Dr. Robert Zimdahl | Philosophy | Best Researcher Award
Professor Emeritus at Colorado State University | United States
Dr. Robert L. Zimdahl is a distinguished scholar, educator, and author whose lifelong work has profoundly shaped the fields of weed science, agricultural ethics, and sustainable agriculture. His extensive body of publications reflects a deep commitment to advancing scientific understanding and integrating moral reflection within agricultural practice. Among his notable contributions are foundational texts such as Weed/Crop Competition—A Review, Weeds and Words: The Etymology of the Scientific Names of Weeds and Crops, Weed Science: A Plea for Thought, Agriculture’s Ethical Horizon, and multiple editions of Fundamentals of Weed Science, a globally recognized standard reference that has guided students and researchers for decades. His authorship extends to A History of Weed Science in North America, Six Chemicals That Changed Agriculture, Integrated Weed Management for Sustainable Agriculture, and Reflections on the Role of Ethics in Agriculture, each addressing the evolving relationship between technology, society, and the environment. Through Agricultural Ethics—An Invitation and Key Issues in Agricultural Ethics, Dr. Zimdahl deepens the discourse on moral reasoning within food and farming systems. His works such as When That Day Comes, Those Were The Days, A Journey Among the Weeds, and On Living: Observations on a Changing World reveal a personal dimension of reflection, ethics, and human experience intertwined with his scientific journey. As an editor, educator, and global lecturer, his chapters and invited papers explore weed ecology, pest management, crop systems, and sustainable agricultural ethics, influencing international practices and policies. His written legacy continues to inspire generations of scientists, students, and ethicists toward a more thoughtful, responsible, and humane approach to agriculture.
Featured Publications:
Zimdahl, R. L., & Basinger, N. T. (2024). Fundamentals of weed science. Elsevier.
Zimdahl, R. L. (1980). Weed-crop competition: A review. Oregon State University.
Zimdahl, R. L. (2007). Weed-crop competition: A review. John Wiley & Sons.
Zimdahl, R. L., & Skogerboe, R. K. (1977). Behavior of lead in soil. Environmental Science & Technology, 11(13), 1202–1207.
Zimdahl, R. L. (1988). The concept and application of the critical weed-free period. In Weed management in agroecosystems: Ecological approaches (pp. 145–155).