Expanding the Knowledge on Weed Germination and Early Growth to Design Sustainable Management Strategies

Dear Colleagues,

To reduce herbicide use and increase the sustainability of weed management, control tactics should be aimed at the most sensible parts of the weed life cycle. The germination–early growth phase is a crucial part of the annual weed cycle. Plants are very susceptible to environmental and agronomic disturbances at those stages. Expanding our knowledge of it would allow us to better evaluate the dynamics of weed presence in fields and their competitive ability against crops, as well as to calibrate specific control tactics. The present Special Issue will focus on recent innovations in weed germination and early growth research aimed at supporting the design of sustainable management. Research papers, communications, and review articles are welcome. Contributions covering the effect of environmental factors, such as temperature, water availability or salinity, as well as those with a focus on control tools and agronomic practices, such as cover crops or mulching, weed dormancy, germination and early growth are encouraged. Particular consideration will be paid to studies involving the creation and calibration of predictive models for seedling emergence and early growth. Special attention will be given to research concerning inter-population variability in the germination–early growth phase of weed species, but relevance to sustainable weed management should be proven.

Dr. Donato Loddo
Guest Editor

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