Principles in Weed Management

Book excerpt: This introductory book is the first comprehensive treatment of ecological principles and how they may be utilised to develop long-term weed management practices. Why do we have weeds? Why do we have the ones we have? What is the nature of competition? What is the link between weeds and cultural practices? Can we predict future weed problems? Authors Aldrich and Kremer give the reader all the background needed to address these questions. With an eye to long-term solutions, they emphasise the nature and properties of weeds in relation to desired plants, from their methods of reproduction and adaptation to their responses to herbicides and various cultural practices. Recognising the place of weeds within a dynamic ecosystem, their approach promotes improvements in crop management and plant production without consequent harm to the environment.