Southwest Florida Research & Education Center

Weed Science

Dr. Ramdas Kanissery

Dr. Kanissery joined the center as an Assistant Professor in October 2016 and leads the Weed Science research and extension program at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) in Immokalee, FL. He previously worked as a senior chemist with EAG Laboratories, an environmental research and consulting organization in Easton, Maryland. Dr. Kanissery received his master’s degree in agricultural chemicals from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi. He earned his Ph.D. in natural resources and environmental sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Dr. Kanissery’s research and extension programs are focused on the weed control and herbicide use associated with citrus and vegetable production in Southwest Florida. The primary goal is to develop effective, economical and crop-safe weed management practices in citrus and vegetable production. Examples of his program areas include herbicide efficacy testing, herbicide residue analysis, and crop injury prevention. He also provides a statewide service for weed identification and diagnosis of herbicide phytotoxicity in conjunction with the Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic at SWFREC.

Research

Evaluate long-term weed control prospects of pre-emergent herbicide combinations by utilizing synergy between diverse modes of actions.
Understand the impact of herbicide persistence and exposure on crop health and productivity in citrus and vegetables.
Improve herbicidal efficacy and safety by utilizing surfactants, additives, slow-release carriers, etc.
Evaluate alternative and novel weed control tools for attaining goals of effective and sustainable weed management in horticulture production systems.

Ramdas Kanissery - Research Publications
- Integration of Organic Amendments and Weed Management to Improve Young Citrus Tree Growth Under HLB-Endemic Conditions
  A Pokhrel, R Kanissery, SL Strauss, U Albrecht
  Agronomy 15 (4), 772
- The impacts of legume and non-legume cover crops on the performance of HLB-affected citrus trees
  M Brewer, SL Strauss, R Kanissery, DM Kadyampakeni
  Journal of Plant Nutrition, 1-15
- Effects of cover crops on weed suppression in the interrow spaces of citrus orchards
  M Brewer, SL Strauss, C Chase, B Sellers, DM Kadyampakeni, ...
  Weed Science 73, e15
- View All Ramdas Kanissery's Research Publications

Extension

Optimize efficient and economical weed management practices in citrus and vegetables.
Provide weed identification, management, and herbicide phytotoxicity diagnostic/mitigation education and services.
Disseminate crop-safe, applicator-safe, and precision weed management practices.

Ramdas Kanissery - UF/IFAS Publications

Education
- Ph.D. Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA, in 2014.
- M.S. Agricultural Chemicals, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India, in 2007
- B.S. Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, India, in 2004

Professional Experience
- July 2024 - Present
  Associate Professor, University of Florida
- October 2016 - July 2024
  Assistant Professor, University of Florida
- August 2015 - October 2016
  Senior Chemist – Environmental Fate, Evans Analytical Group
- May 2014 - July 2015
  Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Illinois

Awards and Honors
- Illinois State Academy of Sciences – Best research paper award (2011)
- Gamma Sigma Delta, Honor Society of Agriculture, Illinois Chapter – Outstanding accomplishment recognition (2011)

Publications
- Research Publications
- Extension Publications

Other Professional Activities
- Southern Weed Science Society – Session moderator (2018)
- Southern Weed Science Society – Judge, Graduate Student Papers (2019, 2018)
- Florida Weed Science Society - Elected as Member at large (2018- present)
- Florida Weed Science Society – Judge, Graduate Student Presentation (2018, 2017)