Excessive weed growth is one of the most serious problems facing farmers throughout the tropics. There is a need for professionally trained weed scientists to become involved in research at the highest level, where existing technologies can be further developed and new ones generated.
This book presents principles and practices for ecologically based weed management in a wide range of temperate and tropical farming systems. Special attention is given to the evolutionary challenges that weeds pose and the roles that farmers can play in the development of new weed-management strategies.
Weed Biology and Climate Change will provide a synthesis of what is known regarding the probable impact of environmental change on weed biology. Chapters will look at impacts of weed biology on agriculture, invasive species that limit ecological diversity and weeds that serve as health risks. In addition it looks at current weed management strategies and how they will be affected by global climate change. The book covers an increasingly important area in plant science, crop science and ecological research, and will be essential reading for anyone exploring the biological impacts of a changing environment.
The updated edition of the classic, fundamental book on weedscience Weed Science provides a detailed examination ofthe principles of integrated weed management with important detailson how chemical herbicides work and should be used. This revisedFourth Edition addresses recent developments affecting weedscience. These include the increased use of conservation-tillagesystems, environmental concerns about the runoff of agrochemicals,soil conservation, crop biotechnology, resistance of weeds andcrops to herbicides, weed control in nonagricultural settings andconcerns regarding invasive plants, wetland restoration, and theneed for a vastly improved understanding of weed ecology. Current management practices are covered along with guidance forselecting herbicides and using them effectively. To serve as a moreefficient reference, herbicides are cross-listed by chemical andbrand name and grouped by mechanism of action and physiologicaleffect rather than chemical structure. In addition, an introductionto organic chemistry has been added to familiarize readers withorganic herbicides. Also included are guidelines on weed-controlpractices for specific crops or situations, such as small grains,row crops, horticultural crops, lawns and turf, range land, brush,and aquatic plant life. Generously supplemented with 300 drawings, photographs, andtables, Weed Science is an essential book for students taking anintroductory course in weed science, as well as a reference foragricultural advisors, county agents, extension specialists, andprofessionals throughout the agrochemical industry.
Weeds are the main biological constraint to crop production throughout the year. Uncontrolled weeds could cause 100% yield loss. In Australia, the overall cost of weeds to Australian grain growers was estimated at AU$ 3.3 billion annually. In terms of yield losses, weeds amounted to 2.7 million tonnes of grains at a national level. In the USA, weeds cost US$ 33 billion in lost crop production annually. In India, these costs were estimated to be much higher (US$ 11 billion). These studies from different economies suggest that weeds cause substantial yield and economic loss. Biology and Management of Problematic Weed Species details the biology of key weed species, providing vital information on seed germination and production, as well as factors affecting weed growth. These species include Chenopodium album, Chloris truncata and C. virgate, Conyza bonariensis and C. canadensis, Cyperus rotundus, and many more. This information is crucial for researchers and growers to develop integrated weed management (IWM) strategies. Written by leading experts across the globe, this book is an essential read to plant biologists and ecologists, crop scientists, and students and researchers interested in weed science. - Provides detailed information on the biology of different key weed species - Covers weed seed germination and emergence - Presents the factors affecting weed growth and seed production
Weeds hold an enigmatic and sometimes-controversial place in agriculture, where they are generally reviled, grudgingly tolerated, and occasionally admired. In most cases, growers make considerable effort to reduce the negative economic impact of weeds because they compete with crops for resources and hinder field operations, thereby affecting crop productivity and quality, and ultimately the sustainability of agriculture. Weed control in production agriculture is commonly achieved through the integration of chemical, biological, and mechanical management methods. Chemicals (herbicides) usually inhibit the growth and establishment of weed plants by interfering with various physiological and biochemical pathways. Biological methods include crop competition, smother crops, rotation crops, and allelopathy, as well as specific insect predators and plant pathogens. Mechanical methods encompass an array of tools from short handled hoes to sophisticated video-guided robotic machines. Integrating these technologies, in order to relieve the negative impacts of weeds on crop production in a way that allows growers to optimize profits and preserve human health and the environment, is the science of weed management.