For more than 50 years, herbicides have been the main tool for weed control. However, the increase in resistance of certain biotypes and the expansion of tolerant species demonstrate the need to adopt a comprehensive approach.
In this context, residual herbicides —or pre-emergent— have shown high effectiveness in the early control of weeds, in addition to helping mitigate the effects of the leafhopper (Dalbulus maidis), a pest that affects corn.
Javier Crespo, a specialist from INTA Paraná stated that “local trials have shown that the application of residual herbicides achieved at least 90% effectiveness in controlling volunteer corn with different active ingredients. However, cases of resistant weeds continue to rise, so it is crucial to advance in integrated weed management.”
In addition to herbicide control, other weed control strategies are being implemented. “Through trials with machinery, what we aim to develop at INTA Paraná are other successful control strategies” Crespo added.
The researcher explained that “in collaboration with private companies, different weed control methods are being evaluated, including mechanical control implements with minimal surface soil disturbance, the use of cover crops, crop rotation, adjustment of plant density, and spacing between rows, which, among other aspects, are the basis for alternating with the use of herbicides and contributing to the sustainability of production systems.”
On the other hand, Crespo indicated that the trials conducted over the last two years showed that the use of flat bars before planting short-cycle wheat allowed for weed control of over 90% immediately and at least 80% after 60 days. This created a competition-free period of 40 to 50 days from the establishment of the wheat.
“Additionally, in contexts of water deficit, tools such as the multipurpose harrow have shown an effectiveness of over 85% in weed control, depending on the type of soil and the state of the present weeds,” he pointed out and added: “A high intensity of use can increase compaction and reduce water infiltration.”
Furthermore, the advancement of AgTechs1 is revolutionizing plant protection. “Tools such as drones, selective applications, artificial intelligence, and remote management are progressively being incorporated into integrated weed management, allowing for optimized efficiency and reduced use of chemical inputs” Crespo said.
“All these practices, which make up the integrated weed management strategy, would not only achieve high effectiveness in control but would also help protect the soil resource, minimizing the impact on watercourses, air, and biodiversity, without affecting its productivity and profitability, and even increasing it,” Crespo concluded.
“2nd Regional Weeds Management Conference” #
INTA stated that works together with actors from the public and private sectors for the research, validation, and adoption of these innovative technologies. Therefore, on April 10, the 2nd Regional Weed Management Day - 2025 will take place, a key space for technical and professional exchange to share knowledge, experiences, and new solutions in the sustainable management of weeds. Talks and dynamic field demonstrations will address the latest innovations in residual herbicides, mechanical control tools, and digital technologies applied to plant protection.
Registrations here
Footnotes #
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AgTechsAgTechs, a term that arises from the combination of the words agriculture and technology in English, are a set of technologies applied to agricultural systems to increase productivity, efficiency, and profitability. These technologies can include robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, automation, big data, and bioinformatics, among others. AgTechs seek solutions to the problems and challenges faced by the agro-industrial system, from production to marketing. These technologies enable farmers to make informed decisions based on accurate, real-time data, improving resource management and optimizing yields. In Argentina, for example, there are 135 AgTech companies that are part of an ecosystem that includes science and technology institutions, facilitators, incubators, accelerators, and venture capital. AgTechs also encompass advancements in biotechnology, such as the development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) designed to increase yield and make crops more resistant to pests and harsh environmental conditions. Additionally, AgTechs improve safety in agriculture by automating dangerous tasks and providing real-time monitoring to prevent accidents. New generations, educated in a digital environment, are adopting new forms of agricultural management, which helps to strengthen new technologies as tools for prediction and adaptation to climate change. AgTechs are essential to meet the challenge of producing more and better with fewer resources, especially considering the increase in population and the need to feed more than 9 billion people in the next 25 to 30 years. Sources: Diario La Nación; BBVA; Hispatec; Argentina.gob.ar; Startupeable; AgTechApps. ↩︎