Agroecological management of weeds in systems with low herbicide use: the ADVHERB project

Reducing dependence on herbicides is a major and highly topical societal issue. However, current scientific knowledge does not provide any generic alternative solutions for managing weeds and thus minimising potential yield losses. Against the backdrop of reduced herbicide use, can we envisage new cropping systems and new spatio-temporal arrangements of agricultural land that would simultaneously manage weeds, maintain crop productivity and, why not, offer environmental benefits in terms of ecosystem services or the preservation of biodiversity? These questions are being addressed as part of the ANR Systerra ADVHERB project, ‘Agroecological management of weed flora in systems with low levels of herbicide use’, coordinated by the UMR Agroecology in Dijon and involving several national partners.