Cultural techniques to manage weeds

Description

Widespread problems with herbicide-resistant weeds, environmental contamination by herbicides, and soil degradation due to excessive cultivation have led to an increasing need for integrated weed management strategies that make use of a wide array of cultural techniques to reduce weed population densities, biomass production, and competition against crops. Cultural techniques with demonstrated efficacy in particular farming systems include increases in crop population density; increases in crop spatial uniformity; alterations of planting date; use of transplanting rather than direct seeding; choice of highly competitive and allelopathic cultivars; mulching; and soil fertility and moisture management. These techniques are generally weaker than herbicides and mechanical control practices when evaluated individually. Nonetheless, when used in particular combinations, the cumulative effects of cultural tactics may be substantial and can lessen the burden of crop protection placed on chemical and mechanical controls.

Table of contents

1 Introduction 2 Crop population density 3 Crop spatial arrangement 4 Sowing time and transplanting 5 Choice of crop genotype and breeding for competitive and allelopathic abilities 6 Mulching 7 Soil fertility management 8 Irrigation and flooding: depth, timing and placement 9 Effects of combining multiple practices: examples of ‘many little hammers’ at work 10 Future trends in research 11 Summary 12 Where to look for further information 13 References