HERBICIDE RESISTANT WEED MANAGEMENT USING SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF THE WEED POPULATION GROWTH CURVE

Abstract

Strategies to prevent herbicide weed resistance are rarely practiced by farmers. As a consequence, herbicide resistant weed biotypes (HRWB) have been increasing worldwide in the past decades. This paper aims to analyze the weed population growth curve and to propose a strategic plan for prevention and management of HRWB. The existing weed control methods are organized considering the sensitivity analysis of the population growth at each phase of the logistic growth curve. This analysis indicates that tactics directed to reduce the population growth rate are most appropriate for HRWB management, mainly at the initial phase of the resistant weed population growth. This epidemiological approach provides evidence to the importance of early detection and management of HRWB.