Proceedings New Zealand Plant Protection Conference 48: 68-71.
• Harrington, K.C. (1996). Herbicide management and thistle control - how to avoid resistance. Plant Protection Quarterly 11: 273-275.
• Harrington, K.C. (1996). Strategies for managing herbicide resistance. In G.W. Bourdot and D.M. Suckling (Eds): Pesticide Resistance - Prevention and Management (pp 91-98), New Zealand Plant Protection Society, Rotorua.
• Harrington, K.C. (1997). Controlling weeds in new cotula greens: some new options. New Zealand Turf Management Journal 11(4): 24-26.
• Harrington, K.C. (1998). Clover control in cotula. New Zealand Turf Management Journal 12(1): 18-19.
• Harrington, K.C. (1998). Herbicide tolerance of ground cover species for New Zealand. Plant Protection Quarterly 13: in press.
• Harrington, K.C., Berry, S.B. and Sims, R.E.H. (1992). A survey of weed control practices in New Zealand pipfruit orchards. Proceedings New Zealand Plant Protection Conference 45: 285-288.
• Harrington, K.C. and Chioco, L.R. (1995). Herbicide tolerance of Viola cornuta. Proceedings New Zealand Plant Protection Conference 48: 335-336.
• Harrington, K.C. and Fakava, V.T. (1993). Herbicide tolerance of garden nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus). Proceedings New Zealand Plant Protection Conference 46: 49-52.
• Harrington, K.C. and Grant, M.R. (1993). Herbicide tolerance of potential orchard ground covers. Proceedings Asian-Pacific Weed Conference 14: 256-260.
• Harrington, K.C. and Hewage, N. (1997). Resistance of slender winged thistle to MCPA. Proceedings New Zealand Plant Protection Conference 50: 538.
• Harrington, K.C. and Ivens, G.W. (1983). The influence of growth stage and application site on Californian thistle control by glyphosate. Proceedings New Zealand Weed and Pest Control Conference 36: 99-103.
• Harrington, K.C. and Popay, A.I. (1987). Differences in the susceptibility of nodding thistle populations to phenoxy herbicides. Proceedings Australian Weeds Conference 8: 126-128.
• Harrington, K.C., Popay, A.I., Robertson, A.G. and McPherson, H.G. (1988). Resistance of nodding thistle to MCPA in Hawkes Bay. Proceedings New Zealand Weed and Pest Control Conference 41: 219-222.
• Harrington, K.C., Rolston, M.P. and Ivens, G.W. (1982). Movement of hexazinone spots applied to hill slopes. Proceedings New Zealand Weed and Pest Control Conference 35: 162-165.
• Harrington, K.C., Hodder, L.M. and Outred, H.A. (1998). Biology and control of pypgrass. Proceedings New Zealand Plant Protection Conference 51: 255-259.
• Harrington, K. and Williams, M. (1998). Quantifying bromacil residues in bowling greens. New Zealand Turf Management Journal 12(2): 33-35.
• Harrington, K.C. and Zhang, T. (1997). Herbicides for controlling weeds in Mercury Bay weed. Proceedings New Zealand Plant Protection Conference 50: 462-466.
• MacKay, T.J. and Harrington, K.C. (1994). Weed control in calla seedlings. Proceedings New Zealand Plant Protection Conference 47: 163-167.
• Popay, A.I., Bourdot, G.W., Harrington, K.C. and Rahman, A. (1991). Herbicide resistance in weeds in New Zealand. In J.C. Casely, G.W.Cussans and R.K.Atkin (Eds): Herbicide Resistance in Weeds and Crops (pp 470-471). Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford.
• Sims, R.E.H., Berry, S.B. and Harrington, K. (1994). Herbicide application equipment use in New Zealand pipfruit orchards. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research 59: 121-131.
• Waugh, C.D. and Harrington, K.C. (1994). Herbicide tolerance and weed control in meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba). Proceedings New Zealand Plant Protection Conference 47: 168-172.