AWM Practices

Here you can find out about Agroecological Weed Management (AWM) Practices

Crop diversification

Crop rotation

Sequential cultivation of different crops in a specific order to disrupt weed life cycles.

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Intercropping

Simultaneous cultivation of multiple crops in the same field to naturally reduce weed pressure and enhance resource utilization.

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Cover crops

Utilization of specific plant species, grown between cash crop cycles, to suppress weed growth and enhance soil health.

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Cultural

False Seedbed

False seedbed

Creation of a false seedbed by preparing the soil and then managing emerging weeds before planting the main crop.

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Sowing Pattern

Arrangement of seeds within a field to create competitive crop canopies that suppress weed emergence and growth.

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Hand Weeding

Manual removal of weeds by hand or with handheld tools to selectively eliminate weeds.

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Mulching

Application of preferably organic or synthetic materials on soil surfaces to suppress weed germination and growth while conserving soil moisture.

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Row Spacing

Modification of the distance between crop rows to optimize light, water, and nutrient availability while inhibiting weed growth.

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Mechanical

Mowing

Regular cutting of weeds to reduce seed production and limit their spread in agricultural fields.

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Mechanical Control

Use of mechanical tools and equipment, such as cultivators and weeders, to physically remove or destroy weeds.

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Natural Solution

Bioherbicides

Application of naturally occurring substances or microorganisms to control weed populations with minimal environmental impact.

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Grazing

Use of animals to manage weeds.

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Biological Agents

Biological agents

Introduction of natural enemies, such as insects or pathogens, to target specific weed species and reduce their abundance.

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Novel

Harvest Weed Seed Control

Harvest of weed seeds and shattering to reduce soil seedbank and future infestations.

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Inoculation of CC with AMF

Enhancement of (cover) crop competitive ability against weeds and nutrient uptake with seed inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

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Technological - Precision

Decision Support Systems

Digital platforms and tools that provide data-driven recommendations for weed management.

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Drones

Rapid weed detection or aerial spraying of herbicides with drones.

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Robots (Automatic)

Precise weed removal and management with automatic robots.

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Hot Foam

Precise application of hot water with organic foam that kills or damages weeds.

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Laser Weeding

Precise weed management with laser technology.

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Flaming

Application of heat to burn weeds causing a knockdown effect.

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Electric Weeding

Use of electricity to manage weeds.

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Site - Specific Spraying

Optimized site-specific herbicide application based on weed infestations.

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Robots (mechanical weeding)

Use of autonomous or semi-autonomous machines to detect and physically remove weeds.

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Robots (spraying)

Use of autonomous or semi-autonomous robotic platforms to detect weeds and apply herbicides only where needed.

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Herbicides (reduced rate)

Application of authorised herbicide doses below the full label rate to reduce chemical input while maintaining acceptable weed control.

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Combination of practices

Cover crops + roller crimper

Use of cover crops mechanically terminated with a roller crimper to create a dense mulch layer that suppresses weeds.

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Cover crops + grazing

Use of cover crops as temporary forage for livestock, combining weed suppression, soil cover and biomass management.

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Cover crops + mechanical control

Use of cover crops combined with mechanical operations to suppress weeds and reduce reliance on herbicides.

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Cover crops + crop rotation

Integration of cover crops into diversified crop rotations to suppress weeds, disrupt weed life cycles, and protect soil.

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Cover crops + false seedbed

Use of cover crops followed by false seedbed preparation to suppress weeds, stimulate weed emergence before crop sowing and reduce the weed seedbank.

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Cover crops + competitive crop varieties

Use of cover crops together with competitive crop varieties to suppress weeds through soil cover, crop vigour, rapid canopy closure and stronger crop-weed competition.

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Cover crops + allelopathic crops

Use of cover crops and crop species with allelopathic potential to suppress weeds through competition, soil cover, and residues.

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Mechanical weeding + reduced tillage

Use of mechanical weed control tools within reduced-tillage systems to suppress weeds while limiting soil disturbance.

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Grazing + mowing

Combination of livestock grazing and mowing to suppress weeds, reduce biomass, prevent seed production and maintain more competitive vegetation cover.

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Bioherbicides + mechanical control

Combined use of bioherbicides and mechanical weeding to suppress weeds through biological action and direct physical control.

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Decision Support Systems + cover crops

Use of digital tools to assist the selection, timing and management of cover crops for improved weed suppression and provision of multiple ecosystem services.

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Decision Support Systems + herbicides (reduced rate)

Use of digital tools to support legally authorised reduced herbicide rates based on weed pressure, crop stage, field conditions and expected control needs.

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Drones + site-specific spraying

Use of drones to map weed distribution and support targeted, patch or variable-rate spraying, reducing unnecessary herbicide application on weed-free areas.

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Mulching + mechanical control

Combined use of organic or synthetic mulches with mechanical weeding to suppress weed emergence

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