Karen Renner

Dr. Karen Renner is a Professor & Teaching Coordinator in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University (MSU), affiliated with the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. She holds a B.S. (1978), M.S. (1983), and Ph.D. (1986) in Crop and Soil Sciences from MSU and the University of Wisconsin. Her research focuses on integrated weed management, particularly seedbank dynamics, diversified cropping systems, and the ecological interactions influencing weed populations.

Her teaching responsibilities include courses like CSS 101 (Crop Science Principles), CSS 135 (Crop Scouting), CSS 192 (Professional Development), and CSS 488 (Agricultural Cropping Systems). She has a 75% teaching and 25% research appointment since 2003, previously balancing extension and research roles.

Dr. Renner's research explores seed dormancy, weed emergence patterns, and the impact of cover crops and fertilizers. She has authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications, emphasizing sustainable practices in organic systems, legume diversification, and weed seed predation. Her work bridges applied research and extension, addressing real-world agricultural challenges. Key funding includes NIFA grants for cover crop studies in dry bean systems.

Publications highlight collaborations on topics such as glyphosate-resistant soybean management, sugar beet weed control, and the role of microbial pathogens in seed persistence. Her outreach efforts include developing educational materials like Michigan State University Extension bulletin E-3065.