معرفی
Benjamin McKnight is an Assistant Professor and State Extension Cotton Specialist at Texas A&M University's College of Agriculture & Life Sciences. His work focuses on enhancing cotton sustainability and profitability through integrated research and extension programs. He holds a B.S. (2008), M.S. (2012) in Agronomy from Texas A&M University, and a Ph.D. in Agronomy from Louisiana State University (2017).
Research Interests: McKnight’s research emphasizes cotton production systems, including fertility management, pest/weed control, and adoption of new technologies. He investigates crop-weed interactions, herbicide efficacy, and sustainable practices like integrated pest management and livestock-crop integration. His work also explores drought tolerance, water use efficiency, and nitrogen fertilizer optimization.
Recent Focus: Recent studies highlight his work on cotton fleahopper resistance (Mpp51Aa2 protein), Palmer amaranth dispersal via harvesters, and harvest-aid program evaluations across Texas regions. He collaborates with county agents, IPM specialists, and researchers to translate findings into actionable field strategies.
Advising & Teams: McKnight mentors support staff Dale Mott and Matthew Stewart. He is part of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, leading collaborative efforts in applied agronomic research and educational outreach.
Labs/Teams: Engaged with Texas A&M’s Soil and Crop Sciences programs, focusing on field trials, remote sensing for nematode management, and precision agriculture tools to improve cotton yield and environmental resilience.
