About this Research Topic
An understanding of weed biology and ecology is critical to the ability to create an effective weed management program. As the global occurrence of novel herbicide resistant biotypes continues to increase, an enhanced focus is being placed upon Integrated Weed Management, which may combine multiple practices with biological and ecological considerations, including chemical, cultural, and mechanical methods. Examples of plant traits which promote success of weedy species in agroecosystems are: tolerance to disturbance and stress, genetic variation, phenotypic plasticity, variable seed dormancy, rapid seed germination and growth, prolific seed production, effective dispersal, rapid nutrient sequestration, and production of allelopathic exudates.
Through an understanding of weed biology and ecology, it may be possible to identify integrated methods and application timings which provide the greatest impact on the reduction of weed seeds which are returned to the system. New technological adaptations, such as harvest weed seed control, precision agriculture, robotics, genetically modified crop traits, competitive cultivars, biocontrols, and others, are advancing the possibilities for successful weed control programs when combined with knowledge of weed biology and ecology.
The goal of this Research Topic is to publish articles which may present new insights or perspectives in the use of weed biology and ecology to form the basis of management in agroecosystems. Reviews, Original Research, Methods and Perspectives, and Opinion Articles are all welcome for submission. Specific topics may include but are not limited to:
- Weed response and adaptation to disturbance, stress, and management
- Population dynamics, seed banks and harvest weed seed control
- Factors influencing seed germination to suppress emergence or increase germination for seed bank depletion
- Use of weed phenology to predict management timing and competitive effects on crop yield
- Phenological shifts in response to climate and management
- The role of genetic diversity and population genetics
- Considerations of weed biology and ecology in herbicide-resistance scenarios
- Weed biology and ecology as a basis for decision support tools
- Weed-crop competition and interference and allelopathic effects
- Ecological interactions which may influence weed abundance, such as herbivory, granivory, pollination, and microbial associations
- The use of biology and ecology in field robotics and precision agriculture
- Comparisons of weedy traits which impact management across multiple populations and wide geographic areas.
Through an understanding of weed biology and ecology, it may be possible to identify integrated methods and application timings which provide the greatest impact on the reduction of weed seeds which are returned to the system. New technological adaptations, such as harvest weed seed control, precision agriculture, robotics, genetically modified crop traits, competitive cultivars, biocontrols, and others, are advancing the possibilities for successful weed control programs when combined with knowledge of weed biology and ecology.
The goal of this Research Topic is to publish articles which may present new insights or perspectives in the use of weed biology and ecology to form the basis of management in agroecosystems. Reviews, Original Research, Methods and Perspectives, and Opinion Articles are all welcome for submission. Specific topics may include but are not limited to:
- Weed response and adaptation to disturbance, stress, and management
- Population dynamics, seed banks and harvest weed seed control
- Factors influencing seed germination to suppress emergence or increase germination for seed bank depletion
- Use of weed phenology to predict management timing and competitive effects on crop yield
- Phenological shifts in response to climate and management
- The role of genetic diversity and population genetics
- Considerations of weed biology and ecology in herbicide-resistance scenarios
- Weed biology and ecology as a basis for decision support tools
- Weed-crop competition and interference and allelopathic effects
- Ecological interactions which may influence weed abundance, such as herbivory, granivory, pollination, and microbial associations
- The use of biology and ecology in field robotics and precision agriculture
- Comparisons of weedy traits which impact management across multiple populations and wide geographic areas.
Keywords: integrated weed management, soil seedbank, selection, dispersal, competition
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
