Problems and perspectives in weed management

• Main Authors: Donato Loddo, J. Scott McElroy, Vittoria Giannini
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: PAGEPress Publications 2021-07-01
• Series: Italian Journal of Agronomy
• Subjects: Herbicide; cultural management; precision spraying; robotic weeding; natural chemicals; integrated weed management.
• Online Access: https://www.agronomy.it/index.php/agro/article/view/1854

Despite the wide use of herbicides in the past century, their use is decreasing due to rising resistance phenomena, absence of discovery of new modes of actions and more regulatory restrictions. On the other hand, several tactics and technologies have developed recently providing alternatives from mechanical, cultural, robotic and natural products use perspectives, that could profitably enhance weed management within the agroecosystem and usher in a new paradigm of weed management that integrates chemical and non-chemical weed management practices. In the next future, herbicide will remain an important tool for weed management and will be increasingly complemented by other innovative tactics and tools in a IWM perspective. This integrated approach would thus preserve the chemical and transgenic technology for future generations.