The Future of Herbicides in Weed Control Systems of the Great Plains

摘要

Herbicides bave played a vital role in dryland agriculture in the Great Plains since their introduction in the late 1940s. Herbicides have reduced the amount of tillage required for crop production. Reduced-tillage leaves crop residues at the soil surface, which results in greater soil water capture and retention, and reduces soil loss to wind and water erosion. Despite the benefits provided by herbicides, their future role in agriculture is uncertain. Trends including a decline in the introduction of new herbicides, the potential loss of older her-bicides, a rapid increase in the number of cases of herbicide resistance in weeds, a dramatic increase in the capability to detect pesticides in the environment, and rising public concern about the effects of pesticides in the environment may indicate a reduction in herbicide use in the future. In order to retain herbicides as effective tools in sustainable crop production, strategies to maximize the efficiency of herbicide use must be developed and implemented. These strategies should include the use of crop rotation, competitive crops and cultivars, fertilizer placement technology, residue conserving tillage, biological control agents, and precision application technology.