Optimising and promoting mechanical weed control in arable farming

Mechanical weed control practices, as part of a comprehensive agronomically-based strategy for weed management, offer clear avenues for reducing herbicide use. Whether in organic farming or in conventional, input-efficient farming, acquiring knowledge and communicating the effectiveness of mechanical practices and tools appears essential. The Casdar 8135 project on mechanical weed control has enabled progress to be made in this regard. It demonstrates that research activities should be continued (experimentation, analysis of practices), and that these must be complemented by promotional initiatives favouring participatory approaches, in which farmers play an active role in implementing these new practices.