March 06, 2008
Two agriculture graduate students win honors
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Two graduate students from Southern Illinois University Carbondale's College of Agricultural Sciences took top honors at the North Central Weed Science Society's annual meeting held in December in St. Louis.
Tracy G. Mellendorf of Louisville and Daniel D. Schnitker of Hoyleton, both enrolled in the Department of Plant, Soil and Agricultural Systems master's program, won first and second place respectively in the oral paper contest. Both also earned their undergraduate degrees from SIUC.
Mellendorf's presentation dealt with managing horseweed that has developed resistance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in the popular weed killer Roundup, receiving $100 for her work. She is the daughter of Louisville residents Kent R. and Janice E. Mellendorf.
Schnitker reported on the effects of soil residual herbicides in enhancing glyphosate's efficiency in Roundup Ready corn, winning a $50 prize. He is the son of Hoyleton residents Dennis D. and Karen L. Schnitker.
The weed science society membership roster consists of experts from 16 states and the Canadian province of Ontario working in academic, industry, state and federal agency and extension offices among others. Members share knowledge of weeds and their management in such diverse locations as crop fields, sod farms, nurseries, forests, lakes, parks, golf courses, industrial areas and roadsides.