The progress and development of herbicides for weed management in the tropics

Caseley John C., . The progress and development of herbicides for weed management in the tropics. pp. 323-346. ISSN 0126-575X

Tropical areas are conducive to high crop productivity but at the same time many of the world's worst weeds also flourish making effective weed management essential for high yields. The use of chemicals for weed control is a 20th century technique. The first herbicides were inorganic compounds including copper sulphate and sodium arsenite; the latter being widely used in plantation crops. Relatively low dose and affordable broadleaved weed control started with the introduction of 2 4-D and MCPA in 1946. Their success led a massive research effort by the agrochemical industry and in 1995 Weed Abstracts listed more than 330 herbicides and worldwide sales for 1994 were valued at US dollar 12 995 million. The impact of herbicide use is illustrated by farmer productivity in the USA which increased almost five-fold between 1920 and 1980. The activity of some of the major classes of herbicides are outlined focusing on compounds used in South East Asia including diuron fluroxypyr glyphosate glufosinate metasulfuron and paraquat. Their modes of action are discussed in relation to their symptomology and field performance. Optimising activity is reviewed with reference to adjuvants and weather conditions including rain. Repeated use of the same herbicide commonly results in shifts in composition of the flore and may select herbicide resistant biotypes. Strategies to avoid or delaythese undesirable effects of herbicide use are outlined. In tropical crops some herbicide treatment regimes have led to soil erosion and water contamination. Soil stabilisation by the use of cover crops including genetically manipulated cultivars and reduced herbicide inputs for the management of less aggressive weeds are discussed.

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Abstract

Tropical areas are conducive to high crop productivity but at the same time many of the world's worst weeds also flourish making effective weed management essential for high yields. The use of chemicals for weed control is a 20th century technique. The first herbicides were inorganic compounds including copper sulphate and sodium arsenite; the latter being widely used in plantation crops. Relatively low dose and affordable broadleaved weed control started with the introduction of 2 4-D and MCPA in 1946. Their success led a massive research effort by the agrochemical industry and in 1995 Weed Abstracts listed more than 330 herbicides and worldwide sales for 1994 were valued at US dollar 12 995 million. The impact of herbicide use is illustrated by farmer productivity in the USA which increased almost five-fold between 1920 and 1980. The activity of some of the major classes of herbicides are outlined focusing on compounds used in South East Asia including diuron fluroxypyr glyphosate glufosinate metasulfuron and paraquat. Their modes of action are discussed in relation to their symptomology and field performance. Optimising activity is reviewed with reference to adjuvants and weather conditions including rain. Repeated use of the same herbicide commonly results in shifts in composition of the flore and may select herbicide resistant biotypes. Strategies to avoid or delaythese undesirable effects of herbicide use are outlined. In tropical crops some herbicide treatment regimes have led to soil erosion and water contamination. Soil stabilisation by the use of cover crops including genetically manipulated cultivars and reduced herbicide inputs for the management of less aggressive weeds are discussed.

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Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Summary (En)
AGROVOC Term:	MALEZAS
AGROVOC Term:	ESCARDA
AGROVOC Term:	HERBICIDAS
AGROVOC Term:	RESISTENCIA A PRODUCTOS QUIMICOS
AGROVOC Term:	CULTIVOS
AGROVOC Term:	ZONA TROPICAL
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:51
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/17264

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