Linking Farmer Weed Management Behavior with Weed Pressure: More than Just Technology

Riemens, M.M.; Groeneveld, R.M.W.; Kropff, M.J.; Lotz, L.A.P.; Renes, Reint Jan; Sukkel, W.; Weide, R.Y. van der

doi:10.1614/ws-09-048.1

Cited by 27 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Management factors such as timely implementation of fall tillage, growth of competitive crops, and increased use of preventive measures such as stale seedbed were associated with reduced weed densities on organic farms in the Netherlands (Riemens et al 2010). Use of systems-based, seedbank management strategies can lead to reduced weed seed densities and subsequent seedling pressure (Liebman and Gallandt 1997), as well as less time spent weeding (Riemens et al 2007).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Three examples from distinct agricultural regions illustrate that farmer philosophy or knowledge can be related to biological metrics. In the Netherlands, grouping farmers according to philosophy showed that ''market-oriented'' farmers had greater weed densities than ''crop-growth oriented'' farmers (Riemens et al 2010). Interviews with farmers in Ghana revealed that farmer assessment of soil quality based on qualitative metrics correlated to scientific measures of ''fertile' ' and ''non-fertile'' soils (Dawoe et al 2012).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Organic Farmer Knowledge and Perceptions are Associated with On-Farm Weed Seedbank Densities in Northern New England

Jabbour¹,

Gallandt

Zwickle

et al. 2014

Weed sci.

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Weed management remains a high priority for organic farmers, whose fields generally have higher weed density and species diversity than those of their conventional counterparts. We explored whether variability in farmer knowledge and perceptions of weeds and weed management practices were predictive of variability in on-farm weed seedbanks on 23 organic farms in northern New England. We interviewed farmers and transcribed and coded interviews to quantify their emphasis on concepts regarding knowledge of ecological weed management, the perceived risks and benefits of weeds, and the perceived risks and benefits of weed management practices. To characterize on-farm weed seedbanks, we collected soil samples from five fields at each farm (115 fields total) and measured germinable weed seed density. Mean weed seed density per farm ranged from 2,775 seeds m−2to 24,678 seeds m−2to a soil depth of 10 cm. Farmers most often reported hairy galinsoga and crabgrass species (Digitariaspp.) as their most problematic weeds. The proportion of the sum of these two most problematic weeds in each farm's seedbank ranged from 1 to 73% of total weed seed density. Farmer knowledge and perceptions were predictive of total seed density, species richness, and proportion of hairy galinsoga and crabgrass species. Low seed densities were associated with farmers who most often discussed risks of weeds, benefits of critical weed-free management practices, and learning from their own experience. These farmers also exhibited greater knowledge of managing the weed seedbank and greater understanding of the importance of a long-term strategy. Targeted education focusing on this set of knowledge and beliefs could potentially lead to improved application and success of ecological weed management in the future, thus decreasing labor costs and time necessary for farmers to manage weeds.

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confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Organic Farmer Knowledge and Perceptions are Associated with On-Farm Weed Seedbank Densities in Northern New England

Jabbour¹,

Gallandt

Zwickle

et al. 2014

Weed sci.

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“…Strategies that allowed for critical weed-free period, generally mechanical strategies targeting seedlings 2. Strategies that managed the seedbank.…”

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confidence: 99%

Mental models of organic weed management: Comparison of New England US farmer and expert models

Jabbour

Zwickle

Gallandt

et al. 2013

Renew. Agric. Food Syst.

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Weeds are a major challenge for organic farmers, yet we know little about the factors influencing organic farmers' weed management decisions. We hypothesized that farmers and scientist 'experts' differ in fundamental areas of knowledge and perceptions regarding weeds and weed management. Moreover, these differences prevent effective communication, outreach programming and research prioritization. An expert mental model, constructed primarily from interviews with research scientists and extension professionals, revealed expert emphasis on knowledge of ecological weed management as crucial for successfully implementing such strategies. We interviewed 23 organic farmers in northern New England, yielding an aggregate farmer mental model to compare with the expert model. Farmers demonstrated knowledge of the major concepts discussed by experts, but differed in emphasis. Farmers placed less emphasis on ecological complexity than experts. One-third of farmers interviewed discussed the potential role of weeds as indicators of soil nutrient status, a concept of which experts were skeptical. Farmer beliefs about the weed seedbank highlighted potential misconceptions regarding seed persistence, with one-fourth of farmers focusing on the concept that seeds can live for an exceptionally long time in the soil, while experts focused on the concept of the seed half-life. Farmers emphasized the role of experience, both their own and that of other farmers, rather than knowledge derived from scientific research. Farmers considered yield and the cost of time and labor as equally at risk because of weeds, whereas experts predominantly discussed yield loss. During discussions of management, both farmers and experts most emphasized risks associated with cultivation and benefits associated with cover cropping. These results have prompted us, first, to develop new educational materials focused on weed seed longevity and management of the weed seedbank, and, second, to conduct regional focus groups with farmers who prioritize fertility management in their efforts to control weeds, especially manipulations of soil calcium and magnesium.

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“…In particular, recent theoretical and practical research has focused on strategies for managing herbicide resistant weeds on conventional farms and weed seedbanks on organic farms, which are critical topics for the respective types of farming (Riemens et al. , García et al. , Jabbour et al.…”

Section: Pathways Toward Adoption and Implementation Of Improved Weedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecologically sustainable weed management: How do we get from proof‐of‐concept to adoption?

Liebman

Baraibar

Buckley

et al. 2016

Ecological Applications

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Weed management is a critically important activity on both agricultural and non-agricultural lands, but it is faced with a daunting set of challenges: environmental damage caused by control practices, weed resistance to herbicides, accelerated rates of weed dispersal through global trade, and greater weed impacts due to changes in climate and land use. Broad-scale use of new approaches is needed if weed management is to be successful in the coming era. We examine three approaches likely to prove useful for addressing current and future challenges from weeds: diversifying weed management strategies with multiple complementary tactics, developing crop genotypes for enhanced weed suppression, and tailoring management strategies to better accommodate variability in weed spatial distributions. In all three cases, proof-of-concept has long been demonstrated and considerable scientific innovations have been made, but uptake by farmers and land managers has been extremely limited. Impediments to employing these and other ecologically based approaches include inadequate or inappropriate government policy instruments, a lack of market mechanisms, and a paucity of social infrastructure with which to influence learning, decision-making, and actions by farmers and land managers. We offer examples of how these impediments are being addressed in different parts of the world, but note that there is no clear formula for determining which sets of policies, market mechanisms, and educational activities will be effective in various locations. Implementing new approaches for weed management will require multidisciplinary teams comprised of scientists, engineers, economists, sociologists, educators, farmers, land managers, industry personnel, policy makers, and others willing to focus on weeds within whole farming systems and land management units.

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Linking Farmer Weed Management Behavior with Weed Pressure: More than Just Technology

Cited by 27 publications

References 44 publications

Organic Farmer Knowledge and Perceptions are Associated with On-Farm Weed Seedbank Densities in Northern New England

Organic Farmer Knowledge and Perceptions are Associated with On-Farm Weed Seedbank Densities in Northern New England

Mental models of organic weed management: Comparison of New England US farmer and expert models

Ecologically sustainable weed management: How do we get from proof‐of‐concept to adoption?

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