• Ph.D. Laval University, Quebec, Canada; Weed Science (Plant Biology) 1999

• M.S. Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Weed Science and Plant Physiology 1990

• B.S. University of Dschang, Cameroon; Agronomy (Crop Protection) 1986

Associate Professor: Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI  USA - July 2007-present. 

Postdoctoral Research Associate:  Department of Botany & Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside California, USA, June 1999 - June 2001. 

Research Assistant:  Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Quebec, Canada, 1995-1999. 

Assistant Professor:  Department of Crop Protection, University of Dschang, Cameroon, 1990-1995.

My general research focus is on sustainable agriculture with special interest in vegetable cropping systems.  The ultimate goal of my program is to develop robust, resilient, and profitable vegetable cropping systems.  Our laboratory is actively working to better understand how plant biodiversity (crop rotation, cover cropping, soil amendment, etc.) and microclimate modification (mulch films, row covers, irrigation, etc.) impact soil chemical, physical, and biological properties as well as crop yield and quality.  In collaboration with colleagues from other departments, we are also investigating the impact of cropping systems and crop management practices on plant growth and development, weed, pest, and disease dynamics; weed biology and ecology; weed-crop competition; allelopathic interaction between plants.

The main objectives of my extension program are to: 1) provide a rapid response to growers’ needs and 2) use science-based information to improve vegetable production systems.  Our team works synergistically with colleagues, extension educators, and growers to identify the needs and develop and test the solutions.  I focus mainly on vine crops (cucumbers, squash, melon etc.), asparagus, tomatoes, celery, onion, carrots, eggplant, and peppers grown for processing or for fresh market. Our team believes that the sustainability of vegetable cropping systems relies on our ability to harness multiple tools with small but additive and positive effects.

• Saidi M., M. Ngouajio, F.M. Itulya, and J. Ehlers. 2007. Leaf harvesting initiation time and frequency affect biomass partitioning and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp). Crop Science 47:1159-1166. [Work featured on the cover of Crop Science].
• Hill E. C., M. Ngouajio, and M. G. Nair. 2007. Allelopathic potential of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) methanol and ethyl acetate extracts on weeds and vegetables.  Weed Technology, 21:437–444
• Tursun, N., B. Bükün, S. C. Karacan, M. Ngouajio, and H. Mennan. 2007.  Critical period for weed control in leek (Allium porrum L.).  HortScience 42:106-109.
• Kavdira I., R. Lu, D. Ariana, and M. Ngouajio.  2007.  Visible and near infrared spectroscopy for nondestructive quality assessment of pickling cucumbers.  Postharvest Biology and Technology 44(2):165-174.
• Ngouajio M., G. Wang, and R. Goldy. 2007.  Delaying onset of drip irrigation affects growth and yield of fresh market tomato under plasticulture.  Agricultural Water Management 87: 285–291.
• Kijchavengkul T., R. Auras, M. Rubino, M. Ngouajio, R. T. Fernandez. 2006.  Development of an Automatic Laboratory-Scale Respirometric System to Measure Polymer Biodegradability. Polymer Testing 25:1006-1016.
• Ngouajio M., K. Delate, E. Carey, A.N. Azarenko, J.J. Ferguson, and W.J. Sciarappa. 2006.  Curriculum Development for Organic Horticulture: Introduction.  HortTechnology 16:414-417.
• Biernbaum J., L. Thorp, and M. Ngouajio. 2006. Development of a Year-round Student Organic Farm and Organic Farming Curriculum at Michigan State University. HortTechnology 16:432-436.
• Hill E.C., M. Ngouajio, and M.G. Nair. 2006. Differential response of weeds and vegetable crops to aqueous extracts of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata).  HortScience 41(3):695-700.
• Ngouajio M., G. Wang, and M.K. Hausbeck 2006.  Changes in Pickling Cucumber Yield and Economic Value in Response to Planting Density.  Crop Science 46:1570-1575.
• Mennan H., M. Ngouajio, D. Isık , and E. Kaya. 2006 Effects of alternative management systems on weed populations in hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.).  Crop Protection 25:835–84.
• Kevin S. C., M. Ngouajio, D. D. Warncke, K. L. Poff, and M. K. Hausbeck. 2006. Integration of cover crops and fertilizer rates for weed management in celery.  Weed Science 54:326-334.
• Isik D., H. Mennan, B. Bukun, A. Oz, and M. Ngouajio. 2006. The Critical Period for Weed Control in Corn in Turkey.  Weed Technology 20 :867-872.
• Mennan H. and M. Ngouajio. 2006.  Seasonal cycles in germination and seedling emergence of summer and winter populations of catchweed bedstraw (Galium aparine) and wild mustard (Brassica kaber).  Weed Science 54:114–120.
• Davis A. S. and M. Ngouajio. 2005.  Introduction to the symposium beyond thresholds: applying multiple tactics within integrated weed management systems. Weed Science 53(3):368.
• Ngouajio M. and H. Mennan. 2005. Weed populations and pickling cucumber (Cucumis sativus) yield under summer and winter cover crop systems. Crop Protection 24:521-526.
• Ngouajio M. and J. Ernest. 2005.  Changes in the physical, optical, and thermal properties of polyethylene mulches during double cropping. HortScience 40(1)94-97.
• Ngouajio M. 2005. Historical perspective on weed control and pest management in horticultural crops:  Introduction.  HortTechnology 15:508-510.
• Ogbuchiekwe E. J., M. E. McGiffen, Jr., and M. Ngouajio. 2004.  Economic return in production of lettuce and cantaloupe is affected by cropping system and management practice. HortScience 39:1321-1325.
• Ngouajio M. and J. Ernest. 2004. Light Transmission Through Colored Polyethylene Mulches Affects Weed Populations. HortScience 39:1302-1304.
• Ngouajio M. and M.E. McGiffen, Jr. 2004. Sustainable vegetable production: Effects of cropping systems on weed and insect population dynamics. Acta Hort. 638:77-83.
• McGiffen, Jr., M.E., M. Ngouajio, D. Crowley, J. Borneman, C.M. Hutchinson. 2004. Soil organic amendments change low organic matter agroecosystems. Acta Hort. 638:249-254.
• Ngouajio M., W. Kirk, and R. Goldy. 2003. A simple model for rapid and nondestructive estimation of bell pepper fruit volume. HortScience 38(4):509-511.
• Ngouajio M., M. E. McGiffen, Jr., and C. M. Hutchinson. 2003.  Effect of cover crop and management system on weed populations in lettuce. Crop Protection 22(1):57-64.
• Ngouajio M., and M. E. McGiffen, Jr. 2002.  Going organic changes weed population dynamics HortTechnol. 12:590-596
• Ngouajio M., M. E. McGiffen Jr, S. Mansfield, and E. Ogbuchiekwe.  2001.  Comparison of methods to estimate weed populations and their performance in yield loss description models. .  Weed Science 49:385-394.
• Ngouajio M., M. E. McGiffen Jr., and K. J. Hembree.  2001.  Tolerance of Lycopersicon esculentum cultivars to Abutilon theophrasti interference.  Weed Science 49:91-98.
• Ngouajio M., C. Lemieux, and G. D. Leroux.  1999.  Prediction of corn (Zea mays) yield loss from early observations of the relative leaf area and the relative leaf cover of weeds.  Weed Science 47:297-304.
• Ngouajio M., G. D. Leroux, and C. Lemieux.  1999.  A flexible sigmoidal model relating crop yield to weed relative leaf cover and its comparison with nested models.  Weed Research 39:329-343.
• Ngouajio M., G. D. Leroux, and C. Lemieux.  1999.  Influence of images recording height and crop growth stage on leaf cover estimates and their performance in yield prediction models.  Crop Protection 18:501-508.
• Ngouajio M., C. Lemieux, J. J. Fortier, D. Careau, and G. D. Leroux.  1998.  Validation of an operator-assisted module to measure weed and crop leaf cover by digital image analysis.  Weed Technology 12:446-453.
• Ngouajio M., J. Foko, and D. Fouejio.  1996.  The critical period of weed control in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Cameroon.  Crop Protection 16:127-133.
• Ngouajio M. and E.S. Hagood. 1993.  Weed control in corn (Zea mays) with primisulfuron as influenced by rate, timing, and herbicide combinations.  Weed Technology 7:65-69.
• Ngouajio M. and A. Daelemans. 1993. Effect of fluazifop and bentazon tank-mixed on weeds and selected legume crops. Tropicultura 11:16-19.
• Ngouajio M. and E.S. Hagood. 1992. Rate and timing effect of CGA-136872 on postemergence johnsongrass control in corn. Tropicultura 10:43-45.
• Daelemans A. and M. Ngouajio. 1992.  Evaluation of weed control methods in corn (Zea mays L.) in Cameroon.  Med. Fac. Landbouww. Univ. Gent, 57/3b:1129-1134.
• Ngouajio M. and E.S. Hagood. 1991.  Differential response of corn (Zea mays L.) to postemergence application of CGA-136872 at different growth stages. Tropicultura 9 (4):147-150.

Papers published in conference proceedings 

• Michigan Farm Radio Network
• MSU Today
• Mother Earth News Magazine
• Onion World
• The Grower Magazine
• American Vegetable Growers Magazine
• The Vegetable Growers News
• The Tomato Magazine
• The Michigan Ag News
• Project GREEEN News Stories

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