Herbicide resistance: A threat to global crop production systems

Incidences and severity of herbicide resistance are increasing globally, and pose serious risks unless bold moves to proactively manage the problem are taken. The spread of weed resistance is a natural ecological phenomenon due to the repeated use of herbicides with the same mechanism of action.  Weed management professionals understand the causes of resistance and many of the management practices that can prevent it. Nevertheless, herbicide resistance is still increasing.  Sustainable weed management is a classic example of what social scientists term a “wicked problem”, one in which there is a highly complex set of interactions between natural and human systems that defy simple or straightforward solutions. Progress on this vexing problem demands a vigorous call to action. All parties to the problem must take ownership for finding innovative solutions, and move past the view that this is someone else’s problem or fault. Simply continuing to do what was done in the past guarantees continued failure. Farmers must be viewed as collaborators with herbicide manufacturers, farm supply firms, federal and state government agencies, university scientists, crop consultants, and commodity and non-governmental organizations. Moreover, agricultural, biological and social scientists must engage with each other, and with the agricultural community, in broad interdisciplinary collaborations.