Steven Mirsky
My general research interests are to develop economically profitable weed suppressive cropping systems for farmers that optimize soil and water quality. I enjoy coupling empirical agronomic research and quantitative simulation models to optimize weed management and enhance soil quality. In this regard, I use demography, a basic tool in analyzing population dynamics of ecological systems, to aid in exploring complimentary weed management tactics to our conventional herbicide and cultivation practices during weed seedling emergence. I am particularly interested in taking a quantitative approach to exploring the role cover crop residue management and soil disturbance play in weed seedbank dynamics. I focus on identifying cropping systems that rapidly reduce the seedbank through recruitment, physical and chemical suppression of seedlings, induced seed mortality, and reducing weed fitness.
Currently, I am completing a Ph.D. Degree in Weed Ecology at The Pennsylvania State University, exploring the role of cover crop residue management and soil disturbance on weed population dynamics in low input and organic cropping systems. I am particularly interested in identifying the weed population thresholds where these weed management tactics begin to fail in a diverse array of cropping systems. In addition, I have been experimenting for the past 3 years with no-till field crop production using cover crop surface mulches for weed suppression in organic and reduced herbicide systems. Chapters of my doctoral dissertation include: testing the impact of increasing soil disturbance frequency and complexity of cover cropping systems on weed seedbank dynamics across a range of initial seedbank densities (chapter 1); assessing the potential for management induced changes on the longevity of weeds seed survivorship within the soil (chapter 2); examining effects of planting and termination dates on mechanical control, biomass, and weed suppression of cereal rye and hairy vetch (chapter 3); and using empirical data to parameterize simulation models that elucidate the effects of management on weed population dynamics (chapter 4).
Prior to my Ph.D., I completed a M.S. degree in Soil Science at The Pennsylvania State University, examining the effects of fertility source and crop rotation on soil organic matter fractions to evaluate changes in soil quality. My bachelor’s degree in Agroecology was accomplished at Prescott College. Additionally, prior to my formal training, I had the unique opportunity of studying dry lands subsistence farming on the Dineh (Navaho) reservation on Big Mountain in Black Mesa, Arizona.
When I am not sieving through soils for weed seeds or rolling down cover crops, you can find me in my garden, throwing horse shoes, or wrestling with my kids. I also enjoy, skiing, hiking, biking, fly fishing, and homebrewing. In addition, I am a passionate hobbyist woodworker. These days, time in the woodshop goes toward supporting my wife’s mosaic business. Come see our work.
Contact Steven.
Publications
- Mirsky, S.B., and W.S. Curran. 2006. Effect of planting and termination date on mechanical control of cereal rye and hariy vetch: first year’s results. Proc. Northeast Weed Sci. Soc. 60:50.
- Mirsky, S.B., W.S. Curran, and D.A. Mortensen. 2006. Implications of managing weed seed banks at increasing weed seed densities. Weed Sci. Soc. Amer. Abstr. 46:246.
- Mirsky, S.B., Lanyon, L.E., and Needelman, B.A. Mechanical grinding for particulate organic matter analysis. Submitted Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis.
- Mirsky, S.B., Lanyon, L.E., and Needelman, B.A. Evaluating soil management using particulate and chemically labile soil organic matter fractions as indicators of soil quality. Submitted Soil Science Society of America Journal.