Sustainable Approach to Weed Management: The Role of Precision Weed Management

In the last few decades, the increase in the world’s population has created a need to produce more food, generating, consequently, greater pressure on agricultural production. In addition, problems related to climate change, water scarcity or decreasing amounts of arable land have serious implications for farming sustainability. Weeds can affect food production in agricultural systems, decreasing the product quality and productivity due to the competition for natural resources. On the other hand, weeds can also be considered to be valuable indicators of biodiversity because of their role in providing ecosystem services. In this sense, there is a need to carry out an effective and sustainable weed management process, integrating the various control methods (i.e., cultural, mechanical and chemical) in a harmonious way, without harming the entire agrarian ecosystem. Thus, intensive mechanization and herbicide use should be avoided. Herbicide resistance in some weed biotypes is a major concern today and must be tackled. On the other hand, the recent development of weed control technologies can promote higher levels of food production, lower the amount of inputs needed and reduce environmental damage, invariably bringing us closer to more sustainable agricultural systems. In this paper, we review the most common conventional and non-conventional weed control strategies from a sustainability perspective, highlighting the application of the precision and automated weed control technologies associated with precision weed management (PWM).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sustainable Approach to Weed Management: The Role of Precision Weed Management

In the last few decades, the increase in the world’s population has created a need to produce more food, generating, consequently, greater pressure on agricultural production. In addition, problems related to climate change, water scarcity or decreasing amounts of arable land have serious implications for farming sustainability. Weeds can affect food production in agricultural systems, decreasing the product quality and productivity due to the competition for natural resources. On the other hand, weeds can also be considered to be valuable indicators of biodiversity because of their role in providing ecosystem services. In this sense, there is a need to carry out an effective and sustainable weed management process, integrating the various control methods (i.e., cultural, mechanical and chemical) in a harmonious way, without harming the entire agrarian ecosystem. Thus, intensive mechanization and herbicide use should be avoided. Herbicide resistance in some weed biotypes is a major concern today and must be tackled. On the other hand, the recent development of weed control technologies can promote higher levels of food production, lower the amount of inputs needed and reduce environmental damage, invariably bringing us closer to more sustainable agricultural systems. In this paper, we review the most common conventional and non-conventional weed control strategies from a sustainability perspective, highlighting the application of the precision and automated weed control technologies associated with precision weed management (PWM).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A concept for application of integrated digital technologies to enhance future smart agricultural systems

Future agricultural systems should increase productivity and sustainability of food production and supply. For this, integrated and efficient capture, management, sharing, and use of agricultural and environmental data from multiple sources is essential. However, there are challenges to understand and efficiently use different types of agricultural and environmental data from multiple sources, which differ in format and time interval. In this regard, the role of emerging technologies is considered to be significant for integrated data gathering, analyses and efficient use. In this study, a concept was developed to facilitate the full integration of digital technologies to enhance future smart and sustainable agricultural systems. The concept has been developed based on the results of a literature review and diverse experiences and expertise which enabled the identification of stat-of-the-art smart technologies, challenges and knowledge gaps. The features of the proposed solution include: data collection methodologies using smart digital tools; platforms for data handling and sharing; application of Artificial Intelligent for data integration and analysis; edge and cloud computing; application of Blockchain, decision support system; and a governance and data security system. The study identified the potential positive implications i.e. the implementation of the concept could increase data value, farm productivity, effectiveness in monitoring of farm operations and decision making, and provide innovative farm business models. The concept could contribute to an overall increase in the competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of the agricultural sector as well as digital transformation in agriculture and rural areas. This study also provided future research direction in relation to the proposed concept. The results will benefit researchers, practitioners, developers of smart tools, and policy makers supporting the transition to smarter and more sustainable agriculture systems

An assessment of changes in land use/cover patterns in the Albert Falls area, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.The Albert Falls Area had witnessed severe competition over land use between agriculture, recreation, conservation and other land uses. The area also has been the scene for inefficient land management that led to degradation of land resources. For proper land use planning and environmental management, information on land use/cover change is vital. This study has developed a spatial and descriptive historical land use/cover databases for the years 1944, 1967, 1989, and 2000 to provide an understanding of land use/cover patterns in Albert Falls Area. The databases were created by interpreting historical aerial photographs and using Geographic Information Systems. The data was subsequently analyzed to detect relevant trends in land use/cover patterns in the study area. Generally land use/cover pattern of Albert Falls Area during the period 1944 to 2000 may be described as being mainly agricultural. The results showed a marginal increase of indigenous forests attributed to the continuous efforts by different governmental departments and policies that focused on the protection of the remaining patches of indigenous forests. Grassland not only decreased by more than half but it also deteriorated in quality during 1944 to 2000. Commercial Forestry predominates the study area and showed an increasing trend from 1944 to 1967. Cultivated Land was observed to decrease at the expense of Commercial Forestry plantations and Waterbodies. Although sugarcane plantations increased after 1967, total Cultivated Land showed a decreasing trend. The construction of Albert Falls Dam and other small Farm Ponds within the agricultural farms increased the land areas covered by Waterbodies. Residential Area coverage generally decreased irrespective of the encroachment of informal settlements, while that outside Non-Residential Area and Transportation Routes generally increased with the development of commercial agriculture in the area. Barren Land decreased continuously due to higher land demand in the study area. The study showed that land use/cover changes in Albert Falls Area. have resulted in habitat fragmentation, development of monoculture land use, flourishing of Farm Ponds in agricultural farms, and expansion of agricultural activities on marginal lands. Creation of corridors/linkages between the fragmented forest patches; commencement and implementation of the already well drafted land and land resource policies and regulations; commencement of the holistic management plans in the area were recommended for a sustainable land use