Meet the Texas Peanuts Research Team- Dr. Emi Kimura

Because research is so important to the Texas Peanut Producers Board, we have allocated $217,000 this year toward research specific to Texas. We are excited about what is to come from this, and we would like you to meet the team handling our research projects this year. 

After growing up in Japan, Dr. Emi Kimura earned both her Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Wyoming before going on to earn her PhD from Washington State University in 2014. Emi now works as the Texas AgriLife Extension State Peanut Specialist, as well as an assistant professor and Extension Agronomist in Vernon, Texas. 

Emi works with the Texas Peanut Producers Board to conduct peanut type and variety tests in the four primary peanut production areas of Texas. The different types and varieties are evaluated for yield, quality, and disease resistance. All trial locations as well as results are made available to growers through the variety testing website (http://varietytesting.tamu.edu/peanuts/.)

In addition to variety evaluation, this research also focuses on pest management (weeds and diseases), fertility management, and soil health in peanut production. The development of herbicide resistance in weed populations, disease management in peanuts, and peanut profitability are concerns peanut producers often face, which are being addressed through research in an attempt to find a solution.

Emi’s primary goal as an Extension Agronomist is to provide sustainable and economically sound agronomic practices to Texas producers through collaboration with regional and state Extension research scientists along with external organizations like the Texas Peanut Producers Board. 

We greatly appreciate the work Emi does on our behalf.