Weed Control in Conservation Agriculture

Abstract

Prior to the introduction of the selective herbicide, 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), in the 1940’s, weed control in agricultural crops was primarily achieved through mechanical cultivation of the soil. Since that time, an increasing number of effective herbicide options, paired with tillage operations, have allowed agricultural producers in developed countries to significantly increase crop yields while reducing labor demands. Continuation of these practices that rely on intense soil disturbance, however, have helped fuel concerns over agricultural sustainability in light of the severe soil degradation that occurs under these conditions. In response to continued soil depletion and other environmental impacts from agricultural production, conservation agriculture has been promoted as a means of maintaining high crop productivity and increasing economic potential while preserving natural resources and limiting future environmental damage. To achieve goals proposed with conservation agriculture, innovative weed control strategies including chemical methods have and will continue to be an essential component in the development of sustainable agricultural practices. An understanding of the fundamental components of conservation agriculture is imperative in order to appreciate the necessity for weed control strategies in these practices as well as the difficulties associated with their development. To that aim, our purpose, in part, is to identify the key components of conservation systems and the evolution of herbicide needs within these practices. Secondly, we present the strategy of high-residue cereal cover crop implementation that can be utilized in conjunction with chemical weed control methods to address the changes in weed control requirements in agricultural settings. Finally the research synopses detail recent and ongoing efforts to ensure the availability of effective herbicide applications within conservation agriculture.