Dr John Reade

Teaching Areas

• Weed Science
• Integrated Weed Management
• Crop Production
• Crop Protection
• Crop Improvement
• Sustainable and Organic Farming Systems
• Invasive Species
• Aquatic and Riparian Vegitation
• Plant Identification
• Crop Protection (M level)
• BASIS/Concise BASIS/Grassland BASIS/Potato BASIS/ BASIS Herbicide Agreement Officer
• Agricultural Awareness
• EFMA course
• PPA course
• Course Manager for Applied Biology and Applied Zoology BSc (hons) courses

Research and Knowledge Transfer Interests

• Weed Biology and Control, including novel non-chemical controls
• Invasive Species
• Aquatic Ecosystems
• Mode of Action of Herbicides
• Herbicide Resistance
• Plant Biochemistry and Physiology
• Sports Turf
• Allelopathy
• Interaction of Agrochemicals with Plants and the Environment
• Alternative Crops and their Uses

Professional Memberships

Fellow (Royal Society of Biology)

Member of European Weed Research Society

Governor Profile

John Reade studied BSc (hons) Biochemistry at Swansea University between 1987 and 1990. He then completed a PhD at Swansea University and Aberystwyth University, researching the proteins and enzymology of nitrogen fixation. Following successful defence of his thesis, John obtained an HGCA-funded post-doctoral research post at Nottingham Trent University. This post also focussed on proteins, but this time ones involved in herbicide resistance in the common grass weed black-grass (Alopecurus myosuroides). During this time John successfully isolated a protein responsible for resistance in this species, and developed laboratory tests to identify resistant black-grass populations. In 1999 John relocated to Harper Adams, where he continued with this research whilst also undertaking crop production and weed management teaching. He was then recruited by Harper Adams as a lecturer in Crop and Weed Sciences. John was a Senior Tutor on the Agriculture suite of courses for 14 years. In 2014 took on the role of Associate Head of Department (Crop and Plant Physiology section) in the Crop and Environment Department. When the new Agriculture and Environment Department was formed in 2021 John became Associate Head of Department of the Sustainable Systems section, a position he currently holds, as a principal lecturer. In 2018 Harper Adams started offering a suite of Zoology degrees, and John is the current Course Manager for these courses. In addition John also delvers on a number of BASIS and other short courses, has chaired and taken part in validations events both at Harper Adams and at partner institutes, and has co-authored one book and a number of book chapters. Areas of his research include allelopathy for weed management, stress in sports turf, and the use of lasers for weed management. He also continues to research herbicide resistance.

John is a fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, and enjoys music, spending time outside, walking, and photography. He follows Bristol RFC and Walsall FC.