Evaluation of Integrated Weed Management Practices in Field Crops

Abstract

Weed interference remains a primary constraint on global crop productivity, directly competing with field crops for essential resources such as water, light, nutrients, and space. As traditional reliance on synthetic herbicides faces mounting challenges—including the rapid evolution of herbicide-resistant weed biotypes, escalating regulatory restrictions, and increasing public concern regarding environmental and health impacts—the shift toward Integrated Weed Management (IWM) has become imperative. IWM integrates physical, cultural, biological, and chemical control tactics to achieve sustainable and economical weed suppression. This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of current IWM practices in field crops, analyzing the efficacy of multi-tactical approaches in minimizing crop yield loss while reducing chemical dependency. We examine how cultural practices, such as optimized crop rotation, competitive cultivar selection, and precise nutrient management, synergistically enhance crop competitiveness against weeds. Furthermore, we explore the role of emerging technologies, including robotic weeding, precision spot-spraying, and AI-driven monitoring, in advancing the precision of IWM implementation. By synthesizing recent field trial data and long-term agro-ecological studies, this paper demonstrates that IWM not only maintains or improves yield stability but also fosters long-term soil health and biodiversity. The findings underscore that a transition to IWM is essential for sustainable agriculture, providing a robust framework to mitigate resistance and reduce the environmental footprint of modern weed management systems.