Person

Jim Brosnan

Professor & Director | Plant Sciences

Specialization: turfgrass management; weed science; herbicide resistance

Overview

Dr. Brosnan is a Professor in the Plant Sciences Department at the University of Tennessee (UT) and Director of the UT Weed Diagnostics Center. In this role, he leads research, extension, and diagnostic programs targeting the needs of Tennessee’s $5.8 billion turfgrass industry. Dr. Brosnan maintains an active research program focused on control of problematic weeds in turfgrass systems, particularly biotypes evolving herbicide resistance. Efforts have led to authorship of over 100 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles in his career and mentorship of six M.S and Ph.D. students, all whom moved into positions within academia or industry. Dr. Brosnan is an active member of the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) and the Southern Weed Science Society (SWSS). He currently serves on the SWSS Board of Directors, several WSSA committees, and has been Associate Editor for Weed Technology. In his career, Dr. Brosnan has been recognized with the Northeastern Weed Science Society (NEWSS) Outstanding Researcher Award, the NEWSS Outstanding Educator Award, as well as the SWSS Outstanding Young Weed Scientist Award. He was also the recipient of the Crop Science Society of America Young Crop Scientist Award, as well as the Sports Turf Managers Association Dr. William H. Daniel Award, the highest honor their association bestows upon an educator. Dr. Brosnan serves as an advisor to the Tennessee Turfgrass Association Board of Directors, and is actively involved with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, Sports Turf Managers Association, and Turfgrass Producers International. He has consulted at multiple venues on the PGA Tour (including several major championship host sites) in addition to National Football League franchises.

Research Focus

Dr. Brosnan maintains an active research program focused on control of problematic weeds in turfgrass systems (i.e., golf courses, sports fields, lawns, etc.), particularly biotypes evolving herbicide resistance

Outreach Focus

Dr. Brosnan serves Tennessee's $5.8 billion turfgrass industry by providing research-based educational materials and diagnostic support to assist with weed control on golf courses, lawns, sports fields, and sod production.

Teaching Focus

Dr. Brosnan's focus is to help students gain technical competence in weed science while also working to develop their personal and professional skills. His students have moved on to prestigious positions in both industry and academia upon graduation.

Research Questions
  • Dr. Brosnan's research program explores options to control grassy and broadleaf weeds in managed turfgrass systems such as golf courses, sports fields, lawns, and sod production. His team explores both chemical and cultural techniques to control problematic weeds in a sustainable manner. A major area of emphasis is on the evolution of herbicide resistance in turfgrass weeds, particularly species such as annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and goosegrass (Eleusine indica). Dr. Brosnan's team aims to both understand resistance mechanisms in turfgrass weeds and explore alternative options for management. They maintain several multidisciplinary research collaborations with scientists specializing in plant physiology, molecular genetics, plant breeding, and bioinformatics to provide turfgrass managers with real life solutions.
Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
PLSC 456 - Turfgrass Weed Science
2 credit hour(s)

Identification of turf adult and seedling weeds, applied chemical control strategies, integrated weed management (including mechanical and cultural practices). Concepts discussed will include turfgrass weed ecology and invasiveness, herbicide regulations and an overview of select herbicidal modes of action. Credit Restriction: Students may not receive credit for both PLSC 456 and PLSC 556.
Comment(s): Offered first session Spring in alternate, odd-numbered years.

Other Instructors: Stier, John Clinton

PLSC 556 - Turfgrass Weed Science
2 credit hour(s)

Identification of turf adult and seedling weeds, applied chemical control strategies, integrated weed management (including mechanical and cultural practices). Concepts discussed will include turfgrass weed ecology and invasiveness, herbicide regulations and an overview of select herbicidal modes of action. Credit Restriction. Students may not apply 556 towards their graduate degree requirements if they received credit for 456.

Comment(s): Typically offered Spring semester in alternate years that end with an odd number.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.

Other Instructors: Stier, John Clinton

Picture of Jim Brosnan
112 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4500
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Plant Sciences, General, Pennsylvania St Univ Univ Park, 2007
Responsible Area(s)
  • Agriculture and Natural Resources

Jim Brosnan

Professor & Director | Plant Sciences
Picture of Jim Brosnan image
112 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4500
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Plant Sciences, General, Pennsylvania St Univ Univ Park, 2007
Responsible Area(s)
  • Agriculture and Natural Resources
Overview

Dr. Brosnan is a Professor in the Plant Sciences Department at the University of Tennessee (UT) and Director of the UT Weed Diagnostics Center. In this role, he leads research, extension, and diagnostic programs targeting the needs of Tennessee’s $5.8 billion turfgrass industry. Dr. Brosnan maintains an active research program focused on control of problematic weeds in turfgrass systems, particularly biotypes evolving herbicide resistance. Efforts have led to authorship of over 100 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles in his career and mentorship of six M.S and Ph.D. students, all whom moved into positions within academia or industry. Dr. Brosnan is an active member of the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) and the Southern Weed Science Society (SWSS). He currently serves on the SWSS Board of Directors, several WSSA committees, and has been Associate Editor for Weed Technology. In his career, Dr. Brosnan has been recognized with the Northeastern Weed Science Society (NEWSS) Outstanding Researcher Award, the NEWSS Outstanding Educator Award, as well as the SWSS Outstanding Young Weed Scientist Award. He was also the recipient of the Crop Science Society of America Young Crop Scientist Award, as well as the Sports Turf Managers Association Dr. William H. Daniel Award, the highest honor their association bestows upon an educator. Dr. Brosnan serves as an advisor to the Tennessee Turfgrass Association Board of Directors, and is actively involved with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, Sports Turf Managers Association, and Turfgrass Producers International. He has consulted at multiple venues on the PGA Tour (including several major championship host sites) in addition to National Football League franchises.

Research Focus

Dr. Brosnan maintains an active research program focused on control of problematic weeds in turfgrass systems (i.e., golf courses, sports fields, lawns, etc.), particularly biotypes evolving herbicide resistance

Outreach Focus

Dr. Brosnan serves Tennessee's $5.8 billion turfgrass industry by providing research-based educational materials and diagnostic support to assist with weed control on golf courses, lawns, sports fields, and sod production.

Teaching Focus

Dr. Brosnan's focus is to help students gain technical competence in weed science while also working to develop their personal and professional skills. His students have moved on to prestigious positions in both industry and academia upon graduation.

Research Questions
  • Dr. Brosnan's research program explores options to control grassy and broadleaf weeds in managed turfgrass systems such as golf courses, sports fields, lawns, and sod production. His team explores both chemical and cultural techniques to control problematic weeds in a sustainable manner. A major area of emphasis is on the evolution of herbicide resistance in turfgrass weeds, particularly species such as annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and goosegrass (Eleusine indica). Dr. Brosnan's team aims to both understand resistance mechanisms in turfgrass weeds and explore alternative options for management. They maintain several multidisciplinary research collaborations with scientists specializing in plant physiology, molecular genetics, plant breeding, and bioinformatics to provide turfgrass managers with real life solutions.
Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
PLSC 456 - Turfgrass Weed Science
2 credit hour(s)

Identification of turf adult and seedling weeds, applied chemical control strategies, integrated weed management (including mechanical and cultural practices). Concepts discussed will include turfgrass weed ecology and invasiveness, herbicide regulations and an overview of select herbicidal modes of action. Credit Restriction: Students may not receive credit for both PLSC 456 and PLSC 556.
Comment(s): Offered first session Spring in alternate, odd-numbered years.

Other Instructors: Stier, John Clinton

PLSC 556 - Turfgrass Weed Science
2 credit hour(s)

Identification of turf adult and seedling weeds, applied chemical control strategies, integrated weed management (including mechanical and cultural practices). Concepts discussed will include turfgrass weed ecology and invasiveness, herbicide regulations and an overview of select herbicidal modes of action. Credit Restriction. Students may not apply 556 towards their graduate degree requirements if they received credit for 456.

Comment(s): Typically offered Spring semester in alternate years that end with an odd number.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.

Other Instructors: Stier, John Clinton