Malherbology – Another Name for Weed Science
Malherbology – mal = bad, herb = plants, ology = the study of. Malherbology is the study of bad plants, often referred to as weeds. Weeds are evolutionarily unique plant species. Weeds are adapted to human activity and adapt quickly to new management practices. Malherbology is focused on understanding not only how to manage weed species, but also how management changes weed populations and how weeds adapt to the management practices. Through better understanding of weed species, management practices can be more effective for a longer amount of time, creating more sustainable practices. Sustainability, reducing cost and increasing effectiveness is the ultimate goal. Understanding how humans change the world around as we attempt to control it for our own means can reduce our impact on the planet.
The Malherbologist
Dr. Scott McElroy, PhD Professor Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences Auburn University
Scott McElroy is a Professor in the Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences at Auburn University. Dr. McElroy currently holds a distinguished Alumni Professorship as selected by the Auburn University Alumni Association. He received his MS from Auburn University and his PhD from the NC State University in Crop Science with a minor in Plant Ecology. Dr. McElroy now holds a joint appointment at Auburn University with the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station and the College of Agriculture. His primary research areas are on methods for weed management in turfgrass systems, and physiology and molecular biology of herbicide resistant weed species. He is an associate editor for the Weed Science Society of America Journal, Weed Technology, and also serves as a reviewer for Weed Science, Agronomy Journal, and Pest Management Science, among others.
Current Malherbology Team
Technical Staff
Jim Harris, Field Research Associate
Jinesh Patel, PhD, Lab Research Coordinator
Graduate Students
Claudia Ann Rutland, PhD Student
Bridgette Johnson, Accelerated MS Student
Mikerly Joseph, MS Student
Undergraduate Students
Past Malherbology Team
Eli Russell, MS, May 2021.
Bo Bi, PhD, August, 2021
Suma Basak, PhD, August 2021
Clebson Goncalves, MS, December, 2019
John Peppers, MS, December, 2019
John Petrovsky, MS, May 2019
Hui Zhang, PhD, August 2018
William Head, MS, May 2018
Ray Willet, MAg, May 2017
Philipe Aldahir, PhD, 2019
Shu Chen, PhD, 2015
Ethan Parker, MS, 2014
Caleb Bristow, MS, 2014
Michael Flessner, MS, 2010, PhD, 2014
Jay McCurdy, PhD, 2013
Jared Hoyle, PhD, 2012
Hunter Perry, PhD, 2011
Mark Doroh, MS, 2010
Dustin Lewis, MS, 2009 (University of Tennessee)
Steve Borst, MS, 2008 (University of Tennessee)
Matthew Cutulle, MS, 2008 (University of Tennessee)
Jay McCurdy, MS, 2008 (University of Tennessee)