Michael Marshall

Educational Background

Ph.D. Crop Science
University of Kentucky 2005

M.S. Agronomy
Kansas State University 2000

B.S. Agriculture
Kansas State University 1998

Profile

My program focuses on weed management in agronomic and forage crops in South Carolina. Weeds are the most dominant pest across most of our cropping systems in South Carolina and in the US. They compete for water, nutrients, space, and light. This results in significant yield losses if they are not controlled. In the past, before synthetic herbicides, weeds were managed using various practices including mechanical, cultural, and biological methods. Each of these practices have pro and cons. Shortly after the end of World War II, synthetic herbicides were developed and revolutionized weed control in many crops. Although cultural (i.e., cover crops, row spacing) and mechanical (i.e., tillage) practices are still practiced today, herbicides remain the most common control tactic for weeds. Herbicides also promoted the adoption of conservation practices which reduced soil erosion and other environmental degradations resulting from broadcast tillage throughout the growing season. Labor shortages and rising input costs also make herbicides the most cost-effective tactic for weed management. In fact, herbicides are used on more than 95% of corn, soybean, and cotton acreage in the United States. However, the over-reliance on one or few herbicides has led to the selection of herbicide resistant in certain weed populations. These populations escape control and increase in frequency over time resulting in significant production losses.

Research Interests

Refine weed management recommendations for troublesome weeds in agronomic and forage crops in South Carolina and regionally.

Evaluation of cover crops, irrigation and other agronomic practices in South Carolina.

Extension and Outreach

Development and dissemination of research-based weed management solutions to growers, consultants, and agribusiness via X (formerly twitter), field days, and county/regional meetings.

Provide relevant weed science-based training opportunities for Agronomic & Forage & Livestock program teams through workshops, field days, email alerts, newsletter articles, and blogs.

Develop and refine the use online tools including faculty, departmental, and REC websites, twitter, on-line videos to increase impact to state clientele.

Publications

M.W. Marshall, M.B. Williams, and M.A. Jones (2024) Response of Cotton to Imazapyr at Different Growth Stages. Weed Technology. Published online 2023:1-19. doi:10.1017/wet.2023.93.
Neupane, J., J.M. Maja, G. Miller, MW Marshall, M. Cutulle, J. Luo (2023) Effect of Controlled Defoliant Application on Cotton Fiber Quality. Applied Sciences, 13, 5694. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095694.
M.F. Mail, J.M. Maja, MW Marshall, M. Cutulle, G. Miller, E. Barnes (2023) Agricultural Harvesting Robot Concept Design and System Components: A Review. AgriEngineering, 5, 777-799. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering5020048.
Neupane J, JM Maja, G Miller, MW Marshall, M Cutulle, J Greene, J Luo, E Barnes (2023) The Next Generation of Cotton Defoliation Sprayer. AgriEngineering, 5, 441-459. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering5010029
Irshad A, MW Marshall, JK Greene, B Farmaha (2022) Soybean Yield Response to Bradyrhizobium Inoculation on Southeastern Coastal Plain Soils. Agronomy Journal, 115, 1015-1020. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21276.
Bell S., A.B. Koc, J.M. Maya, J.O. Payero, A. Khalilian, M.W. Marshall (2022) Development of an Automated Linear Move Fertigation System for Cotton Using Active Remote Sensing. AgriEngineering, 4, 320-334. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering4010022.
Payero, J.O., M.W. Marshall, R.H. Davis, J. Bible, N. Nemire (2021) Effect of Rye and Mix Cover Crops on Soil Water and Cotton Yield in a Humid Environment. Open Journal of Soil Science, 11, 271-284. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojss.2021.115015.
Payero, J.O., M.W. Marshall, A.M. Nafchi, A. Khalilian, B.S. Farmaha, R.H. Davis, W. Porter, G. Vellidis (2021) Development of an Internet of Things (IoT) System for Measuring Agricultural Runoff Quantity and Quality. Agricultural Sciences, 12, 584-601. https://doi.org/10.4236/as.2021.125038.
Payero, J.O., M.W. Marshall, B.S. Farmaha, R.H. Davis, A.M. Nafchi (2021) Development and Application of Cell-Phone-Based Internet of Things (IoT) Systems for Soil Moisture Monitoring Agricultural Sciences, 12, 549-564. https://doi.org/10.4236/as.2021.125035.