Aromatic plant Melissa officinalis extracts selectivity in various biomass crop and legume species

Saabunud / Received 17.06.2020 ; Aktsepteeritud / Accepted 10.07.2020 ; Avaldatud veebis / Published online 10.07.2020 ; Vastutav autor / Corresponding author: Panagiotis Kanatas e-mail: [email protected] effects of various plants can be exploited for use against weeds; however, the selectivity in different crops is also important. In the current study, the effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) allelochemicals on seed germination and seedling emergence of three biomass crops and three legume species were evaluated. Seed germination of rapeseed was reduced by 19, 30, 56, and 80% in the concentrations of 1, 2, 5 and 10%, respectively, as compared to the control group, whereas sweet sorghum seeds showed a more intermediate response and sunflower germination was affected only by the highest concentration. Seed germination of common bean was by 25, 34 and 60% lower at 1, 2 and 5% extract concentrations, respectively, in comparison to the control whereas up to 85% reduction of seed germination was recorded in 10% concentration. Peanut seed germination percentage ranged between 72 and 47% of control in 5 and 10% concentrations, respectively, while soybean germination was least affected from M. officinalis leaf extracts since it was reduced by only 25 and 41% in 5 and 10% concentrations, respectively, as compared to the control. Seedling emergence of rapeseed was reduced by 14, 25, 46, and 79% in the concentrations of 1, 2, 5 and 10%, respectively, as compared to the control whereas lemon balm extracts showed increased selectivity on the sunflower. Soybean emergence was reduced by only 27 and 46% in 5 and 10% concentrations, respectively, in comparison to the control whereas common bean’s seedling emergence was reduced up to 35% even in 2% concentration. Allelopathic response index values confirmed that sunflower and rapeseed were the least and most sensitive biomass crops to lemon balm allelochemicals, respectively, whereas sweet sorghum showed an intermediate response. Increased was the selectivity of the aqueous leaf extracts on soybean, whereas seed germination and seedling emergence of peanut were more affected and common bean was the most sensitive crop. Further research is needed to investigate the selectivity of M. officinalis and other aromatic plants’ allelochemicals on various crops and under different soil and climatic conditions to optimize their efficacy as tools of more eco-friendly weed management strategies

Yield, quality and weed control in soybean crop as affected by several cultural and weed management practices

In the field of Agricultural University of Athens, the effects of false seedbed technique, stale seedbed, chemical and ecologically based control on weed growth and soybean yield were evaluated (2019). The experimental treatments were: normal seedbed, normal seedbed along with pre-emergence chemical control, false seedbed, stale seedbed with glyphosate and stale seedbed with pelargonic acid. In the plots of normal seedbed along with pre-emergence chemical control, pendimethalin was applied at rate of 1560 g a.i. ha-1. In the plots of stale seedbed with glyphosate, glyphosate was applied at a rate of 2160 g a.e. ha-1 and in the plots of stale seedbed with pelargonic acid, pelargonic acid was applied at a rate of 31020 g a.i. ha-1. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The results revealed that stale seedbed combined either with glyphosate or pelargonic acid application reduced annual weeds’ density by 94 and 95% as compared to normal seedbed. Stale seedbed along with pelargonic acid reduced the density of perennial weeds by 36, 38 and 41% as compared to the combination of normal seedbed and pre-emergence chemical control, normal seedbed and false seedbed, respectively. The application of glyphosate in stale seedbed plots was also effective against perennial weeds. It was also observed that stale seedbed along with glyphosate increased soybean seed yield by 17, 19 and 35% as compared to the combination of normal seedbed and pendimethalin application, false seedbed and normal seedbed, respectively. Beneficial were also the effects of the combination of stale seedbed and pelargonic acid not only on soybean seed yield but also on soybean protein content. Further research is needed in order to investigate the role of false and stale seedbeds as integrated weed management practices in various crops and under different soil and climatic conditions. Research is also needed to evaluate pelargonic acid for weed control in stale seedbeds since it is an eco-friendly herbicide with no restrictions for organic farming

The effects of tillage on weed suppressive ability, leaf area, seed yield and protein content of Mucuna pruriens var. utilis

In the field of the Agricultural University of Athens, the effects of tillage on weed suppressive ability, leaf area, seed yield and protein content of velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) were evaluated under the climatic conditions of Greece. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The three experimental treatments were: control (untreated), one hoeing for weed seedlings’ elimination at 7 days after sowing, and two hoeings for weed seedlings’ elimination at 7 and 15 days after sowing. Findings revealed that one hoeing reduced annual weeds’ density by 42% as compared to control treatment. Two hoeings resulted in a 47% lower density for annual species as compared to the untreated check. The density of perennial weeds recorded in the plots of one-hoeing treatment was 52% lower than the value recorded in the plots of control treatment. It was also shown that two hoeings can result in a 61% lower density regarding perennial species. Regarding velvet bean’s vegetation growth, one hoeing increased velvet bean leaf area per plant by 26% whereas, in the plots of two-hoeings treatment, the value of leaf area per plant was by 22-36% higher than the corresponding value recorded in untreated control plots. Two hoeings can increase velvet beans seed yield by 44% as well as seeds’ protein content by 17%. Further research is needed to optimize the use of velvet bean as a cover crop and seek for agronomic practices that might enhance its competitiveness against both annual and perennial weed species

Optimization of the false seedbed cultural practice and comparative evaluations of its implementation in field crops

One of the most “underestimated” in the past but very promising methods of weed management in field crops is the false/stale seedbed cultural practice. False/stale seedbed includes seedbed preparation with common tillage practices, irrigation where necessary and mechanical or chemical weed control after a while of some days or weeks. Afterwards, crop sowing follows. The aim of this Doctoral Thesis was the optimization of the false/stale seedbed cultural practice and comparative evaluations of its implementation in field crops. The current study included three experimental modules: (a) two-year (2020–2022) field experimentation in monocultures and intercrops of annual ryegrass (Lamium multiflorum Lam.) and Berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) in Western Greece, (b) two-year (2021–2023) field experimentation in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) on two different experimental sites in Central Greece (Domokos and Aliartos) and (c) two-year (spring growing seasons of 2022 and 2023) field experimentation in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) on the experimental field of Laboratory of Agronomy of Agricultural University of Athens. In the first experimental module, a two-factor field trial was conducted where the factor of false seedbed was assigned to the main plots and the factor of intercropping was assigned to the subplots. In false seedbed main plots, weed control was carried with shallow tillage but in different timings. Specifically, weeds were controlled mechanically either one or two weeks after the initial seedbed preparation. In intercropping subplots, five ratios of intercropped species i.e. annual ryegrass and Berseem clover were studied which were: 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0. Results showed that the delay of weed control, and therefore the delay of sowing, for two instead of one week significantly reduced weed density up to 81% compared to the untreated control leading to increased forage yield. In addition, it seems that the increase of the ratio of annual ryegrass in the intercrops displayed synergistic effects with false seedbed suppressing the density and biomass of competitive weeds as sterile oat (Avena sterilis L.) and wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.). Moreover, false seedbed contributed to the maintenance of acceptable biomass production from Berseem clover in the intercrops that were studied. Significant interactions were also observed between the factors of false seedbed and intercropping (p ≤ 0.05). In the second experimental module, different methods of false/stale seedbed implementation were studied in combination with early post-emergence application of a selective herbicide in durum wheat. In false seedbed, weed control was carried either by shallow tillage or by the application of the non-selective herbicide glyphosate at the recommended (720 g a.e ha−1) and the reduced application rate (540 g a.e ha−1). It was found that in false seedbed plots, glyphosate applied at the reduced rate leaded to excellent weed control levels (≥ 90%) without being inferior to the glyphosate treatment at the recommended field rate. Moreover, the efficacy of false seedbed (with shallow tillage) was high, and especially when it was combined with early post-emergence application of the selective herbicide. These above combinations leaded to optimal yields per unit area (≥ 5.000 kg ha−1). These results were common on both sites (Domokos and Aliartos) where weed flora included mainly annual broadleaf weeds. In the third experimental module, a two-factor field trial was conducted where the factor of stale seedbed was assigned to subplots while the factor of kenaf row spacing was assigned to the main plots. In stale seedbed subplots, weeds were controlled with glyphosate at two different timings. In particular, weeds were sprayed either three or six weeks after the initial seedbed preparation. The two row spacings were 60 cm and 30 cm. Significant were the effects of both factors on weed and crop parameters that were studied (p ≤ 0.05). Glyphosate applications on stale seedbed subplots in both the cases reduced weed density and biomass by at least 50% and showed high efficacy even on troublesome perennial weeds as purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) and silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.). Kenaf highest yields were observed for stale seedbed plots where weed control was carried out 3 weeks after seedbed preparation (≥ 15 t ha−1). Furthermore, the combination of stale seedbed with reduced row spacing (30 cm instead of 60 cm) increased the final density of the stand increasing the percentage of crop establishment success in levels above 75%. The results of all above experimental modules show that the method and the timing of weed control are crucial for the success of false/stale seedbed. In any case, optimal results are achieved when false/stale seedbed is combined either with other cultural practices that increase crop competitiveness as narrow row spacing, intercropping etc. or with sustainable use of selective herbicides. The findings of this Doctoral Thesis can actively contribute to the optimization of the false/stale seedbed cultural practice for weed management in field crops. However, further field experimentation is required on a broader range of crops, weeds and soil-climatic conditions is required.Μια από τις «υποτιμημένες» στο παρελθόν αλλά πλέον υποσχόμενες μεθόδους διαχείρισης ζιζανίων στα φυτά μεγάλης καλλιέργειας αποτελεί η καλλιεργητική πρακτική της ψευδοσποράς. Η ψευδοσπορά περιλαμβάνει την προετοιμασία του αγρού για σπορά με τις συνηθισμένες πρακτικές εδαφοκατεργασίας, την άρδευση όπου αυτή είναι αναγκαία και τη μηχανική ή χημική καταπολέμηση των ζιζανίων μετά από ένα χρονικό διάστημα κάποιων ημερών ή εβδομάδων. Σκοπός της Διδακτορικής Διατριβής ήταν η βελτιστοποίηση της καλλιεργητικής πρακτικής της ψευδοσποράς καθώς και συγκριτικές αξιολογήσεις της εφαρμογής της σε φυτά μεγάλης καλλιέργειας. Η παρούσας μελέτη περιλάμβανε τρεις κύριες πειραματικές ενότητες: α) διετή (2020–2022) πειραματισμό αγρού σε μονοκαλλιέργειες και συγκαλλιέργειες λόλιου (Lamium multiflorum Lam.) και Αλεξανδρινού τριφυλλιού (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) στη Δυτική Ελλάδα, β) διετή (2021–2023) πειραματισμό αγρού στην καλλιέργεια του σκληρού σιταριού (Triticum durum Desf.) σε δυο διαφορετικές περιοχές στη Στερεά Ελλάδα (Δομοκός και Αλίαρτος) και γ) διετή (εαρινές καλλιεργητικές περίοδοι 2022 και 2023) πειραματισμό αγρού στην καλλιέργεια του κενάφ (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) στον πειραματικό αγρό του Εργαστηρίου Γεωργίας του Γεωπονικού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών. Στην πρώτη πειραματική ενότητα, πραγματοποιήθηκε διπαραγοντικό πείραμα αγρού όπου ο παράγοντας της ψευδοσποράς κατατάχθηκε στα κύρια τεμάχια ενώ ο παράγοντας της συγκαλλιέργειας στα υποτεμάχια. Στα κύρια τεμάχια της ψευδοσποράς, ο έλεγχος των ζιζανίων πραγματοποιήθηκε με επιφανειακή εδαφοκατεργασία αλλά σε διαφορετικούς χρόνους. Συγκεκριμένα, τα ζιζάνια ελέγχθηκαν μηχανικά είτε μία είτε δύο εβδομάδες από την αρχική προετοιμασία της σποροκλίνης. Στα τεμάχια της συγκαλλιέργειας, μελετήθηκαν πέντε αναλογίες των συγκαλλιεργούμενων ειδών δηλαδή λόλιου και Αλεξανδρινού τριφυλλιού οι οποίες ήταν: 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 και 100:0. Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν ότι η καθυστέρηση του ελέγχου των ζιζανίων, άρα και της σποράς της καλλιέργειας, για δύο αντί μιας εβδομάδας μείωσε σημαντικά την πυκνότητα των ζιζανίων ως και 81% συγκριτικά με τον αμεταχείριστο μάρτυρα οδηγώντας σε αυξημένες αποδόσεις σε χορτομάζα. Ακόμη, φαίνεται πως η αύξηση της αναλογίας του λόλιου στις συγκαλλιέργειες λειτούργησε συνεργιστικά με την ψευδοσπορά περιορίζοντας τη πυκνότητα και τη βιομάζα ανταγωνιστικών ζιζανίων όπως η αγριοβρώμη (Avena sterilis L.) και το άγριο σινάπι (Sinapis arvensis L.). Επιπλέον, η ψευδοσπορά συνέβαλλε στη διατήρηση αποδεκτής παραγωγής βιομάζας και από το Αλεξανδρινό τριφύλλι στις υπό μελέτη συγκαλλιέργειες. Παρατηρήθηκαν ακόμη στατιστικά σημαντικές αλληλεπιδράσεις μεταξύ των παραγόντων της ψευδοσποράς και της συγκαλλιέργειας (p ≤ 0,05). Στην δεύτερη πειραματική ενότητα, ερευνήθηκαν οι διαφορετικές μέθοδοι εφαρμογής της ψευδοσποράς σε συνδυασμό με εφαρμογή εκλεκτικού ζιζανιοκτόνου νωρίς μεταφυτρωτικά για διαχείριση ζιζανίων στο σκληρό σιτάρι. Για την ψευδοσπορά πραγματοποιήθηκε έλεγχος ζιζανίων είτε με επιφανειακή εδαφοκατεργασία είτε με εφαρμογή glyphosate τόσο στη συνιστώμενη (720 g a.e ha−1) όσο και σε μειωμένη δόση (540 g a.e ha−1). Διαπιστώθηκε πως στα πειραματικά τεμάχια της ψευδοσποράς, η εφαρμογή glyphosate στη μειωμένη δόση οδήγησε σε εξαιρετικά επίπεδα ελέγχου των ζιζανίων (≥ 90%) χωρίς να υπολείπεται συγκριτικά με την επέμβαση όπου το ζιζανιοκτόνο εφαρμόστηκε στη συνιστώμενη δόση. Ακόμη, υψηλή ήταν η αποτελεσματικότητα της ψευδοσποράς με επιφανειακή εδαφοκατεργασία, ιδιαίτερα όμως όταν συνδυάστηκε με εφαρμογή εκλεκτικού ζιζανιοκτόνου μεταφυτρωτικά νωρίς. Οι παραπάνω συνδυασμοί οδήγησαν και στις βέλτιστες στρεμματικές αποδόσεις (≥ 5.000 kg ha−1). Τα συμπεράσματα αυτά ήταν κοινά και στις δύο περιοχές (Δομοκός και Αλίαρτος) όπου η ζιζανιοχλωρίδα αποτελούταν κυρίως από ετήσια πλατύφυλλα ζιζάνια. Στην τρίτη πειραματική ενότητα, πραγματοποιήθηκε διπαραγοντικό πείραμα αγρού όπου ο παράγοντας της ψευδοσποράς κατατάχθηκε στα υποτεμάχια ενώ ο παράγοντας των αποστάσεων μεταξύ των γραμμών σποράς της καλλιέργειας του κενάφ στα κύρια τεμάχια. Στα υποτεμάχια της ψευδοσποράς, ο έλεγχος των ζιζανίων πραγματοποιήθηκε μόνο με εφαρμογή του μη εκλεκτικού ζιζανιοκτόνου glyphosate αλλά σε διαφορετικούς χρόνους. Συγκεκριμένα, τα ζιζάνια ελέγχθηκαν είτε 3 είτε 6 εβδομάδες από την αρχική προετοιμασία της σποροκλίνης. Οι δύο αποστάσεις μεταξύ των γραμμών της καλλιέργειας ήταν 60 cm και 30 cm. Σημαντικές ήταν οι επιδράσεις και των δύο παραγόντων στις παραμέτρους των ζιζανίων και της καλλιέργειας που μελετήθηκαν (p ≤ 0,05). Οι εφαρμογές glyphosate στα υποτεμάχια της ψευδοσποράς και στις 2 περιπτώσεις περιόρισαν κατά τουλάχιστον 50% τη πυκνότητα και τη βιομάζα των ζιζανίων και έδειξαν υψηλή αποτελεσματικότητα ακόμη και εναντίον δυσεξόντωτων πολυετών ζιζανίων όπως η πορφυρή κύπερη (Cyperus rotundus L.) και ο γερμανός (Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.). Οι μέγιστες αποδόσεις του κενάφ σε βιομάζα παρατηρήθηκαν για τα τεμάχια της ψευδοσποράς όταν η ζιζανιοκτονία έγινε 3 εβδομάδες μετά τη προετοιμασία της σποροκλίνης (≥ 15 t ha−1). Ακόμη, ο συνδυασμός ψευδοσποράς με μειωμένες αποστάσεις μεταξύ των γραμμών (30 cm αντί 60 cm) αύξησε την τελική πυκνότητα της φυτείας αυξάνοντας το ποσοστό επιτυχίας της εγκατάστασης της καλλιέργειας σε επίπεδα άνω του 75%. Τα αποτελέσματα όλων των παραπάνω ενοτήτων δείχνουν πως η μέθοδος της ζιζανιοκτονίας και η χρονική στιγμή που αυτή πραγματοποιείται μπορούν να καθορίσουν την επιτυχία της ψευδοσποράς. Σε κάθε περίπτωση όμως, βέλτιστα αποτελέσματα επιτυγχάνονται όταν η ψευδοσπορά συνδυάζεται είτε με άλλες καλλιεργητικές πρακτικές που αυξάνουν την ανταγωνιστικότητα των καλλιεργειών όπως η μείωση των αποστάσεων μεταξύ των γραμμών της καλλιέργειας, η συγκαλλιέργεια κ.α. είτε με λελογισμένη χρήση εκλεκτικών ζιζανιοκτόνων. Τα αποτελέσματα της παρούσας Διδακτορικής Διατριβής ενδέχεται να συμβάλλουν ενεργά στη βελτιστοποίηση της καλλιεργητικής πρακτικής της ψευδοσποράς για διαχείριση ζιζανίων σε φυτά μεγάλης καλλιέργειες. Για την επίτευξη αυτού του σκοπού όμως απαιτείται περαιτέρω πειραματισμός πεδίου σε ένα ευρύτερο φάσμα καλλιεργειών, ζιζανίων και εδαφοκλιματικών συνθηκών

Cultural Practices and Mechanical Weed Control for the Management of a Low-Diversity Weed Community in Spinach

Low-diversity weed communities are dominated by few species that are highly competitive to crops. The management of such weed communities should rely upon sustainable cultural and non-chemical practices, especially in crops such as spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), where very few herbicides are available. A two-year field trial (2020 and 2021) was conducted to evaluate different fertilization practices (broadcast and banded), intra-row spacings (15 cm, 11 cm, 7 cm), and mechanical weed control treatments (untreated, one treatment, two treatments) for the management of a low-diversity weed community in spinach. Weed competition severely affected spinach commercial biomass (R2 = 0.845). Compared to broadcast fertilization, banded fertilization reduced weed biomass and improved spinach yield and nitrogen use efficiency. Narrow intra-row spacing (7-cm) reduced weed biomass by 28 and 45% compared to intra-row spacings of 11-cm and 15-cm, respectively. Two mechanical weed control treatments resulted in 49% lower weed biomass compared to a single treatment. Commercial biomass increased with decreasing intra-row spacing (R2 = 0.881) and increasing the number of mechanical treatments (R2 = 0.911). More cultural and non-chemical practices should be evaluated for weed management in spinach, especially at sites infested with low-diversity weed communities

Irrigation Timing as a Practice of Effective Weed Management in Established Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Crop

Irrigation is an agronomic practice of major importance in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L), especially in the semiarid environments of Southern Europe. Field experimentation was conducted in Western Greece (2016–2018) to evaluate the effects of irrigation timing on weed presence, alfalfa yield performance, and forage quality. In a randomized complete block design (four replications), two cultivars (“Ypati 84” and “Hyliki”) were the main plots, while three irrigation timings were the subplots (split-plot). The irrigation timings were IT-1, IT-2, and IT-3, denoting irrigation 1 week before harvest, 1 week after harvest, and 2 weeks after harvest, respectively. IT-1 reduced Solanum nigrum L. density by 54% and 79% as compared to IT-3 and IT-2, respectively. Chenopodium album L. density was the highest under IT-2. IT-3 resulted in 41% lower Amaranthus retroflexus L. density in comparison to IT-2, while the lowest values were observed under IT-1. Stand density and stems·plant−1 varied between years (p ≤ 0.05). Mass·stem−1 and alfalfa forage yield were affected by the irrigation timings (p ≤ 0.001). Total weed density and forage yield were negatively correlated in both the second (R2 = 87.013%) and the fourth (R2 = 82.691%) harvests. IT-1 and IT-3 increased forage yield, leaf per stem ratio, and crude protein as compared to IT-2. Further research is required to utilize the use of cultural practices for weed management in perennial forages under different soil and climatic conditions

Cultural Practices and Mechanical Weed Control for the Management of a Low-Diversity Weed Community in Spinach

Low-diversity weed communities are dominated by few species that are highly competitive to crops. The management of such weed communities should rely upon sustainable cultural and non-chemical practices, especially in crops such as spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), where very few herbicides are available. A two-year field trial (2020 and 2021) was conducted to evaluate different fertilization practices (broadcast and banded), intra-row spacings (15 cm, 11 cm, 7 cm), and mechanical weed control treatments (untreated, one treatment, two treatments) for the management of a low-diversity weed community in spinach. Weed competition severely affected spinach commercial biomass (R2 = 0.845). Compared to broadcast fertilization, banded fertilization reduced weed biomass and improved spinach yield and nitrogen use efficiency. Narrow intra-row spacing (7-cm) reduced weed biomass by 28 and 45% compared to intra-row spacings of 11-cm and 15-cm, respectively. Two mechanical weed control treatments resulted in 49% lower weed biomass compared to a single treatment. Commercial biomass increased with decreasing intra-row spacing (R2 = 0.881) and increasing the number of mechanical treatments (R2 = 0.911). More cultural and non-chemical practices should be evaluated for weed management in spinach, especially at sites infested with low-diversity weed communities

Ecologically Based Weed Management: Concepts, Challenges, and Limitations - 5. Chapter: The Underestimated Role of Cultural Practices in Ecologically Based Weed Management Approaches

Globally, the overreliance of agriculture on herbicides has created environmental, human health, and herbicide-resistance concerns. There is an urgent need to develop alternative, ecologically based weed management systems based on the use of cultural practices that reduce the emergence and growth of weeds in the field. Although not widely adopted by farmers, the current chapter highlights that the role of cultural practices in developing of sustainable ecologically based weed management systems should not be further underestimated. Concerning crop diversification practices, weeds are subjected to diverse agronomic practices becoming less adaptable and competitive in crop rotation systems. Crop selection must follow specific criteria to facilitate successful weed management. Including a cover crop in the rotation is another beneficial practice to further suppress weed emergence and seed production. Moreover, intercropping promotes more efficient and complementary resource use from crop mixtures and reduces the availability of resources to weeds. The selection of competitive cultivars and hybrids is a major agronomic practice to achieve higher levels of weed suppression. The use of increased seeding rates and planting in narrow row spacing increase crop populations and, thus, improve crop competitiveness against weeds. Optimal sowing dates, in relation to weed emergence, and optimal resource management should also be considered as important components of ecologically based weed management systems. Research shows that combinations among different cultural practices may facilitate reductions to weed emergence and weed seed production and could lead to higher crop yield

Chemical Weed Control and Crop Injuries Due to Spray Drift: The Case of Dicamba

Herbicide volatility and drift are serious problems for chemical weed control. The extended use of dicamba, especially due to the commercial release of dicamba-resistant crops, revealed many off-target dicamba injury issues for sensitive crops. The objective of the present study is to give information on the chemical properties and volatility of dicamba and highlight some key issues, while a systematic review of the recently reported cases is attempted. Unfortunately, the problem is increasing, with a huge majority of the injuries reported in the USA, but it is also present in many other countries. Several arable, horticultural, and perennial crops suffer from such damage. Specific measures and approaches are suggested in order to quantify, reduce, and prevent such problems, while the training of farmers and stakeholders and further research are certainly required for the optimization of the several alternative options